Back in the game

Inspiration comes in all different shapes and sizes and I've been searching high and low lately for something to jump-start me back into the groove. As a few of you have noticed I haven't been in DIY mode much lately. I've actually lost some of my creative~mojo these past few weeks. Busy with 1st grade homework, new school friends and activities, fall fashion {shoes, shoes and more new shoes}, and the change of season allergies making my head feel full of cobwebs.

I finally see a light beckoning me back to focus on my cozy little house. This amazing friend has gotten my juices flowing with this sweet birdcage lamp.Oh yes, she will be mine.

How about some of these other lovelies?? Hmmm....

See anything you like?

If so head over here and check it out.

Life's a beach

A beach that needs some TLC every one in awhile.

Sometimes we forget we have a beach only 50 miles outside of Houston.

This is the first time my kiddo has stepped foot on the beaches of Galveston Island.

We got up early on Saturday morning and met a group from work to do our part in cleaning up the beach {Adopt-a-beach cleanup effort, 2010}.
The temps were in the high 80s with a nice gulf breeze. Our surroundings were beautiful and it was surprisingly so peaceful out there.
We filled a trash bag halfway full with mostly plastic. Makes me rethink ever using straws or plastic bottles again. Imagine filling a large trash bag just half way with only straws, water bottles, bottle lids and plastic refuse.

The kid in me wanted to just stick my feet in the sand and look for shells and soak up the surroundings.

Birds were snacking~
People were fishing~



Surfers were making the most of high-tide~

And little city girls were jamming out to the endless tracks of pop music playing in their heads~

Our shell collection was quite impressive.

Our freshly manicured feet thanked us for sinking our heels into the sand.
And mother nature thanked us for helping to keep the earth clean while teaching future generations to do the same.

Isn't it funny how things you don't look forward to end up being the best?! While I wanted to set a good example for the little one I was secretly dreading the early alarm and the long drive.

The drive was actually quite easy and quick (only 45 minutes there) and it ended up being a very relaxing morning.

Island girl

Although I consider myself more of a city girl, I could be persuaded pretty quickly to become a Corfu~living~Greek~Island girl if these were my digs:

I would be so busy in this home. Planning festive weekend soirees in the spacious loggia...

And resting my weary body outside by the pool...

And while I stood to fill my glass of champagne I would inhale the ocean air and frequently glance at my view down yonder.
Can't you smell the salty air and feel the breeze on your face?

**Me and mini-me will be volunteering our time this morning with all of the other island-ers down in Galveston. It's 'beach-clean-up' day and we are headed that way now.

Happy weekend all!

Source here

Inferiority complex

I try my best not to compare myself to others.
Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own. ~Harold Coffin

But when I stepped into my little sister's new closet last weekend and it went on,

and on,

and on...

...I couldn't help but feel the green-eyed monster creeping up on me.

You could fit a chaise lounge inside, and a desk, and clothes, and shoes, and jewelry, and handbags. You could fit past-season's clothes in her closet and wedding dresses and halloween costumes and totes and bins and boxes. It even has a full-length mirror!

Have I told you that I basically turned our master bedroom into a walk-in closet? We are so lacking in space (our room is always a big disaster area it is off limits to anyone but the four of us anyway) that it only made sense to purchase roll racks to line the walls and remove the frustration. While this not-so-visually-appealing solution has helped, when I see vast closets and storage space inside homes I can't help but feel green all over.

I do count my blessings that I have a roof over my head, but I curse 70-year old houses and the lack of storage space!

Just look at how the 'other~half' lives.

Nanette Lapore's closet:

Olivia Wilde's closet:
Nicky Hilton's closet:

Jamie Lynn Sigler's closet (you don't see much of it but she is such a cutie I couldn't resist):

Eva Longoria Parker's closet:
Christina Aguilera's closet:
Anna Sui's closet:
Jenna Lyons' closet (JCrew's creative director):

My little sis is going through a rough time right now so she deserves all the happiness that a large, fabulous closet can provide {plus, don't the youngest sisters secretly love it when their older sisters are jealous?!}~ "laissez les bon temps rouler" Ba! ♥ you AND your wicked big closet. ;)

Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies. ~Elizabeth Bowen

images via Elle Decor and Instyle

Tagged~ and a new friend

My new friend Belinda, over at Wild Acre blog has tagged me to answer 8 questions about myself. I'm not great at these things but I haven't played along in awhile so I thought I'd take a stab at it.

First, I must introduce you to Belinda. She loves photography:

And gardening:
She lives in Great Britain:
And she has a passion for putting together stunning floral arrangements:
OK~ now here goes:

What is your favourite book?
The Holy Man by Susan Trott. I read this book during my father's last week of life and it really helped me through such a difficult time.

I just started reading Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer and I can't put it down {guilty, guilty pleasure}!

What is your top beauty secret or product?
I posted a few of my secret weapons {here}, but my fail~proof fav is Prep H under the eyes first thing in the morning to reduce bags. I buy it in Canada now that the US has banned the active anti-inflammatory ingredient.

What is your top chocolate cake recipe?
Oooh, Texas sheet cake! Yum.
In a 2 qt sauce pan bring to boil:
1 C water
2 sticks margarine
4 T cocoa

Remove from heat and add:
2 C sifted flour
2 C sugar
1/2 t salt
1 t soda

Beat in 2 eggs and 1 C sour cream
Bake 22 mins at 375 on large cookie sheet (17X11)

In same pan (don't need to wash it)
melt 1 stick margarine then add:
4 T cocoa
6 T milk
1 box powdered sugar (4C)
1 t vanilla

Spread frosting on cake while still warm

What do you most enjoy about having a blog?
The amazing women I've met through blogging. Although I enjoy my DIY projects around the house and sharing it with my readers, the most satisfaction about having my blog is meeting other like~minded women.

Where is the most beautiful place you have visited?
Bali, Indonesia. I traveled there with my parents about 12 years ago and it was heaven on earth.

Describe your best breakfast/brunch?
Best breakfast= oatmeal with egg whites, honey, cinnamon and ground flax mixed in {daily}.
Best brunch= anything paired with mimosas!!

What is your most treasured possession?
Most treasured 'everything'~ my little girl. ;)
Most treasured 'item'~ Hermes Birkin bag in potiron orange. I coveted these bags for years and on my daughter's first Christmas I had a big orange box from Santa {Santa had to pull a lot of strings and jump through hoops to get this bag}.

What have you discovered to be an important truth?
Slow down and enjoy each and every moment.
This is something I struggle with daily while juggling a full time job, a first grader, and life! I am very impatient and anxious ALWAYS. I remind myself at least a thousand times a day to sssslllllooowww down and stay calm and live in the moment with my sweet family.

Now it's YOUR turn. I always like to get to know my readers better so please comment on any of these 8 questions yourselves.

Thanks for asking me to play along Belinda!

Blogger kitchen reveal

Follow up to this post from Friday....and the drum roll please.

Click on the blog name to be taken to each of these blogs where you'll find plenty of eye candy and more drool worthy spaces, just like these dreamy kitchens.

Jo's kitchen {Secret Garden Cottage}:

Lu's kitchen {Dusty Lu}:

Rie's kitchen {Home and Harmony}:

Trina's kitchen {A Country Farmhouse}:

Melanie's kitchen {Pretties and Posies}:

Andrea's kitchen {Faded Plains}:

Linsey's kitchen {LLH Designs}:

Kristin's kitchen {My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia}:

Kimberly's kitchen {Mimi Charmante}:

Janet's kitchen {The Gardener's Cottage}:

Joni's kitchen {Cote de Texas}:

Brooke's kitchen {Velvet and Linen}:

Sorry for keeping you in suspense for so long...the weekend got away from me!

Happy Monday all.