Thursday Loves

You know what's both incredibly exciting and incredibly terrifying about these earrings? You're probably thinking, what is terrifying about earrings?!  Well, they're part of the spring 2013 collection from Stella & Dot.  Not terrifying, you say?  Well, imagine if you were due to give birth in spring 2013! Kind of terrifying now, right?!  I can' believe I'm seeing those words pop up everywhere.  Spring 2013.  Ah!

And if only it was warm enough outside to slip these babies on my feet.  Because I need shoes that are easy to slip on my feet.  News flash.  It's hard to bend over with a basketball in your belly, folks.  I'm thinking I need to order these Madewell sandals as my summer staple.

Why is it that when you need something and you settle on that something being something from Target that you like you but you don't love, and it's not really the best option but you go for it because you need it, and then you end up finding the perfect solution too little too late? That's what happened here.  We needed a mat for our wet shoes, we bought a mat from Target that we're all like, "eh" about, and it only kind of stays in place, and now here it is, the mat I've been yearning for.  You like my run-on sentences?  Via

Mmm, perfect-looking breakfast sandwich....mmmm.  I'm hungry.  All the time.  And this looks divine. And yeah, it has bacon on it and yeah, I've been eating occasional meat since with child.  Sue me!  Via

With Valentine's Day approaching, wouldn't this ring dish be a lovely gift to receive? Or better yet, a perfect ring bearer "pillow" for a rustic wedding.  We used a piece of carved wood with our initials in it and the rings tied on with satin ribbon.  It was lovely.  And so is this.  Via

How are you, lovelies?  I hope your weeks are going well.  I"m so thrilled to have an easy day today...the early half of the week was rather rough!  Hang in there, everyone, tomorrow is Friday!

Home Finds

candle // throw blanket // vase // lamp // bowl

I wish I could get my hands on some of these goods - specifically that pricey chevron blanket.  The colors in this palette are so soothing to me and I love so much how that red-orange really pops!

What's In Your Bag?

Bikini // swimsuit // sandals // flip flops // sunglasses // Essie // Butter // Yellow Dress // Cover Up // Bangles

Not featured on this list - the beach hat, the beach tote, a good book, sunscreen, beach towel and bevvies.  But please do not think for one moment that I would leave those behind.

Packing for a trip is hard.  I always end up overpacking and usually wind up wanting to wear the same thing more than I planned for.  I always bring enough stuff to help out more than just myself, I always prepare for the worst (probably for the best) and I still feel like I have nothing to wear or that I'm missing something.  But if I could choose from a grab bag of goodies found across the internet, I wouldn't have this problem...right?

I think I need to have a pedi in that Butter color, like yesterday.  Oh Jamaica, I can smell your ocean air, I can taste your tropical drinks.  Only a few more days until we meet at last!

Sorry if you're all so sick of hearing me talk about vacation.  It's not very nice of me, really.  We're still cool, right?

Thursday's Randoms

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The mister and I have been in talks about the bathroom in our bedroom and how we will fix it up.  Right now it's pretty "meh".  The paint is not at all appealing to me, but it's been tolerable.   The countertops are perfectly fine and so is the shower, but it's not very tranquil and that is something I definitely long for.  Plus, it doesn't even begin to match our bedroom, as that was the first room we painted.  I would love to be able to recreate this bathroom - view included.  Although our view is pretty rad if I do say so.  It overlooks a meadow and many mornings I have looked out and watched groups of deer frolicking, with their fluffy white tails bobbing up and down.  I'm thinking we'll paint the walls the same shade of minty blue green as our bedroom and hang wainscot halfway up the walls.  We'll add some shelves and pops of red and voila, the perfect bathroom shall transpire!

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Between taking care of Stevie, work and well, taking care of Stevie, there hasn't been much motivation to knit.  I've been trying to work on finishing up a last-minute Christmas gift (that obviously didn't really turn out to be a last-minute gift considering it's mid-January practically and it's no where near being done) and still have a lot to do, but when I'm done, I'm thinking this beautiful pattern is my next project.  The last hat I knit for myself was definitely a learning project.  It was completely unwearable even though it looked good over all.  

How chic are these mittens?  I love the zipper and I love how warm they are making me feel.  They're on sale, too!

I purchased a bar of soap a few months ago from a boutique here in Louisville and I've been loving the way it feels and smells.  If you're in the Brooklyn area, check out Saipua - a family-owned soap and flower shop with amazing scents.  They're carefully handmade in the store and they have some pretty great packaging too, might I add.  If you're not in Brooklyn, the soaps are sold across the US!  I have the gardener's soap and I love it, but I really wish I could wash my hands with the coffee mint right about now!

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So many of us are experiencing winter today - finally.  Since I have the day off, I'm thinking that curling up by the window with a book is the best idea.  

Happy Thursday, everyone! What's inspiring you today?

Ring Leader

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I'm loving the idea of stacking giant cocktail rings on multiple fingers these days - mainly because I can't get enough of all the gorgeous options out there these days.  I know many of you have been sporting beauties on your fingers in clusters for quite some time, and I totally adore you for it.  I just think it's time I jump on board as well.

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PS - I love you all.  I'm sorry my comments have been light so far this week.  That'll change come Thursday ;)

Thursday's Randoms

I love how these "dwarf guards" really cater to my love of gnomes.  I think every house should have one or all of these, don't you?

Can't stop laughing over this one...

It's reasons like this that make me wish there was an Urban Outfitters here in Louisville.  Most days I really don't care, but when I see a pretty red sweater with elbow patches on it that won't completely break the bank, I get a little sad.  Thank goodness for the internet, right?  PS - it comes in navy as well!

Hello, beautiful DIY project!  What a great way to arrange some frames.  I'll have to keep this in mind when we go to put ours all up.  

The Pioneer Woman made Indian fry bread and Indian tacos and I am feeling quite nostalgic.  You see, growing up, kids in Wichita, KS would always get to visit the Indian Center.  It was a given that you would eat their incredible tacos while you were there, and it made for the best of times.  So naturally I'm pretty pumped over her post on how to do this.  With fake ground beef, of course :)

Oh how I am in love with this terrarium and its eccentricity.  The billy buttons are the perfect touch!  Be sure to check out other arrangements from Etsy shop Sea and Asters.

On the Lake

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When my friend showed me the photos of a college professor's recent wedding, I was immediately smitten.  Every last bit of the wedding was incredible - from the bridesmaids' cowboy boots (hehe, personal favorite) the wedding party fireworks, the doggie ring bearers and the 4th of July-themed reception, I was sold.  If only we could go back in time so I could attend this lovely wedding with what must certainly be a very lovely group of people.  Photographer James Moes knows beauty when he sees it, don't you agree?

Turning art into fashion seems to be an absolute joy to me lately and I hope it resonates with all of you. If only everything in my life could be in such bold and distinguishable color.  

Etsy Love :: Giardino

It's no surprise that I am quite fond of adorable illustration, feathers, rustic tea towels and anything that reminds me of Italy.  So imagine my enjoyment when I stumbled across the lovely Etsy shop, Giardino!  There's a little bit for everyone in this shop, from block prints to chevron pillows to food and drink cards and art.  I can see a few of these items looking real good in this old house...

Thursday's Randoms

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RIP, Steve Jobs.  

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Hello, gorgeous photo.  You'd look so great hanging in my house.  You also really, really make me want to go spend time in nature.  Photo, I think know I love you.

Perfection.

  

So.  Very.  True.  

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I love this look.  I know it's not for all, but it's for me.

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"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus

Art Muse, Meet Fashion Muse

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When I first saw this image on Pinterest via {wit + delight} via artmuse.com, I was in love.  I knew countless amounts of creativity would spark from the image alone...and lo and behold, a swoon-worthy outfit was born ::

blouse / pants / cape / studs / socks / shoes / bangle / bangle / bangle / bag

I for one adore the colors in the painting and love how they work so well together in the outfit.  The peep of mustard makes a fun pop of color, especially when used in a place that the eye normally does not draw.  The shade is so subtle in the painting and I love it.  Now if only I could get my hands on a pair of those cable knit socks, my fall wardrobe would be all set...or something like that.

Any color palettes inspiring you lately?  I'd love to hear...

Teepee, Teepee

I couldn't resist sharing these stunning teepee's with all of you today.  Not only are they incredibly aesthetically pleasing, but they're incredibly functional!  And just look at all the creative ways they've been made, used and styled!

My favorite one is the cat one, because I dream of having toys for Gus that aren't huge eyesores.  For instance, I'm staring at his collapsable "sport dome" thing, covered in hair and looking rather worse for wear.  It's ugly, but he really loves it.  I just know that if I were to get him this teepee, it would only be for me (kind of like that cat bed that's so cute and the chicken hat he's worn for 5 minutes total in the 3 years we've had it) but maybe that would be okay because friends, I love it.

I want to build a teepee in our backyard and lay in it and read good books.  With twinkly lights and some wine.

I want to go back in time and have a teepee in my house growing up, so my brother and I could crawl in there and live in it, as opposed to our furniture and sheet forts.  Kids these days, so lucky.  Oh and hey, did you see the red and blue-gray?!  Yeah? Yeah??

Would you have a teepee in your house or yard?

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Thursday's Randoms

I'm definitely a big fan of these mint porcelain bowls by artist Kim Westad.  She has amazing stuff in her shop, seriously.

I'm head-over-heels in love with these doors and the rug, especially paired together.  Why can't Gus let us own a rug? Why does he have to run to it whenever he gets a hairball?  Le sigh...

Seeing tops like this has me totally ready for fall (at least fashion-wise).  Such beautiful fall colors!

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Tonight I am going to the Kentucky State Fair! I haven't been to a fair in ages, probably since high school.  I'm pretty excited to eat some fried stuff, barf it all up on some rides and listen to this band.  

The other night, we bought a firepit for our yard (yay for sales!) and it is going to be awesome.  Aside from a fence and a dog (and flowers and a gnome), our yard is really only missing one other thing - a hammock.  Wouldn't this netted cocoon hammock be pretty awesome? Especially out here, in mosquito heaven.  I want one, that's for sure.

Lastly, I couldn't resist leaving you with this incredible set of Mr. Fox espresso cups.  They would make my mornings pretty wonderful (at least at first, right?!)

***UPDATE***  I found MISS BADGER cups! Woo!

Happy Thursday!

Thursday's Randoms

I've been rather obsessed with Tory Burch lately, evidenced by my recent splurge (hey, I had a gift card and my cheapo sunnies broke after a year!) at Sunglass Hut.  So when I saw these riding boots this morning, I fell in love.  

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I saw this image on my Pinterest this morning and immediately thought it would be terrific in that dream store of mine, as a display for stationary or something similar.  Yesterday we stopped at a flea market in the middle of nowhere (thanks I-65 emergency closing) and saw tons of things like this that I wanted to snatch up, but unfortunately they were closing and we couldn't make a decision!

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Speaking of awesome things for my dream store, aren't these wall decals used fabulously?!  What a creative way to take an ordinary kitchen and spice it up a notch!  

This image by Tina Crespo reminds me of our neighborhood.  It makes me feel happy, as I love the forest and I love the overall tone of the photograph.  I'm on the lookout for a giant picture of the forest to hang above our mantle, so keep your eyes peeled (he he).

Will someone please buy me this black and white leather triangle tote from the ever awesome renneslechateau?  Oh wait, it's sold :(

Since recreating our wedding cake, I've had an itch to bake more and more.  It was difficult to make the cake, but challenging in all the right ways (the edible reward was pretty top notch, I must say).  I want to get in there and challenge myself some more - and this time use food coloring to get an ombre look like this adorable cake.

Hope your weeks are fantastic so far!