Yee ha!

I'm a Texas girl at heart, even though I transplanted to Colorado over 14 years ago. In fact, today I wore my favorite pair of cowboy boots to a client meeting and I felt like strutting! A good pair of boots can't be beat for style and comfort. My pair is beat up, soft and molded to my feet. Stylish without being flashy. Classic, pointy-toed, slant heeled - just like my grandpa used to wear. I love the way my boots sound when I walk across a wooden floor, and I love the way I can spin on their well worn soles. And, what I wouldn't give to have a husband who would take me kicker dancin' once in a while. Alas, my Illinois-born beloved scoffs at the whole pride in Texas thing, and couldn't dance a step on a sawdust floor. Chilling out at a Grateful Dead concert is more his speed, and his footwear of choice is either hiking boots or Birkenstocks. Sigh!

Being Texan has become a less prominent part of my personality the longer I live outside the Lone Star State. I'm much more likely to be found these days in yoga pants, a fleece and comfy clogs. Make-up and hours spent on my hair have gone by the wayside as I've embraced the bare face, simple hair, "hippy style" of a Colorado mom. And, you know, I love that, too. I moved here because I love the outdoors and seasons and the casual personality of Colorado. My husband moved here for the same things and we connected over our mutual love of our new home. So, see, we're really not so different.

But, every once in a while, I get a yen to add a tin star to my home decor, cook a great brisket for my friends, have black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, and relax my accent into an easy drawl. It's on those days that I pull on my favorite jeans and comfy boots and start to strut a little.

So, in honor of my home State and my feeling today as I kick up my heels in my favorite boots, here's a fun cow-print, western alpha to add a little western style to your layouts. Use the freebie as a frame to highlight your favorite cowboy or western landscape photo, or use it as a charm or accent element, it works great for both. See ya'll soon and please, don't forget to laugh a little today!