Well ladies, spring is upon us once again in the south and I'm quite excited for it.

I imagine flowers blooming, birds chirping, and butterflies floating around in the garden. Of course, this moment is being ruined by all the lawnmowers rolling across the neighbors yards. It's as if the first day of spring came and everyone had the same idea to mow. Maybe that makes it official? Not that I don't love the smell of fresh cut grass.....

Anyway, moving on to the point of this post. I was invited for an evening out with dear ol' mom and I found myself in a situation that, no doubt, many of you have experienced. 

Having nothing to wear. This isn't the time where you think "Awe, I really have nothing to wear" when really you just aren't feeling creative enough to put together a cute outfit. But no. I mean it, I didn't. I've been working continuously on my jewelry businesses, my Etsy shop, and website and never even considered maybe doing laundry? I actually did have one last thing that was warm weather appropriate. 

A maxi dress tucked away in the back of the closet.

I threw the dress on, put on some flat sandals, and tossed my hair into a top knot and voila! Bam. Less than five minutes and I was ready for blackberries spritzers and gourmet chicken dishes! I looked into the mirror and thought to myself "Okay, I really need more of these dresses." So the search began and here are some of my top favorite finds for this spring.

                                 

Really this last dress is a high low dress but I don't care. It was way too cute to leave out.

To me, this is what makes a maxi dress so great, they are comfortable, light, and can be worn day or night. They cover you up when you're too lazy to remedy those pesky leg hairs and not to mention, if you're like me, they are as white as can be from winter hibernation. And yet, you still look amazing! 

So which one is your favorite and why?

xoxo,

Debra

One/Two/Three/Four/Five

It's Alive!

After about a month of self teaching and layouts I have finally launched my own jewelry website!

I wanted a simple, clean layout that focused on the product itself. I think I achieved it.

Check it out! 

Feedback is always welcome as I am NOT a web site designer...at all. I'm actually looking for someone to help me design a logo so if you or someone you know is a kick-ass graphic design artist send 'em on over! 

email: info@summer-bucket.com

xoxo,

Debra

Geo Gold

I'm happy to introduce the newest addition to my jewelry line! 

Simple, easy styling with basic forms create a go to jewelry piece for any outfit. 

The Basic Collection.

Which are your favorites and why?!

xoxo,

Debra

One-Two-Three(coming soon)

Office Space.

There is something about a great office space that really makes me happy, motivated, and inspired.

It's your space and it is where your ideas come to life. Right now I'm working on the Vika Amon solid white desk from Ikea and I've got my sleek Mac. It is great canvas to begin with and I'm starting to pull inspiration from other beautiful decorated offices. Here are some of my favorites...

I would take any one of these but you have to make the space your own. I'm searching for art and prints to bring together for a collage effect like in the first picture for my inspiration wall. So far I'm loving this and this. 

One-Two-Three-Four

xoxo,

Debra

Edgy, Elegant, Raw

I started making jewelry over a year ago now and it's been a wonderful learning experience. I'm self taught in all designs that I make and some have been successful and others....well not so much but it's all part of the process, right? Starting out I had no idea what style of jewelry I wanted to make other than using gemstones and quality gold filled and sterling silver metals. I just wanted to create! One of my first designs were these beauties. I loved the juxtaposition of the elegant quartz and pyrite against the heavy metal and thicker gold chains. I decided to experiment with sterling silver and gold chains to recreate the design. These have easily become one of my favorite designs and inspiration for future designs. Edgy, elegant, and raw, I feel this combination reflects my personal style more so than anything. 

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo,

Debra

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SummerBucket

Tumblr.

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

Cinnamon French Toast and Spiced Sautéed Apples

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.

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

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

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

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!

www.etsy.com/shop/summerbucket