Shine on 'Merica

ALL IN THE DETAILS:  

Tank: Old Navy (also loved this one and this one) | Sunnies: Amazon

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays - a day off work typically spent out on the lake with plenty of  fun in the sun, food and fireworks! This year was no different, we participated in all of the above and then some. We even tried our hand at slowed shutter speed, sparkler writing. It wasn't the best, but for a first try on my new fancy camera... I'll have to say not bad. Our best attempts are below (keep in mind you have to write backwards for it to look correctly on camera). 

 

In case you were wondering, that's supposed to be "USA," an "M" and a heart!

4 Day 4th of July

I could really get used to 4 day weekends. When Wednesday is your 'Friday', it's amazing what all you can do. B and I spent two full days at Lake Texoma celebrating the 4th of July with fun in the sun and fireworks and still had a day and a half to spend at home before starting the week. Because laundry and other house chores is 'for the birds', I spent most of the time at home painting. 

Wanting to paint something different than my latest pieces (see them here, here and here), I whipped out this traditional yet whimsical 11x14" painting.  You'll even notice that I used a color I rarely use - red (Xmas ornaments are an exception).

After finishing the Traditional Whimsy painting, my creative juices were still flowing. To switch things up, I went for bigger and out of my comfort zone. For once, I started out without a plan and let my love for ikat and bright colors shine through in this 18x24 Afternoon Ikat piece. 

Because I still felt like painting, I painted a plain-jane initial I had stored away - Mackenzie-Childs Courtly Check inspired, of course. 

Then, I noticed a pattern in everything I paint. I always finish them off with a little gold... so I guess, adding gold is 'my signature thing'.

At this point, B looked at me and the collection of paintings/crafts we're beginning to acquire and asked what I'm going to do with all this. Good question. I have no idea and we're running out of room in our house.

I'm too chicken to open up an Etsy shop or Facebook 'fan' page just yet, but am thinking about hosting a pop-up shop (via my personal Facebook or Instagram) to see how things go. What do you think?

Lake Texoma Weekend: The Pink Pistol

We headed down to Lake Texoma this weekend to get away from the City. Since it's not quite "lake season" yet, the boys’ agenda was mostly focused around fishing, while the girls’ agenda was mostly focused around The Pink Pistol trip. 

Saturday morning, my MIL, SIL and I took a short little drive northeast of Madill to Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The town Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton call home and also the place Miranda opened up a little  shop called The Pink Pistol. Remember how Miranda Lambert is my favorite female country artist and famous Texas Okie? I've been dying to go to the store - and to say I was excited about this venture was an understatement.

Miranda wasn’t there, as I had expected, but I sure had fun looking around (and taking pictures) in her store. It looked as if pink had exploded everywhere. There were t-shirts, boots, bar ware, dips and sauces and other random knick knacks to buy. Also, the store featured an old school soda fountain bar, visitors’ signatures on the floor, a Blake Shelton cut-out and some fun vintage furniture. 

Katelyn & I with Blake

Sitting in the Pink Pistol Princess Chair. 

(Posing just as Miranda did for her story in People Magazine - framed above the chair)

Loved this old re-purposed suitcase. And Pistol Annies shout out!

I don't even come up to his shoulder.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with a French Chair obsession. Miranda likes them too!

Been there, sat there and got a Dr. Pepper there!

While holding Pink Pistol souvenir wine glasses to purchase, we learned that Miranda also has her own winery in Lindale, TX called Red 55 Winery. And as luck would have it, the liquor store down the street in "downtown Tish" carried her wine! Next stop after The Pink Pistol? The liquor store. Don't judge us that we were at the liquor store before noon, we were just excited to get in and get the bottle of our choice before they sold out! I bought a bottle of her sweet white wine, called "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." As a sucker for riesling, I can't wait to open it up (but maybe I should save it?)! 

My Pink Pistol/Miranda Lambert/Tishomingo, OK Treasures.