{Weekend Plans}

{You're My Cuppy-cake}

Have you ever heard of the Cuppycake song? My mom sent it to me several years ago and from time to time we sing it and laugh hysterically. If you haven't heard it before, check it out here {my fave part is at 0:14 - lol}. Anyway, lately I've had a few reasons to make cupcakes and each time {believe it or not I haven't tasted even one, not even a bite - yay me!} I wish I had something to display them on because you know me, it's all about the presentation. So after doing a quick search I found the following DIY cupcake stand {via Apartment Therapy} that I sooo want to make. It's made of vintage plates and glass candlestick holders held together with epoxy. I think it is adorable.

{For directions on how to make this click here to be directed to Apartment Therapy's site.}

If you aren't into DIY and would rather purchase a stand that someone else handmade, check out these options {via Etsy} below:  

{1,2,3,4}

{Gray Days...}

Gray? Grey? I'm not sure but for this post, I'm going with gray - cool? This is no secret, my favorite color is gray. I love gray walls, I want a gray couch, there's a gray rug that I'm dying for, I have tons of gray clothes, and about 3 pairs of gray boots....ok, you get it? I love gray. I think it is one of the best neutrals and looks amazing with basically any color you put with it {especially mustard, another favorite of mine}. I think it’s safe to say that gray is here to stay {cheesy yet true} as it can be classic & tailored, traditionally buttoned up, or super chic. Below are few of amazing gray finds via Etsy - come shop with me...

{Link love: 1,2,3,4,5}

{Lovin Lampshades: Studio Jota}

You know how when you see something that you really want, decide to leave it at the store to see if you still think about it the next day? Well that's what I'm going through, however, it's been several days now. I saw this fantastic lamp while out to lunch last week at NOFO, and I've been thinking about it ever since. The problem - it's $228. I came home that night and scrubbed the web trying to see if I could find it for cheaper. I found several lamps and lovely drum shades {as seen below} but nothing quite as amazing as the one I saw.

{All lampshades are made by Etsy store Studio Jota}

So what to do, what to do... Should I buy it? Write a letter to Santa? Make it one of my Christmas presents to myself? Or leave it and keep hunting? I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture of it so I could show you. Maybe I'll back this week to look at it again...and grab one of my favorite bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado sandwiches. Stay tuned....this book is not closed!

{Wear This...Decorate That}

If you can put together an outfit, you can decorate a room. Promise. Just look around your house, does it reflect your personal style? Does it look similar to the clothes you have in your wardrobe {color scheme, modern or vintage, mix-matched...}? Well back by popular demand, I'm bringing back my "wear this...decorate that" posts...

Wear this fab Anthropologie leather jacket; decorate with that Restoration Hardware leather chaise lounge... {the jacket is going on the Christmas list FOR.SURE}

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!! My usual hand written Weekend Plans is sitting on my desk at work - and after sitting in a traffic jam for an hour yesterday {due to the State Fair and it being canned food admission night} I didn't feel like going back to the office to grab it. So...without further ado, here is what I'm thinking as far as plans for this weekend...

What's on your agenda this weekend? I'm sure it's going to be hard to top my plans {lol} but I'd love to hear what you have on your agenda! Whatever you do, have a great weekend. To Andrea Owen - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

{Loyal Loot Collective: Log Bowls}

The Loyal Loot Collective is based out of Edmonton in Canada, artists Doha Chebib, Carmen Douville, Dara Mumniski, and Anna Thomas collectively have created these amazing Log Bowls. The thing that is so captivating is the high contrast between the rough, natural logs and the modern, glossy finish in the colorful bowls. Even more impressive is that each bowl is handmade using only locally reclaimed trees of all varieties that have fallen or were cut down due to infrastructure, re-landscaping, droughts, or stormy weather. The trees are all hand selected, gathered, turned and finished.

Tell me, are you completely drawn to these stunning bowls, like me? Adding to the christmas list for sure {especially the gray one...of course}!

{Salute To Another Fall Trend}

Military Style is another fall trend that I'm loving. I'm obsessed with jackets and blazers, and military-inspired structured ones with lots of  hardware are no exception. If you’re wondering how to apply fall’s military trend without looking like G.I. Jane, check out the items below...

{via Style Bakery}

{Halloween Chic}

I'm not a HUGE Halloween fanatic - but I do enjoy the holiday, especially handing out treats to the little ones. I usually set a few pumpkins and mums out on my balcony, but that usually completes my decorations. Now in true Flourish style, I actually found a way to chic Halloween up a bit and now I'm feeling inspired and ready to spruce my place up a little with some of these sh-mazing ideas I stumbled upon. Check em out...

{via Cupcakes and Cashmere - I love the black glitter and the silver hand!}

{via Sweet Paul - ummm genius!}

{via Coco+Kelley - I love the white...subtle yet still in the spirit of Halloween}

{via Sweet Paul - studded grey pumpkin, gasp - LOVE!!!!}

{Hostaria Nonnamelia: Orvieto, Italy}

While in Italy, my absolute favorite city {other than Venice} was Orvieto. It's a very small little town that sits on top of a very large hill and the only way that you can reach it is by a funicular railway. While visiting Orvieto, we happened to stumble upon this wonderful restaurant, Hostaria Nonnamelia, and decided to grab some lunch before we headed to Sienna. Immediately, it was love at first sight and I knew this place was definitely worthy of it's own post. The decor was so eclectic, cozy, and inviting, and the food...let's just say it's was the best meal we had the entire trip. So good, that I still have the taste of the lasagna embedded in my mouth. So without further ado, take a peak at this lovely {and my now favorite} restaurant:

{One of the many nooks and crannies

{I love this cozy little area, and I especially love the wall. I took this picture to remember the design because I thought that it would be a fantastic headboard.}

{Don't you just love the eclectic atmosphere. No seating area is alike... I feel like each piece was selected on purpose, during several weekend trips to the flea market...}

{The area on the left is one of my favorites - I love the little corner in the table with that huge lamp sitting next to it....}

{The BEST pizza and lasagna we had the entire trip - it was definitely the sauce. It tasted like "grandma" was back in the kitchen whippin up her personal recipe}

 

{The wine was yummy as well...of course it was}

I beg you - if you ever go to Italy, please, please, pleeaase put Orvieto into your plans. It's about an hour from Rome, and it''s one of those places that you'll immediately love and will remember forever. I can't wait to go back...

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!!

Oh! I forgot - I have a hot stone massage scheduled for tomorrow {thanks to my friends at work} and then I'll be watching the big Ohio State vs. Wisconsin football game. GO BUCKS!!!! So what are your plans this weekend?

{Would You Wear It?}

Over the knee socks. I am a fool for preppy trends and I totally fell for this one. I recently purchased a pair of heather grey ones, but it seems a little tricky to pull off. Hemlines are an issue… a lot of thigh is too à la Britney Spears for my taste. I like the layered look in these images, they feel casual and balanced. Will you try this trend? What shoes would you wear? I’m not sure I have the footwear to pull this off…yet.

{via}

I definitely rocked {and LOVED} knee socks after becoming obsessed with Clueless when i was in junior high, but for 2010, I’d like to steer clear of the mini skirt, platform, knee sock combo {lol}! Maybe I'll start with wearing them under my OTK boots, and then work my way down to a bootie or a pump. Once I find the right 'fit - I'll take a pic {just in case you think I'm totally off my rocker}...

{A Void That Needs Filled}

One MAJOR thing that we did not have time to do while in Italy (and this is a biggie) is shop for shoes and boots. There just wasn’t enough time in the day to have any real personal shopping time, and so while we all bought handbags (some more than others) we are all bummed that we didn’t walk away with a pair of fabulous Italian shoes. So since I have a void that has yet to be filled – and since the weather is getting cooler – I’m on the hunt for some (as in more than 2) boots. I’ve done a little searching online (see below) but I have a work trip to LA in a couple of weeks that I think I’ll wait until I get there before making any purchases…

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14}

I love them all.........

{Happy Birthday Lonny Magazine}

Lonny Mag has turned 1 this month and their anniversary issue is now out on the "stands" {ie. your computer screen}. As you know I'm a huge fan of this online magazine and get excited every time a new issue comes out because I so look forward to all the eye candy and amazing ideas they have to share. This month {of course} did not disappoint and below are a few of my fave interiors. Take a look....

As a lover of books - I would love for my bed to be nestled in between built-in bookshelves filled with all my favorites...

There's something about this corner nook that I just love - from the floor lamp, to the statue, to the espresso hard wood floors...lovely...

I really like the openness of this room, but I especially love the personal artwork...

...and this FANTASTIC table ~ what I wouldn't do for it...

When you have some time, sit down and enjoy Lonny's anniversary issue ~ I guarantee that you'll find tons of inspiration...promise.

{All Things Warm And Cozy}

I feel like when I left for Italy is was 90 degrees outside, and then when I returned it was 60 and when I wake up at 6:30 in the morning, it's still pitch dark out ~ what happened? Not that I'm complaining because I absolutely love the fall, but I don't feel we got much of a transition period. In preparation of all things warm and cozy, I did a little search and found a few new Etsy faves that I thought I would share. Now that my trip is over, I don't have to save every dime and penny....so with that, I'm lovin the vintage train case below...hmmm....

1. Hopscotch Mat, $60

2. Leather Bicycle Bag, $65

3. Vintage Train Bag, $82

4. Vintage Spool of Twine, $26

5. Grey Cowl Scarf, $55