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....

http://honestlydebra.tumblr.com/

Hospitality.

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

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.

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

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.

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

 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

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