friday faves: 5.13.11

before going on to all the other pretty things i found this week, i must share how big & beautiful my tiger lillies have become!

last tuesday they had yet to bloom.  one week ago they were just starting.  and now?  they are the definition of full and vibrant.  by far the best thing about being cooped up in an office on these sunshiney days!

but anyways . . .  a few things that have caught my eye over the past seven days . . .

design/decor

~ perfect way to display coffee mug collection ~

pretty sure i need this type of storage in my life.  yup, definitely need! 

i love coffee mugs (and have a huge mis-matched and totally awesome collection myself!) but hate that they are typically stowed away in a traditional kitchen cabinet with - sigh - doors.  but this solution from a canadian quirky-candyland, a.k.a. amy and keith's fabulous home, is beyond perfect.

 fashion

~ my faves at cannes, thus far ~

karolina kurkova ~ shining in armani privè

salma hayek ~ gucci glam [première couture]

fan bing bing - atelier versace

diane kruger ~ calvin klein

gong li's purple perfection ~ roberto cavalli couture

uma thurman as the feather goddess in versace

can't wait for more!  all images from red carpet fashion awards

etc

~ but i like, really can't wait to see this movie ~

bridesmaids!  hopefully one day next week... pic from the super hilarious site, but you're like really pretty

lovely links

~ a super cool photo series of feet on vaycay [feet first]

~ tree branch + lace + wedding = simply love

~ can someone please buy me the dude's cardigan at this auction??!  if you do, i'll get you princess beatrice's fascinator in return...  deal?  deal.

a weekend reminder...

the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

- eleanor roosevelt

p.s.  sorry for no giveaway tips this week!  i'm sure there's some fab ones going on right now but i just haven't had the time to search around.  hopefully next week all will be back to normal :)

idea: paintbrush vase

simple, fun, unique.  definitely my style! unfortunately i don't have directions on how to make this but i'm sure it's incredibly easy.  i mean, i bet it could be recreated with paintbrushes (either old or found at a dollar store -- or both), a simple vase (again, either found around the house, at a dollar store, or Goodwill), a hot glue gun, and some twine.  a simple project for a simply lovely vase ~

originally from country living [via ritzy bee blog]

and now for a personal note . . .

i'm considering starting a second blog for more personal posts.  i just think it would be out of place to write about book reviews and personal struggles on pretty things since it is a blog for, well, pretty things!  the question is: would anyone read it?  would anyone care??  i'm not necessarily interesting and i'm certainly not an exceptional writer, but i do love to write and love to give myself new challenges, which this would certainly be!

your thoughts??

design: dream apt - kitchen

confession #1:  i am a craigslist junkie.  i scan through the available apartments religiously, and ever since my company starting talking expansion, i've found myself on the 'list more and more.
confession #2:  i found a place i *love* in another town
confession #3:  although i will likely not actually move here (everything is still completely up in the air), i really really really want to start cyber-decorating it!
confession #4:  so i'm going to . . .

* the kitchen *

cramped, dark, and completely uninspirational, yes.

potential?  oh yes.

the goal

something more like this ~

steps :

1. cabinets: remove drawers & paint dark wood an ivory.

actually, i think i'd try a pretty yellow

or maybe just yellow on the inside of the cabinets...

2.  add pretty wallpaper like the one shown above, to brighten (and un-bore-ify) the space

3.  organize everything in pretty containers

4.  give the lighting a little ooomphh

 5.  and, if there's room, add some pretty wicker baskets above the cabinets

then again, i will definitely need a step stool for this!

of course,

i believe the best decorating is done when actually in the space itself - this is just a start.  

a start on a place where i may or may not ever reside...

oh well!

more to come...

photo credits:

1.  pretty inspiration kitchen from Michael Penney at house and home; via poppy talk (go for more tips!)

2. paint color found on house beautiful; it is Donald Kaufman Color Collection's DKC-30

3. items from anthropologie = spice jars, utensil jar, butter dish, bubbled cone pendant

4.  lots of jars from world market

5.  wicker baskets from pier1

to do: anthro ruffle lampshade

this just may be one of the best "recreate-an-overpriced-anthropologie-item" posts i've come across - for realzies.  inexpensive, seemingly easy, and a fantastic outcome. 

~ the $88 inspiration ~

cute.  very cute.  but $88??  nuh-uh, not for the crafty folk!

~ the handmade (a.k.a. cheap) versions ~

 the original, made by terra over @ mama says sew

 the one i discovered on just a girl

for once, i actually do think i can make this as well as these seasoned crafty professionals!!  of course, as with the rest of my ideas, not even a small DIY project can be fit into my life.  sigh.

but wait!

that's why i have this blog!  to keep track of all my ideas for the day i can get around to it.  the day when i have space for adorable bedside lamps, the day when i can cut strip after strip of burlap.  but anyways...

go to either of these sites for pretty easy-peasy instructions and make yourself a crazy cute ruffle lampshade!  but if you do, don't forget to post pictures and then come back here to leave a link for me to see your handiwork!

~ happy crafting ~

 

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: 4.1.11

as promised - a longer friday faves than last week's brief list! 

design/decor/DIY

~ ruler picture frame ~

 i don't have the actual directions for how to make this adorable clip-frame, but i think i just may be able to figure it out.  let's hope so because it's seriously fantastic!  from the fab blog, the lettered cottage

~ french canvas decor ~

that i super duper want.

these beautiful works of art are created with old french dictionary pages.  my fave is the "je rigole, tu rigoles..." one.  my years of french taught me just enough to know that this is the conjugation for the verb "rigoler" which means to laugh.

fyi - the first print is the conjugation of vivre which means to live [merci, michelle!] and the third print conjugates dormir which is to sleep.  adorable!

[from lily and lime, found on the blog dear designer]

~ framing chic shopping bags ~

but only when they are exceptionally chic and worth showing off - e.g. hermes.  (remember i wrote about my love of this idea here)

 image from the coveteur, via the decorista

~ scrabble pillows ~

i also adore the choice of "cozy" rather than "love" which seems to be ubiquitous.
found here but original source (unfortunately) unknown

~ this little breakfast nook ~

i heart nooks of all kinds, definitely including adorable little kitchen nooks such as this one.  i mean, can't you just imagine yourself sitting on the corner booth, drinking your morning tea and looking out through that lovely window?? i sure can :)

image found here 

fashion/shoes/accessories/etc.

~ turquoise fabulosity ~

at first when i saw this posted on the blog simply designed and etsy finds, i wanted the perfectly practical (yet still beautiful) satchel with all my heart.  then 5 minutes later all i could think of was those comfy-cute moccasins.  so i've decided - both are needed in my life.  simple as that.

available at Boden

~ more of mila kunis @ the oscars ~

yes i know i already declared this elie saab creation to be mila's best dress this awards season, but i just couldn't help but share another pic it.  i mean, she is just perfection.  the dress is too actually.  [image found on the vogue diaries]

~ jamie chung, beautiful in bright yellow ~
gown by giambattista valli.  drop.dead.gorgeous.  'nuff said.
it's no surprise she was voted best dressed of the week by both readers of red carpet fashion awards & the fashion critic blogger herself ~

best dressed of the week, indeed. 
~ michelle trachtenberg = marchesa goddess ~

it's times like these that i wish i were michelle t.  now only is she beautiful & talented, but she is wearing marchesa at a ball about ballet.  life crush times a million.  [from rcfa]
oh wait, she was also voted BDOTW @ red carpet fashion awards, the week before jamie chung!  guess we're all on the same page these days :)

fashion photography

~ a model & an elephant ~

 i mean, come on! - how could you not love this image?!  i just find it captivating.  honestly.  can't stop looking at it...

model samantha gradoville and unnamed elephant model.  photographed by sean & seng for pop magazine.  via.

 ~ b&w portraits ~

stunning.  
the gorgeous model eniko mihalik, shot by lachlan bailey in vogue china march 2009  [via]

giveaways

~ hip, hip, hooray! ~

hey remember back in the day (erm, just a couple weeks ago) when i posted about a fab giveaway from sandy a la mode??

well... i won!

this was honestly the greatest part of a not-so-great week :)

* now onto some great giveaways you should enter *

~ the double whammy giveaway ~

 both $100 for gas money and $100 for clothes??  count me in!

enter for yourself over at shasta ann

~ simply lovely necklace ~

by lisbeth jewelry.  silver & rose gold, the perfect mixture & perfect level of simplicity.  can't help but desperately want it!  this beautiful necklace is being given away over at caroline & the city.

~ say it sweet giveaway ~

in honor of reaching 150 followers, the sweet lori over at penelope blue is hosting her first giveaway.  the winner gets their choice of an 8 x 10 print from the great etsy shop, say it sweet.  my fave is the picture shown above because i just love the english words: "i love thee with the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach."  love, love, love.

anyways, enter the giveaway for yourself here!

now a personal note...

 God is throwing quite a bit at me these days and this upcoming weekend of work will be the greatest test of my patience and endurance.  i am a strong believer that we are not given any more than we can handle, but that doesn't mean the "handling" part will be easy.  i know i will get through the weekend, but i also know that it will take nearly every inch of my energy.

so please, dear followers & visitors, send me some happy thoughts.  that's all - just some happy thoughts please :)