Leta Austin Foster

"Never do the same job twice"

What a remarkable design philosophy by Leta Austin Foster.  You know this blog is all about featuring great design and great designers and Leta Austin Foster is what I would consider a great designer.  The talent and experience behind the firm is remarkable and the work is even more inspiring.  Each room is so carefully crafted and each piece so carefully selected that it looks like they were always made for each other. What I love about her work is that she fans the spectrum of styles and locations and yet achieves a timeless and classic look to each client's space.  

That is design talent folks! 

I couldn't be more excited to share her work today with you.  One of my favorites, rich in traditional design and layers of pattern, textiles and antiques this is absolutely stunning.  

Be sure to visit her website for more great images.

Christmas Gift

source

"Christmas Gift" my Grandad would say or whoever said it first on Christmas Eve.  Sounds silly but it was a game my family has played on Christmas Eve ever since I can remember.  I think it must have come from my grandparents because I can remember him yelling it loudly to me as soon as I saw him.  Whoever said it first was owed a gift by the other person on Christmas day.  Now that I'm older I remember it and we all try hard to get it out of our mouths fast enough to beat the other person.  I know it's strange but it's fun and always gets a laugh or a sigh if you lose out.  We never get a person a gift because we already have them one for Christmas!

Gifts are always fun to unwrap and the anticipation and joy of receiving a gift and seeing what it is, is what Christmas is all about right?!?!  You don't have to feel guilty to say yes.  I think it is.  There are so many gifts out there to unwrap, sitting under the tree Christmas Eve with the lights from the tree dancing across the packages and the gifts shinning in delight to be taken.  We are all children at heart and know how special it is to receive a gift.  Gifts come in different shapes and packages and some are useful and some not so much.  So I wanted to ask you this Christmas Eve what gift you most anticipate to unwrap tomorrow?  Is it jewelry or clothes, a kitchen gadget, tool or great book?  Is it something you will use tomorrow or put on a shelf that will soon be forgotten about?  We all hope and expect gifts to satisfy and meet our needs but if we are truly honest with ourselves we would have to say that no gift has really met our full needs or satisfied us for more than a few minutes, hours or months.  Can you even remember the gifts you received last year and where are they now?

Well, what if I told you the perfect gift really does exist and is waiting to be unwrapped?  What if I told you there were closets and storage rooms of gifts waiting to be found and unwrapped?  You see, this Christmas the perfect gift is right in front of you but it must be seen, anticipated, unwrapped and taken to be used and enjoyed.  Because over two thousand years ago this gift came in a form least expected in a stable for animals in the least of all places by the least of all people for us in the form of a baby.  Jesus is his name.  Before you stop reading, and I know many will want to but just take a few seconds to allow this thought to sink into your mind.  We are all looking for that gift that will satisfy but nothing EVER does.  Think about it, we have closets of gifts all over our homes and we still look around thinking we need more or need another one.

We live in a world that does not stay new and clean and perfect but a world of struggle, brokenness, and constant failure.  Try all you want but nothing on this earth stays in perfect condition.  There is only one thing that does and that is found in God that came in the form of a human man to save us from this pile of trouble and messiness.  The world offers its closets of goods, it's dazzling images of technology that change the minute we receive them, those new shoes that wear out, that kitchen coffee maker that breaks.  They all attract us and entice us but disappoint in the end or should I say they bite us in the end.

BUT, there is a closet, a home full of gifts that do not disappoint, gifts that keep on giving and satisfy, bringing joy and satisfaction.  They don't break or rust or fall apart.  The Great Gift-Giver never runs out of money or time or love but is waiting, just waiting for us to sit under His version of the Christmas tree (His Son on the cross) and take what He died to give us.  He loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13) and this very night He gave His best gift of all.  Will you take it and unwrap it?  Even if you are curious or even meet this thought with apprehension and disdain will you not just look at it and look into it?  You see, the more you look at the baby the more you see the man and the more you see the man the more you see God.

So as you are enjoying the gifts and the food and the family just remember to take the gift the Father has put under the tree for you.  And if you have already unwrapped that gift years ago, remember that that gift is to be opened daily because in it is a never ending well of joy for the taking.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love,

Trisha

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge!  How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

For who can know the Lord's thoughts?  

Who knows enough to give him advice?

And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.

All glory to him forever!  Amen.

Romans 12:33-36

But there is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many.  But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:15-16

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Romans 5:11

New Living Translation

HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS VIDEO…

Christmas Wish List

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I had so much fun sharing my Birthday wish list with you that I thought I would put together a Christmas wish list.  

1.  I've always wanted the classic Burberry quilted coat.  It will never go out of style and in the Texas winter it's very practical.  

2.  Pearls are my favorite maybe even over diamonds and I love this cluster pearl necklace.  

3.  Ina Garten cookbook - I don't even have one of her books and spent an entire year watching almost every episode when I was pregnant with my first.  My good friend Amy is the best cook and she says you can't go wrong with Ina's recipes - she is right!

4.  This J.Crew polka dot shirt would look so great with the booties I have on my list and kelly green skinny jeans.  

5.  LLBean totes for carrying everything (monogrammed of course).  

6.  Read number four.  

7.  These monogram earrings are so cute and come in different colors.  

8.  Red transferware to mix with my wedding china and tartan for my Christmas table.  

Christmas Cards

Gotta love Christmas cards, right?!?!  It'a always a big deal to me to have just the right card.  It's like anything I do, I have something in mind and try to find it, no one makes it so I have to have it custom made.  This year I was so excited to have my good friend, former TCU classmate and fabulous Interior Designer create my Christmas cards.  Sarah Branum is her name and she not only has 3 beautiful children and runs an Interior Design business but she also owns the adorable etsy shop Plaid and Bows.  After a friend from Bible Study Fellowship took our pictures for us (thank you Lindsey Fusch), I thought of Sarah and asked her if she would help me out.  Sarah is amazing because she was 40 weeks and 3 days overdue with her 3rd child when I asked her and she said YES!  I couldn't be more happy with the cards.

So, if you're needing stationary, birth announcements, christmas cards, invites, coasters, iPhone covers, nursery art, and more then check out Plaid and Bows HERE.

Thanks Sarah!!!

Southampton in Houston

1822 Wroxton

Houston, TX

$895,000

3 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths

1,968 Sq. Ft.

Listed by Cathy Blum with Greenwood King Properties

I guess I just can't get enough of Houston real estate!  I love the interiors of this home for sale.  

By the way, I always have a link to the real estate site when you click on the listing agent's name.  

Back to this house that I would love to move in to…

I think if the kitchen is great it can sell a home.  We have been house hunting and I know if the kitchen either has potential to be great or has been renovated and I mean renovated with good design thought, materials and quality appliances then I am more prone to think seriously about the home as an option.  I also think the powder bath is adorable.  It's a great use of small space with the skirted sink.  

Isn't the nursery beautiful - I just love the linen club chair and would love to see the rest of this room.  Floors, natural light, window treatments, sisal rugs, and neutral furnishings and walls make this new listing an easy sell in my opinion.

Happy looking!

Avalon Place in Houston

2503 Avalon Place

Houston, TX

$1,695,000

5 Bedroom 5.5 Baths

5,171 sq. ft.

Listed by John Daugherty

I don't know about you but here in the Big D we are hibernating in our homes while sleet falls from the sky and ice covers the trees.  Our neighbors house has lost 30% of his beautiful tree with the ice breaking the limbs off.  So, if you're like me and are staying warm inside I thought you might enjoy this cozy traditional in Houston as a feast for the eyes.  I love this house - it's so family friendly and the homeowner has truly made this a home to enjoy.  It's very picturesque.  Don't you love the quaint french country references and the carpet in the family room is beautiful.  I also really like the computer room and the bedrooms are very well done.  Wish I could move in!  

~Hope you enjoy and stay warm~