Credenza of the Week: Rustic

I stumbled across this decor design from Tara Sloggett and fell absolutely in love the color of this credenza. 

It is so pretty against the white walls and next to the tall lamp. I love the monochromatic blue in the credenza and the lamp shade but more than that, I love the color pop from the lamp shade. 

Very rustic and so cool!

Laundry Lady

Our home is absolutely beyond perfect and I am so thankful for it! However, if I was to add one thing to it, it would be a laundry room. I had no clue the amount of laundry one husband could produce! It truly is a remarkable feat. 

Right now, this is about what I have only without the cute paint or the ability to have shelving & hanging iron board since our laundry closet is visible from the kitchen and family room:

So I like to think about the organization, functionality and characteristics I would like in my laundry room (yes, I am silly I know):

Lots of counter space and a big window: (I also love the white subway tile!)

 Lots of baskets for sorting clothes:

 Love these counter tops & the pretty blue bottles:

 Love the splash of colorful wallpaper, the wire cabinets and the chandelier!!

Another big window, long counter and a pop of color:

 

A girl can dream can't she :) Have a wonderful weekend!!

Yummy Little Cocktail

I went to a friend's goodbye party a few months ago and had the yummiest little cocktail. I cannot wait to serve it at the next shindig at our house. It's super easy to make:

Start with a beautiful carafe or pitcher

2 parts champagne

1 1/2 parts St. Germaine

2 parts club soda

Serve with ice and lemon or line

Yummy! Cheers :)

Pretty Plates

I really love plates! I think they are such a beautiful way to implement lots of color in a room. Unfortunately, my Mr "does not like plates." Nevertheless, I am still trying to find the perfect place where they might work in our home so he might change his mind....Here are a few lovely examples of plates hanging on the wall: 

 

Enjoy your plate pull of turkey and stuffing today and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

The Perfect Austin Paper Place

I got my Save the Date was from a different store in town b/c I liked this cute cartoon Austin design they did:

 My husband-to-be and I customized it for us too which was fun. Notice the Longhorn basketball shorts, Longhorn, basketball and some of our favorite Austin places on the sign.

The gals at the shop were super sweet and great to work with. They do everything form cute goodie bags, to cups, invitations, save the dates, etc. Next time you are hosting a little shindig and need some cute paper products, be sure and visit Works on Paper.

Happy Wednesday!

Birthday Bliss

I am the luckiest lady on earth for many reasons, but I am especially still reveling in birthday bliss since my sweet hubby gave me the chairs I have been dreaming of for months now for my birthday: 

Aren't they so pretty? 

These will look GREAT in my Living Room!! 


If you like the style of this chair, check out TARGET for many more fabrics and colors:

On top of that, Urban Outfitters is having a 10% off SALE this week plus FREE SHIPPING leading up to Black Friday. Since I have been wanting this little table for quite a while and I had some birthday money to spare, I decided this was the perfect time to purchase myself my little side table to go between these two new chairs:

I can't wait to get it all in my new Living Room!! The house is coming along really well. I can't wait to get all the Christmas decorations up next week too.


Have a wonderful afternoon and be sure to check back for more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals :)

Accent Walls

I love accent walls, but they make my husband very very nervous.

I think they are super fun! Some are whimsical, bold, colorful, patterned and others can be a little more subtle. Nevertheless, it's fun t see a big bold pop in a room. That's why I really like these:

 I am bound and determined though to stencil at least one wall in our home. Seeing that I have not accomplished this yet, I am thinking that the future nursery may be the wall that wins!! Here is a great accent wall idea from Tobi Fairley. Maybe that will be the one that wins? :)

Birthday Bliss

Today is my birthday. It's been a wonderful day so far thanks so so many wonderful family and friends. 

I came across this photo and immediately thought, now this would be the perfect way to celebrate a birthday with friends. Lots of great conversation with loved ones, great food and wine served in crystal and on silver until the wee hours of the morning. 

Hope you feel this special on your next birthday! XOXO!!

Wedding Wednesday: The Short List

I have several friends that are engaged at the moment, so I have been dishing out suggestions and sharing what I know left and right (which I do not mind at all. in fact, I love it!)

Here is my short list for a few Austin vendors in case you want to share with friends that are  also planning their special day:

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

1) Ashley Garmon

2) Jen Lindberg

3) Kim McGuire 

FLOWERS:

Unfortunately, the girls that did mine are no longer in business for weddings but here are the ones I suggest:

1) Keith at Westbank Flower Market! He’s amazing and does incredible work. He has amazing talent! He’s #1 for sure!!

2) I have been to a few weddings where the flowers have been from http://www.rosehipflora.com/ and they were beautiful. 

3) Verbena was my second choice for my wedding. They are unbelievably talented. 

CAKE:

1) Mine came from Simon Lee Bakery and they were incredible. So affordable and delicious! They are in Pflugerville so it was a little bit of a drive from Austin but totally worth it. 

2) The other people I interviewed that are really popular here in Austin are the Cake Plate. 

Happy Planning!!

(all photos by Ashley Garmon Photographers)

Upholstered Beds

Can't get enough? Here are even more photos and instructions on how to make your own! This look is all the rage and can be very versatile. Don't spend a ton of $$$ on bedroom suits but instead go for this less expensive and fun option! Take a look at some of my favorites:

Restaurant Review: Auburn, CA

Last May, while I was traveling across the state of California, I booked a group of business partners to dine at Latitudes in Auburn, California. Situated directly across from the small town courthouse in the center of town, this charming old home has been converted by the owner and her chef husband into a charming and fascinating dining experience. 

Though their standard dinner menu sounds delicious, we were lucky to enjoy one of their monthly specials where they pick two latitudinal coordinates and cook food found in that region. For instance when we visited in May, all the cuisine was African. It was absolutely incredible and made for a wonderful dining experience especially after a week on the road with other the restaurants serving the same chicken, fish and steak entrees. 

If I am ever back in Auburn or passing nearby, I will absolutely be going back to this establishment again! Cool concept and incredible food!

Chandelier for Every Room: Closets

A gorgeous dressing room that houses a gal's glam collection deserves beautiful lighting, and there is nothing more glam than a striking chandelier:

SO BEAUTIFUL!