{Weekend Plans}

TGIF Peeps!

Have a fantastic weekend...and stay cool!!

{Borrowed DIY: Painted Porcelain}

While surfing blogs yesterday, I came across Jennifer from A Merry Mishap who came up with a fantastic idea to spruce up her IKEA porcelain dishes. She used a porcelain paint pen (which you can find in any craft store, I've purchased mine at Michael's) and created a simple, yet modern design drawing repetitive circles around each piece. Once she was finished with the design, she baked the dishes for 35 minutes at 300 degrees to make sure the design remained permanent. And viola!

I only have all white dishes simply because like how crisp and uniform they look in my cabinets {idea inspired after seeing Oprah's party planner, Colin Cowie's, organized cabinets full of all white dishes}... so I decided to take a piece from my collection and try this project out. I used one of my favorite platters {don't ask me why I chose my favorite}, and like Jennifer decided to try the repetitive circle design. Everything was going well until I went to take a picture of my final piece. With camera in one hand, platter in the other, and my purse strap in the perfect position just waiting... I tripped and dropped the platter {yep my favorite, but at least I held on to the camera} on the kitchen tile floor. After breaking into 5 big pieces, I decided to take a picture of the biggest piece so you could see my...broken attempt:

This weekend I plan to try this project again...so stay tuned for round 2 {shaking head...}

{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?

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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}