I'm Back.... and totally ready for 2014!

I'm Back!

Was I the only one who noticed that there was one less week between Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2013?!?!? I hope not!  That missing week sent me in a fury to pick out gifts, organize travel, and wrap up any jobs before the Christmas holiday.  So.... I took a blogging break to focus on some priorities. And well, relax for a change.

But, it's already February of 2014.... time to get back to it!  I have this feeling that 2014 is going to be a fabulous year full of fun, challenges, new adventures, and lots of laughs!

Something new I've started this year is an Instagram account; it's a fun way to share photos of some of my recent work, random happenings, or great memories with family and friends. You can click here to check out my Instagram account Decrospective and also enjoy some of my favorite photos below.....

Bathroom detail of a recent remodel project. 

Evan and I at Casino night at Interceramic

Kitchen finished just in time for Christmas

My adorable niece and I!

Custom floor screen.... done!

Such a fun floral arrangement for a breakfast room

Midnight floral arrangements!

Muddy boots at a muddy jobsite 

Roomie Love!

Space planning - making sure everything is going to fit before we order :)

Master bathroom heaven!

2013 Highlight Reel!

As we start counting down the hours to the new year, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my favorite moments of 2013.  Thank you to everyone who made this year full of fun and laughs, happiness, bliss, and sunshine, challenges and accomplishments, and most of all, warmth and love!

Every picture brings the best smile to my face and a beautiful memory to my heart!  

One of my favorite pictures with one of my favorite people :)

My sister and her family on her birthday!

The Faja and the newest member of our family. 

My friend Susan and I stopping in the blue bonnets on our way home from Round Top.  

My nephew all giggles taking a bath.

Seeing the Book of Mormon.

Brother Travis running the Chicago Marathon.

Old friends coming to Houston!

Stephanie and I after a fabulous Houston wedding.

Man's paradise, finally complete. 

Cousins Joey and Katie goofing around with some selfies.  

Old teammates Lindsey and Cassie along with Coach Kelly.

Travis and I.

Pregger friends Susan and Danielle. 

Blue-eyed beauties Travis and niece. 

My favorite photographer, Brad, doing whatever he has to to get the perfect shot. 

Houston's Best Award Winner for whole house remodel!

Wild lilies in the U.P.

Nephew Brenner :)

Stachtastic!

Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Montana. 

Montana wedding magic with Evan's folks.

Catching and hanging on to an assistant :)

Finally.... all of the beautiful ladies of By Design together in one photo :)

One of my favorite dining room projects!

Beautiful town home project. 

Meghan's wedding with coaches Sean and Kelly. Wayno!

You never really grow up....

Capturing pure joy and a little bit of fear :)

Meeting Tomater :)

Learning the lay of  the land at Disney.

Spa-like master bathroom.

Celebrating my sister's baby #3!

Diaper Party! Greg, Rico, and Travis!

Brother Adam and nephew on the Disneyland train :)

Celebrating my birthday at Rainbow Lodge. 

Scrumptious salad from Rainbow Lodge.

Glacier National Park 

Here's to all the wonderful memories and wishing everyone a 

Happy New Year!

Don't drink the water!!!!

There's definitely something in the water.... if you're looking for a major life event, start drinking the water in Texas!  We recently celebrated a wonderful couple expecting their first baby.  If you want to know more about this awesome couple, check out their blog, The Dan Wam Fam!

Danielle and Dan are expecting their first child sometime in December and my sister wanted to host a cute little shower to get the baby mania going!  My sister, Adrienne, is a party planner extraordinaire!  Super detailed and even more organized, I just show up at her house and do what she tells me.  And Voila.... beautiful party!

Variety of delicious food including fruit cups, chicken salad sandwiches (I had three), and the best pasta salad I think I've ever had! (Adrienne, please blog the recipe!!)

My sister's a genius! Spray painting ball jars gold for vases.... beautiful!

These Macaroons from Ganache were amazing!!! Now I'm crazing meringue cookies.....

Danielle and her sorority sisters :) I love how corny this photo is!

Sisters-in-law unite!  So, Katie and Ari are not technically related... not by blood anyway. But everyone kept commenting on how much they look alike.  Apparently so much so, that when I posted some of these photos on Facebook, the computer kept trying to tell me that they were the same person!

Kelly and Joan

Danielle was so funny, she brought her sonogram photos to prove to everyone that she is actually pregnant! :)

Oscar's new friend!

Katie and Joan.... adorable photo!

Here are lots of present opening photos!  Danielle was so kind to go through and really appreciate all of the amazing things people gave her.... diapers, blankets, onesies, and some really personalized gifts that make every ooh and awe :)

So, while everyone around me is jumping on the baby-making bandwagon... I'm still holding out.  Here's my box of diapers to D where I Sharpied mustaches on all of the babies' faces....

Party time!  

Danielle's grandmother makes the most extraordinary quilts.... 

Katie W. made an awesome gift for the nursery, a large frame with photos of Dan when he was a little tyke and an open space in the middle for a picture of the new Dan :)  I'm pretty sure everyone had a few tears in their eyes!

I'll leave you with the LSU gear!

Can't wait to meet little Dan!!! :)  You both are going to make amazing, loving, and spirited parents!