Today was a bit of a bust in terms of productivity, but it was an absolute blast in terms of spending some QT with a friend and my BF. We have a 7-hour brunch to thank for that. 
If you haven’t already, don’t miss your chance to enter the $100 cash giveaway I’m part of–three days left!
Weekly Miscellaneous:
This past week was somewhat of a wild ride. As I mentioned in Friday’s Link Love post, I was featured on CNN Money on Wednesday. It was somewhat unnerving to have this blog tied to my full, “real” name, but I think it’s a great sign for what’s to come from The Happy Homeowner. Plus, it was fun to finally tell close family and friends about my blog!
Aside from the highs of the hurricane of traffic CNN has been sending my way, things were sailing along quite smoothly over the course of the week. That was, until Thursday night when I somehow managed to crack part of a molar eating rock candy. Seriously?? I’m not looking forward to that dental bill when it comes in, but I suppose it’s a great lesson: One piece of rock candy is plenty; two pieces = disaster.
This week was also hugely productive for my 2013 goal of turning my second bedroom into an office. I priced out some options for my built-in desk, and I settled on buying base cabinets from IKEA (only $30 each!) and DIYing the top of the desk with lumber from Home Depot.
My DIY Office Renovation
Here’s the progress so far:
Base cabinets
Laying out pattern for top before cutting boards to size
Staining the boards
Assembled desk before shelves and doors, etc. are added
Side view of corner detail (still need to anchor everything so it’s flush and touch up edges with more stain)
Meal Plan:
So far, so good for my mission of cooking my way through the Joy of Cooking this year. For next week, I have some traveling scheduled so we’ll be eating all the awesome leftovers from this week’s adventures. Here’s one of my favorite dishes so far:
Orecchiette with Chicken and Mushroom Sauce
Favorite Pins of the Week:
Have a great week!
Jen
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The desk looks awesome! Great idea.
Thanks! It was actually fun to build, too!
Wow I love your idea to make a built-in desk! That is so cool. I have a really big L-shaped desk that isn't the ideal thing, but it works okay. It wouldn't survive another move, so it's a good thing I don't plan to move again!
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I designed this one to be taken with us if/when we move out–I love DIY because you can individualize everything
Congratulations on coming out of the blogging closet. It's scary!
Thank you! Yeah, I was a bundle of nerves pretty much all week last week. Now, I'm pretty much over it…haha!
Wow, only $30 each, that is crazy, gotta love IKEA. Looks great!
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I know, right?! It was like it was too good to be true. They get you with the extras–doors start at $55 and you have to buy everything separately. Picking & choosing only what I need makes it that much easier to do this on a budget
The desk is great! Looks super sturdy and convenient. Once again congrats on CNN!
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Thank you! I'm excited to work at it–it's almost ready to go!
Wow way to get featured on CNN! I love the desk btw! I wish I had something other than my kitchen table as my desk so I could use it…well as a kitchen table.
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Thank you! Yes, after years of using my kitchen counter and/or dining room table as a work space, this is a much-welcomed change
Where did you get the idea for the desk? Pretty cool.
I borrowed the idea from Young House Love and adapted it to be the L-shaped desk I want to be able to do my work and still have space to spread out my various craft/DIY projects.
Very cool. I like it a lot.