These are so great!
I find myself wandering through stores on the weekends, a lot of the time not buying anything but just wandering because its fun to me!
I "wandered" right into these bad boys while at Dillard's last weekend and I felt as though my heart had stopped... LOVE these and recommend them to anyone who wants to spruce up their next party table or just for little ice cream dishes!
I believe they come in yellow, turquoise and red as well
I "wandered" right into these bad boys while at Dillard's last weekend and I felt as though my heart had stopped... LOVE these and recommend them to anyone who wants to spruce up their next party table or just for little ice cream dishes!
I believe they come in yellow, turquoise and red as well
Made By: Certified International
Buy them here
Photo Hallway
I love photos and can't hardly wait for the day where I have tons of pictures of kids and kids artwork and all that fun stuff. Sometimes, I feel bad for hanging and arranging lots of photos of Preston and I around the house, but it works!
So of course I wanted to put our wedding photos to good use. I mean, what is the point of paying for photos and putting them in a file-- they are meant to be seen and are so important to me because it was such an awesome day that took months and months of planning and just flew by within what felt like seconds! Every time I walk down the hall, I am reminded of how great that day was and how blessed I am.
So, I found a photo wall on Pinterest that I loved and wanted to attempt a copy-cat edition in our bare hallway (that had been driving me bananas for months).
So of course I wanted to put our wedding photos to good use. I mean, what is the point of paying for photos and putting them in a file-- they are meant to be seen and are so important to me because it was such an awesome day that took months and months of planning and just flew by within what felt like seconds! Every time I walk down the hall, I am reminded of how great that day was and how blessed I am.
So, I found a photo wall on Pinterest that I loved and wanted to attempt a copy-cat edition in our bare hallway (that had been driving me bananas for months).
Frames can be expensive but I found these 11x14 Threshold Studio Frames from Target that were perfect. I believe I got them on sale for around $26 (Originally $35) and they are good quality, we have not had any issues.
Again, my stud of a husband did all of the heavy lifting but I did the leg work (finding the perfect photos, ordering the frames and giving my opinions of course).
I didn't go for classic head shots, I wanted some that were a little different and I wanted them all in black and white: our first look on the golf course, Preston hitting a long drive in his suite, my grandmothers hands sewing my dress before catching the trolley, a shot of us at the alter our entire wedding party, etc..
We spaced them about 2.5 inches apart width wise and 1 inch apart horizontally and I think they turned out great! What do you think?
First Annual Christmas Party
This year, being that it was Preston and I's first year as a married couple, we decided (I probably decided) to throw our first annual Christmas bash! Let me tell you, if the first annual bash has any indication on what the next 20 years is going to be like, we all are in some trouble. SO MUCH FUN.
We have a pretty tight knit group of pals who we love dearly. There just does not seem to be a lot of limitations when it comes to the whole slew of us getting together and I like that. We know what to expect when it comes down to it and we don't accept anything else.. Otherwise, your going to get a lot of grief!
This year, I wanted to do it big since it was our first annual event, so, I decided we would have a Christmas Costume party. WHO does not want to attend a Christmas costume party? You have food, adult beverages, a white elephant gift exchange, old school beer pong, costumes and a PRIZE for overall best costume that you vow to bring back the following year for the next years winner.
I am not naive to think this party will always be this rowdy and creep into the wee hours of the night (5AM to be exact) BUT, we all embrace it while we can!
We have a pretty tight knit group of pals who we love dearly. There just does not seem to be a lot of limitations when it comes to the whole slew of us getting together and I like that. We know what to expect when it comes down to it and we don't accept anything else.. Otherwise, your going to get a lot of grief!
This year, I wanted to do it big since it was our first annual event, so, I decided we would have a Christmas Costume party. WHO does not want to attend a Christmas costume party? You have food, adult beverages, a white elephant gift exchange, old school beer pong, costumes and a PRIZE for overall best costume that you vow to bring back the following year for the next years winner.
I am not naive to think this party will always be this rowdy and creep into the wee hours of the night (5AM to be exact) BUT, we all embrace it while we can!
I was pretty enthused about my food display, sandwiches, dips, cheese assortments, crab-puffs meatballs, lil smokies, candies, popcorn-- you name it! This is my favorite part:)
Gus is ready to party in his brand-new Christmas sweater purchase by his dad!
The Nut-Cracker award for best costume.
Me and my Santa!
Elf on the Shelf-- by far the funniest costume of the evening.
The Griswalds
YUUUM!
Me and my SIL. Such a cute snow-woman:)
28 people playing beer pong- too fun!
Elf on the fridge?! This was well into the evening, you can imagine.
My MIL- Best costume winner. A very creative and festive naughty and nice list that lit up... She is too much! Note: Gus is on the top of the nice list. She loves her fur-grand baby.
Kissin' Santa:)
TO DIE FOR!
Ah, I know it is not summer yet but this is not a milk-shake. This is a delicious and healthy strawberry smoothie from Panera. I have indulged in two of these bad boys within the past 24 hours and likely will pick one up on the way to the office tomorrow.. I am not even mad about any of that!
And yes, I was driving and taking photos.. I didn't want to take a photo half finished with the drink!
It was a BIG year!
2012/2013 Was the year of change within the Taylor household! Home remodel, our engagement AND wedding-could it be any busier?! Thank God for handy husbands.
We started a HUGE project last December that I thought was a fun little weekend project-- that shows you how skewed my perception is on things like this and also probably makes you feel a little sorry for my husband (who is just fabulous, might I add). He, my brother-in-law and another great friend did the work from floor to ceiling. New floors, took out walls, redid cabinets, new counters, sinks, plumbing, appliances, door knobs, hinges, fixtures, windows added beautiful crown molding, painted walls, brick, book cases, paneling, the whole nine.
The interior prior to this MASSIVE renovation was terrifying. I mean, so old school you would walk in and almost think you had found yourself inside the Brady Bunch establishment. The thought kills my soul...
So, it began. It was a mind numbing, labor intensive (for the fellas), patience testing (for me), daunting task but well beyond worth it in the end. We really enjoy our space and I love entertaining our pals! I really do not think I would have changed one thing.
We started a HUGE project last December that I thought was a fun little weekend project-- that shows you how skewed my perception is on things like this and also probably makes you feel a little sorry for my husband (who is just fabulous, might I add). He, my brother-in-law and another great friend did the work from floor to ceiling. New floors, took out walls, redid cabinets, new counters, sinks, plumbing, appliances, door knobs, hinges, fixtures, windows added beautiful crown molding, painted walls, brick, book cases, paneling, the whole nine.
The interior prior to this MASSIVE renovation was terrifying. I mean, so old school you would walk in and almost think you had found yourself inside the Brady Bunch establishment. The thought kills my soul...
So, it began. It was a mind numbing, labor intensive (for the fellas), patience testing (for me), daunting task but well beyond worth it in the end. We really enjoy our space and I love entertaining our pals! I really do not think I would have changed one thing.
A short while into renovation
Hideous dark paneling
New real wood floors laid, brick and walls painted- progress is being made!
My husband staining the floors- LOVE the dark wood HATE keeping it clean. Literally shows everything.
Right after first chandelier installed.
Side View (that rug did not make it through the day and life of Gus)
Who doesn't need a TV in their kitchen?
Before and after of the kitchen.. I will get some of the living room soon!
The Nitty-Gritty
My little Family:)
In my early newlywed excursions I am happily enjoying attempts at domesticity.. and think I do a pretty decent job outside of my overt OCD in concerns with the order of the home (to my husband, I am working on eventually working on this). The whole domestic-stay-at-home-wife-who-cooks-cleans-and-tends-to-children (fur babies in our case) is not exactly how it all goes down for this girl as I have a pretty demanding job, often travel for work and genuinely like what I do... so, the here-and-there attempts at lavish sit down dinners, new home baked-good recipes, knitting sweaters and making curtains are few and far between BUT does happen now and again (well, the dinners at least)!
Within our newlywed adventures, you will find the valid attempts at home renovations and decorating by myself and my amazing husband who has a knack for all things reno-related and has really embraced my desire for change and beauty within the home. We share a similar vision and style that have lovingly molded our home into where it is now. Our home is my favorite place on earth... 99% because of who I share it with and the rest because it tells a story- a really great one!
We have a dog named Gus, a Giant Schnauzer, who may or may not be one of the best parts of my everyday, depending on what mischievous activities he has recently engaged in. He can raise my BP in half of a second and melt my heart within the next- a real roller coster of emotions for this one I tell you... As you might guess, Gus is treated like a child and is our only child/fur baby at this moment. I get it, I get it...from the outside world he may be an obtrusive, smelly, slobbering waste of decent carpet and brand new dark hardwoods, but to me, he is an angel and nothing less.
I have a love-hate relationship with TJMaxx and shopping in general. It sadly is one of my favorite past times, along with decorating, that have now lead me into the dark, scary abyss of attempting to find a hobby that is not revolved around spending the dollars and adding more stuff to our home.. So, if you have any valid suggestions, drop me a note.
With all that good stuff, I am not much into wearing a lot of color or painting any room in our home anything outside of the Gray family (hints the title of the blog), I love food, consider myself a coffee connoisseur (just black coffee but sadly, people CAN screw up black coffee), avid Ice Tea lover (not the rapper), LOVE fashion, makeup and clothing, enjoy reading and spending hours in book stores, love a good bargain but also enjoy a great staple piece that may be a little pricey, extreme and sometimes ridiculous animal lover and a self proclaimed home body.. there is no where else I would rather be on any given night, with my husband and fur-baby!
So, this may or may not be the exciting, exhilarating read you've been scouting for but it is my sounding board for diving into wedded bliss, opinions, decorating, home renovations, clothes, travel humor and photos, products and things I love to love and things I love to hate! Enjoy and feel free to comment:)
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