Keylime Cottage Kitchen & Easter Table Setting

This is our first Easter at the beach. I came down with my husband and kids to help my mom and Stanley move into their new beach house but it ended up not being ready yet so we are staying in Keylime Cottage. By the way, it is for sale furnished if anyone is interested in a cute place in Port A.

I will be doing a house tour but today I wanted to share with you the kitchen, screened in porch and our Easter table setting.

Blue Bonnets

I had to share this old picture I came across. Don't you love old pictures? This is my Great Grandfather Joe (I called him Papa.) and Great Grandmother Helen (I called her Nanan.) with their daughter, you guessed it, my Grandmother, Dorothy (Grandma). I love the old car in the background and the flapper dress and those great hats. I don't look good in hats but I love the idea of them. It's funny that even during black and white photos, people took their picture in the bluebonnets. If you're not from Texas, you might not know that this is a long time tradition.

I was on Facebook earlier today and I came across a picture from the Texas Hill Country site and I started wondering if this is where this picture was taken...

Cool, huh?

Enjoy your weekend and if you decide to take your picture in the bluebonnets, don't forget your stick to scare away the rattlesnakes!!! :)

Anthropologie Inspired Shelving

I'm inspired by many of the things at Anthropologie but I've had my eye on one particular item for some time. I love the way they display items in creative ways and I have always wanted to try building some of their industrial shelving. They take pipes and plumbing fittings and use them to hold up simple wood shelves. How hard could that be?

Old and Improved Armoire



I was inspired by other bloggers today to do something that I have been questioning and putting off for some time. What and who were my inspirations? First of all, I saw My Sweet Savannah's beautiful new hutch in her dining room a few days ago. I was drooling! I loved the paint combination on the piece. It just had such a pretty finish. Then today I saw Jennifer Rizzo's transformation of a piece of furniture that she had found and painted. I finally put two and two together. Maybe I can't buy that beautiful hutch but I can change a piece that I already own into something close. That was my push to do it. The armoire in the dining room had great bones but I just never loved it for some reason. As Nate Berkus always says, "You should never bring anything into your home that you don't love." Well, easy for him to say, I'm sure he can buy anything he wants, but for the rest of us, we buy things we can afford and settle with it or we inherit things out of need.That's where being able to transform a piece of furniture comes in. I knew that I wanted to do something to my armoire, but what? Once I saw that furniture piece at My Sweet Savannah, I knew....

Green With Envy

Just some random fun green things in honor of St. Patrick's Day...Don't forget to wear your green or you'll get pinched!!!!

1. Target Bella Dots 2 slice lime green toaster
2. Dash and Albert outdoor green and white cabana stripe poof
3. Anthropologie dip dyed serving set
4. Crate and Barrel Marimekko outdoor lime pillow
5. World Market green and white baker's twine
6. Pier 1 Imports indoor/outdoor all weather wicker counter stool in citron
7. Pottery Barn entertaining buffet (I think it would be an adorable potting bench)
8. West Elm lime green Smeg refrigerator


Now go get your green on !!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day Treat ~ Lime Pie

As with most of my recipes, I'm not sure exactly where they came from originally.(my mom, my grandmother or even my great -grandmother.) I have been enjoying this particular treat since I was a little girl. For all I know it could have been attached to a cool whip bucket in the 1950's. Did they have cool whip back then? It's so light, cool and refreshing and is definitely one of those desserts that I like to say, "gets the taste out." That's my code for I need a dessert after that meal.

Great Deal On Hardware

Are there any more beautiful words than 75% off ? Well, maybe FREE would be better.

Here is the story...I was strolling through Armoires and Accents a couple of days ago looking for items for my brother's house when I saw those wonderful words...

First, some background on my purchase...before I started my blog last summer, I painted over my wood cabinets (Gasp). I'm sorry to those of you that might think that that's a sin but I just love painted cabinets. In fact, I noticed that every magazine page I pull out or anything that I pin has white cabinets. How I would love to have white cabinets, but for my kitchen, I couldn't do it because of the counter tops, backsplash and appliances. At this point, I'm not ready for a full blown remodel so I ended up painting them a dark grey. I digress, the point of all this is that I think painted cabinets NEED hardware and up until now they haven't had any. Can you guess what I bought?

Cabinet Pulls

Any cabinet pulls that I've found in the past have been outrageously expensive (at least the ones that I've liked) so when I saw that sign, 75% off hardware, I bolted to the table. There they were, the cup handles that I wanted. One catch, I loved them but would my husband? Yes, I have one that cares. They are an antique brass which is a risky move because I know his taste. At less than $40 for the entire kitchen, I threw caution to the wind and not only purchased them but started drilling the holes before Bill came home from work. I heard the car pull up and took a deep breath. He didn't say anything when he came in because it's really not surprising to him any more to hear the drill going when he comes home. Finally, the comment I was waiting for, " You know, I didn't think I would like those but I really do." Whew....relief.

Laundry Room Reveal

Finally, the before and after of the laundry room. Do you remember the before?

Nominated for a Liebster Award

Hi everyone! I am so excited that one of my newest blogging friends and followers,Christine at Little Brags blog, has nominated me for a Liebster Award!!!

What is it?
The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 or so followers. (Yes, I definitely fit in here, no problem. :) What is a Liebster? The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.


So, here goes:
Eleven things about me ~   1.This part is harder than I thought it would be. Hmmm...Well, most importantly I am a mother. Something that I always wanted to be. When my husband and I first tried to conceive, it took three years!!! Yes, it was fun but a little stressful not knowing if it would ever happen. So my little guys were and are such a blessing to me. I have 2 boys Jackson (11) and Gage (9).

2. I am married to a wonderful man, Bill, who has given me everything that I ever wanted. He spoils me and works so hard so that I can stay home with our kiddos.  

3.I have 2 dogs, a lab Spencer and our "rescue" terrier mix Madi who we picked up on a whim in December. We also have 2 guinea pigs, one beta fish and my son has a salt water aquarium with my favorite starfish "Crazy Joe".

4.When I'm not blogging, you can usually find me at the ballpark or in a gym somewhere watching a basketball or baseball game or practice. I'm also active with our school's PTA. I do the main bulletin board which I post sometimes on my blog. I also love to go shopping with my mom and sometimes I will post our "finds" on here. I also love Mexican food. If you come to San Antonio, send me a message and I'll tell you where to go.

Me, my mom, my brother  (who's 15 years younger than me!) and my 2 boys.

5. I am a major homebody. There is nothing that I love more than to curl up on the sofa with my family and watch a movie. My husband tells me though that I have terrible taste in movies and will never let go of the time that I dragged him to Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion or the fact that I will watch White Chicks whenever it comes on TV. I also love a good scary movie. Oh, and I love Bravo, almost everything on it and Tori and Dean and Julianna and Bill. :)

6. My favorite place to be is the Coast. Specifically, Port Aransas, Texas, my home away from home. I love boogy boarding, fishing and looking for shells.

7. I was a decorator for 13 years before "retiring". I just started blogging in October 2011. The decorating thing started early in my childhood when I would not only move things in my room but in the rest of the house as well.

8. I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio and I'm an Alpha Sigma Alpha alumni.

9. I can touch my tongue to my nose and I have a bee allergy that I just found out about a year ago. (Maybe I shouldn't say that in case there is someone out there that wants to kill me).....too many horror movies.

10. I've been accused of being OCD because of my obsession with things being organized. If you need to move, pack boxes or organize shelves, I'm your girl.

11. I know this might be controversial but I'm a Cowboys, Spurs and Texas Rangers Fan. Go Spurs Go!!!

Questions I'm supposed to answer:

1. What is your dream house?
No doubt a cottage at the beach with the doors and windows wide open to let in the smell of the gulf and the sound of the palm trees blowing in the wind. It wood be covered in white wood everywhere.

2. What is your favorite song and why?
I have no idea. I listen to all kinds of music from Country to Classical and everything in between. My brother tells me my ipod is very "random".

3. What is your family like?
Crazy like everyone elses. One of my favorite sayings is, "That's the member of the family that you meet after the wedding."

4. Favorite blog post I've ever written and why?
I think the one at Christmas where I made the outdoor pillows for my bench. I stenciled our address and inverted the numbers so it's not even correct. I didn't even notice the mistake until after I posted it. It still hasn't been changed by the way. OOOPS!

5. What are your favorite blogs and why do you love them?
The funny thing is, I had never read a blog until after I started mine. I googled decorating blogs to see if I was "doing it right" and the first one that came up was The Inspired Room. I could not stop reading it. It was like reading something from a kindred spirit, a friend, even though I didn't know her personally.  That's what makes it work. I also love Courtney's blog at French Country Cottage. I love her style even though it is very different from mine. Her photography, styling and flower arranging are fantastic!

6. How long have you been blogging and why?
I just started in October of last year. I do so many projects at home and in my friends and families houses that I thought I would start documenting them to help others do it for themselves. It has been a great creative outlet for me.

7. Who is your hero?
I know some people grow up with one but I've never really thought about it. I guess if I had to pick someone that I admire for her accomplishments, it would be Martha Stewart.(except for the lying and jail thing) I think it is fantastic as a woman to create an empire the way she has.

8. What is your favorite memory?
My wedding day. It was the most fun and special day and lead to my next new adventure in life including  my two beautiful children.

9. How do I want to be remembered?
As a good person and good mother.

10. Who is your favorite author?
Sadly, I don't read a lot of fiction but if I had to choose one, it would be Stephen King. He tells a great scary story!

11. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I assume this is a living person and it would be possible that I could meet them so I won't say Jesus because that's who it would be. Who is more interesting than that? Now I REALLY don't know who to say because they'll be compared to Jesus! I'm just going to say it anyway....Josh Duhamel.

Now for my nominations:
1.Of course I am nominating Christine at Little Brags first because not only does she have a wonderful blog but she has helped me so much and I really appreciate her! littlebrags.blogspot.com
2. Dawn @ inspiredlivinghome.blogspot.com
3.Theresa @ junkmuse.blogspot.com
4.Theresa @ littleputtylittlepaint.blogspot.com
5.Becky @ vintage541.blogspot.com
6.Angela @ hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com
7.Maggie @ crunchydiva.com
8.Melanie @ myrusticfarmhouse.blogspot.com
9. Doreen @ househoneys.com
10. Cyndi @ bluestarantiques.blogspot.com
11.Betty @ maddiebellahome.blogspot.com

Here are your questions girls~

1. When and why did you start your blog?

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

3. What does your dream house look like?

4. What are your favorite current TV shows?

5. Do you have a special talent? What is it?

6. What is the favorite room in your house and why?

7. If you could make one major change in your life, what would it be?

8. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

9. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

10. Have you done something in your life that is unusual or something that you think that most other people haven't done? What is it?

11. What was the best experience of your life?

Have fun ladies! You all have great new blogs. Good luck in your future success. I'd love for you all to link back to my blog so I can see your answers and if you'd like to stay in touch please join me on my google followers if you haven't already.

Spring Update





(Before ~ Winter)  The color scheme was centered around the rug which was moved to the master bedroom