Sorry for Delay

Hello again world! I have resurfaced from a computer issue that has taken all my energy and most of my whits. Fortunately, my absence has allowed me much time to brainstorm and read. I am back in my happy place armed with my Mac. My happy place looks like this in my head. What about yours? :)

Happy Monday friends!

Old Christmas Cards

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those old Christmas cards in February? I always hate to throw them away but also hate the massive stack that has been sitting in a bowl on my bookshelf collecting dust since the Holidays. Well, I gifted the Mr. with a fancy bulletin board from Ballard Design for our hallway so we could hang onto the cards for a year longer. It was a fun project to scale down the cards and also have all our friends represented in our home.

I even snuck a few old pictures in there just for fun. Check out this photo of my man when he was just a little guy. Isn't he a cutie? Recycling can be fun :) Have a good day!

Colored Cabinets

Thank goodness. We are finally starting to see some color coming back into the kitchen besides speckled granite. Now don't get me wrong, sometimes there is nothing more beautiful that a sleek white kitchen to make your senses crave the colors and smells of fresh ingredients (now you know why every restaurant serves on white plates), but I am glad to see some real ingenuity and creativity creeping in...and I love it!

I love these different takes on colored cabinets!

Our kitchen may be in need of a little lightening up :)

Awesome Animal

There is no better way to glam up a room I must say, than adding a little animal print. We all know animal print is symbolic of sexy but you also have to admit that though trends come and go, animal print can always be stylish if done right.

Warning: there is a danger when implementing animal hide into your home that it can look like the Wild Wild West so when I say animal print, I mean a cool animal hide rug or luscious throw draped across the bed or a chair.

Take a look at these animal hide rugs done well:

Since the Mr and I are adding the last few details to our almost-finished-new-bedroom, I think an animal hide rug might be the perfect thing...Sit tight for more updates...

The Perfect Shoe

As Spring creeps a little closer, it's time to think shoes! Move those wintery boots to the back of the closet, schedule a pedi and break out the straps and sandals! Here is my new indulgence for the Spring season:

Michael KORS 'Margo' Pump $250

Though, if you are looking for something a little more comfortable and budget friendly, get these Franco Sarto beauties! I had a pair of his shoes last season and literally wore them out they were so comfortable.

I have been looking for the perfect nude pump for quite a while to wear on more formal occasions. I think I may have found it. Thoughts?

Stuart Weitzman $298

Have a great day!

Canopy Me

I wish my house had taller ceilings because I would love to have a fancy bed with a canopy. Not the type we had when we were kids in the 80's and 90's, but something gorgeous and luxurious like these!

There is something so dreamlike and comforting about beautiful linens surrounding you while you sleep. Oh maybe one day....Sigh.

Deck Your Walls

Photo clusters are ALL the rage right now! Get your walls up to date and looking sharp with some beautiful and artistic photos, prints and art.

Notice that it's fun to have an eclectic mix of artwork, different colored frames, and photos.

My favorite places to get inexpensive frames are always Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning and Pottery Barn. Visit your local stores to pick out some that will pop and dress up those drab walls!

Happy Hump Day!

Restaurant Recommendation: Nashville

Two weeks ago when I was in Nashville for business, I took a group of sponsors to dine at the Watermark Restaurant. Though having never been to Nashville before, I knew the reputation of this establishment was excellent.

The wine and beer from the local brewery were very memorable while the food struck just the perfect note. The favorite dishes of the night had to be

roasted beet salad

speck, beet chips, pea shoots, chevre, apple cider vinaigrette

barbeque white shrimp

crispy grit dumplings, celery root, black radish remoulade

(the celery root was by far the best flavor while the grit dumplings fell flat)

wood grilled beef filet

creamed leeks, pommes duchesse, green peppercorn sauce

Henry Fudge wood grilled pork loin 29.

rutabaga and Fuji apple gratin, swiss chard, spiced apple butter

Given the cool interior design, the great flow of the bar and the good cuisine, I would happily recommend this place to anyone traveling to Nashville. Located in the Gulch area of town, one can really enjoy several local bars after dinner the best of which is right next door, the Wine Loft. Don't forget to spread the word with your friends!

Pink and Red

Multiple times while we have been working on the house, I have thought to myself, "whoa my style has changed with marriage." Though I certainly wouldn't change a thing about my life, I do like to still dream about the colors of my single days....especially PINK!

These dining room chairs are to die for!

This room is absolutely divine!! I can hardly contain myself!!

Sweet, modern and very chic~LOVE IT!

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Paradise

I am blessed to travel a fair amount for my job and also to have a husband who enjoys travel as much as I do, so I am always looking for fun and beautiful places to visit. My top three criteria are always the same

1) a perfect place to relax and recharge

2) must be culturally stimulating with incredible cuisine

3) I want to experience beauty

There is one place, I went for work nearly a year ago that I am dying to revisit: Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg, California. The food, accommodations and decor were splendid. It is top of the list for a get-away weekend with the hubby.

Ooo La La Lamps

After all the painting and redecorating of our Master Bedroom, I suffered through several weeks of looking for lamps. I scoured magazines and blogs looking for the best fit for our new room but became completely confused and overwhelmed.

I ordered these delightfully delicious lamps from Lamps Plus (thanks to a recommendation from Copy Cat Chic!) but they were completely washed out against our gray paint color and all the white bedding (though I still think they are divine and kept one to use somewhere in the Living Room).

Next I ventured into something a little larger since our end tables are so long...

And even came across these lamps on eBay for $285:

I knew I was moving in the right direction when I saw this lamp at Worlds Away though you have to understand I have an aversion to Asian influenced decor

I really like the drum shade and shape of this lamp at Crate and Barrel, but they didn't grab me for that price. I wanted something with a little more pizzaz!

And I loved this lamp, but are you kidding me with that price Crate and Barrel?

Finally, I wised up and made my first trip to the HomeGoods here in Austin. Boy, they did not disappoint!

$59.99 each and I was out the door, headed home with my beautiful new lamps! Thanks HomeGoods. I will be back!