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Monday, November 26, 2012

So, I made a Tumblr account.
But I don't really know what that means.
Kidding. 
Actually, with all of todays social media platforms I'm finding it difficult to keep up with them all. So far and from what I can tell it is like a photo blog site. Which is pretty cool because I've linked it to my Instagram account so everything is fed directly to my Tumblr site. I dunno. I think I'll give it a little before I decide if it's worth it?
If you'd like to follow me or have any more insight on this whole Tumblr thing feel free to tell me!

xoxo,

Debra

Oh ya....

Hospitality.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Moving into a new home has me itching to do a nice dinner for friends this holiday season. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which means I'll have to start thinking about planning this dinner party soon!
I've never held one before but gathering our friends around a pretty table with awesome food and refreshing drinks appeals to me very much. 
It would be a challenge in itself and for those who know me well know the truth in this. I'm going to have to call on my inner Martha Stewart for this but I think I can do it.

Elle Decor had an interesting article on hosting parties featuring Danny Meyer, a well known restaurateur in the New York area. It gives some great pointers for the host and/or hostess. 
I also collected some of my favorite table settings for inspiration. 
Enjoy!

xoxo,

Debra





Image source 1,2,3,4


Trenched

Monday, November 19, 2012


Happy Monday!
It is Thanksgiving week and I'm pretty excited to get these holidays going but I'm not looking forward to the 10+ pounds of weight from the over indulgence I'm about to endure. 
The weather has been quite perfect and I hope it continues throughout the rest of the week.
It's been just cool enough to break out the new trench coat and I can't say enough how much to love wearing this thing. It looks great on, it goes with everything, and keeps me just the right amount of warm in this 65-70 degree Texas weather. On this particular day I wore it with an above the knee dress and some slouchy brown boots. The dress is black so I wanted to tie in something else with the same color so I stole my boyfriends black trouser socks. They worked perfect! My boot socks never seem to want to stay up around my calves but these did and the simplicity of the black socks looked great with the slouchy leather boots. Last year I stole his Gap sweaters and wore them with tights which worked great and his flannels are always a great winter pj choice. I bet he never suspected he had a closet gnome on his hands....







Trench coat: Banana Republic, similar
Dress: Forever21(no longer available)
Scarf: Houston Nutcracker market find
"Boot socks" : stolen from boyfriend
Boots: Frye


Sequins and Blazers.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

A pretty combination.
I love the look of a light blazer with skinny jeans but for this combo I went with a sheer sequin top and teal suede heels with a messy bun which actually looked rather cute from the top. I wasn't convinced I did the messy bun justice when I stepped out of the house but seeing it in the picture gave me hope I didn't do a botched up job. Cheers!

Happy Saturday to you all!

xoxo,

Debra



Blouse: a hand-me down
Blazer: gift, similar
Jeans: Forever 21
Earrinngs: Summerbucket
Shoes: Nine West


Back to Black

Thursday, November 15, 2012


Getting dressed this morning was a thoughtless task.
It's amazing how simple this outfit is yet I feel great in it every time I wear it.
Black cowl neck tunic, grey skinny jeans, black faux suede slouch boots and I'm done. Oh, throw in some earrings and then I'm done. See? Easy. 
Forgive the sad, sad photography. 
Actually, I'm using my new iPhone 5. My first iPhone ever thanks to my wonderful boyfriend!
It's going to change the way I blog in that I won't have to use the big expensive camera for every photo post I want to make. Whew! For those of you that have blogs you'll understand what a hassle that can be if you don't have someone to take your photos for you.

I'd also like to note this combo makes me feel tall! I guess wearing black not only slims you out but can lengthen you? Who knows.

xoxo,

Debra







A 10 year lesson in love.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

One week ago I was celebrating a relationship achievement with my boyfriend. November 5th, 2012 marked the 10th year since we had first decided to start dating...the first time around. I was 16 years old and he was 15. Looking back we were just babies but what developed between two teenagers was a wonderful yet emotional rollercoaster of a relationship. We had many ups and downs with jealously, insecurity, and immaturity. Finally, after dating through most of highschool and our first year of college, we called it quits. Looking back it was incredibly painful and I remember sitting in front of my t.v. watching Pride and Prejudice, the WORST film to watch after a break-up, by the way, and bawling my eyes out. I would drive down the road and start crying out of nowhere. It sounds so pathetic, I know, but I felt like a lost little puppy and my heart was so broken. It took months to accept that it was over and so in my attempt to move on I did date other people. Those poor men. 
No sooner was I saying yes to a first date then just squashing the relationship like a bad habit. I was a self proclaimed man-eater. Okay, I wasn't that bad but I did hurt some feelings along the way and I'm definitely not proud of that.  
During that time apart we would talk or text once every 9-12 months just to make sure each other was still alive, I guess. I finally talked myself and everyone else (some would disagree) into believing that I was okay and reconciled. Pfft. 
As fate would have it, three years later we reconnected over drinks still drawn to one another as if we were 16 again and I can honestly say now that everything we went through, the fights, separation, and time apart was the best thing we could have done. We came together more perfect for one another than ever before. Everything we so disliked about the other dissolved and was replaced by more wonderful qualities as we grew up. He inadvertently changed me in such a great way but at the time I could not see it as anything good. Time actually has a wonderful way of healing things if you let it. As with us, we've only gotten better over time.
I've always known this simple truth even when I didn't want to admit it to anyone including myself: This man is my rock, my best friend, and the love of my life. 
Our story is my own fairytale and like a moive script ending. 
Ladies, any man that tells you "You were born to be with me as I was born to be with you" is a keeper. Just saying. 



The beginning - 2002


To now..






xoxo,

Debra

Fall/Winter Traditions

Saturday, November 10, 2012

 As the temperatures drop these are just a few of the little things I personally look forward to during the cold months every year. 


1. Watching Wicker Park, the movie not the actual park. Although, I'm sure it's delightful in the winter. I always want to watch this movie in the cold months. I think it's because it's always snowing in this film. 
2. Starbuck's cinnamon dolce latte with soy milk and whipped topping. Yum! I get excited when the little red cups come out.
3. Menage a Trois red wine. Whites in the summer. Reds in the winter. By far my favorite red wine.
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. There is something about this book that makes me want to curl up on the sofa by the fire and read and get lost in the winter wonderland.... of wolves.
5. Houston's Nutcracker Market! A new favorite.
6. Toe socks. Do I even need to explain?
7. Excessively long hot showers. It never fails. The drop in temperature directly correlates to how long and hot my shower will be and no matter how many times I tell myself, "okay you need to get out now" I never listen to myself. It comes down to this...live out my day or stay in hot shower? Hot shower for the win!
 




What little traditions, big or small, do you look forward to in the fall and/or winter months? 

xoxo,

Debra


Winter Wishlist

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Tommy Girl Houndstooth Coat $129.99, Chysoprase Green Pendant Necklace coming to my Etsy shop soon, Frye Veronica Slouch Boots $328.00, Mango Tweed jacket $129.99, Nine West Ryry boots $79.95,  J Brand waxed pants $185.50, Michael Kors Mini Blair watch $250.00, M.A.C lipstick in Spice $15.00


So this is what I've been coveting for this winter season. I'm such a sucker for boots and coats.  Fall/Winter in Texas is my absolute favorite season. Not to be confused, these two season are usually one in the same for us.
I have been eyeballing these Frye boots for well over a year now and I finally decided to treat to myself to some well made, beautiful boots. I think I've earned it! My wonderful mother and all her greatness purchased the Tommy Girl coat for me. It is hanging in my room as I type this and I'm counting down the days til I can wear it! My favorite outfit for the season probably has to be the faux leather or waxed pants with a boucle/tweed jacket and tall black boots. There is something about it that is just so classy that it screams "Yep. I'm a hot and sophisticated lady."
Love it.

xoxo,
Debra

Cinnamon French Toast and Spiced Sautéed Apples

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Since it's the first cold weekend of the season I decided to celebrate it with a warm, delicious  breakfast. I first found this recipe in an outdoors cook book but I took the liberty of changing a few things to accommodate my tastes and, well, a lack of certain ingredients. 


Here's what you'll need:

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter                                3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon               
2 firm ripe Gala apples (cored and cut                        1/4 teaspoon sugar
into chunks)                                                           8 slices of wheat bread
1/4 cup( 2 fl oz/60ml orange juice                              maple syrup, warmed
6 eggs
1/2 (4 fl o/125ml) milk


*Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Pour in orange juice, raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring, until the liquid is reduced to a glaze and the apples are soft, about 4-5 minutes. Remove apples and sauce from pan and keep warm.

*In a large shallow bowl, beat together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon. Place 4 slices of bread in the eggs mixture ad let soak for about 1 minute and turn it over.

*In the same frying pan over medium-high heat melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Working with four slices at a time transfer the soaked bread. Be sure to hold soaked bread over mixture bowl to remove excess mixture.  Transfer to the pan and cook, turning once until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes total.
Transfer to plate and keep warm. Then soak and cook the remaining 4 bread slices, using the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.

*Divide the french toast among warmed plates, and top evenly with warm maple syrup. Add the apples and sauce and lightly dust with ground cinnamon.

*serves four*


Relax.

Saturday, October 27, 2012








Top: Forever 21similar
Jeans: Hollister (old)
Shoes: Ralph Lauren last season
Accessories: Nixon watch, handmade bracelet, Forever 21 necklace

Well I've been off of work almost an entire week now and it feels wrong... so, so wrong.
I feel like a bum. Everyone says I should be relaxing and just enjoying it but I haven't taken a vacation in years so my brain and my body doesn't know what to do. So now I'm off for two weeks waiting to transition to a new, exciting job. I refuse to sleep in so everyday my alarm clock goes off at 8 a.m. and I get up with absolutely nothing to do. Except for today. Today I need to go to the bank, and I need to get my house back in order like stat. The end result of me being off for this long with not much to do has destroyed my lovely dwelling. I mean, looking around right now theres make up and jewelry on the fire place mantle, clothes that need to be folded from Wednesday, and a pile of winter clothes I pulled form the attic just staring at me from the foot of my bed.    Lazy mode: OFF
Anyway, moving on...
Yesterday I wanted put together an outfit post. For this, I reach for my destroyed (really destroyed from '09) jeans and my super dependable and ever so comfy heels and a loose cotton button down. Honestly, you cant go wrong with this combo. I wore this on a casual date a few weeks ago to a nice little seafood restaurant in the Clear Lake area called Bonefish Grill. It was perfect for a calm evening paired with cocktails and great food. 
FYI get the Bang, Bang Shrimp and the Lily's Chicken if you ever go. You won't regret it.


Cheers and happy Saturday! 

xoxo,
Debra



Peacock Blue

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Six months. That's how long it's been since my last blog post.
I've really let my little blog fall to the wayside BUT today I have a post..or really just something  unimportant to share. I just need to get back on the horse. This is a good post breaker, I think. 

My friends and family have decided that this season my color is peacock blue. 
I say this because so far I've received a clutch, a scarf, a dress ...and another scarf all in this color all in one day...my birthday.  
I decided to make a little collage inspired by this color and I actually had a lot of fun making it. Yes, I know it's bad but I spent the better part of my afternoon making this thing in photoshop. Amateur, I know. 

Scarf : gift
Shoes: Nine West
Jeans: Forever21
Top: Eyeshadow




Here I'm just showing off the two main color pieces of the outfit.

The beautiful scarf was a gift and the heels? Well, they were a treat to myself. 
Texas just isn't cool enough for an entire fall get up but, technically, it is fall so if I'm wearing a thin shirt or something sleeveless I'll opt for a scarf almost every time. 

On a side note I can honestly say the heels are incredibly comfortable! Which is great for wearing to the office or just casually. Which I plan on doing!

xoxo,
Debra



Tanja Huybregts and her unique abstract art

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Tanja Huybregts, a local Houston artist, visited my work today to show us her new collection. She is from Holland but works out of Houston mostly and was just as lovely and nice as she can be. Her artwork is composed of photography which then is specially printed onto plexiglass and backed by a type of brushed aluminum which helps to make all the colors really pop. They range in sizes but the most common is the 48" x 72". We are excited to feature her work at our showroom. Here are a few of my favorites to share with you!
These blues and yellows look beautiful together! 

This pop of yellow would brighten up any contemporary space. 

Love, love, love this one! Best colors ever.

Check out the entire new collection here.



New Jewelry Pieces

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Here are a few new pieces that I made this past week. These pretties are being delivered to a local Houston boutique but as always you will be able to order them from the Summer Bucket Etsy shop. Enjoy!
 

My Spring Style Basics

Saturday, March 24, 2012

I was inspired today by one of my favorite bloggers, Casual Glamorous, to do a spring 'must-have' post. You can see her picks here
In true "Debra" style, I picked pieces that are easy, light, and versatile. I love wearing a loose fitted top with skinny pants to roll up at the bottom and styling with a great pair of earrings and watch. Depending on the occasion I'll opt for heels or even flats.   
One of my favorite casual looks is a white top with khaki or linen shorts and sandals. You can't forget the accessories though, it's the topping on the cake, so put on a light weight scarf with a nice spring pattern and lightly styled earrings with some stackable linen bracelets and greek sandals. Throw your hair up in nice chic messy bun and voila! Love it.
1. J BRAND Tangerine Mid-Rise Capri
2. Viv & Ingrid Small Teardop Layered Hoops
3. Quicksilver Beach Stripe Tank
4. Mossimo Pegeen Flat Sandal
5. Reiss Sailor Relaxed Striped T-Shirt
6. Ran-Ban RB4175 Sunglasses
7. Fossil Ladies Stella Watch
8. 7 For All Mankind Belted Twill Shorts
9. H&M floral scarf
10. BijouxBar by Vivien Frank Strawberries and Cream bracelet
11. Chic messy bun- a quick tutorial from one of my favorite bloggers

Kony 2012

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Every single one of you has 30 minutes to watch this. 



Puppies and bracelets

Saturday, February 25, 2012

It's been a month since my last post. A month!
I've come to a stand still with interesting and pretty things to share. Honestly, I felt a little uninspired and really preoccupied by life. My work has kept me so busy and now we have a little booger named Belle to add to the mix...are you ready readers?

Meet Belle.

I know. You'd be a little distracted too.

I have managed to get a few more sales from my Etsy shop(yay!) and I've re-listed some earrings.


 Over the last week I made a new bracelet and necklace that will be available in my shop soon!
Here is a preview of the Green Amethyst Rhomboid bracelet.




Favorite Finding Thursday!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Todays post is spring inspired featuring creations by Katie Jean.
My personal favorite!
Made to order wedding gowns.


Check out her Etsy shop here!

Wishing you the most success on your beautiful designs, Katie!

Barn House Rules

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Robin Beaty's barn house studio

House Tour here!
I came across this article on Apartment Therapy's website and was quickly enamored with the idea of owning and living in a barn house. I found old barns for sale online and I found companies that build barn homes.  
That dream was quickly squashed when I learned that my lovely barn home would probably rot by the next year. Awesome.
Thank you, Texas humidity. You're lucky you're the coolest state. Like ever. *Sigh* 
You'll learn that Robin is an encaustic artist. Don't know what that is? I didn't either until I read the article.
Her work is absolutely stunning and if I wasn't so obsessed with making jewelry at this point I probably would have given encaustic painting a go. However, by looking at Robin's work it would have been a laughable attempt.
You can view her work on her website at http://www.robinlucianobeaty.com/

Hard Candy

Mineral Art by Carly Waito

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I came across this painting online somewhere although I can't remember where it is probably safe to say it was posted on Pinterest or StumbleUpon or the like. I immediately placed these photos in my "for the dream home" design board. The hues are so rich and lovely. 
Smokey Quartz

Amethyst

They would be perfect in the bedroom, bathroom, livingroom or anywhere for that matter. The artist is Carly Waito and you can view more of her art here.