To New Beginnings!

Call off the search party! I'm here, I'm here.

I know what you're thinking...

'girl, how you gonna move 1/2 way across the country and not check in with us everyone once in a while?'  

I KNOW! Terrible!!!

 

I have been here for over 3 weeks now and NOTHING is complete. I know, it takes more than a few weeks to get things how you want them. My mom came to visit (sent like a little angel from heaven) for 10 whole days. THANK GOD! Mom always makes everything better. You wouldn't believe what we were able to accomplish...

 I have the entire downstairs painted with exception to the powder bath, but its behind a closed door so it can wait. Remember how the previous owner was OBSESSED with pastels?! GONE! ewwww 

THESE ARE NOT FINISHED ROOMS, SIMPLY BEFORE/AFTER UPDATED COLORS!

Dining Room

Office

 Front door/ Railing/ Shutters
Yes, we've only done the bottom so far, but it already looks so much better than that awful green!

My mom was determined to get something up on the walls, so here is the beginning of my gallery wall in the living room.

The largest task I took on: removing the pantry.
Yes, i did! It was way too small and took up a lot of potential cabinet space. I took my little hiney on over to THE Home Depot and bought myself a sledge hammer. We got back home and I went to town, only it wasn't working well, Mike gave me a few swinging lessons and I tried it again. I followed his instructions and "followed thru"...
*the events that are about to take place are all Michael's fault, since I was following his instructions.
I took a huge swing, followed thru and BAM hit the pantry, RECOILED and smacked THE GLASS STOVE COUNTERTOP! (hanging head)
NOT my proudest moment...
I did want to upgrade the appliances to stainless afterall! ;)

After much debate and my hubby actually agreeing to stainless, I decided not to upgrade. I think our kitchen will still look beautiful with all I plan to do, so I decided to save the money for something else. So long story short here are the progression pics.

My mom, Michael and I hung the new cabinets and now they are just all waiting for the stain. Eeeeekk!!! That's my goal for next week. We've already priced out new countertops and have decided to go with granite, hopefully that will be in by the end of next week too! The kitchen will seriously be unrecognizable!

Amongst all the work around our home, we did have an awesome Christmas just us three. We attended mass at the beautiful St. Andrews Catholic Church.

Seriously GORGEOUS!! We took an afternoon off to prepare the most amazing Christmas dinner: turkey, dressing, squash casserole, green bean bundles and mashed potatoes. It was PERFECT!

On today's agenda: finish caulking the crown molding in the dining. As for the hubby, he's been obsessed with getting the hot tub ready!

Everyone have a FUN, SAFE New Year's!!!!
 

Weekend Recap

Happy Monday! Not! Well at least it’s not your normal Monday, over here anyway. 

Working for the govt has its perks, you receive Floating Holidays!

(aka. work, said holiday, and get an extra day off!) I chose the latter, obvi! 

So my day off was Friday, and what’s a girl to do when the Nutcracker Market comes to town?! Put on your newest riding boots (lots of walking), grab your girls and get to shopping. If you want see grown women dressed to the nines and running around like chickens scouting the nearest bar for their next glass of champagne... Get in line! And yes, there is a LONG line!

If anything will get you into the Christmas spirit, it’s the Nutcracker Market. People are everywhere, buying gifts and things they don’t need, BUT it is magical!

And being the DIYer that I am, I’m taking pics of “all the things I can make myself!” 

Yes, I’m that girl! 

1. Burlap Stockings

2. Painted Letters

3. Sparkly Wreath

           

Yes, I have lived in Texas my entire life, but I've never been interested in Texas/Rustic decor... until I met this guy a few weeks ago... 

Add bling or shimmer to ANYTHING and I WANT IT!! 

Insert this beauty:

 He had a pretty gorgeous price tag too of $2,500.

The rest of the weekend was devoted to football! Who doesn't love a reason to tailgate?! 

Plus, it was homecoming weekend for the UH Cougars! 

We mosied (stumbled) on over to PubFiction to watch the A&M game... i must say, if you're not an A&M fan, just watch a game with these people and they will convert you. It probably didn't hurt that they beat the #1 team or anything... 

Have a great week!! 

Tune in: some pretty exciting news is coming at the end of this week!!

Fredericksburg Shopping Trip

I really look forward to our annual girl’s trip to Fredericksburg, TX. My mom, aunts, cousin (Taryn) and I scour the shops of the little ole town until we drop, quite literally.

  

We curse the shops that have tape across the big comfy chairs when our feet are pounding… how am I supposed to test out and see if I want to pay $2K for your cow hide chair if I can’t sit in it?! JOKING! But not at the prices… place has gotten PRICEY! I’m usually very much a Forever 21, H&M, Target kind of girl; but something about these little boutiques makes my heart pitter patter. Plus it’s nice to NOT have the same clothes as every other “trendy” girl in town.



Taryn & I

We were all so excited for our shopping weekend, not to mention the below 90 degree temps we were expecting! Mr. Weatherman said we were going to have beautiful sunny days, high around 68. WRONG! No way, weathermen don’t lie! The high was 56, BIG DIFFERENCE to this Texas girl. What’s a girl to do?

                                                       Drink up, until you warm up!

They had Pink Margaritas too, to promote Breast Cancer Awareness… of course, we HAD to get one!

There are always "characters" in the town and it never fails, you will always see something picture-worthy. This guy had EVERYONE talkin..

The best part, the Food and Wine Festival was in town. Needless to say, we ate AND drank, A LOT. I swear I gained 10lbs. You try leaving Fiesta Winery without buying 3 bottles of vino after trying nearly every wine on the list! Impossible! But I always say… PROMOTE small businesses!

The décor is always so beautiful and I always get great ideas for decorating and DIY. Look for these upcoming pinterest-worthy projects:



LOVED this unique chandelier!

"Hello Sexy" ha.

 

Spray branches, add mirror... easy enough.

I see a headboard in my future.



AND.... THE most swoon-worthy item of the trip… the zebra stenciled acid stained cowhide WITH gold accents!!!!!!! Ahhhhh.. she can be yours for $750.



Call Me Scrooge

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas as much as the next person… The time with family, the hot chocolate, the 1,000 calorie casseroles… THE PRESENTS!!!

BUT one thing I’ve always had beef with is the tacky Christmas décor!

SAY NO, TO MULTICOLOR BULBS!!!!!

I myself am a neutral girl. I like things looking natural ;) “That’s what he said…”

For those like me and appreciate a good “seafoam” accent wall, know that Forest Green and Stop Light Red don’t exactly highlight my favorite Pottery Barn styles!

                                                         NO THANK YOU!!!

Here are some of my favorite NEUTRAL, but SHINY Christmas décor ideas…  

Twine done right!

Amazing what a little wine bottles and spray paint can do!

I'll take a cute burlap wreath ANY DAY!





On Sale @ Ballard Designs

And when all else fails, JUST ADD GLITTER!

PINK, Glitter, Chevron..... SWOON!

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