Curb Appeal: Phase 2

So, here is the final hardscaping project!! About 100 stones and a week's worth of labor was involved in the terracing project and Matt and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. The next step is filling it with prettys. So, hopefully this weekend's weather will be nice and we can complete phase 3! I think we are planning on planning annuals for the most part for now and maybe some ground covers, then we will add some hostas and bulbs come fall. We are sticking with a purple and orange (of course) color scheme which should contrast the house well.

I am also accepting decor suggestions for the area to the left of the steps where the concrete pad meets the porch. A bench seems to be the most sensible idea, but I just don't see it serving any purpose... Any other ideas?? Also, if any of you have recommendations for the front door color, I would love to hear them! The storm door definitely has to stay for now for insulative purposes (there is an enormous gap under the current door that you can stick your hand through), but we hope to replace it with a glass inset door in the future. I just think that a color behind the brown storm door would brighten up the dark red brick. The only catch is convincing Matt!!

Inspiration

With all of Kim's bargain hunting, I have been quite excited to try it myself. So, last night, coupons in hand, Matt and I went to Shop N Save to capitalize on no coupon needed Thursday. For those of you not from the area, Shop N Save offers $10 any purchase greater than $50 on most Thursdays. Combined with my entertainment book coupons for $5 off the purchase of a $50 gift card, already saved me $15! There were some other good deals, like $4 off when you buy lettuce, ground beef, tortillas, and shredded cheese... All items we needed. We also got free bread with the purchase of lunch meat. I didn't get away with spending $6, but we did get $95 worth of groceries for $70. My favorite deal was the new Bush's Grillin Beans... They were on sale for 2 for $3, then I had 2 $1 coupons, so I got them each for $.50!

Curb Appeal: Phase 1

Anticipating the georgeous weather yesterday, Matt and I planned on spending the weekend giving our little house a make over. First step was to get rid of the ugly wooden tie wall. Still needing a structure there for water drainage, we opted for grey landscaping stones. We still need to back fill it tonight, but I think it's going to look pretty sharp! Next step is terracing that whole side of the yard with the same stones and getting some colorful flowers planted...

Before

(and Matt's frustration with the wall's reluctance to come down)

After

We still have some tweeking to do along the edge as part of Phase 2

A good day's work despite all the cuts, bruises, and sunburns!