On Holiday: Glamping Edition

Glamping. A fusion of glamour and camping that has exploded and become on overnight sensation. Who knew that 2 years ago when Lucas and I Glamped on our honeymoon in Thailand that we were ahead of the trendsetting travel curve?! But let me tell you from experience that Glamping is totally the way to go for those of us who want to enjoy the outdoors, but would prefer to do it in style and without sacrificing everyday comforts...like an actual bathroom. I am a self-admitted travel snob, yet I am a total fan of Glamping and would recommend it to anyone looking for an out of the box travel experience!

When researching Glamping I came across a website called Glamping.com that is absolutely amaze. It lets you look up Glamping locations by destination, value, and category...if you're interested in further exploring Glamping, this website is the way to go. One of the places that popped up right away when I accessed the website was the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, where we spent 3 nights of our Thai honeymoon at. Oh my goodness absolutely one of the most beautiful and amazing places I have ever been to, and if you ever have the opportunity to go you absolutely must!

 

 

 They only have 15 tents at the Four Seasons Golden Triangle Thailand making the max # of guests at a time 30, which allows for fab service and such an incredible experience! We were in Tent 12!

                                                              

 

But Thailand is admittedly a little far so I looked into Glamping locations within the US and who knew but Montana is the Glamping capital of the US with the most Glamping accommodations available!

My favorite Montana accommodation is this Yellowstone Under Canvas "hotel" just because of its location in relation to Yellowstone National Park. I have never been to Yellowstone but how cool would it be to see Yellowstone Glamping style?! It looks beautiful and it is really reasonably priced....next vacay destination with my husband? looks promising. The wonderful thing about Glamping for me is that Lucas loves the outdoors but I don't necessarily like to rough it as much as he does so this is the perfect compromise that makes us both happy and able to enjoy vacationing the way we want to!

My second favorite Glamping location in the US is the Fireside Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I've never personally been to Jackson Hole but my parents have and said it was absolutely beautiful and this place looks incredible so where do I sign up?

The Glamping gal must always be prepared, so I compiled a list of my favorite Glamping essentials that I would want in my bag on one of these little trips!



 

I love these Maslin & Co. Zebra Hide Beach Towels complete with crossbody strap for easy toting. Whether it be for the shower or the pool/hot tub at your Glamping location these towels are totally meant for Glamping.

 

 

This is what I call a canteen. I love these Oenophilia Sport Wine Canteens which come in your choice of Blanc or Rouge...or both. Perfect to quench your thirst after a long day of Glamping.

Adorb little picnic basket from C. Wonder for a romantic meal outdoors with your significant other while on your Glamping trip.

 

Who wouldn't want to listen to some jams while in the great outdoors with this Bluetooth streaming, waterproof speaker by ECOXGEAR ?!

 

Mr. T's Supergoop! is the way to go when it comes to sun protection while Glamping. It is not only sunscreen but Vitamin C for your skin and the best part is that it is spray on so you don't have to get your hands dirty because let's be honest the Glamping gal prefers to not get her hands dirty.

 

Dry shampoo is nice for everyday life but it is a MUST for keeping those tresses looking lovely while Glamping. Love the Drybar Dry Shampoo

 

Insect Repellent. Need I say more?

 

So important to keep our little pouts looking pretty while outdoors and the best part is that the Sugar lip balm by Fresh comes in a variety of colors for the Glamping gal who wants to still look chic without being wearing full makeup while Glamping because full makeup would be a little much...even for the Glamping gal.

 

Backpacks are a Glamping necessity...why not do it in style?

 

 

A safari fedora hat to protect our faces from the outdoors and those pesky wrinkles!

 

 

Hunter Wellies because you never know what you might encounter...rain? mud? your wellies have got you covered. it is better to be prepared when Glamping.

 

 

I actually own this jacket from J. Crew and love it because its so versatile. Lightweight for when it cools down  a little at night but sturdy enough to keep you warm plus its weather resistant just in case you experience a little rain while Glamping.

 

Folding Ray Bans? Yes please.

 

A Glamping trip wouldn't be complete without a camera to capture the amazing moments to remember your Holiday by. I love the Fujifilm Instax Mini because it is just so darn cute and small enough to tote around...plus wouldn't this little camera be the most darling thing to have at a party so you could give your guests instant polaroids as favors?!

 

Glamping. Go do it. I promise you won't regret it because it is such a unique experience! I can't wait to see what Glamping in the US has to offer and I hope to do it sooner rather than later. Good luck planning your Glamping travel adventure! Xoxo

 

 

 

It's All in the Details

I love walking into someone's home for the first time and seeing the décor. In my opinion the way someone decorates their house is a huge reflection of their personality and style...you can immediately walk into someone's house, take a look around, and think to yourself "this is so them." Some people like bright colors, others bold prints, some stay neutral throughout...the possibilities are endless! I'm personally a bold prints mixed with neutrals kind of gal. I have chevron curtains in our living room which are a big statement piece, but for bedrooms I like really soft and neutral colors. Our bedroom is currently beige with all white bedding and light blue accents throughout...so peaceful. I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to cope with all the bright colored walls and fish décor that comes with the typical Florida living that I will be experiencing next year...I foresee lots of neutral paint and whites in my future for a clean and chic coastal living look.

I really enjoy decorating even though I feel like it is always a work in progress. We've been living in our house for over a year now and I am still decorating  and rearranging things everyday even though I am basically finished...all that is left to do is get a new couch. As soon as we are able, I am marching my bootie down to Z Gallerie and purchasing a neutral sectional. The great thing about a neutral colored couch is that you can add some great pillows to add a pop of color and just change them out whenever you want to re-decorate or are just plain tired of the ones you have. I made this mistake of convincing my mom to buy me red couches for our college house. Granted I was 18 and it was cool back then, and honestly they are great couches, extremely comfortable, and in great shape, but at 25 I'm just over the red which is why they have been under slipcovers for the past 2 years. Slipcovers...ugh. I hate slipcovers. When I think of slipcovers I think of trashy old furniture in a boy's college house. vom. I've even tried looking into getting them recovered but for the amount of money its going to cost its not worth it. One time I even thought I had found furniture/fabric paint via Pinterest...but that turned out to be an epic fail as well. When the time comes hopefully I can find my trusty college couches a good home because they have certainly treated me well...if those couches could talk I'm not quite sure we would want to hear the college secrets they have to share...

I have my eye on the lovely Tate sectional. Swoon. One day hopefully sooner than later you will be in my living room.

My house is my little safe-haven from the world and I think that is why I love decorating it so much. My house is where I come home after a long day to unwind, it is where I lay my head down at night, and it is where I spend time with my little family so why shouldn't it be my version of perfect? it should. I love spending time pouring over design magazines, browsing Pinterest or Houzz, or watching HGTV. My house is a mix of old and new, expensive and inexpensive.  I have pieces from Horchow, Z Gallerie, Pottery Barn, and Wisteria as well as pieces from IKEA, Target, Tuesday Morning (believe it or not our head board is a gem from this place), and Home Goods. In the end I think it is all about how you put it together and tie in with the details that makes the overall look complete and polished. I'm all about the details. Coffee table books, trays, picture frames, candles, flowers, etc. I feel like a home without details just looks incomplete, but at the same time you have to be careful not to over do it and have your house end up looking knick-knacky. I've definitely been at the knick-knacky stage before and had to dial it back.

 

 So I am not a huge of built-ins but my house has two built-ins on either side of the fireplace that needed some lovin' so that is when I perfected the art of built-in/bookcase/shelving styling. It actually took me shockingly long to style these the way I wanted but I finally got it done and I'm pretty happy with it! My absolute favorite part of it all though was getting to display one of my most treasured possessions compliments of our Thai honeymoon.

 

I got this portrait of three young Buddhist monks at a market in Bangkok doing the beloved speak no evil, see no evil, hear no evil poses. I carried it with me on every flight on the way back home to make sure it didn't get bent just because I am that obsessed with it. That is one of the beauties of the details in decorating your home...you can use little treasures you've collected throughout your travels or that are special in some way, and I love the idea of displaying something that has a story to it...it could be a conversation piece!

I also love love love the chevron curtains I had made! Window treatments make a world of difference in my opinion and my house was screaming for some! I picked out the fabric, decided to buy some cheap white sheets at Target to use as the lining since it is less expensive than buying white fabric at the store to use as a liner, and then after tirelessly searching for a seamstress that would make them for a reasonable price in Dallas I caved and just mailed all the stuff home to McAllen and had our life-long Mexican seamstress do them...hello cheap labor! I kind of felt like I was ripping her off since I knew how much the ladies in Dallas wanted to charge me but I just couldn't bring myself to pay so much for a home project. I wish I knew how to sew...that is one womanly skill that I did not acquire from my grandmother. The only thing I know how to do is sew on a button, and one time in High School I miraculously sewed a pair of pajama shorts for a class, but besides that my sewing skills are non-existent.

This little gem is also a product of one of my travels, and I love being able to pour sugar into my coffee from it every day. I bought this sugar bowl at the store next door to The Ivy, which sells the pottery they use at the restaurant. It reminds me of our annual LA girls trip and our obsession with eating at The Ivy every time we are in town. It just brings good memories of carefree, lovely California days with my family.

 

 

 

Coffee table books are just fab. They make great décor pieces, guests love to pick them up and browse through them, and they make wonderful gifts! Coffee table books aren't necessarily something you buy yourself everyday which is why I think they are such great gifts...everyone loves them but they are not necessarily on the top of our must buy lists so gifting them is perfect! I've acquired a couple of mine as gifts, others I've purchased myself on Gilt or Amazon at a discounted price! Can't get enough of them. I also love the use of trays to get clutter out of the way! I got the one on our coffee table from the Neiman Marcus for Target line and I am so glad I purchased it. It keeps all the ugly controls out of the way, stores the coasters, and is so easy to just pick up and move to clean the table or if we are eating at the table (which we do a lot!).

I was so honored when the Valley Social Events Magazine decided to have us on the cover and do a spread on our wedding! I just had to frame it and display it because it is such a neat little keepsake from such a special time in our lives! The succulent in a jar is the finishing touch to this little table in our guest room/my office. This succulent arrangement has shockingly survived...I already killed one in our kitchen which I thought was impossible to do since they are so sturdy, but apparently not for me. Maybe one day I'll be able to keep a plant alive...

This is by far my most favorite "detail" in our home. This Tiffany's vase was a very special wedding gift from one of my most treasured friends, and so I decided to fill it with something that I treasure just like our friendship and that is the crystal flowers I wore in my hair the day of our wedding. I love walking by this everyday and I love how the old phone nook in our old house is the perfect little home for such a special detail. P.S. sorry for all the pic designs but I'm currently obsessed with using A Beautiful Mess app.

I loved the idea of a cute bar display from all the blogs I follow so I decided to create one of my own and it honestly makes our bar area look so much more inviting. Cocktails anyone?

This little guy is hanging up over the bar area...I decided that if it fit anywhere in our house it was over the bar. It makes me a little sad that Lucas killed him, but he is pretty on trend with home décor so I guess I can get past the fact that Lucas shot Bambi and just relish in the fact that I didn't have to spend $ on a faux one at Z Gallerie and again it has a story to it!

This piece was an attempt to distract the eye from that hideous cable cord and fill up the mantel with something besides a tv and xbox. mission accomplished...I think?

Thank you Home Goods for my little horsey book end. I actually wanted a horse table lamp, but Lucas put a stop to that one really quick...sometimes I forget I can't make things too feminine. So this book end was the next best thing! I love Home Goods...they have the best finds and especially lamps! If you're in the market for a great lamp this is your place!

 

This table is actually Lucas' college table from IKEA! I just added a bench and some new chairs from Pottery Barn, a table runner from Williams-Sonoma, and Mackenzie-Childs centerpiece and voila! By dressing up the table you can't even tell its from IKEA...the details make all the difference!

And last but not least one of my favorite yet ridiculous details in my house are Miss Lilly's Mackenzie-Childs bowls and place mat. This little diva got these as a wedding gift (yes I registered for these don't judge me). She has a set in the kitchen as well as a large matching water bowl and mat in our bedroom just in case she gets thirsty at night she can climb down her little steps from our bed and take a sip. I know. Most spoiled dog ever but I can't help it.

 

There you go...my humble, no decorating background take on home decorating! Doesn't matter where you buy your things since you can mix high end and low end pieces and make them look fab! It's all about how you arrange them together and it is all about the details! Happy decorating!

Xoxo



 

Creating

I've always loved creating things or like Lucas likes to call it "just making up new things to do." I get the crafting gene from my momma. When we were little Big Martha would hand make all the invitations to our wedding sized joint birthday parties every year, and for my 5th birthday she even made these amaze centerpieces out of the brown cardboard cylinders left over when you finish a roll of toilet paper...I remember not being able to throw away the cylinder thing when it was time for a new roll of toilet paper for like 6 months of my life while we collected enough. I mean seriously who thinks of using that to make centerpieces for a child's birthday party and actually thinking they are going to look good? Big Martha. And they did look totally fab.

In college I would go to my fav antique store in Waco (Bloom and Bee Swanky) and do things like buy an old window screen, add some wiring, and use clothespins to hang pictures on it...because a simple frame was just way too boring to capture all the fun we were having in college. Then I had a phase where I made bows using my Bowdabra...kidd you not it was named the Bowdabra and I love that little thing. I made bows for all our friends and for all events including football games and rush. I used all types of ribbon and my fav part of it all was topping them off with all sorts of cute buttons because lets be honest there is no better use for that extra Juicy button that came with you're coat that you're never going to use than for an adorb bow. It's been a while since I've made bows but I know I'll be that mom that makes GIANT bows for my little girl one day so until then the Bowdabra will prob be collecting dust in my craft box for a while unless anybody wants a bow...just HOLLA!

Kendall & I sporting our St. Patty's day bows made by me...I went through some old pics to find this and I realized we all wore lots of bows in college...we LOVED bows!

Whether it be decorating, crafting for myself or friends, or throwing a party...I love love love coming up with something, working on putting it together, and then seeing the final outcome. There is something about visualizing a concept and seeing it come to fruition that is very satisfying. When I've had a bad day, or I'm stressed about law school or life in general crafting is actually extremely soothing because it kind of acts like an outlet for my stress...something about working with your hands to make something is really calming. Of course, I don't have to be in a bad mood alone to craft...I've been blessed with the ideal crafting weather these past two rainy Sundays. My Sunday yesterday consisted of painting in sweats, eating Chinese food, and watching a movie...seriously one of my ideal days. The best thing about crafting these days is all the inspiration from Pinterest, Etsy, and all these precious blogs I follow (Help I need a blog intervention....for real). I almost don't know what I did before Pinterest, Etsy, and blogs...all these sites make me want to be Betty Crocker, an event planner, and the best home maker ever all at the same time. I usually don't have the time I would like to craft during the school year except for the summer time and Lord am I getting my craft on this summer since it is essentially my last "free" summer since next summer I'll be studying for the Bar and the summer after that I'll be a full time working woman! Ever since I got done with my intense two classes, working at the law clinic, and turning in my rig. writing paper on July 3rd I've been a busy bee enjoying my freedom.

I got the idea to use vintage stamps, washi tape, twine, and craft paper envelopes for my mail from this cute little blog www.fairytalesaretrue.com The girl is a wedding planner, has the cutest little boy, lived in Europe with her husband after they got married, and I want to be her friend. But the biggest reason I love her blog is because she lives in Florida and isn't the bright colored walls with fish all over the place kind of Florida gal, but seems to be totally chic so in a weird way makes me feel like there is hope and that life in Florida won't be that big of a culture shock for me when we move there next summer for Lucas to start med school. Kinda crazy I know but it's comforting to know I can make our life in Florida fab not drab. And now I can use this cute idea to send all our friends back in Texas next year snail mail because who doesn't love snail mail, especially when it comes in a cute package?!

I got the idea to make a permanent flower arrangement from www.thepinkpeonies.com after I was spending a fortune at the grocery store every week getting fresh flowers. Don't get me wrong I love me some fresh flowers but it can get pricey so I decided to head down to Michael's to buy me some craft water, a vase, and the best looking faux hydrangeas I could find and make this lovely little piece. I was shockingly surprised at how finicky craft water is to work with...you have to boil to make the gel soft and then pour it carefully...needless to say I kinda made a mess so be careful when using it but I think it turned out great and its the perfect little addition to our new china cabinet in our dinning room. Shout out to Artie and Bets for the legit Alexander McQueen coffee table book I got for my birthday...thanks again stringbeans!

The yarn wreath. We've all seen it a million times on Pinterest and have always said I am going to make one some day. I really wanted to make my own 4th of July wreath for the holiday but with the craziness of wrapping up summer school I just didn't have time so I caved and ordered one on Etsy (I need an Etsy intervention...the peeps over there are offish making a fortune off of me). When I got the wreath it was totally adorbs but I knew I could make one myself so given the time I set out to make one for myself last week. These wreaths are so easy to make except for the fact that wrapping the yarn around the wreath literally can take about 2-3 hours, but besides that its just a little hot glue and some felt flowers from Michael's! Be careful though the foam wreath you cover is really fragile...I learned my lesson when I was hot gluing the burlap to hang it on the door hook and dropped it, which resulted in my wreath breaking in half in two places...luckily after I collected myself from the near meltdown because of the 3 hours I had just spent wrapping yarn around the thing I hot glued it back together and you can't even tell.

I loved mine so much I even made one for Lis for her birthday! Something about a cute gift that is handmade by a friend with lots of love that is really endearing, at least it is to me. Giving is my love language so combine that with crafting and I am in heaven...its like making a meal and watching the person you made it for enjoy every bite...makes me happy happy!

This little number came from the brains of my brother-in-law's girlfriend Margot. I saw that she had made a few of these in all different colors and loved them! She is so talented and mine is nowhere near as good as hers but I still think it looks pretty legit. My sister, cousin, and I made this for Daniella's apartment while we were all in McAllen this past week! I want to make one for myself except that I have no wall space left in my house...unless I can convince Lucas that we need to take down his trophy fish in the guest bedroom and replace with one of these I think I am out of luck.

The faux Prada Marfa store is so unique and I would to go visit Marfa in person some day because it just seems like the most quirky little town, but idk when I will be making a trip out west so until then my Prada Marfa printable will do. I've seen Prada Marfa canvases for sale for up to $500, and I proudly made mine for $0. Granted I had all the supplies already at home but even then I think you could make this for $15. All it took was some gold spray paint which is always handy to keep a can of at home because let's be honest you could use gold spray paint for like a million things, an old cheapy white frame, and a free printable online. Done and done. Hello closet art!

Thank you Pinterest for our cute and affordable patio furniture! It summer and we wanted to spend the evenings enjoying a cold glass of white wine outside while grilling out our dinner with the dogs but we didn't want to spend a lot on outdoor furniture since we are moving to Florida and don't know exactly where we will be living so this was a great alternative! Literally a whiskey barrel from Lowe's for $30. I used a glass top to one of my old IKEA tables from college with some stickys to make sure its secure onto the whiskey barrel but I'm pretty sure they sell the glass tops at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for like $10 (or so I've heard). Add a citronella candle and some $15 chairs from Lowe's plus an umbrella and pillows from the oh so wonderful Target and voila! And in the winter we can just pull up our little Target fire pit in front of it and drink some spiked hot chocolate instead of white wine...perf!

For the longest time I was weary of Pinterest recipes but once I got started I couldn't stop trying new things since everything I had made turned out pretty delish! I made this banana pudding trifle on Friday and I've slowly been eating it all by myself...HELP! I am literally thinking of throwing some out or giving some away since its so much and I know I'll eventually eat it all but its just soooo good I can't make myself throw some away. Lucas isn't a huge pudding person so he obvi hasn't helped with devouring this and I unfortunately have a banana pudding obsession so this isn't looking great for me although I did try to make it healthier by using fat free milk, fat free nilla wafers, and fat free cool whip. nom nom.

I think my favorite Pinterest recipe so far has been Chia pudding! I literally make it weekly since I discovered it and I'm obsessed. I eat it for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert after dinner in order to satisfy my sweet tooth. Not only is it delish but its good for you too...Chia has plenty of Omega-3 and since I don't eat salmon this is my source! The one in the picture is vanilla flavored but my favorite is hands down the green tea flavored one using green tea powder which I also use to make green tea lattes!

I got the recipe for this delish green tea latte from www.peaceloveshea.com I don't really like the entire blog but the food section has some really good recipes that are all healthy since this chick is a model in LA. For the green tea powder I like the Rishi Sweet Matcha since it's a little sweet and not as bitter so if you've never been a green tea drinker this is a good way to go. I've tried a couple of the recipes from this girl's blog including the skinny strawberry shortcake (delish), asparagus soup (also delish), skinny pancakes (not so good), and the cauliflower mashed "potatoes" (amazing). Warning if you don't like greek yogurt you might not like her recipes since she uses greek yogurt as a replacement for like absolutely everything in order to make it skinny but if you love greek yogurt like I do then this is right up your alley!

                                                             Delish Mashed Cauliflower!

 

I'm all about the free printables! So cute for holidays or parties and just puts the finishing touch on your décor! Most of the holiday ones I've gotten from Pinterest with the exception of the Super Bowl banner which I purchased the design from Etsy and then downloaded onto my computer, printed it, cut out the flags, and then strung them onto a piece of twine! Perfect for any occasion!

And last but not least I just purchased one of these giant balloons with lovely tassel in a different color from Etsy on a whim. Why? I have no clue but I think its the cutest thing ever! I have no where to use it so maybe I should plan a party just to have this adorable giant balloon on display or maybe I should save it for our Christmas card pictures....tres chic? I think so. The possibilities are endless so we will have to wait and see what I come up with to use this little gem for!

Hope everyone has a little spare time this summer to get you craft on, try new recipes, or get creative...seriously so fun, relaxing, and entertaining all at the same time! Michael's literally will almost always give you a 40% off coupon when you purchase something for your next visit so you get some great deals...its like cat nip and its definitely working on me because I'm always going back for more! Next on the list finding a way to organize all my craft supplies...

Sending Creative juju everyone's way!
XOXO