It's beginning to look a lot like...an unhealthy obsession.

It's cold here (for Dallas) and that's making me even more anxious to put my Christmas decorations up.

Add that to the fact that there are now 5 Christmas trees lit in my neighborhood (perhaps I should introduce myself to these people? We might be soulmates), and I'm chomping at the bit.


And then this morning I clicked on Absolutely Beautiful Things and now I can't stop thinking about it.  Seriously, look at these gorgeous windows:

 

Pink and yellow Christmas? I die.

P.S. Santa---I could really use those lamps.  Mind picking them up as you swing through Australia?

The calendar needed a friend.

So, the new chalkboard calendar is working out great. We're soo organized now.

Right.

Allen pointed out last weekend that there was something missing, however...something to post invitations and baby announcements and save the dates so that they are right in front of my face and I can't forget to RSVP.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a bulletin board handy, and I didn't really want to run to Michael's to get one.

But I did have an old frame from Ikea (w/out glass...what?!), a really cute piece of fabric, Amy Butler paper and two giant paperclips.

I started by stretching the fabric over the frame and stapling it to the back...

Then I took my favorite craft friend, Spray Adhesive. (Don't worry, Wipe on Poly, I'm SO not cheating).

Attached the paper to the paper clips...

 

Trimmed the excess and attached them to a ribbon, that I also stapled on the back of the frame...

 

And hung it up. 

 

Cute, huh? Responded on the right, haven't responded on the left.

Looks like I've got some work to do.

Serious house envy.

As you know, I went through the Lakewood Home Festival last weekend...and it was amaaazing!

Particularly one home...which brings me to the point of this post. 

The sheer brilliance of More Design + Build.

I'm not kidding you, these people are incredible.

When Allen and I moved into our neighborhood 2 and a half years ago, I immediately fell in utter and complete love with a home on the street behind me. It's on my walking route and I purposely save it till the end of the walk so that I can slow down and take it in as I walk past.

That's normal, right?

Well, imagine my delight when last year, that VERY home was on the home tour! Allen and I went and I spent a half hour in the house. Seriously. He was totally annoyed, but I was completely enamored.

Here's why:

 

That's the before and after and oh. my. goodness.

The inside is even more amazing.

 

I know.

This year, those who partook in the home tour had the opportunity to tour a house they just recently finished, not far away from the house love of my life.

 

Yes, peeps. That's the same house.

And inside? The tile work alone makes me want to move in right away.

 

 

And that's just a small part of it.

Needless to say, I'm saving my pennies for the day that we can find the perfect fixer-upper and turn it all over to these geniuses.

*All images via www.moredesigngroup.com*

That's a pretty sweet thank you gift.

It's that time of the year again!

A doggone great gift

If you are anything like me (read: completely, irrationally obsessed with your pet), then I have a great holiday gift idea for you!

For his birthday last year, I gave Allen this pet portrait of Tilly: 

Is that not the cutest thing ever? It's by Anne Harwell, who you probably know from her fabulous blog and etsy store.

Anne's an uber-talented artist...I also have a few of her chair prints and they.are.fab.

Another  favorite artist of mine is Jenny Grumbles, of Uptown Country Home here in  Dallas. She also has a fabulous blog that you should add to your favorites and is a ridiculously talented artist. She also just happens to me one of my very, very dearest friends. :)

For Christmas 3 years ago, my in-laws gave me a super special gift...three paintings of our wedding, all by Jenny! Here they are:

 

Our centerpieces, our cake and our get-a-way car...a VW bug that my grandfather restored. Is it not so cute?!

The paintings hang in our bedroom and every time I look at them, I'm reminded of how much FUN we had at our wedding and what a perfect day it was. And, I also remember how lucky I am to have such a talented friend!

There's no better gift for the holidays than something that comes from the heart and will always be treasured. So check Anne and Jenny out! 

Lovin' Lakewood.

It's that time of year again...Lakewood Home Festival time!!

It's a weekend I look forward to all year for a few reasons. First, because it benefits the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA, and the monies raised go towards Lakewood Elementary, J.L. Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School. Allen and I don't have kids yet, but we're both big public education supporters and love this organization for working so hard to make sure our neighborhood schools are constantly improving.

The second reason I love the Home Festival?

I'm a nosy parker and love going through the gorgeous homes I swoon over in our neighborhood.

On the docket this year (it's an eclectic bunch, which is what I adore about Lakewood):

 

 

 

 

 

If you live in the area, come check it out!

Catch you on the flippity-flip.

It's FRIDAY!!

I thought it would never, ever get here. And honestly, I don't have a lot of creativity left today, so I'm going to take the easy way out and break it down, Friday 1st Dibs style.

Today's city is, of course, Dallas. No theme, just fabulousness.

Um, amaaazing.

Someone please go to Nick Brock and buy these. Immediately.

A zinc topped console table from Vintage Living. 

Love this.