girls weekend

"Girls just wanna have fun do uninterrupted crafts...ohh, girls just wanna do crafts!"

Well, girls weekend was a success! And how could it not be with this view? We had been planning this weekend since August. Months ago we polled the group to find a weekend that would work for everyone...4 months later we had the first weekend that worked. Let me explain the "big bestie, little bestie" situation. There are 7 of us. Me and my 2 best friends {big besties...named for age rather than size, thank you very much} and then my sister and her 3 best friends who are 2 years younger {hence the "little" besties}. We all grew up together, even though us biggins were older, cooler, and way more mature than the littles. Anyway, our good friend Nikki {one of the little besties} is having a baby girl SOON, so we had to get together for one last hoo-rah before baby Caroline arrives and cramps our style. Just kidding. But seriously, we probably won't get to do this for a while. Apparently our "hoo-rah" comes in the form of yarn, hot glue guns, and a crock-pot. Hey everyone is different. Two years ago girls weekend consisted of a trip to Vegas...this year its a quiet crafting weekend at the lake...next year....knitting at the Senior citizens center? Don't judge. It was a much needed weekend and the rules were simple:

1. Everyone be prepared to teach the group a craft and bring the supplies to do so.

2. Strict dress code: sweat pants, no make-up, and no real bras for the entire weekend. 

Due to rule #2, people were strict about not letting me take their picture, but I did manage to snap this gem: 

Crafting is serious business. Get your wreath face on. {Don't hate me, Meg}

We celebrated Meg's {big bestie} birthday with dinner and Sprinkles cupcakes. Other activities on the agenda: cooked a big breakfast, went on a walk through the forest, spied on the bachelorette party next door, sat on the dock for 'happy hour', learned about pregnancy, and made some stuff. First up...

Mason Jar Snow Globes

We were smart and started off the day right with a simple craft, as not to get discouraged. They turned out super cute! Tutorial here. Mine is on my coffee table right now. Whew, one craft down, that was easy. Little did we know what was up next...

Yarn Wreaths with Felt Flowers

Now don't get me wrong, these turned out awesome!! However, wrapping that yarn around the wreath is time...con...sume...ing. So much so that we had to take a lunch break and come back later to finish. But, like I said, it turned out so cute and festive! It's hanging on my shoe closet door. That's right, I have a shoe closet...because I am riiiiich! If you want one of your own {wreath that is, not a shoe closet} look here. We wrapped up the night with another easy one...

Bird + Antler Gift Tags

Nothings says, "Merry Christmas" like stocky birds with antlers! They will be going on all 30 of our gifts under the tree. Can't wait!  

Last up, 

Paint Sample Garland 

If you have a Lowe's or Home Depot close by and don't feel bad taking advantage of the paint department, this one is for you. We got a whole lotta 'free' paint samples and went to town. We made Christmas tree, a star, and an ornament garland. I don't have a tutorial, but it's pretty self-explanitory. Tips: get different shades of the same color. For example for the red we got candy apple reds, burgundy and even salmon. Trace your shape, cut it out and hole punch two holes in each shape to ensure it doesn't turn when you string it on the twine. 

It was such an enjoyable, relaxing weekend! I hope we can do it every year. Thanks Lindsey for being a gracious host and having us at your place. I am so blessed with wonderful friends to have  the joy of growing up and doing life together. From 4th grade recess to youth group mission trips to high school graduation to cowboy creeper to weddings and now babies! I'm glad to have you girls in my life. Let the generation of tiny besties begin!  

{How bad is it that I had to go back to 2009 to get this. 

It's official: we need to take more pics!}

LYLAS

deck the halls

The tree is trimmed, the halls are decked, the stockings are hung! 

It's the most wonderful time of the year-- my birthday I mean CHRISTMAS! It was even more fun decorating this year since we got to decorate our very own house! Also exciting, we picked out our very first real Christmas tree this year. Here let me just give you a little tour of the Barrett house around this time of year. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from our happy home to yours. 

Christmas Decor: tree, sparkly tree topper {Target}, ornaments

Here's our cute tree, alfalfa sprout and all. I am not the theme-tree type. I prefer more of a random, eclectic, cozy vibe. I love all of our mis-matchy ornaments. Each has its own story. This year we started a new tradition of picking out a tree together and decorating together...by my lonesome {other people had "research" and "papers" to "write"}. But, don't worry, I don't anticipate that becoming a tradition...only until Tate is finished with school...in...2016...by then I will be a professional tree-decorator. I could have waited until later that evening for help, but I couldn't wait to get my decorating on! 

Christmas Decor: Joy To The World pillow {Pottery Barn}, Let It Snow pillow {Hobby Lobby}

Come in and have a seat! As our home increases in size, so do our pillows. We got that tiny one when we lived in our shoe box in Houston. Last year we upgraded to Joy To The World. This year, maybe a body pillow. 

Christmas Decor: stockings and initial pins {Target}, Santa pics, jars

We finally have stockings! Yea! I've been holding out for 2 years and finally got some. Wrigley's probably won't be filled this year after she ate two ornaments. She's on the naughty list. I loved how the framed Santa pics turned out. It's comprised of my Grandma's old/vintage Christmas cards and a frame I got at Goodwill for $2. We almost threw these cards out when going through my Grandma's Christmas stuff...glad I kept them!

Christmas Decor: letters {Hobby Lobby}, frosted holly berries {Hobby Lobby}

JOY! The best Christmas word. I love adding these frosted holly berries anywhere and everywhere. 

Christmas Decor: light up church, picture, scrabble letters

Old pics make the best decorations. This is an old pic of my mom and Aunt Kelly {the inappropriate aunt} on Santa's lap. Presh! 

Christmas Decor: wreath, reindeer duo {Home Goods}, Santa painting, Peace On Earth {Hobby Lobby}, evergreen branches {Lowe's}

This is my favorite part of the Christmas decor, our entry table. I recommend hanging a wreath on an entry mirror. It turned out so cute! More important tip- go to Lowe's or Home Depot and hang out where they trim the Christmas trees. Just look like you are suppossed to be there and no one will ask questions. You can get all the extra branches and wood slices {from the trunk} fo free! There was a lady there hogging all of the branches. She literally had a cart full. Luckily, I was able to snag a few and put them here in a rustic jar I filled it with water. 2 weeks later, they are still going strong. 

Christmas decor: mint m&ms {have I mentioned I am obsessed with these}, Borden's crate filled with my grandma's Rudolph toy, ceramic Santa with more leftover branches, and trio of Christmas trees. My grandma used to put this quirky Rudolph under her tree every year accompanied by a pair of the creepiest Santa dolls you have ever seen. I am happy to give Rudy a new home. Maybe one day when Wrigley's curiosity dies Rudy can live under the tree once again. 

Happy decorating for Christmas time! Now all we need to do is wrap some presents...I bet Wrigley can't wait for new "snacks"

happy thanksgiving y'all

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We sure did. Our turkey day was spent in Fairview, filled with our traditional King family meal, some QT with family, and lots of shopping! Once again, we have been blessed beyond measure throughout the past year. Thanks be to God for all of the goodness that has come our way including: 

-Health-

-Another year spent with family and friends-

-A new home where we can grow our roots-

-Healing and miracles for friends' family-

-New opportunities with school and jobs-

-Grace & mercy daily-

Here was our very happy Thanksgiving through pictures:

Jan the Man keeping us on schedule! 

Mixing potatoes, baking turkey and deviling {is that a verb?} eggs. Hmm, that's weird, where's Jayma? 

Carving turkey is serious man business. Tate is taking notes...one day, Tate, one day. 

{Please note Lynley painting her nails at the bar.}

Grub-a-dub-dub! Looks yummy! All the traditional dishes for our fam: turkey, ham, mac and cheese two ways, dressing, cranberries two ways, broccoli rice casserole, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn {yawn}, and rolls. I think that's it. As Lynley said, "with all these good options, why waste precious plate space with corn?"

 These two. Crazy sisters! Funny thing is, I think they were trying to take a real picture. Ah well, third time's a charm...

Nevermind.

 Grandpa Billy Bunk. He knows the drill. 

This man and his ketchup. Don't leave home without it!

 Every Thanksgiving is better with some puppy love from your over-sized lap dog.

 And the the reason for the season {not really}, Black Friday Shopping! Outlets opened at 9:00 PM on Thanksgiving night...come on people! I don't support the idea; I mean, people should really be home with their families spending--...oh wait, what's that you say... JCrew is 50% off?! Let's go, we are waisting time!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! 

bu homecoming

Hooray for Baylor Homecoming! It was fun to have family in town, run into friends we hadn't seen in a while, and fill Waco with alumni as we shared in our pride for the green & gold. We went to the parade, which has recently been deemed as the oldest collegiate parade in history, thank you very much. We also tailgated, went to the football game, where my sister and I mostly people watched and asked each other,  "What is with the mom jeans cut off into jean shorts and those giant hair bows?" I guess we are getting old when we no longer understand the college fashion. Anyway, It was a fun weekend! The best part was now that we are locals {which is scary}, we got to sleep in our own beds instead of crashing on a friend's air mattress and didn't spend countless hours on I35. Happy homecoming staying! Here are the highlights:

hello from the warehouse

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We've got a big weekend coming up folks, it's Baylor Homecoming! Sic'Em! Lynley and I have been sewing, painting, and crafting our little hearts out. We've stocked and arranged the store with all of our best stuff and are really excited how everything turned out! Spruce up your apartment with a trendy, handmade throw pillow or 'fling your green and gold afar' with some of our brand new Baylor gear. Check out just a few of our items here:

{I.want.it.all.}

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{rosey antique chair- $40}

{dainty side table, top covered in vintage book pages- $15}

{crystal decanter- $12}

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{white washed table- $60}

leaf included, but not pictured

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{'Baylor' memo/dry erase board- $20}

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{'Sic 'Em' memo/dry erase board- $20}

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{'I love you because' chalkboard- $20}

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{various chalkboards and unique wall decor}

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{antiqued kitchen hutch with chalkboard doors- $160}

{local Waco coasters, a Warehouse bestseller- only $5}

Various locations featured on coasters including: 

The Elite, Common Grounds, Suspension Bridge, Alico, Burleson, 

Pat Neff tower,  Floyd Casey stadium 

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{various handmade pillows $20-40}

each is unique including but not limited to: 

lace and burlap ruffled, stamped burlap, 

retro chevron with mustard flower, three sitting birds

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Baylor gear:

{green and gold welcome sign $12}

{bear pillow $20}

{yellow felt pillow $30}

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Thanks for stopping by! Come by this weekend to see us at Spice Village. Not in Waco? It's ok, shoot us an email at TheWarehouseAtSpice@gmail.com to order anything you see here. 

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**Share this blog post on Facebook and you'll get the Friends and Family discount. Make sure you tag one of us on the post, so we'll know who to send the coupon to. We would love to hook you up for just being our friends and liking our stuff.**

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Peace, Love & Antiques, 

D & L 

plumtique home tour

Riddle me this: Who secretly loves Breaking Amsih, eats a pack of crescent rolls per day, are bottled water snobs and were featured today on Plum's blog?

Answer: These guys!! 

If you're from around here then you already know Plum is one of the cutest boutique stores here in Waco. Housed in the Village at Spice, also where Lynley and I have our quaint, little store, The Warehouse. Plum has the best stuff- home decor, accessories, THE Volcano candle. {We are also candle snobs and prefer the Capri Blue Volcano or Reserve Fire scented candles to all others...put it on your Christmas list}. Plum recently launched their new online store, Plumtique {I'll take one of everything please} and is doing all kinds of cool things, including home tours. And who doesn't love a good home tour? Am I right? Snooping around someone else's house while in the privacy of your own home, office or stop light? It's pretty much the best! We were honored to be featured as the first tour! Check out the Plumtique site and pics of our cozy little home sweet home here:

www.plumtique.com/home-tour-danielle-tate

lights, freezers & pantries...oh my

This weekend was DIY home project central around here! Luckily, my super awesome parents came into town just to help out with all of the excitement. We have done a LOT of projects here and there on the new house, but there were a few things we just weren't ready to tackle alone. We needed to bring in the big guns...enter Billy & Jan. We attempted to put on some new hallway doors, played around with the sprinklers, painted some chalkboards {child's play} but the real projects I was most excited about were...

#1. Vintage Pendant Lights 

The vintage double pendant light in my pink, old lady bathroom. Mom found this for only $12 at one of my favorite Waco dives, Laverty's. We got the globes at Lowe's for $5 each. I've always wanted lights like this. My grandma and grandpa have these hanging in their hallway bathroom. Now I have some of my own! 

AND...

#2. 1940's Freezer 

Yes! I bought this for a measly $15 at an estate sale. I think the seller was just crossing his fingers that someone would haul it off. I did not only that but paid him too. From the beginning, I had the vision of making this into a cool {get it, it's a freezer}pantry. However, dear Tate didn't share this vision. He had trust, but not the vision. Luckily, he loved me enough to load it in his truck, regardless of what it looked like, and take it home. The manly men hauled it, took off the coils, drained the antifreeze {by environmentally sounds means, of course}, pulled off the cooler-thingy {very technical term} that used to keep the freezer, well frozen, and moved this hunk of junk more times than they wished for. Meanwhile, us women scrubbed, taped, and spray painted...and tried not to inhale...too much.

The finished product is uh-mazing, if I do say so myself! It now functions as the funkiest pantry in town! Our house has a lot of things, but pantry space is not one of them. Now we have all the space we need plus a unique conversational piece in the kitchen. 

Drum roll please...

Stay tuned for other DIY home projects like the hanging ladder pitcher-holder and other fun stuff! 

I would like to send a shout out to my wonderful padres for spending your weekend in the 254 helping us. You make the daunting projects so much more enjoyable! You guys are the best! 

Oh, and a big thanks to Chloe for babysitting Wrigley while we got some work done.