What were they thinking!!?? - Above the Kitchen Cabinets

Okay, so we are all familiar with that small weird space above the kitchen cabinets that so many people feel the need to over accessorize. I have been victim to the urge of fake ivy and wine bottles, I'll admit it. Don't be ashamed, make a change!

I have chosen a few examples for your viewing pleasure of what

not to do. If you see a picture that reminds you of your kitchen, you might have a problem. Pull out the ladder (or a sturdy bar stool), put on your dust mask and get those silk plants out of there! Just like sushi, fresh is always better!

This picture reminds me of my Grandma's curio cabinet filled with dolls wearing those basket hats with ugly flowers in them. Is that what you want people to think of your kitchen?

Wine should only be collecting dust in a wine cellar, not atop your cabinets. If you're not drinking it, put it away!

Don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to eat any cookies out of those cookie jars! Notice the ivy engulfing the collection of characters. They can't be happy about that!

The Right Way to Do It!

Just a couple of items in a contrasting color will really bring interest to the space. I would cook in this kitchen!

This is a great example of how to display your collection. It is in one confined space, not all over the kitchen and its monochromatic color scheme is easy on the eyes and looks really elegant.

One great accessory to use in the kitchen are plates. Not too many and pick plates that are in the same color family.

If you can't get it right, it's best to just leave the space empty. Stay away from silk plants. Notice the fresh accessories in the right kitchens. If fresh flowers are too expensive for you, visit your local grocer! Artichokes, green apples and bell peppers can make a great (and tasty) kitchen accessory.

~Jessica

Little Bits About Jessica

So, I thought I would do a little something different. Here's a picture into my life! Enjoy!

Hand Squeezed - Update an Antique Chair

Most everyone has an old chair that they have loved a long time or inherited. These chairs you just can't part with. I have one myself. However, it doesn't have tolook like it did when you inherited it. The best way to give new life to your living or bedroom is to re-upholster an old chair and to add an even more current or modern touch, paint it! Here's some great ideas! ~Brandy

What were they thinking? Animal Print Overload

There are some people out there who have a true obsession with animal print. It's everywhere, pillows, wallcovering, drapes, upholstery, bedding, ceilings, sinks, etc! When is enough...enough? Animal prints can be loud, bold, and overwhelming. Here are a few examples of too much animal print, and our critiques:

Animal print has no place on the exterior of a home or on the body. Even in the safari or jungle. Sorry.

Please do not attempt this at home. I don't even

know what to say about this. Notice how it starts to creep down onto the walls off of the ceiling, what were they thinking?!?

In attempts to spice up the love life in the bedroom, some people feel the need to add extreme amounts of animal print, thinking it makes the bedroom feel sexy, exotic, and romantic. NOT! If I were in the bedroom, I would constantly feel like I was being watched.... wonder why?!?

Attention Parents: Please do not do this to your kids. They will NOT thank you for this in a few years. Please notice that there is not only a total overload of leopard and zebra print but also the color purple.

Please count how many items there are in this room that are leopard. 1. Bedding 2. Hamper

3. Drapery 4. Lamp Shade 5. Wall Hangings

6. Giraffes, not 1 but 2. Please limit the amount of animal print to maximum of 2 items per room.

Now, Lets get to the good stuff...

These images I am about to show you are very well designed

with minimal amounts of animal print. Just enough to add that flair of design that is desired.

These room are classic and chic with a flair of femininity. I love the colors that were chosen for both of these designs. The zebra rugs add that extra element of interest to the rooms.

I love everything about this room! The clean lines of the furniture and the neutral color palette really speaks to my soul. The simple accent of zebra on the small bench is very sophisticated and classic. The chandelier gives the room that extra element of oomph that really tops the room off.

This room is simply fabulous. Enough said. ~Hannah & Cassie

Fresh Squeezed - Ashley Darryl Designs

Ashley Darryl Designs just launched her website. Her jewelry is so creative and glamorous! I want some! Check out the About page, were it shows her jewelry on Naomi Campbell’s Runway Show “Fashion for Relief Haiti”. Check out her website http://www.ashleydarryldesigns.com/index.html

Enjoy Dreaming! ~Brandy

Get to know Hannah...

Hi, My name is Hannah McIntire, soon to be Hannah Taff in 123 days, 1 hour, 51 minutes, and 3 seconds. Yes, I am getting married on September 18, 2010. You can't tell I'm excited or anything can you?

More importantly, I am going to tell you a little more about myself. I was born and raised in Tyler, Texas where I currently live and will reside for the next several years. I have wonderful parents and future fil (father-in-law) that live in Tyler as well. I am the baby in my family, my poor dad has had to put up with 4 girls for the last 22 years. Not to mention both of our family pets are females. I have 2 older sisters who I look up to and admire. They both live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Once I graduated from high school, I traveled to west Texas, where I attended Texas Tech University for 4 years, graduating in 2009. I graduated with a Bachelor of Interior Design and currently work as an Interior Designer at Studio B Designs. I LOVE my job and the great women I get the pleasure of working with. In my spare time (which is very limited between planning a wedding, working, and buying a house) I enjoy spending time at the lake with my family and friends, quilting, and since I bought a house, gardening.

Interesting Facts:

- I have Celiac Sprue Disease. Sounds serious doesn't it? Well... it's not. It really just means that I am allergic to gluten, which is in wheat, oats, barley, etc...

- I have become the mother (through my soon to be marriage) of a sweet, smart, precious black lab named Caly. She loves to hunt ducks with her daddy and play fetch at the park with her "tongue" toy.

- I have never seen the movies "Mary Poppins", "Sound of Music", or "Wizard of Oz".

- I am a Christian and have a loving, personal relationship with my Jesus Christ.

-My fiance and I just bought our first house. He is currently living there and I will move in once we are married.

- I LOVE the lake! I enjoy wake boarding, skiing, and laying out on our boat.

- I have never had a cast. I did break my jaw when I was 2 though. That would look kinda funny if they put a cast on the mouth of a 2 year old.

- I absolutely love sweets. I am currently hooked on York Peppermint Patties. Oh, and nothing can beat a reeses blizzard from DQ.

-I sewed my first quilt my senior year in college. I was the cool girl who staying in her apartment on Friday nights to sew...Haha

-My fiance and I teach 9th grade Sunday School at our church.

- Oh, and I HATE to read.

All About Cassie

Some random and fun facts to get to know me better!

General:

My full name is Cassie Lynne Watson. I am 24, 5'6" tall with dark brown hair and brown/green eyes. I was born and raised in Odessa, TX then moved to Clear Lake, TX where I went to high school. I went to Abilene Christian University where I got my interior design degree, and if I had the choice I would have stayed for another 4 yrs! My mom is a 6th grade social studies teacher and my Dad is an engineer for Valero. I have one younger sister who is 21 and a senior at ACU, who is about to go to Brazil for the summer for world wide witness! I have a 1 yr old Australian Shepherd named Kiah (it means "beautiful place" in Australian). I love spending time with my family when I can and spoiling my dog all the time!

Interesting Facts:

- I didn't always know I wanted to be an interior designer, I was a psychology major for my first week of college, but then quickly changed to undecided for one semester before making the best decision to switch to interior design.

- My favorite color right now is yellow. It's bright and sunshiny and makes me feel happy.

- I love music, all music. I was born & raised on country and would argue there are no greater concerts than country concerts.

- I love watching the bachelor/ette and dancing with the stars with my girlfriends, such good entertainment!

- My favorite time of year would have to be summer, especially summer nights. I love how the weather just draws you to be outside.

- I love, love, love to travel. I studied abroad in Europe for a summer in college and have been to most states in the US. I love seeing and experiencing new places, especially the diversity of God's creation in different parts of the world, it's amazing and breathtaking!

- I love to shop (and dream about shopping) at Anthropologie. I love the jewelry and clothes at Francesca's, and love to antique shop or find bargain deals anywhere for really cool pieces to make new and reuse.

- My favorite movie would have to be Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, it's an amazing story and I love it. I also love watching older movies, anything with Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day.

- I love to be outdoors. I like to be on the lake and ski or wakeboard. I also go to Moab, Utah to drive dune buggies around Arches National Park.

- If I were a crayola crayon I would have to choose cerulean, such a beautiful crystal blue color like the beaches in Mexico.

- I love going to baseball and football games. I'm a big Astros fan.

- I am currently attempting to train for a half marathon!

- I'm addicted to Dr. Pepper.

- It's my personal opinion that there are not many things in this world that can beat a West Texas sunset!

Hand Squeezed - DIY Crepes A La Cassie

How they do it in Europe!

Ingredients:-4 eggs

- 1/4 tsp.

salt

- 2 1/4 cup milk

- 4 Tbsp butter (melted)

- 2 cups flour

- Nutella

- Sliced fruit

- Chocolate Syrup

- Powdered Sugar

Step by Step:

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl and mix (whisk) until all lumps are gone

2. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto warm medium sized skillet. Now the tricky part: very quickly lift pan off burner and move the pan in a circular motion, swirling the batter around the pan to cover almost the entire surface. When the batter is evenly spread, place the skillet back on the burner. Wait until

evenly cooked (should only take a few seconds) and flip the entire crepe over. After a few seconds, the other side should be cooked and can be removed for eating.

Toppings:

1. Lay crepe flat on plate and spread with Nutella (amazing chocolate hazelnutty goodness) across surface.

2. Place sliced fruit in middle of plate according to your desire

3. Fold opposite sides of crepe in on top of each other

and flip over so that the folds are underneath

4. Drizzle chocolate syrup across surface

5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar

6. Enjoy!

7. Have another!

Helpful Tips:

-Try, try & try again! It will take a few mess-ups before you get the perfect crepe, my last few always seem to be the best. It just takes some practice!

-Try not to let the pan get too hot in-between pours. You don't want the batter to cook too quickly before you have time to swirl it around the pan. After a few tries you will get a feel for the perfect temperature.

- The thinner the crepe the better!

- Experiment with toppings! (Ham & cheese is another fave of mine, especially when the crepe is still warm and the cheese melts right away, yummmm!)

What WERE They Thinking Thursday? - Gas Station Restrooms

I mean come on; it’s just ridiculous of how gross and disgusting they are! You know when you are on that trip to visit family, you have the best places to stop mapped

out, tried and true but then you have an emergency and you can’t wait till the designated stop. These stops are pre-selected because of the restrooms! You would think the gas stations would realize they could make more profit by having really nice and clean restrooms. We would hang out longer in a cleaner place just to be out of the car. Also, It’s just good etiquette to make a purchase when you use someone’s restroom, unless of course it was horrible then you feel like they should pay you. Plus many of you probably have an over efficient Husband like mine, who makes sure the stop includes multiple tasks to minimize the stop time to get us back in the race. So getting gas, snacks, dinner and restroom break usually happens at the same location. Some of the gas stations have finally wised up to this and have been partnering with Sub-way, Pizza Hut, etc. Still there are way too many gas stations with such pitiful restrooms. They should follow what gas stations like Buc-ee’s in Lake Jackson, Texas is doing. One stop family friendly shop!

http://www.bucees.com/index.html

Useless Information about us

Here's a little useless information about ourselves! Hope you enjoy!

1. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Jessica - Significantly more than feet to put them on

Cassie - Wish I had more..!

Hannah - A LOT!! Maybe ...40?

Brandy - About 50, I think?
2. Favorite color combination?
Jessica - Currently anything beachy, pale blues, greens and grays

Cassie - I love yellow right now...yellow and white mixed with other bright colors

Hannah - Eggplant, sage green and touches of chocolate brown and citrus orange

Brandy - Black & White or Cream & Brown
3. Single, engaged, married, kids?
Jessica - Married

Cassie - Single

Hannah - Happily Engaged!

Brandy - Married with 1 fabulous 10-year-old boy!
4. What do people tell you that you are good at?
Jessica - Decorating and Photography

Cassie - Making crepes, I learned in Europe and will make them for anyone anytime!

Hannah - Encouraging and Designing

Brandy - Everything but Singing! Absolutely the worst singer ever!
5. What song do you turn the volume way up when it comes on the radio?
Jessica - Come a Little Bit Closer-Jay and the Americans

Cassie - Right now American Honey by Lady Antebellum, with the windows rolled down

Hannah - I am terrible at knowing the names of singers and songs but I always have 89.5 on in my car

Brandy - Broken Bells “The High Road”
6. What celebrity to people say you look like?
Jessica - Well when my hair was blonde it was Alecia Silverstone but now that it's dark with the bangs I get Zooey Deschanel

Cassie - Jennifer Love Hewitt, people used to call me "Love" in Jr. High

Hannah - As an adult, people tell me I look like Reese Witherspoon. When I was younger people told me I looked like the Olsen twins.

Brandy - Renée Zellweger
7. Favorite childhood snack?
Jessica - Orange Flintstone Push-up pops

Cassie - Dunkaroos with the white icing and sprinkles, if I got those for lunch there was no trading!

Hannah - Bananas and Jello. You cut up the banana and dip it in the jello powder. So Yummy!! Still one of my favorite snacks.

Brandy - Ding Dongs
8. Favorite place to shop? (If money were no option)
Jessica - Anthropologie, it is all my dreams and whims wrapped up in one physical location

Cassie - If money were no option I would shop at a lot of places, but most likely a lot of Anthropologie....it has it all for home & clothing

Hannah - Anthropologie(clothes and home accessories)

Brandy - ABC Carpet & Home in New York

9. What's on your pizza?
Jessica - Mushrooms, green peppers, sausage and onions

Cassie - Hawaiian, Canadian bacon with pineapple

Hannah - I can't eat pizza. I am allergic to gluten

Brandy - Margherita
10. Favorite place to be on a Saturday?
Jessica - Having a late breakfast on the patio with my love

Cassie - Laying out by the pool

Hannah - Summer: on the lake with my fiance and dog, Caly. Winter: curled up on the couch watching a chick-flick with a cup of hot chocolate

Brandy - Shopping
11. If you were a dog, what breed would you be and why?
Jessica - I would be a poodle so that I could have someone else do my hair and nails all the time

Cassie - A golden retriever, I'm easy going & fun to be around

Hannah - I would be a yorkie-poo, so I would be so cute and tiny no one would be able to resist me. But I would be smart like a poodle and wouldn't shed. I would want my name to be "Rosie".

Brandy - Dogster.com says I’m a lab retriever; devoted, patient, intelligent and forgiving. I’ll stick with that!

If you’ve found your way to this blog, it’s probably because we have solicited you to follow us through our other online venues. However, we hope that you will come back frequently to see wherever our whims have taken us for the day. As you might know, we are an Interior Design firm in Tyler, Texas.

Many might think we aren’t your cutting edge, super cool and trendy designers because we live in the small East Texas town of Tyler. (Most might be thinking where the heck is Tyler?) We beg to differ. We are constantly pushing the envelope and make it our mission to bring creative and cutting edge design to this small town we call home.

We have three Interior Designers and one Marketing Genius!

Brandy Jones “The Boss”

Cassie Watson “The Socialite”

Hannah McIntire “The Cheerleader”

Jessica Helgesen “The Fashionista”

We will all be posting our thoughts, whims, ideas and criticisms. Feel free to comment or ask us questions. Some topics will include:

Splash Trends – trends that are really cool but won’t stick around long

Vitamin “B” Boosts – inspirational designs, photos and ideas

What were they thinking Thursdays - rants and criticisms of bad design and other things we just don’t like

Fresh Squeezed – new cool products

Hand Squeezed – Friday DIY ideas and aspirations for you to attempt over the weekend (outcomes are not guaranteed)

The Pulp – intellectual and controversial topics

LET THE JUICES FLOW!