Gruene, Texas

Establish in the 1840's by a German Family

I usually visit Gruene, Texas once a year while visiting family in the Hill Country of Texas.  I love this little quaint town with a long history.  I grew up spending my summers at my family's vacation home on the Guadalupe River.  I hiked, explored, shot off firecrackers, tubed and watched tubers all summer!  I watched my uncle and cousins play pool at Gruene Hall.  Gruene hall has never closed even during the depression and when all the other family's businesses went under.  The floors are worn and full of life with metal patches scattered here and there.  More on the history of Gruene

The Stage at Gruene Hall

There is a cute wine tasting porch with barrel tables and misters (it's hot in Texas)

This is an Antique Store now but was the Mercantile Building built in 1904

 I always find some great trinkets every time I go!  I bought these old photos of buildings.  I thought I would start a collection.

This has always been a favorite

The General Store has fudge, candy, t-shirts, Texas sauces and jellies, toys and an old fashioned ice cream counter.  

I usually load up on jalapeno jelly

The Gristmill

 We always stop for lunch or dinner at the The Gristmill or the The Gruene Mansion Inn.  A margarita and a view of the river is a great way to rest from the heat.

Buck Pottery

 We go to Buck Pottery every year and I usually can't resist buying something. My sister-in-law loves it and adds to her collection every year!

This little bowl is my latest purchase!

The bowl is fired with a marble so it melts and then when the glass starts to cool it cracks.  It's pretty and it's the new resting place of my coffee spoon.

This little town is full of life and worth a day visit! ~Brandy

Baby Time!

I am so excited to announce that in November, Eric and I will be parents for the very first time! We are having a little boy! So you know what that means?

It's nursery time! 

I have been dying to do a nursery for a while now so I can't wait to get started. Here's a sneak peek at my style board.

My color palette is Mint, Yellow and Rust. I originally planned this room before I knew if it was a boy or girl so it really could go both ways. 

My favorite element to the space is the wallpaper. It's Hygee & West Daydream. The perfect paper for a nursery!

The crib was my ultimate shopping score. I had fallen in love with the Louis Crib by MacLaren a while back, we're talking years. But it was really $$$ so I never thought I would spend the money for it. Well, the second I found out I was pregnant I began looking at cribs online, not even thinking the Louis Crib would still be available. Well, sure enough, as I was searching amazon I spotted it! The Louis Crib for over 60% off! Needless to say that I snatched it up immediately!

We are working on installing a beadboard wainscott around the room so as soon as we're finished I will share some pictures and "how to's". 

Stay tuned because I will be blogging the whole process of designing a perfect nursery for our sweet baby boy!

~Jessica

Excessive

Sorry, it's been so long since we've blogged. It's been a busy week with it being the last week of school.  This blog post by Jen Hatmaker sums it up nicely.

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

A King's Life (great blog post)

ok now back on topic...
Wealth is relative.  It can mean different things to different people.  You may consider yourself wealthy if you don't have bills to pay but you live modestly.  Or you have alot of bills to pay and you live beyond your means.  Excess is also subjective and can be defined differently.  One person may consider having a collection not excessive but it may be to someone else.  It's truly about balance, self awareness, and not comparing yourself to anyone else.

There are a few books on my summer reading list that deal with the topic of excess.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, 

by

 

Jen Hatmaker

More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, 

by

 

Jeff Shinabarger

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion 

by

 

Elizabeth L Cline

Even though I love design and a well styled home, it doesn't mean it has to cost a fortune nor have an abundance of stuff.  I believe an experiment or study of where I am being wasteful or excessive will be a good way to keep myself in check.  I am a big believer in getting rid of stuff and using my best stuff so I enjoy it.  I don't like having my expensive china or crystal locked away, never to be used.  I like watching "Hoarding" shows because I am completely perplexed at how someone could live that way.  It makes me go throw something away too!  My wealthiest clients, in terms of their bank account, are the ones that live in smaller more modest home, nice and quality but not a mcmansion.  

I would challenge you to do some reading too and see if you are living excessively.  Also, here are some previous blog posts that might help! ~Brandy

Living in a Small Space

Simple Living

How to achieve a timeless design