M is for Monogram

While I do have a few preppy tendencies, I wouldn’t consider myself or my style “preppy”. Why then am I tempted (attempting) to monogram everything from beer glasses to bed sheets?

Monogrammed DuraClear® Pitcher, Triple Initial

I’ll tell you why, because it’s adorable. Annnnd I might be a little excited about our monogram: PBR.

Monogrammed DuraClear® Large Tumblers, Multicolored, Triple-Initial, Set of 6

via Erin Ever After and Williams Sonoma

BIG News: If the shoe fits…

Dear friends, I’ve hit a big milestone in my bride-dom. I purchased shoes that I intend to wear with my wedding gown. Apparently the shoes you are going to wear on that day are imperative to the hemming process. Who would have thought? Now, I know you haven’t seen the actual dress but I will divulge that it’s white. wink wink.
What do we think? They were quite affordable ($109) compared to the Miu Miu’s I’ve been lusting after. And, don’t worry there’s a 60 day return policy in case the glitter actually looks like a kindergarten art project.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m a shoe girl so I wanted something fun. I always wear heels, plus my intended is over a foot taller than I am so I never feel bad about wearing stilts. I figured out (when I wore flats to our engagement session) that I don’t look as small and fragile next to him as much as short and squatty.

Tahiti & Tulle

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A gorgeous setting for white dresses, bronzed skin, the sun, the sand and of course tulle. I’ve become particularly fond of the floral wreath and it looks stunning with her dark hair.

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images: pia miller by darren mcdonald on location in bora bora pearl beach resort & spa, styling by karissa fanning; via studded hearts, originally from the lane via {this is glamorous}

A Southern Romance

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I love these gorgeous shots from the Ruche lookbook, it looks like it was shot in the swamps of Louisiana amidst the bayous, Spanish moss and live oaks. It’s very romantic and fresh with a tinge of the Notebook.

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for the ruche unending love 2011 lookbook – via greedy girl & {this is glamorous}

Weekend Getaway Checklist

I thought this weekend getaway checklist from Daily Candy was too fun not to share.
For a summer weekend away, I would add a swimsuit, a pashmina and a pair of thongs. You could remove the cardigan and jacket depending on your destination.

Sun & Sand

I am completely obsessed with this editorial. The gorgeous shades of summer mixed with rich texture and stunning hair accessories…such a treat!


Flavia de Oliveira by Marcelo Krasilcic for Elle Italia June 2011 via Fashionista 89109 & Nicolette’s blog

New Orleans Dream House

Continuing my obsession with all things New Orleans, (it never really subsides but has been kicked into high gear after my trip this weekend) I had to share a dreamy little shotgun that is so adorable.

Built inside a South Carolina factory and shipped to its home in one of New Orleans’ historical neighborhoods, this shotgun cottage is the most popular building style in the Big Easy. Most shotgun houses are one room wide, and three to five rooms deep.Rarely do shotgun cottages have formal entries. This monochromatic parlor acts as a space for welcoming and entertaining guests.Floor-to-ceiling bookcases add a sense of history and accentuate the room’s 10-foot ceilings.A wall-mounted faucet pours onto a modern flat-surface sink, where the water spills into a surrounding channel.Tongue-and-groove paneling reinforces the casual nature of this open living space. Gas lanterns are a Big Easy icon.Square-back dining chairs combined with an antique bench around the dining table feel less formal than a complete set of matching chairs.An apron-front sink, bin pull hardware, and a beaded-board island are all iconic cottage elements.This unique pantry portal was a vintage door from an old New Orleans bank safe and is installed on a sliding track.Built-in cabinetry and convenient open shelving store bills and household paperwork.Designers Ann and Jane Dupuy used marine rope and grommets to attach a tailored canopy to the four-poster iron bed.A basic walk-in closet is transformed into a boudoir with patterned wallpaper on the walls and ceiling, a crystal chandelier, and an upholstered ottoman.Trimmed-out open shelves provide handy built-in storage in the laundry room.An ironing board cabinet is hidden behind a door, conveniently located when needed, and out of site when not in use.The multipurpose guest room and study is filled with rich accents such as a leather armchair, a pair of lacquered nesting tables, and ribbon trim on the pillows.A simple chest was transformed with a few coats of shiny black paint and a decoupage treatment.The lyrics to Johnny Cash’s “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart” gives this bathroom a sense of humor.Head-to-toe pink walls, ceiling, and trim create a sweet space in this little girl’s bedroom.A little bit of formal architecture is introduced into this children’s room with a hand-painted medallion glued directly to the ceiling.The back wall of doors extends the living area to the porch. The substantial trim work above the doors adds height for a seamless transition to the tall ceilings inside.Enclosing the courtyard in a backdrop of deep shades of green sets a peaceful atmosphere. The furnishings pop against the soothing palette.

via My Home Ideas

Yummy Spring Pasta

Spring Pasta

I saw this recipe on 101 Cookbooks and immediately decided to make it last night. I changed a few things and it turned out so yummy/easy!

Spring Pasta Recipe

I used angel hair but thin, egg noodles, spaghetti, or fettuccine would all work as well.

8 ounces / 225 g cooked, leftover pasta
3 eggs
fine grain sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 big handfuls of sliced asparagus, and/or pea shoots, or tiny broccoli trees, or shredded greens, or green beans, or spinach – anything quick cooking and fresh

chopped avocado
chopped herbs

Optional: 1 tablespoon cream, Parmesan cheese, Breadcrumbs

Use your fingers to fluff up the leftover pasta a bit, so its not clumpy or stuck together. Set aside.

In a small bowl crack the eggs and beat them really well with a pinch of salt.

In a big skillet melt the oil and butter over medium high heat. If you’re using a vegetable that might take longer to cook than others, add those to the pan – for example, asparagus or broccoli. Add a couple pinches of salt, stir, cover, and cook for a couple minutes. Until the vegetables are bright, and just cooked. Now stir in anything that just needs a quick flash of cooking – in this case pea greens, but chopped greens would go in at this point if you’re using those. Stir, and cook just until tender – a minute or so. Pull about 1/3 of the vegetables out of the pan and set them aside.

Now, add the pasta to the skillet, and toss well. Once the pasta is hot, turn down the heat, wait a moment, then quickly stir in the eggs (optional – stir in cream, pasta water). Stir well, then cover the pan, remove from heat, and let everything sit for a minute. Uncover, give everything another toss, the egg should be cooked through. Taste, and adjust the seasoning before dividing between two plates. Top with the reserved vegetables, and some chopped avocado (optional – top with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese).

Serves 3.

Prep time: 5 min – Cook time: 5 min

Here’s how mine turned out:

Outfit: Flower Child

skirt – vintage from Daisy Exchange, white tee – hanes, belt – vintage, platforms – BCBG, right hand ring – mom

I found this delightful vintage skirt at the Daisy Exchange in Fayetteville. This is a perfect example of why I like shopping there. It was $4. No offense, but the people that run the place have no idea how to price quality vintage items. The same skirt at cheap thrills would have been at least $20, which still would have been reasonable. It wraps around and clips in the back, it’s extra long and it also has pockets!