February 29, 2012

Drake Men {Getting Closer}...

I have been working a lot lately. That's not a bad thing at all. It makes me so anxious and excited about what is in the near future. I showed you a few weeks ago two of our ties that will be sold at drakemen.com. I got so many responses and emails from people saying that they loved the ties. I so appreciate it and I can't wait to show you the rest! Until then here is a sneak peek at some of the other ties...




Traveling In Style...Is There Anyother Way?!

This weekend the hubs and I will be traveling to Austin, Texas for a friends wedding. All of our friends from High School will be there which will make this one of those "do you remember that time when..." nights. There will be dinner, dancing, love in the air, and only a high of 50 that night. Perfect weather for a gorgeous outdoor ceremony.

When it comes to traveling I am a notorious over packer. I pack everything that I need and may need. It frustrates my husband a little because a weekend getaway turns into three suitcases just for me. Crazy I know but I like to be prepared for any occasion. The hubs and I change our minds frequently which in turn makes me think about all the possible things we may want to do but haven't thought of yet. Ha-Ha. I sound a tad like a control freak.


Besides packing our whole closet and bathroom I love to travel in style. My husband and I have that in common. We are those people that show up at the airport, hubs wearing-jeans, button down shirt, casual jacket, and comfortable but still nice shoes. While I wear jeggings, an over sized sweater, a scarf, wedges, and travel friendly/chic handbag. May sound crazy but after a long flight you still feel good. I have always been a firm believer about the way you dress can affect your mood.


This weekend we may only be driving for three hours to our destination but I can guarantee we will arrive in style. I will be the girl getting out of the car at a gas station wearing a maxi dress, scarf, and sandals. People will stare, they always do, but I will look and feel good. How do you like to travel? Do you pack everything in your house like I do? What about the way you dress? Do you go for comfort or for looking good?



What are you packing essentials? I have a few things that I MUST pack no matter where we go. I always bring a maxi dress, a pair of sandals, heels, flats, and my running shoes, and band aids-you never want to walk around with a bloody heel because of you shoes. These things you will always find in my suitcase. They are very standard things, to me. My handbag is a different story of course there are the band aids, a magazine, book, my ipod, snacks, and my cell charger which is always a must.

No matter how far or short I drive or fly I will always pack these things. Trust me they have all come in handy before. On our honeymoon I brought a maxi dress, he looked at me with confusion because the high each day was only 45 degrees. During the middle of our trip we were so exhausted that we just wanted to sleep in and have a late brunch in the hotel...what did I wear?! Instead of being like him, jeans, thermals, sweater, and boots...I just put on my lovely long sleeve Maxi with some flats and went downstairs. Nothing was said in the elevator but he just had this look on his face that read "Dang she was right"! It was awesome. 


February 28, 2012

Some Thinking...

Yesterday, at the book store, my mind started to drift. Remembering the times that I would go there not to long ago. You would find me in the Management, Entreprenuership, Advertising, Small Business section. The floor would be my spot and I would look through tons of books too soak up all the information an every aspect of running a business. There were times where I remember not knowing how any of this was going to happen. So much information, so little time to figure it out.

I started thinking yesterday how I got to where I am today..a few weeks away from going live. It seemed back then that I didn't know what I was doing. How could it be that I came this far in just a few months. How have I gotten to this place in my life in general. Not even five years ago I could safely say that I had no idea what I was planning to do with my life. I had no idea how I was going to figure that out. How long did it take you to get where you are at in your life? Where you as lost as I was?


I threw myself into reading everything I could. Novels, Self-Help books, Biographies, and the infamous Dummies books. My book shelf grew from about 10 books to more like 100. After reading all sorts of books I realized a repeating trend. Almost everyone, characters included, were lost at one time in their life. Lost, in the sense that they couldn't quite figure out what they were supposed to be doing with their life. They would go through the motions of daily routines but not really accomplishing anything. My life, not too long ago, was like that. I had no idea how-unhappy?- I was. Unhappy isn't right...I wasn't living to my full potential.

I knew that my husband was making something of himself and I couldn't figure out what I was going to do. Being apart of bringing money into the house is so important for me. Early on I knew I didn't want to be a housewife, it's just not for me. A business women who is also a mom was something that I wanted to be. Working hard, long hours but still being able to come home to a clean, happy home, make dinner, put the kids in bed, and still find time for my husband is what I am striving for now. Yes, all of that may seem out of a book and that may be true on some level but how will you reach your full potential in all aspects of your life if you don't dream big or set such high standards for yourself?

Yesterday, I did what I used to. Sitting on the floor around the business section. I began to read the books like I used to. I came across one that had the simplest rule to run your business by and your life in general. "Master a routine". How simple is that. The author went on to say how is realized once he set a daily routine, not just in running his business, but in his personal life he realized how simple every thing began. He found more time for relaxation, at times, more time with his wife and kids, and he also found the time to start a few other business ventures. Putting everything into a routine makes you prioritize everything you have to do that day. I realized that's what I have started trying to do for the last few weeks and it has aloud me to not only push hard for Drake Men but also gave me a few times a week to give tennis lessons. So not only do I have an e-commerce business but also a small,growing tennis coaching business. Crazy how things work out like that. Something that I never expected to happen. I have great love and respect for tennis. I have always thought that I had the skill to coach on the side but never could fit the time in my life, so I thought. Now I have two students plus two others that are very interested.



My life is crazy, busy, filled with lots of love, family, friends, and two growing businesses. I would be the first person to tell you that I thought any of this would actually happen in my life. Five years ago, I was very content in my mind that I would just settle for an 'okay' job. Five months ago I thought how the world was I going to run a business when I couldn't tell you the first thing about running one. Now I am doing all of that. Running a business, with just a few more weeks to go, starting another small business venture, and having a clean home to walk into with a happy husband.

I still push myself everyday. I feel that I haven't reached my potential in my personal or professional life. The kids and the big house can obviously wait for a few more years! I get this feeling that I still want to learn more about all the different kinds of businesses out there. Running multiple e-commerce businesses would be my dream. I have no idea if I will get to that place and still be-sane-but I am trying harder everyday. My husband told me a while ago that why not push ourselves more each day and that while we are here on this earth we might as well do as much as we can. This made me do the-obvious, he is so right-laugh.

If only you knew my husband. He has three Bachelor degrees, his is a CPA, was in the Marine Corps for eight years,infantry division, still wants to get his MBA and possibly go to Law School. He has worked at many different jobs but it's true what he said. Why not do as much as we can while we can because the more we do the more we learn and the better we become. Try living with someone like that at home...it makes you a little more driven each day.

Inslee Photos:{here}

February 27, 2012

Better Late Than Never!

It has taken me a while to get back into the swing of things today. Last week was pretty rough with getting a puppy and then having to give him back. The hubs and I didn't think having two busy lives right now, training a puppy, and living in a high-rise would be difficult but we were dead wrong. Hopefully, sometime next year when we move into a house we will get another little puppy.

With all of that I didn't get much work done last week. Today I was a little-sluggish-so I decided to clean up around the house, eat a healthy lunch, and go to Barnes and Nobles. I love going to book stores...it's where my best thinking happens. I browse through hundreds of books, pick a couple, find a cozy spot, and scan through them for the ones that I want. Out of five books I left with two. One is a compilation of New Yorker stories while the other is about Starbucks.He-He. Starbucks just blows my mind. I remember not even five years ago where they were popular but not-on every street corner-popular. Over the last few years-bam-they have blown up! Where I was at today they have two Starbucks directly across the street...all you have to do is pass over the two lane street to go to the other one.

-Any who-

I was a little lame this morning with my post so I decided to post these gorgeous pictures that I had saved on my computer. I am not one to want to live on a farm but if my farm house was as chic as this I would make an exception. First, the entryway chandelier is to do for. It's the perfect style, fit, and shape for a house like this. I love the natural wood stairs too. Every room is divine...especially the gorgeous bathroom. I had to save that photo for last. I can't get enough of the lap as well. That may have to be a must in my future houses bathroom!




Quick Pic

View from my local Barnes and Nobles book store + Starbucks iced coffee + good reading material = a nice break from working!


Quote of The Week...

February 23, 2012

Drake Men {Coming Soon}

I am deep into the website development with our web designer! I have to say that the site is looking amazing and exactly what I have been wanting. It should be another two weeks before everything is finished and the photos are uploaded. Until then here are some of our upcoming neckties...


February 22, 2012

25th Birthday...

The day has finally arrived...I have now entered mid-twenties. I wanted to wait to write this most a little later in the day for many reasons. Yesterday, our family grew from two to three. Our little four month old puppy, Max Drake. The last 18 hours have been very interesting. I had forgotten how difficult it is to train a puppy. Especially one like Max who was abandoned when he was just one month. He doesn't know sit, stay, lay, potty, or no. Everything is so new to him. Thank goodness my husband has been amazing. He jumped right in and starting training him last night! Now he knows sit, stay, and potty except potty to him means whenever and whatever place he finds is where he is going.

Our new addition...


Turning 25 has made me look back on my first five years of my twenties. Things that I experienced, certain accomplishments, traveling, love, family, goals. Its as if I was re-evaluating my life. I realized how lucky that I have been at such a young age. I got to go to college, play tennis all on a full ride. Traveling to new places with my husband- D.C., NYC, and London are some of our favorites. I also got to experience life with out my husband. The age from 20-21 I think I grew the most, maturity wise. He was deployed to Iraq and instead of putting my life on hold for him I sucked it up. Rented my very first apartment, by myself, got a full time job, and learned how to be independent. Besides worrying and missing him for the whole year, it was some of the most fun I have ever had.


Then there was this past year. We got married, had a beautiful wedding with lots of family and friends. We started Drake Men, added a puppy to our family, and purchased a high rise condo. I am fortunate enough to have a husband, that in the midst or changing careers, aloud me to quite my good paying job for Drake Men. It was a huge risk living off of one income but we are making it. Being happy is the most important thing to us and we are the happiest we have ever been. These last six months have been the hardest on us, financially, but we are making it one step at a time. All of our hard work will pay off and we are seeing that day get closer.


I sit back now and think if there was anything I would do differently. No, I wouldn't. Everything that I/We have done has led us to this place in our lives. We have a business, a new/great job for my hubs, and a new puppy that is the cutest...if only he would just stop peeing everywhere!

If you could go back and change a time in your twenties would you? If so, what would it be?  

February 21, 2012

Style Inspiration...

A girl can't go wrong with a pair of shoes for an early birthday present. I searched the web over and over again for some sort of inspiration on what style to get. My closet is full of all different style of shoes; everything from classic Mary-Jane's to PAC-Sun flip flops to over the knee leather studded boots to cheetah print wedges to Coach sneakers. I guess accumulating many different styles over the last five years has proven to be a struggle, now. Finding a new pair of shoes is more challenging. I am constantly not finding anything that shouts out at me.

Few days ago I came across this photo from 9to5chic and I feel in love with this style of shoe. I wasn't too crazy about the silver or how shiny they were but the classic look caught my eye.


Than I found another pair in blush on Stockholm Streetstyle. This color appealed to me a little more but these were too flashy for me. The classic, tassel look with such a modern and glamorous material is throwing me off...that or I am the one person in the world that isn't 100% in love with these shoes!



In either case, I was casually looking around in DSW yesterday and came across a pair of shoes that had the same look, with the awesome tassels, but I could wear everyday if I wanted. They are suede and fabulous. I told my husband that I was just going to 'browse' on my side but not get anything. As I walked back to the Men's shoe side carrying a shoe box he just simply laughed and said "I guess you found an early Birthday present?"

Yes I did!


I can't believe I will be 25 tomorrow...

February 20, 2012

Quote For The Week...

Weekend Overview...

It was filled with working, studying (on my husbands part), a baby shower, birthday party, a comedy show, and a much needed restful Sunday where the only things we accomplished was grocery shopping and running. The good news is that drakemen.com will soon have a 'coming soon' page that will give you a little preview of what to expect.

Until then...


I can't believe in a month she will have a little one...so excited!

What else is there to do after a baby shower...

 Go dancing with great friends &...

Steal the birthday girls camera to take funny face photos :)


February 17, 2012

My Weekend...

Pick up some books at Half Price Books...

Make a trip to our rescue shelter to look at a few dogs...

Have a coffee date with the hubs...


Fill it with a baby shower and a friends birthday party...

Finish the weekend off with a quite Sunday with my guy...

Style Inspiration...

Well lovies...it's Friday! The best day of the week for winding down your work, sip on coffee for the day, clean up around the house, organize bookcases, and look back through fashion photos. Well, that's how I like to spend my Fridays. I can't check off any of the above accept coffee and photos-my two favorite things!

NYFW has been going on this past week but I have been consumed with interior design and Drake Men. This has left me with very little time to search the web for the upcoming lines. Getting a late start this morning, sometimes, works to my advantage. I was going to write about some of the fashion shows that I loved but instead, as I was making my coffee, I thought to myself why not show photos of real people that inspire me for the upcoming days/year.

Well, here they are. Stylish photos that get me thinking about my upcoming events that I will be attending in the next couple of months.











I had to put these two adorable photos on here...these kids are the cutest!




Photos via {here}{here}&{here}

February 16, 2012

Thursday Real Estate Round Up {Seaside Sensation}...

A few weeks ago I started posting a couple of homes that were on the market here in Houston. This all started because I love looking at real estate at any price range. One of the best things about Houston is that we have some of the most diverse styles of homes. I spoke a little about this last week too. You can go down a street in the Galleria area, where I live, and you will find some mid-rise condos next to three story town homes, across the street from a remodeled 1950's bungalow, and that is adjacent to a traditional "mini" mansion. It makes the streets so interesting and fun to drive down, you will also find yourself going "Oh, I love that house" to every single one.

Not only does Houston have a number of different style homes to choose from the houses are also gorgeous inside and out. I received a few emails on the last two houses (1,2) I posted and their number one comment was "I didn't know Houston had houses like these!" This is most peoples assumptions would be. They think that Houston has subdivisions where you drive down the street and each house looks the exact same. In some areas, on the outskirt, this may be true. In the heart of the city this is just not the case. That comment is what pushed me to continue doing this post every week!

For the last month my parents have been working on their house down in Galveston. They are building a huge, fabulous retirement home and the whole family cannot wait for the finished product...only 6-7 months left! This week I thought I would bring you a house that is located in the subdivision, Beachtown, in Galveston. I believe that Galveston also gets a bad reputation for not being a 'Miami beach' but just wait until you see this place. My sister and I tried to get my parents to purchase a house in Beachtown, but for Hurricane purposes they decided to move inland about half a mile. This gorgeous $2.25 million, 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 2 car garage, 3 stories, with almost 6,000 sq ft is a wonderful place...inside and out!

This gorgeous house has a wrap around porch and two balconies, the full length of the whole house. Interior design in this house is spot on. Perfect for this house, the location, whether its a summer place or a year long house. This may be the first house that I can say I love every single room...especially the bathrooms!



















 Love all the red doors!