Making an Entrance

Ok I know this is basically just asking for trouble because I just recently finished (well almost) my entry way. But I have them on the brain lately. There's so many ways to do an entry way. It's a small area with such a big impact. Like invitations set the tone for a wedding, so does an entry way.

I consider myself fortunate to even have an entry way. I obviously never had one in an apartment and I know many people who don't even have one in their house. I really dislike places that open right into the living room but there's really no other option in most older homes unfortunately.

Source

This has always been one of my favorites. 

                                                                          Source: remodelaholic.com via Lauren on Pinterest

                                                           eclectic entry design by austin interior designer Frisson

Source

Yeah...leopard covered stairs + old rug nuff said...

                                                                           Source: styleathome.com via Ryan on Pinterest

Love the lucite console layered over a huge mirror! I need to try this somewhere. Sigh, another one for my future office maybe?
Have a great week everyone!

My Latest Projects

As many of you heard in this post, I'm on an art kick lately. I added a few things to my collection this week. I am well on my way to an art wall. Can't wait to have it done but these things take time so I will have to be patient!

My coworker painted this for me. We joked that it looked like a fairytale painting so she jokingly added the unicorn. I just might keep it too! It's a great sassy looking unicorn, just my style!

I was inspired by Bri the other day to start looking for frames at Goodwill. I know, duh Brandi! For some reason I just never did. I went on my lunch break one day and found this though.

It's bamboo peoples! I can't wait to paint it something fierce. Suggestions? I'm feeling a hot pink or possibly deep Jade.

Also snagged this cute black and gold one.

Stuck some scrapbook paper in these cute little frames I got thrifting. Gave em a real good cleaning too, they were diiiirty!

Also, this is happening...can't wait to finish it. Stay tuned for something awesome!

Made these little jewelry holder thingies too. They are just some decorative wood trim from the hardware store that I painted and screwed some cup hooks into. That's my new turquoise necklace, hello gorgeous!

I'm headed off to Washington DC for the weekend to see family and go to the cherry blossom festival. So excited! Hope you have a great weekend!

You're Invited + Favorites from Small/Cool

I know I've mentioned before that I've been working a lot lately. We have opened up another extension of our business here at Aidan Gray. A retail store called Gray Living in the cutest little historic square in McKinney. For anyone who's been there before, opening a store is a labor of love for sure.

But that's all over and now we get to partay! And I'm inviting you, yes you!

There are so many things to drool over in this space and you certainly won't be dissapointed by the delicious food and sangria provided by locally owned organic restaurant La Misha. I hope so of you locals can make it! If you need more info please contact me.

Did you hear that Apartment Therapy's Small/cool contest started this week? There are already some really interesting entries. And I've said it before but I'll say again, I love seeing real people's spaces!

Here are some of my favorites for the week...

I'm sure you've seen these before but this is Coco Cozy's Hollywood Regency Home.

Is it just me or have I seen this around the internets before? Evan's NY in LA Loft.

Shelby's Loft

Go here to start voting! I can't wait to see what else is submitted!

Happy Wednesday!

Help Charlie Heal!

Hello dear readers and happy Monday! Today I'm blogging on behalf on my friend Sarah and her family over at La Maison Boheme.

This is Charlie, Sarah's youngest son. This Charlie's story;

Charlie was born on August 4, 2010. Approximately 12 hours after he was born, he began having seizures. An MRI revealed he had suffered two strokes affecting the right side of his brain. The strokes occurred in utero. Charlie's stroke may or may not be due to another condition he has called Craniosynostosis. This is when two skull plates fuse prematurely in the womb. It is going to take years to fully comprehend what the stroke will mean for Charlie's motor skills, cognitive and language development. Only time will tell how his brain will recover from the trauma. In the meantime, Charlie has the love of his family and us - a strong network friends to help him grow and heal.

Luckily, Charlie will be receiving surgery soon from one of the best surgeons to correct his Craniosynostosis.  The downside is, this surgeon is not covered by Charlie's insurance. So today, the blogging community is coming together to let you know about a special way to help Charlie heal!

Charlie's brother, Walker, has created some very special art to raise money for his brother. We're all here today to tell you about the Help Charlie Heal Etsy shop! 

I picked out some of my favorites...

Art Card

Set of Art Cards

Not only are these completely awesome but they come hand stitched to a card with an envelope. I know there's a mental list of thank you notes you still need to write that these will be perfect for! Not only will you cross some things off your to do list but you'll be helping out a lovely family as well!

You can also donate directly to the fund by going here!

I believe in the power of the blogging community and I believe in you, my readers, and I believe we can make a difference for this family!

I can't wait to see what awesome-ness this day brings!

Learn more about Charlie and follow this story here.

Beachy Keen

I'm only 17 days away from a vacation. 17 long, very long days. Scott and I booked a vacation to Cocoa Beach, Florida with my brother and his wife to see one of the last shuttle launches in history! I'm so excited! We got a condo directly on the beach with private access basically next door the launch site so we will have first row viewing. Then I will enjoy four solid days of relaxing, reading books and working on my tan!

It can't come soon enough!

This is the outfit I'm going to wear...

                                                           Source: becauseimaddicted.net via Courtney on Pinterest

Just kidding! I wish I could look this amazing at the beach.

I did buy this on sale yesterday though...

From anthro,

It's such a beautiful dress that hugs and drapes in all the right places. I can't wait to wear it to dinner one night with some brightly colored beaded jewelry.

Dear April 18th, please come fast!

                                                                        Source: goodmorningandgoodnight.com via Ellie on Pinterest

This is a picture of Scott and I at Galveston beach right after we started dating. I can't believe this was almost 6 years ago!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I will be going to High Point furniture market tomorrow, if you'll be there please give me a shout so we can meet up!

I'm Feeling Green...

Thought I was going to talk about vomit didn't you? Actually I have nature on the brain even though the weather is pretty much in the pooper around Dallas, spring is still here! All the gardening I've been doing is really paying off.

From my phone, sorry for the quality!

I'm a real girl with a real garden, momma are you proud?! My mom has a total green thumb, she puts me to shame. I can't wait to get rid of those scallop bricks and put something nicer in, but that will have to wait. I made these flower beds out of nothing, only grass actually no just weeds, were here before I did this. I'd say I'm definitely proud of that!

Speaking of my mom, just look at her greenhouse...

Could you just die? She built this out of nothing but old doors and windows. I need to get more pictures of the inside next time I visit. It's amazing! You can barely see the plants and the table she built around a pole in the center through the open door there.

Ahhhh, someday Brandi, someday...

                                                                   Source: s28.photobucket.com via Shannon on Pinterest

                                                                       Source: honeyhollow.tumblr.com via Keely on Pinterest

Looks like my moms except not as awesome.

                                                                           Source: elseachelsea.typepad.com via Bri on Pinterest

                                                                           Source: flickr.com via Tristan*Lucie on Pinterest

Check out that bench!

Happy Wednesday!

Spending Time in the Kitchen: Espresso Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Don't we all need a little pick me up on a Monday? What better to do that with than espresso, chocolate and banana?! These muffins are quite delicious and surprisingly easy to make.

                                                                           Source: kitchenisms.com via Alexis on Pinterest

                                                                              Source: kitchenisms.com via Luisa on Pinterest

I'm really feeling these colorful and cozy kitchens today, aren't you?

Now onto the good stuff...

1 1/2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas (about 4)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together the bananas, sugars, butter, milk, and egg. In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, instant espresso powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the well and stir just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Fill each cup about 3/4 full. Bake in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. 

Tips: I used dark chocolate chunks for mine. You all know I'm a fan of dark chocolate and the chunks instead of chips made them very decadent. Make sure the bananas you use are ripe as in probably just past the time you'd  normally eat them, you want them soft. I used 4 bananas in a food processor to mash them and it was way too many. Luckily I had some vanilla ice cream on hand which meant, banana milkshakes OH YEAH!

Enjoy!