{Dolce Vita}

Well the time has come ~ in just a few hours I will be on a plane to....ITALY!!!!!! I'm super excited and it's still really hasn't settled in that I'm actually going to be leaving the country for almost 2 weeks. I've been planning, saving, and talking about this trip for over a year now, and finally I get to experience this amazing trip...

{Nesting Newbies article - pg. 183}

As a reminder I will not be blogging while I'm away - but will be posting pictures on my Facebook and updating my status on Twitter. If you're not already - follow me!

Ok Peeps - I'm off...don't miss me too much! I'll be back on October 5th with lots of stories and pictures to share. Until then....

{Tired.}

I apologize for this post today - but I worked 20+ hours yesterday and I'm so very tired, cranky, and all of my creativity is out the window...

HOWEVER, today is going to be a good day because my sister Laura is driving to NC and I can't wait to see her! She is coming to doggy-sit my precious pup because she completely freaks out when I take her to the pet-hotel. Usually if my neighbors aren't able to watch her, I will board her for a couple of days max - but with me being gone so long, my lovely sister agreed to come and watch Miss Addison for me. I heart my family!

Additionally, today is my last day of work until I get back from Italy {IF I come back from Italy}. We have had some very stressful days that turned into evenings, that turned into mornings, and this amazing break is going to be just what I need. I think {fingers crossed} that all of the hot and crazy projects should be good until I get back. If not {because unexpected things always pop up}- my peeps will definitely hold down the fort as I'm sipping wine, sampling every flavor of gelato, and shopping until my credit cards tell me to stop. I'll miss you guys {in the friend, not work type of way}!

Ok - I'm going to try and grab some type of strength to make it through this day....Lord help me!

{In the Home Stretch...}

Can you believe it - in 3 days I'll be on a plane to Italy, I can barely contain myself!!! Over the weekend I was able to get everything organized and the only thing I need to do is iron all of my clothes, roll them up, and place them in my suitcase. I'm a little worried about the weight of my luggage only because I need to leave a good 10-15 lbs for the wine, limoncello, and olive oil I plan to bring back {I know...priorities, lol} ~ I'll be cutting it close. So for a 10 day trip, other than my toiletries, jewelry, and a hat, this is everything I'm taking:

...not too bad, right?

{Weekend Plans...}

I have had one heck of a week and I am completely worn and utterly burnt out. The only thing that I can hope/pray is that I don't get sick. So this weekend I plan to take care of only me...BTW - TGIF Peeps!!!!

Enjoy your weekend...  

{Wishin for an ipad...}

Remember that song by Skee-Lo "I wish I was a little bit taller...I wish I was a baller...” ~ well you know what I wish? I wish I had an ipad!!! Don't you think it would have been the perfect accessory for my 13 hour plane ride? Speaking of accessories – look at these amazing designer ipad cases. So now, not only do I want an ipad, I want one of these freakin cases….

{via}

1) Louis Vuitton ($390)

2) Oscar De La Renta ($290)

3) Salvatore Feragamo ($390)

4) Gucci ($290)

5) YSL ($795)

6) Chanel ($1555)

7) Burberry ($475)

I'm thinking.....Christmas list! 

{Fleabed for My Addy}

I don't know why {well yes I do} but I feel so bad leaving my Addy for 10 days while I'm in Italy.  It gives me a lot of comfort though know that my little sis, Laura, will be here while I'm away to house and Addy-sit for me. Addison LOVES Laura, so I know she will be happy to spend this time with her for 10 days. I wonder if she'll even miss me {insert sad face here}. To make up for my absence, for her  3rd birthday on October 2nd,  I'm doing it up big! In addition to her favorite doggy treats, I'm going to get her a yummy  cupcake so she can make a complete mess over it, and......a new bed {yes, she is a very spoiled doggie}!!! Here are a few that I'm looking at:

Aren't these adorable?? You know which ones I'm looking at, don't you? Fleabags were born to fill the void of contemporary on-trend dog and cat beds in chic, washable fabrics. In making them, they couldn't forget affordable and most importantly, eco-conscientious. Manufacturing locally in California, minimized their carbon footprint, and special attention was paid to the selection of organic cotton and bamboos.

I'm so loving the gray polka-dots!!! Jamie Meares over at Furbish just unveiled her new line of dog beds. If you live in the Raleigh area, you can visit her amazing shop and may even get a chance to meet her sweet little schnauzer Rowdy. 

So which bed should I get for my little princess?

{Restoration Hardware}

By any chance have you been in the newly renovated Restoration Hardware? I was shocked over the weekend to find a completely new store. I love the look and I've got to give the designers a standing ovation for being so bold to change up their entire line overnight. If I could squeeze in one complaint - the prices are insane, and the scale of some of the items are rather large {for those that live in apartments or small houses} BUT nevertheless, every.single.piece. is simply lovely and fantastic. I have a wish list already started {bedding (click here to see it) and towels not shown below but are always on my Resto wishlist} and lucky for me I have a good friend that works there and gets....wait for it, 40% off!!! Sh-mazing right? Still, I have a lot of saving up to do, but now these items aren't so out of reach for me. Check out the list...

{Must have this spot light and tufted couch. The light it $1500 and the couch $3000 - see what I mean about the insanity? But so lovely, right?}

{I've always wanted an Eames classic chair - but I kinda think I love this more. Wouldn't this leather chaise and shiny silver floor lamp be the perfect furniture for a corner reading nook? I want!}

{Love these accessories...doesn't the hour clock remind you of when Dorthy was trapped in the tower in the Wizard of Oz? Lol!}

{You know I am a fan of both subway sign art and chalkboards - so of course I would love these. Again, I could do the look for less - but sometimes I just want the real deal - and I want these...}

Impressive huh? Are you currently standing up giving a slow clap shaking your head from side to side in amazement? Lol!!!

{Come Fly With Me....}

10 days and counting!!! I have 2 more things to pick up and I will finally be finished with all of my pre-Italy shopping. Now that I'm almost finished, I need to start putting my packing lists together to ensure that I have absolutely everything I need for my suitcase and my carry-on. Below are several staple items {ipod, gum, gossip magazine, a good book, a cardigan or jacket in case the plane is cold, a neck pillow, Mentos (fresh goes better with Mentos, fresh and full of life - lol!!), my travel journal, sunglasses, chapstick, hand sanatizer, and of course my passport} that I can't live without while traveling...

What's on your travel list? Anything you can't live without?

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!!

So what are your plans for the weekend? Do you have any fun and/or exciting planned? Whatever you decide to you - enjoy and even if it's only 15 minutes, do something just for you!

{Paper Source}

Paper Source is one of my go-to stores when it comes to gorgeous papers, cards & envelopes, albums, specialty gifts, and crafts. I so wish I lived near one of their stores ~ but lucky for those that don't, they have an amazing online shop. Below are a few of my favorites from their new fall collection ~ click here to see for yourself a site full of inspiration and goodies...

1. Reusable Snack Bag

2. Polka Dot Printable Invitation

3. Gold & Chocolate Stationary

4. Jonathan Adler Paper

5. Fringe Paper Flower Kit 

{A Bunch of Randomness...}

I'm feeling a little random this morning, so my post today is going to reflect exactly that...random.

{There's something about hot air balloons that I just love. I came across this fantastic pic that not only includes hot air balloons, but they are in my favorite colors - mustard and gray. Love! Click here to purchase the pic and to browse through the entire shop}

{You had me at Leather Tote. Isn't this fabulous? Click here to view this fantastic bag and the rest of this lovely shop}

{I am a collector of many things, and boxes to hold "stuff" in are one of those many. I really really love these and think they could be the perfect accessory to the perfect gift. For example if someone wanted to buy me the Michele watch I've been obsessed over for my birthday 1 month from today {clearing throat} this would be the perfect box to put it in {clearing throat again}. Click here to see more of these amazing boxes}

{I also collect the letter "J". [NOTE - as your searching the web and /or out vintage and flea market shopping, if you ever come across a HUGE (as in over 3 foot tall) letter J, I beg you to let me know where you see it. I saw one on Etsy about a year ago, and of course procrastinated a little too long and someone bought it ~ I've been obsessed ever since.] Click here to visit this vintage shop - they have every letter in the alphabet...}

See I told you, a bunch of randomness...but sometimes that's ok, right?

{The Countdown Is REALLY On...}

Can you believe I only have 16 days until Italy? It seems so crazy to me because I have been planning and sacrificing for this trip for over a year now. Over the next coming days as my excitement grows, I plan to tie up all the loose ends before I head out of here - like:

~ Make copies of my passport

~ Purchase Euros

~ Purchase one more pair of shoes {Converse}

~ Purchase all the toiletries and little odds and ends I need

~ Find a comfy plane outfit

~ Find a duffel bag small enough to fit in my suitcase and big enough to bring all my goodies back in

~ Decide if I'm going to buy a suitcase with 360 wheels, or just use the one I have

~ Research and map all the restaurants, bars, and shops we want to go to

~ Call my bank to let them know I'm traveling {I don't need them denying any purchases}

~ Take a couple of items to the tailor

~ Prepare my ipod with all the music and movies I need

~ Decide which books I'm taking {man I wish I had an ipad or a Kindle}

~ Call AT&T to add the international data plan to my phone {as a reminder to all my readers, I will not be blogging from Italy but I will be posting pics and updates via my Twitter and Facebook. If you are not a follower - click here and here to keep up with all of my "goings on" while I'm away...}

{Drawings from Etsy artist Oh The Places}

Whew ~ I've got a lot to do...

{To Wear White -or not- To Wear White}

According to the gospel of.....uh, me - why wouldn't you wear white after labor day? The "no white after labor day" was pretty much the only fashion rule my mother made us follow, but times have changed. When it comes to fashion, we live in a world of unwritten rules.

This doesn’t mean everything is accepted! Please don’t step out in a white sundress. Also, summer fabrics like linen are time to be put on hold until spring. White jeans, however, can be paired with fall colors and styles and still look great. White jeans with a tunic or chunky sweater, a skinny belt, and ballet flats are an easy transition look for early fall. A white boyfriend blazer with dark or black skinny jeans is another great look. Rules were made to be broken! Incorporate white into your fall wardrobe and turn heads. Happy Labor Day Peeps!

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF PEEPS!!!

{I'm in Nesting Newbies}

I'm am thrilled to finally announce that the 4th issue of Nesting Newbies is out and guess what....I'M IN IT!!! I was contacted a few months ago to be a part of this issue by submitting my Summer Plans in the same fashion that I post my Weekend Plans every Friday {handwritten, drawings, collages, etc}. Of course I jumped at this amazing opportunity and had a blast putting it together! So without further ado ~ here are my Summer Plans...

{To view the full-size article click here and flip to page 183, but don't stop there ~ after you're done with my page, flip back to the beginning and indulge in the pages and pages of fabulousness...}

Thank you Jodi and Lea ~  being a part of your amazing magazine is a complete honor. Looking back at the article I've realized that I had an amazing summer and in 20 days I get to top it off with my trip to Italy. Whoo-hoo!!! Thanks again, the layout looks fantastic!

{Lovin All That Glitters...}

There will probably be many of you that think I'm completely crazy - but I really.really.really want a pair of these glimmering, schmazing, sequin pants. I must admit that it may be a bit much for my current locale - but can't I buy them now and save them for the west coast later? I would so wear these with a white tee, a simple-ish necklace, and my black converse {that I plan to buy} during the day ~ and at night put on a boyfriend blazer and a pair of heels ~ and for all you nay-sayers, yes I could even wear them to my companies Tacky Christmas Sweater Party {LOL}........

{Isabel Marant’s Fall 2010}

{J Crew}

{Unknown}

You think I'm crazy right?