Delightful Designs: Portuguese Paradise

While browsing for my usual interior inspirations I came across this lovely Portuguese home designed by Marta Mendes Espregueira. I love the mix of rustic and modern this homes displays!

 The clean lines, rustic elements, open space, pops of color on white all make this space alluring.

 The stone walls and all the natural light inside this home are stunning!

I just can't get enough of these walls!

And those wooden doors add so much character...

 

 The simple modern sink on the rustic vanity is a great mix...

 End the day sipping Limoncello while relaxing with friends in this outdoor space...

How can you not fall in love with this beautiful home with so much character?

Poncho Perfection

I am so glad to see ponchos and capes are back full force this season! I fell in love with them last year and was worried they might not be as big this year. I adore them. They are so stylish and can be dressed up or down!  There are so many ways to wear this look! It doesn't matter what your style: boho, chic, grunge, tomboy, etc...there is a poncho out there for every style!

 

 

I especially love capes with hoods...and even more if they have a little of fur trimmings!

Fabulous Fall Style

The weather is finally starting to cool down here in Texas.  You can actually wake up to cool crisp mornings now. (Although, that could always change tomorrow.) Waking up to the chill in the air is finally putting me in the mood to pull out my fall apparel. It also makes me want to shop for some fabulous new fall things!  These photos are inspiring me for the Fall season this year. I know I am behind everyone else who is already way into wearing fall pieces, but forgive me since I live so far south!

I'm kind of loving this sweater/jacket!

Between the scarf, cape, and green I can't get enough of this pic!

This isn't really my style but I love her floppy hat, cute green clutch, and fabulous gloves!

 

Love the wide leg look, and of course the reptile print!

I still haven't gotten the black ankle boots I've been looking for! Hopefully soon I can do some serious shopping in search of the perfect pair!

I adore the yellow and green combo Leighton is wearing here!

 I love these sheer top & poncho from Threadsence

What are your favorite fall items/trends/designers/retailers this year?

A Night of Enchanted Fairytales!

Wow! What a busy weekend I had! My little sis, Jenn, came for a visit this weekend and we did so much!  Friday we picked her up from the airport, and ran straight to 'Nightmare on the Bayou'! (Rated one of the top 13 scariest haunted houses in the US!) My older sis, Christie, and I love haunted houses, so Jenn agreed to come for the ride! She was such a good sport! To see pics of our fabulous Nightmare on the Bayou adventure visit Jenn's Blog, Contemporary Harbor, and scroll to the bottom of that post.

The next evening I hosted a small Girl's Night of Enchanted Fairytales! Everyone was encouraged to dress in some sort of fairytale apparel. Of course, I had to decorate my walkway like a scary old castle! I had cobwebs, spiders, fog, and skulls!

We love reenactment photos! My older sister is little red riding hood, and my friend in black is the evil queen in Snow White!

 (Did you notice the spider hanging over their heads?)

I've have always wanted to dress up as a green fairy, and I finally got my chance!

(Sorry for the blurriness, the fog was making it hard for the camera to focus!)

 Of course, I needed a Poison Apple Punch for the event! (Dry ice made it smoke!)

 My lovely enchanted gold pumpkins, crystal cups, candle pillars, and gold stemmed glasses all surrounded the punch to give an enchanted feel.

 I had so much sparkle on my face, hair, clothes...there are sparkles all over my house now!

 Jenn provided the costumes, wings, & wands! Thanks Jenn!

 

 And here we all are about to watch the wonderfully hilarious movie Enchanted!

I have to admit I love a themed party! Especially if it is a costume event! I am such a kid at heart and love dressing up! I don't think you are ever to old to dress up for Halloween!

Enchanted

I am looking forward to this weekend with much excitement and anticipation! My little sis' is coming to visit! In honor of her visit I decided to throw a girl's themed night at the last moment! The theme is "Enchanted Fairytales" and will be a costume event! I'm encouraging the girls to dress up as any fairytale character! I love to dress up! While searching for inspiration I came across these beautiful enchanting photos and thought I would share!

 

 A Rapunzel Gown...

 The Ice Princess...

Enchanted Forest...

An Enchanted Wedding...

 Don't these images make you want to live in a fairytale?

Barefoot And Beautiful

 

For those of you who are currently reading my blogs, I wanted to give you a heads up that I am changing things around here!  I've decided to give my blog a little face lift!  I wanted something that represents me and my personality.  I felt 'Barefoot And Beautiful' described my laid back, fun loving personality.  I also love being barefoot!  If shoes are not required, then I am not wearing them! I prefer weather where it is possible to always be barefoot!
The 'Beautiful' part of it reflects the beauty I strive for.  I seek to start each day with my Lord so that He can make me a more beautiful person inside.  I believe internal beauty is far more important than external beauty.  It can far outshine it, and draws others to you.  I believe it is God who makes us truly beautiful on the inside.
However, I do also enjoy externally beautiful things!  I love seeing the beauty in nature and in the things around me.  I love clothes, jewelry, makeup!  I don't think it is wrong to be drawn to those things. Why else would God have made flowers so brilliant in color, the sky so blue, the ocean so beautiful to watch?  We are naturally drawn to outward beauty.  I want to use this blog to share things that I find beautiful with others. I hope you enjoy!

~Elle

DIY: Fall Decor

I've been busy this weekend creating fall decorations! I made a fall wreath for my front door, fall floral arrangements for window sill, and pretty pumpkins for my counter tops! Here are the results!

Front Door Wreath!

You'll need: Wire wreath, poly mesh, ribbon, and accessories.

Start scrunching and twisting branches...

Add whatever kind of accents you want! I used feathers and leaves.

And voila! You have a beautiful wreath!

One of four lovely little fall arrangements for my kitchen window!

I decided to spray paint my pumpkins gold & sprinkle with glitter!

Now they make my counter tops sparkle and shine!

 So what do you think of my little projects this weekend? Worth the effort? I love the satisfaction in completing these little DIY projects!