Showing posts with label twine design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label twine design. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2013

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

Texas
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



Friday, June 7, 2013

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,   
  • Jen Hatmaker


  • 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



    Monday, May 27, 2013

    Inspired by the Military

    It's Memorial Day and it's a day to reflect on the sacrifices of so many.  Thank the veterans you know and help support them.  

    Some great charities to give to are....
    Twine Interiors
    A friend a mine works for the Boot Campaign.  It's a great charity and you can get some really cool boots too!


    There are many ways you can incorporate the military style or artifacts into you home.  Here's a few inspirations ....

    flag decor


    twine interiors
    Military green color palette



    twine interiors
    This is a great definition of Campaign furniture

    Proenza Schouler, PS1 Small LeatherTote Bag, Military $1,995

    twine interiors
    Add a military blanket

    camo
    The Gap, Camoutiliy jacket, $69.95

    Restoration Hardware, MILITARY CHALKBOARDWORLD MAP, $575

    Camo Wallpaper

    Cot and Tent 




    Stephen Kenn Loveseat $3,400



    Restoration Hardware, RICHARDS' CANVASSECRETARY TRUNK, $3,435

    This Flag is mine.  My Father gave his life in Vietnam.
     ~Brandy

    Tuesday, April 30, 2013

    Spontaneous Designing

    Twine Interiors

    Being spontaneous is a good thing.  It means you don't take things so seriously and you go with the flow.  Or you could be like me, being spontaneous is only under the influence of too many margaritas or being an emotional basket case (once a month).  I have made many not-so-good decisions in this state.  It's that feeling you get when you are in desperate need of a change, any change and you focus on something like...oh let's just say.... it's time for a new hair style.  BANGS!  Yes, what a great idea!  Who needs a hair stylist, I can do it myself!  Snip...Viola!



    Then come the tears, sobbing...what have I done?!?!  Yes, this has happened way too many times in my life.  You'd think I would have learned the first time but that crazed state I am in is so powerful that all reason goes out the window.  So, it's the same as "let's paint the living room purple"... tomorrow.  I just have to say Noooooo....Don't do it.

    Here's some advice to stop or rather curb, the spontaneous desires to redecorate (or cut your hair):

    Scenario:
    It's Friday night and you are exhausted from work, you think to yourself as you watch the movie "Father of the Bride" for the 90th time, I sure would love a yellow living room like that.  Let's paint the living room yellow.

    Father of the Bride Living Room- soft yellow
    You get up early, head to Starbucks, then to the paint store.  That yellow looks good, I'll take a gallon.  At this point you have no idea how many gallons you need, there has been no measuring, no thought nor research.  You get home, move the furniture and start painting.   Lunch time and then the second coat.  All done by dinner!  You breathe deep and bask in the fruits of your labor.  Sunday morning you wake up and realize you painted your living room Spongebob yellow.


    While this isn't really permanent, it can be painted over, however, who has time to do that (again) and now you have to live with the Spongebob yellow until the next spontaneous desire to paint happens or until you actually plan it.  It's like waiting for your bangs to grow out.

    Step 1 -Once the thought comes into your head to do something permanent or semi-permanent to your home or your body- question that thought.  Do I really want a yellow living room?  Do I really want a change?  Maybe count the days of the month.  Have I been watching too much HGTV? Have I been on pinterest too much? Then sleep on it.  If you still want to do it in the morning then start planning (DO NOT START DOING).  In the hair scenario: Put down the scissors, instead make a hair appointment, research what styles will look good on you, ask friends for advice.  This will give you plenty of time to avoid a hasty decision or to be committed.  The same goes for painting or buying a large piece of furniture.  Plan, research and get advice before doing.

    Take this weekend of spontaneity and desire to change and use it to your advantage.
    •Measure your room so you know the amount of paint you will need
    •Go to the paint store and get some paint swatches



    •Google those colors you picked up- many times people will name the paint color in the photos so you can really see what the color will look like.  Try Houzz and Pinterest for ideas.
    •Email your friend or ask your family what they think
    •Go back to the paint store for small samples or quarts
    •Paint 2'x2' section on the wall (remember now you are committed unless you want a square painted on your walls)


    •Sleep on it
    •Sunday- go shopping and buy the supplies so that next weekend you start painting

    Step 2 - Let's say this is your only weekend and you really, really want a change and Step 1 isn't working for you.  Do something less permanent....
    •Go buy some pillows, accessories, art (less expensive items that can be returned or lived with for a while)
    •Rearrange the furniture you have
    •Rethink how you are using the rooms in your house- maybe you want the dining room you never use to be the library
    •Paint a canvas instead- make your own art.
    Paint Sample Art
    •buy flowers and do your own arrangement



    Try a terrarium!  Planter by Score + Solder
    •Bake or try a new recipe- make sure you have a plan to give what you bake away or you might eat it yourself

    Sweetapolita Swirl Cake
    Sweetapolita has great baking recipes and how-to's

    Step 3 - Sometimes these moments of spontaneity are really meant to avoid something you don't want to deal with.  The very thing we don't want to do is the very thing we should do.  Are you avoiding something?  Maybe you should have that conversation with someone, clean your house, pull weeds, or exercise instead of avoiding it.

    I'm trying to save you from making a huge mistake like this.

    ~ Brandy


    Monday, April 8, 2013

    Project: Little Herb Garden

    How to

    I am sick of paying for fresh herbs at the grocery store, (which I love to cook with) so I decided I would pot some herbs that I can cut off as needed in my kitchen window.  I have been wanting to do this project for a long time but I just hadn't made time for it.  So now is the time!  

    First, I have to have the right pot.  This is very important to me and has been the deterrent for why I have been putting this off.  I want a modern, simple planter and I want them to be the centerpiece of my large picture window in my kitchen.

    herb garden
    My Kitchen Windows Before


    I did some research and these were some of the contenders in my quest for the right planter.

    herb garden pots
    Modern Triangle Ceramic Planters, Etsy, Persimmon Street $24 ea
    I really loved these but just a bit too modern for what I wanted.


    pots, herbs
    Black and White Ceramic Planter, Etsy, Ross Lab $26 ea
    These were beautiful but just a bit out of my price range.


    Pots, herbs
    West Elm, Chalkboard Planters $6-$18 ea
     My original thought was to have white but I liked the idea of being able to label them.

    pot, animal, fun
    West Elm Ceramic Hedgehog $12
     I came across this little guy and fell in love!  He will have to be project #2.

    pot, herb
    Garden Ridge White Ceramic Planter $5.99 ea

    So this is the winner I found at my local Garden Ridge Store.  They were a great price and the base is attached which means they will always look perfect.  They are 5" wide at the top.

    twine interiors, pots, outdoor design
    Herbs at Lowes

    I bought 5 herbs at Lowes; cilantro (a staple in Texas), parsley, rosemary (my fav), German thyme, and basil.  They come in a degradable container so you just take the green plastic off and put in the planter.  I didn't need any extra soil because they were a perfect fit.

    Twine Interiors, pots, garden
    After planting

    I decided I didn't need markers because it's obvious to me which herbs they are.





    After
     It looks a lot better now.  I wanted it to be simple, a bit modern and not interfere with the view.  I spent just under $50 for 5.  Money well spent!

    ~Brandy