Tailgating with Style: Bring the Right Stuff

A few weeks ago I did the first post in my tailgating/football watching series. That post was all about setting the right mood for an awesome tailgating experience, but now we move onto our next subject matter...bringing the right stuff. As I said in my last post, with football (mainly fantasy football) taking over my home, my husband, and lots of conversation, I have to incorporate things into football season that make me delusionally happy... like good food & drinks, friends, & yes... even cute tailgating accessories.


Wicker Picnic Basket from Williams Sonoma - comes with everything you need! I want this.


Using simple brown paper bags to serve items like fruit, crackers, and nuts is rustic & charming, but definitely budget friendly!

Antalya Tablecloth from Anthropologie


Paper Pretender Dinnerware by Anthropologie


Cute handmade pennant banner by In Your Bones - PS i want to make these, i smell a diy project in the future!


Another pattern of the pennant banner by In Your Bones


Simple accessories like a cool cutting board can make a table set-up look great!


Handmade Mini Cutting Board by Gray Works Designs


Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags by Bells and Unicorns - so cute!




Vintage picnic baskets from Blue Bicyclette


Yum... Strawberry Pineapple Jam from Hope's Pantry


Use vintage insulated bottles for soup (or cocktails!) that you want to keep hot or cold.


And for mooore fun, Urban Outfitters has lots of fun bar accessories. I'm partial to the party in my pocket flask. awesome

Hope you found some of these accessories for tailgating & game-watching as cute as I did! Happy beginning of football season! :( or :) I cant decide..

Our Home: Office Before & After

Today I have some before & after pictures of our office/2nd guest bedroom. We never dreamed when we moved in to our house that this office would actually be my REAL office that I use every day, but it is & I love it!
Here is a picture from before we did a thing to this room... dingy walls, nasty blinds & the floors before they were refinished..


This picture is after paint & after the floors were done.


My dad putting up some shelves for us!


And now after..


Oh Louise! supplies :)


This bed was my grandparents... we had a guy on Craigs List refinish it & I love it! The bedding is from West Elm & the quilt is one of my very favorite wedding gifts.. Peter's sweet Aunt Martha made it for us!


Ooh labels, how I love you.








$2 clock from Target... yay.


Framed greeting cards make for cheap decor.


I attached a curtain rod to the wall & nailed the baskets to the wall right above the rod. I use clothespins attached to the curtain rod to display inspirational magazine clippings.


Last but not least, the cutest accessory in the office... sweet pup Benson.


Hope you enjoyed the office pics... have a fab Monday!

Crafty DIY: Dum Dum Wreath

My friend Amanda is seriously the most talented person I know... not only is she a graphic designer, but she also bakes and decorates the most amazing cakes and has the most stylish home ever. Just when you think she couldn't possibly have more talents, now I've discovered her knack for DIY party decorations!

There will be more pictures of her recent super cute house warming party coming up soon, but for now I had to show-off this awesome DIY Dum Dum Wreath. She is so creative!


First Amanda bought 2 bags of 300 dum dums and used 5 flavors to get the colors she wanted.






The foam wreath from Hobby Lobby was spray painted black so the green wouldn't show through.

She then cut the sticks so there was about an inch to stick into the foam and started sticking them in randomly starting at the top edge of the front of the wreath.


She went around the diameter, then spiraled into the middle, and finished the outside edge last.




Amanda felt like it was too fragile to hang on the door, but said if she had used spray adhesive as she was sticking them in, that might have done the trick. However the lollipops do stick together so they stay in place after sitting so close together for a while and hold each other in place.

To hang it to the wall, Amanda wrapped ribbon around the wreath and tied it to a nail in the wall.



Ahh I love it! Such a cute idea for any party...Thanks for sharing your pics & how-to info Amanda!

Etsy Throwdowns Thursday

Would you wish for one of these?
Big Wish - Bronze Lifesize Wishbone Necklace by Sora Designs
Wishbone Silk Necktie by Cyberoptix TieLab




Which elegant cameo carves deep in your heart?
Cameo Necklace by Sweet Simple
Cameo Cookies by Sweet Ambs




Which boat would sail you to style?
A Schooner or Two Necklace by Me and Oli
Blue Ships Tote Bag by Aunt June

Note: This is not a real competition... just a fun way to show-off awesome Etsy items!
All images are from their respective shops.

Wall Frame Collages: Part 2

I recently did a post on wall frame collages & I'm back with even more inspirational photos that will hopefully give you some great ideas on following this easy and budget friendly trend!


Love the wallpaper and the use of artwork rather than photos... really pretty!
Photo by Liza Giles via Gaita Interiors


Photo via Lonny


This collage uses a huge round mirror as the focal point for the frames...lovesss it.
Photo via Domino on Brides.com - How to Decorate a (very) Small Apartment


Photo via Domino on Brides.com - How to Create a Colorful Home


Photo via Lonny


Ooh west elm... how many ideas I have copied from you in my house... :)
Photo via West Elm


Oh my goooodness someone please create a wall like this for me in our office!
Photo by Thomas Jayne via House Beautiful


Photo via West Elm


A good example of less is more... I have a very hard time following that motto!
Photo via West Elm


And now a good example of more is more! Such a bold look. Fab.
Photo via Gaita Interiors

Hope these photos inspired you -- email me any photos you have of your own frame collages!

Cowtown Indie Bazaar Booth Pics

This weekend my mom & I spent all day Saturday at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar put on by the Etsy Fort Worth group. It was a fun day... lots of great vendors & many DFW people walking through that we got to meet and chat with!
Of course I forgot my camera, but I did manage to get some photos of my booth with my iphone.
Enjoy!






I always make lots of prints for the shows because they typically sell well... easier to just pick up and buy than ordering a set of customized stationery!










These notepads are a new Oh Louise! product! More on how easy they are to make soon!

Hope you had a great holiday weekend!!