Austin, Texas Girls Weekend

This Texas Okie flew down to her birth city, Austin, Texas to hang with the girls! No, I didn't grow up in Austin but that's where I was born and spent the first year of my life until moving to Plano, Texas! Being born in the Capitol of the State of Texas makes me more of a Texan, right? 

Lauren, the 'L' of my high school friend group, the 'JLMS' lives down in Austin and instead of just meeting in Dallas, we decided to meet in Austin for a change. Meagan drove down to meet us and the three of us were just going to have a girls weekend with nothing really on the agenda other than enjoying each others company.  

We hit the cool spots in Austin like South Congress, West 6th Street, The Domain Shopping area and even out to Lake Travis. Here are just a few snapshots from the weekend. 

Our first stop was South Congress, we were headed to scope out the stores there, including one of my favorite Texas Jewelry designers, Kendra Scott. The corporate office and store is right there on South Congress! On our way to the stores, we stopped for a photo in from of this "I love you so much" graffiti. Apparently it's a famous Austin spot located on the side of  Jo's Coffee.

Saturday we ventured to The Domain shopping area where we shopped, had mimosas and lunch and then ran into this large fellow. Why not take a picture with an over-sized whooping crane?

I loved that the Austin climate could support tropical plants like palm trees and yuccas. I snapped this pic while roaming around The Domain.

Saturday evening we had dinner at sunset at The Oasis on Lake Travis. That place was so cool, I could have stayed there for hours just people watching!
 

The weekend was a success - I really enjoyed spending time with the girls and getting to see Austin. Austin really is such a neat city with beautiful scenery, I can't wait to go back!

Terrariums, Painting and Decorating

I guess my creative juices were flowing this weekend. I kept filling the space in between normal weekend stuff with creative stuff. Somehow I managed to host an unofficial craft night, paint a 16x20 canvas and decorate a space that hadn't been decorated in nearly 4 years... in a matter of about 48 hours. 

It started Saturday, while running my errands I walked by a terrarium display at Lowe's. I've been wanting to make one, but just haven't gotten to it yet - so, I started gathering supplies. Knowing we were having another couple over for dinner, I decided us girls would have a craft night while the boys did their thing chilling on the patio. 

Terrariums are as easy as 1, 2, 3. Literally,  1 = rocks, 2 = charcoal, 3 = soil, 4 = plants, 5 = more rocks, done.

Sunday morning, when all I wanted to do was sleep in until 8am… and my body thought 6:25am was a better idea, I busted out a 16x20 canvas and painted. 
 

While B was away for most of the day, the big blank wall in our living room was really bugging me. I have purposely left the wall blank, because my Mom always said, just leave it empty until you find the perfect thing for over the couch. 

This whole time (nearly 4 years) I’ve been looking for ONE perfect thing, when I realized that space could definitely handle a couple perfect things. I laid possible items out on the floor so I could get a better visual for balance and spacing. Here was an initial stab at what the mix might look like:

 

One of my favorite parts of my married last name is the "Mc", so wanted to make use of the little 'c'. But the gold didn't look just right. I had to paint it.

Mackenzie-Childs Courtley Check-like of course.

Most of the items are result of my craft making. Two paintings by me, a big "M" I got down in Canton, TX, little 'C' from Hobby Lobby, and my 1st anniversary, paper gift to Brandon showcasing the Texas girl and the Oklahoma boy. 

The collage isn't perfect, but I love how it's quirky, colorful and ties in both Brandon and Me.

Project List? Whoops!

I realized that all of the sudden I have acquired quite the project list. Whoops. 

Here's what I've got going....


Bargain Mirrors:
I went to Dallas for my dear friend's wedding a week ago and came home with two, huge mirrors. My Mom spotted the steal of a deal in the Saturday paper - Weir's Furniture was advertising $549 mirrors for just $29. Because my Mom knows my style, when she went for the one found another and got a second one.

I have a few ideas up my sleeve for these mirrors, but will take me some time to put them to use. At 54" each,  it takes the perfect place to fit one of these bad boys in our small home.

Kitchen Update:
We're also looking to upgrade our kitchen from Formica to Granite!! This is a long awaited project, but looks like we're actually going to make it happen in the near future. Here's a seek peak of what we're working with.

Once we have everything picked out and installed, I will do a big before and after reveal!

The impulse purchase:
I went to a garage sale late Friday and made an impulse purchase. I scored this chest of drawers with a little bit of character for just $25. I really just couldn't say no. B wasn't impressed with my purchase, but at $25 I didn't want to regret not buying it. 

Sorry I'm not sorry about the project list. Be sure to check back for updates on my progress!

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.

Let TEXAS fill my soul

Attempting to capture this picture is always a must!

It had been 8 weeks since my last Texas visit and 6 weeks since I last saw my parents… it was time for a fix. To add icing to the cake, I was invited to my dear friend, Meagan’s first bridal shower, which meant I would also get to see my best high school pals.

Come to find out, Dad was headed to meet my brother, Fen (who lives in Houston) in San Antonio to ride bikes. And by bikes, I mean motorcycles. Dad’s a Harley Davidson guy and Fen is a Crotch Rocket guy – his latest bike is a Ducati.

So, it was a girl’s weekend for me and Mom!

For the love of scarves. As you may have seen in my Instagram post, it’s obvious that Momma Swann and I have a love for scarves. Mom and I went to Target and to lunch at La Madeline before the Bridal shower, two places I'll never say no to.

Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft // Jacket: Target //
Scarf: Max & Olivia's on Facebook // Shoes: J.Crew Factory // Bag: Louis Vuitton //
Phone Case: J.Crew // Jewels: David Yurman

Swann for life. My last name may not be Swann anymore, but ever since I changed my name to McDaniel I've been drawn to anything with a swan. So, when I found this Fossil Swan Print Dress, I had to have it.  I was saving the dress for something and because it was a cold, spring day it seemed fitting to pair with a jacket and boots and wear to Meagan's shower. 

Dress: Fossil // Blazer: Lauren Conrad at Kohl's // Belt: Banana Republic Outlet // 

Boots: Vince Camuto at Dillard's // Lips: Laura Mercier - Mango // Jewels: David Yurman

The JLMS. That's what Jene, Meagan, Lauren and I have called our little group since high school. It's hard to believe it's been 10+ years that we've been friends. And even harder to believe we've manageed to stay connected as we've went our different directrions,  "grown up" and gotten married (or soon to be in Meagan's case)!

Jene, Meagan, Lauren and I at Meagan's Bridal Shower

Love Texas Shopping. Momma Swann and I went out and about Saturday after the shower and I scored a few bargains. Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, World Market, Horchow Outlet are a few of my favorite Plano haunts. 

My favorite weekend find was this mint peplum top from Nordstrom Rack for just $18.95!

Girl's Night. After dinner at Campisi's with Momma Swann, I met the JLMS at Mercy Wine Bar in Addison. We didn't plan it, but you'll notice the polka-dot and stripe theme with our outfits. I love it, great minds think alike. 

 

 Blazer: Anthropologie // Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft // Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft //

Necklaces: Moon & Lola Monogram and Anthropologie 

I had such a great weekend in Texas. Sometimes seeing your Momma and best friends is just what a girl needs. 

 

Spring Forward Filled Weekend

This weekend has been packed full of fun and blog worthy events. Here's a day by day run-down:

Friday:

I was SO excited that I had won tickets to the Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley concert from work! Miranda is my favorite female country artist, hands down. I love her music, style, love for animals and "don't give a darn" attitude.... and let's not forget she's a Texas Okie girl too!

Thank you to the nice stranger in front of us who offered to take our picture when she saw us trying to do it ourselves! I rocked Kendra Scott, Turquoise Skylar earrings, a Jewelry Nut Auctions necklace, Studded Frye "Billy" Cowboy boots with a J.Crew Tissue Tee, Loft Modern Skinny Jeans and an old Loft Jacket.

Dierks is a cutie and Miranda rocked it. Too bad she called out OU, OCU, OC and forgot OSU!! I guess I'll forgive her this time. 

Saturday:

The weather and allergies had me bogged down with a headache but I got up and went to lunch & Loft with my sister-in-law. I'm glad I did, because I found a few steals with their 30% off everything in the store sale.Added 3 things to my spring, work wardrobe! And, I should mention that those coral pants were only $1.88. Yes, you did read that correctly.

1. Marisa Blue Geometric Ankle Pants (better price in-store)

2. Floral Variety Pencil Skirt (better price in-store)

3. Marisa Coral Straight Leg Pant (WAY better price in-store)

I also had a much needed hair appointment at 3:30pm. I went in, wanting to be blonder and was curious if we should do something different with my layers. My ever-so-talented stylist suggested bangs and trusting her, I said okay!

Shortly after this chop, she dried out the bangs with the roll-brush and called them Mom bangs. Thankfully, she was joking as they were still a work in progress. After telling her she didn't need to spend time curling my hair because of the weather, she said another funny line, "I've got to sell these bangs!" So, my hair was curled.

I'm sold. Even more importantly, B is sold. Says I look like Kate Hudson in Bride Wars (sweet guy, huh?). Let's just hope I can handle styling them!

Sunday:

B and I slept in, well because the clocks sprung forward over night we thought we did anyways. We got up and around, went to the grocery store and lunched at The Garage. Then, I was on a mission. I was headed out to Garden Ridge. 

My mother-in-law has a good eye for things that I might like - just like the green lamp! I received the text below back on Thursday and knew that Garden Ridge would be on my weekend to-do list.

By the time I got there on Sunday, there were only 4 gold deer left. There were no silver deer to be found and only a few antelopes left. So, at $12.99 I snatched up 2 gold deer just in case ever I wanted another one. Garden Ridge is one of those places that you may never see it again. 

I also picked up a new weenie for my dachshund loving friend, LOakes. Isn't he cute? 

Here's a shot of our two new, "Deer"est friends at home. I'm not sure where they'll end up yet - but glad to call them ours!

Let's talk about the room I don't want to talk about (Yet)

Our master bedroom.

3 years later, I still don't have it figured out. But the good news is, we now have to make a point to figure it out because we just upgraded to a KING!  

 We currently have the bare essentials for bedding (and the room for that matter) but here's what we've got to work with. 

Duvet Cover Set: Pinched Pleat at Target. Bed Skirt: Threshold Gray Target. Euros TBD

Hand-me-down Nightstands from my Aunt: possibly paint? Lamps: TJ Maxx (Shades TBR (to be recovered)).

French Dresser: Painted with CeCe Caldwell Paints. Chest of Drawers: Brandon's Great Grandmother's

  

What are we wishing for in a bedroom? The perfect mixture of girly and manly with a dash of rustic, color and relaxed feel - my Bedroom board on Pinterest can better explain.

PB&J Stories Master Bedroom Redo Reveal 

The PB&J stories post is probably my go-to inspiration for Bedroom project. I fell in love with the "girly" pintucked bedding and the "manly' rustic headboard. Even though, yellow is not our thing - we definitely plan to pull some color in the room (obviously with a turquoise dresser) with a rug and throw pillows, etc.

Because I Like to Decorate's DIY Rustic Headboard Tutorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source Unknown but Pinned it anyways..

 

B likes rustic and dark decor so incorporating that into my love of color and whimsy can be difficult, but I didn't hesitate one bit when we came across the rustic headboard ideas. And luckily, B is pretty handy so am excited for him to tackle our headboard in the next couple weeks! 

As far as all of the other details on my wish list besides paint, a rug, updated night stands... are some adorable, personalized throw pillows. These Custom State Pillows by Marekalaine would be perfect. A Texas pillow for me and Oklahoma for B, please!

Marekalaine's Custom State Pillows on Etsy