Sunday, August 31, 2014

Bathroom Makeover

We finally got around to doing the guest bathroom!! From builder grade to soothing and calm.


Horrible builder grade cabinets don't get me wrong I am thankful for them but they need a makeover. There is much more I would like to do but this is on a budget without major construction, to keep the hubs happy :).

Builder grade light ...this was probably the worst part of this restroom and my pet peeve.

And here she is now...

Sorry that I can't quit get everything in one picture it's at a difficult angle and there is no natural light. 


Added some shelves to hold anything a guest may need.


Bath salts, cotton balls and q-tips then some razors and tooth brushes that are individually packed incase someone forgets.

Also a little shower gel and a good sponge. 

Flowers from the yard and some delicious smelling soap.


Pulled off the builder grade mirror and hung this lovely new one, it makes such a difference! 

We also painted the walls a calming grey and the cabinets a deep espresso.


And added a little bling to them with the knobs.


I wasn't sure about these mats and the pattern but I am really loving them now.


Another huge difference was hanging these curtains all the way to the celling. It really makes the room look sooo much larger!

I like all white towels they always look so clean and fresh! 

Now the crown jewel ...


It was hard to photo graph but here is the new light. We love it!! It was regularly an obscene price but we found it 70 percent off ...amazing!! It's so sparkly and makes the space so fun!


Sorry the lighting is terrible. Anyway, that is the rest room. I tried to think of everything anyone would need and we love it so far. I just need to add some art to the walls. I am working on pictures now.


I hope you liked the tour!

Product list:
Wall paint: Behr paint in primer subtle touch
Caninet Paint: Behr marquee in espresso
Knobs: lowes
Light: lamps plus
Shelves: target
Rugs: tjmaxx
Curtains: tjmaxx
Mirror: Homegoods 

Friday, August 1, 2014

Cruelty Free

Hey there everyone it's been awhile since I posted anything and I would like to get better about that. My friend and I were just discussing how we are both slowly switching to all Cruelty Free products and I thought I would share a little progress I have made. I have been working on changing all my beauty products over to cruelty free products. I posted a couple of items already but I have two REAL winners here to tell you about! 


I don't know about you but I am into products that smell good and feel luxurious! These check both boxes...


These face wipes smell like you have fallen into a giant coconut and made you home there. Amazing! So much so that I keep opening them and smelling them. I love to have face wipes for the nights I just don't have it in me to wash my face (never go to bed without washing your face) 


They cost about $6 for 30 wipes and again they are heaven. I got mine at Sprouts. 

The next is 

This conditioner...I posted some shampoo and conditioner I like in a different post but this is better. I very rarely purchase the same conditioner in a row but this I did. It smells like dreamcicle    the orange-vanilla lovely smell from summer. Love love and it is a really great conditioner for my super blond hair right now. I have found a lot of items from this Andalou brand that I love and this is another. You can also get this at Sprouts or Market Street or any health/natural store. It's also very affordable I think it was about $7. 


I know there are more important things in the world but I want to make some changes in what my purchases represent and what I put in and on my body. One step at a time ...I feel good about this since my husband won't let me adopt the  6 dogs I would like too :) no animals should ever be mistreated and it breaks my heart to think I can't love on them all. So for now I love on these two ...



What products have you tried you like? Next for me is mascara I am nervous about this one since I am a mascara freak and super picky.

Have a great weekend!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Lavender Ridge Farms

My favorite kind of Saturdays are the kind with no plans where you wake up and anything can happen. We like to wander and explore ...get lost and see what you find. This usually leads me especially looking for beauty and relaxation and trees ;). A few Saturdays back we found Lavender Ridge Farms... And it completely exceeded my expectations.

It's only about 30 mins north of Denton. A pretty short and beautiful drive for us.


Texas really is beautiful and this reminds me of the farm road I grew up on in East Texas. 


When you pull in you are immediately warmly welcomed by signage and some locals...



There are some rules like play nice with the wildlife and have fun!


So basically the way it works is you can cut as much as you can hold in a twisty tie for 8 dollars. 

They give you some instructions like above and your tools 


They are extremely friendly and happy to help. Once you have everything you are free to gather as much as you happy heart desires.


And my heart was happy! Feeling relaxed and at peace the whole time ;)







They even have helpers to show you the best bushes or maybe the ones with the lizards in them.



Look at my haul...After you have as much as you can fit in you twisty tie they will help you bag it up.

And if you know anything about the Texas Summer you will need a refreshment. Luckily they have an adorable cafe.



Complete with twinkle lights a lovely breeze and a screen door that immediately transfers me back in time. 

Naturally I got the lavender iced tea, lavender honey chicken salad ...when in Rome.


The man got the lavender cheese cake it was all delicious and just perfect for a warm day. 

Feeling refreshed we walked around the delightfully shaded property. Picked something from the chary tree ;)


And into the sweet gift shop





It's a pretty great way to spend a Saturday 



Here is my fresh bunch 


I will enjoy it fresh for a couple days then hang it upside down to dry it then I will have it forever. You know sometimes you have to get out of your normal routine and when you do you are free to realize there is such beauty and adventure in everyday life...I don't want to miss it, I don't want to take it for granted, I want to live my life even if it is by slowing it down. 

I suggest you stop by and see my new friends at Lavender Farms...you won't regret it!  





New Orleans Part 2

Sorry it has been so long. I haven't had as much inspiration to blog lately but I feel it coming back to me. I hope that this brightens your day or inspires you even if it's just to give you a little break in your day!

Here is my New Orleans Part 2 post...
We headed out into the New Orleans streets in search of food and drink.

We happened upon this fish spot that has ridiculous servings as you can see...


But it was the best fried fish I have ever tasted. Deanie's Seafood.

There was a good bit of a wait so we hopped over a couple streets and had some cocktails at the carousel bar. Sorry I didn't get a good picture but it was lovely and the jazz band was perfect.


Then we wandered back to our hotel changed and went down for a little caberette show it was my first time to see one and I loved it.

New Orleans really knows how to do cocktails and music and I miss it already!

We danced and stayed out until things got foggy then went up to bed.

The next morning we went in search of begniets another first for me.





The whole walk over was filled with secret gardens and beautiful architecture.  

Then we made it




I was pretty much in heaven ...so simple and so perfect. I thought they were goog to be overrated...I was wrong they were amazing!!


We finished up and took a walk




And took the city in


This was my favorite little street 


Beautiful


We ended up in the garden district 




Toured the cemetery




Then we were ready for refreshments


Well hello lovers

Found a snack a ran across the best patio for sitting and watching the world go by.



A front porch of the Columns hotel, yes please we will sit and stay awhile


This whole box and 3 or 4 (who's counting) cocktails later we headed back to get ready for dinner. 


It's such a lovely place to stroll...