Carla's Graduation

My sister in law, Carla, graduated from Baylor this weekend with a degree in Education in I believe Pre-K through 4th grade. She is getting married, however, this next Saturday, so I think she was just ready to get across the stage and finish the last details for the wedding!

Here she is walking across the stage. Aren't my picture taking skills amazing?!?! haha I think its getting close to time to get a new and improved camera. We weren't that far away from the stage and this was the best I could do, plus the camera is super slow.

Congratulations Carla!!! So proud of you. Now its on to the wedding this weekend!

My Husband

My husband just did something completely wonderful! I will share more about it in a few weeks, but for now I will just say that I am completely blessed with such an amazing man who cares about me and the things/people I love most. Oooooo I just love him to pieces!!!

On that note...if any one is reading who isn't married yet...follow your heart for the one God has for you. You will know when it's them. Do not settle. The blessings of being with someone God has designed for you are countless. Wait for that person. Pray for that person.

I've been tagged by Stephanie at A New Day. So here goes with this little interview.


1. Who is your style icon?


I have a few:



The two women I'll put are Kelly Ripa, and Eva Longoria Parker. Both are petite like me, and embody what I like most about fashion. Details in clothes, and the perfect shoe for every individual outfit. They understand the importance of proportion for petites as I try to and execute it wonderfully. They also, both know the magic of a shoe the same color as your skin. I have multiple pairs of every variety. It makes us short people look taller (or at least we like to think so!)








Note: She is wearing Christian Louboutins. My dream is to own a pair or 10.


But, currently, I buy almost all my clothes from Ann Taylor Loft, so I must include that as well. They are doing a great job on keeping it classic but current. And most things I can wear to the office (which is what I do everyday) and transition to night






2. What is your favorite Socialite Lit book?


Hmmm...I'm not sure I quite know what this is supposed to be. An ettiquite book? I have the one referred to in Lindsey's blog Why Princess Margaret Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma.



But....really the book I think is the best to follow for social ettiquite, is the Bible. Honestly. Have you watched Real Housewives of New York or any of them for that matter? These self proclaimed socialites, like The Countess who writes about so-called "Class", could use a less or two from the book of Proverbs. The Bible has the correct way to deal with gossip, money, adultery, language, and forgiveness just to name a few.


Now this doesn't mean I don't watch these shows...they are such entertainment! I just think they spin their wheels dealing with issues that wouldn't be issues if they acted right in the first place. Granted, no one is perfect, myself included, so all we can do is our best and the Bible is the only way to start.

3. Favorite party theme?

I love tropical themed parties. Especially our annual Jimmy Buffett party that is coming up very soon!

4. Go to Halloween Costume?

I think I've been something different almost every year. I don't like to repeat. However, I have been a flapper more than once, so I guess that is it.

College! Left to right, Stephanie, Me, Maggie, Caroline.

5. Extravagance you can't live without?

Estee Lauder, Idealist.

This stuff makes your skin feel like silk!! I put it on nearly every morning before my makeup. It really does make you glow and when used regularly my skin looks so much healthier and my makeup looks flawless. It will set you back a pretty penny, but when used sparingly, it lasts for quite awhile. I think I bought my last bottle about 6 months ago. Just before I got married :)

6. Living person you admire?

My mom.

She is incredible. The epitmote of graciousness, unconditional love, and pure goodness. She is such a Godly woman, who has it all. Everyone that knows her loves her and seeks her wisdom. She is also just plain fun! Love you Momma!

If you need a pick me up, or inspiration, you should check out her new blog that she just started!

7. Greatest Fear?

Spiders. No really, I hate them. Ok, but also...losing someone in my family is a big fear. I don't have any grandparents left, and I miss them all dearly even still. So that's my biggest fear.

8. Trait you deplore in yourself?

I think I read this book as I child and it definitely didn't have any impact on me.

I am not a very tidy person. I have to try VERY hard to put my dishes near the sink. Yes I said NEAR. I tend to gather coffee cups in my bathroom, and water cups beside my bed. I am trying to get better at keeping house and organization in general, but I'm just not good at it. I need a raise to get a maid.

I am, however, very good at organizing my work related matters. Weird I know. Must be psycological. I was also always good at organizing school work. I never miss things, am late, or even messy with work or school, but my personal life, and my car...well that's very different.

In fact, my precious grandmother, Dixie, gave me a book once called "How Not to Be a Messy". And she also mailed, oh probably 30 newspaper articles or so to me during her life about cleanliness, organization and things of that nature. I try to channel her sometimes when I need motivation to clean. She was so wonderful at keeping a home, as is my mother. Not sure where I got lost in that gene pool. :(

9. Which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to sing like Celine Dion. I can sing (or so I have been told), but I mean REALLY be able to sing. Ok this is going to share a lot about me, but I actually dream about being able to sing the high notes Celine hits, and I daydream about it. I sing in the car as if I can, and then my voice cracks, and I'm humbled. She is out of this world, and I just wish I could have that much control over my voice. And maybe even get to sing with her someday. ;) I always have my dreams right?

10. Greatest Achievement?

Gosh, that's hard. I'm really proud of what I've accomplished in school and work and especially my marriage and the man I found! But...I think that all of that comes from my positive attitude. I think my positivity is my greatest accomplishment. Sometimes it can be hard, but I always find the good in a situation.

Now I tag: Carla and Lauren.

Custom Framing Dilema

For my college graduation, I was given this beautiful, classic print by Benjamin Watts. It is a collage of Baylor landmarks, Pat Neff building being the center. I have had it for a couple of years now and just haven't gotten around to framing it. Now that we have our house I'd like to have it framed. The problem is that it is an odd size and as far as I've found requires custom framing.


So today, I was determined to just go get it done so that we can hang it in the hallway between the bedrooms which has been bare since we moved in. I went to Hobby Lobby, they are having their half of custom framing sale (which happens every other week or so), and I picked out this frame, matte, and silver inner detail as my favorite. It is a brushed silver ornate frame, with a chocolate flat matte.
Our home right now has fairly modern architechure with all brushed silver/chrome accents, and dark wood furniture. I thought that this frame might be a good compromise between the somewhat modern style we have now and whatever future home we may have which I think will be more traditional. I can even envision this is an office we might have in a suburban home. So I want a frame that will stand the test of time.

So, here is my first question:

What do you think about this framing choice? Too traditional? Or should I go with a dark wooden frame and lighter matte?

Then the kicker, and why I didn't buy it today...it is so expensive! Half off, this entire set was a little over $200. (The picture with a 3 inch Matte requires a 29X20 frame) Is it worth it? I have never had anything professionally framed. So my second question is:

Do you know of cheaper places than Hobby Lobby to have things framed? Or do I just need to save up and get this?

Thanks for the advice!

Later this weekend I'll be doing a post where I was tagged by Stephanie at anewday-tx.blogspot.com

Up on the Rooftop

Jonathan and I had our first real dinner on our rooftop deck this week! The weather was probably the nicest it will be for a long time. It was about 78 degrees, with clear skies and a breeze! We grilled steaks, and had baked potatoes and broccoli.

We had Jimmy Buffett music playing, and had some Jimmy Buffett Landshark! We are going to a Buffett concert in about 2 weeks so we're getting ready now! The pots on the table are becoming my little herb garden. This was a project we did a couple of weekends ago. We thought our deck needed a little bit of life. So we have started with some Basil. It is growing so well!

And it smells fabulous! I want to add cilantro and rosemary next in the other two pots.

Our other gardening project was to get some potted greenery that will stay green all year and grow up and become a privacy barrier of sorts. I think these Japanese Boxwood plants will be perfect. Right now they're small, but hopefully with some care they will really fill out.

I just love the pots we got to put them in.

After using our iced tea pitcher to water for a couple weeks, I thought the patio deserved to have it's very own water can. So I found this adorable one at HomeGoods for about $12.