there are so many lovely swim suits out there right now.  i've never been one to show so much skin, so i'm loving right now all the maillot one-piece suits and how very lady-like and sort of "conservative " they are.  they all kind of leave something to the imagination and embrace a woman's curves (curves, yes i have many of those).  but i'm so super undecided about what to get?  my number one pick is the Marc Jacobs one....but i love a bit of all of these.  plus, the price tag is really shocking me....(hence my constant on-line stalking daily for these suits to go on sale, please!)

what do you think is best?

sources:  Madewell, Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie, J.Crew


♥ happy tuesday.

the weekend is here!  me and the kiddos have enjoyed the weather so much with outings to our pretty outdoor mall (and a visit to Madewell, lol), playing activities outside and drawing with sidewalk chalk at grandpa and grandma's house.  despite the fact that the kids are recovering from tiny colds, they were able to have fun outside still.  the weather here seems to be getting hotter and hotter so that means more plans for the outdoor fun.  i can't really believe that it's Memorial Day weekend already!  i'm thankful that je has a three day weekend to enjoy some family time.  what are your plans for this weekend? 

if you have shopping in your plans for this weekend, here are some REAL GOOD SALES:
*Nordstrom is having their Half-Yearly Sale for women and kids this week and into the weekend.
*Madewell of course is wonderful, and they are having a 20% off sale on clearance.  they don't have signs up (but it's advertised on their site), but the cashier told me at the register when i purchased this, this and that....yes i'm an addict.
*Anthropologie is having their Semi-Annual Sale and of course it's heavenly.
*Victoria's Secret has their 7 for $26 panty raid sale.  (much better than the 5 for $25 deal)
*Forever21  has an 80% off sale on already great prices.
*Starbucks has happy hour between 3pm to 5pm :  buy 1 Frappucino, second is 50% (this goes on during summer season)

sorry if i'm putting a bigger hole in those wallets...but some of those stores don't rarely go on sale and when they do I CAN'T PASS IT UP (especially Madewell, lol! )

i hope you take in all the fun around you this weekend:   

 relax. breathe the fresh air. make happy moments. 


♥ happy weekend.

pure awesome.  J.Crew's Ballet Boutique is just that... A W E S O M E.  it's like looking at all the candy you wish you could fit into a bag at the candy store.  i'd be happy just with one pair...or maybe two or three.


♥ happy tuesday

i guess i'm on clutch/satchelet kick, huh?  but i can't help it when it comes to Falcon Wright.  the designs and patterns are so addicting and i want one in every color.  check out the Spring 2012 collection, you won't be disappointed.  if you're super crafty you can DIY your own.

Sources:  (from left to right) 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7


♥ happy monday.

minty isn't it?  this has been one of my fave color hues for awhile and i'm so excited to see it as a popping up trend for spring.  it is such a fresh take on wearing a pastel.  it goes best with neutrals to make it more vibrant (even though it's such a subtle hue). try mint colors with : gold, leather, suede, black, grey and neutrals or other textures in same color family.  it's a color that goes with every complexion and can brighten up your appearance.

sources:  my fave ice cream ever // poster print // pencils // paint color // fridge // watch // scarf // ASOS .


♥ happy friday.

this blog will always focus on fashion trends and styling, but i do love the craftiness side of me and so i wanted to share the staples i have as a crafter.  going handmade and the DIY movement has really become a frontrunner in so many aspects of life (especially gift giving, weddings, party events) and if you're not into hand-making things....please do try!

above are some of the things that are in my craft stash and i must confess i'm addicted to washi tape---they are so pretty! ( some great washi tape sites:  Happy Tape, Cute Tape and Paper Pastries.)


Here are some tips for you first time crafters:


1.  explore your local craft stores like Michael's, Hobby Lobby and even Jo-Ann Fabric stores.  these places can be overwhelming and so much fun.  but if you don't know what certain supplies or notions look like these are great venues to "see-touch-feel".  to this day, if i want "me" time i'll pop in a craft store and walk down every aisle (seriously) to get inspiration. 


2.  surf the internet.  seriously the internet is so packed with great ideas, tutorials, and pictures.  DIY is really a growing movement.  my fave sources for inspiration : Pinterest, HonestylyWTF, iSpyDIY, Cakies, A Beautiful Mess, Ashley Meaders and Sincerely Kinsey.  


3.  pick a first project that is easy and you can finish.  putting washi tape on a notebook, painting a wooden heart...whatever you fancy...keep it simple and what you like.  


4. have fun and be creative...sometimes many people try to duplicate an idea they see and get disappointed.  add in your own take by changing up materials and even re-working steps.  


check out Creature Comforts for a detailed craft resource list, too!



i hope this weekend you take on a project to relax and enjoy! (please share if you do).

 
craft supplies:  notebooks/ kraft tags/ Martha Stewart multi-purpose craft paint/ baker's twine/ 
Matryoshka blank wooden dolls/ Singer sewing machine/ Liquid Gold marker/ Fiskars craft knife/ washi tape.


♥ happy friday.

growing up ( and still a bit now) i was a certified tomboy.  so to find any sort of floral pattern on me, would be scarce, but now i can't get enough floral patterns....especially the real girly-kind----think tea party.  i'm pretty excited that all things floral are popping up this season...even on here!

Sources:  Dollhouse oxford, Rodarte sunnies  for Opening Ceremony, Kate Spade floral creamer, 
Madewell Rosebloom Songbird dress, Ever Ours shoulder bag, real flower blooms, 
Kate Spade Sweet Zinnia ring, and Anthropologie floral sateen slims

hope you got your daily dose of this pretty trend!

...yes, so very happy it's friday.  this week has consisted of being up all night with a 17th month old that decided to change their sleep schedule and not let mama sleep.  and also burning those brain cells to finish up papers and study for finals for grad school.  so, this weekend is a big "S I G H" for me.

above, are random things making me smile...especially that "love you more" pillow...that's what my husband says to me everyday..sweet he is.  and that top knot bun is making me become even more impatient with growing out my tresses.

hopefully this weekend will just be relaxed and filled with smiles.

what are your plans for the weekend? 

Sources:  Girl with top-knot bun by ELLE magazine, pretty pattern, Pixel pencils, 
Aubin & Wills Beachwood Blouse, "Love You More" pillow, Herschel Supply 'Walton' bag, and Bijoux Heart earrings.


♥ happy weekend.

grab your hubby, boyfriend, gal pals, mom/dad, kiddos and go on a date! my husband and i try to always have date nights (not just on Valentine's Day) and dressing up is one of the fun parts.  here's what i would wear on this Valentine's weekend... enjoy the L O V E.

p.s. i think having an instant camera like the one above is great for candid moments!

Sources:  J.Crew heart throb skirt, Fuji Instax camera, Kate Spade Juliana Too flats,
J.W. Hulme Mini Legacy bag, YSL lipstick in 19 Fuschia Pink, and Modcloth top .


 ♥ happy friday.

i get kinda excited when i spot a new designer/ clothing line...especially from Australia.  i love seeing fresh takes on silhouettes and styling.  so when i spotted Secret Squirrel on Creature Comforts (thank you!) i got very happy.  the Winter 2012 collection is very lovely and nice on the eyes.  check out Secret Squirrel. 

(images via Secret Squirrel). 

it's the start of the week again and i thought i'd start it out with a Lovely Somethings post for you!  this post is filled with Pinterest finds of mine that i'm heart-ing right now.  in reality...all on my wishlist.  (my birthday seems so far away, and Christmas even farther ).


Sources: Ask Alice Love Postcards, Tiny Elm Print sunglasses by Orla Kiely, West Elm Owl Measuring cups, JCrew outfit,  Pastel Oxfords, Valentine Min-magnet, and
Classic Q Lil Ukita by Marc Jacobs. 

♥ happy monday!

p.s.  these would make great Valentine's gifts as well!

i love these Baggu bags.  especially for my lifestyle when i don't know when i'll have some extra things to carry (especially with two kiddos always wanting to make a Target stop).  i spotted a pretty dotted one on Mignon Kitchen Co. for such a great price. 

♥ happy wednesday.

Mignon Kitchen Co. is the loveliest shop ever for kitchen items (like baking bowls, wooden spoons and even tiny packaging for those sweet baked goods).  this new shop site is owned by Rachel of Elephantine.  the site is great because it isn't so overwhelming with products, kinda just laid back and let's you focus on special items...all in one space!  i just bought this, that, these and those. 

i do just love supporting small businesses because they are so unique and special. make sure to take a peek over at Mignon Kitchen Co. you won't be disappointed

♥ happy monday.

here are some of the inspirations that i'll be using for my Christmas wear this coming weekend.  my family and i will be starting the celebration of Christ's birth on Christmas eve and through Christmas day. for Christmas Eve, i opted for a more dress casual look with black skinnies and a flannel but dressed it up with the my DIY glitter flats.  for Christmas Eve, since we'll be at church i had to go the more dressier route with minimal accessories. 

what will your wardrobe look like this Christmas weekend?  (please, just no ugly Christmas sweaters!).

Christmas Eve outfit:  F21 black skinnies, TopShop blazer, Marc Jacobs heart studs, F21 flannel top, Kate Spade flats (similar), and Marc Jacobs small cross-body.
Christmas Day outfit:  polka dot tights , magenta dress, pearl necklace and booties via Mod Cloth, Rebecca Minkoff cross-body.

hapi wednesday!

if you don't read the Creature Comforts blog, already...please do so! so much inspiration, pretty things and just plain cool.  well Gifted is a compilation of great gifts and ideas for this Christmas.  this guide helped me fill up my gift giving list....i like to give creative gifts that no one else would think of giving....and the guide is broken down into categories like : for him, for her, nest, baby, both, etc.....

check out Gifted.  it'll make you smile.

hapi wednesday!

i feel like a kid all over again when Christmas comes around.  seriously.  i love looking for things to put on my wishlist, even just for fun.  this Christmas i'll be buying and hand-making gifts (i'll share some DIYs this Christmas season for ideas too!

here's what's on my list:

Find here:  cycle pendant necklace,ice cream sandwiches,  roloflex pencil sharpener, washi tape, field notes notebooks, dip-dyed tote, measuring tape, teak wood cake stands, iPad skin cover. 


hope these can give you some gift giving ideas.  


hapi tuesday!

i've so missed this space.  sorry for all the quiet around here lately, i've been helping oversee a renovation at my parents' home for the past week.  there was no internet or cable tv available so i wasn't able to visit and post....so, so sorry, friends!

but hopefully i can post a few lovelies this week before Thanksgiving hits (i can't even believe Thanksgiving is here!).

here are some pretty things that i'm thankful for (or rather wishing to have !)

Find here:  J. Crew look, journal, Madewell fox pendant, neon polka-dot pillow, Kate Spade bangle, Madewell shoe clip, TOMS cordones, and lomo camera.

hapi monday!