I'm not sure if it's new home overload or the fact that I just started a new position at my day job, but recently I have felt like I was drowning in the day-to-day. So, we devised a plan...head up north, take in the late summer fun of Parkville Days, and then mosey on up to Weston for some antiquing and beer drinking.
We started with Parkville Days...and so did the rest of the city! The tiny quaint Parkville streets were jammed with people - young, old, and otherwise - bustling about, checking out the latest sales and making their way downhill to the carnival and crafts. Early on our journey down the hill, I discovered Spaghetti Western, my new favorite spot for all things vintage western. Owner Melissa has something special here...the shop is primarily vintage western fashions with a splash of retro decor. And the prices are insanely low! With everything from retro lamp shades to rugged cowboy boots, Spaghetti Western is sure to please even the most ecclectic of tastes.
On to Weston...by way of the back roads :) There's nothing I enjoy more than taking a leisurely drive through the country with the hubs. The insanely beautiful weather we've had lately just made for an incredible drive, too. The bluest of blue skies butted up against the greenest of green fields for an absolutely gorgeous drive. We daydreamed of someday moving up north, restoring an old barn, and living happily ever after sipping lemonade on the front porch. Someday...
Arrive at Weston! My heart jumps a little everytime I drive into Weston and see the adorable brick homes with their bright white shutters. The main street of Weston is where it's at so we started exploring the canopied shops along the main stretch. The aroma of fresh-poured candles led me to 5B & Co. candle shop. At this point, I figured Shane would browse McCormick's Country Store for some local whiskey or visit the arts and crafts goods at Renditions, but at the entrance of the candle store read a sign "Fresh-poured candles and free O'Malley's beer!" Just plain genious. You can bet Shane was by my side the whole time I shopped for candles :)
After browsing some antique stores and picking up an antique desk chair (an awesome find!), we ended our trip with some drinks at O'Malley's, because what would a trip to Weston be without some fine Irish beer? We listened to a local Irish band, sipped some cider and dark ales, and just took in the atmosphere. If you've never been to O'Malley's, again I suggest standing up, leaving that cubicle, and making a beeline up north. Situated 6 stories underground, O'Malley's is the definitive Irish pub. I don't know if it's the stone walls or the 300 lb men walking around in kilts, but it just puts a smile on my face. If for no other reason, go to Weston to drink at O'Malley's. You will not be disappointed.
www.parkvillemo.com
www.westonmo.com
www.5bandco.com
www.westonirish.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Real Home, Real Debt, and a Reel Mower
Greetings! I apologize for not posting in the last few months, but our lives have been absolutely crazy!! We hit the house hunt hard and heavy beginning in April, and we are finally happy to announce that we found our perfect home! But that doesn't go without saying that the hunt itself was brutal, often causing fits of rage and buckets of tears.
We started the search in Kansas City's most charming of neighborhoods, Brookside. While I was excited, I was also anxious because the price range for first-time home buyers and the price point in Brookside don't necessarily match up perfectly. However, we quickly learned that quite a few bungalows were being purchased, flipped, and sold at affordable prices. It didn't take long before a cute-as-a-button bungalow came along in our price range. We viewed the property at the same time as a cute little yuppie couple. Needless to say, my competitive streak was raging :) We decided to go the responsible route and get insurance quotes and crime reports for the area before making an offer. Well, responsibility decided to bite us in the behind because while we were researching, that cute little yuppie couple put a contract on the house...less than 24 hours after it was listed! We were floored...confused...and sad.
After Shane dried my tears, we decided to turn the hunt on it's head and went perusing the quaint and quiet streets of outlying Johnson County, specifically Gardner, KS. Growing up in a small town, we appreciated the old-style barber shops and five-and-dimes in Gardner. As luck would have it, we found a terrific Victorian that had been restored with modern amentities. We had that feeling...this was it! We were meant to be urbanites no longer. Then we got the call...their agent informed us that there were two other offers and the sellers were making a decision that evening. We panicked and made an offer. What happened to that buyer's market we had heard so much about? I guess every other buyer in the KC metropolitan area had heard about it as well. We lost the bidding war. Stupid gorgeous restored Victorian...here's to hoping you're haunted.
Fast forward three days after the Victorian heartbreak. Rehabbed bungalow in our old fave, Brookside. Three bedrooms, two baths, fenced yard, corner lot...and a finished basement! Could it be? Room to expand, a brand new kitchen for Shane to invent his culinary creations, and a man cave for him to escape to while I'm cleaning up his creations. We had hit the jackpot, and we knew it. We jumped and jumped fast. Two viewings in one night, contract by 11:00 p.m., negotiations by 9:00 a.m., acceptance by 11:00 a.m. We had done it. Taking note from the cute little yuppies, we offered, bargained, and bought a house in 24 hours. Match, point.
Ahhh...no more late nights searching the online listings...no more pointless viewings...no more negotiations. It feels good...really, really good.
We'll be moving in throughout the month of July, and we've started a list of must-haves. At the top of the list, a lawnmower. I'm pushing for a reel mower...the engine-less antiques that are making a comeback with the Green movement. However, Shane wants the convenience of a gas-powered mower. Looks like we're back to the negotiations :)
We started the search in Kansas City's most charming of neighborhoods, Brookside. While I was excited, I was also anxious because the price range for first-time home buyers and the price point in Brookside don't necessarily match up perfectly. However, we quickly learned that quite a few bungalows were being purchased, flipped, and sold at affordable prices. It didn't take long before a cute-as-a-button bungalow came along in our price range. We viewed the property at the same time as a cute little yuppie couple. Needless to say, my competitive streak was raging :) We decided to go the responsible route and get insurance quotes and crime reports for the area before making an offer. Well, responsibility decided to bite us in the behind because while we were researching, that cute little yuppie couple put a contract on the house...less than 24 hours after it was listed! We were floored...confused...and sad.
After Shane dried my tears, we decided to turn the hunt on it's head and went perusing the quaint and quiet streets of outlying Johnson County, specifically Gardner, KS. Growing up in a small town, we appreciated the old-style barber shops and five-and-dimes in Gardner. As luck would have it, we found a terrific Victorian that had been restored with modern amentities. We had that feeling...this was it! We were meant to be urbanites no longer. Then we got the call...their agent informed us that there were two other offers and the sellers were making a decision that evening. We panicked and made an offer. What happened to that buyer's market we had heard so much about? I guess every other buyer in the KC metropolitan area had heard about it as well. We lost the bidding war. Stupid gorgeous restored Victorian...here's to hoping you're haunted.
Fast forward three days after the Victorian heartbreak. Rehabbed bungalow in our old fave, Brookside. Three bedrooms, two baths, fenced yard, corner lot...and a finished basement! Could it be? Room to expand, a brand new kitchen for Shane to invent his culinary creations, and a man cave for him to escape to while I'm cleaning up his creations. We had hit the jackpot, and we knew it. We jumped and jumped fast. Two viewings in one night, contract by 11:00 p.m., negotiations by 9:00 a.m., acceptance by 11:00 a.m. We had done it. Taking note from the cute little yuppies, we offered, bargained, and bought a house in 24 hours. Match, point.
Ahhh...no more late nights searching the online listings...no more pointless viewings...no more negotiations. It feels good...really, really good.
We'll be moving in throughout the month of July, and we've started a list of must-haves. At the top of the list, a lawnmower. I'm pushing for a reel mower...the engine-less antiques that are making a comeback with the Green movement. However, Shane wants the convenience of a gas-powered mower. Looks like we're back to the negotiations :)
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