!Contest! And some other stuff about pretty landscapes

First let me say that I really wish I could do an upside down ! in this blog.  I don't know how, if I did, that first ! in today's title would have been flipped and it would have been much more awesome.  lowercase i doesn't work, btw. ANYWAY.  As part of my continuing effort to learn everything there is to know about planting stuff in the ground before Austin's 3-second spring season ends I've decided that I absolutely under no circumstances can miss the 2010 Outdoor Living Tour taking place right here in our fair city of Austin this very weekend.

Live in town?  Keep reading for contest details.  No where near?  Keep reading because you love us.

This Saturday, April 17, 9 lushly landscaped modern homes in Austin will open their doors for the wrist-banded among us to enjoy (psst, more on this in the contest part below).

Industry experts will be on hand at each property to talk about the design and execution.  Is it gauche to bring my land survey and ask specific questions about drought-resistant plants?

Just kidding, I would never ever do that.  Just thought I'd clarify.

Click HERE for a complete listing of all properties on tour.

Want to go?  Ok, here's the scoop, you can either:

1.  Buy tickets right now for $12 here

2.  Get tickets for $20 on the day of the show (THIS SATURDAY, people!)

or 3.  Leave a stinkin comment.  Oh, and you best have plans to be in Austin this Saturday.  Leave a comment now-zers and I'll draw a winner tomorrow, Wednesday, at 5:00pm central time.  The winner will be announced thursday morning.  Winner gets 2 (two!) wrist bands.

proto-tight

When I groggily gazed at the computer this morning, a post on modern austin acted as a virtual bag of smelling salts for my dreary eyes:  turns out that the delightful ladies of Prototype on South Congress are putting one of their houses on the market.  Audrey?  Emily?  Not sure which one of these cutie pies is moving but they're selling a house I would never want to leave.  Take a gander:

Clearly the crown jewel of the estate, this bath makes my heart go pitter pat.  It's also a great reconciliation between the great debate at my house:  I want a double shower, matt wants a tub. Voila, we'll have both, all  flanked by lovely tile and luxurious hardwoods.  Here's more:

le exterior.  looks like Jen Perkin's colorful house But wait, that's not all:

Is it just me or does all the furniture seem a little too close to the walls?  There's so much space, let's see a more dynamic arrangement.  Otherwise, the space is clearly freakin perfection.  I don't even know which piece of furniture to point out they're all so damn marvelous.  Hopefully they'll end up at the store for sale once the house goes off the market.  Here's one more thing I want you to see:

adorable patio.  Oh, and one more thing:

I've already suffered through life with a red bedroom and will never go back, it was good for a while but then got old.  HOWEVER, j'adore le platform!  What a great way to divide up space.  My master is gigundus and I've been keeping myself up at night trying to think of the best way to break that puppy up.  Of course!  A platform, I'm seeing a lovely light wood... or dark.  

Oh!  That reminds me, I just picked up some fabric samples from Fanny's Fabrics for my new sofa, keep your fingers crossed that I'll have a couch redux update soon!

kisses!