Stumbled upon this artist the other day. I love her lounge singer/sultry sound. Cat Power meets J. Lo? You be the judge.

xo,

Ashlie

xo,

Ashlie

I must apologize…I have neglected my duties as a toutounation blogger far too long.

From Portland, Oregon, have a lovely day.

xx,

Ashlie

Summertime afternoons require a little mojito refreshment!

Happy Sunday Friends!

xoxo, Andrea

Live in Austin and want to throw and amazing cocktail party? Call the Goodetime Gals! These gals will help set your party decades away from the rest with retro bar-ware, innovative cocktails, and of course a heaping helping of southern hospitality!

Check out their Facebook or visit their blog for more scoop!

xoxo, Andrea

I could really go for some Barton Springs pool today….

xoxo, Andrea

Steps to creating an AMAZING Saturday/Sunday in Dallas.

SATURDAY:

Step 1: Wake up to sun streaming through open windows. Text good friends and schedule a 9AM coffee date at The Pearl Cup off Henderson.

Step 2: Borrow your friends awesome bike and head toward the Katy Trail – dodge all power walkers, hot joggers, quirky roller bladers, and pups.

Step 3: Make a pit stop at the Katy Trail Ice House and order margaritas. Sit at shaded picnic take with friend and chat/laugh/get your farmers tan on.

Step 4: Bike to Mockingbird Station and pick up comfy tees in EVERY COLOR from the Gap.

Step 5: Head home – take a hardcore shower.

Step 6: Hangout with long lost friend from Austin. Talk until 1AM.

Step 7: CRASH.

SUNDAY:

Step 1: Watch movies in bed til noon.

Step 2: Hit New Flower Market on Henderson and load up on fresh food/necessities for drink making.

Step 3: Plant 3 small mint plants — aka gear up for mojitio season….

Step 4: Read trashy magazines on balcony while wind whips through the trees.

SNAPSHOTS:

Hope everyone got out this weekend and enjoyed the weather!

xx, Andrea

Warping Board.

I haven’t been able to start any new weaving projects due to the lack of one very important component: warping board.* So, with a visit to my local Home Depot and a little elbow grease, I took it upon myself to build my very own.

36 inch square frame

marking placement of pegs. eight on two opposite sides and four along the top. all evenly spaced.

measure dowel to cut six inch pegs.

saw those dowels. try not to cut fingers.

*a rectangular board containing evenly spaced pegs at each end on which the warp** is wound in preparation for weaving.

**the set of yarns placed lengthwise in the loom, crossed by and interlaced with the weft, and forming the lengthwise threads in a woven fabric.

Now the weaving process may commence once again.

xoxo, Ashlie

Today I got the best surprise!!! I package from Ashlie!

Ashlie knit this handmade lovely!!! I am crazy jealous of her mad knitting skillz.

Ashlie’s beautiful hand-painted watercolor notecard! A keeper for sure.

Check out the adorably cheerful hand embroidered coasters that they sell at Flora in Portland. This will never leave my nightstand.

And lastly, as I type this I am listening to a mix CD she sent as well. BEST.SATURDAY.EVER. Thanks Ash!!! Miss you!!!

xoxo, Andrea

Pizza Recipe:

-store bought pizza dough

- Ragu pizza sauce

-Pizza cheese

-yellow onion, bell pepper, spinach, sausage (or whatever you’ve got in the fridge!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Saute your chopped up veggies and pre-cooked sausge in a little olive oil until soft.

3. Roll out your pizza dough on a greased baking sheet. Spread on pizza sauce, veggies and sprinkle with cheese.

4. Bake in oven until beautifully golden & enjoy!

xoxoxo, Andrea