I have a new girl crush…I’m in love with Zooey Deschanel’s vintage style and indie songstress croons.  I’m thinking we could have a great time shopping flea markets together!  Christmas albums aren’t my favorite things, but I think I could listen to her “A Very She and Him Christmas” all year long.

I just found out that she is co-founder of the blog, Hello Giggles and I can’t wait to start following!  You’ve got to check out her great Top 10 Tips and Tricks for a Winter Body!

TOP 10 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A WINTER BODY

by Zooey Deschanel

Two days ago I received a neatly wrapped brown paper package in the mail.  I noticed that my address was beautifully handwritten and there was a cute little Santa sticker off to the side with an artistically written, “Season’s Greetings”.  When I saw that the return address belonged to the talented paper artist, Grace Barzyz, I knew that this package contained something very special.  It was, in fact, the most creative and beautiful Christmas card I have ever received.

Grace repurposed a Kindle box to make this special gift, complete with Santa and her artistry’s signature at the bottom…

Inside this one-of-a-kind card revealed a sweet greeting and beautiful vintage card speckled with just the perfect amount of sparkle…

The tab of each side read “open” …

and inside I discovered amazing treasures, made by Grace, and tied with sweet red and white twine…

The first package contained two paper fortune cookies (made with Chinese newspaper, of course) holding a good fortune for the New Year.  She thoughtfully included two…one for me and one to give to a friend…so thoughtful…

The other side contained a gorgeous Sacred Heart ornament that will always be displayed in a special place in my home.  Grace’s work is made with perfection and this piece is spectacular!

I don’t think I have ever received such a thoughtful handmade gift.  I wouldn’t expect anything less from this talented friend.

The next time you want to honor someone with a special greeting or thoughtful token of appreciation, allow Grace to create something that will be treasured forever.  Her work is incredibly detailed and well thought out, and her creativity is unending!  Contact her at alagrace@msn.com.

Thank you, Grace, for making me the most beautiful Christmas card ever!  XO!

Roma Boots are the Tom’s of wellies and I’m a huge fan!

Watch this video to see how the big heart of Dallas designer, Samuel Bistrian, is determined to keep the little feet of Romanian children dry and warm.

Roma is offering free shipping through Dec. 31, 2011.  Everyone needs a pair of rain boots!  Give a pair for Christmas and receive the gratification of knowing that you’ve provided comfort and joy to a child.

Meet my friend… 16 yr. old, Gavin Pugh…

Gavin’s talent and creativity are bigger than his adorable dimples!

I recently bought one of his super cool Ray Guns made with found objects.  I plan to have an acrylic box built so that I can display it on the wall with some of my other favorite pieces of art.  His guns are straight up “George Jetson” and I love em!

I’m blown away by Gavin’s talent and devotion to his craft!  On a recent ‘picking’ trip with his mom, Dana Pugh of Tattered Style, we kept in mind his need for specific parts and I can’t wait to see how he uses what we found in his creations…

Contact Gavin here and find his shop, 1920 Raygun, here.

This is truly amazing…a wind wizard…

Thank you, Jennifer W, for sending this to me!

Parson Gray is the husband of fabric designer, Amy Butler, singer for the band, Black Owls, and graphic designer/photographer.  He’s now joining his wife in fabric design by introducing his new collection, Curious Nature.

Parson’s website isn’t up yet, so stay tuned to the Parson Gray Facebook page for updates on this new fabric launch!  You can see the individual fabrics in the photo section.  I love the rich manly hues!

Click here to download a free copy of Julius Morningstar by his band, Black Owls, recently featured in this month’s Classic Rock Magazine out of the UK!

Strolling among rusty, chippy, dusty stuff is good for my soul.  I can’t explain it, but there’s nothing else that stirs my creativity and inspires me more.  Traveling to Round Top twice a year is like a shot in the arm!

As my pickin’ buddy, Dana of Tattered Style, and I pulled into town, we stopped to say “howdy” to Carley and Johnny Seale, of The Gypsy Wagon, and checked out their newly renovated Airstream!  She’s a beauty!

The Gypsy Wagon is located right across the street from Round Top’s square and Royers Round Top Cafe!  They’ll be back next time, so don’t miss seeing them next Spring!

This vintage target practice poster was my first purchase from British Route Sign Designs!  I can’t wait to hang it.  I’m going to need a little help…I want to hang it high at the top of my stairwell which is going to be a little tricky…Don’t you love him?

Hands down, the best name of an antique or junk store ever!

One of the best parts of Round Top is meeting new friends.  Lynette and Gordon Harrison, from Kansas, made our day!  Lynette quickly picked up on the fact that Dana and I loved art, as we were perusing through her gorgeous space.  She led us to meet her hubby, Gordon, who is an avid art lover and fine vintage frame collector.

Gordon gave me a great deal on this beautiful lady and made me very happy!!  Isn’t she beautiful?  I’m a bit addicted to collecting vintage art…ok, a lot addicted…but there are worse addictions, right?

I picked these vintage rosaries (another collection of mine) up in the first shop I popped in at Marburger Farms.  I love them because they’re so long!  They hang below my belt and I love to pile on several at a time!  The wooden cylinder beads are my favorite!  I’ve never seen these before…

It was pretty cool when my friends from Dallas Market Center and Lisa, from Dwell With Dignity, ran into Dana and I in one of the Marburger tents.  Ideas started flying and you’ll be hearing about exciting things that originated in these conversations later…

I loved these stripey twin bed headboards!

The SHOP Antiques is always one of my favorite stops.  Mandie Murphree and her dad, Garland, collect vintage carnival, amusement park and circus items.  They were featured on the History Channel’s American Pickers on the  August 1st episode.  Their finds are amazing!

I wish these boots that I saw at Bull Chic (another great shop name!) would have fit me!  They’re perfect!

Janet Waldrop, of Skip To My Lou, is another creative genius! She produces each piece of her jewelry with her own two hands out of unique vintage bits and baubles.  She also writes a short story about each one on an old photograph where her jewelry is displayed.  Each and every piece…amazing!

We found British Route Sign Designs during our last trip in the fields of Warrington and fell in love with Dwayne, the owner, and all of his route signs.  He tackled setting up at Marburger this year and his space looked spectacular!

I little more than halfway through the first day of  Marburger Farm’s opening day, Lorriane White had already sold half of her stock.  Her repurposed furniture and ‘burlamps’ are unique and wonderful!

Are you dying over that yellow sofa?  I could go on forever….the good finds go on and on…just wish my money would go on and on…

That’s it until the Spring….

Who’s ready to go with me next time?

A few weeks ago, the invite went out…

and last Monday the lunch took place.  35 creative bloggers gathered at The Prairie, Rachel Ashwell‘s Texas home, B&B and chic couture boutique.  Good things always happen when powerful, creative women get together and this was no exception.

Prior to heading to The Prairie, I made a quick stop to to collect goodies for the swag bag from my friends Amie, Jolie and Janie Sikes, The Junk Gypsies and Jen Moore from HGTV with my junkin’ buddy, Dana of Tattered Style.

Jen,me,Amie,Jolie,Janie & Dana

The Junk Gypsies gave us some super cool corkscrews and HGTV provided tee’s for everyone.  I’m so appreciative of the time that these girls took, while juggling their busy shooting schedule, to put together goodies for us!  I can’t wait to see The Junk Gypsies in their upcoming HGTV show!  It’s sure to be a junkin’ good time!

Thanks to Tili bags, Royers Round Top Cafe, and Gloria Burson, of A Modern Glo, for providing beautiful Lafco bath and body products for the best swag bags ever!  Texas LIVE magazinedonated another goodie bag full of things from The Busy B, Buffalo Creek, Hermann Furniture, Independence Coffee, Round Top Handmade Soap, and  Mimi Bella. Dana Pugh used her ‘Tattered Style‘ to create name tags made from the pages of a sweet French book that had everyone talking!  Thanks to everyone who donated so generously!

Rachel was hostess extraordinaire, greeting and welcoming everyone as we ate a delicious meal prepared by the infamous Royers Round Top Cafe.  Delish!

After we finished a delicious lunch with Bud’s famous chocolate chip pie ala mode, it was time to be inspired…

Lisa Robison and Kim Turner shared all the great things that Dwell With Dignity is doing to make a difference in the lives of families by providing a home environment that they can be proud of.  After the event was over, Lisa, Kim and Rachel had a chance to discuss ways that Rachel can get involved, so I think we’ll be seeing a touch of Shabby Chic in some future DWD installs!

After sharing how she came to fall in love with Texas after years of coming to Round Top, Rachel showed us into her house, Liliput Lodge, though the backdoor…just as any good friend would do.  This is where she and her staff stay when they’re in town…

I loved all of the clothes lines full of linens…dancing in the wind…

Shopping at Rachel’s new store was such a treat!  We all got the chance to purchase her new book, Shabby Chic Inspirations, and then she took the time to sign each one.  You’ll love this new book, as it is full of beautiful spaces that embody the shabby chic lifestyle, full of comfort and sensibility.

(photo via keelymariescott)

It was an honor to work on such a special event with Bud and Rachel.  I couldn’t have been more pleased with the day!

Hear from my new blogging friends about our time at the Prairie…

http://www.keelymariescott.com/blog/

http://texaslivenetwork.com

http://tatteredstyle.blogspot.com

http://amodernglo.blogspot.com/

http://myhousemygarden.blogspot.com/

 http://jilliandodd.wordpress.com/

http://www.lazytbandb.blogspot.com

http://patinagreen.typepad.com/

http://www.facebook.com/dallasmarketcenter

http://laurievansdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://retreauxgirl.blogspot.com/

http://blessyourneighbor.blogspot.com/

http://junkology.wordpress.com

http://annaleeper.blogspot.com/

http://jaxonivy.blogspot.com/

http://modernoasis.blogspot.com/

http://thereelworldtx.blogspot.com/

http://gardenantqs.blogspot.com/

http://hollymathisinteriors.com/

http://Artfulwhimsies.blogspot.com/

http://emilycompany.blogspot.com/

http://www.estesfamilymoments.blogspot.com/

http://porterandabigail.blogspot.com/

http://www.sunsoulart.com/

http://mycountryfriedlife.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebrownshed.com/

http://katherinerobertsonphotography.wordpress.com/

http://planithome.net/blog/

http://www.oh-fiddlesticks.com/

http://www.myvintagetravels.com/

http://southcentral.texaslivenetwork.com/

http://www.theshadyacre.com/

http://masoncoveredwagon.com/

http://www.nancyelizabethathome.blogspot.com/

http://dwellwithdignity.org/blog/

My sweet friend, Ronda Carmen of All The Best blog, introduced me to Tammy Connor of Tammy Connor Interior Design, and after seeing her timeless, classic designs, I had to find out what was on her ‘hidden list’!

Tammy Connor has built her reputation on creating timeless classic interiors infused with a casual southern elegance. Her attention to detail along with her relaxed approach to formal spaces results in interiors that are sophisticated yet inviting. Seamlessly integrating antiques, contemporary pieces, personal collections of clients, and fabrics of varying textures with subtle yet studied color palette are the trademarks of Tammy’s interiors.

She is the principle of Tammy Connor Interior Design, which she founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 1999. Her firm has completed comprehensive residential projects throughout the eastern United States ranging from town, country, mountain, and beach houses. Her hospitality projects have also included private clubhouses.

Tammy is continually inspired by her travels both personally and professionally. While the location and style of the firm’s work is diverse, respect for the architecture and setting of a project is at the heart of Tammy’s interiors. She is consistently dedicated to enhancing the lifestyle of her clients, and she firmly believes that the best interiors are the ones that beckon you to have a seat and stay awhile.

“Between my adventure-seeking husband and traveling for work I am often on the go.  I have come to rely on a few items to keep me going and provide some creature comforts of home while I am away.”

Rani Arabella Jetsetter throw “This is the perfect travel companion! The cashmere blanket is soft, comfortable, and the case becomes the cover for the airplane pillow.  One of my favorite things to do is curl up with a good throw no matter where I happen to be.”

Tom Ford Raquel Sunglasses  ”These are my favorite sunglasses because they are lightweight and stylish.  Right now I am wearing them in the most beautiful navy/grey color and they work with everything. When my first pair got broken, after searching through many options, I ended up just replacing them with an identical pair.  I have a few clients and friends with the same pair and we all love them!”

Prada tote bag   A favorite gift from a client last year when we completed a job.  Not only is it beautiful, it is a great size that can fit all of the essentials, as well as a book, an architectural scale and trash paper!  This bag is similar in shape and size, but mine is this wonderful cloudy grey color.

Taryan Rose Kelsey wedge shoes  These are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own!  Whether I am shopping for clients all day, visiting a job site or playing tourist, I am probably wearing these shoes.  And they are light enough to throw into a bag if I want to dress up a little more for dinner.

Black Pearls  “My black pearls were an anniversary gift from my husband several years ago and I love them. They are so classic, and instantly add elegance to any outfit. They also remind me of home.”

OPI Barefoot in Barcelona  ” This polish is a great neutral color that goes with almost everything.  It’s a subtle deep rose color that is feminine and pretty!”

Tammy just launched a beautiful website that showcases her gorgeous designs!  tammyconnorid.com   Be sure to ‘like’ her Facebook page follow her travels and projects!

Thank you, Tammy, for sharing your list!  XO!

My friend, Kelley Edler, and I have a lot in common.  To start wtih, she’s one of the only people I know that spell Kelley with an “ey”!  She also loves music that makes you “move”,  knowing all of the lyrics, eating blackberry cobbler – even if it means staining our tongues – and laughing hard

Kelley recently moved to Austin and I’m going to miss her like crazy!  I’m so glad that she’s still thinking of me when she sees things that are “blog-worthy” like these ideas for new uses for old things that she recently spotted on the Real Simple site.  Thanks, Kel!

Here’s a few of my favorites…

Cast iron board as recipe holder:

Rolodex as gift card holder -

Zippered Bed-linen bag as art supply carrier:

Baking sheet as a bulletin board:

Find more creative uses for old things at Real Simple.  What do you use around your house in an unconventional way?