{My Dream Kitchen}

While scrolling through Artistic Designs For Living I immediately fell in love with this kitchen and when I grow and get me a big girl Barbie dream house - my kitchen will look {or be remodeled to look} just like this. The white crisp white cabinets, the eggshell blue walls, the grey subway tile, and the stainless steel appliances are doing it for me. The only alterations I would make is to change the chandelier to something like this, switch out the flooring to a dark espresso wood, and add a wine cabinet. Other than that... it's pure perfection!

Only thing that's missing are all my peeps, and Chef Garvin preparing this, this, ooo and this for everyone...{you didn't think just because I would have this fabulous kitchen it would make me want to cook did you? lol!!!}

{Etsy Love: Leah Duncan}

After doing a search on Etsy for "Summer Scarves" {don't ask me why because it's hotter than HE-double hockey sticks and the last thing I want is something around my neck} I stumbled upon Austin-artist Leah Duncan. I really do love the soft colors of the scarf below on the left and think I need to purchase it for when it gets a little cooler outside {or for Italy. PS. I promise you - you will get sick of hearing me talk about Italy, I'm sorry, I'm just so freakin excited!}.

In addition to Leah's lovely handprinted scarves, she includes a collection of prints, cards, calendars, tea towels and so much more. To check out her shop click here ~ her blog click here ~ and her website click here. ENJOY!

{Forfeit Fashion for Practicality?}

As I'm preparing for my trip to Italy, I'm wondering I have to forfeit fashion for practicality? I'm searching for the perfect bag and while I'm completely in love with the idea of carrying a backpack {yep, they're coming back in a big way}, everyone is telling me that it's not a great idea due to pick pocketers. Is this true? If so, then I'm trying to convince myself to start loving the idea of carrying a messenger bag - keeping in mind that I need to carry my camera, extra lens, and all my purse items. Below I searched through Polyvore and found a few bags that I really like {but look at the backpack...isn't it perfect???} - sigh... What do you think?

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Now I won't forfeit fashion when it comes to shoes BUT I will make sure that they are comfortable {even if I have to stuff some Dr. Scholl's in them}. So I'm planning to take 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of flats, and 1 pair to wear to dinner and/or out for drinks. I'm still working on my "evening shoes {aka - heels}" but what do you think of these options for my sneakers/flats? Any contenders? {PS. Can't believe I'm saying "sneakers" instead of "tennis shoes"...lol - these southerners are rubbing off on me}

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!!!

Enjoy your weekend!

{Italian Street Fashion}

Well...today a very large sum of money will be exiting my bank account to finally pay off my Italy trip. It's official and I'm super stoked! So now that the trip is paid for, I get to do a little pre-Italy shopping - woohoo! Oh malls and online shopping, how I've missed you. I've found some amazing street style pics to give me a little inspiration for how the Italians roll regarding fashion. I figure since I'm gonna be in another country - I can be a little bit of a fashion risk taker while still staying true to my everyday style. So...here we go:

{I love this casual style - this is very me. Now I've heard through the grapevine that you won't see many people wearing shorts, so I wasn't planning on taking any - but I love the casual look of the pic to the left. And {clearing throat} that bag is...ooowee-worthy!}

{Socks and pumps - I've always wanted to do this...}

{Love the pops of color, and again the bag...shaking head}

{Love the hat, LOVE the hat - and with the pink (maybe not the polka dots), yep I'm feelin it!}

{There is absolutely nothing better than jeans, a white tee, and a pair of pumps. PLEASE look closely at the shoes... AMAZE! I'm also realizing a trend that I will need to take some comfortable black flats. PS - look at the bike, I'd die!}

{So this may be a little much for Italy in September - mid to upper 70s - but I still love the coat, the scarf,  and that chevron patterned skirt}

{Love the jackets, the necklaces, the glasses, the white tees, the casual flats, the leopard print flats, and the black Chucks - head to toe cas fabulousness}

{Finally, in a nutshell this is my version of Italian casual chic that I hope to pull off this September. In my Julia Roberts Pretty Woman voice ~ I've got to go shopping...}

Pics via The Sartorialist and Le Blog De Sushi}