Thursday Loves

Martha has a pretty great roundup for father's day gifts.  Although I'm pretty sure anything with bacon or hot sauce will probably suffice ;)  Via

After a week in Jamaica, I'm kind of fruited out for awhile.  But this fruit salad made of all my favorite fruits looks not only gorgeous but rather delicious.  I'd snarf some down!  Via

Even the simplest of items can be incredibly awesome.  I'd love to have some personalized ones of these.  I imagine hanging dresses up on Mr. Whisker's face and laughing endlessly.  Via

Another new-to-me Etsy shop to fall in love with - Classic By Nature.  Behind the operation are two sisters from Montreal with an eye for design.  While they mainly sell decorative pillows like the awesome one above, they also have some vintage pieces and handmade iPad sleeves.  Me likey.

Have any of you checked out The Snackpot?  I know you're so curious about how some snacks this world has to offer taste.  Before you waste your money trying something you're not going to like, check out the reviews, news and features on this very informative and helpful website.  

How have your week's been?  It's been so nice for us to be back home with our Stevie love, snuggling on the couch.  Last night she not only helped tuck me in to bed, but she stayed sleeping by my side while husbadge hung out downstairs.  She's never done that before...I guess our 2 mile walk and darting back and forth around the house after her bath really wore her out!

Happy Thursday!

Thursday's Randoms

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Punxsutawney Phil predicted more winter this morning but many other groundhog's seemed to offer a different opinion.  Whatever the case may be, I'll take it.  If it means winter is finally coming, well, that's fine because that's only rght and natural.  If it means warm weather is here to stay? Why complain?  Also, I can hardly believe that snowpocalypse was this time last year! What a couple of days that was.  I made us watch Groundhog Day while we were snowed in!

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Well, it's February.  Which means many things.   Some reasons why I love this month so much are a) my mom made Valentine's Day pretty cool growing up.  I would always get a piece of jewelry or a cd or something cool along with candy.  Also, she helped out a few years at the florist so I would get pretty flowers from her.  b) it is the month that my husband and I started dating 6 years ago.  6 years? Holy wowzers!  c) I'm just a fan in general of pink and red together so seeing stores decorated for Valentine's day makes me happy.  

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Blue Moon and Corona cupakes?  Yes, please.  Here's the recipe for the Blue Moon ones.  Mayhaps I should make these?

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Through Marie Claire magazine, I discovered this beautiful (and very expensive) lingerie store - Agent Provocateur.  If only it were feasible to spend $350 on a bra and panty set....

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This chicken coop has a rooftop garden! I love how inventive people are.  I would really like to have a few chickens in our yard to go along with our soon-to-be-crafted vegetable garden.  I love the idea of being able to eat an entire meal from our backyard.  If we have the room, why not?  

What's inspiring you this Thursday? Hope your weeks are going great!

Thursday's Randoms

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I want to go to there.  So magical.  So so so pretty!

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This guy is ready for snow and sledding.  Yet he doesn't look amused in the slightest...

After Tuesday's post on my newest sponsor, Judy Kaufmann, a sweet reader clued me in to Elizabeth Graeber and I am definitely smitten.  Perhaps you will be, too.  So check 'em out.

I may have already posted this cake before - but friends, it is DELICIOUS.  I made this for my husband's birthday the other day and I can't stop drooling.  It was a whole process, but it was an enjoyable process and I am getting better at decorating!  It might not have been prettily piped like she did but it was tasty nonetheless.  

Today The Beauty Department has a tutorial on the basic manicure! I find it to be very nice timing because my nails are too long and are making me uncomfortable at the moment.  I'm totally going to use this today and hope for the best!

I love the color palette in this cozy bedroom.  It's a rainy day today - maybe this looks more lovely than normal because I'm in a snuggly mood?

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

Thursday's Randoms

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I'm finding it hard to believe it's December 1st today.  But I'll get over my disbelief and will quickly get into full on holiday mode.  I'm thinking today, my day off, is the perfect day to make the husband go pick out a Christmas tree and outdoor lights.  Don't you agree?!

Thinking about copying this idea somewhere in the home.  I mean, what a big impact for such a little price.  They make it look so chic!

My goodness this looks good.  I mean, really, really good.  Hey, I got some new nikes the other day, I'm bundling up and hitting the trail so I think I could have a similar version of this today, right?

So, husband and I are in the process of finding the perfect doggie to add to our family.  We've been sold on German Shepherds for awhile now because of their intelligence and beauty, but we've had some mixed reactions when telling people that's what we want.  Then my coworker told me a story about her sister's dog being mauled to death by the neighbor's GS and well...now I'm not so sure what to do.  Last night we found Maddie here, who is described as one of the sweetest dogs around.  She's at a foster home in Lexington and you can read some more about her here.  I think she's beautiful and by the description, she sounds pretty perfect for us.  But we're hesitant.  What do you think? Any thoughts on German Shepherds?  I could just really use some advice!  Our other option is going to the humane society and checking out some adorable border collie pups they've got.  Eeps!  But that means housetraining, ick.  Minka Maddie (oops, I keep getting her confused with another GS named Minka) is already trained!

This dress needs to be in my closet as a winter staple.  I love the cut and the print both!

Last, don't forget to enter the Marissa B. giveaway! She is graciously giving away a pair of her crystal pom pom earrings in chrome - perfect for the holiday season!  I think they're so beautiful and would look lovely on all of you!

Happy December, everyone!

Thursday's Randoms

Apple + Smoked Mozzarella Calzones? YES, PLEASE! These sound like the most delicious things ever. You probably don't even need desssert after snarfing down a meal like this.  That might be a lie though, you always need dessert.  Via here via Sprouted Kitchen

Today might be the perfect day to actually sit down and start learning how to embroider.  I have all the supplies but have not had the patience.  It's a cold, rainy day and I am not at work - so why not?  Via My Different Strokes

I love Pinterest for so many different reasons.  Seeing genius wrapping ideas such as this is just one of the many things that Pinterest does to spark my creativity.  Via here via Design Sponge

I am lusting over this dress hardcore, people.  With all its shine and beauty, what's not to love?  The color may not be that flattering on me, but that's ok. They have it in navy, too.  Oh Free People, I love you.

Can you imagine spotting a bearded fellow wearing this and not swooning?  That's just me?  Okay, whatevs.  But I would love to see my man walking around in this Mt. Rainier Design Inyo Jacket.  Too bad it'll never happen - the price tag is $685! And I thought North Face was pricey!

This is all my heart yearns to do - but alas, it is cold and rainy.  No autumn picnic in the works for me.  But perhaps this weekend I could make it happen.  I mean, afterall...a very sweet lady recently gifted me with a vintage picnic basket and a perfect plaid blanket.  It needs to happen!  Via

What's inspiring you today? And how have your weeks been?   I've got a free day today, so ready or not...here I come!

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.

Thursday's Randoms

This past weekend, I could really feel the smiles several states away when I heard the news that two of my good friends got engaged!  It's left me grinning ear to ear :)  Via

Speaking of getting engaged...I love this photo.  And I'm definitely feeling it.  The love, that is.  Good ole Max Wanger.

Gus just wanted to let you know that yes, this is very true, and,  yes, he is indeed the brains behind this work of art.

Doesn't Gwyneth look gorgeous in this photo?  Her loose waves and giant smile really draw you in!  Via here found here

This dress is screaming my name.  I love the cut, the fit, the print, the simple colors.  It's such a fun dress to embrace my inner astrologist.  The price isn't half bad, either!

P.S., wouldn't any of these look great paired with this dress right now?

I love leaving you all with a sweet note most weeks, and this week is no exception.  Ali has so many amazing recipes on her blog, Gimme Some Oven.  These caramel apple cider cookies have me drooling.  I can't get rid of the desire to bite into that gooey caramel center!

Anything inspiring you today?  I hope the weather is nice wherever you are and that your day is happy!  We're here with my family now and I'm all smiles :)