Hump Day!

I know I've been majorly slacking lately.. but it's summer, and I've been busy with projects, enjoying time outside, and of course obsessing over Euro 2012. (Germany is so going all the way!) I'm actually watching a game as I type, at work, yeah that's how I roll.

Anyway. I have been pretty busy working on some projcts and hitting up garage sales scavenging for new finds to continue the projects. I should have some new pics up over on the Ruffles and Lace Facebook page after this weekend. I'll try to post some here too, but you should definitely head over there and check them out! Bel and I have been looking at some upcoming shows for a while now and will be posting about those in the near future as well. There are some possible major changes ahead and I'm very excited about the possibilites the future holds for us.

On a different note, next week is the 4th of July! I hope everyone has something fun planned that involves the outdoors. I know it's BRUTALLY hot around here, but the evenings really aren't too bad. I'll be heading to the pool with my pal Candy and then having a bbq/get together at her house that evening. I can't wait, it's going to be super fun! If only we had more than one day off, then it would be majorly awesome. I made some homemade, well semi-homemade (Sandra Lee anyone?) sangria last weekend and it was pretty yummy, but I'm thinking I might go all the way and make a completely homemade batch for the 4th. We'll see though. I need to find a good recipe to make as well. I'll have to figure that out between painting projects this weekend.

Does anyone use Photoshop? I'm thinking about getting a pen tablet that will connect to my laptop and be able to do a lot of fun stuff with and possibily a photoshop program to go with it. However, they're all so freaking expensive! I need some input on the big versions versus the elements version and such. Obviously, I'm going to research it, but if anyone has any knowledge on any of the programs it would be greatly appreciated. :)

Ok, I have to concentrate on this game. Portugal and Spain are going into over time and could possibly going into PK's. So exciting!!

xoxo,
kris

How is it only Tuesday?

I've had to remind myself countless times that today is in fact Tuesday.  How can it only be Tuesday?! It seems like this week has been forever long, and we're only 2 days into it. So not cool.

I've been trying to catch up on normal things lately since Trade Days is over. I spent so many days/nights leading up to it working on projects and then getting everything ready for it that I really didn't do anything besides that. So this past weekend was great. I watched my boys, the USMNT, (or the U.S. Men's National Team for those not in the know) Friday night. They kicked some major ass, it was great! Saturday morning I went to the gym and then headed to the new outdoor shooting range here in the ville. It is a pretty awesome place. I spent about an hour out there with my dad just shooting, it was a lot of fun! Next time we're hitting up the rifles :)

Since I was already in my workout clothes and had just spent an hour hanging out in the middle of gun powder, I dicided it would be a fine time to clean my house. Let me just say, I know most people don't like cleaning, but I HATE cleaning. I have horrible allergies and when it's hot and I can't open the windows it makes them twenty times worse. But, I could live with that. What I really cannot stand is cleaning the bathroom. So yeah, I spent some time Saturday afternoon feeling oh so lovely cleaning. But, after that I was able to relax some and then meet Bel for dinner and drinks. Then both of us met up with another friend at this new little bar called Epic. For the ville, it's actually really cute and trendy. I definitely dont feel like I'm "sititng at a bar in the ville" when I'm in there, so that's always a good sign. We ended up doing a little 'bar hopping' and went to a few different places. One of the most entertaining was probably Doc's (I can't remember the new name for it now that it's changed). Let me just say, karaoke bar. We obvs didn't sing, just listened to some tone def drunkards singing. Extrememly entertaining if you've never done it.

Sunday I had to be in the Woodlands for an appointment so my mom and I decided to try the new Pinkberry that just opened up at the mall. So Delish! I go to Pinkberry every time I'm in Dallas visiting Dev and can't believe it has taken this long for one to come to the Woodlands, but I'm so freaking excited! If you have never been to Pinkberry, do yourself a favor and go. Today. It's the best yogurt, ever.

After yummy yogurt time, we headed back home and I met Candy at the pool for a few hours and just relaxed it was great. Oh, until old creeper arrived. Yeah, 40-50 year old man with a flat top haircut circa 1992, high waisted swim trunks, and a Harley. I see him at the gym all the time. And did I mention that he had previously tried to hit on my at the karaoke bar? Anyway, we didn't let creepy old dude ruin our pool time!

Sunday night was the premier of True Blood! I almost gave it up a couple seasons back when it got a little too weird and crazy for me, but I'm very happy to report it's back on track and I'm glad I didn't give it up.

I know I wrote about loving summer time in the last post, but aren't you just so glad it's here?! I'd love it even more if I could enjoy the days out and about instead of being in an office, but someone's gotta pay the bills! I'm loving my Baggu bags! They're perfect for any summer activity! Going to the beach or pool. Baggus come in a cute little pouch (like the picture) so they fold up nicely if you wanted to take it the market or mall also. I have 4 of these regular sized bags and 1 baby Baggu that I use for my lunch. They're machine washable (just no dryer) and with the funky colors who wouldn't want to bring one of these to the beach?!

I don't know about y'all, but these long afternoons at work are really dragging these days. Pandora has become my very best friend. Especially on days when the guys are out of the office- it's dead quiet in here! I usually just listen to "Today's Country" since it's generally the most pleasing/least offenive if someone walks in and hears it before I can turn it down. One of the songs I'm really digging is Luke Bryan's "Drunk On You". There are quite a few songs out right now that I'm loving, but this one just really makes me smile and think about summer days and happy times. :)



Something else I'm totally loving right now is my Conair curling stick. I absolutely swear by this thing! It's only $30 at Target and works wonders. My hair is super straight and fine. I mean seriously, I go to bed with it wet and it's straight as a board in the morning, without even brushing it first. This magnificent little guy actually makes curls stay in my hair and can even do beachy waves or curly curls. He's fantastic! 

Hope the week is starting out great for you, even though it's only Tuesday. ;)

xoxo,

kris

Rainy day

It's a stormy morning here in the ville and the oh so lovely computer system AND email are down work so decided to fill this time with something extremely important, ya know, writing a blog post.

This weekend is Kate's Trade Days. Isabel and I are so freaking excited to have our first outing together as a craft business. So, spread the word to any and all! We look forward to seeing a lot of people come through Trade Days this weekend and hopefully meeting a great many of them as well. I've been working like a mad woman lately and haven't really had time to post about anything other than crafts, the show, or things of a similar nature. I mean seriously, if there were cameras following me around the past two weeks you would all be saying something along the lines of "that girl be crazy busy yo!". My eyes have a perma-stoner look about them lately with a red tint from lack of sleep. But, I'm definitely not complaining, I wanted to do this and I'm enjoying every minute, just 'this girl is crazy tired yo'.

I took a break last night to watch the USMNT play Brazil in a friendly match as they get ready for the first round of World Cup Qualifying in June. For those of you not in the know, that's the U.S. Men's National Team (soccer). Otherwise known as my soccer boys. I love watching the USMNT! I get to watch all my favs playing together in one match, it's great. Several of my favorite U.S. players actually play for European teams so I hardly get to see them play since they're not on ManU or RealMadrid or the few others that are the only ones broadcast here in the states. It was so nice to relax and just watch the game last night, however I will be paying for it tonight for sure! Oh well, it's the price we pay for hobbies and dreams. ;)

I don't know about y'all but I'm super stoked that summer is finally here. Yeah, it gets unbelievably hot here. I don't think many people realize how extremely hot 100+ degrees is with 100% humidity. My cousin and I routinely have temperature debates via facebook comparing Texas and Ohio. I would gladly take a winter with a single day freezing than a summer with 100+ for 2 months (or more!) straight. Anyway, I'm getting off track. I am glad it's summer though. I've already been to the pool several time on the weekends, it's so relaxing to just pop in the earbuds and jam to my "pool mix" while getting a little color and just being calm. I'm using vacation time Friday and Monday since Trade Days is this weekend, well, not because of it, it just worked out that way. I'll be working on last minute stuff Friday and Monday when it's all over I'll be relaxing and possibly hitting the pool for a few hours.

I also love summer time just because of the spirit it puts me in. Does that make sense? I tend to listen to a lot more country music than normal (which means basically all the time) and always want to sit on patios wherever I go. Summer time always seems like a good time to make fun, light meals and of course shopping for summer is always the best! I love shopping for sandals and dresses and other accessories. I could go on and on...

Here are a few pictures of things that I've been loving or that just make me think of summer in general. I'm not posting sources, sorry a girl's gotta have some secrets- especially if it involves super cute fashion! But, if you really want to know, just ask, if you're lucky I might just be in a sharing mood. ;)

Hope y'all are enjoying this time of year as much as I am! Don't forget to come check out Ruffles and Lace this weekend at Kate's Trade Days on HWY 190 East, just after the 405 cutoff. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Happy Summer! :)

xoxo,
kris

Movin' on Up!

I'm so unbelievably excited to tell you that Isabel and I will be taking Ruffles and Lace to Kate's Trade Days next weekend! That's right, June 2-3 we will have a booth out at Trade Days. For those of you who are not familiar with it, Trade Days is a monthly event for arts and crafts vendors. Located on HWY 190 it's just outside of Hville so caters to several different communities.

Here's how you get there:

Drive East on 190, once you pass the Dodge cut-off at 405 (you'll see Bubba's gas station on your left) be on the lookout for Kate's flags on your left.

Pretty simple!

It's not too far, but just far enough to be out of the "city". We are very excited about this opportunity and can't wait to see everyone out there! I'm going to be working like a mad women tonight and tomorrow to get a lot of projects going/finished and then next week as well. This is our first big step into the market and we couldn't be more thrilled that it's an outdoor trade show. I will definitely be posting pictures of all the items and the booth here as well as the facebook page, so check back soon for updates!

Hope everyone has a great Memorial weekend, and please take time to reflect on the fact that this is Memorial Day and not just any long weekend. I am so thankful for the troops of the past and present who have bravely gone into battle for all of us, to those living and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice bless each and every one of you.

xoxo,
kris

Projects Galore!

Yesterday I mentioned that working on some projects recently for Ruffles and Lace has been keeping me super busy, well today I finally have some time to share some of the finished projects with you. My friend Isabel and I recently started Ruffles and Lace as a side venture, since we both love crafting and had been looking for a change it was the perfect fit! So instead of blabbing on and on about the business, I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

This is the 18" Yellow Rosette Pillow. The rosettes are all handmade as is the pillow. They are also made out of the same fabric as the pillow, however since the fabric is only patterned on one side it gives the rosettes a slight rustic/vintage look- which I love!

The middle pillow in this picture is a 12" Blue Rosette Pillow. Again, the rosettes are handmade along with the rest of the pillow. I can't remember if I've posted pics of the other two pillows or not (and since I'm too lazy to go back and look)... The White Ruffle Pillow is also 12" and the Pink Ruffle Pillow is 12"x14".

This fabulous little teacup bird feeder is probably one of my favorite items! I made four of them last week and this one is my absolute fav. The wooden rung is sanded, painted, and distressed then adorned with an oh so precious teacup that is accented with little pink flowers to match the paint. Bird seed will fit perfectly inside the cup as well as around the saucer, or you can fill the cup with water- or buy two and do both! :)

Isabel and I have some other exciting things in the works and will hopefully be getting that squared away soon, and then I will most definitely be posting about it!

xoxo,
kris



Day Dream Believer

I know, I've been horribly bad at posting lately. Hopefully you have been checking out the facebook page for Ruffles and Lace, because that's what has been keeping me busy! RUFFLES AND LACE

Anyway, I was just checking out one of my fav sites and saw this picture and article accompanying it about making a bench.

Doesn't it just look so amazingly perfect? I could sit there for hours and read a book or scetch out some project ideas - or just take a nap. If I ever have a nice little house with a backyard there better be an awesome shade tree to make this happen. Just picture sitting there for a couple hours reading, dreaming or doing whatever your heart desires. How relaxing! I much have a bench like this in my life.


On different note, I will definitely be posting the projects that have been taking up all my time in the next few days, so be on the lookout! Hope everyone has been enjoying the spring time weather, it'll be 100+ before we know it!

xoxo - kris

Who doesn't love fruit?

Some of you have probably seen the post I did on Facebook recently about Dreyer's Fruit Bars contest and if you haven't you really should check this out! Dreyer's Fruit Bars are having a contest across the nation to donate 17 fruit orchards to the community with the most votes. That's right, it's solely based on the citizens in each community (or really nice neighboring communities) to get online and vote!

Voting is super easy, you just need to create a simple account (your email address and a password) and then you can log-in and vote for Hville. What's really awesome is that each person can vote once a day! We're currently at about 1300+ votes this morning, and while the leaders are in the 9000+ range, the 10th spot is only at the 1900 mark. If we can really get the word out and push everyone we know to vote, I think we definitely have a shot at the top 17.

Here's what you need to do: CLICK HERE! and create your account then start voting and share the link with everyone you know via social media, email, or word of mouth.

What's truly amazing about this fruit orchard "when" we get it, is that the fruit will be free to the public since it will be a city entity! I sure didn't know that the fig and pecan trees on city property are free for citizens to pick from, did you? Just think how awesome an entire fruit orchard would be! Not just for us to have fresh fruit, but for the environment! It would also be an excellent way to teach kids about healthy eating habits, along with environmental friendliness.

So let's all get to voting each and every day!