Introducing: Hostetler Master Control

Let's take a tour around our newly upgraded workspace, shall we?

1. We got a new computer. Curt would tell you all of the specs, but I'll just tell you that it kicks butt. I *love* it. The computer we replaced was over 7 years old, ancient in computer years. This new computer is so speedy gonzales in comparison.

2. Dual Monitors. My favorite thing about this new computer (besides the fastness). Our old (singular) screen was 15 inches. Each new screen is 21.5 inches. My budget spreadsheet now has so much space to spread out that I can see over a whole year all at once. Sweetness.

3. We were able to get Adobe Creative Suite 4. It rocks.
Adobe InDesign CS4
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended
Adobe Illustrator CS4
Adobe Flash CS4 Professional
Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
Adobe Fireworks CS4
Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro
with Adobe Bridge CS4, Adobe Version Cue CS4, and Adobe Device Central CS4.

Do I know how to use all of these programs? Absolutely not.
But I am sure having a blast learning. So many capabilities!

4. The computer has a TV tuner. So I suppose we now technically have a TV. We still only watch Survivor. But hey, now we have options, even if we don't exercise them.

5. Negative Scanner. I love love love pictures. The idea of old pictures/negatives out there degrading pains me. So when my dad approached me to digitize some old stuff I jumped at the chance. I mean, just look at this! Aunt Marsha and Uncle Vance when they were younger than I am now (I think, circa 1983 anyways). Aren't they cute? This is from a negative about the size of my fingernail. Pretty good.

6. Curt introduced our networked storage device here. My version of why it's cool? All of those pictures I love so much take up a lot of space. This enables my obsession. The best part is that we have a terabyte of storage right now and we only have one out of two hard drive spots filled, so for $80 we can add another terabyte, or however much is economically feasible at the time (which may be way more space seeing as how space just keeps getting better and cheaper).

7. Messy Cords. One of the drawbacks to having so much electronic equipment is the fact that you have to plug all this stuff in. I plan on getting this thingie from IKEA that mounts to the underside of the desktop to organize/hide the rat's nest.
Well, that concludes the tour today.

Electronics that possibly make the "to buy in 2010" list:
1. New mini laptop for Curt. The one he's limping along with cannot for any reason be unplugged for a milisecond or it dies.
2. A laser printer. I highly dislike ink jet and ours currently is disagreeable when asked to work. When asked to do anything looking vaguely professional it flatly refuses.
3. Someday I would like a nice digital SLR camera, but there really is no need so I don't think this will happen.

Dressers Redo: Part IV

Earlier steps on this project: Part I, Part II, Part III

Are you ready for a couple before and afters?
(snicker, say "it's about time Carmen")

Here's the before of the dresser I found at the side of the road...

...and here is the after:

I was planning on distressing the finish on that one, but when I got done I just love the antique white. I'll live with it a while and then see if I want to scuff it up a bit or not.


And here is the before of the antique dresser bought for $10 at a yard sale...

...and the after:

I just have to show you some details on this one because I think that it turned out so beautifully.

After I painted two coats of Behr high gloss color matched to Glidden Antique White I took a piece of sandpaper to the details I wanted to highlight.

Serendipity: I found these lovely octagonal drawer pulls at target for $1 something a pull at Target, I thought they went well with the octagonal dresser feet I installed.


Since I'm probably going to make a habit of installing hardware on things, I invested in these templates. Very handy.

So pretty.



So...I was able to show you two before and afters, but you may remember I had a total of four dressers I was working on.

Well, here's where the other two are at:

They are painted antique white and the edges have the lightest of distressing.

I am now searching for the drawer pulls that I want to complete the look I have for them in my head. Something like this, or this, or this.
We'll see.

So Adorable

I get to see this little one soon...

We're ready to go...

I am so very, very excited.
For, you see, I get to go home and spend 2 weeks with family this Christmas.

We leave on Friday.
I have been counting down for months.

Checklist:
Get new tires - Done
Get travel snacks - Done
Get full size spare tire - Done
Check weather for the drive - Done (looks pretty good)
Check out hotels along travel route - Done
Christmas shopping - Done
Wrap Presents - Done

Left to do:
get through the next week of work. *sigh*


P.S.: blogging will be light when we are gone, but whoa baby, we will be on picture overload when we get back

tumblr site

Frequently in my wanderings I find beautiful pictures of rooms, clothes, or fun projects.

In the past I've just emailed myself these things to put in a reference file I keep on my computer.

I now have a better idea.

I created a tumblr account called exquisite-sublime.

It's an easy way for me to keep track of things I love and where I found them.

It's an organizational tool for me, but feel free to look at Carmen labeled eye candy, I've put a link to it in my side bar.

California: The Hotel

So, if you haven't noticed by now, I'm a tad bit obsessed by architecture/interior decorating.
This being the case, I could not tell you about our stay in California without showing you the beautiful hotel we stayed at.

Isn't this a pretty succulent plant arrangement?

Here was our room:

And the view from our window:

Hotel lobby:

The top floor of the hotel was a restaurant/bar.
We went up during the morning when no one was around. I loved all of the glorious sunshine the many windows let in (what can I say, I'm deprived here in MI). I bet that the lights of the city look super cool at night though too.

Neat fireplace:

See, the fire came up through this colored glass.

And I'll leave you with two shots of the amazing view. *sigh*

California

So, we had the opportunity for a quick trip out to California.
Leaving Michigan for California is always a good idea, especially if the dates fall between November and April.

I'm not so good at the story telling with pictures, so I'll just hit you with the random pics and maybe give a blurb about each, OK?

So, 3rd Street in Santa Monica is called the Promenade. It is an outdoor shopping mall that has most any store you could wish for. I spent some quality time drooling in Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.

For breakfast we ate at the cutest little old timey diner named Callahan's. I loved it so very much.



So, looks are deceiving. From our hotel, the beach looked just one street over. Which was the case...kind of...but when you approached the beach you found a completely hidden highway (pacific coast highway) you had to cross to get to it.



The Santa Monica pier.


On the pier they happened to be having some sort of car show. Mostly gangsta style :)

...but a few of the variety that I think are beautiful.

While there we were able to meet up with some friends for dinner.
We went to this new-ish place called RockSugar, and I am in love. Try the princess chicken, you won't regret it.

Brian, Me, Curt, Derek
*love* these boys so much.

Derek and a lady friend, Tori.

*sorry for fuzzy pictures, but I wanted to document the cool atmosphere without ruining said atmosphere for others, so no flash*

And that is about it.
It was a great break with lovely views.
Note to self, you may forget...again...in a few months that you hate red eye flights. Please do your best to resist the low cost temptation.