Sweet Elise

Say "I love you" with cookies from Sweet Elise.

Our Amy is the creator of these amazing cookies! 

She is such a talented pastry chef. 

Over the holidays we received a delightful gift of Sweet Elise cookies. If you haven’t, you've got to try some! Once you do, Sweet Elise will be your “go-to” bakery for all your entertaining or gift giving. The sugar cookies have a soft delicious butter taste, and not only were they decorated with perfection but were equally festive. You won’t be disappointed with the entire presentation. Congratulations Amy!

 

You need to place your Sweet Elise Valentine order now!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

The Small Things Blog

Hi everyone it's Wednesday Day, (hump day)!

We already have plans for dinner at our house this weekend.
I can't wait!  We always have an amazing time when our family comes together.

This week I wanted to share a new blog with you that I'm hooked on and I know you will be too.
In preparation for spring, I started practicing on my hair up-do's.
 I took it up a notch and started studying YouTube videos and in the process I found "the small things blog".

Your going to enjoy Kate's hair tutorials.
How adorable is Kate!


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Subscribe today and let's get ready for Spring!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Baby it's Cold Outside!

 Get warm and light a scented candle while relaxing (watching TV).

I love how our mirrored candle holder illuminates the crystal bowl on the rustic platform.

The rustic platform was purchased on a recent trip to Round Top, 

the candle, crystal bowl and coasters were all purchased from Back Home.

Be safe!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Our Favorite 2013 Makeover

In December 2013, Back Home Furniture was honored by Austin Home magazine 

as one of the "Best of the City" winners. 

I agree.

We were so fortunate to have had our dining room designed

by Mari Johnson from Back Home Furniture. 

I wanted to share with you a brief tour of our intimate dining area...

We love how the amazing metal/crystal chandelier lights up the entire room.

The first item purchased in the design process was this gorgeous pewter mirror.  

The centerpiece vase and boxwood adds a simplistic rustic charm to the room.

The golden linen drapes and black rod with crystal finials frame
the windows perfectly as well as complements our 6 dining chairs.

The black ink art adds a little "edgy" to the room that I wanted. 

The landscape art brought all the "right" colors to the party.  

I look forward to sharing with you our current Back Home project.
  So hurry back for additional updates.

To schedule your design consultation call Back Home Furniture at (512) 327-7753.  
You can follow Mari and Back Home Living everyday on Pinterest!

Also, If you are in Austin take the time to visit one or both of Mari's stores.
You will find something you can't live without.  
I promise!

South Location
4477 South Lamar Blvd
Suite 730
Austin, Texas 78745

North Location
4001 NORTH Lamar blvd
suite 200
Austin, Texas 78756

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

It's snowing!

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We wish you an amazing weekend

Be safe and stay warm

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Embellishing your Gift Wrap

Forgive me for posting my "not so" hot photos.  

(This is what you get when you try to take pictures too early in the morning.)  

I couldn't wait for the weekend to share my personalized labels that arrived from Zazzle.  

These will look amazing inside a gift securing the tissue paper or on the 

outside of brown paper sacks with black ribbon and twine.

I've already ordered a second set. I purchased them in gold to go with my ribbons.

I think we all love receiving beautifully gift-wrapped boxes almost as much as the gift itself.

You should create a label design and if you do please share your ideas!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Do Something Epic...

Take a leap this week!

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We are anticipating a couple deck proposals!  

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Private Party At The Continental Club Austin, Texas

We were invited to an amazing private party held at the Continental Club in Austin. 

We decided to stay across from the club on South Congress.

We checked into the Austin Motel!

Our room was pool side. 

Inside was the cutest quirky oasis.  HA!

While the motel is 75 years old it's spotless

Loved the pink tile with turquoise

We had a 1/2 block walk to the party

Inside the club

Our adorable waitress Sarah kept the drinks flowing...

The bands started to arrive...Speedy Sparks on bass

Joe King Carrasco, The King of Tex-Mex Rock and Roll...

Flaco-Jimenez who has played with Texas Tornadoes, The Mavericks, The Rolling Stones, Los Super Seven, Sir Douglas Quintet, Dwight Yoakam, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Carlos Santana

Derrick O'Brien the house guitarist at the famous Antone's nightclub. 

My favorite Denny Freeman  an AMAZING electric blues guitarist who's worked with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Bob Dylan, Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton, James Cotton, Taj Mahal, and Percy Sledge among others.

The night ended with the - Legendary Austin Blues Musician Lou Ann Barton.  In the early 1970s, she was a member of the Triple Threat Revue, with W. C. Clark and Stevie Ray Vaughan. She was a founding member of Vaughan's band Double Trouble, and did a stint with the jump blues band Roomful of Blues. During that time, in 1975, she joined up with W. C. Clark to form his W. C. Clark Blues Revue.

In the morning we had our coffee sitting outside at jo's

Thank you, Jim Yanaway (music producer and owner of Amazing Records)
it was a legendary night we will never forget.

Darn it....back to reality....

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Breadboard Obsession

Breadboards      

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A year ago while dining at my favorite restaurant in Colorado, The Kitchen Denver,
I noticed they served their appetizers on fabulous breadboards. I fell in love with the concept!
Since then I've starting collecting them.

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Crate and Barrel has a great selection of breadboards.
I particularly like and own the teak collection.  You need one!

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

                        

I love Rubber Stamps

I use plain sacks and or brown paper for my gift wrapping. 

I incorporate ink stamps on shipping tags with fancy ribbon to dress up my presentation.  

Here's a few examples...

Have you thought about making your own Valentine cards?

 February 14th is around the corner

Paper Source in Austin is offering card making classes.

Let's sign up!

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524 N Lamar Blvd #105

Austin, Texas  78703

(512)391-1820

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Tricorn Black

 

I completed the first coat of Sherwin-Williams SW6258-tricorn-black in our guest room.

If your looking for a true rich black paint color you should try a swatch. 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

J Crew 40% Sale

 

I just snagged this classic peacoat!

 

 

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Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie



Are YOU Ready for Some Football?

We are so excited for NFL football this weekend!

If you are a football fan you know how much fun the playoffs are.

We've planned some of our routine activities around the game schedules but everything else will have to wait.

 

Clearly this is the perfect opportunity for us to try a new appetizer!

 I wanted to share with you what I have planned.   

Bacon wrapped in blue cheese/stuffed in dates!

Seriously!



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I've added the link above so you can read the entire recipe. It looks amazing and was highly recommended to me.  A friend of mine serves this as part of her Thanksgiving tradition.

 

I'm ready for some football are you?

 

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynnie

Dreaming of Villa Bleu

When I look into my 2014 crystal ball I don't see traveling forecasted this year.  Instead we're planning to bring our oasis to us.

Our backyard has never been landscaped properly and we're long overdue for a deck remodel. We are even toying with the idea of putting in a swimming pool. Are we crazy at our age?  Yes, we're old! HA!

Regardless, In hopes of moving forward with our dream I spent the last year saving every pinterest outdoor photo that inspired me. Out of 300+ photos, below is the winner.

This photo will be our inspiration for "Villa Bleu" our backyard retreat.

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I hope to be able to provide you a journal through our process. 

We are currently interviewing design consultants for the deck ideas!

To see the other inspirational photos you can follow Villa Bleu on Pinterest

 

Thanks for stopping by!
Cynnie

 

Will YOU Please...

When I’m thirsty for a kitchen "up-do" will you please remind me.

All I have to do is paint the cabinets and walls a beautiful gray!

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 Thanks for stopping by!

Cynnie

Make "It" a Great Week!

Could it Be Like the Little Black Dress?

Everyone has to have one...

Did you know every person gravitates to one color hue or the other?  Wall color research indicates, either you always paint your walls light or you always paint them dark.  Which do like best?  Myself,  I've always really enjoyed dark.  Actually, the darker the better. 

The Colour me Happy's blog describes the color of black as: Sleek, sexy, chic, expensive, glamorous yet practical, power, sophisticated, formal, elegance, drama, wealth, mystery, and style.  In 2014, I'm going to have to paint at least one wall black!

I'm trying to decide if I should use "Off Black" by Farrow and Ball.

shown here

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Or 



"Tricorn Black" by Sherwin Williams

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I'm looking for a true black with a matt finish. 

I'll keep you posted as to the direction I take.

Thanks for stopping by ~

Cynthia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Favorite 2013 Memory

                                       We are so grateful to have Christoper in our family!