The saying goes, “The good ol’ days are still to come!”, and that particular sentiment resonated deeply with us during a recent trip to Magnolia Market. It perfectly encapsulated the whirlwind of emotions and anticipation we’ve been experiencing. Our journey to this point has been marked by numerous move-in setbacks, unexpected delays, and the kind of life hurdles that truly test your patience. Yet, as we stand on the brink of a new chapter, we’re unequivocally starting to see the brilliant light at the end of what felt like a very long tunnel.

Currently, our world is a flurry of boxes, tape, and packing peanuts. We’re deep in what we affectionately call “crazy packing mode,” meticulously organizing and boxing up every last item from our old house – well, everything except the truly colossal pieces of furniture, of course! The grand culmination of this effort? Moving day is officially set for this coming THURSDAY! The sheer excitement and relief are almost palpable. We can barely contain our enthusiasm for what awaits us in our new abode.

Admittedly, there remains a considerable list of tasks to complete at the new house. However, after much deliberation, we’ve decided to bite the bullet and push forward with the move. We’re operating on a foundation of good faith, trusting that the remaining work will swiftly fall into place post-move. This decision also strategically positions us to list our current house on the market without delay, capitalizing on favorable market conditions.

Our Fixer-Upper Journey: A Glimpse into the New House Reality

For those of you following along with our new house renovation adventure, here’s an honest and unfiltered look at what will be finished – and, perhaps more tellingly, what will remain delightfully (or dauntingly!) unfinished – when we officially cross the threshold:

**Interior Decor & Styling:** A staggering 0% of the house will be decorated upon move-in. That’s right, nada! Our immediate plan involves simply moving all our belongings in, creating a functional base, and then tackling the exciting challenge of designing and decorating each space as we settle in and find our rhythm. Think of it as a blank canvas awaiting our creative touch, one room at a time.
**Upstairs Bedrooms:** We’re thrilled to report that approximately 98% of the upstairs bedrooms are complete. The floors are down, walls are painted, and most fixtures are in place. The final touch, and the only remaining task, is the installation of a new window for Gwen’s room, after which these private havens will be truly move-in ready.
**Master Bathroom Oasis:** Our master bathroom is on the cusp of completion, sitting at an impressive 90%. We’re eagerly awaiting the resolution of a minor bathtub installation hurdle. Once that’s overcome, our serene master retreat will be fully operational, promising much-needed relaxation after long days of unpacking.
**Guest & Secondary Bathrooms (The Future Projects):** It’s important to be transparent about the reality of renovating a fixer-upper, especially concerning budget constraints. Due to significant, unforeseen budget setbacks stemming from critical foundation, structural, and electrical issues that required immediate attention, the other three bathrooms in the house will remain completely unrenovated for the time being. These will be exciting future projects, allowing us to plan their transformations without the pressure of a move-in deadline.
**The Heart of the Home – Our Kitchen:** The kitchen, often considered the heart of a home, will be entirely unfinished when we move in. We’re still patiently awaiting the delivery and installation of countertops, the plumbing for sinks, and the full suite of new appliances. This means relying heavily on takeout for a while, but as we always say, that’s precisely what Uber Eats and our beloved Chick-fil-A are for! It’s all part of the adventure.
**Brand New Flooring Throughout:** We are incredibly relieved and excited to confirm that all the new flooring throughout the house is 100% complete. This foundational element truly transforms the space and provides a clean, cohesive canvas for everything else.
**Freshly Painted Walls:** Similarly, all interior painting has been meticulously completed. The fresh coats of paint instantly brighten every room, setting a beautiful, clean backdrop for our furniture and decor.
**Modern Fireplace Installations:** The installation of our new wall-mounted fireplaces is still pending. These modern additions will add both warmth and a contemporary aesthetic to our living spaces, and we’re looking forward to seeing them in place.
**Clerestory Windows for Natural Light:** The clerestory windows planned for the family room, designed to flood the space with natural light and enhance its architectural appeal, are also awaiting installation. This will be a significant design feature once completed.
**Finishing Touches & Details:** A multitude of smaller, yet equally important, details still need attention. This includes installing various shelving units, hanging light fixtures, and addressing other minor electrical and decorative elements that truly bring a home to life.
**Stunning Floating Staircase:** One of our most anticipated transformations is proudly complete: the old, somewhat dated spiral staircase has been officially replaced with a sleek, modern floating staircase! This architectural statement piece instantly elevates the entire entrance and living area.
**Organizing My New Creative Studio:** I’m currently dedicating time to organizing my new creative studio space within the house. This dedicated area for work and inspiration is nearing completion, and I’m eager to share some sneak peeks and the final reveal with you all very soon!

Be sure to follow along on our social media stories, as we’ll be sharing many more real-time updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses as we navigate the preparations for our big move and the initial days in our new, partially renovated home!

THE WEEKLY EDIT: Lifestyle & Inspiration Roundup

As we navigate this exciting period of transition, we also love to share a dose of weekly inspiration and interesting finds. Here are your Friday weekly edit links, featuring everything from pop culture trivia to sustainable living tips:

**The Ageless Paul Rudd:** Can you truly tell which Paul Rudd is younger? We recently took this fun Paul Rudd age quiz and only managed a score of 12 out of 20! It’s mind-boggling to think he turned 50 this week. Who else firmly believes he hasn’t aged a day since his iconic role in Clueless? A true Hollywood enigma!
**Vibrant Rainbow Slides:** We’ve fallen head over heels for these incredibly cheerful rainbow slides. They are an absolute “love, want, need” item for adding a pop of color and fun to any casual outfit.
**Matching Rainbow Blouse for Gwen:** And speaking of rainbows, imagine the cuteness! Gwen could perfectly match my colorful new slides with this adorable rainbow blouse. Perfect for bright spring days and family outings.
**The Great Cat Fetch Debate:** We always suspected it, and it seems NPR weighed in! Do cats actually fetch, or do they simply not care when you call them? NPR had a bit of a back-and-forth on their headline, but honestly, we’ll only truly believe a cat can fetch when we witness it with our own eyes!
**Charming Pug & Plant Lover’s Find:** For all the enthusiasts out there who adore both adorable pugs and lush houseplants, here’s a delightful something crafted just for pug and/or plant lovers. It’s the perfect quirky addition to any home.
**Sunscreen on Eyelids: A Vital Health Reminder:** This is a crucial health tip we recently came across: never skip applying sunscreen to your eyelids! A recent study highlighted that this area is often the most forgotten and, alarmingly, the most vulnerable to skin cancer. Make it a part of your daily routine.
**Discreet Wireless Charging Station:** Say goodbye to tangled cables and unsightly chargers! You would genuinely never guess that this sleek item is actually a powerful wireless charging station. It’s both functional and stylish, blending seamlessly into any decor.
**Embracing Eco-Friendly Living for Earth Day:** Earth Day is celebrated this month, reminding us all to be more mindful of our environmental impact. One of our favorite tips, gleaned from the comment section of our “Going Green: Easy Eco-Friendly Items To Substitute in Your Home” post, was to switch from regular toilet paper to bamboo and recycled Who Gives A Crap paper. (Who else is absolutely loving that brand name, by the way? It’s brilliant!)
**Artistic Cutout Prints & Decor:** We’re currently captivated by cutout prints, especially when they take inspiration from iconic artists. This Matisse-inspired throw pillow, for instance, adds an effortlessly chic and artistic touch to any sofa or armchair.
**Revolutionary Packing & Moving Labels:** Given our current packing frenzy, we’ve just discovered these ingenious labels that promise to make the entire packing and moving process infinitely easier and more organized. A true game-changer for anyone facing a big move!
**Easter Preparation & Inspiration:** With T-minus 9 days until Easter, have you completed your Easter baskets yet? Just in case you missed our comprehensive Easter roundups, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for modern Easter baskets, fantastic non-candy Easter stuffers for your kids, thoughtful stuffers for him & her, and even some delicious healthy Easter candy alternatives. Happy Easter planning!