Bliss

April 29, 2010April 29, 20102 Comments

The other day I was looking at the lovely blog Apartment34. While Erin, the owner of the blog, is off getting hitched she asked some of her favorite bloggers to share the things that bring them joy. Sometimes it’s really good to look at your life and recognize the things that truly bliss you out.

Here mine goes! (In no particular order)

Warm Weather

costarica 001 sunshine

Sun-drenched afternoons, midnight swims, baseball games, picnics, sundresses. This girl loves summer.

Girlfriends

My girlfriends mean everything to me.

Food

Food and the dining experience. Long conversations over dessert and wine. Meals that make you appreciate being alive. Trying a new recipe and knocking it out of the park. Fresh fruit. I believe in eating for sustenance of the soul.

Being a girl

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Makeup. Tulle. Smoky Eyes. Sky-high heels. Baubles and bangles and berets and belts. Hair -curly or teased or straight or up. I love being a girl because of all the wonderful things a girl can be.

Reading/Learning

Becoming more aware of the world through the words of those capable of expressing amazing, insightful things.

Everyday Luxuries

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Fresh flowers, laughs, puppies…

Winding down

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Crawling into a clean bed, lounging on a rainy afternoon, sleeping in, the few moments before you drift off to sleep…

Adventure

I’m talking travel, music festivals, float trips, a new thrift shop or restaurant. I try to go on adventures often and whenever possible. It keeps life fresh, exciting and provides great photo opps!

Music

On Deck: The Dead Weather, Department of Eagles, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket listen

Music feeds my soul. Discovering a new band or song can make my whole day turn around. Concerts, instruments, singing…I couldn’t live without it.

Merriment

Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday party, a job well-done or just the weekend. I love to celebrate, drink champagne and enjoy life’s happy moments.

Love

The love of my sweet-as-pie beau, my family, my puppies…love is the thing, you know?

Vintage Bridal Loveliness

April 12, 2010April 12, 2010Leave a comment

OMG. Leave it to DailyCandy to introduce the most wonderful things. As I’ve told you before, I’m fascinated (and always have been) by all things bridal. This site feeds right into that. The vintage bride has affordable and beautiful dresses from 1960 and before. It’s worth a check out and here’s a peek!

Pre WWII

Vintage Monique Lhullier 1930s $650

Vintage Wedding Beauty - Monique Lhuillier

1930s Chiffon gown $495

Vintage Wedding Beauty - Sweet Pea

1940s

Santa Rosa Lace and Satin Gown $1250

Vintage Wedding Beauty - Santa Rosa

1950s

Mary- Anne Vintage Wedding 1950's Dresses Mary Anne

Bella Vintage Wedding 1950's Dresses Bella

Meringue Vintage Wedding 1950's Dresses Meringue

1960s

Miss Betsy $595

Vintage Wedding Beauty - Miss Betsy

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DailyCandy also featured a website called St. Kilda that has interesting and alternative engagement rings, plus all sorts of other cool stuff.

Some Faves:

Temptation Ring 18KW/Dia

Pink Temptation Ring 18KR/Pink Tourmaline

KLM Ring 18KW/Dia

Eternity Band 18KYG/Diamonds

Valya Ring 14K/Dia

Sima Ring 18K/Dia

Urte Ring 18k/dia

Arcadia Ring SS/Grn Amethyst

Happy Monday!

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Fresh Accessories

March 26, 2010March 26, 2010Leave a comment

As you can tell from this post, I love hair accessories. Hats, headbands, pins, wraps and especially flowers. I continue to wear them less than I intend to but I’ve vowed to change that this summer. Elements of Style posted yesterday about EmersonMade – They’re an adorable young couple that fled Manhattan for the most adorable farm, complete with geese. He helps her (Emerson) handcraft beautiful blossoms that can be pinned on labels, belts, in hair, placed in bouquets, arranged on the table or hung for a party. There is a wide variety of colors/sizes available and they are reasonably priced when you keep in mind they literally have each petal pieced together by hand. Here are some of their floral creations in their home.

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If you weren’t already wanting to trade your husband in for hers, you’ll die when you see that they both model their creations. And he still looks manly and adorable while doing so. I tend to think my bf would look just as romantic with a flower on his label…but we’ve still got to work on that.

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I have to interrupt because this is my favorite flower –The big poppy (I WANT IT)

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And this is so so so so adorable. It’s obvious that he supports her ambition…and looks good while doing it!

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Here are a few more of them. IMG_2176-8 gardenman3

Check out emersonmade if for nothing else but to GUSH!.

I was so excited yesterday after reading about this gorgeous family and business and flowers I went out and bought these from Forever21. They were $6.80!

I instantly felt better and am planning to gently inspire Robert to rock a look like this

Jack Lapel Pins Collection of 6

Or this

Little Linen Dandy!

I’ll let you know how it goes.

After the snow melts

March 24, 2010March 24, 2010Leave a comment

Beggin by Madcon
I feel like I have been beggin’ (hence the song) mother nature for Spring and just when I thought it arrived, we got a foot and a 1/2 of snow. It didn’t last for long though as the weather has been mild and the snow has all but melted. We were sledding on Sunday and sipping cocktails on the backporch by Tuesday. You can’t really complain about that. When I say a ton of snow…I mean a ton of snow. Take a look at my weiner after my bf tossed him in the yard.

Anyway, once the snow melted and there was green grass underneath I was even more affected by Spring FEVER! I think it might actually be here to stay now and I am consumed by the thought of flowers, sun-dresses, cocktails, brunch, falling asleep out of doors, walks in the park and lazy sunny days spent with friends. (But mostly flowers as you can see…)

Flower images from the gorgeous blog concrete & honey

Dress from Anthropologie

Ingredients

10 ounces white tequila
12 ounces fresh pineapple juice
12 ounces lemon-lime soda
Crushed ice
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Directions

Combine tequila, pineapple juice, soda, pineapple and mint in a pitcher. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Enjoy xx

Classic Fashion Photos

March 23, 2010March 23, 20102 Comments

As we all know, fashion trends live in a circular world. From Life.com I discovered a few of Tim Gunn’s favorite fashion photos. They are AMAZING.

Tim Gunn says: “If we were to take Diana Rigg as Emma Peel and marry her off to a European prince, then this is who she’d be. This image looks like a still from Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief: High-born, lacquered, bejeweled, in a strapless one-piece bathing suit in a rich textile, this society dame exudes pensive ambivalence over a champagne cocktail versus rum punch. Darling, which would you prefer?” via LIFE

This whole get-up is the embodiment of glamour to me, because she’s so put together. I love her make-up, jewelry and turban for a day the beach. Girls just don’t do that anymore!

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Tim Gunn says: “Silhouette, proportion, fit: This is my mantra for how to get your fashion right. This photograph could be my style barometer! The diverse shapes, proportions, and scales all demonstrate that fashion presents many options, so there’s surely one for you. And this image is so timely, because checks are back in fashion and in full force for fall!” via LIFE

The photo above tacked to my cubicle wall. While the clothes themselves are fabulous, I die over the usage of accessories. Note the gloves, hats and even the cane looks chic!

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Tim Gunn says: “I laughed out loud at this image! This is a classic example of my mantra about the semiotics of clothes; that is, the clothes we wear send a message about how we’re perceived. Consider the context of this photograph: It’s 1959 and more and more women are entering the workforce. We need no words to explain what’s going on: The football-uniform size of the bolero and the ‘crown’ hat tell us that this woman is powerful; the stack of gold bracelets and the oversized pearl earrings tell us that she’s rich; and the rest of the details underscore her leadership — she sits alone at one end of the table (presumably the head) and speaks while men write. I’m rapt!” via LIFE

This picture speaks volumes to me. As a woman in the corporate world, I’m enraptured by the mere photo of a woman leading a conference in the ’50s. The essences is in the details: her hat, her long nails, her wedding ring, the men writing…the ash trays! What would Betty Draper say?

Enjoy & head over to LIFE to check out the full gallery.

Rolling into Spring

March 15, 2010Leave a comment

I’ve always loved riding a bicycle. I must admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to riding on two wheels. I believe I was 8 when I finally learned. With that said, I’ve never been amazing on the bike but I love the idea of saving car rides and riding to the gas station in a sundress and wedges. While in college, my favorite pink bike got stolen. It was an incredibly sad day because I did not live especially close to campus and had to walk. No fun. Around two weeks later, I saw a large man riding my bike down MY STREET. It was a pink huffy with a padded seat, suffice it to say, I knew it was mine. He gave it back, which sent me into a tizzy of tears. It was stolen again 3 weeks later – hey – it was New Orleans. Love that city but it’s not so safe for bikes. It looked a lot like the one below. Man, I miss that bike.

This morning, Daily Candy informed me of these adorable new customizable bikes from VillyCustoms. DC says “Head to the nifty site and start by choosing one of the four styles. Then pick a frame color (options range from pastel pink to cobalt blue to bright orange). Reckless cyclers should probably opt for fenders. But the fun doesn’t end there. Seriously trick out your bike with accessories: basket, cupholder, handlebar grips, chains, seat cover, bell, rear rack, all in the snazzy hues of your choosing. Such awesomeness comes with a surprisingly reasonable price tag starting at $269.”

I’m gonna go ahead and need a basket for my weiner dog.

Also check out the article at Suburban Assault

White Eyeliner & Lady GaGa

March 12, 2010March 12, 2010Leave a comment

I’m not sure but I think I want to embrace the runway white eyeliner trend. See below on Jac – the “top model” of Paris Fashion week.

I really want to do it. It’s so glam and yet ethereal? Where does one find white eyeliner?

c/0 NY Mag

PS: If you haven’t already, check out the Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce “Telephone” video. It made me want to break out in dance in my cube.

Telephone Video

I also love The Cut’s fashion analysis, check it out here. Happy Friday!

Oscar Beauty

March 10, 2010March 10, 2010Leave a comment

W Magazine had a little to say about who looked beautiful (not who was best-dressed) at the Oscars. I have to agree with their opinion. While I was definitely not a fan of SJP’s canary-sack dress. I love-love-loved her hair. It was reminiscent of her Carrie days when the producers made us believe she effortlessly threw her hair into a messy chignon.

Jane Larkworthy writes” Sarah Jessica Parker’s hair: I saw that a hairstylist panned her updo on the Today show, calling it “Elephant Man” hair, but I couldn’t disagree more. Her updo last night, by Serge Normant, was nothing short of fabulous. This woman carries Audrey Hepburn’s legacy better than anyone.”

Remember this one? Photo courtesy of www.susanar.com

While we’re on the subject of Carrie and hair extensions, I also loved this look.

Back to W mag, they also gave a shout out to Rachel McAdams (my fave)! She looked easy gorgeous, per usual.

Favorites

March 9, 2010March 9, 20102 Comments

These are my favorite shoes. They’re Gianni Bini croc booties with a peep toe. I bought them in December 2008 @ Dillards and have been obessed with them ever since. A pair of animal skin booties can transition you from fall to winter to spring to summer. You can seriously wear them with dresses of any solid color, jeans, skirts, black cropped pants…EVERY SINGLE time I wear them I get compliments ;)

Not the most clear photo but a perfect example of their versatility

I seriously can’t find any like this but here are some that would have a similar effect from Forever21

These are two of my favorite songs right now. L.E.S. Artists by Santigold

and When did your heart go missing by Rooney

This is my favorite blog right now. I love the way Emily photographs her outfits and shares them with her fans. She has a great take on fashion.

http://cupcakesandcashmere.com

There are FIVE outerwear essentials (in my humble opinion) that you need for transitional pieces from Winter into Spring (thank god!) When the forecast calls for weather above 45degrees, put your heavy coats away and welcome spring!

A neck warmer, a bomber jacket, a white blazer, rain boots & a classic trench.

A neck warmer.

Here’s an infinity scarf from f21:

Mine is from New York & Co (ps: underrated store that carries so many wardrobe staples & their sales are unreal). I love it with a white jacket/blazer. My jacket in the below photo is also NY&C and bracelet length (love!)

A bomber jacket. Mine is from Target and I’m obsessed with it.

Here’s a cropped jacket from F21

A cute lighter version from NY&C

Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Here is a quasi-good pic of me in my Target jacket.

And one that’s still available at target.com

Product Image Womens Faux Crinkled Leather with Diagonal Pockets Moto Jacket - Black

A white/cream blazer

Here are a few great ones from (where else?) Forever21

Mine is from Banana Republic but I purchased it at my favorite thrift store in Fayetteville, Cheap Thrills

Here’s a cute one from Target

Product Image Mossimo® Black: Sateen Boyfriend Blazer - White

And of course BR

Rain boots. You can throw them on if it’s chillier or wet with your jeans, dress or skirt. I got mine at Target in the gardening section so they’re blue and mid-calf (and meant for gardening but whatevs). I used to have the best black rain boots from home depot of all places!

From Target

Product Image Women's Zetta Tall Rain Boots - Black Product Image Women's Merona® Zasha Bias Plaid Rain Boots - Multicolor

A classic trench. I have one that I got during the middle of summer last year at TJ Maxx. I adore it but I’m not sure I have any photos in it.

From BR

From Target

Product Image Merona® Long Trench Coat - Fresh White Product Image Coffee Shop Twill Double Breasted Long Trench Coat - Khaki

From Forever21

Enjoy!

Happy Friday! (Flashback)

March 5, 2010March 5, 2010Leave a comment

My office is having the annual recognition event tonight. We throw a big party and it’s always themed, there is food, open bar and even a few sporadic performances. This year it’s all about the 80’s.

My team (the beauty team) is performing excerpts from the Thriller and Beat it dances.

I didn’t realize until I started looking for an 80’s outfit that it is back in full force. Just go into Forever21 y’all! That’s basically all there is to choose from! You can fight it or you can go with it. Tonight, I’m in.

My hair was ALWAYS in a side pony with a gigantic bow when I was little, so I’m planning on bringing that back tonight. I’m going to go for something like this