a shout from the rooftop

Last weekend, my parents hosted an engagement party for Blake and me. It sure was a fabulous way to kick off the events that will happen between now and the wedding. The turnout was great, just family and close friends. The setting was an evening to night spent on a rooftop on Cherry Street (or 15th Street). The night was filled with great (homemade) appetizers, desserts and drinks. I couldn't have asked for anything better. So hats off to you mom and dad and thank you for a wonderful party. You were superb hosts. Let's do this more often! Oh and I'd like to give a special thanks to Ashley, Luke, Morgan, Evan and Brooke for coming out of town to join us for this special and fun evening.

 





There are more pictures, but I can't add them all here...that's just overwhelming! Point being...we had a FABULOUS time! And you can check out the Tulsa World engagement announcement (it landed in the paper Sunday after the party--July10, 2011)!

seat change

In an effort to brighten and liven my dining room (and with a limited budget at this point in my life), I started with the chairs. The table, chairs and bakers rack were all given to me by my Grandma Dixie and they are perfect for my space (that is, until I find the most precious refractory or pub table with chairs and have the money to spend!), but after living with the bland browns, tans and whites for almost two years, I needed a change and pop of color. Plans are in the works for other dining room fix-me-ups, but for now I'm starting with the easiest and cheapest project--a seat change!

I was at the fabric store a couple weekends ago and browsed through bolts, swatches, samples and remnants galore. I landed on the perfect color and pattern and just couldn't pass it up. Isn't it stunning?

Not to mention, I've been obsessed with ikat patterns for a while now so I might have just been waiting for the perfect color/pattern combination. The simplicity of this particular pattern and it's orange-red color were perfect for, not only a pop of color, but the zing I was looking to add in my eating space.
I purchased one yard and went about my day. A couple days later, I was anxious to get measuring, cutting, folding, stapling and changing the drab tan fabric and that's when it hit me. I was short fabric. So back to the fabric store I go. Another shot of anxiousness and away we went--with a little help from my mom.
Cut. Fold. Unfold because it's creasing. Fold. Hold. Staple. Repeat.

And WAH-LAH! Makes a big difference, huh?! Until next time...pick your seat and hold on tight.

xoxo,

Linds

FYI: My next dining room project is going to be a little more researching and time consuming, but I promise to post when I get started or completed, or both. It's going to be huge, people and I can't wait!

morning mixed drink

There is no doubt that summer is here. It's hotter than, well, it's freaking hot in Tulsa. Over the past week we have experienced heat indices in the 100s+. I'm not complaining, really. I would take this over bitter, freezing cold any day, but geez, it's brutal sometimes.

Last summer, I indulged in Starbucks' VIA cold brew coffee almost every morning. But at $5.95 (+tax) 6-pack box, it added up. Not to mention the trips to Starbucks, Java Dave's, Coffee House on Cherry Street (my new favorite!), I would spend $5.00+ per drink and my pocketbook didn't appreciate that whatsoever. I have been missing my coffee fix a little this summer because I just refuse to keep spending money on cold coffee drinks and I sure as heck can't put down a hot drink in 90 degree weather at 8 am.

That is...until this weekend. My mom shared with me the Pioneer Woman's "Perfect Iced Coffee" receipe. Oh my gosh! Mom even went the extra step and bought all the ingredients, prepared it and on Sunday morning, I indulged in what the Pioneer Woman calls "Vietnamese Iced Coffee" and I'm in love. It's just plain old coffee (the stronger the better) and a couple table spoons of sweetened condensed milk. You need to try this and if you don't like that, well you can be old fashioned and splash in some milk or half and half and sugar. Either way, it's delicious, in my fridge, and cold. (Oh and at no cost to me...at least this time.) Now get to cold brewin'!

Thanks to my mom for saving my life this summer and keeping me sane...that is until my pitcher pours it's last drop. Then I'll be back for more. And at least once a week or so, I visit the Coffee House on Cherry Street for my new favorite concoction--Iced Dirty Chai Latte. It's a little chai, a little espresso and lots of deliciousness. Yummy. If you ever visit me or anyone else in Tulsa, you need to go and try it. Genius.

xoxo,
Iced Coffee Lover

birthday wishes for my sis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY! 

You're a wonderful young lady with a BIG heart and an even better sister. We have memories to last a lifetime and many more to come. I'm so thankful for you and everything you are to me!

Orange Beach, Alabama 2008

Estes Park, Colorado 2010

I hope your birthday on the golf course is successful as well as the rest of the week. Good luck in the tournament and best wishes for your birthday!

Here's to you...CHEERS!

Oh and guess what?! Chicken butt...

life unexpected

I forgot my username and password...er...my dog ate my compter. Uhhh...okay, I lie. But I am back from my unexpected blogging hiatus. Fortunately, everything is perfect in my life, and I haven't been away because of something bad happening. And my hiatus is not due to lack of information, projects, or life. It's just with all the work, wedding planning and somewhat of a social life, I didn't manage to post a blog whatsoever. I will polish my time management skills so this doesn't happen again!
I've also been thinking about the direction I want to take my blog and I'm not sure I have it nailed down, but at least I'm back in action!

Keep your eyes peeled for a view from my porch!