Feeling Artsy

If you've been keeping up with your fav lifestyle blogs lately, you've probably noticed a few of them doing round-ups sponsored by Fab. This is definitely not a sponsored post {I wish!}, but the other bloggers have inspired me to peruse the goods on the site.

Can't wait to have walls of my own to hang art like so:

Not even sure what I love about them so much, but I do... especially that last one. I could do a whole room around that baby!

All paintings are by artist Eileen Lang and can be found here on Fab. 

Today's Motto

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Playing Dress-Up With Pleats

My super-stylish friend {who's closet I want to raid!!!} had this dress on the other day...

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...and I fell in love! The color is great. I love that it is light and airy. Big fan that it's not strapless. And most of all, those pleats! Ah-mah-zing. Since falling for this number, I've been on the hunt for acordian/knife/deft pleated pieces. Here are a few good finds to icorporate this look in your closet:




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Any my favorite find:

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Don't you just love the unexpected deep-v in the back? I sure do!

Friday 5: Funnies

I recently purchased some cute sticky notes at J.Crew that seriously brighten my day on a daily basis.

I tell ya, it's the small joys in life!!!

I did a little research on the brand or these funny little notes and found many products that were right up my alley... in fact I was happy to find out that I already owned one of the products listed below... can you guess which one??? I've had it for years and I'm not afraid to use it!

All of these products {plus lots more} can be found here. Even if you're not in the market for new paper goods, I highly recommend perusing the sight for a good laugh! How can you not love a company who's tag line is "We put the fun in functional!"?

And it if you're still wondering, I've had the Fashion Citation notepad for quite a while... and have issued them for sure! You've been warned!

SOS: Stressed Out Skin

I feel like I'm always saying how crazy and stressful life is. In the grand scheme of things, this week/month/stage of my life is probably no more or no less stressful than other times I've been through in the past, nor will this be the end of stress. I'm just glad to have friends, family and fun {and maybe wine} to help me get through.

But no matter how much I seem to put my stress into perspective, my skin seems to miss the memo. What do I mean by this? I mean my face is broken out like a junior high girl waiting to see N'Sync in concert. It is not fun. And it doesn't feel good. And it definitely doesn't look good.

One of my saving graces when my skin overreacts {ha!} is this little miracle in a bottle:

bobbi brown face tonic $29

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Tonic. It's like a refreshing glass of water for your face. It's infused with cucumber, lavender, chamomile and aloe... basically it's heavenly. When you first put it on it immediately gives your face a cooling effect that feels so fresh. It definitely has helped to restore balance to my face, while smoothing and soothing!

So that's that. Heaven for your face in a bottle. The bottle lasts for a long time, so it's well worth the price. I highly recommend you try it. You'll thank me later.

Shop Kate Spade TODAY!

Kate's having another suprise sale! Hurry over... it end tonight!

Here's a few things that have caught my eye:

With all the travel I do for work, and now adding trips to Canada to my regular rotation, carrying my gear in style is a must! This laptop bag, which is a steal, is at the top of my wishlist:

Lindenwood Leopard Chad $85

If all else fails with you outfit for the day, just put a bow on it!.. with this cute bracelet:

Double Bow Hinged Bangle $35

You can never have too many statement necklaces! Especially at such a good sale price:

Cut to the Chase Bib Necklace $49

And lastly, my favorite wallet style of all time:

Astor Court Neda $79

Seriously, I've had my wallet of the same style for over 5 years!!! Just now looking to replace it. I'd say that was money well-spent.

Check and Check

Last week got ca-ray-zay... and this week isn't looking much better! Sorry to leave my lovely readers hanging {I'm talking to you, ANNE!}, but I'll be back as much as possible. In the meantime, at least I've got good shoes and can handle doing my hair. Good old Iris seems to think I'm good to go with those couple of things checked off my list!

Meant to be Monogrammed

Everything is better monogrammed. I truly believe that. Around me right now as I write this, my laptop case, clutch and throw pillow are all adorned with my initials. And I love it. I go by Reese Witherspoon's rule of thumb:

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Here are just a few examples of how everything is better monogrammed:

headboard / long sleeve tee / pillow / gold bangle / silver bracelet / totes

In fact, my favorite housewarming/engagement/shower gift is a monogrammed blanket for the happy couple to cozy up in. Personal and practical. Win and win.

Now I just need a man to cozy up with... ha!

It All Started With a Rug

So I've been pinning the heck out of kilim rugs lately. 

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Like I luff, lurve, love them. I think the colors are fantastic. I tend to lean towards the ones that have some pink in them {good thing I'm a single gal and don't have to pass my design decisions by a dude!}, a bright, vibrant magenta to be more specific. And a little navy/taupe/orange/yellow or combination thereof doesn't hurt either. These rugs are a fun way to incorporate a good dose of color! I want that one in the middle for an informal family room area. 

And if I could have one in my kitchen, too, I'd design my whole space around it, like so:

Rug: Sadly, no longer available, but a great inspiration for what I'll be looking for when I settle into my humble abode! {approx. $850}

Placemat: West Elm does a great version of the dip dye, but I've been itching to DIY something like this, too! {$14 for 2}

Copper Canisters: Loving touches of copper in design lately! It's a nice alternative to the traditional silver and gold. Plus, the texture of these guys is ahhh-mazing! {$90}

Table: Spoiler alert! I bought myself a kitchen table this past weekend. Who buys a kitchen table before she has a kitchen? This GIRL! It's not this one, it's better!!! But I'll save the big reveal for when it's parked in my place... soon! {$799}

Chair: Ya, no surprise here... love mixing in the industrial touch. My kitchen is meant to have these chairs {I've only talked about them here and here!}, although, I'm thinking the mint green is a must have for me, so I'll have to keep that in mind as I'm searching for my kilim. {$145}

Mia the Mixer: Of course she'll be front and center in my kitchen! {$450}

Art: Love the chalkboard look. Actually, I'm planning on incorporating a chalkboard wall in my future space, but a little touch on the inspiration board doesn't hurt! {$15}

Tea Towel: Pulling out some of the more understated colors in the kilim is a must. This little towel does just that! And it's a bargain. {$5}

Tea Cup: Of course I go for the polka dots. {$12}

So who wants to come over for dinner once this all comes together? Come one, come all!

My Favorite Brother

It sure seems like birthday season for my family, doesn't it? Well, today is a very special day... my wonderful brother-in-law is celebrating his birthday! 

Now, I may have, possibly, just maybe, might have once said "I never wanted a brother," but Geoff has become such a wonderful part of our family that I can hardly remember what it was like before he came along. He is a kind husband to my sister, loving Dad to my nephew and has become one of the people I count on most in my life. Plus he is a pretty darn good time. Exhibit A...

This is one of the only pictures I have of Geoffy and I, but I love it! Although it looks like he's nearly got me in a headlock, we look like we were having a blast... and if memory serves me correctly, poor Molly was preg-o and at home. Sorry, Mols!

Happy birthday, Geoff! 

I love you and am so glad you are a part of our family!!! 

Inspired to Write

It truly is my goal to become a better blogger. What do I mean by better? Well, for one, I want to be more consistent. For me personally, there is nothing better than starting my day reading my favorite blogs. It's like starting my day hearing from a friend. I feel like it just starts my day off on the right foot! I hope to be that place for others, someday. Secondly, I want to develop better content. I always feel like I'm cheating my loyal readers {which probably only consists of my Mom and sister... thanks fam!} when I throw together a quick post, instead of really putting thought into what I want to talk about. Now, don't get me wrong... everyone loves a good quote every once in a while and that may be all you need to get you through the day, so I'll still post those short and sweeties every here and there, but for the most part, I want this to be a place where I can keep the ideas I have for my wardrobe, my someday house, the parties I'm going to throw, the food I'm going to make eat... you get the picture.

There it is. Out in the open. Now I'm holding all of you accountable for keeping me to it!

Maybe I'd be a better blogger if I had a new desk to sit at when I write? Ha! Probably not, but it is a good excuse to take a look!

Many of my favorite bloggers have been featuring items from Target's new{ish} Threshold Collection and I am smitten. Target does it again! Love so many of the pieces and I think the desk collection is no exception. I'd take one or all of these in my house!

Bright and white: I think this one looks glam. Of course the ideas would just be flowing like crazy sitting at a spot like this! {Hamilton Desk $129}

Industrial: the love affair with industrial continues... at such an affordable price, this might be a must have. {Mixed Material Desk $99}

Campaign: I've seen so many campaign DIY projects that have been tempting to try, but this desk might just be a short cut. {Campaign Desk $149}

Not-So-Mellow-Yellow: this desk just looks happy! Clean, simple and bright! {Windham Desk $169}

Which would inspire you to write?

Friday 5: Essentials

Is there anything more essential to life than friends? I don't think so... just had the best happy hour with the best of friends and realize how lucky I truly am! What a great way to head into the weekend.

Other essentials in life are those things that keep you healthy {exercise essentials}, happy {fun pictures}, connected {and keeping those connections protected from dropping and cracking and so on!} and just downright put together {I'm looking at you, Essie polish and cute shoes!} :).

Happy Friday my friends!

1. I got a new phone recently. I was bummed at first to have to replace my favorite phone cover, but soon got over my blues when I spotted this cute option! {kate spade cover $40}
2. Is anyone as obsessed with instagram as I am? I just love it. Capturing memories one filtered picture at a time! I think turning my fav pics into magnets is a must! {stickygrams $15}
3. So I've been hitting the pavement more than usual this week, and unfortunately for me, we've been having a cooler June than I can ever remember. It might be time to upgrade my running layers and this is what I have my eye on. {lulu hoodie $98}
4. Go with everything shoes? Essential for sure! {heels $78}
5. I had a catastrophe in my purse this week... both my base coat and top coat busted! Major bummer. I even had to throw away my favorite Chanel cosmetic bag. I think I'll ease my sorrows with this Essie top coat that I've been hearing such great things about! {No Chips Ahead $8}

Come and Knock On My Door

As I'm perusing houses and figuring out just what it is I want to buy, one thing is for sure... If a house wants me to notice it, it must have a brightly colored front door!

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Which would you pick???

Tell It Like It Is

Well we all know I have an unhealthy addiction to bags. I am the modern-day bag lady. Thanks a lot Nordstrom handbag department!

I think I have to add this one to my stock:

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I mean come on! Aside from being huge, durable and cheap {just $12 bucks!!!}, it's silly and light-hearted! Who doesn't need more light-hearted in their life? Whether or not I need another bag is beside the point... this bag just makes me smile. Everyone could use an extra smile! Plus I'll put it to good use as I continue to move around like a hobo for the next few months!!!

Thought for the Day



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