Screw it. It’s August. Everyone but me is on vacation. My mom is visiting. I can’t think of anything to write about. I am not posting today! And I might even take Wednesday off too! What do you think of that?

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The summer escaped us. Too much meshugas. Now all of those home projects have been pushed back to the fall. Exterior projects should take priority, but what’s another year? We tend to get to the more pleasant projects first.

Here’s my to do list based on the fun-o-meter.

So, what do you enjoy doing?

1. Strip paint from wainscotting. Re-paint. (Fun:0)

2. Paint shutters which are getting moldy in damp basement. (Fun:1)

3. Paint walls and decorative molding. (Fun:5)

4. Pick out new entry doors. (Fun:10)

5. Probably strip and restore entry doors. (Fun:0)

6. Replace rotted wood from front bay windows. (Husband’s job. Who cares?)

7. Paint new bay window wood. (Fun:4)

8. Pick out decking for porch. (Fun:10)

9. Pick out porch balusters. (Fun:10)

10. Help hubby install decking. (Fun:5)

11. Strip and repaint balusters. (Fun:-2)

12. Use porch before winter 2008. (Ain’t gonna happen, but would be high on the fun-o-meter)

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This breathtaking mansion is sooo last week! But I didn’t spot it in The NY Times until this week so forgive me and my “old news” post.

I must’ve looked at the slide show a dozen times. Tears came to my eyes. I think I am in love. Both with the house and that cute old guy (Sorry, Pops) who looks like he’d feel just as much at home in a Florida condo. Hey guy, my mom is available!

The Astoria villa is on the market for $4mil. I think all of you moochers reading this blog for free should chip in and buy this house for me. My birthday is just around the corner as is the 1st anniversary of this blog. T’would make a lovely gift. Come on, let’s make this happen! Go, me!

But enough talk. Let’s just look at pictures and collectively drool.

He’s petting his pony! How cute is that? Does the telescope mean there’s a skylight for viewing? Oh, stop.

Geez, I was excited to uncover plain white marble mantles in my house. Plain marble, feh!

Ok, this is my favorite thing. If I could just rent out the basement, I’d be happy. A billiard room, a bar….and…a Roman bath. Oh, what cursed fate that I don’t have a Roman bath and pool table in my basement!

Slide Show

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My storage space is full and I need to clear way for new inventory. I’ll be doing a BIG flea sale this Sunday. All tschotschkes must go! I’ve made $5 grab bags full of cute little goodies. Then I’ll have $5 and $10 bins. Clean me out!

Check out my flickr page and store and make an offer on larger items as well. I’m not so flexible on handmade or restored items. Just all that as-is stuff that I haven’t even dusted.

Brooklyn Flea, space C5, this Sunday 10am-5pm.

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Chances are you know more about Hudson than I do. That’s because I’ve only been there a handful of times. But that may be about to change. I took a trip up to Hudson yesterday with mom in tow, to seek out multi dealer antiques venues. I took a fancy to Armory Antiques so I may hook up with them.

The changes in Hudson since the last time I was there are so overwhelming, it’s difficult to convey in a single post. There’s a lot going on! The main shopping district on Warren Street can take a good few days to cover. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that many of the shops are antiques dealers. There are tons of art galleries and restaurants to keep you busy if you hate antiques.

Hudson is serviced by Amtrak and the town is completely walkable, so this can be a car free weekend destination. It’s within close proximity to Albany, The Berkshires and Upper Dutchess County. I’d give it a good 3 hours from NYC even though some like to say it’s only two.

I’ve been ignoring Hudson on this blog because I don’t think of it as being affordable. There are still some bargains to be had, but look into the real estate taxes before you leap. The homes around here are to die for!

Fun fact: The Wonder Years was filmed in Hudson.

Current cool Warren Street exhibit: Best in Show

Columbia Tourism, interactive guides

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$100k: Bank owned 4 family

What drew me to this house originally was the pink. But it looks like it’s been painted in Photoshop, no? Anyway, cool brick home for $100k. No interior shots leads me to believe this needs a tad TLC.

$345k: Detailed Victorian

The white exterior, perhaps vinyl siding isn’t thrilling me on this property. The interior shots tell another story though. Great detail and nice restoration work. Kudos to these folks!

$349,900: 4BR Arts and Crafts

All that woodwork! This home is solid looking and so sweet that I’m getting a tooth ache. I loouuve it!

$429,500: Former church

FYI, It’s my dream to convert a church. Also, barns, firehouses or any BIG OLD places. But back to the church….this one looks like a keeper! Who’s buying? I’ll do the work. And live there. All you need to do is put up the money. Not a bad deal, no?

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Photo by Bernie Kessler

I’m revisiting Beacon real estate this week because I keep hearing how dire the market is. The prices on these homes don’t seem particularly low, but it looks as if things have cooled off a bit in what was once red hot Beacon. The sellers would probably be asking at least $100k more if the bubble hadn’t burst. Whether they would get it or not is another thing.

There are definitely homes out there for under $200k in Beacon now. Plenty of them. I chose to look at the more interesting ones as the others didn’t do much for me. Get a load of some of these photos. You think city realtors can’t take pictures? These images are appalling, I tell ya. Simply appalling.

$349,500: 6 BR

Sorry the link doesn’t take you directly to the house. Not only can’t this broker take pictures, he is completely computer illiterate. I know because he’s the guy holding my license. He thinks his website looks good. Drives me nuts! Anyway, the house….3574 square foot Victorian on .31 acres. “Diamond in the rough” has some deets. The fact that someone took the time to strip the staircase and every single spindle has gotta be worth at least $200k. No, I’m serious. Really.

$389,000: 3 BR

Oh, how I’ve drooled over this house! It’s so friggen cute! Check out that 50’s breakfast nook! And the red couch. Bordello chic. Love it. Not so crazy about the location though. : (

$449k: 4 BR

Well, if you can’t afford the French chateau, here’s something that might do the trick for now. I love the crawlers and the fact that this house looks soooo haunted! 1900 square feet on 2 acres. It can be my Grey Gardens.

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I still prefer to shop locally and pick up things in person, but if I choose to shop online, Amazon the place to go. They just seem to have EVERYTHING and the prices can’t be beat (well, usually).

Smart cookies that they are, Amazon has launched Amazon Green, a cross-category program that includes a list of products that customers have selected as the best green products offered by them.

Top five at the moment includes:

1. 5 pack tote bags: $9.95 (Ok, so they’re $.99 apiece at Shoprite)

2. 13 watt fluorescent

3. 23 watt fluorescent

4. Push lawn mower

5. 48 pack of 7th Generation toilet paper: $47.99

Number nine on the list is a solar charging kit.

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So wait, you mean Brooklynites aren’t the only ones blogging about their neighborhoods? People from New Jersey have something to say (Sorry, Shore Chic!). That’s what a recent NY Times article says, anyway.

Baristanet out of Montclair is said to be the mother of all suburban blogs. Creative snob that I am, I couldn’t get past the boring design and photos of “those suburban types”. It wasn’t inviting me in. Of course founder Liz George gets the last laugh since she actually has a financially successful and well read blog.

Red Bank Green is more my speed, both in it’s writing style and design. It has a more young, hip feel. The writing reflects that as well. Yes, I do realize the irony. I am neithor young nor hip.

The Loop, serving parts of Westchester is both purdy and informative. They have rumor, rant and rave sections which is always fun.

Long Island is lacking in the blog department. That’s probably because the place is completely devoid of character and people are too busy getting manicures. I mean both men and women. Hey, any readers out there from Lawng Ieyland? Sorry! Love the place. Really.

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My husband goes around unplugging electronics that are not in use. It’s a good habit, but I must admit, I’m too lazy to do it all the time. Fact is, leaving computers, phones and chargers plugged in wastes energy. Lots of it.

The Green Plug may be the key to slaying the energy sucking vampires in our household electronics. It’s a universal energy efficient power hub for electronic devices. Go to their website for all the boring technical stuff.

Unfortunately, compatible electronics probably won’t be hitting the shelves until 2009. Even then, you’re not going to go out and buy a whole new inventory of products. Not to worry. For those without patience, design kits are currently available.

Via Treehugger

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