Friday, April 29, 2011

{Happy Royal Wedding Day}

Will and Kate
Are you up? Are you watching? I can't lie it was tough getting up, but I just couldn't miss watching this iconic day live. DVR is for Grey's Anatomy, not the Royal Wedding, right? I'm currently Tweeting my 2 cents - come follow me!

Enjoy your weekend Peeps {sorry I'm so brief this morning - I've got a Royal Wedding to watch}!
Signature

Thursday, April 28, 2011

{Linen Closet Organization}

When I grow up, I want to have a linen closet that looks just like this - full of  Egyptian cotton sheets, separated by clear dividers and wrapped in a ribbon. But for now I'm grateful for my little linen closet with wire shelves and sheets from Home Goods! 
Linen closet organization
{Acrylic shelf dividers can be found here}
And look what I've found - how to properly fold a fitted sheet - this is something that is a royal pain in the {fill in the blank}. Random, I know...but I recently had a conversation about how to fold fitted sheets and was excited when I saw this. It's the little things...
how to fold a fitted sheet
Signature

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

{Royal Wedding: Things That Make You Go...Hmmm}

So who's ready for the Royal Wedding on Friday? I must admit that I'm too excited and will definitely be waking up at 4am to watch the festivities {I mean how can you not watch this historical, iconic, event LIVE?}. At work, the Royal Wedding is definitely a constant conversation - the guys think us girls are ridiculous, and us girls think they're ridiculous. {We all know, secretly, they'll be watching too}. One of my co-workers found this Knit Your Own Royal Wedding book below yesterday, which got me thinking and searching the web to see what other craziness I could find. So here we go...
Royal Wedding Final
1. Yep - Knit Your Own Royal Wedding. PLEASE check this out...all I can say is WOW!
2. I had to put in a classic pillow amongst all the craziness...I actually want one!
3. Wills and Kate tea bags anyone?
4. Keep Calm ~ Harry Is Still Single {but he won't be King...}
5. Tiara cookie cutter - I'm actually going to try and make an egg-over-easy in this on Friday morning. {I'm sure they have this cookie cutter at Michaels... I'll post pics if it works}
6. It Should Have Been Me - well not really, but you get it...
7. Wills and Kate PEZ - now this is genius!

The countdown is on! Are you getting up for the wedding? Or could you care less?
Signature

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

{Oversized Clutches}

I've been noticing these gorgeous oversized/slouchy clutches lately and can I just say, I really want one.  I think they add that touch of femininity to simple outfits that makes a subtle statement of fine fashion sense.
Oversized Clutch
Oversized Clutch 1
Oversized Clutch 2
Oversized Clutch 3
Oversized Clutch 4
Oversized Clutch - Etsy Finds
{1  2  3  4}
Signature

Monday, April 25, 2011

{DIY: Rhino Head}

A few weeks ago, while watching the Antonio Treatment on HGTV, I fell in love with this enormous rhino head that he created and spray painted pink. I immediately knew that I had to have one - so the search was on... and I found one {just not as big - but does size really matter? lol}!
Rhino DIY 1
{The rhino head is from Z Gallerie and the gold spray paint I had laying around the house - I just couldn't do bright pink...}
Rhino DIY 2
Rhino DIY 4
{1- I just love this cute little urchin - purchased from Furbish studio. 2- These books ends were a great find at the the flea market - I scored these for $7!! 3- I purchased this glass bowl while in Venice...it's one of my most treasured pieces}
Rhino DIY 3
{The painting and the pig have nothing to do with one another...lol}
Rhino DIY 5
Soooo.... what do you think?
Signature

Sunday, April 24, 2011

happy easter
Happy Easter Loves! I wish everyone a day filled with enjoyment, friends and family. In the midst of all the celebrations and happiness this Easter Sunday, let us not forget the true importance of the day ~ He has Risen!!!
Signature

Friday, April 22, 2011

Weekend Plans 4.22.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link Lovin
I have tons of links to share - so sit back and enjoy while you have some down time during this long holiday weekend:

~ Seeing these brightly colored eggs makes me miss the contest me and my sisters used to have to see who would have the best decorated eggs. I think I will dye some this weekend!

~ For my iPhone peeps - I recently download this app and love it! Try it out!

~ Wholly guacamole - if you haven't tried this, go get it now! My new fave...

~ Neon & Neutral - I love this post by Mimi+Meg...I think I'm gonna try this color combo

~ Who's ready for So You Think You Can Dance...dance dance... hope Alex comes back

~ I so wish I had time to make and send these out to my fave peeps. Stupid surgery...

~ Who doesn't agree this is necessary?

~ I like it - what is it? I want this - I find myself saying this quote a lot!

~ Oh how I hope the Royal Wedding procession is like this!

~ Hello? Is it me you're looking for? lol.... Sing it with me "I can see it in your eyes..."

~ Word. This will be in my wedding vows...

Enjoy your weekend Peeps!
Signature

Thursday, April 21, 2011

{Hey Peeps!}

I will be back in blogging action tomorrow - promise. I'm feeling MUCH better and am currently scouring the web for lots of inspiration and amazing posts to share. In the interim, I've been dying for a shirt-dress {long enough so that I don't get weird stares} and happened to come across this one as I was flipping through mags over the last week {this pic is from Allure Magazine} and fell in love. The only prob - this one is Chanel {as in uber-expensive} so I'm on the prowl of finding something a lot more in my price range...with the same style...
Shirt Dress
Have you seen anything close?
Signature

Monday, April 18, 2011

{Apologies For Being M.I.A}

Hey everyone! I had a big setback last week, but am getting better everyday. I'm sorry that I have been a little MIA {missing in action}, but my goal is to be back up and running {not literally} on Wednesday. In the interim, I thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes. I'm looking forward to getting back to normal.
Speedy Recovery
Signature

Thursday, April 14, 2011

{Color Crush: Red}

Incredible
Don't you just love her red lipstick and matching red hat? So beautiful - I wish I could pull it off...

I could so see myself riding this bike down the Santa Monica {or Chicago} bike trails...

I bought these TOMs {not in red, but in the Kenya stripe} and love them. Soooo comfortable and I love supporting the one for one cause...

I want a fancy umbrella like this...

I believe everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise...

Going along with my color and pattern obsession lately, I really love this chair... maybe a nice closet accessory? hmmmm....
Signature

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

{TRADhome Magazine}

So this morning I thought I would share pics of my new Downtown Chicago apartment/loft...{oh how I wish} but - isn't it lovely? I could so picture myself spending lots of time in this space, and with just a few personal tweaks I would move right in. TRADhome online magazine launched yesterday, and this space {while the magazine is full of amazing, styled-to-the-tee rooms} is definitely my fave:
Downtown Chic 1
Downtown Chic 2
Definitely adding this post to my inspiration board...
Signature

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

{Magazine Finds}

As I was chained to my bed for the last 5 days, I have flipped through countless magazines. I thought today I would share with you some of the things I've found and kind of obsessed with:
Magazine Finds 1
Don't judge, but I love Tori Spelling {have been since 90210} and am obsessed with her reality show on Bravo Tori & Dean. I was excited to find that she has her own shop, fully of lovely decorative things. I'm sending my sister who lives in LA to get this bowl for me - it's a must have!

Magazine Finds 2
I love the look of these scented drawer liners - and once I saw that these are sold at Hammocks & High Tea, I'm definitely going to have to purchase them. Very springy!

Magazine Finds 3
I love this necklace. Kind of has that David Yurman feel.... I want!

Magazine Finds 4
I'm looking for a white shirt dress - I've always loved this look. I need to find one that is long enough so that I don't get stares thinking I forgot my pants...

Magazine Finds 5
Lovin lace these days. There are a couple of lace shirts at Anthropologie that I've had my eye on....but I really like the one above and the versatile ways you can wear it... 

Magazine Finds 6
I want a couple of these stools/tables. I've seen them much cheaper at HomeGoods and Z Gallerie...as soon as I'm able to carry more than 5 lbs {3 weeks to go} I'm buying one...or two.
Signature

Monday, April 11, 2011

{Thank you}

I wanted to express by sincere thanks for all of your prayers, well wishes, visits, calls, texts, emails, flowers, magazines, food, Starbucks, dog-sitting, time, and goodies to get me through several days in the bed. I definitely shed some tears through this process at the kindness that so many people have shown to me - I really do have a great support system and I could not have done it without you {you know who you are}
Thank you
I'm not 100% yet, still tired with some pain, but your love and support is getting me through it. Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - I love you to pieces!
Signature

Thursday, April 7, 2011

{Wish Me Luck}

Good luck
This bracelet {by Alex and Ani} is my treasured good luck piece. I wear this bracelet clustered with several other bangles often, and on those days that I really need some good luck - I don't leave home without it.

This morning I will be having surgery, and while I am nervous about it, I know that everything will be ok and am looking forward to pain-free days. I was instructed not to wear any jewelry to the hospital, but I will be putting my bracelet in my pocket for a little good luck. So as I head to the hospital and recover throughout the weekend, I thank you in advance for your prayers and good thoughts. I'll keep you posted on how everything goes! xoxo~ 
Signature

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

{Yummm...}

Striped Ice Pops
Don't these look refreshing? Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with these fantastic looking Popsicles. Check out the recipe below - and if you're making the pops for adults only, you can add Chambord, a raspberry-flavored liqueur.

Ingredients

  • For the Vanilla-Yogurt Mix

    • 1 cup 2 percent Greek yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use, or 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For the Raspberry Puree

    • 12 ounces raspberries (3 cups)
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Chambord (optional)
  • For the Ice Pops

    • 1 cup pink lemonade
    • 1 cup apricot nectar
    • 1 cup grape juice

Directions

  1. Make the vanilla-yogurt mix: Stir together all ingredients.
  2. Make the raspberry puree: Puree raspberries and sugar in a food processor. Strain through a fine sieve; discard solids. Stir in Chambord.
  3. Make the ice pops: Pour a few tablespoons vanilla-yogurt mix, raspberry puree, or juice into each of ten 3-ounce ice-pop molds (greenfeet.com); freeze for 1 hour. Repeat once, alternating to create stripes. Cover molds, and insert sticks; freeze for 1 hour.
  4. Remove tops of molds, and repeat pouring and freezing (for 1 hour between each layer) to create stripes until molds are full. Freeze until very firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. Remove ice pops from molds to serve.
Signature

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

{Chevron Lovin}

I hope you're not getting sick of chevron because it sure does seem like it's here to stay. While searching through Pinterest this weekend, it seems like everyone is pinning these chevron plates and I can see why...they're fantastic!
Chevron Lovin
Each plated is lovingly hand-painted by Etsy artist Aedriel Moxley. To peruse her shop click here and enjoy!
Signature

Monday, April 4, 2011

{April's Must-Buy Items}

I've rounded up a cluster of must-buy items that are sure to keep you {and your home} looking effortlessly lovely all spring and summer long:
April Picks1. Believe it or not, I'm starting to really get into color and I purchased these red skinny jeans from Gap to start to build my color collection...should arrive today!

2. I love my fedora and wear it all the time, especially in the spring and summer. I wasn't sure if I would be able to still pull it off now that I have short hair, but I tried it out yesterday and got a compliment...so yay, I can wear it!

3. I'm usually not a fan of stronger perfumes, but Chanel's Mademoiselle is what I will call my big girl perfume. Consider it my signature scent this spring!

4. I purchased this striped bin from the Container Store last month, and just recently bought a couple of more. I use them to store my hats, scarves, and socks!

5. This bag is brilliant and while I can't buy this exact one - I'm on the hunt for a yellow and also a green handbag!

6. Pink + gold + Kate Spade = you can't go wrong!

7. This Michael Kors watch will be mine - I've had my current watch for many many years, it's silver and I'm in need of a gold watch. This is the one!

8. I'm on the hunt for nude flats and really like these! I tried them on this weekend and wasn't sure if I loved them - but the more I think about it, I think I may go and try them again!

9. Nerd glasses! I wore these yesterday with my fedora...and pulled it off!

10. I purchased this cute little gold urchin from Furbish on Saturday. I placed it on top of a stack of books on my coffee table...love the accent!

Do you have any items that you recently purchased that are must-haves for spring? If so, share below and be sure to include a link! Enjoy your day!
Signature