As I mentioned last week, we have been on a shopping spree lately. In fact, we now need a storage unit to hold all the goodies we are buying for you, our future client.  In fact, it behooves you to check these out because several of the things we shared with you from Anthropologie a few weeks ago are SOLD OUT! This week, we hit West Elm. Colorful and modern, it checks the boxes when you need something cool without breaking the bank. AND everything is an extra 20% off with code GIVEME20. Don't wait, friends, we don't need another Anthropologie episode. 

1. Pastel Speckle Salad Plates
​2. Corded Rippled Circles Pillow Cover
3. Totem Colored Glass Vases
4. Terracotta Wallscape Planters
5. Cosmo Side Table
​6. Mirrored Block Throws
7. Optic Blocks Rug in CORAL!
8. Color Pop Crystal Bookends
9. Watercolor Garden Pillow Covers
10. Embroidered Jewel Chevron Pillow Covers
11. Minted Half Dome Wall Art

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When we did a trend story on the color coral last year, we were not anticipating being so ahead of the design curve in our love affair with this color. Recently, Pantone announced it's Color of the Year  for 2019 as Living Coral and we are a little bit giddy with the potential of new and fabulous products for our clients. 

So, naturally, this led us to check out some of our favorite resources to see what new and exciting coral pieces they have to offer. Enjoy!

Pillows are one of the easiest ways to update a space. We love this hair on hide pillow with the coral accent stitching. Coral and aqua have always played well together. This pillow is made to go outdoors but use it anywhere! The Kuba cloth pillow is a traditional African fabric that is one of our favorites from St. Frank.

It's no secret that we love colorful rugs. The Anamura Rug from Lulu & Georgia is the perfect balance to a neutral sofa.

Coral accents add a pop of color anywhere in your home. Tuck two of these garden stools under a console table for extra seating that can be pulled out anytime. This modern lamp from One Kings Lane is sleek and bold with its stylized Greek Key designed base. And we love this chinoiserie style mirror for a powder bath! 

The Ariana Bedding from Ballard has detailed embroidery and finished off with tassel ends on duvet cover and pillow shams. Jump off from the coral or navy base with a plethora of colorful accent pillows. 

Jazz up plain white dinnerware with these amazing tabletop pieces. We love Otomi patterns and well, in coral just makes us swoon. These plates are from Katie Kime and I need them now. Macrame fringe adds a boho vibe to the Darcy coral napkins from Lulu & Georgia. Lucite trays with a leopards on a coral background come in a variety of sizes and can be used in your living space or bedroom. Also from Katie Kime. Roar! 

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The big news in the retail and home decor world this week was the release of exclusive prints of the Beatles from Crate and Barrel. Kitschy prints are right up our alley. Just take a look at Shauna's dining room. In addition to the 21 Beatles prints, this week's edition of Friday Finds includes some other great new products we are buying for clients' homes. Super fun pops of color that won't cost you an arm and a leg are the perfect cure to gloomy winter days. 

1. Beatles Portrait Wall Art--This is marketed for a kid's room but honestly, we love the colors and style so much it's way too cool for a kid's room.
2. Carmen Multicolored Pillow--Folk Art inspired embroidered pillow in a cute 12x18 size.
3. Mohave Striped Baskets--Something every home needs, more storage and something black and white. These soft sided baskets check all the boxes.
4. Mireya Vases--Handcrafted terra cotta vases from Portugal are finished with a crazed glazing in every color under the sun. A great excuse to go buy yourself some flowers. 
5. Este Floral Napkin--We are pretty sure designer Este Mcleod is our sister from another mister. Seriously, we want everything in this collection,  but if you can only buy one thing, a set of these napkins are sure to make you smile.
6. Este Ceramics--Am I right? So adorable. Trivet, measuring cups, spoon rest and measuring spoons with fruits, flowers,  birds. I can't even.
7.Caprice Mod Medallion Dinnerware--So, these are melamine. Meaning unbreakable. Safe for the kids. Or to use outside. Or for grownups who are accident prone. 
​8. Allende Velvet Lumbar Pillow--I love this oversized lumbar pillow. 36"! It's all you need for your sofa or bed to make it fresh and new. 
9. The Beatles-Revolver Album Cover Print--Designed by artist Klaus Voorman, it is probably one of the best of all the Beatles album covers. 
Also don't miss the Bedding and Bath Sale going on now at Crate & Barrel. Ends January 21.
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Nothing like a brand new year to get organized, purge, clean, sell, donate, etc. Maybe it's the effort of putting away all the holiday decorations that motivate us to make that additional step to organize other things in our homes. I have to say, Container Store must do a bang-up business in January. But before you go all crazy buying up every size bin and box, we have some tips for surviving and actually completing your New Year Purge so you come out on the other side refreshed and organized. Not pulling your hair out and frustrated. 

1. Have an Exit Strategy. Before you even start purging, decide what you are going to do with everything you want to get rid of. The three common options are sell, donate, and trash. Being somewhat conscious of overflowing landfills, trash should be your last resort. Selling can be profitable, but time consuming so keep in mind that you might have to wait a while for your final "exit". If you are considering donating large items, the Salvation Army will come pick it up, but scheduling is usually a couple weeks out so do that first. Plus it'll motivate you to get everything done by that date. Otherwise, Goodwill takes donations during regular business hours.

2. Start Anywhere. Go big or start small. Either way, once you accomplish one project, say, your pantry, it'll give you the energy to go big, like the garage. Plus there are no emotional connections with anything in the pantry. If you won't eat it, or it's expired, or you don't honestly know what it is, time to go. For a great pantry purge resource, click here. ​

3. Going big. Getting rid of big stuff like furniture, lawn mowers, sports equipment, strollers, etc makes a huge impact in the space you are cleaning. If you haven't used it in at least a year, it's time to let go. Be careful about "just in case" items. Yes, you still may use that treadmill, but really. Walking around the block is free and gives you way less anxiety than looking at that damn thing you spent way too much money on every day. 

4. Put a Pause on Shopping. Wow! I cleaned out my closet and got rid of 6 pairs of shoes so time to go shopping right? Hold on, partner. As much as I love shoes, part of the beauty of purging is to pare your belongings down to just those things you need and love. Therefore, shopping should follow the same rules. Do you need it? Or do you love it? If the answer to either is yes, then bang on, go for it. But buying just to fill a space or because it's on sale may put you right back in the same spot next year.

5. Love your stuff. At the end of the day, your home should be full of the things you need AND the things you love. For some of us, that's a lot of stuff. For other minimalistic types, it's very little. There is no right or wrong, just what is right for you and your family. If you walk in to a room and it makes you happy, then that is what matters.

Taking down all the holiday decorations is usually a bit daunting. And I don't know about you, but my house naked after being dolled up in all the bright and shiny decor that's been up for the last month or so. Believe it or not, the first of the early spring merchandise is just hitting stores. Yes, I know, it's barely winter. But, when the weather can be expected to be dreary and cold for at least the next 2 months, you need SOMETHING colorful and happy to make you smile when you walk in the door! As you've surely figured out, Anthropologie is usually one of our first "go to" sites to see what's new for the season. And luckily, there's stuff already on sale. Who says Merry and Bright has to end in December?

1. Paule Marrot Butterfly Platter
2. Paule Marrot Embroidered Posies Pillow
3. The Object Enthusiast Vase
4. Garden Greeting Pot
5. Sunset Vases
6. Embellished Nishi Pillow
7. Astian Plates
Also, if you are looking for a bargain, (and who isn't at Anthropologie), save an extra 40% on everything in their Winter Tag Sale.  Ok, now go shop!

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New year, new you. Isn't that what we always hear? And as we wrap up 2018, some of our clients are already getting a jump start on their newness with all kinds of projects. Good thing, we like it busy with a side of chaotic. For those of you mulling the idea of updating your home in 2019, we pulled together some of the top home decor and design trends that we are gravitating towards. Some of them (minimalism) (?!!) just aren't our style, so we'll smile graciously and wave to the all white lacquered room as we pass by. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration for getting your own project started. Or just call us. We'll always make room for one more! 

Bathrooms

Two of our favorite bathroom trends are floor to ceiling wall tile and matte black hardware. For greater visual interest, we picked two different tile patterns from Ann Sacks. Ceramic tile flooring that is made to resemble wood is also a top trend for the bathroom. Stick with light colors for an open, airy feel. While we love the matte black fixtures, it's always fun to mix up the metals as with these brass accents in the light fixtures, mirror and hardware. And don't be afraid to have some fun by incorporating a bold wallpaper, especially in a powder room. 

Kitchens

OK, so we have thing for blue in the kitchen. Seems as though we are not alone in that as  blue cabinetry is one of the top kitchen trends for 2019. Along with patterned tile backsplashes and waterfall countertops, today's kitchens are anything but plain Jane. And the same wood textured tile we loved so much in the bathroom is also the perfect flooring for your kitchen. How cool is it in black? 

Living Spaces

Turns out that another big decorating trend for 2019 is pattern mixing. Hello, have we met? Glad to see you've joined the fun! It's no secret that we love pattern and texture, and we will mix anything we love with anything else. Don't be shy! Go for it! In other trend news, statement light fixtures have moved beyond just the dining room. I know we all love our ceiling fans but give these beauties a try. On the more elegant side, curved barrel style chairs and Art Deco style curved sofas are an upcoming trend. Combine with brass accents and you have a chic space to serve those retro cocktails.  
Need help with an upcoming project? Contact us here, or email. We'd love to give you a fresh start for 2019!

News flash: Kids are on Christmas break starting next week. You know they are excited, but you might be panicking a little bit thinking about what you are going to do with them all day. For like 10 days. The best part about this break is taking advantage of the opportunity to slow down. Once the hubub of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day has passed, there is no rush for anything. Lazy mornings, a second cup of coffee, PJs all day. But, when you get bored with that, we've got some great ways to spend family time together over Christmas Break.

1. Take in a holiday concert or show. No matter where you live, there is a church, school, community theater, dance group that has a concert or performance of some sort. Sometimes even for free. 

​2. Go caroling. OK, maybe it's hokey but getting a group of friends with or without kids to go caroling around the neighborhood is the best way to spread Christmas cheer. (Remember Elf?) Some spiked cocoa for the adults will loosen them up just enough to belt out their best rendition of Rudolph.

​3. Check out the holiday lights. Traffic around the neighborhoods that have the best lights tends to slow down a bit after Christmas. Don't forget to check out public spaces and office buildings for some amazing light displays.

4. Read. Read all those books collecting dust on your nightstand. And choose a book to read as a family and spend time each day taking turns reading aloud. Check out our favorite books here. 

5. Cook a big breakfast. Get the whole family involved in preparing a breakfast feast. Eggs, french toast, fruit, biscuits, oh, and maybe a mimosa or two for you. 

6. Plant tulips. Winter is the perfect time to plant tulip bulbs and then enjoy a nice surprise in your garden come spring. ​

​​7. Enjoy a Netflix movie marathon. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Hunger Games. Pick a series, pop some popcorn and snuggle in for a cozy family night on the couch.

8. Go ice skating. Most cities have a local mall with an ice skating rink, or a skating center with open ice hours. You'll fall, you'll feel ridiculous, but you'll also laugh and for a few minutes feel like a kid again. 

9. Go to a sporting event. Speaking of ice arenas, check out a local hockey game or basketball game. Even during the holiday break, most college teams still have games on the schedule.

10. Purge & organize. I know, I saw that eye roll. Just pick a room, or a closet, or your pantry. Start small. It'll feel SO GOOD once it's done! 

11. Do a puzzle. Our family LOVES puzzles, and it's pretty normal to have one going at all times. And to sit down at it and still be there 3 hours later. 

12. Do an art project. If you haven't seen Shauna's dot paintings, they are super easy for pretty much any age. After all, it's art, there are no rules. 






​​Take a breath. Enjoy your family. Remember that memorable doesn't have to be expensive. And have another mimosa! 

We're always on the hunt for new and inventive cocktails, especially for the holiday season when there is so much entertaining to do. Simplicity is the key so you spend less time shaking and mixing, and more time drinking and mingling. We also figure there is no need to reinvent the wheel and so consulted two of our favorite spirit brands, Tito's Vodka and Firestone & Robertson Distilling (makers of TX Blended Whiskey) for their recommendations on holiday bevvies. 

Tito's Pecan White Russian--Vodka infused with toasted pecans adds a warm, smoky flavor
INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz toasted pecan infused Tito's Handmade Vodka MAKE IT!
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1/2 oz half & half

DIRECTIONS

• Just add toasted pecan infused Tito's Handmade Vodka and coffee liqueur to a rocks glass over ice.
• Top with half & half (or a non-dairy substitute).

Tito's Harvest Punch--Bubbly and spicy. Perfect for a crowd.
INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz cran-orange infused Tito's Handmade Vodka MAKE IT!
• 1 bottle prosecco
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 12-oz bottles ginger beer
• 3 apples, sliced
• 2 oranges, sliced into triangles
• 8 cinnamon sticks
• Cinnamon sugar, for rimming glass

DIRECTIONS

• Add ice in a large bowl and pour in apple cider, prosecco, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and ginger beer.
• Add apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.
• Give the punch a stir and serve with cinnamon sugar-rimmed glasses.

F&R Edelweiss--The addition of St. Germaine adds a slight floral note
INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 oz. TX Whiskey
• 3/4 oz. St. Germain
• 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
• Mint leaves and cranberries

PREPARATION
​Mix ingredients in a shaker, shake with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with mint leaves and cranberries.

TX Toddy--The perfect remedy for those winter colds. But, don't wait until you have one to imbibe. We like English Breakfast for the tea.
INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. TX Whiskey
• 1/2 oz. Honey
• 1/4 oz. Lemon juice
• 3 oz. Hot Tea

PREPARATION Mix TX Whiskey, lemon juice, and hot tea in a glass. Drizzle in honey and garnish with a cinnamon stick. 

F&R Pumpkin Espresso Martini--Dessert and coffee all in one glass. 
INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. TX Whiskey
• Spoonful of pumpkin pie mix
• 1 oz. espresso
• 1/4 oz. condensed milk
• Pinch of nutmeg

PREPARATION
​Mix ingredients in a shaker, shake with ice and strain into a glass. Sprinkle ground nutmeg on top to finish.

Lastly, Kalen wanted to share a beverage that is a holiday tradition for many, wassail. This recipe came from my family and I distinctly remember walking in to my grandparents' house on Christmas Day to a house filled with the scent of apples and spice. It is a non-alcoholic drink, but we've recently discovered that it tastes pretty amazing with a shot of TX Whiskey. 

Wassail
INGREDIENTS

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1/2 c. lemon juice
• 1 1/2 c. orange juice
• 1 orange, sliced

PREPARATION
Simmer apple cider and spices in large saucepan for 3 hours. Add juices and cook until warmed through.  To serve, pour in to punch bowl and add sliced oranges. Serve warm.​
Happy Entertaining! 

When it comes to stocking stuffers, there's no better place than Target. I admit to having a weakness for their Dollar Spot (Bullseye Playground) when hunting for cute, inexpensive things for college care packages. Yesterday, I found the most adorable Ugly Christmas Sweater Kit that I just had to get. (Apparently not available online, look for it next time you go.) So, finding stocking stuffers for under $10 was a piece of cake, especially with the easy filtering tools on the Target website. Seriously fun stuff for everyone in your family. 

Stuff to make you pretty

Be sure to check out our other gift  guides for him, her and millenials, and explore all our favorite Amazon finds in our Amazon store. Happy Holidays!