A Lived in Home

My Next Big Project

2013-05-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

A nursery....

We're expecting a little one! I'm almost 16 weeks now and we are beyond excited to be expanding our family!

Tomorrow is our "big" sono to find out if baby is a he or she! Except, we are sealing the sono pic in an envelope until Friday for our gender reveal party. It will be so fun to find out and celebrate with all of our friends and family around us!

I'll be sharing pictures from the reveal next week so come back and find out the gender! Or, if you follow me on Instagram you will get a sneak peek!

Get Social Sunday

2013-05-18T17:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. We've been spring cleaning and organizing around here as well as spending a lot of time at the park. I wish this weather would last all year long!

Now, lets get to partying with the 35th edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Chicken Parmesan {My Quick Version}

2013-05-16T13:24:00.002-05:00

Yes, this Chicken Parmesan is as scrumptious as it looks and easy to make! I whipped mine up in about 20 minutes. Ok, so I might have cheated a little with a prepackaged seasoning, but that's what happens when you're busy and have a little one running around. Just keeping it real around here. No time for recipes from scratch!

Ingredients:

1 package Kraft Fresh Take Italian Parmesan Seasoning (found in the cold section)
1 package of chicken tenders
Fettuccine noodles
1 squash
A handful of carrots
Any brand of pasta sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

Heat a skillet with enough olive oil to coat the bottom
Evenly coat the chicken tenders with Italian seasoning
Place chicken in the skillet. Cook about 5 minutes on each side or until brown and crispy
Slice squash and carrots and toss in pan to cook with chicken for the last 5 minutes
Boil pasta in separate pot
After chicken is fully cooked I added the pasta sauce to the pan and sprinkled Mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken to melt.
Serve over drained pasta

And there you have a nice hearty meal for your family! Even my picky child ate some so I 'll say it's kid approved!

Updated Home Tour {Master Bedroom}

2013-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Since a designers home is never finished, I'm always making changes and tweaking. I thought I had our master bedroom right where I wanted it, then my obsession with gray took over. I also wanted a softer, cozier feel. The bright yellows had worn out their welcome! (Check out the previous pictures of our space on the right sidebar or our home tour!)

Take a look at its current state.

I would eventually like to repaint the room in a soft gray, but we have other rooms on the priority list for now! The hubs says he's tired of the blue walls. We just hung the gray drapes so that helps tone it down a bit.

What do you think of our space? Do you like the blue walls or would you repaint them gray? I'd love to hear what you think!

*Linked up here: Mopping the Floor, Home Sweet Home, The Gunny Sack, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Craft O Maniac, CRAFT, Skip to My Lou, Sugar Bee Crafts, DIY Dreamer, A To Zebra, Uncommon, My Uncommon Slice, Today's Creative Blog, Someday Crafts, Southern Lovely, Savvy Southern Style, Clean and Scentsible, Ginger Snap Crafts, Somewhat Simple, Delightful Order, Embracing Change, Fireflies,House of Hepworths, Shabby Chic Cottage, KatiesNesting, The Shabby Nest, Beyond the Picket Fence, French Country Cottage, Simply Sweet, Chocolate, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Delicate, Finding Fabulous, Five Days Five Ways, Remodelholic, Fingerprints on the Fridge,

Get Social Sunday

2013-05-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. My week was full of design work, time at the playground with my little one, and beautifying the yard/patio.
We have thoroughly been enjoying the warmth and sunshine!

Now, lets get to partying with the 34rd edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Shrimp and Spinach Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cream Sauce

2013-05-10T10:22:00.006-05:00

Photo Via

Let me just tell you how delicious these enchiladas are. Make them when you are famished because they are so good that you won't want to stop eating! I might have powered down 3 of them!!

I adapted the recipe from this original one.

Roasted Shrimp Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cream Sauce (adapted from Damn Delicious):

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 - 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (I used 1 lb)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
4-5 cups baby spinach, lightly chopped
2 tablespoons chopped chipotle pepper, in adobo sauce
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
2 cups white cheddar cheese (I used Monterey Jack)

For the jalapeño cream sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup sour cream
2 jalapeños, seeded and minced
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Place the shrimp onto the prepared baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, and gently toss to combine. I also added garlic salt and lemon juice.

Place into oven and roast just until pink, firm and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before dicing into bite-size pieces.

Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9x13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach, chipotle pepper, oregano and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach just begins to wilt, about 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and gently toss to combine.

To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in the flour until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and cream cheese. Add the jalapeños and garlic powder and simmer unitl the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro.

Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 10 seconds to prevent them from cracking.

To assemble the enchiladas, lay the tortilla on a flat surface and spoon 1/3 cup of the shrimp mixture in the center; sprinkle with cheese. Roll the tortilla and place seam side down onto prepared baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas and shrimp mixture.

Pour half of the jalapeño cream sauce evenly over the top. Place into oven and bake, covered, until lightly golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Serve immediately with remaining jalapeño cream sauce, garnished with cilantro. I also served mine with black beans!

Happy Eating!

Gift Ideas for Mom

2013-05-08T15:02:00.002-05:00

There's no one quite like a mom! Moms spend countless hours taking care of everyone, loving endlessly, worrying, and making the world go round! If you are a mom, you definitely deserve your upcoming special day!

Here's a few gift ideas for the important mom in your life!

Gold DV Sandals /Set of Journals / Tory Burch Earrings

Monogrammed Mug / Summer Straw Hat / Watercolor Infinity Scarf

DIY Succulent Arrangement

2013-05-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

When I discovered this wedge boat on clearance for $15 at Crate and Barrel I knew it was the perfect vessel for a DIY project. Greenery adds such a fresh vibe to any space and I'm such a fan of succulents, so off to Hobby Lobby I went.

I used a bag of moss, a mixture of succulents, and my bargain vessel! Total, I spent around $30. I laid down the moss in the boat in no particular way. Just layer and cover the bottom leaving space on each end. Then, bend the stems of the succulents and slide them under the moss. I actually used less than I purchased.

After about five minutes you have this earthy arrangement!

Do you love succulents as much as I do?

Get Social Sunday

2013-05-04T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. I've been swamped this week with client projects! Doesn't it feel great though at the end of the week knowing how much you accomplished?!

So, lets keep on trekking with the 33rd edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Party Planning

2013-05-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

I can't believe another year has passed and I'm going to have a sassy 3 year old in less than 2 months. With that, comes party planning for her big day. She requested a princess party, so I used my swift convincing skills and now she's excited as ever for her "Under the Sea" party! I just couldn't swing the thought of a full on princess themed party. Plus, I'm sure the boys in the neighborhood will thank me later!

Here's what I'm thinking for her big day!

Via

I'm pretty sure this is the invitation I've settled on. A photo of my sweet girl is a requirement! How fun to look back in 20 years at all her birthday invitations?

Via

Little miss has already approved a cake similar to this one!

How darling are these mini Mason jar sippers from Anthropologie?!

Via

Not everything has to be sugary and sweet! Love the idea of a healthy treat for the littles in cute striped cups.

Via

What kiddo doesn't love balloons? They can double as decor and leave with the kiddos attached to the party favors!

Via

And speaking of party favors, beach buckets are great for stuffing surprises in side!

Via

Cute printables are a must!

So many cute ideas I've found! Her 3rd birthday is sure to be a blast!

Nautical Love

2013-04-30T12:30:00.002-05:00

Lantern with Rope Handle / Seagrass Hurricanes / Metal Drink Bucket

Rope Baskets / Atlantis Clam Shell/ Seascape Plates

Stripe Hand Towels / Rope Lamp Base / Seahorse Outdoor Pillow

With summer quickly approaching I'm spotting a lot of nautical décor around lately! I don't prefer an overindulgence of this style in my own home, but think a few pieces here and there such as the clam shell bowl can add a nice touch. I'm also loving a splash of the nautical flair for outdoor living spaces.

Have you picked up any nautical items lately?

2013-04-28T11:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. We've been on the go the last few days hitting up the zoo, celebrating mom's birthday, visiting with family, and enjoying the beautiful weather. Now, another busy week ahead!

So, lets link up your magical creations for the 32nd edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Spring Eating

2013-04-24T11:46:00.003-05:00

Do you feel like your taste buds change with the weather? With spring and warm weather here I've been craving lighter foods such as salads, fruits, and vegetables. I've been perusing sites trying to find new recipes to satisfy my taste buds. Here's a few that look delicious!

Via

Lobster and avocado on a salad make my heart go pitter patter!

Via

Via
These look like a much healthier alternative than the cheese Doritos I like to munch on!

Via

One can never go wrong with a fresh fruit tart. It's one of my favorite spring/summer desserts! They have just enough sweetness to fulfill without making you feel like you overindulged.

Via

Chicken, coconut, and mango sauce must be good together!

What are you craving lately?

You can go here to see more delicious recipes I've pinned.

A Belly Popping Affair

2013-04-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Three wonderfully, sweet ladies in my neighborhood are about to become new mommas again and I got the pleasure of helping throw a joint shower for all of them. It was a fun evening of friendship, celebration, and everything baby!

Celebrating 2 girls and 1 baby boy!

I printed the name art here for baby Emerson, Tatum, and Grayson.

Baby Tatum has arrived since the shower a few weeks ago, so now we're just waiting on the other 2 mommas to pop!

Get Social Sunday

2013-04-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. Our weekend has been full of birthday parties, friends, and I've got the first install of many today at a fabulous condo in downtown Dallas. I can't wait to start showing pictures!

Now, lets link up your magical creations for the 32nd edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

The Need for Green

2013-04-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love how adding a bit of greenery to a space completely transforms the overall feel! I'm in search of more greenery since one of my three Fiddle's bit the dust. Thankfully, it was just a mini one from IKEA. My other two are thriving!

Images via

You can never go wrong with adding orchids to bring life to a space! They fit well with any style.

My only tip when adding greenery to your home is don't forget to water it! I've learned that lesson the hard way a time a two! Definitely no green thumb here, but I try!

On My Radar

2013-04-17T11:52:00.000-05:00

As a decorator, my eye is always wandering and design in never finished. Therefor, I've always got room for improvement in my own home. Of course it never ceases to happen that while shopping for a client I end up spotting something just as fabulous for my own home!

I saw this lamp last weekend at Z Gallerie and just cannot get it out of my mind! It's simple yet contemporary at the same time. There's a good possibility that when I go back to the store tomorrow it will be coming home with me.

I've been looking for a classic white lamp for my entry table to go with these candle sticks I just purchased half off! Such a score since they've been on my radar for at least 3 months!

My dining room still desperately needs a rug to anchor the space and I've fallen madly in love with this one!

I've read another bloggers review and she says that the rug is actually more cream, with gray, and hints of peach in person. Sound perfect! As soon as this baby goes more than 50% off I'm buying it. Not to sound like a cheapo, but the site always offers better sales!

How fun are these vibrant melamine plates from West Elm?! Would love to use these to brighten things up on the patio!

And speaking of outdoors, I think one of these lanterns could also add a nice touch of texture to the patio as well!

Are you loving any of these finds as much as I am? What's been on your radar lately?

Our Easter Recap

2013-04-16T09:57:00.002-05:00

I know Easter has come and gone, but I'm just a little late getting all my pictures uploaded and organized. I wanted to share some special moments from our Easter sunday. Baby girl is 3 months shy of turning 3! She's looking so grown up now!

I was elated that baby girl was in a good mood and agreed to take some photos. Usually her idea of taking photos is making a silly face then running off for me to catch her!

She was terrified of the Easter Bunny so of course I was shocked when she ran up and hugged the air filled bunny! And, there's her infamous wiggle and silly face!

We had a great morning of worship, family, and great food at brunch! It was a plus that the weather cooperated too and turned out warm and sunny! Usually it's rainy or chilly like last year!

I hope you had a fabulous celebration with your friends or family as well!

Get Social Sunday

2013-04-14T09:47:00.002-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great week. Has spring sprung where you are? We are enjoying the warm weather and sunny days.

So, lets link up your magical creations for the 31st edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Portia and Ellen's Stunning Ranch

2013-04-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know Ellen de Generes has a passion for decorating? I didn't know the hidden truth behind the hilarious comedian!

It's taken her a year to complete the 26 acre ranch that Portia calls her dream property!

All images via

I can't wait to have the magazine in my hand next week to look more closely at their gorgeous and sophisticated abode.

An Entry Way Design Board

2013-04-10T12:02:00.001-05:00

This design board for an entry way was created for an E-design client of mine. The space was empty and lacked color and personality. It's the first sight guests get of the home so she wanted it to be welcoming.

First, the space got a coat of paint in Waynesboro Taupe to add warmth. We also added an existing mirror.

We chose the table from World Market since it's long and narrow. It's a favorite of mine and I've used it many times since, including in my own home.
As soon as I get photos back from my client I'll be sharing the completed space with you!

Sick Day

2013-04-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm under the weather and the hubs is having knee surgery today! When it rains it pours! We're taking today to relax and recoup!

Be back tomorrow!

Get Social Sunday

2013-04-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope everyone had a great Easter last weekend. I'm ready to see all your new creations!

So, lets link up your magical creations for the 30th edition of get Social Sunday! Every week I enjoy browsing through the links and seeing how creative other bloggers are!

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! I want to see everything you've been up to!

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy!

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

I've been Pinspired

2013-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Is that a word? Well, it is now. You get it right?! I've been inspired by Pinterest. Anyways, here's what I'm eyeing lately.

I'm absolutely loving this nursery Kirsten designed! The gallery frames mixed with a shelf full of books is simply perfect and unexpected. The wall color is so serene!

How striking is this Begonia wall color from Sherwin Williams? This on the ceiling with white walls would be unbelievable!

Need new bedding? I didn't until I saw this coral border bedding from Crane and Company! It comes in gray too and the prices are very reasonable.

Via

I've really been making a conscience effort to find healthy new recipes to try out. We have been eating out way too often and honestly I'm bored with restaurants. Plus, some nights it's just easier to relax at home and eat while my kiddo plays and runs free.

How fun and festive are these mojitos from Style Me Pretty?! Looks like little pink tutus on straws! They almost look to perfect to drink, but I'm sure they are fabulous tasting! I need to make these for a party sometime!

Has Pinterest inspired you lately? You can follow along and see more of what inspires me here!

Target Love Lately

2013-04-03T13:38:00.004-05:00

So Target has been totally killing it lately. Their Threshold line is simply fabulous and they are always adding new items.

I picked up this decorative item on my last trip. Now, I just need to take it out of the car and find a place in my home for it. The metal rolling around in the back of my car is quite annoying!

How about this brass hurricane? Have you seen them in your store? Of course they aren't carrying them at either store near me. Guess I'm going on a wild goose hunt!

What a great neutral throw pillow.

Also, absolutely dying to get my hands on this guy!

My store says it's in stock even though I didn't see them on Monday! Lets hope for a small miracle!

I might have ventured over to the clothing department last time I was in the store too! This super soft and cozy pullover looked so cute when I saw it on Instagram. I knew immediately my closet needed one.

These polka dot pants caught my eye too, but I ended up not purchasing them after debating.

It's hard to tell in the picture but they're mint and white polka dot. Guess I have a thing for mint right now!

Are you a Target lover like myself? Is so, what has caught your eye recently?