spring hapennings

So, I don't want to jinx anything, but the weather has been perfection here in Dallas. Like 70s and breezy and blue skies and trees blooming bright green and big Texas sunsets. I sincerely thank you weather gods. You are helping a desk-bound gals spirit just by shining through her window. Been big time busy with Hens tasks and designing goods for ladies getting hitched. Currier left town for a week and I almost went crazy without our multiple, daily chats. I survived, but boy it reminded me how thankful I am to have a partner in this!
So, Mimers and I have been busy too. School was out last week so had to think of lots of new activities. Pizza dinner date with friends, picnics, errands together, Perot museum (score), and a trip to the aquarium. I don't know why I went to the aquarium on one of the busiest weeks of the year, but I did and it was sort of a nightmare. Way too many people and stinky inside. Even Miriam was ready to bolt by the time we made it to the penguins. Our backyard is much more fun anyway. Trevor and I finally got around to some landscaping at the casa. It was basically a blank state that no one had ever really paid attention too. We changed that and gave it a lotta love last Saturday. So much better I can't even tell you. A lot of happenings here and it's made me miss home just a bit less and less. Maybe that means I am finally settling in here? Finally.


tip from my friend samma… this $4 drug store mint julep masque is awesome! I stuck it in a care package for my cuz'. She's preggers and every preggers lady can use a little pick me up. Plus getting mail makes somebody feel extra special!

creole thrift

When I'm doing research for a project I start with a folder on my desktop called "design inspiration." It's full of random images I've collected over the years - my pre-Pinterest solution to saving digital images. Colors, interiors, typefaces… I scroll through them making notes and attempting to sketch a layout. And then I step away from the computer completely. Hurts my eyes and everything can start looking the same! Time to look around the house, open drawers, open books, and get the mind cooking. I was brainstorming on a job this week and found an old favorite book tucked away. Creole Thrift. I remember my mom brought it to our house in Beersheba and I was consumed with it all weekend. I loved the design and the layout and all the quirkiness within. 

The author, Angele Parlange writes about her growing up in a plantation house in Louisiana. The house is beautiful and moody inside. She gives ideas on printing fabric, sewing shower curtains with home photos, and reupholstering junk. "Premium Southern Living Without Spending a Mint." Isn't that adorable? Although they were clever, I never did any of her crafty ideas. What appealed to me was just her storytelling, the colorful personality, and the texture of the images in the book. Made me feel good.

So I got totally distracted from the project I was working on and ended up flipping through the book all over again for at least an hour. Easily distracted? Yep. But, I did come away with some ideas in the end. At least I think I did. Even with all the beauty online, books remain my go to for creative inspiration. And pink roses on your desk certainly don't hurt either.