Etsy Browsing: Necklaces

I've been on the look out for a red and black chunky necklace (Go Tech Go!). Etsy is a treasure trove of all kinds of goodies, especially jewelry. I thought I'd give it a look over. I was quickly distracted! You can't blame me. Well, you could. But you shouldn't. It could have happened to anybody!

MadamLili has this little dragonfly for sale. I love dragonflies. And turquoise. (Oh and sorority types, I also saw some really cute key and anchor charms.)

Or if you are on the look out for some fall fashion. I love this necklace from Zojanka. L. O. V. E. LOVE IT!

And I couldn't help but be drawn into Liz Briggs Designs. There is some of the most colorful jewelry I've ever seen. I just kept being drawn back to it.

I still haven't found the perfect red and black necklace. But that just means I get to look around Etsy a little more.

Fashion Friday: Dressing Less

I don't mean I am dressing less. I mean there is less of me to dress. Woo! For the past little bit, I've been losing weight. And by little bit, I mean a year. And by weight, I mean 30 lbs! I welcome compliments and encouragement.

Go ahead and post some, I'll wait.

Thanks! I love you guys!

I still have plenty to lose before I hit my goal weight. (I even have a dream weight, I might try once I get down there.) Over all, I'm looking at another 40-50 lbs. It feels totally reachable at this point.

All that said, I'm running out of clothes. When you can pull your jeans down without undoing the button, it's time to move down.

So I've been doing a lot of browsing lately. And being Texan, there is a certain style I generally lean toward. It always involves jeans. The ultimate wash and wear clothing. And now they come with lifts and tucks. HANDY!

I stumbled upon this site: Urban Western It is almost stereotypical of the high of Texas fashion. Oh don't get me wrong some of those Austin girls seem to have a bit more California flare or New York chic, but for the most part, in Texas, you'll find chunky necklaces, blouses and a pair of boots, especially in the fall.

Found here

I love the dark jeans, cute little top with the front pockets, and, of course, the big pendant necklace! They'll be a couple like her at the foodball games tonight. (Go Lions!)

Found here

This is a very popular Texas girl's choice. Classic white button down, faded jeans, boots, and the chucky necklace.

Found here

LOVE THIS! She's going to the rodeo (pronounced: Roe-D-Oh). I'm not sure I could pull off that shade of brown, but the detail on the shirt is down right purdy. And I certainly can't get my hair to do that back combed make you taller thing that's so popular.

Wish I could.

But check out that belt buckle and how it goes great with the necklace. I love turquoise!

Good luck to all the kids at the football games tonight. My high school is playing their favorite rival today. It should be a lot of fun. I wish I could be there!

Perfect Kitchen

I found my dream kitchen over on Jane Coslick Cottages the other day. It is absolutely all the things I want in a kitchen. White cabinets. Shelves. Glass doors. Turquoise retro appliances! Turquoise glass tile. Oh my heart just pitter patters. I've actually seen this kitchen before. I'm not the first person to fall in love with it. If you check out Jane's Blog about it, you can learn more.

Or... if I thought Dave might even remotely go for it. I'd totally take the retro appliances in pink. (Thanks to going home to roost for linking this beauty! I love it!)

casapinka

Porch Find!

As summer is coming to a close, I wanted to get in a post about porches. The fall is the best time to have a nicely set up porch here in my part of the world. It's much too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and too wet in the spring to enjoy them any other time. And as I'm surfing around I found:

A Lowe's Creative Idea

This one from Country Living: (Doesn't it make you want to get the fall decorations out all ready? Add a hot steamy mug of apple cider,  YUM!)

By Robin Stubbert

And this lovely setting at Suncatcher Farm a property in North Carolina. (The property is for sale. And is just breath taking!)

I can't decide which one I love the most. Color. Simplicity. Or that setting!

I can totally imagine being wrapped in a blanket and drinking hot cocoa on these porches.

Painted Wood Floors

I'm a fan of stained concrete floors. It's in my price range. When/if I ever build my own house, that might be the way we go. But I really like the look of painted wood floors. Quit with the gasping, I'm not above painting wood. If God didn't want us to paint wood, He wouldn't have made the world with so many beautiful colors.

This room is fantastic! It wouldn't work where I live, way to many bugs. But if you didn't paint the floors that room would be so incredibly dark. It just wouldn't work. And the Coastal Living article even says how easy painted wood floors are to maintain.

Photographer Michael Skott

 

 You can do patterns. (I love the cats, but Sweetie needs to hop off the table, please.)

Found at Wide Open Spaces

Stripes can change the feel of a room making it seem wider or longer.

Found at Decor Pad

Painted floors are just full of character. I love character!

Go Tech Go!

In homage to Dave's alma mater, Texas Tech, (or as my kids would say "Go Tech Go"), our family has a fondness for the color red. As I've said before it adds a great punch. But I'm not so drawn to it to paint an entire room that color.  But I've been toying with the idea to create the perfectly balanced black and red living room. Our furniture is already dark, not black, but that deep mahogany wood color. Close enough for government work. And so that leaves my punch of red. My first thought is curtains.

m. design interiors

Maybe an accent piece:

CostCo $299.99

Add a pillow or two.

I love ModDiva! She has fantastic fabrics.

Done and Done. Although I have to admit, if it weren't for the Tech influence, I'd die to walk into this as my living room!

Tobi Fairley

Of course, I would LOVE to walk into any Tobi Fairley room! Just check out the site. It is just beautiful! Oh to have that skill!

505 Imports!

505 Imports is one of my most favorite stores in Lake Charles, LA. Their style and my style are spot on. They have heavy dark pieces. Bright painted pieces. And delicious fabrics. I have a deep resentment toward Dave Ramsey and his pay cash plan when I'm standing in that store sans credit card. Man-o-man would I buy that place out.

This piece is at the very top of Dave's kitchen wish list. He's always wanted a kitchen island. And his favorite is the style that looks like furniture. You know, more than the kind that's just a counter in the middle of the kitchen. If this had a butcher block top, it would be the ideal island for him. For me, I see storage! I could put my fantastic new turquoise Le Creuset pot on one of the shelves and stare at it all day.

Large Rustic Kitchen Island

My list is topped by this reclaimed teak square table. No two are alike. It'd be perfect for a kitchen nook. And I like the idea that the dinner table just hold everyone's plates. Second helpings can be kept on the kitchen counter. And yes, that does mean people will get up in the middle of a meal. But I have hopes it will also encourage everyone to finish their least favorite part before bothering to get up. (A mom can dream right?!)

The larger dinning table here

Another favorite of ours is this awesome red hutch. This is the smaller version, I think we'd need the larger one. I have a vast collection of Fiesta Ware and Crystal that has outgrown my already giant hutch. I really have a problem. I wonder if there is a pill for it? But in the meantime, I'd totally take one of these. It would add a perfect punch of color, don't you think?

Small French Cupboard

I love browsing through their site almost as much as the store. One of the owners has a fantastic blog about her travels and finding just the right pieces for their store. If you have a chance you should check it out.