My Momma & Daddy!

My parents are amazing people & I only pray that someday we will be able to live closer to them. I really miss them & I hate only seeing them once or twice a year. Now onto my handsome daddy! Doesn't he look young?? I will not post his age because he may not appreciate that, but trust me, you will not guess how old he or my mom are.

My mom is so beautiful!! I like her eyes in this photo, they are so sparkly!

Cuddling is a fun way to keep warm when it is 30 degrees outside.

WOOO!!! So naughty!!                                   Later we went inside this great chocolate shop that was super cute!

More kissing & giggling!

So in love!! I wish I could bless the socks off of my parents, but I know that someday I will be able to do that.

I love you mom & dad! I cannot wait to see you in April!! Hugs & kisses!

Danielle (a.k.a "Little Vel")

The joys of thrifting!!!

Today, my fabulous husband & I went out & about to go thrifting! I really appreciate that Brian did this with me, because what man enjoys thrifting?? He was a trooper & even found some awesome deals of his own!

I have been reading this awesome blog called, A Cottage Industry, & Tracey is a wealth of ideas & ways to get great deals. I randomly found this mirror on craigslist & it was hard to tell how big it was & what it really looked like from the poor picture on the advertisement. I decided to go check it out today, & I am glad I did! It is an antique, (From what time period, I do not know.) solid cherry wood, & it is HUGE!! It is 38"wide x 50"tall! The coolest thing is that it is hand carved & the mirror is beveled, which adds to the value. I did my homework to see what a fair price was for a mirror of this size, & OH MA GAW!!! They are ridiculously expensive! I am talking MUCHO dinero!!! $$$$$

Check out this black mirror from Anthropologie; it costs $700! My mirror cost $100 & it is the same size, & far more intricate.

Here are some detail shots of the mirror for you to see how beautiful it is.  

I am going to paint it a stark white to add drama, & when it is done, it will be a stunning show stopper! Here is my inspiration for the paint job. Don't you love it!?? It is SO chic!

I also went to the Salvation Army & was surprised at the selection & quality of their stuff! They had some great things, so I will be back for sure! I spent $18 total & got several pieces.
I got these solid silver trays & they are heavy! I also have a plan for these gold frames. They had these ugly pictures inside, so I ripped those out & I will spray paint these white as well. I am redoing my half bath & these will be used in a unique way with another ornate mirror in white. It will be very french & pretty! I got a vase as well, which will be a great rose vase, since I do not have that many.

I wanted to make some romantic photos for my bath to frame, so I went out & snapped some roses I bought. I do not love these & I may not use them, but they will work.

It was a fun & beautiful day filled with yard work, thrifting, & a haircut for Mr. Brian!  I love days like this when I get a lot done; nothing like the satisfaction of an accomplished day!

Remember to enjoy the little things in life, they go by far too quickly!

Danielle

LONG time, no blog.....

I know, I know, where oh where have I been? Some would say I was never here per se, but I have been super busy with work, holiday travel, & family visits. Our lives have been crazy, but if I learned anything from this past year, I must take time for myself, my friends, & my family, or what is the point? My natural tendency is to be a workaholic, but this year I have made a resolution to take it easier & to really enjoy my life, instead of rushing through it.

During Christmas, I took some family portraits since we do not have any family photos & it was a beautiful winter setting to get some fun photos in. I LOVE the snow & since we do not get any here in Houston, I really wanted to do a winter theme with these. We built a snowman, had a super fun snowball fight, & over all froze our tushies off, but it was totally worth it!

Here is Mr. Snowman, our half bear half wookie combo.             Nothing like pushing the shutter & running into your spot to beat the timer!! At least I do not look too flushed.

This is the REAL us!!!! HAHA!!! Check out Gabe eating, yes eating, Katie's face! I have no idea...... Here is the snowball fight. Not an easy shot to get, but SUPER FUN!!!

The Barron sisters

R to L: Heather, Katie, Allie, & Me

Brian got a new iPhone for Christmas from his pappy, so he has been in 7th Heaven & taking tons of pics of, who else, me!

At the Jack in the Box drive through                       At Starbucks loving my skinny latte & I also have a new hair cut!

My new hair cut, which I am enjoying!                At a jazz club in downtown Houston

I never have any pics of myself, so please forgive me if I seem vain or whatever, but hey, I never get my picture taken, so I figure, why not! Besides, at least you now have a face to put with the blog & now you can get to know me a little better.  I am a strange duck, so be forewarned!!!

Much love to you all!

Danielle 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Once again it is that merry & beautiful time of year where we give gifts & remember that our Savior was born so we could be saved! I LOVE Christmas, it is my absolute favorite time of the year & I always get excited to put up all of the decorations & buy gifts for everyone. This year is extra special for me, because this is the first year I have had my own home to decorate & I am beyond thankful for all of the blessing God has given me. I do not take it for granted because my family has had some really rough times where we were almost homeless & my dad lost his job a couple of times, so every blessing means so much to me. I really enjoyed decorating the house this year, so I want to share my home with you, my awesome xanga family!

Cali says hi! This is the view from our entryway into our living room & here is our tree. I love real trees, but if I can find a fake one that looks this good, I will be sold. The smell is unbeatable though!

I bought these ornaments in Kansas City & I just love them!

I made these wreaths & the kissing ball. The kissing ball is a Victorian tradition & that is where mistletoe originated from.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the Little House on the Prairie books & have always wanted to own them. For my birthday, my family bought me the entire series in hardcover!!! It is one of my most prized possessions & I love them.

Our dining room

I made the napkin holders & the candles as well

I love this bowl, it just makes me happy when the light shines on it in the morning!

And last but not least, the front of our home! I made this garland for $30 bucks & I love that it is real. I am not a fan of fake garland or of lights, so I usually opt for the real stuff if I can afford it.

I pray that you all have the best Christmas & that this new year is the best one yet! I love you all & thank you for taking the time to visit my page, it means so much to me!

Love to you all!

Danielle

Sadie, Sadie, married lady, that's HER!!!

Well, it is finished, my baby sister is finally a married lady! These past two weeks I was in Missouri for the wedding & Thanksgiving goodness. It was a stunning wedding that took a lot of work, but it was all worth while. I do not know how many of you who are pro photographers have ever balanced being the immediate family member & the pro photographer at the wedding, but it definitely made the day "interesting" to say the least. I think I got a couple of pics with me in them, but oh well. I am at peace knowing she is happy as the new Mrs. Holman!

Her dress                                                     The gorgeous chapel & the weather was STUNNING! About 55 degrees, sunny, & purely stunning! Jesus was smiling!

My beautiful mommy                                 My daddy looks GOOD!!!                           Allie ALWAYS looks good, so yeah....

The boys showing their excitement                     Mr. Goob                                                        Steve smiling, how nice

Seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony! I HIGHLY recommend this to all brides because it really took away the nervousness & stress from the whole day.

So in love!!!!!

The bridal party!                                                                             Having fun!!                                                                                  

The rings                                                                                       The boutonnieres

I made the bridal bouquet & the bridesmaid's bouquet. It was my first time at making real wedding bouquets, so I was happy with the results.

Her grand entrance!                                       Giving her away                                                 The chapel was beautiful!!!!!!

The kiss!!!!!!!!!                                                                                                                    A quick moment after the ceremony

Me & my sissies. L to R: Heather, (Baby Ezekiel) Katie, Allie, & me!                     My awesome family. L to R: Me, Allie, my daddy, Katie, my mommy, & Heather (And baby Ezekiel)

And a there is one picture of me! I think Brian snagged this while I was getting ready, so way to go Brian!

I will post more later, but I am pooped. I decorated the house for Christmas today, so I will take photos in the morning & post those as well. Love to you all!

Danielle :)