time to celebrate

This weekend, I'll be watching my niece get married.

My beautiful niece, who's only eleven years younger than me and, back in the day, made quite the ex-boyfriend stalking buddy and Ice Ice Baby dancing pal, and now serves as my young, hip excuse to attend concerts I might otherwise be way too old for.

 Since I was so young when she was born, I can barely remember my life without her in it, and I definitely wouldn't want to.  She's one of the kindest souls I've ever known, and I swear her heart is so bright that she literally glows as if lit from within. 

I had a dream last night that I was crying uncontrollably happy tears even before she walked down the aisle, so I'm hoping that I can keep a hold of myself for the real thing! 

Ashley, I'm so excited to celebrate you and my soon to be nephew!  I love you!

happy finds

1. brass lamps are new again, and this vintage find is so chic!   2. wishing i could splurge on these elizabeth and james sandals that are perfect for every day   3. would love to recreate this look   4. i've finally decided it's time to get this asos clutch.   5. just discovered dull diamond and i'm in love!   6. kate spade does it again with another fab iphone case   7. totally enamored with berin made's creations   8. use this gorgeous vintage tea cup to store your jewels   9. hurry and snatch up a second street east pillow before they're gone!

Hello all!  The past few days have been crazy as always, but I've managed to put together some of my most recent favorite things for you, because I love you all so!

I should have named this post "I like gold" just in case you didn't gather that from my round up.  Has anyone not joined the gold gang yet?  If not, consider this your official invitation.  I'm pretty sure that Kate Spade iphone case would be a great way to start, yes?

I hope everyone's week has been glorious, and that you all have big plans for your weekend.  As for me, I have another post coming up soon that will explain my weekend plans.
Until then my sweet friends!

take notes - how to wear boyfriend jeans

A fear of frump shouldn't keep me from wearing my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans, should it?  Today I'm taking notes on styling my boy jeans from some of my most loved looks...

images via:  this chick's got style // hatch // madewell // wendy's lookbook

Get The Look:

It certainly looks like I'll be getting my "boyfriends" back with gusto!  How about you?  Are you a fan of the boyfriend jean?  If so, which is your favorite look?  I'm definitely interested to see where everyone else stands on this trend!

color me monday

image via: modern luxury (design by sally wheat, photography by laurie perez)
book cover via: omnivore books on food

How about some color for your Monday?

Today we have an unlikely duo of color companions, but they pair beautifully wouldn't you say?

Have an amazing week everyone!

see it/wear it

jacket // blouse // boyfriend jeans (similar styles here and here) // sandals
similar clutch // belt // nail polish // bracelet // sunglasses

image via: fashionvibe

I'm a little late with my Friday outfit post, aren't I?

So sorry...life seems to be creeping up on me quickly lately!  I'm knee deep in trying to clean and organize my closet (which I've been putting off for almost two years.  Yikes.) and my body seems to be rebelling against my efforts.  I've been ridiculously tired and not feeling quite right. 

I'm trying to drink extra water and go to bed a little earlier, which accounts for my late post - plenty of sleep equals very little time to blog!  Thanks for hanging in there with me! 

Speaking of my post, don't you love this outfit by the gorgeous Zina of Fashionvibe?  Girl's got style, proven by the way she wears her boyfriend jeans with such relaxed glamour.  I'm especially fond of the way she mixes a basic brown belt with a shimmering clutch and famous Zara heels.
Take notes stylish gals, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

-happy-

1. a cute little dress for an easy summer vibe   2. a pair of fab petite lamps to dress up your dresser   3. would love to have this book of art to gaze at on a rainy day   4. it's a splurge, but this anthropologie rocking chair is more than worth it   5. a forever 21 necklace to help you save for that splurge!   6. the last set of stacking rings from madewell sold out fast, so I'm snatching this set up quickly   7. i love mint home for beautifully re-done furniture, like this bright mid-century dresser   8. this vintage creamer and sugar set was gone by press time, but shop for similar here and here   9. $10.00 gallery wall art is just too great to pass up!

I'm back with more happy finds for you this week, and I've most definitely fallen for this entire roundup!  I think my eyes were bigger than my wallet this time around, so I made sure to include some amazing budget friendly finds along with the bank busters!

 Today is my "mom's day out," so I'm heading out to round up a few more things before my day off is over!  Thanks for stopping by everyone!

need it / want it + a guest post

Sometime it can be tough to decipher our needs from our wants, but today, I'm having no problems with either!

Need it: This recipe for quinoa burgers from Eating Well Living Thin will be our dinner tonight.
Healthy and delicious...just what I needed!

Want it: A $64 side table from Urban Outfitters that has the look of much higher end offerings.
Affordable and stylish...just what I wanted!


Speaking of wanting, check out my guest post on The Eagle's Nest today!

I'm sharing on outfit for new mamas on Jess's Blogger Style Challenge, so stop by when you get a moment.  I'm so excited to be taking part in such a great series!


Hope all of you are enjoying this Wednesday as much as I am!  It's amazing that I'm even functioning right now, since little shmoosh decided it was party time from 1 to 4 am this morning.
We were sharing a bowl of Cheerios at 3 am, when I realized I was kind of loving it.
After all, I won't ever remember the nights that he slept all night, but I'll always have memories of his teeny head on my shoulder in the dark.  


Have a great day everyone!

return to a favorite - kerry cassill

Yesterday, I stumbled across a forgotten gem.  I saw this pin, and was instantly reunited with Kerry Cassill, a luxurious line of Indian fabrics for dressing your home and you!

I'm especially infatuated with the Paisley Label home and bedding collection.  I imagine that any of the dreamy quilts, sheets or pillowcases could transport me to a blissful state in seconds flat. 

Find the above prints and more on the Kerry Cassill Pinterest boards, and shop for your favorites on the website.  But be forewarned, you'll want it all!


So, is everyone having a good week so far?
I'm off on the hunt for my copy of the domino special edition today.  I jumped the gun yesterday after seeing that some people already had copies, but was disappointed to find nothing!
I think a trip to Barnes & Noble this morning should prove successful, but wish me luck!

color me monday and liebster love

 image credits:  lonny (interior design by david cafiero) // cassia beck // matchbook mag // joanna goss 
 canadian house & home (photographer donna griffith)

Hello and happy Monday friends!

I wanted to share some extra peppy colors today, since I wasn't the happiest to see Monday's arrival.  Sometimes the weekend is just too good you know?

In other news, I've been awarded the Liebster Blog Award!  The sweetness Lindsay of Last Year of Twenty Something awarded it to me, and here's what it's all about...

The Liebster is an award given to up and coming blogs having less than 200 followers. The word "Liebster" is of German origin, meaning "Beloved, Dearest, or Favorite".

Love it!  Thanks Lindsay!

Now I get to pass the award on to five other blogs with less than 200 followers:

1. A Girl in the World
 2. Beauty & the Beard
 3. Eclectic Snapshots
4. Hope in High Heels
5. Pink Tulips 

Ladies, don't feel obligated to participate, but know that I think you're each especially deserving of this award!

Here are the rules for passing it on:

1. Link back to the lovely lady (or gentleman) who gave it to you.

2. Post the darling award to your blog.

3. Give the award to five bloggers with less than 200 followers.

4. Leave a comment on the five blogs to let them know they've been offered the award

Don't forget to check out Lindsay's blog and the five lovelies I listed!

Thanks for stopping by everyone, and have a wondeful week!

pastels and a little laugh

j.crew cardigan $65.00 (similar found at target $19.99)  //  abercrombie striped shirt $49.90 
j.crew pencil skirt $89.50  //  madewell skimmer $118  //  forever 21 necklace $12.80 
j.crew crystal necklace $85.00  //  jcrew link bracelet $118  //  michael kors watch $250  //  asos clutch $53.72
photo via: pink peonies 

Friday the 13th was definitely unlucky for me. 

Yours truly (me!) managed to get my keys stuck in another person's car (!!!!!) in the Target parking lot this afternoon.  It was parked right next to mine and was the exact make, model and color, so I couldn't understand why the button on my key wasn't unlocking the back door.  (duh!)  Well, (smarty pants that I am) I decided to unlock the back door manually.

My key went in, turned, and immediately got stuck.

 Did I mention that it was starting to rain, there were tornado warnings all around us, lightning was perilously close to my head, AND I had my boys with me?  The poor little things could only stare, dumfounded, as I uttered curses and tugged like a mad woman on the not-budging key.

In the end, the sweet owner of the other car drove home with my key hanging from her back door, and my guys and I ate popcorn from the Target snack bar while we waited for Josh to bring our extra key.  Luckily we were spared from the worst of the weather, and I exchanged numbers with the car's owner so I can get my key tomorrow (hopefully!)

Sheesh.  Who does something like that??

Oh yeah, ME!

At least my day is now brighter that I'm able to post about pretty pastels for Friday's Fancies!  I can't get enough of this adorable outfit I found on Pink Peonies.  I see it as an immediate addition to my "if I had an office to go to" wardrobe.  Maybe I'll pretend and wear it anyways!

Have a great weekend everyone, and I hope my blunder made at least a few of you laugh.  That would make it worth the embarrassment of admitting it!
Lots of love to all of you!

partners in color

 images via: lonny mag and a lovely being

Can you tell I have color on the brain?

Since I can't get my head to stop making color palettes of everything I see, I decided to forgo my usual happy finds today to bring you this palette pairing.
 Hope you love it!

Now I'm off to scour my favorite spot for vintage goodies and vacuum out my car before the goldfish crackers overtake it.
Have a wonderful Thursday!

kitchen dancing & other tidbits

Today is one of those days where my mind is all over the place.
I've been doing some serious spring cleaning, (I bought one of these and it changed my life!) so I'm focused more on scrubbing my tile grout than most anything else.

I do have a few tidbits for you, and they're fun, I promise!

image via: the joy of ex foundation

Apparently we're not the only ones who dance up a storm in our kitchen! It's by far the best place in the house for a dance party.  If you've never tried it, you must. It will quickly become a habit!

image via: lonny, design by albert hadley

Dots...

image via: inspired by this  design by: amber karson events

...and stripes are two of my favorites (especially in black and white.)  I love how they look in such a small space, and with this gorgeous place setting.  I'm also utterly infatuated with the Albert Hadley Fireworks wallpaper used in the above bathroom.  It's absolutely amazing.

With that, I have to scoot.
I've got some major steaming to finish before little man wakes up!
Lots of love everyone!

color me monday

 photo credits:  design mom | atlantic-pacific | freshome | planet blue

Well, it's Monday.  Why not make it colorful?

I was browsing my pins yesterday, and noticed a batch with almost the exact same color palette.

I must have been in a vibrant mood that day!

Have a bright Monday everyone!

fancy me floral

madewell chambray shirt || h&m floral pants || jennifer zeuner horseshoe necklace
jennifer zeuner clover necklace || house of harlow pyramid ring || asos bracelet || asos friendship bracelet
scotch naturals nail polish || 3.1 phillip lim mini satchel-navy || zara sandals
photo credit: viva luxury

Floral...it's so hot right now.  Are you in, or out?

I think I can handle it, in small doses anyways.

Our theme of the week for Friday's Fancies is all about floral, so I just knew I had to recreate this outfit from the beautiful Annabelle Fleur of Viva Luxury.  She pulls off the floral look perfectly, and cements the fact that I need those Zara sandals, like, right this second.

What's on tap for your weekend amazing readers of mine?

We're heading out to dinner with friends tonight, which marks two Fridays in a row that we've been able to hit the town.  I think that's setting some sort of record in our world, which is pretty remarkable.

I'm also super excited to catch up with some of my most favorite people on the planet!

As for you, I hope your Easter weekend is filled to the brim with happiness!
See you back here next week!

-happy-

1: i love Target's outdoor offerings, including this hammock rope swing for 29.99    2: i fall for anything with pleats, and this skirt from mango is no exception    3: beaded heels give these basic sandals a boost   4: another gorgeous book for your coffee table   5: i would wear these glasses with gusto   6: ease into the neon trend by wearing a bit on your wrist   7: kitty genius is, in fact, genius   8: if not your wrist, then add some neon to your ears with these kate spade studs   9: a PS1 wallet gives you luxury for less   10: this bright cushion would liven up any corner

 

Is anyone as pumped as I am that spring is here in full force?

I'm excited to get out in the garden this weekend, and also try to knock out some outdoor projects.  (aka, spray painting stuff!) 

 I'm sure there will be plenty of egg hunting in the mix as well!

I hope you see a few things to love in my happy finds, and that your Thursday is incredible!

Thanks for stopping by!

what do these things have in common?

I'll give you a hint...

They all have something to do with my guest post today at Savor Home.

I'll be showing you how to recreate one of my favorite looks, so head on over, before I resort to begging, which isn't becoming of me.

Plus, I know you'll love Tiffany's blog.  She has amazing recipes and a great eye, and I always love what I see when I'm there!

I'll be back tomorrow with some goodies, so I'll see you then!

styling love - poppy

New York City boutique, Poppy, lured me in last week with this photo of the amazing ALC Artine blazer.  Although the blazer in itself was enough to keep me around, it was the stellar styling of said item that had me wanting more.

Since I found myself envying the laid back, yet put together styling of every piece, it was only natural that I gathered some notes on why Poppy's looks drew me in!

If only I lived closer so I could take in all of these goodies in person!

Hope you're all having a fabulous week so far!

all that I love

Another weekend has come and gone.  Where does the time go?!?
I'm also in disbelief that it's already April.  How did that happen???

We've been crazy busy around here, but it's been a good sort of busy.  I've been trying out new crafts with munchkin and it's been interesting and entertaining at the same time.  I've learned that tissue paper looks like food to an 18 month old, and that finger paint can turn into full-body paint in seconds flat.

How have you wonderful people been?
I must apologize for not being the best blog buddy out there.  I'm really awful at it, but I'm so excited to meet all my new readers, and I can't even tell you how much I appreciate all your kind comments and words!  

Here's to the start of another great week.  I'm sitting outside watching my sweet boy pick a dandelion as we speak, so I'm off to help him dig in the dirt.
Thanks so much for stopping by!