Rustic Industrial Garden Party

With the weather all heated up, it seems like all activities should be moved outdoors!  I have a serious hankering for a garden party.  But not a tea and crumpets and bring your favorite hat kind of party...a lawn games, twinkling sunset, rustic industrial kind of party!

 

 

Threshold Grillmaster Serveware // Bocce Ball set in Wooden Box // Party Pillar Giant Jenga // Galvanized Beverage Tub // 36-inch Vintage Marquee Light Letters // Tavern Stacking Armchairs

Monogram Monday 4.29.13

I am totally in love with these bright acrylic monogrammed necklaces from Moon and Lola!  I've been seeing a lot of knock offs out there, but none are really as cute as these.  My favorite is this pink, block circle monogram.  If that's not your style, they have tons more-script, single initial, even full names.  Too cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 They also have these great monogram, beaded bags!  Love that ikat background...

Check out more of awesome monograms and other goodies on their website!



Fabulous Friday 4.26.13

It's here!  It's here!  It's finally Friday!  Three reasons why this Friday is Fabulous:

 

1. Peonies from my mother's garden in one of my favorite vessels from Positano.

 

2. Fun new nautical gift labels I made using a template from this website.

 

3. Wearing some Elvis-style blue suede shoes for the first time last night at a charity event for Camp Bridges, and being really excited that they are actually comfortable!

 

And if you need something to peruse this weekend, check out the new to & from gift guide!  All sorts of fun things here!

 

Happy Weekend!



Maxi Mania

Gosh, I love a Maxi dress.  Is it because I have scarily pale legs and occassionally am too lazy to shave?  I'd like to say no, but..............

 

Mostly, they're just so darn comfortable!  You can bend down, catch a breeze, or sit criss-cross apple-sauce on the floor and have no worries at all.  My only gripe with maxi's is that it is kind of hard to find a good one.  And by a good one I mean, one that's not really low-cut or a cheap, clingy material, or too short for my Gandalf-height self.  Yes, I did just compare myself to Gandalf.

 

And on that note, here are a few beauties I rounded up!

 

Leopard Print Forever 21 // Ella Moss Pink Chevron Bottom // Lilly Pulitzer Marley Orange and Pink Striped // Anthroplogie Blue Lace // Tbags Los Angeles Blue and White //



Gold & Pink



It's been a couple of weeks since my last Gold post.  Gold is my favorite color.  But if you're one of those color purist who says "Gold can't be a color!" then to you I say, Pink is my next favorite.  And with the whisper of summer in the air, what could be more carefree and summery than a Gold & Pink interior?

 

I will take ANY all-white, marble bathroom.  But add some gold fixutres and pink curtains, and it truly is my dream bath!

 

Traditional Bathroom by Fairfax Kitchen And Bath Remodelers TopNotch Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

This has to be my favorite room in like, a million years.  That wall is REALLY pink, and I love it.  And I love that the sofa is also a dark pink.  Both the portrait and the peacock artwork are TDF.  And the furniture is perfect-all that beaufitul lucite adds just the right amount of modern that keeps this room fresh rather than tacky.  The hint of golf in the headboard, sconce, and sofa side table just raise the glam factor.  PS-how you feel about black lampshades?  I kind of like them...

 Eclectic Bedroom by Los Angeles Interior Designer Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design

Compared to the last room, this one could seem boring at first.  But I have to admit, I love a dusty pink velvet.  And it's just hard to go wrong with a cowhide rug.  Add in those cube tables with the gilded legs and it's glory.  A simple, restful, glamorous sitting room.

Contemporary Spaces by San Francisco Interior Designer Melanie Coddington

I love the arrangement of artwork in this room.  It is offbeat and interesting, and definitely freshens up what could otherwise be just another nude drawing.  Even though there is quite a bit of black going on in this room, I love that they kept the table mirrored and gold.  It just gives you some space to breathe.  Also, the ceiling is fab.

Eclectic Living Room by Atlanta Interior Designer Christy Dillard Kratzer

 

 

Threshold at Target

I love when Target has guest designers.  Have you been in to see their Threshold line?  I was shocked at how nice the quality is in person.

 

I am mostly interested in these gorgeous throws, and wish I had a place for them in my home!  Their tablewear and bed linens are lovely too!  They also have some cool knick knacks-like this metal orb, and the ikat giraffe bookends...again with the giraffes!

 

You can check it out online, but it's really worth a peek in the store!  I think you will like what you see!



Mongram Monday 4.22.13

Today's Monogram Monday is courtesy of Haute Papier.  They have such beautiful things!

 

And you know how I love a nautical theme....

 

Cute coasters always come in handy!

 

I am love, love, LOVING the navy card with the peacock liner.

 

Too cute.  I love that giraffes are in right now!

 

And of course, a class circle monogram.  But I love the olive color.

 

Check out more of their customizable goodies on the Haute Papier website!

Fabulous Friday 4.19.13

Today is fabulous because I have been reminded once again about how lucky I am.  A wonderful family, a loving husband, a home, a car, a job: I am blessed.  Today is fabulous because I will be heading to Jackson, TN with my husband and sister to participate in yet another memorial fundraiser for my brother, a 5K race. I have been blessed with so many beautiful tributes to Paul.

 

I have been thinking all week of the Boston community, of the terrors some of those people have seen.  It is heartbreaking. 

 

I know we have all seen the quote a million times, but it is one of my favorites, and so true.

 

print via TypePlace

 

And a couple special links:

One of my favorite blogs is the Nie Nie Dialogues. The author Stephanie Nielson writes beautiful, sincere things about her life and family.  Her post on the Boston tragedy here.

If you need an inspirational speaker for an event, take a look at Dwight Owens.  He was charming, funny, kind, and has an amazing story.

To find out more about the Paul Meyers fun run for Haiti, check out their Facebook Page.

Day-dreaming: Amalfi Coast

It's this looooooooong stretch of teaching right before summer that always gets me.  You can catch me day-dreaming at my desk about 80% of the day.

 

Lately I've been reminiscing about the Amalfi Coast. The last (and only) time I went to Italy, I was 18 and traveling with my high school.  While it definitely was not the most glamorous trip, it was still beautiful and inspiring.

 

I would love to go back, just to the coast, and stay in all the little towns along the way.

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The Perfect Sandal

With all of this warm weather, it almost feels more like summer than spring!  On my to-do list this week: getting a pedicure so I can enjoy some new summer sandals!

 

There are some great options out there this year, and I am loving the new trend of a band over the toe!  Adds a little variety, don't you think?

 

And I may, just may have, snuck out on my lunch break yesterday to Target to pick up those emerald and camel sandals.  What?  I checked the online availability in-store and it was limited!

 

Nephele Wing Flat Sandal // Report Camel with Gold Hardware // Rebecca Minkoff Mint and Gold // Deena & Ozzy Nude Ankle Wrap //  Target Mossimo Camel and Green //

H&M Brown with Black Patent Ankle Strap // Zara Printed with Navy Tassel //

 Material Girl Lavender Thong with Bow // Juicy Jellies with Tassels

Do you know....

Do you know Emily Rickard?  I am obsssessed with her abstract paintings.  Whether you're looking for a cool or warm colorway, sh'es got the painting for you.  Oh, and I did mention she uses gold foil?  Because she does.

 

You can check her out on etsy, and she even has inexpensive prints for sale at Society 6.  Some of her more colorful prints would be perfect in a child's room!

 

 

Monogram Monday 4.15.13

Today's Monogram Monday is brought to you by White Truffle. I saw these classic and gorgeous pieces and had to share.  They are made of antique brass and silver.  I love the shield logo, and the vintage-style, stamped lettering. 

 

This bracelet is simply amazing.  That's all I have to say about that.

 

They even have great ideas for men, like these custom tie bars, which would be a great groomsmen gift.

 

Or these wax-seal style cufflinks.  Beautiful.

You can shop more of White Truffle on their website or their etsy store, which actually has a larger selection.



Fabulous Friday 4.12.13

This Friday is fabulous because I will be celebrating the first birthday of my one and only favorite nephew.  He is the sweetest, smartest, funniest gift God has ever given our family!

My nephew was born just ten days after by brother died.  His birth helped us to wake up in the morning, be excited about something, and push forward.  This past year has been a whirlwind of emotions, and I can think back to just before Paul passed away and Margie was still pregnant.  We had so many wonderful blessings during that time- a beautiful 60th birthday party for my mother and a baby shower for Margie-and my family and I were so excited to celebrate the birth of the little one.

My other sister and I hosted a baby shower for Margie at my house.  It was beautiful.  Mom helped us decorate with spring colors, moss-covered forest animals, and of course, glitter.  We even decorated with some of my grandmother's vintage clothing...those dresses were too cute...like something Shirley Temple would've worn.

I can think of nothing more fabulous than a weekend celebrating a year-long love affair with my favorite baby.



Where's the beach?

I can not WAIT until I am on the beach this summer!  I have already been plotting some chic summer beach looks.  Being a bit curvy, I of course love the slightly reto-trend swimwear!  And being as pale as a ghost, I really relish in a cute cover-up.  I won't lie, usually the cover-up never comes off......

 

And let's not forget that it's really all about the accessories.  Through on some great tortoise cat eyes and any outfit looks better.  And I'm in love with these jelly sandals-easy to clean off the sand and the perfect amount of modern to balance the retro.

 



Cream Lace Playsuit // ASOS Kitten Eye Sunglassess // J. Crew Graphic Dot Swimwear //

 Ipanema Studded Flip Flips 

Twinsies!

Have you noticed the twin bed trend coming back?  It seems all my pins on pinterest involve an adorable pairing of precious twin beds!  It reminds me of how my sister and I use to share a room.  We had cute, pink twin beds, but nothing nearly as glamorous as what I've been seeing lately!

 

Maybe one day, when I have a little brood, I can cash in on my twin bed fantasy....

 

via Pinterest

 

 

House Beautiful

 

Elizabeth Dinkel



Easy Spring Cake Decoration

I found a super easy way to make a yummy cake look adorable!  It only takes 3 ingredients: gumdrops, mint leaves, and sugar.  Oh, and a cake.

 

Just check this bad boy out:

 

 

It's pretty self explainatory.  But just in case you want the official directions: 

1. Use a spoon to smash 5 gumdrops of the same color into a petal-like shape. 

2. Dredge the smashed drops through sugar.

3. Pinch the 5 petals together to form a flower.  There may be a slight hole in the center.

4. Cut a yellow gum drop in half, press one half into the center of the flower.

5. Arrange the flowers on teh cake.

6. Rinse and pat dry mint leaves.  Arrange these on the cake to your liking (I kept them on the stem and formed a sort-of laurel encircling the cake). 

 

 

Viola!  Easy, edible, inexpensible decor for your cake!  Or cupcakes, for that matter!



Monogram Monday

I can't help it, I can't get enough of monograms.  I literally have to stop myself sometimes before purchasing and think, "Wait, how many monogrammed items do I already have in this room?"  Usually the answer is embarrasingly high.

 

I know that I am probably way too old for this trend, and it makes me seem like a desperate wanna-be college co-ed, but I don't care!  I have always loved monogrammed clothing.  My mother kept one of her monogrammed 3/4 raglan sleeved shirts from high school.  It was kelly green with a pink monogram in the center top of the chest with yellow flowers.  She would let me wear it in high school, and ever since then I have been obsessed!

 

Lately, these Comfort Colors monogrammed shirts are everywhere...and yes, again, I know I am too old.  But when i came across these tanks from Southern Prep Co., I just couldn't help myself!  I am totally in love with the neon orange with the anchor monogram.  Can't help it, won't apologize for it.  Can't wait to wear one of these bad boys on the beach this summer.

 

 

She also makes some super cute hats.

These state shirts are super cute.  Wouldn't these be great for a bachelorette party, if all your girls live in different states?

She even does applique lettering. Heart!

 

Check out more of Southern Prep Co. on Etsy!