Heck Yes! Absolutely Not. Maybe?

House hunting, house selling, red shoes because why not.

Heck yes!
A few weekends ago we flew out to NC and looked at six different houses in one day. The first one looked good in the photos but the reality was cramped rooms, sloppy fresh paint (hiding who knows what) and popcorn ceilings. Also, two of the houses across the street were proudly displaying Trump/Vance signs in their yards and that told me all I needed to know about that neighborhood. The next house was a mid-century ranch that had been beaten to shit. It had so much potential to be good but it was a project and I’m not looking for a project. I HAVE PROJECTS. I AM A PROJECT.

We then looked at three new builds. The first one had a great kitchen but was built on top of a steep embankment and it me nervous that the entire thing would slide into the ravine behind it. The next one was gorgeous but RIGHT on a busy street. Like, you walk out your front door and boom street. The third new build was actually kind of good. A strong “maybe.” I had no fault with it except that it was brand new and lacked character. I don’t really even remember what it looked like because the second I walked into house #6 I was sunk. I was in love. I looked right at Fred and stage-whispered: I WANT THAT.

Y’all. This house is a 1923 Craftsman bungalow with a deep front porch, gorgeous wood floors, surprisingly high ceilings and a full basement. Also it’s in a completely walkable area near a historic downtown area full of restaurants and such. This house is owned by a single woman with excellent taste - I even love her paint colors. We made an offer the next morning and then drove to the little downtown and walked around to get the lay of the land. During that walk we got the call that our offer had been accepted and that was just the best fucking feeling I’ve had in a long time. Fingers crossed that it all goes well.

Absolutely Not.
Now I’m back in Oregon trying to sell our current townhouse (my husband stayed in NC to start his new job) and this means I have to keep things in “strangers will be poking around in your house” levels of tidy. I have to “live minimally” according to our realtor and I have to tell you I AM NOT THIS PERSON. How do super tidy people do it? I mean, you seriously deal with all the mail immediately? You hang every item of your clothing every single time?¹ You are just constantly picking up and putting away every single thing? Clearing surfaces over and over again? It’s EXHAUSTING. I hate it. Please come buy my house and end this tyranny.

Maybe?
Red shoes because why not. Red shoes are my favorite way to make a regular outfit a cool outfit and I’m seeing a lot of red flats/mary janes lately. I want in. I currently have a pair of these excellent flats by Everlane that I love but the higher vamp cuts across my scar in an uncomfortable way so I’ve had to stop wearing them. I decided what I need instead is a pair of red mary janes. I ordered this pair from Madewell which were so cute but the strap was too stretchy and they wouldn’t stay on my feet. I love this pair but suede feels too serious for summer. Maybe these Rothys? I am open to red flat Mary Jane recs is all I’m saying.

1. During the staging they took away my clothing chair. I am bereft.