Spring Fling

I want to have a spring fling with these shoes.  I am obsessed right now.  Can't decide which color I like best.

New Year in Neon

Just ordered my new 2012 datebook via Graphic Image and I chose neon pink.  It makes me giddy that my new planner will be on trend for Spring. 

Are you in need of a new datebook and you like to rock it old school like me?  Head over to Graphic Image, their beautiful leather planners are 50% off.

A New Favorite

Hello bloggy friends! I am hear to share with you today one of my new favorite websites. TheBeautyDepartment.com founded by Lauren Conrad, Kristin Ess and Amy Nadine. The primary focus is beauty products, tutorials and to answer reader questions, but every now and then they'll highlight other fun stuff like this DIY table skirt.

Personally I love the fabulous beauty tutorials about hair and makeup.  They keep them short and simple so as not to overwhelm you and easy to practice at home.

Go see for yourselft it won't dissappoint.

Any interest in my Pinterest?

I've started pinning away and you are welcome to follow if you'd like. This stuff is addictive. 
Click here to follow.

iPad for Mommy

Happy Mother's Day to you all! I hope your weekend was filled with love and relaxation. We had a great weekend, half was a bit hectic, but the other half was extremely low key.

For mother's day we didn't do much, just a wonderful brunch and a lazy Sunday. I did however receive a very fun present from the family. I must admit the gift was personally requested, but with good intentions in mind. The hubs and my munchkin gave me a new iPad2.

You see I typically don't request presents for such occasions as Valentine’s Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, etc. I always feel so silly asking for anything when it's always the thought that counts. But this go around I have life changing motivations that caused me to be so bold. So, very casually one day I just happened to mention that if my husband was wondering what to get me for mother's day an iPad2 would be greatly appreciated.

Naturally my electronic request received no pushback. Anything, fun, cool and electronic is always a great investment according to my husband. I wonder if an expensive designer handbag would have received the same welcome. I think not.

When I made my bold request I also included a list of Top 10 Reasons I need an iPad2. I use the word need loosely, because do we really need any of the material things we have? No. So here they are…


1. I am about to take maternity leave in 7 weeks and an iPad would be very handy during nursing time.

2. My husband and I can stop fighting over the laptop. Although I presume we’ll probably argue over the iPad too.

3. My four year old has been requesting an iTouch and she is not getting a new iTouch any time soon. Hopefully monitored playtime with the iPad will appease her.

4. We don’t have a TV in our vehicles, so this will provide hours of entertainment for my children during long road trips.

5. It will also come in handy during doctor’s visits and even at restaurants with my daughter. I don’t normally condone computers, TVs or video games during such times, but sometimes you just want them to be still and quiet.

6. When my husband and I travel we can Scype the kids and see their beautiful faces when we get homesick.

7. When my daughter starts pre-K next year she will have computer lab time, including working with ipads. Yes they already have ipads in schools. This will at least give her some advance practice.

8. I can also use the iPad for work! It will come in handy during client meetings.

9. Welcome to the twenty-first century Walton family. We don’t own iPhones or Apple computers. Even the grandparents have iPhones.

10. I am hoping with the convenience of the iPad I will post more to this blog. Lucky you (I say with great sarcasm.)!

P.S. I also got the new orange Smart cover. I really wanted the pink, but I decided it’s probably best to not emasculate my husband masculinity when he’s using it in public. I am such a thoughtful wife.

Mug Love

I love this mug.  I really do, it so pretty and a set would be beautiful in my new kitchen.  I have inquired about the cost for one set and found it here.

Kitchen Artwork

I am working on artwork for the kitchen and am pondering a few pieces that have recently caught my eye.  The first is this beautiful 40"x40" photography print on Etsy by Carl Christensen.

Who says you can't have a fun photograph in your kitchen.  Does kitchen artwork have to be about food?  I like the subtle pop of color with the orange and fun casual feel it brings.  I want my kitchen to be fun and casual.

I also like this one for all the same reasons, fun, casual, muted colors.

Next up is this bleach wood starburst mirror from Ballard Designs.  I really like the muted color of the wood, but I also feel like I need to take a twelve step program and move away from the starburst. 

Or maybe something weathered and old like this Wisteria window pane. 

What would you hang in your kitchen?

Renovation Realities: Cabinets Take Shape & Countertops

Lot of fun progress this past week. The cabinet builder started framing everything out and we picked the stone countertops. The outer countertops that line the walls will get a honed carrera marble and the island will be soapstone. The backsplash will also be a honed carrara subway tile.

I always wanted a honed marble for the counters, nonnegotiable, but to have soapstone too! It’s a dream come true. I never thought my husband would agree to both as they are on the high maintenance side.

When we picked the stones I gave him three options of my favorites and didn’t tell him which was which. His options were, slate, soapstone and honed granite. Lucky me he picked soapstone!

I am super excited to share the progress over the next couple of weeks. We’ll be picking paint, lighting, seating options and heading towards the finish line.

Countertop Pics

Remember these cute basket? Love them in my mud cubbies.

Kitchen without the island.  That's the new range hidden under the blanket.

My Little Blue Book

I just ordered this blue beauty to keep me organized in 2011. I’ve been a long time fan of Graphic Image datebooks and I order a new one ever year. You could say I am a bit old school with my schedule. I don't sync my Blackberry to load my weekly agendas or schedule reminders to keep me on time. I like the feel of soft leather and smooth pages between my fingers to stay punctual and organized.

Here’s a tip, I always wait until February to order. Graphic Image typically puts their books half off after January.

Renovation Realities: My Faucet Infatuation

A long time ago, before we ever purchased our current home, I fell in love with this kitchen sink faucet from Perrin and Rowe by Rohl. I promised myself that when I got the chance to gut a kitchen I would put this beauty as the eye candy of the sink.

Well friends the time has come and yes, we ordered this faucet in polished nickel and yes it is everything I had hoped it would be and then some. It's so beautiful and shiny and I could stare at it for hours.

We also ordered these little babies for the kitchen cabinets in polished nickel from Restoration Hardware.

Amateur Appliqué

Like most people I am obsessed with Leontine Linens custom monogrammed appliqué bedding and towels. I have one big hang up; I can’t see spending hundreds of dollars on custom linens when I have all the professional equipment at home to create the same look.

Since I have two girl rooms to plan for, I’ve decided to try and master the large appliqué monogram. I have appliquéd before, but never on such a large scale. My plan is to appliqué the baby’s bumpers and a valance in my older daughter's room.

We’ll see how it goes and I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Images via

Dreamy Canopy

I was catching up on my favorite blogs when I spied this dreamy room from Little Green Notebook, via Lilly's Notebook, by Lilly Bunn Weekes.  I love the notched valences; so beautiful!  This would also be cute for a boy's room in blue or a neutral flax color.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tuesday was my 36th birthday and my husband and daughter gave me this.  I love it!

All That Jazz

I recently discovered a gorgeous new nail polish shade that has women of all ages asking me, "What is that color you have on your toes?"   Jazz by Essie is the perfect shade of nude and taupe with no pink undertones and it's my new favorite color for fall.  Next time I get a fresh mani/pedi I'll snap a photo to share.

Yes please, I'll take all three.

My jaw hit the ground when I saw these gorgeous Sarah Storage Towers from Ballard Designs.  Yummy! 

Oh Happy Day!

Gas Lanterns installed! Yay!!!! I told my husband the very next house we live in, will have gas lanterns-nonnegotiable. They are worth every penny!

Makes My Heart Flutter

While fabric shopping for a client I stumbled upon this pattern and something about it got my heart racing.  I just love it.  I am a sucker for a beautiful trellis print and scrolls.  The pattern is Ivory Scroll Leanika by Dena Designs for Free Spirit and you can buy it here.

And it comes in pink!

Team Edward

I make no apologies for the lack of posts these past few days. I have been working a lot and when I am not with my family and working, I have recently become obsessed with the Twilight books. Yes that's right, I have succumbed to the teen drama that millions of people have already been addicted to (I know about a few years late).

It all started when I rented Twilight to see what all the hype was about. Well...let's just say I am team Edward all the way (with a body like Jacob)! Overall I thought the movie was good since my expectations were low. I had heard from many that the movie was good or okay but the books are awesome.

What can I say, I am a hopeless romantic. If Edward approached me in a dark alley I would surrender my neck in a heartbeat. Titanic - loved it, Splendor in the Grass - one of my all time favorite movies, The Way We Where - always drop everything to watch it every time it's on, The Notebook - cried like a baby, etc. etc.

So if you haven’t read the books, what’s all the hype about? It’s a modern day Romeo and Juliet with a twist. Edward the male lead is the perfect male; gorgeous, sexy, charming, polite, a protector, dangerous, wealthy and extremely intelligent. Okay so he’s a vampire and drinks blood - nobody’s perfect.
Bear with me I will post again and not about Twilight. Until then if you are looking for an escape – might I suggest you join the phenomenon.

It's Snowing in Houston!!

A rare occasion indeed. See, not a lot, but enough to have fun.

Check out my kid's outfit.  We are in to dressing ourself these days and yes those are toe socks on her hands not gloves. I love her so much, such a free spirit.

And we made this little guy.  Remember as my friend Meli said, it's Texas snow. 

Win a Set of Vintage Barbie Fashion Prints

Have you been a long time admirer of these vintage Barbie Fashion prints by Robert Best?  I have always loved these gorgeous prints for my daughter's room, but not the price tag.  These collectibles sell framed only for $80 and up a print until now.

I spied the Barbie Fashion Model Collection 2010 wall calendar at Sam's Club for $7.88.  Yes you read it right, 12 beautiful 12 x 12 prints for only .65 cents each!  I stopped dead in my tracks and almost passed out I was so excited!  These prints would look stunning as a collection framed and matted in a girl's room and that's just what I plan to do with mine.

You can buy these calendars at any Sam's Club and Amazon.com or this week only you can win yours right here!  For your chance to win 12 gorgeous vintage Barbie prints from One Haute Kid just leave a comment and good luck!  The winner will be announced Thursday, December 3.