friday faves: 5.27.11

friday faves... on sunday.   sorry!

it's ben a crazy week and i still have a  crazy week ahead of me - my store officially closes for the season today, then it's off to h'are for a speedy 2.5 day vacay, then back home to do a ton of prep work for the big trip to china.  this past week has been a lot of tying up loose ends and shockingly not very stressful.  i think i'm finally learning to leave my work at work and relax when off the clock.  well, at least a little.  i really hope that i can carry over this less-stressful mind state to the next two weeks, as i am very worried i will get overwhelmed with the pressure.  so for now, i'll just focus on the beautiful and inspiring and calming.  here are just a few ~

design/decor

~ a bright & relaxing bedroom ~

i'm really just drawn to this space -  i love the big window, the built-in shelving, the colors and print-mixing, and mostly the huge huge bed piled up with pillows.  my own bed may have a massive pillow mound, but it is currently broken so i am sleeping on an angle.  but this bed?  this bed is glorious.
moral of the story: i want to live here.

from house beautiful, march 2008 [via housebeautiful.com]

fashion/shoes

~ bright coral shoes ~

i own these.  and they are magical.  i put them on and somehow feel happier, prettier, sassier.  

[from white house black market, of course]

etc.

~ california dreaming ~

huntington beach, CA ~ summer of 2008

ohhh california, how i love thee... whenever i get stressed i find myself looking through old pictures of mine from california summers and i instantly calm.  i think it's about time i return...

[photo taken by me while suntanning]

~ this song ~

listen & love.

{i was made for sunny days}

friday faves: 4.15.1

here ya go, friday faves for mid-april day!  lots of pretty things for lots of pretty followers ~

design/decor

~ distressed pink bathroom cabinet ~

just love this - simple as that!  by graham & green [via]

~ suitcase stool & hatbox ottoman ~

 completely awesomesauce.  tons more similar upcycled furniture by REcreate

[discovered on lottie loves]

~ DIY twinkle light headboard ~

 unique, whimsical, seemingly easy to make.
see the directions here

fashion

~ leather & sundresses on marissa miller ~

 love this juxtaposition of hard and soft, and desperately wish i could pull it off - not quite sure i could... the leather would just look too out-of-place on my typically super fem self.  

image via the vogue diaries.

{pssst - want more? check out blake lively in a similarly awesome outfit}

fashion photography

~ circus love ~

*cite previous post on jessica stam @ circus

gorgeous photos from the editorial "magical mystery tour," shot by the incredible ellen von unwerth for vogue nippon.  

found on the terrier and the lobster

{psst - want more?  remember jessica stam at the circus??}

~ mirror-shot-love ~

i'm really just in love with this shot - everything about it, but mostly the awesome angles.  this is definitely something i'd like to try out in our next photoshoot!!

from elle uk april 2011 - model sessilee lopez shot by karen collins

see the whole breathtaking photo shoot here

 ~ elie saab editorial love ~

i'm pretty sure it's impossible not to fall in love with the designer after seeing gowns photographed this beautifully.  

[1. elie saab haute couture photographed by benjamin kanarek, from harper's bazaar china april 2011 - via; 2. olivia palermo wearing elie saab for elle mexico. photographed by steven gomillion & dennis leupold- via]

~ happy model love ~

i've previously expressed my love for happy models {exhibits: A, B, C} and this one definitely ranks way up high.  i mean, a bathing suit model doing something other than pouting or giving some other "sexyface" is a true treasure.  can't say it enough - love this pic!

model marloes horst

[via] 

etc

~ a double decker dress shop ~

woah, woah, woah... i read the story of the bus and now desperately want to find it!  not just to shop what will most likely be one of the cutest collection of dresses ever, but also to meet this erin character, who would most likely be one of the coolest and most inspiring women ever.  see more on happiness is..., where i first read about this bus.

~ paperie: papél new york ~

a little q & a with owner raegan hirvela ::

What is your aesthetic? I always had a vision of the shop aesthetic having a classic concept with a modern edge.   From our store fixtures and window displays to the products we carry, I look for items and ideas that are timeless. 

How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic? Although the music is fun, the cards on the shelves get more than just a giggle, and Francesca my daughter is constant amusement for the customers, but when it comes to collaborating with a client, it’s all business.  We have a dedicated space in the back of the shop where the bride & groom can sit down, relax and flip through our edited selection of wedding vendors.  We created this space so that it was secluded enough for client meetings, while un-obstructing the flow of the store.   It allows first time customers a sneak peak into the customized world of stationery and invitations that we offer.  We achieved this with our room divider made of reclaimed coffee tables that I picked up at thrift shops and the Salvation Army across the city.  It is simply awesome!

 ~ *--*--*--*--*--*--* ~

must be added to my "maybe one day" file... [via]

- psst : the divider she speaks of is in the pictures i included above -

giveaways

~ lovely green necklace ~

by Friedasophie.  head on over to bijou and boheme to enter (with lots of chances for extra entries!!)

~ free blog header ~

i already have my own beautiful blog header from debby @ inspired design, but if you're in need of one, head on over to HERE and enter to get a gorgeous header of your very own!

*note: the header pictured above is just one of the many up for grabs!

~ adorable pink stand ~

loooooooove!  this cute stand is by stands for all seasons and is being generously given away over at moon face.  hurry on over to enter... no really, hurry -- the giveaway ends tonight!

~ a book on social change ~

for anyone interested in something a little more substantial than just pretty things, there is a giveaway going on over at from the right bank for the book, Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan.  i read the excerpt and this is seriously powerful - and way inspiring - stuff.

head here to enter

one last thought... 

“all you need is love. 

but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

- charles m. schulz

hope your weekend is filled with lots of love & lots of chocolate as well!!

~ kait

friday faves: 4.8.11

the theme of my past week has been: adjustment.  adjustment to losing several key people in my life (both personal and professional), adjustment to new career challenges, adjustment to... well, a lot.  i've really loved putting together this compilation of pretty things.  this blog has been a steady constant throughout the craziness, the adjustments - it's been one thing i enjoy doing and can do even through a busy schedule.  but anyways, onto the friday faves...

design/decor

~ the perfect window seat nook ~

i can see myself here...

- curled up reading with the sun shining in

- on my computer going through blogs while listening to music

- with my girl friends drinking win & chatting the night away.

hopefully one day...

[image via]

~ legacy studio wooden shelves ~

 i just love things with separate compartments for different things - easy organization rocks!  especially, especially when it's cute like these shelves from the etsy shop, legacy studio.

discovered on the blog exquisite banana

~ frames, frames, frames ~

beautiful.  i desperately want to recreate this multi-frame look.  but even though i think the yellow shades are just beautiful, i think i would do it with all black and white photos, and then the bedding would be b&w and accent colors.  possibly.  definitely something to try out!  someday, someday...  [via; original source unknown]

fashion/fashion photography

~ sara ramirez @ the NAACP image awards ~

it may be from a month ago, but i can't help but share this beautiful woman in this beautiful gown by tadashi shoji :

love, love, love times a million!  really, it's perfect.  'nuff said.

 via red carpet fashion awards

~ the eclectic-awesomeness of this closet ~

...owned by britt aboutaleb, style news editor at elle.com.  i mean, souvenirs from paris fashion week, a vintage barbie, designer heels, & a mickey mouse sweatshirt??  i think i've met my new bff!

i've only included a couple tidbits, so head on over to the coveteur to see more!

~ malin akerman's casual look ~

i usually only highlight the gown aspect of celeb fashion, but i just had to share my love for malin akerman's casual look because i am just too in love.

from left to right:

1. rocking the boho chic look while still being completely put together - a difficult, and enviable, accomplishment! [via]; 2. i think skinny jeans were made for MA!  woah.  love the tailored top, love that it's tucked in, love the dark wash skinnies (obvs), & love the nude pumps.  basically, her casual style kicks a$$. [via]

~ julianne moore for talbots ~

adore this ad campaign.  [image via sfgirlbybay - go here to see more!]

~ flowy-awesome editorial ~

from the latest issue of wonderland

  truly beautiful photography.  i would love to do something similar in our next photo shoot.

shot by benny horne.  [via]

etc.

~ dana carvey returns as church lady ~

incredible.  watch this most recent church chat here

giveaways

~ handstamped jewelry by oh sweetlee me ~

 well really, you get your choice of any item from this adorable etsy shop -  there's also camera straps and hair pins, i just happen to be partial to the beautiful silver jewelry!  my fave is definitely the blessed necklace, pictured above.  so head on over to sandy a la mode to enter for yourself!

~ chic pillow covers by pillow peels ~

a $30 credit to the shop, to be exact!  and as the hostess of this giveaway, maria at layers of meaning, points out, due to the great prices at pillow peels, $30 can easily mean not one but two - or even more - pillow covers!  i included my top picks above, but check out the pillow peels site to find your own!  and then don't forget to enter the giveaway :)

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

long, long day ahead of me.  (as if that were anything new)

completely re-merchandising the main, 5,000 sq ft, store

then doing the whole merchandising of the new second sales floor which is apparently going to open this weekend.  somehow...

interview potential new employees. ack do i hate interviewing.

and then of course, spending my friday night dressing high school girls in my gowns for their prom fundraiser fashion show.  oh yes, my life is just so glam!

but at least it's nearly spring??

sorry to seem like a debbie downer but i just couldn't help it!!

[via my fave site, someecards]

but despite my own debilitating allergies, i still can't wait for spring to truly blossom!

then i can have a windowsill that looks this pretty ::

can't wait!

[image via; originally from southern living]

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

friday faves: 3.4.11

here ya go! -- a collection of some photography, design, & fashion that has caught my eye over the week, as a disappointing february transformed into what i'm hoping will be a fruitful march.

hopefully this makes you smile :)

~ a playhouse made of books ~

how whimsical & well, awesome!

had i been creative enough to think of this when a child, this would have been my playhouse instead of the one i fashioned out of sheets, tacks, and wood in my backyard.

photo by olivia megalis

~ lovely curtains ~

 i just adore these curtains in this dining room ~ wish i knew where they were from!

[from decor pad, via]

 ~ a woodsy bed ~

 a chic way to bring the outdoors into your bedroom [via tiptoe butterfly]

 ~ polka dotted letters ~

 just in love with these letters.  and i think they'd be super easy to make! hmm... definitely something i should try asap!  i think i'd spell out "peace" as that is a reminder i need on a regular basis - stop stressing & just find inner peace.  [image via]

~ a polka dotted accent wall! ~

because just one polka dotted item per friday fave is just not enough. 

bold & oh so fabulous! [via]

p.s. also love the headboard!!

~ romantic signs above the bed ~

i'm not always the sappiest person, but when i saw this bedroom design, i got shivers.  lovely.  sort of like this other above-bed sign i posted last month.  except i love this one most!

[via]

~ even more braids ~

 yes, i know i included some awesome braided hairstyles in my last friday faves, but that wasn't enough!  i had to share this one as well~

[image via]

~ and even more dianna agron love ~

she's just so adorable!!

hope you're not sick of it - you'll be seeing a lot of her classic self here! [image via]

{love her too?  here are some more dianna posts @ pretty things: on the red carpet 1, 2, 3; as madonna; her lovely profile}

~ mimi + meg's march calendar ~

 see it full-sized and available for download here

oh, and just like in feb, expect many posts related to these little-known holidays!

~ kirsten dunst having tea with a stuffed elephant ~

 

i don't feel a comment is necessary.  this photograph just speaks for itself.

from the Boy by Band of Outsiders spring 2011 ad campaign [via]

 ~giveaways~

~ absolutely beautiful necklace ~

by etsy jeweler Padgett Hoke

head on over to pink to green to enter for yourself!

~ marc jacobs daisy perfume ~

remember a few weeks ago when i did a post about how MJ's daisy perfume is the most photogenic?  and how i love daisies?  and how i don't own this one yet but would love to?

well fortunately, sweetheart blogger over at slumber designs is doing a giveaway for this very perfume!

* fingers crossed!! *

[enter for yourself here... but do it ASAP because the giveaway ends tonight @ midnight!]

~ item from barberry & lace ~

in celebration of 700 followers, the sweet leigh is giving one lucky reader an item from her shop, barberry & lace [up to $25 value].  if you are not familiar with this etsy shop, definitely head over now because it is just filled with prettypretty jewelry.  if i were to win this fab giveaway, i would choose the pink sparrow bracelet (shown above).  simple, pretty, and with a bird accent ~ perfect for me.

enter for yourself here!

~ golden boho locket ring ~

  by house of harlow, courtesey of Hallelu
this incredible giveaway is from gypsy*diaries in celebration of 1,000 fans [whoohoo!].
enter the giveaway here  

~ striped clutch ~

  adorable clutch by spool no.72, a fabulous boho clothing & accessories company.  fingers crossed i win this awesome purse from IHOD!

~in case you missed it here @ pretty things:~

a couple of my fave posts over the past week--

(not that i don't love all my posts, here are just a few that stick out in my mind)

~ amanda seyfriend epitomizing natural beauty meets couture

~ table i desperately want

~ mantra

~one last thought~

inspirational thought for the weekend.

lovely picture, too!

[via]