evie's room

Drum roll please....

Evie's room is finished! I am overjoyed with the way it turned out! I wanted something sophisticated, but fun and I think it is exactly that. There is lots of love that went into this room. As Here, take a look: 

Just waiting on a glider and a baby to arrive! 

Credits: 

Wreath-Maker: Aunt Lynley

Dresser-Painter: Aunt Lynley

Seamstress {crib bedding & curtains}: Aunt Lynley

Seamstress Assistants: Erin Eills, Gran Jan

Wall-Painter: Aunt Lynley

Wall-toucher-upper: Erin Ellis

Baby Animal Prints-Framer: Gran Jan

Closet Organizer: Gran Jan 

Designated Hanger Upper and Handy Man: Tate 

babyful & husbandless in waco

Remember that time I was 8 months pregnant and my husband had to go to Sweden for 2 weeks? I do. Unfortunately, the Baylor Environmental Science department doesn't plan around our baby-growing schedule, and Tate was whisked away to Europe to do research/sample air/whatever he does. They originally wanted him to go in March- BIG NO! So they fortunately pushed things up for him to go in February instead. I know, despite the amazing opportunity, he didn't want to leave us. But duty calls! And since my man is abroad, I called in the reinforcements to pass the time- Lyn and Gran Jan.

"All my women, who independent, throw your hands up at me!"

We had a lot to do...as always

Lyn came in for part of week one so we could make pillows, cake plate stands, price stuff, and get The Warehouse all stocked up and ready to go for the next few months! Due to babies and Spring Training, this may be the last chance we have to spend a lot of time on the store for a little while, so we did as much as we could, and it looks great! It's always so much more fun doing store stuff together. Thanks for giving up your precious last few days before Spring Training to come hang out! 

Mom came down for most of the second week and we got serious about this baby prep stuff! I am always amazed at how much that woman can organize and multi-task. I came home from work the first day to find her hidden in a jungle of baby accessories: pack-n-play, rock and sleeper, stroller, you name it! She had put together practically all of our baby gear and broken down the boxes. Amazing! I'm glad she took it upon herself to do it too, because Tate hates to get rid of boxes "just in case" and they would be all over our house at this point two weeks from now. We also finished Evie's room!!!! Hallelujah! I am so excited {pics to come}! 

The Warehouse is stocked, the nursery is done, now all we need is a husband back stateside and a baby on the way! 

traditions- new and old

As my mom always said, "Make new friends traditions, but keep the old, 

one is silver and the other gold." 

{This is the song she casually sang around the house, 

then it got stuck in your head on repeat for 48 hours.}

Traditions are so very dear to me. I am not fearful of change, I welcome it actually...until it comes to holidays. Then step off. When it comes to celebrating the holidays I like things to be familiar and reminiscent, as we all probably do in our own way. People have asked me what was the toughest transition after getting married? Tate would say sharing a bed {to be fair, I am kind of a sleep schizophrenic}, where I would say sharing holidays. We both love our family, including the families we were so very blessed to marry into, but shaking up those traditions you've had for over 20 years can be an adjustment. We are getting to the point, coming up on 5 years of marriage believe it or not, where even the things that were once new and foreign are now becoming warm and familiar- for me new traditions included: tacos {or "tacas," as Grandma would say} on Christmas Eve, multiple trips to the outlet mall pre/post any holiday, presents ON the Christmas tree, and reading the Christmas story before opening gifts {funny thing- the first time Tate's parents said " it's time for the Christmas story," I thought they were going to read Twas the Night Before Christmas and was shocked when they pulled out the Bible, but too embarrassed to tell that story until now}. For Tate new traditions included: mac and cheese on the Thanksgiving table, stockings, gambling at Grandma Flo's {wink}, and fried shrimp Christmas lunch. I get excited thinking about passing on these long-standing traditions to our growing family. It also makes me stop and think about what I want the focus to be in our home during this season. It's easy to get wrapped up this time of year, but I certainly don't want to miss Jesus. I want to experience the joy, peace and hope that He brings. 

This year we are introducing something new to our house that I hope carries on each year, the Advent calendar. I never heard much of the term "Advent" growing up, but I have learned more about it in the past few years. Advent is more than a Christmas countdown, it is a time when peace, and hope, and joy can break through the anxiety of our busy lives. It is a time to remember and reflect on Jesus' birth. For centuries God prepared His people for the coming of the Savior, which is why I think it is so special to take time every year to prepare my heart for the same thing. So here we go! Every night, starting with Dec. 1st {cough, or Dec. 5th when I actually got around to making the calendar}, we read designated scripture for that day. I love the thought that next year we will be reading these together with our 9 month old baby girl! I hope she enjoys the Christmas story...both the real one and Twas the Night Before Christmas.

In case you want to join in on the fun...

Thanks to the only source of creativity, Pinterest, I found a really simple printable here. Also, I found a free daily Advent devotional here. It's by Billy Graham, so it has to be legit, right?! 

happy fall y'all

What did one autumn leaf say to another?

I'm falling for you

How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

With a pumpkin patch!

How does an elephant get out of a tree?

It sits on a leaf and waits until Autumn!

What is a tree's least favorite month?

Sep-timmmberrr! 

Can you tell I love Fall? FALL- the season that brings cooler weather, football games, scarves, leggings with boots, seat heaters, and pumpkin flavored everything- pie, lattes, bread, muffins, you name it...it's all good! This weekend was rainy and there was a slight chill in the air, if you tried really hard to feel it, so we pretended like Fall was here for good. We baked pumpkin bread, bought pumpkins, and added a little Autumn spice to our place. Although the weather doesn't quite agree and my scarf collection is anxiously awaiting for its debut, we are ready for Fall at 2709! Come on over for a slice of pumpkin bread and some really corny jokes {there's more where those came from}!

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

-Anne of Green Gables  

home improvement happenings

It was a very, very productive weekend around the Barrett house! A productive weekend at home without stress is rare, but we successfully accomplished just that.  No one tells you this, but when you buy a house you almost feel guilty any free time you spend NOT doing home improvement projects. However, new home owners and triathletes everywhere would be proud of the things we squeezed in a mere 2 days. Lots happened.

First of all, this happened...

We painted our door and put on new hardware {well, doorknob and deadbolt}! And it was about time. The old version of our door looked like it had been painted with teal crackle paint and the doorknob didn't latch. Now it's kettle black, latches so Wrigley can't escape, and is much better, if I do say so myself. Wrigley supervised, of course. All that is missing is my antique mail slot, which is being shipped as we speak! Can't wait for that last addition. 

This also happened...

We cleaned off and organized our screened in patio. It still has a long way to go {if you ask me, not Tate} by painting the floor, hanging lights, etc., but for now, at least there is room to sit...for the first time in a while. It was serving as The Warehouse's Warehouse for months. However, thanks to a new storage shed and a free weekend, it looks much better! We even ate dinner here tonight! On our table are patio must-haves: plants and scrabble game pieces. 

And this happened...

I added more gold treasures on to my gold wall! I found this frame at a garage sale on my way home from work Friday and thought, "I'll just add this on the end of my gold frame wall before we go to dinner." Yeahhhh right, you know how that goes. I ended up taking every frame off, scattering them all over the living room, nailing about 23 too many holes in the wall {shhh, don't tell you know who} and then putting it all back together Sunday evening. Ah well, looks decent enough...for now. :) By the way, I am looking for something "L" shaped to go in that hole by the 4. Keep an eye out. Needs to be gold, duh. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, this slightly embarrassing, but mostly amazing, thing happened too...

On top of the home project stuff, Tate also had to squeeze in an 8 mile run...so we aired up the tires on his grandmother's {that's the truth} big red cruiser and I went with. It was just coincidence I was wearing "Barrett Support Crew" t-shirt as I escorted him through our neighborhood at 2 mph. 

Tate did this...

While I did this...

It was a really, really great weekend! So fun. I love having our own 'home' now and investing our time and love into it. Come visit! I'll let you ride my cruiser {because I know that's what you came for anyway}.

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"

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.