lavender lemonade

Summer is behind us...but I stumbled upon a photo on pinterest yesterday that had me itching for one last summery indulgence: lavender lemonade. Now, all the recipes I've found will not make my dreamy lemonade look like this:

pinterest

How nice would that be to take to a TCU tailgate? I think it would take a little food coloring but this will be a recipe to try, found at Oprah.com, whether it is this year or next, its going happen.

Lavender Lemonade

Ingredients:

-3 cups sugar

-7 sprigs of lavender (stems & buds) plus garnish

-2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 12 lemons)

-1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 5 limes)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring 1 gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

six months

pinterest

Today we celebrate six months of marital bliss. I feel very blessed to have met the love of my life at such an early age. We took our time and dated for six years before taking the plunge into marriage. We grew up together and experienced life together - college and then the real world - and then we made our life together official. Tax Day is no ordinary day anymore, its our anniversary that way he'll never forget.



Everyone says the first year of marriage is the hardest. We are half way through and seem to be making it, whew! There are some days tougher than others but its too hard to be mad at your best friend for long. I usually have other funny or important stuff to tell him! I am a lucky lucky woman to be with a man who is so funny, handsome, persistent and smart. Conversations are never dull and there is always something to do...possibly because I get antsy...Did I mention that he's tolerant too? And that he really does love me for all the quirks and isms that I have? Yeah, its pretty great.

I said today we are celebrating...well, today we are celebrating, but not together! B left this afternoon for France and Switzerland. He is one lucky duck and is there for a week for work. He is staying in romantic Annecy, France and then doing some business in Switzerland. I told him to go ahead, put in for a transfer and find a flat for us. Here's hoping! If we can't do that, I at least hope for a good present. We did celebrate last night over champagne and luggage :)

While B is away I will be hanging with Ringo, perhaps still enjoying champagne without him, and working on Thanksgiving preparations! I am making a wreath - already bought the supplies, so I'll make sure to let you know how it turns out. I'm also playing around with a little metallic paint. We'll see if mercury glass is what it turns out like. For now, au revoir!

gift guide

I love the holidays. Plainly, as I've already posted about Thanksgiving, so why not start on Christmas ;) There are a few items I've been asking for for several years. SO to fix this little problem I've decided to create a gift guide for B. I mean, after registering for the wedding it seems so simple! Practical, even. There is still the chance that I won't get said gifts this year but now that it is written down (and I've given the family so much slack about the requests being denied) there is a more likely chance I will see one under the tree!

Some friends have shunned me for this idea, others are embracing it! My gift guide includes the item, specific color, price point, Web site, stores carrying the product and any other necessary details. Some items on the list include:

Jo Malone: Nectarine Blossom & Honey

Most people haven't seen this gem of a film. It is my mom's favorite and has been watched so many times in our household it has become one of my own favs! I vividly remember watching it for the first time, as an adult, and finally getting jokes my parents always laughed about. Well, our VHS tape isn't exactly current so for several years now I've asked for the DVD. This is the year!!! I can feel it.

Dogeared Karma Necklace



Toms Sunglasses - One for One

With every pair you purchase, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need.

Will you start a gift guide for your family this holiday season? I find a little guidance goes a long way. I don't expect B to live and breathe by this list; I hope it guides him in the right direction of items I love. B is even thinking of doing the same. It's just like making your list for Santa, but for your spouse.

the honor of hosting



Pinterest

This year B and I have the honor of hosting our first Thanksgiving! As a newlywed, I consider this to be a great treat and I want to do it right! My in-laws are wonderful so I'm happy to learn and implement some family traditions and hopefully create a few with B as well.

DFW is the central location for family to come together, between Austin and Oklahoma, so it worked out nicely. Our table of six will expand to a table of ten, tight squeeze, but we'll make it work. I'm already starting to think about lists: favorite recipes from both sides of the family, decorations, timetable, etc. I have never had the responsibility of hosting a holiday meal but am SUPER excited to take it on.

I am officially open for suggestions, tips of the trade and ideas to make a wonderful holiday for my new family. I see a few trial runs in my future..and maybe yours! Bring it on, Thanksgiving!!!!

these are a few of my favorite things

September, in most regions of the country, means fall. In Fort Worth, we broke the record for the number of days over 100 degrees in one year this week. There is a break on the horizon though and rain the forecast for next week!!! Can I get an AMEN!?!

So, although we are currently still sitting in the heat and summer (depending on the day), I am looking forward to fall and all that goes with it.

horned frog football, y'all!

Go Frogs

I understand. How original...you live in Texas and love football! Well, first, give me props for being excited. I was not an avid fan in early college. But, with love of a man, comes a love of his hobbies. B's love (following me and skiing, of course) is football. I am proud of our TCU Horned Frogs and all the success that they have had and continue to have. Its better to embrace it and love it than to fight it. Right? It would be a long fall if I didn't like some football.

scarves



Scarves are a fun accessory that is versatile, can add a pop of color and provide a little fun to an otherwise drab outfit. There are so many different options as to how to wear a scarf. Different knots, ways to wrap the scarf, etc. Even with a light shirt you can feel cozy in a cool breeze. So much fun!

hot apple pies

No, I'm not talking food here, people. I'll get to that next. I'm talking about my favorite cold weather beverage. B happens to make a mean hot apple pie, especially when I'm feeling under the weather. This opens you right up and warms you from the inside out.

2 oz Tuaca

4 oz hot apple cider (from bottle or homemade)

whipped cream

cinnamon stick for garnish

Add the Tuaca and the cider, stir well. Top with whipped cream and add the cinnamon stick. YUM!

chillies, stews, pot pies and soups

 

B and I fancy ourselves to be quite the chefs. If we did the love language thing, ours would be cooking (if that is one)! We love to spend time together, the conversation we have while cooking and eating is important to us. We also love the fun of experimenting with new ingredients and recipes. Well, a slight change in temperature and we are busting out the Green Chili Stew (already made once this season), pot pie, tortilla soup, gnocchi soup. I'll start posting my favorites as we make them. Comfort food at its finest.

fall cleaning

Spring cleaning is usually where people's heads are at. But, as a typical Type A personality and an organization enthusiast, I like to take every opportunity to purge the closets, drawers, trunks, etc. Take the opportunity to switch out your closets. Move your summer wardrobe to storage and exchange it for your fall/winter clothes. I use a plastic storage bin that can slide under the guest bed. It holds a good number of sweaters and holds lots of summer-time clothes. Its also a great time to donate clothes to worthy causes. If you saved an item last season, and realize when you pull it back out that its showing its wear or is just out of date it is time to move on. I cannot encourage this enough: BE RUTHLESS. Get rid of things. Love the items you have and move on.

family

I am, what you call, a homebody. I love family time hanging out around the house. I am lucky enough that when we visit my parents the men love to golf so Mom and I can shop, antique, run errands and get dinner started. Everyone comes together mid afternoon and just relaxes. The cooler weather allows for nice conversation on the front porch and then welcomes you into a cozy home decorated with pumpkins and gourds for the fall season.

Some of these aren't 'things' per say, but they are my favorite parts of fall. I hope you have a wonderful fall day and soak it up while you can! Its going to be 92 degrees again tomorrow...but I'm sure the day after that will be lovely; you never know!

something to remember

Something important to remember when life is busy and stressful. Remember its about being happy in the end so make it your goal :) 

area rug agony: operation complete

Its funny that the week I post about having such complete agony over finding an area rug I FOUND ONE! I subscribe to One Kings Lane and Joss & Main. I stalk search it everyday in hopes of finding items to make our house a home. Not all items are affordable...I mean, we are a couple on a budget! But its fun to dream and to build a 'wish list', but occasionally I find a true treasure.

I found said rug on One Kings Lane 3 weeks ago. I knew it was perfect. I called B and was given 'the go'. There was one thing standing in my way: my thriftiness. I am my mother's daughter and will only brag about items if I find them on sale. Those who do not shop on the sale rack are just foolish. You want a good future, you plan for it! I cut corners & DIY where I can. I made the ultimate decision not to purchase the rug...but I kept thinking about it and how I wished I had bought it.

One week later, what did my wondering eyes should appear??? THE SAME RUG on Joss & Main!!!! And not only the same rug, but for $150 less. It nearly brought tears to my eyes. I ran up and down the hall of my office, arms in the air, yelling for my coworker who is also on a mission to make her house a home. After a quick call to B I decided it was a sign and bought it :)

It happily arrived to our apartment on Saturday morning. I had a girls afternoon at the pool but I have the sweetest husband in the world who set it up for me that evening. Ringo assisted in setting it up and loves it. He always moved to the carpet to eat snacks and chew on his favorite toys; now he doesn't have to. We will have to watch him though...I will be protecting this bad boy like its my job.

Ringo loves the area rug, obviously.

He's just showing off the pattern!

We may adjust the table and chairs, but its the look that matters!

We are a happy family!!! I love it, B loves it and Ringo definitely loves it. In the morning you can find the Little Man rolling on it to scratch his back. It is certainly a fabulous addition!!