A Very Vintage Cowgirl Bathroom Re-Model

Howdy gals!

  So I'm working on our 1955 ranch house bathroom here in North Texas. I thought that I would share some pics with you, and some ideas for the future. If you have any ideas please feel free to comment or message me, I would love to hear them!

  I've been looking on pinterest and googling retro-ranch bathrooms. And I think that I have a pretty good idea of what I want.

  This is what I'm working with: the walls are all in original white tile up to a certain point, and then the rest is in a light/pale pastel green. The counter top around the sink is also that 1950's white tile that I love, complete with a large mirror....having a large family I love that idea! No one has to fight to get ready for church or a rodeo.
  The cabinets and drawers are large and spacious. Although they are all completely white...not necessarily a good thing to have with cowboys around, but oh well! I'll make it work!

  And this is what I want:  I had sewn some horse shower curtains a few years ago for another house that we were living in. I loved them and couldn't wait to use them again! I had some left over fabric so I made some curtains for the windows, thank goodness I had just enough to finish those. I love how the greens in the curtains don't clash with the green on the walls.

  I loooove yellow roses, so I thought a Yellow Rose of Texas theme would be appropriate. I'm also planning on hanging some sepia photos, I haven't made up my mind whether it will be vintage photos or if I will dress in vintage and create the photos myself.

  The cabinets are really actually very nice, I'm just tired of the plain old white. So I've got an idea. They already do need some tender love and care just like you would expect from any old ranch house. So the plan is....sand and re-paint white. Add new (or old) door knobs instead of the tackily white and pastel green painted ones that are on there now. As a child and teenager I loved to draw and paint vining flowers....so why not paint those on the drawers and doors?! In a yellow and green of course ;)

  And then add some new tile to the floors! The old peeling linoleum needs to go!

 


Any ideas? Let me know! Until then adios!

Jessie Lou

The shower curtain. I used button holes to put the hooks into. The hooks are a copper finish and compliment the chestnut horses!

Love the print!

Thinking that I need to get a vanity stool, yes? This is just a rough picture right now. Oh and those cups that are near the sink....they were thrifted and an amazing find! They have roping cowboys on the front. I figured they would work well in the bathroom and help organize the sink area. So one has combs and guy razors and the other holds our toothpaste and tooth brushes. I will try to take a close up pic of them and post in the future.

 

The cabinets. See what I mean about the white? Don't you just think that a few vining yellow flowers would do the trick? With some nice new knobs on there of course ;)

 

 

Cowgirl's Are Healthy

Horsing Around is Healthy!


  Ok, so it's no secret that Cowgirl's are active people and they drink in fresh air on a daily basis. But have you ever really stopped to think about what they (or you if you yourself are a cowgirl) actually do and how that affects their bodies?

  Just think about it, we don't stop moving. We ride all of the time, groom, clean out stalls-corrals-etc., groom and bathe the horses, etc. So it just makes sense that we would be healthier than what those city gals with their fake tans would believe ;) Just take a look at the proof, if you look at the May/June 2012 edition of Cowgirl Magazine there is an insert on page 95, this is what it says:


*Calories burned per hour:

Cleaning Stalls or Corrals:
472 calories per hour

Riding at the Trot:
384 calories per hour

Brushing/Grooming Your Horse"
354 calories per hour

*Estimates are based upon moderate to vigorous activity by a 130 lb. woman.

Make you want to get out there and do some mucking? Maybe go out and groom and ride a friends horse if you don't have one? More power to ya cowgirl!

Adios for now,
Jessie Lou

Prayer Request!

Hey ya'll, I have a very important prayer request for all of you. A family friends little one (Wesley), is in for surgery on his heart at this very moment. He has 3 holes in his heart and bad valves. Can I ask all of you to please say a prayer for peace and medical successes, and strength for him and his family? Thank you so much! He is a sweety!

These Boots Were Made For Dancin'

Howdy gals!

  Here's the last on country/western dancing. What sort of boots should you wear to go boot scootin? Personally I prefer a leather soled boot, no rubber or anything with too much tread. All of that will keep you from sliding around on the dance floor which is really what you want.

  I like Stetson boots because the leather soles on those are so nice, and they are really comfy too. Sometimes I wear my Ariats, even though they don't have leather soles on them. They are so comfortable that I could dance all night in them. But still the rubber sole does make things a little more difficult.

  If you buy a brand new pair of leather soled boots, you will prob slip in them just walking. I suggested that you go outside onto some concert and scrape your boots on it. That will give you little scratches on the bottom that will most def keep you from slipping while walking.

Any questions on buying or wearing boots? Leave me a comment and I will get back to ya!

Adios!
Jessie Lou

Dancing In Skirts: What You Need and What You Need to Know

Howdy gals!

  Sitting here smelling the corned beef and cabbage cooking! Love that smell! Thought that I would post this to keep my mind off of the food. It's not all quite done cooking yet, it's just to that "It's smells so good that it's torture point!"

  So far part two of my summer dancing series, what you need and what you need to know about wearing skirts while country western dancing.

  What you have to allow for is the accidental "skirt flying over your head" factor. Ok so maybe that's a little drastic, but it does fly up at times. It's just nice to be prepared for it, what I do is wear some gym shorts, swim shorts, leggings, etc. under the skirt. This works nicely for flips and spins as well as any other crazy fun dance moves.

  Also those long tall socks of yours should be switched out for shorter ones (sometimes I don't even wear any socks lol) when wearing them with boots, skirts, and dresses. Unlike when you wear jeans you will be able to see down your boots at your socks, just not as cute. Just sayin.

  Make sure that your skirt fits snuggly at your waist, slippage is an awful pain. Also, the swishier and fuller the skirt the better. You don't want to try dancing in a tight skirt. Now go out and have fun! If you have any questions about this post please let me know and I will try to answer them the best that I can.

 

 

Country Western Dancing: Skirts/Dresses VS. Jeans

  Howdy!
  With rodeo season just around the corner I'm just itching to go dancing! I love love LOVE to dance in a swirly skirt or dress, but I'm usually the only one on the dance floor not clad in jeans.

  I thought that I would do a 3 part series on clothing for dancing just for fun. The first one is Skirts/Dresses VS. Jeans, the second part will be Dancing in Skirts: What You Need and What You Need to Know, and the final and third part will be These Boots Were Made For Dancin'. I hope that you enjoy them!

  Ok so, everyone wears jeans anymore. You never see women wearing a dress or a skirt. When I do I always have to tell them how beautiful their outfit is or something of the kind. I think that as women we are now afraid to be feminine. The cool thing about a Cowgirl is the fact that we take pride in not being afraid, not being afraid of being a woman, of hard work, and of dirt. I fail to see why the modern day cowgirl is afraid of being seen as a girly girl and will not wear anything but jeans.

  I guess a lot of it has to do with the fact that not only do women wear jeans because of comfort, it's also considered "sexy". Everything these days goes under that too often used term. So when we dress up and go dancing we automatically throw on that pair of...wait for it....sexy jeans.

  I can't tell you how many guys have thanked me for wearing a skirt. This usually happens right after a dance. Guys love to see girls wearing skirts/dresses, they love the swish of a skirt when you walk or dance. It's almost magical the mystery that encompasses such a simple thing as a skirt, and jeans just don't do that. It's all out there for everyone to see, no mystery behind that!  No intrigue, etc. etc. You wind up with men that are bored, I thought that we were supposed to be different ya'll? Ok so down off of my soap box, I just have a lot to say and I love to say it ;) Got to love oppinionated women!

  Down to business. The skirt and jeans business to be exact. Don't get me wrong, I wear jeans quite a bit, I love them. And I've also worn them dancing. But usually it's for line dancing. The one time when it's easier to dance in jeans. Other than that jeans are not my go to for after rodeo dancing or honky tonks. I've also noticed how much respect I gain from the normally tough talking rowdy cowboys. They say yes ma'am, ask me to dance, watch their mouths when I'm around, and the list goes on.

  Want to try something new this Rodeo Season? Try on a skirt, see how much confidence you gain and how much positive attention you get! Learn to love the swirl and swish that will accompany you everywhere, believe me you will fall in love. Need ideas? Check out my pinterest board at Pinterest Fashion Inspiration.

Defining What You Do from Elvira

  Just a little tid bit from mama, she recently held a Day at the Bunkhouse for a local homeschool group. It went amazingly! We talked not only about defining what you do (scroll down for to see that), but we also talked about types of livestock, blooming where God planted you (be looking for more on that in a later post), natural homemade cleaners, and dry food storage.

  I'm sorry for the lack of pictures for this event. I was having so much fun that I completely forgot to take any! Anyone have any that they would like to share? I know that I saw some of the ladies taking pics of their little ones holding and petting the barnyard animals...also milking goats.

  We are planning on holding more of these, if anyone is interested let me know. And if there are any topics that you would like to learn about or discuss give me a holler and we will have a little chat. Well enjoy this little ranchy tid bit, and ya'll have a beautiful day!

Defining what you do:

 

Back Yard Farms: Typically, under an acre but zoned for some small livestock as in chickens, rabbits & sometimes a goat. Includes other things such as gardens & bee hives. Primarily for personal consumption, no sales.

 

Hobby Farms/Gentlemen's Farm: Typically, 1-2.5 acres, zoned for chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs, a few horses for children. Gardens, bee hives, orchards. Primarily for personal consumption, if sales, typically run at a loss.

 
Farm: 5 acres or more, self sustaining financially to some degree. Containing primarily crops. Also can be dairy cows, chickens, hogs, rabbits & goats. As in, dairy farm, chicken farm, hog farm, goat farm, rabbit farm. Orchards, gardens and bee hives are typical as well. What is not used personally, is sold. Many other products can be sold such as honey, bees wax candles & homemade goods.

Ranch: Used to be considered large acreage & open range. Newer definition due to cost of land, taxes, etc. is 5 acres or more with horses, cattle or sheep as typically meaning livestock, financially self sustaining to some degree. Therefore, horse ranch, cattle ranch, sheep ranch. Personal garden, orchards or other livestock typically for personal use such as chickens (meat & eggs), hogs (ham & sausage), a dairy cow or goat (milk/cheese). Only crops grown are for livestock feed. If considered a ranch and excess chickens & eggs are sold, foul can be considered ranch chickens/eggs.

  Many Farmers & Ranchers also lease land as it is so expensive to buy & pay taxes on. They also crop share, which is advantageous to all parties involved. Some farms include a bed & breakfast & some ranches include Ranch Retreats or are considered “Dude Ranches” for city folk wanting a ranch experience.