tuesday {truth}

So I have this goal in 2020 {like I always do... year after year}... To clean up all my paperwork. Which includes pictures, award certificates to artwork and much more. I'm pretty organized, but this is one area I've been pushing aside. I see it and walk away. Its not out of control, but in my mind I think it is. So this year I'm tackling it! Everything has to be simple! No fuss... Just make everything easy and plain old simple! I want to be able to walk into my storage unit or house and say, Oh I need my home sale documents, to I want to look at my dads memory box and much more. No questions asked where it is. Seriously, don't you all want that!? I know you do... Its just finding the time and figuring how to do it. 

Here's how I got started on my adventure...  I was trying to figure out what series to watch while running at the gym and it came to me... Watch that Marie Kondo show... Tidying up. Well, I did and its fascinating. Clothes, books, shoes and accessories I'm good with, but she did help me go the extra mile in that department. Then I kept intensely watching how she organized paperwork, etc... {this is what I got out of it}

1.) Go through your documents. Eliminate things you do not need or want. Then create a pile that needs to be filed and then create a pile that you have questions on and will get to the next day.

2.) Eliminate all bad pictures of you. Then  get rid of duplicate pictures or the same or slightly different posses. Keep only one of those pictures.

3.) For artwork... Pick the ones you love! Then throw out the ones you don't like. The ones your questioning just keep in a pile. You can review them the next day. 

I then made a list of important names and events {divorce, home purchase, college, each family member name... etc.} Then I went to Walmart and got big plastic bins that all match. 

I got labels from Office Depot and labeled each bin. That makes a huge difference. I can see each box nicely and I'm very pleased. 

So If you want to start your journey... Go watch her show. Take what you need from it and start. My family thinks I'm crazy, but truth in the long run they'll thank me because its all simple for them and they don't have to deal with clutter and chaos! 

I do believe we think and function better in a clean environment. So if you're struggling in work or life, try to de-clutter and see what happens. Good luck and just have fun! 

i wish

I wish this was my little beach house... I could just get out of town and disappear here! No questions asked!  Isn't it adorable. The cedar siding to the wrap around parch and of course the gorgeous hydrangeas! A definite must one day in my life! Whats your dream beach house look like? Please share with me...  

monday {menu}

{recipe from... h e r e}

..SAUSAGE LENTIL SOUP..

Ingredients

• 1½ tbsp. olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, finely grated
• 1 stalk celery, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ lb. hot Italian sausage (uncooked)
• ⅓ c. ham, cubed
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 2 c. water
• 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 c. dry lentils
• 1 tbsp. fresh basil, minced
• 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp. paprika
• ¼ tsp. thyme (heaping)
• ¼ tsp. oregano (heaping)
• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

Directions

1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium-low heat, saute the onion in the olive oil until tender. Add the carrot, celery and garlic, cook for 1-2 more minutes. Add the sausage and brown, braking it into bits as it cooks.
2. Add the chopped ham, tomatoes, water, chicken broth, vinegar and bring the soup to a boil. Pour in the lentils along woth the remaining seasonings/spices and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the lentils are tender and the liquid reduces, about 40-45 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and serve immediately.

happy sunday...

tuesday {truth}

Lets be real here people... Real talk in 2020

I would love to share a little story about me and how I got started in my design career! I’ll make it short and sweet!

I was finishing up my design internship with @jeffreymarksinc and was about to graduate from @sandiegostateuniversity. Like majority of students I started to panic about my future. What am I going to do? Then I had an idea!

Growing up with an entrepreneurial father and seeing his success I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone! I wanted to open up a furniture store, showcase my design style... Then get design clients from doing that. Easy right?! Yes and No! 

So I sat at the kitchen table and; discussed my idea with my parents... My father looked at me and said, OK I have a plan! You and your mom start the business together. I’ll give you $10,000. That money will be for everything. Rent, furniture, accessories... no joke, Everything! Do this for 2 years with your mom and work your tail off... We'll review everything in 2 years.

I sat at the kitchen table for a bit, got up  and said OK! I graduated and started hunting for a storefront. Found it and things were beginning to fall into place.  

2+++ years later my mom and I were having a blast and enjoying our venture together. Plus, I couldn't imagine my mom stopping and not working with me. She was more the rustic rooster storefront than me. She was 100% the rustic rooster!  

I bet you all were wondering about the $10,000 my dad gave me. Genius on his part! Now a days entrepreneurs take tons of loans out to get a business started and then have tons of debt to pay off... Such an awful cycle. They don't know how to budget, what to spend their money on wisely. They just spend and spend. Well, I didn’t and succeed. I was ahead of the game... I had a very savvy mom that was another genius with numbers. So our partnership was perfect! 

My mother and father pushed me in a way I don’t think students are pushed nowadays. I had to realize what’s important in my business. F Y I I never took a business course ever. I observed my father. That was my business school. My dad wanted to see if I truly had what it takes to do this. So I had to do the work! I had to paint the store,  I had to deliver furniture to customers, clean the storefront and office, be the best sales girl ever and much, much, more! 

Fast forward 20 years... I now work with design clients all over... and ♥️ it! I bring a classic east coast style to the west coast. I’m traditional and timeless all wrapped in one. 

I’ve realized working with a small amount of clients at a time is the key to my success. I can focus on each client without spreading myself to thin. We all can have fun and enjoy the project! 

We did close the storefront because of a few unfortunate life events, my father and grandmothers death and my divorce. Mom wanted a break to relax and I knew I needed to focus on my kids. Plus, I knew if my mom wasn't 100% in with me at work, I could handle it all on my own. So we shut everything down and I started working from home doing interior design. 

As I look back that was the best decision to do... Close the storefront and focus on my passion, interior design completely. Life is interesting... But everything does happen for a reason and is a true blessing in the long run!  

Dreams do come true if you work hard! Thanks dad for pushing me and thanks mom for being the best partner ever! If you just slow down you will see all your blessings you have!   

E-Mail: alexandra@rusticrooster.com for design inquiries in 2020

monday {menu}

{recipe from... h e r e}

b a n a n a

crumb cake

Ingredients...

• 1/2 cup butter {softened}
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 ripe bananas {mashed}
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Crumb Mixture...

• 1/2 cup butter {softened}
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions...

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
2. Combine softened butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until well combined.  I used a hand mixer but you can mix it by hand or with a stand mixer.  Add mashed bananas and combine.  Add eggs, one at a time and stir well after each addition.  Add vanilla and sour cream, mix to combine.  Note:  The mixture will seem thin but that is how it is supposed to be.
3. Add flour, baking powder, salt and stir until just combined {don't over mix}.  Pour into the bottom of the greased 9x13 pan.
4. In a small bowl combine all of the crumb mixture ingredients.  Work the mixture together into small crumbs using a fork.  Don't over work the mixture or you will get a paste and it will change the texture of the bread.  Sprinkle the crumbs in an even and thick layer over the top of the banana bread batter.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs or is clean.  Serve warm or cool and cover.  Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

happy sunday...

get anchored {for sale}

1.) Navy Anchor Tote Bag
$ 19.00 
 {tax + ship}

The perfect bag for e v e r y t h i n g...

. market trips

.sleepovers

.meetings

.catch all
.beach bag

&  Y E S I can ship to you!

big plans

{all picture from rustic rooster pinterest... here}

Any big plans this weekend? I sure do! Friday, were decorating gingerbread houses with the cousins... Always a huge mess, but defiantly a memory maker! I think last year, I used a hot glue gun & burned my finger. Good times... But that didn't stop us {me}. Our houses turned out fabulous. This year I bought pre made ones from Sprouts. I'm hoping they're   still together when I open the boxes up. Keep you posted. On Saturday, we're going to Ryan's first pre-season rugby game. Always an adventure. His season hasn't started yet, but they're prepping the kids & seeing what level skills they're at. It's always exciting to watch.  Sunday, I'm attending my 1st 1/2 marathon training meeting by a running coach. Right now I'm training on my own with a schedule I found on pinterest {here}. I really like this schedule. You start slow & gradually increase your miles. I'm on week 8 & I feel great!  Busy weekend. Oh forgot to add in Christmas shopping. Shhhhh I haven't even started yet. Truth, I don't really care this year. I'm not stressing myself out! My kids will survive if they don't get the latest & greatest. Plus, the day after Christmas we leave super early for the east coast so I don't want too much to deal with. So do you have any big plans for the weekend... Do tell! Happy Friday everyone! 

monday {menu}

{recipe from... here}

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups (210 g) all purpose gluten free flour (I used Better Batter)

3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup (109 g) packed light brown sugar

6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 tablespoons (84 g) unsulphured molasses

1 tablespoon (21 g) honey

1 egg (60 g, weighed out of shell) at room temperature, beaten

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Royal Icing, for decorating (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line rimmed baking sheets with unbleached parchment paper and set them aside.

• In a large bowl, place the flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt, and whisk to combine well. Add the brown sugar and whisk again to combine, working out any lumps. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the butter, molasses, honey, egg and vanilla, mixing to combine after each addition. The dough will be thick and sticky.
• Transfer the dough to a large sheet of unbleached parchment paper, cover with another sheet of parchment and roll into a rectangle about 3/8-inch thick (more than 1/4-inch, less than 1/2-inch). If you are concerned that the dough will be difficult to handle, place it in the refrigerator or freezer after you roll it out to allow it to firm up. Pull back the top sheet of parchment paper, dip a gingerbread man cutter in all purpose gluten free flour or cornstarch, and use it to cut out shapes from the cookie dough. With each cut, jiggle the cutter back and forth to create a neat shape. Place the dough on a flat, portable surface like a cutting board and place in the freezer until firm (about 10 minutes).
• Once the dough has chilled, peel back the rest of the dough from around the cut-outs and gather the scraps. Then carefully peel off the cut-out shapes and place them, about 1 1/2-inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat the process with the remaining dough until you have used it all.
• Place the cut-outs on the baking sheets in the refrigerator or freezer until firm (about 20 minutes in the refrigerator, or just 5 minutes in the freezer). This will help them keep their shape during baking. Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake until just set, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheets. Decorate the completely cooled cookies with royal icing, if desired. Allow the icing to set for 24 hours before stacking the cookies.
  
  
  
  
  
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happy december {sunday}...

guns a blazing

So the day after Thanksgiving do you go guns a blazing and start decorating for Christmas? We made a rule in our house this year... No Christmas music till the day after thanksgiving and this year we're buying our tree December 1st. I'll admit I have been so lax years past on getting a tree earlier in the month.  Don't get me wrong, I absolute love Christmas, but for some reason my exterior shines bright earlier than my interior. Not this year people... W A V E when you see me 1.) Hanging off my house decorating the exterior and 2.) With my Christmas sweater on at home depot the 1st of the month buying our tree! Game on my little elves... Mrs. Clause is on it this year! I challenge you to a decorating off! Go follow my  Instagram account {@rusticrooster} to see me decorate away...  

gobble gobble

{all photos are from rustic rooster pinterest... here}

Thanksgiving is a little reality check in my book. It's a time to show gratitude and thank the special people in our lives... Being thankful is more than the clothing on our backs, but its the people we surround ourselves with. Taking a moment and writing down a list of who or what you are thankful for is pretty simple and really only takes 5 minutes. Try it... You will feel joy and happiness within. What or who are you grateful for?

Every day I thank my lucky stars for my kids... They show me how to love, laugh, cry be patience to live life. I receive pure happiness from them. As I teach them they teach me. If you stop for a moment and listen to what they have to say they are pretty wise. I couldn't imagine my life without my kids. I am grateful everyday God blessed me with these two beautiful and healthy little angels. I'm just truly thankful for them!

Hope you all have

a 

Happy Thanksgiving!

      

beauty

{all these images are from rustic rooster pinterest... here}

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder... So for my eyes I only see beauty in these images, soft classic beauty. The simplicity of a classic petal pink mixed with traditional style. I gravitate to all things that have a lasting persona. Finding things now a days in an ever so changing world is difficult. So what I tell my clients and myself, go with your gut. Your gut is generally 99% correct every time. If you love the classics and have always steered towards them... Then lets create a classic environment. Create something that's timeless sounds perfect to me! What does your eye see?

run forest run...

Want to know what I'm up too these days? Yup... Training for an "Imaginary 1/2 Marathon". You heard that right, "Imaginary 1/2 Marathon". I haven't picked on yet. I just want to see if I can tack on the miles and if my body can take running again. About 3 years ago I hurt my hip. So far so good.  No pain and no indication I need to slow down. I've been taking it slow and liking it. Yes, I've really been going slow and don't care what people think. Hey, I'm doing it and that's all that matters, especially to me! Look forward and not around you... Do things for you! Truth once you're done doing whatever you want people will notice and say, w o w you did it and wish they had done it too. So go people, go do what you want! 

I'm on week 5 and today I run 2.5 miles. If you read my post from yesterday {here}... I listen to motivational speakers off of youtube. Oprah is awesome & Les Brown is amazing too. So good... I also listen to music from Pandora and think to myself... If my dad had cancer and pushed through the pain for years... You can run 2, 3 or 4 + miles. Tough love does help! 

Any fun and easy 1/2 Marathons you recommend? Copy this training guide and jump on board with me. Sorry, I don't know where I found it... But I really do like it with my schedule  I have a feeling I got it off pinterest.

Happy WEDNESDAY everyone!