2014 is coming to a close, and around this time of year I get very reflective. This introspective side of my personality is one reason I love Instagram so much. Looking back on all that has transpired the last 12 months reminds me how much fun I've had and how far I've come.

Not only has Insta been super fun for me personally, but it has also been one of the biggest driving forces behind my business. Because my website isn't up and running just yet, I will often send potential clients to my Instagram so they can get a feel for my style. It's so rewarding for me to get to look back through the hashtag #emilydavisinteriors to remember everything that I've worked on this year.

Here are some of my favorites:

Whew that was a lot of work! I had such a great year and so much fun - it's really an  awesome experience to work your behind off and get to see where that takes you. Can't wait to see what 2015 will bring! Thank you so much to everyone who has read my blog and supported my business this, it means the world to me!

Cheers to a new year!

2014

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was a blessed and restful one. The hubs, Dais and I returned home yesterday after traveling for about two weeks. We were so lucky to be able to spend Christmas and New Years with friends and family in Dallas, and we also traveled to Guatemala for my sister's wedding. Our holiday were absolutely magical, and I'm definitely sad it is over.

But with the end of the holidays brings a new year. And I am one of those people who thinks it is important to take time at the beginning of the year to visualize what I would like the coming year to look like. And in the spirit of keeping myself accountable, I thought I would share my thoughts here.

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Call them resolutions, goals or whatever you would like. Here is what I am striving for in 2014.

Grow my business 
2013 was good, but I'm going to make 2014 great. I am so thankful for the support and clients I have received thus far, but there is always room for growth. To achieve the overarching resolution, I have outlined few individual goals/milestones to hit. Being specific and breaking things down into smaller steps will help me know how I'm progressing toward the overall goal.

Keep my exercise habit going
Maybe the most universal resolution in the history of new years resolutions? Perhaps. But my health is something I don't take lightly. In 2013, I did a pretty good job of exercising and eating right and I'm definitely looking to keep that going this year.

Start a book club
Reading is something that I truly enjoy. Since moving back to Tulsa, I've been wanting to get a group of gals together who feel the same way I do about books, I just haven't done it yet. The book club I was part of in Houston was so fun and I hope I can recreate that here.

Less TV time
I watch too much TV. More notably, I watch too much crappy TV. Cutting down on this bad habit will leave more time for other things - house projects, blogging, reading, etc. I can and will kick my TV habit this year.

Find a church we love
We've been trying out various churches around Tulsa over the past few months. This year, I hope we find our fit and get involved in a meaningful way.

Happy New Year to you all! I hope this year brings you health, happiness and many blessings. Thanks for following along :)

7.4.12

Today is my favorite holiday, so I just have to say God Bless America! Unfortunately, this year we couldn't partake in our annual South Dakota trip (sad face) because we are going to Boston next week (happy face)! So while I am bummed that we don't get to celebrate the 4th in true American fashion (small town parade, lake time, shooting guns, eating barbeque, campfires, etc) I am really looking forward to visiting a city with such a rich history of our country. 

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Anything you know of that I absolutely MUST do while in Boston? Would love to hear your suggestions! I hope whatever you do to celebrate today is super fun- but I also hope you take a minute to reflect on how blessed we are to live in such an amazing country! I know I will :)

Take that ProFlowers

Judging from my Facebook newsfeed on Tuesday- lot's of lucky ladies received flowers from their loved ones on Valentine's Day. I personally love fresh flowers, and it was so sweet of my Hubby to send me some gorgeous red roses.

Here they are, right after delivery.

My Hubby knows me well enough that right when I walked in the door with them, he said "are you going to change them?" and of course the answer was yes.

Instead of keeping them in their current state, I personalized them a bit.



I cut them down, changed the vase out in favor of a colorful ginger jar and called it a day. Take that, ProFlowers!

Am I the only crazy person who can't leave well enough alone? Dish.

Happy Friday!!!

Day of LOVE 2012

Instead of Christmas, we do Valentine's Day cards. It was a tradition started by my Momma that I am happy to carry on. I like to think it keeps the holiday spirit going year round :) Hope your Valentine's Day is full of love.... in all of it's forms.

"For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."-- John 3:16

NYE 2011

Hello hello! Sorry I have been MIA this week. We got back to STL yesterday after a fabulous Christmas celebration. Now, I am looking forward to our next celebration... NYE 2011!

Do you all love New Year's Eve as much as I do? A new year brings new beginnings, new challenges and new opportunities. I love the possibility you feel on New Year's Eve! (the champagne isn't bad either!)

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(Thailand's celebration of the New Year)

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Tomorrow, we are off to Tulsa to attend what I know will be a very fun wedding/NYE celebration. I will be wearing this sparkly dress and I can't wait to get all gussied up for a night on the town!

What are ya'lls plans? Any New Year's resolutions? Whatever you are doing to celebrate- going out, hanging at home, staying up late or going to bed early.... here's to a fabulous 2012! I hope it brings you all many blessings :)

See you next year!

Dreaming of a white Christmas...

We had a last minute change in travel plans and will no longer be headed to New Mexico to celebrate the holiday... so instead, we are off to Dallas! Even though we won't be in the mountains, I'm still hoping our Christmas will be a white one...

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Merry Christmas to you all! Wherever in the world you are and whatever you are doing to celebrate, I hope your holiday is full of blessings and love!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder, and his name shall be call Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

                      -- Isaiah 9:6

Mod Christmas Wreath

Today, you can find my DIY for this mod Christmas wreath at A Complete Waste of Make-Up. Thanks to Neely for having me on her blog, I LOVED doing this project!

Original here.

Merry {almost} Christmas, everyone!

Wreath round-up

What's better than a good Christmas wreath? Not alot, I'd say. Especially when there are so many that you can DIY! Wanted to share some of my favs that I've seen around the interwebs...

Love this one with the black/white combo. So unexpected for Christmas, but fabulous for sure! Definitely wouldn't be hard to just add a b/w bow to a pre-made wreath.



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 I think this one would be really cool in gold.

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For the hippies out there.


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My mom would love this one- sticks!


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 I think this one would smell good too. Double duty. Can't beat it.

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I practiced what I preach and DIYed this really mod-looking wreath last weekend.


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(yes, those are lima beans!) The tutorial will be posted next week! Have you seen any great Christmas wreaths out there that I missed??

Gift Guide: for the guys

One of my sweet friends from Houston recently told me she needed some help with Christmas present ideas for her Hubs. I personally think that guys can be SO hard to shop for. But, I have seen some great gift ideas out there so I thought it might be a good idea to compile them here for easy access :)

The JCrew Gift Guide for Men is pretty much perfection. But my favorite pick off the list are the fleece lined lodge moccasins. I also love their cashmere scarf... maybe I could actually get my Hubs to wear this one bc it's so soft!

Moccasins.

Keeping in the footwear arena- it seems like my Hubs always needs new socks. This sock bouquet is a great way to jazz up a not so cool but totally necessary gift. 

Sock bouquet.

This is SUCH a cool new take on the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer. Seems a little James Bond/Mission Impossible. "Look! My sunglasses fold up!" Totally plays to the little boy in every man. Genius.

Ray Ban Folding Wayfarer

I got a new watch for Christmas (yes, I am a cheater and am already wearing it). When we were in the Fossil store the other day getting it sized, I saw some awesome gift ideas that I am filing away for future use.

This travel bag is stunning in person. I think it will wear really well over time and is pretty but manly at the same time. A win/win.

Fossil Alpine Duffle

 While we were in the store, this watch also caught my eye. Such amazing price point-- really can't beat it!

Fossil Men's Ansel Leather Watch

The Cavallini Vintage Map easel would be great on any desk.

Find it at PaperSource or Amazon.

Is my husband the only one who loves these things??? I owe him a new one because the little nugget Daisy ate his when she was a puppy.

Remote controlled helicopter.

Jack Black products are awesome. If he doesn't use this, you probably will!

Jack Black Gift Set

I think these whiskey stones are cool, but since I don't like whiskey, it's kind of hard for me to say. PS- the description for these things is just awful... is that really how companies market to guys? Horrifying. But a cool product nonetheless.

Whiskey Stones

 This is a fun gift for a guy who likes to grill.

Custom Monogram Branding Iron.

Keeping it with the monograms- golf club links.

Customized Golf Club links.

For the tail-gate lover/college guy...

Beer holster.

When it comes to buying for the Hubs, I also really like experience gifts. Hot air balloon ride? Fly fishing lesson? Couples massage? The sky is the limit! (hot air balloon ride... anyone? ha!)

Alright, ladies! That's the best I've got this year. If you are looking for more splurge-worthy items, check out the Mens Health Gift Guide. Red Envelope has a pretty good list going as well. And for clothes/accessories, JCrew's list is fab. Good luck!

PS- Did you check out my gift guide for design lovers? Be sure to see it in the new issue of Twenty Something Magazine!

Lastly, I just want to share what I think Christmas is really about: the birth of Jesus Christ! To celebrate His birth in a way that I think is more fitting than gifts or decorating your home with bows and sparkles, please consider donating your time, talent or treasure to a worthy cause! I like this one, this one and this one.

Some (minimal) Christmas decor

After the fam left last weekend, the Hubs and I turned on the Christmas music and put up a bit of Christmas decor.

The tree....

Notice the presents. I decided to save on wrapping this year and used leftover brown paper bags from Trader Joes. Then, I just painted them with craft paint with various Christmas themes. Looks a little grade school-esque... but I like them so whatevs.

Ornaments + decorative bowl = SUPER easy decorations.

I know I'm on this train super late, but I love Instagram!

I plan on adding some more here and there. The only thing is, I get so sad when I have to take down all the pretty stuff once Christmas is over. Am I the only weirdo who feels that way? Anywhoo, I will def. add some more RED... I just don't know what/where/how yet!

Lastly, I just want to share what I think Christmas is really about: the birth of Jesus Christ! To celebrate His birth in a way that I think is more fitting than gifts or decorating your home with bows and sparkles, please consider donating your time, talent or treasure to a worthy cause! I like this one, this one and this one.