What to do with what you got?

We all collect those little knick knacks that we don’t know what to do with over the years. It just happens, you go on a trip and see a little cute something, or a friend sees something little and cute and thinks of you.

My Nightstand

But what the heck do you do with it after you have it. Some things you know won’t survive spring cleaning, but what about those things that have some sentimental value. You don’t want them to take up space in your closet; what was the point of buying it them. Use them to accessorize!

Okay good example, my mom’s co-workers take a lot of trips to Russia, and every time they would bring me something back when I was little. This stuff is gorgeous hand painted dolls and boxes. So me being my cheap self, used them as table accessories.

My Nightstand

Be sure to use items that you like, and put a few here and there around your room and ta-da!

Accessories are a vital part of any room, they are what make the room feel lived in and add some character to the space.

 - Erin

Light Fixtures are Like Jewelry for Your Home!

I love a good accessory. Like shoes. Love shoes. I also love jewelry. So taking that into consideration, it is no surprise that I love a good light fixture. I mean they can really make a room.

Different fixtures can make a space convey different feelings. Like this sparkly fixture. It would be so awesome in a woman’s large walk in closet. It is feminine and fun.

feiss.com

Or this fixture below. The iron is more masculine and will make any man feel at home.

feiss.com

So remember if you are looking to jazz up a space, try adding an awesome light fixture!

 - Erin

4th Annual Band Reunion!

About a week before I moved to Houston, 3 years ago now, I got in contact with some of my old band classmates from Williamston High School.  We always had so much fun in band, I had a hunch that we would have as much fun (if not more) outside of band.

My hunch was correct and every years since, we've had a small get-together right around Christmas.

This year, was the 4th annual Williamston High School Class of 2004 Band Reunion Extravaganza!

We had our largest turnout ever... and even attracted some non-band stragglers!

It's funny how much people change.... but not really :)

The percussionists!

Flannel shirts!

Chris, Anna, Dave, Mike, Thomas, Grant, Nikk, Erika, Jeremy

Michigan Christmas 2012

It's amazing how Christmas changes as you get older; it goes from getting excited about how many gifts you might get, to getting really excited about spending time with family.  

On Christmas Day, I flew to Detroit, was greeted at the airport by my awesome brother, and driven to Grandma B's house just in time for Christmas dinner.

I'm normally not one to take pictures of my food, but I couldn't help it this time! I wish I could explain how much I have been missing this food! Kielbasa  pierogies (3 different kinds!), sauerkraut, latkes, and creamed cucumbers (not pictured is the bosch!)

I've been missing this little gal quite a lot! Some of my family, I haven't seen in almost two years.  Way too long and we had so much fun catching up.  

Typical :)

The driveway into my parents subdivision is one of my favorite places on earth. It's like all things calm down as soon as you turn off of the busy road onto the this side street.  The trees have become quite majestic and look like a winter wonderland when covered in freshly powdered snow.  

Holiday Party winnings!

Shortly before Christmas, I attended a holiday party at one of my favorite granite suppliers in Houston, Hilltop Granite.  Not only did Hilltop want to thank their customers but also show off their recently remodeled showroom.

The food was amazing, the wine was sweet, and the door prizes were amazing.

I don't always like to toot my own horn... but guess who was the grand-prize winner???

That's right! My lucky card was selected for the Grand Prize which was a beautiful piece of granite!

I'm not entirely sure what I am going to do with it now.... but if I can find someone to store it for me, I'm really excited about a new kitchen in a few years!

This room is huge!...We should put a chandelier in here…

I have a little obsession. For some reason I think that master bath room just aren’t complete with out a cute little (or big, whatever) chandelier.

Now if you are like a lot of my family you are thinking “Erin, chandeliers are for the dining room, and rich people.” But this is just so not true!

Adding a small or mini chandelier to a space like the master bath or even the master closet if it is a good size, is a great way to add some class and jazz up a space.

Just check out these awesome photos!

houzz.com

houzz.com

 - Erin

The B word... BUDGET!!

In today’s world saving money is always a big concern. But what do you do if you want to spruce up your home but don’t have that huge of a budget.

Well here are a few tips and tricks.

1)      Say you find a fabric for window treatments or bedding or such, that you love but it is super expensive. A good trick is to use it as the trim on the lead edge of you window treatments or on a pillow or two. This way you have your fabric in the mix but you haven’t blown your budget.

2)      Have a wall paper that you love, can’t afford the whole room. Just do one wall. This creates a little drama and gives your room a focal point. Or use that wall paper in a powder bath. Powder baths are typically small, so you would be buying the same amount of wall paper.

3)      Know what you want to spurge on. There are a few areas you can and should spend more money on than others in your house. Most people can’t afford the make the whole house look like Trump’s, but you should figure out which spaces are important enough for you to spend some extra. For instance a lot of people will put more into a master bath than other bathrooms. I mean it’s your house, you should feel like royalty in your Master Suite. Or if cooking is your thing, budget for an awesome kitchen and keep other areas more modest. It’s all up to you and what you want.

4)      Don’t be afraid to wait. When we move into a new house or start a remodel/redecorating we want it done NOW!! Unfortunately sometimes the budget gets in the way. There is nothing wrong with going room by room! This ensures that you don’t blow your budget and gives your more time to plan out your next phase of the project.

Hope these tips and trick help. Happy designing.

 - Erin

How to Use Color....Well

We have all been in that place, may it be someone's home, at a restaurant, or store, where the wall color hurts your eyes. When we look at small 4x4 paint color chips searching for just the right color for our space, it's easy to be fooled that the color won't be bright or saturated enough.   Bright colors aren't bad, but they can be overwhelming unless partnered with the right accents.

If you're looking to add some color to your walls, here are a few tips to keep in mind:. 

1A)      Bright colors are great for accents.  A fun and lively pillow, throw, rug, or art can add excitement and life to a space.  But committing to one of those bright colors on a  wall can be a little tricky. Your walls are the biggest thing in a room, so the brighter the color is on the card, the brighter it will be one your wall.

1B)  Always get a test swatch of a bright color before fully committing. Colors change in different lights, so take a look at the test during the day as well as at night.

Apartment Accent Wall

2)      Go gray. Select a color that has a gray base to it; on the wall, it is calmer but holds a lovely tone.  It is easy to turn a room into a little boy's room or a beach room by selecting the wrong color of blue or green.  Picking a blue or blue/green that is saturated with gray adds sophistication to the color and allows it blend with with neutrals and other colors.

Master Bedroom Accent Wall

 - Erin and Erika

Dinosaur Excavation 2012: Part 1

Early in 2012, rumors began swirling of dinosaur fossils being found in Texas.  People all over the state got excited about the amazing discoveries of small fossils dating back to prehistoric ages.  Stores all over the place were quickly selling out of hammers and chisels as people searched for Jurassic treasure.

Hidden away, in a small suburb, lives the most excited dinosaur bone hunter of all, Brenner the Excavator. Day and night, he dreamed of finding dinosaur bones and bringing to life the giant lizards of the past.

Knowing all to well of his love for the hunt, Brenner received his very own excavation kit for Christmas.  Armed with his trusty chisel and protective eyewear,  he set out into the wilds of Texas to find his fossilized treasure.

Of course, sister Audrey had to see how fashionable she looked in the protective eyewear. Pretty darn cute, if you as me!

But this was no adventure fit for amateurs. Brenner the Excavator would need to use his expert eye to search for bones.

Early on in his quest, Brenner stumbled upon a soft piece of clay with what appeared to be small white spots. 

"Could these be dinosaur bones?!" Brenner the Excavator wondered out loud.

Filled with excitement, he began carefully chiseling away at the soft dirt.  Tink by tink, the ground began to split apart revealing more of these tiny white spots.

Although the site looked promising, the ground was harder than Brenner the Excavator expected.  He worked day and night to reveal some small fragments of bone carefully brushing away dust and dirt.

A small crowd gathered near Brenner's excavation sight.  The air was filled with titillating excitement as more and more of a bone became unearthed. Cheering him on, the crowd bellowed 

"Gooooo Brenner... the Excavator!  Did you find... and oooold alligator?"

A little help from some colleagues goes a long way. Archaeological student, Evan assisted in small portions of the dig. But Brenner the Excavator was sure to remind him, "On your nose, your glasses must lay, before you hammer any piece of that clay!"

Stay tuned to see what amazing discovery Brenner the Excavator makes!

Merry Belated Christmas, 2012!

A little late Christmas celebration indeed!  I hope everyone had safe travels, lots of delicious food, and amazing time with friends and family over the holidays.  

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens 

Evan and I on Christmas Eve!