There are so many great designers out there, and I am constantly inspired by the pretty photos I see in glossy mags, design blogs, and curated collections. However, I am a complicated mix of indecisive, eclectic, and design control freak, so....progress is slow, to but it nicely. Not that it's anywhere in our budget, but if I were ever going to hire a designer to makeover our place, there are only a handful that I would feel totally confident in letting them just do their thing. Vanessa de Vargas from Turquoise LA is one of those people. I love how she mixes high and low, glam and vintage, color and pattern.

After slipping into a bikini this past weekend for Memorial Day, I thought to myself "Hrmmm, I think it's time for another skinny trick post on the ol' blog." So I did a little bit of digging and found a healthy spin on one of my fave fat kid foods: NUT BUTTERS. On a side note, does anyone else loathe the word nut butter? It sounds so gross....perhaps I ought to get my mind out of the gutter? Anyways, this dip concoction is delicious, creamy, chock full of hunger-busting protein, and works great with both almond and peanut butter. BAM! I shall say no more....on to the recipe!

CREAMY NUT BUTTER DIP
Mix 4 oz of nonfat Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla...I use plain), 2 Tbsp nut butter, 1/2 Tbsp. honey, and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon. Serve with fruit.

Recipe courtesy of FitSugar

Hope y'all had a great Memorial Day weekend! John and I were going to go on an epic road trip, but then I was a total curmudgeon and decided I'd rather do day trips instead.

We ventured to San Antonio to check out the Alamo and the River Walk, which was both completely claustrophobic and fun at the same time. It seems like a lot of people had the same idea as us, because the Alamo and River Walk were jam packed. We walked around the Alamo for a while, singing the Davy Crockett theme song and thinking how appropriate it was to visit there on Memorial Day.  We cruised on over to the river afterwards, fighting the urge to judo chop the ultra slow walkers taking up the entire sidewalk in front of us at every turn. Eventually, we found our way to a cute little restaurant that I forgot the name of and ate some fresh guacamole, grilled mushrooms, and coconut shrimp. After we had our fill of food and the sights San Antonio had to offer, we headed back to Austin, making a pit stop at the San Marcos outlets. We beelined it to J.Crew, where we scooped up some great deals on some shirts for John and a giant floppy hat and watercolor skirt for myself.

On Memorial Day, John and I (in my layered eyewear, no less...I really need RX sunnies) drove out to my parent's house to meet them and my sister's fam. My little bro is moving to Houston, so it was a bit of a moving party meets Memorial Day party. We ate, swam, laughed, watched Hatfields & McCoys....and I didn't document a single second of it. D'oh!

What did y'all do over this fun 3 day weekend?

In the summer, nothing gets me more 'sclame' (a lovely mash-up of self conscious and lame that was coined by my pal Kristin) than bodies of water. Specifically ones that require teeny bikinis. I have a hunch that I am not alone in this, so I figured I would share some tips I've learned along the way for looking and feeling your best while wearing the least amount of fabric possible.

FOR GALS WITH BIG KNOCKERS:
You know that song "Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini"? Well, eliminate that from your vocabulary and wardrobe, girl...you need to support the twins. Look for underwire tops that will provide some lift, and make sure the straps provide ample support and won't dig into shoulders. If you've got a vendetta against underwire tops, a thicker halter-style will do the trick.  Keep an eye out for styles with a thicker band underneath to avoid any underboob spillage outage.
TRY:
Juicy Couture Intersection Mitered Underwire Bikini Top & Bottom
FOR LADIES WITH LOVE HANDLES:
So you've got a little pooch going on...so do most people! High-waisted styles have a fresh, retro-vibe and help pull your belly in. Look for color-blocked paneling on the sides of one pieces- it instantly gives the illusion of whittling inches off your waist. Just like for everyday wear, belts are a great way to define your waist and add a sexy Bond girl-type look to your poolside style.
TRY: 
Marysia Swim Sardinia Reversible Maillot

FOR BABES WITH BIG BUMS:
Welcome to my world, ladies. I've got a total case of blogger butt - too much sitting in a chair makes for a copious derriere. Focus on bikinis that are solid on the bottom and brightly patterned or textured on top - it helps draw the eye up and away from your bum. Don't try to cover up those hips with diaper-size bottoms - lower cut styles with fuller coverage in the back can provide a modern fit (and no, I am not talking boy shorts....they are NOT FLATTERING AT ALL). Also, string bottoms aren't going to do us any favors. Instead, thicker bands on the sides of bottoms or big rings help keep things looking proportional.
TRY:
Tory Burch Ruffle Stripe Underwire Bikini Top and Skirted Bottom 
Juicy Couture Boyshort Bikini Top & Fuller Coverage Bottom
Beach Sexy® Sara Halter Top & Forever Sexy™ Mid-scoop Bottom

FOR SKINNY MINNIES WANTING CURVES:
Some times you got to fake it 'til you make it - no gross surgeries required. Look for embellishments to amp up the volume - ruffles and fringe are your friends. String triangle tops are also great, since they play up even the tiniest of lady lumps. You can always opt for a little padding up top, and a sassy cheeky cut bottom to show of your....ahem....assets.
TRY:
L*Space Audrey Halter Bikini Top and Bottom 
Prefer to break a sweat on the beach? I don't blame you. You've worked hard for those toned arms and ripped abs...and well, I am royally jealous. The key is looking for things that won't shift too much while you're doing squats in the sand or spiking that volleyball. Last time I checked, wedgies and nip slips aren't that great of a look for anyone...even those that look like supermodels.
TRY:
Mara Hoffman Print Underwire Bikini Set 
Don't be afraid to flaunt what you got! Embrace those curves, and channel the shapely styles of days gone by when you are sunning yourself. Think pin-up girl gone modern. Ruching helps camouflage any less-than-smooth areas, and patterns are great to give the suit some vintage flavor. Whatever your shape, just make sure you are properly supported - thin little straps or side-tie bikinis will likely dig in and be uncomfy. 
TRY:

FOR WOMEN CARRYING A +1:
Congrats on your pregnancy! You've got an enviable glow, and a burgeoning bump to work with. Just because your waistline is a little - ok, a lot - bigger than normal doesn't mean you are relegated to a muumuu. To be honest, I have zero experience working it in a maternity suit since John and I are sans kiddos...but one day, cute vintage styles and easy tankinis are probably what I'll be looking to sport.
TRY: 
ASOS Maternity Swimwear Tankini In Spot Print
Belabumbum - Maternity Ruched Tankini Set
Old Navy Maternity Halter Bandeau Tankini & Bottom
 
My parting words? When you start focusing on the things you don't like about your body, focus on the positive...find 3 things that you LIKE for every one thing you DON'T. Good luck, don't get frustrated, and remember - you are 100% hot no matter what body shape you have.

Every time I go grocery shopping, I wander up and down the aisles and am inevitably drawn to the colorful nail polish racks. Whenever I go to Sephora, I practically beeline it towards the little bottles and start "testing" away (aka giving myself an in-store manicure). I totally got over that awkward "Can I help you?" moment a while ago...."Nope, just giving myself a free manicure!!! Thanks though!!" Nail polish is such a fun way to play with color, and are also relatively cheap to change up if you go the DIY route. I've been sporting accent nails in pastel hues, neon brights, bright blues with silver tips...you name it, I'll lacquer and layer it on!  Above are some nail art trends I am loving for summer! Any hues/trends you are loving in partic?

So, I'm going to let you in on a little inside joke that John and I (and pretty much everyone who was at our wedding) tease each other with.

I have the propensity to go veeeeeeery long without having so much as a sip of water. It's weird and not that good for me, but I just don't get thirsty. Ever. Within the first month of dating, John started noticing this and began calling me "dromedary" or "camel woman."  Andrew, John's big bro and best man at our wedding, really got us laughing during his speech when he brought up that John had been telling his fam I was a total camel when they asked about this mysterious new girlfriend he had met in Florence, Italy. It's an odd term of endearment, but a term of endearment nonetheless from a guy that I was totally gaga for.

I had a couple nicknames for him, but it wasn't until I watched a show about wild moose that were ravaging Alaskan towns that it dawned on me - John was TOTALLY a moose. How could I not have seen it before?? The ultra long skinny legs, the giant stature, the enormous melon-sized head (the better to hold all those genius ideas). Yep. I don't know what sparked it, but last night I started thinking about our nicknames, got a visual in my head, and could not stop giggling. It became all too apparent....we were one goofy match made in heaven, and I had to put it on paper that instant. I started fiddling around in Photoshop and voila- easy peasy custom art that perfectly captures John and I in a whole new light.

Do you read Greetings From Texas? Yes?? Me too...HIGH FIVE! If not, you should..and no, you don't have to live in the most gigantic state ever - like we do- to join in on the fun. There are only a handful of blogs out there that get me laughing out loud, and this is one of them. Plus, Meg's blog has some REAL substance to it...it's not one of those blogs filled with sartorial fluff, which is a breath of fresh air. It's smart, sassy, witty, and just plain awesome. So, I was super flattered and honored when my virtual turned real-life friend (lucky me!) Megan asked to feature TMT as a "Meg's Must Read." So, if you want to know where I like to fill my belly, empty my wallet, and who I like to shake my tail feathers for, head on over to Greetings From Texas. Thanks again for having me, lady!!! Have a blast in Hawaii. :)

PS I've been helping Meg out on a super exciting project that is almost near the launch date....can't wait to share more deets with y'all as it gets closer to completion!!

Image Sources 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

It's spring, and everything is coming up pink, green, and yellow. While I certainly love me some bright colors, it might be those ominous-looking rain clouds that have been terrorizing Austin lately that inspired this post. I went on a pinning spree for black accent walls a while ago, and I absolutely love the contrast...it really make the whites and colors pop in a room. You've probably heard the design advice again and again that dark walls make a room feel smaller, but in a lot of these, don't you feel like the black just fades into the background and the space goes on for eternity???  Just from looking at all the photos, I've gathered a few do's and don'ts for painting a wall (or entire room!) black.

1. Must get a decent amount of light! You don't want to feel like you are living in a cave...make sure there is a big window nearby to off-set the dark hue.
2. Skip the shine.  Matte is where it's at when painting black. That's because the natural lumps and bumps that can be in walls stand out more with glossy finishes. Keep the shiny paint for furniture and accessories - the brighter and shinier the better with these, because you'll get maximum contrast. 
3. Contrast is cool. Notice the ceilings and the majority of the other walls are kept light? Keeping the rest of the walls pale helps the accent wall stand out from the rest, while keeping a light and airy feeling in the overall space. Painting the ceiling dark can make the room feel smaller, which no one really wants to do.

I absolutely adore Amy Sia's work. I look at it every single day (this piece is my desktop photo right now!), and it just makes me happy. Perhaps color therapy - or chromotherapy, if you want to get all fancy shmancy - isn't a bunch of malarkey after all. We have this big, huge, gaping empty space above our sofa, and I really want to put something of hers there. John says it's wayyyy to girly though....what say you, TMTers?

Wouldn't some of these prints make the coolest wallpaper or dress??? Turns out it might actually be doable, considering Amy is a London-based textile designer. Bring it on, Amy!!
Amy is one clever lady, because it turns out she is offering a gorgeous and affordable line of 100% silk scarves that are printed with her designs. Check them out at Amy's website!

When it comes to decorating our apartment, I am totally OCD about hoarding as many inspiration photos as I possibly can. Have you seen my Pinterest? Yep...every room has got its own board full of ideas that simultaneously clash and coordinate. I'm a fickle lady when it comes to design, and I think that obsessive hunting-and-gathering of inspiration stems from this bizarre notion of wanting to see EVERYTHING. Why? So when I finally do decide on some minute detail or big purchase, I'll love it for FOREVER. This method usually means I decorate at a snail's pace, but admittance usually is the first step to cure the problem, yes?? There are moments when I want to toss everything out the window and start from scratch, to create a room that feels like "me." There are two problems with that though. "Me" is actually a "we" with two different styles, and "we" do not have too much of a budget to redecorate. While we have triumphantly checked some things off on the list, our apartment still gives me the occasional case of the blahs. Enter Caitlin Wilson Textiles. Her patterns and colors are bold, edgy, fresh, and clean...just what our place needs. Are you seeing how gorgeous these textiles are?? My eyes practically did a happy dance upon seeing them. My couch is begging for them. My bed is cheering for them. To put it bluntly, I WANT THEM ALL!

There's just something about mint green that is so universally flattering, current, and perfect for summer. I almost feel cooler just looking at it. Speaking of cooler (this time of the icebox variety), I think John and I might pack up a little picnic lunch and head over to Zilker be total bums and lay around the house. No set plans really....just seeing where the day takes us! What do y'all have planned for the weekend?

I am somewhat of a minimalist - clutter gives me the heebie jeebies, unorganized table tops annoy me, and jam-packed closets overwhelm me. Ironically, that's the very thing I want to do every time I visit J.Crew. Stockpile and hoard. I swear, I can't even look at these outfits without getting heart palpitations. LOVE.

I think we should elect Jenna Lyons as President of the United States. She could sure as hell come up with a way to get this country out of debt....I mean, I'm basically asking her to take my paycheck each month already.

Y'all, I have to tell you, Florida was AWESOME. It is always such a treat to visit the in-laws, and John and my cheeks always come back hurting from all the laughter. It rained most of the time we were there, but it didn't stop us from swimming in the pool, visiting our little owl friends, and exploring Naples.

Contrary to what you might think from these photos, this was actually a trip jam-packed with some high-quality time with the in-laws and grandparents!  I refrained from posting photos of them because I'm pretty sure that generation believes that the second photos featuring their lovely mugs hit this hugely popular blog of mine (bahahahaaha....that was a funny joke), they will instantaneously have their home robbed, social security number stolen, gas siphoned from their car, and a virus infect their computer.  Now I don't want to cause them any undue paranoia (but I did just have to slip one photo in of Nana because she is so cute). So, instead, feel free to oogle what we ate, the plam trees we saw, and stare at photos of my toes on a boat.