~Texas part 1~{the vintage round top}

Back in February I got my issue of Country Living in the mail, and was floored by a article on 

The Vintage Round Top in Texas.

I never thought in a million years that 8 months later I would not only be seeing this beautiful place in person, but sitting in it having lunch with it's owners!

My friend Becki from Curious Details made it all possible and my blog friend and idol Holly, also joined us.

My partner in crime Tanya is on the left.

You know when you see something in a magazine and it's drop dead gorgeous?

Well, this was even better in person.

My photos do not do it justice.

Paige and Smoot are the cutest couple and so sweet.

The kind of people you feel right at home with.

If you are planning on going to the Round Top flea markets in the future, I would highly recommend staying at the Vintage Round Top.

It is books up fast so plan ahead!

I'll be back tomorrow with more of Texas!

xoxo

~lavender sugar cookies~

My good friend Monica and I recently got together at the

Woodinville Lavender 

farms for a little girl time. I had never been before and I cannot wait to share with you the photos! 

{all photos by Stefanie Knowlton Photography}

The lavender typically blooms June through August with it's peak in July,

 so this was a perfect time to go!

The smell is intoxicating.

I could have spent all day and night there.

Rows upon rows of beautiful lavender.

All in varying shades of purple.

Bunches of lavender drying….

So after Monica and I got together we thought it would be fun to show you a couple different options that you can do with lavender in your own home. 

You will have to hop on over to her blog to see what she has going on, but here today I am going to share with you how to make delicious lavender sugar cookies.

You will need culinary lavender for this recipe.

Lavender Sugar Cookies

 Ingredients

• 1 cup + 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 sticks room temp butter 
• 1 egg
• ¼ tsp of vanilla
• 1 ¾ cup flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 3 T Dried culinary lavender 

Directions:

In a mixer blend together 1 cup sugar and room temp butter until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Sift and stir in the flour and baking powder, then the lavender. Roll dough into a log, cover, and chill for at least one hour to overnight.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the log of dough into 1/4" pieces and place cookies about 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.Bake 10 minutes in preheated oven. Watch for just a slight browning around edges and remove.  Cool completely.

I hope you try these, they are incredible!

Don't forget to hop over to Monica's blog to see what she has going on!

xoxo

~Starbucks evenings & a giveaway~

I mentioned last week that I would be having a fun girls night at Starbucks.

I was surprised to see that many of you didn't know that Starbucks was open evenings for wine and small plates at  some of their locations.

Well lucky me, because there is one right downtown, about 15 minutes from my house!

Last Thursday night I met my friends there for 3 hours of fun.

Starbucks really made me feel special, I mean, c'mon, look at this sign!

My friend took my picture with it about 20 times, and this is the photo I chose to share~one without my face :)

The even had fresh flower bouquets that they let me take home.

We had so much fun and had some of the BEST food and wine ever!

My favorite was the bacon wrapped dates:

The Starbucks team was so incredibly sweet.

They even served espresso for my friends who weren't drinking that evening.

Here is Holly, the store manager, filling us in on Starbucks Evenings.

And here are some shots of my friends doing what we do best~eating, drinking,

 and gossiping talking.

It was so nice to get out of the house, away from dirty dishes and laundry and just sit back and relax with some of my favorite people. 

I need to remember to do this more often.

What are your favorite daily escapes? 

What is something you do just for you, whether it be everyday, or once a month.

Leave me your answer in the comment section and you will be entered to win a $50 Starbucks card so you too can enjoy a little girl time!

I will pick a winner and announce back here on Friday!

xoxo

~while I was away & Round Top~

While I was away I did not get on the internet to browse blogs or look at Pinterest.

I posted pictures on Instagram and that was it.

So, now that I am home I have spent a few minutes hours catching up on some of my favorite blogs.

Here are a few things that caught my eye, so I thought I'd share them with you.

My friend Emily created the sweetest birthday party for her daughter.

It's what she did to her chandelier that had me in awe!

I ALWAYS enjoy Liz Marie's Favorite things Friday, and this last Friday did not disappoint.

Edie posted a full house tour here.

I am proud to say I made those signs and they look so great on her porch!

This before and after is amazing!

And this house tour, part 1, has me begging for part 2!

{hint hint Kasey!}

In other news, I am already planning my next trip!

I will be going to the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas in October.

If anyone has any tips for me, or if anyone is going and would like to meet up, please email me!

xoxo