introducing {h e l l o}

h e l l o...   Miss Molly Malone

 

For those of you who don't know... I was blessed with lovely allergies to cats, dogs, horses, guinea pigs and bunnies... Actually I'm pretty much blessed with every outdoor allergy known to man kind. Yup... Dust too! You think it, I just might sneeze it. I think I've pretty much made Claritin and Sudafed rich with my little problem. lol If someone told me to drink a milkshake and stand on your head I would have done just that to get rid of my allergies. So when I tell you this... You might definitely think I've lost  my marbles. I grew up with 3 dogs, 2 cats, bunnies... and yes mice.  They were all outdoor animals and I loved them all!

It was hard growing up with them because all I wanted to do was play with each and every one of them. Unfortunately, my kind of playing was a little more touch and go and lets run outside in the grass... Just don't get too close. But we did play and have fun! My dogs knew they couldn't roam the house at all and my cats just chilled outside. No one made it a big deal that they were outside animals. Truth they really loved it!  Every morning my cats left us presents on the back porch... Dead birds, tailless lizards to even yummy fur ball throw up. So sweet! I'm sorry but, who doesn't want that every day!  So when I had kids I had this dream that we would get a dog and it would be outside and do all the same things my dogs did... Play and be dogs! Well, I never got them a dog... Until now! I saw this lady walking a golden doodle and fell in love! I asked her a million questions, got her number and then scheduled a play date. Had to see if I was going to react to this breed. Nope so far so good, I was in the clear!

After discussing all this heavily with my mom I new we needed to go forward with getting a dog from this breeder. Not going to lie I was still very hesitant because I like a clean house, I don't like dogs in bedrooms or on furniture at all {still don't}... Plus, I get up and go all the time. So this was a huge decision to make. Bottom line I was scared. I knew I needed to just do it and not look back. My kids will love it and in the later years my mom will have a companion as well. So everyone was winning. We did it!

For all of you on the fence, go look at   Sunnyside Goldens {here} Oh My Gosh! The most adorable family, breeder, dogs... Everything! I could sit and tell you a million horror stories of breeders that I went to and No Joke called my brother to let him know where we were and if we die he knows where to get us. So bad and beyond gross! Not knowing the dog world I thought all breeders must be just weird and super dirty... Then I saw Larisa's website. Her  style, taste, family and presentation of these puppies are absolutely fabulous! Maybe its the interior designer in me, but she's nailed this part of the business. Then to add to her cute business her instagram is i n s a n e l y amazing. Go  follow here at @sunnysidegoldens {here} Everyday you follow her to pick out your dog and then you watch them grow. We were in love. So if you want a Golden Doodle or a Burmese Doodle or a Golden Retrever go get one from her. 

Our little Molly is so socialized, fun, sweet, semi potty trained and even semi crate trained. In a packet Larisa gives you when you get the dog she has everything explained {to a T}... To even introduce the dog to 50+ people a week. Well, Miss Molly is getting so much attention and loves it. The only thing she wants to do that she can't do just yet is go in bushes, dirt and play with other dogs. Soon she will! I'll Keep you posted on our new little family member, Miss Molly Malone!

happy sunday...

write this down

 

happy sunday...

monday {menu}

{cookie recipe from... here}

L O V E Cookies

Ingredient... 

- 1 box of cake mix {Duncan Hines Devil's Food}

- 1/2 cup {1 stick} unsalted butter

- 2 eggs

- 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. of flour

- 1-2 tsp. vanilla or other flavoring {optional}

Instructions...

Add all ingredients to a bowl & mix well. Use a cookie scoop to drop evenly sized portions of dough onto un-greased cookie sheets & bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for at least ten minutes. Makes 2.5 dozen

happy sunday...

in the name of l o v e

{all images off rustic rooster pinterest... h e r e}

Hello everyone!

It's l o v e month... Happy February 1st! Some see this month in just red as some like to see this month in just pink. I like to mix it up & use both colors, but for today I'm sticking with soft & subtle pinks. Seriously, how beautiful are all of these images above. Very romantic & sweet... Finished off with a grapefruit cocktail! Perfection! 

All month I hope to post happy, inspiring & positive posts! We've had so many tragic losses around us, that my heart hurts. I  really can't handle anymore negativity & sadness. I need to only be around beautiful & inspiring things. I know God puts these tragedies in front of us to challenge us to be better people & help others... or just to open our eyes up & make us realize what we're not accomplishing in life. So with that said... Lets do a few challenges all in the name of L O V E!  Hope you stick with me as I chug-a-long here! 

I challenge you to do something very very sweet today!

For Example...

Write a l o v e note.

Say, "I l o v e you" to someone.

Buy chocolates for someone random.

Give your kids extra long hugs.

Just give love to all & be aware of it...  Oh, I have another great idea, Go get some fresh pink or red flowers for your home. Set them out for all to see & enjoy with you! 

Hope you have a great day... I'm off to a rugby tournament in San Clemente this morning with Ryan. Happy Saturday! 

  

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!