Happy (Long) Weekend!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Speaking of front porches - we're enjoying the holiday weekend in Tennessee and my heart is happy. We'll be spending 2 days at a BBQ competition, eating some good food and listening to live tunes. My Stepdad has a BBQ team and my Dad's blues band is playing. My own little slice of heaven!

Have you ever been to one? They're so exciting! The competition is fierce but it's all in good fun. Since I'm a vegetarian my role is the 'runner' - the person who turns in the food for judging. Lacing up my sturdy shoes and setting that stopwatch - here I come...

Here's a little taste!







Happy Weekend - I hope you're doing something you love!

Gorgeous Gisele

Thursday, May 27, 2010

 Photo via The Fashion Spot

Everything Fabulous posted these photos of Gisele looking gorgeous in mis-matched patterns. Is it just me or does she keep getting prettier? This one makes me want to make sun tea and sit on my front porch to watch the sunset.

Pantone / Product

Thursday, May 27, 2010


Wedding Wednesday

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I have to give credit to the hubby on this one. He introduced me to this photographer's site and I fell in love with the photos of Heather & Tyler's Parisian wedding. Any celebration with an Eiffel Tower involved is a favorite of mine :)







Photos by Kevin Hulett

Sabrina from Spain

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Photo by Nam

Somehow Sabrina manages to look effortlessly breezy while wearing tights and a scarf on this sunny Barcelona day.

Emerson Holds a Chicken

Tuesday, May 25, 2010



Sure I love Emerson because she makes pretty flowers and takes super cute photo's of her farm and has an adorable traveling little mouse. But mostly because she does things like hold a chicken whilst looking fab.
Let's be friends gosh darn it!

Leather & Lace

Monday, May 24, 2010


Rebecca Minkoff developed her classic clutch in a special bridal edition. Choose this pre-made pretty or supply your own silk and lace for a personalized touch. Hmm... match the bridal gown? A great way to reuse your wedding dress? Lets hear it ladies, a do or a don't??

Hometown Print

Monday, May 24, 2010


Add your hometown to this 'usually reserved for big cities' idea.
Neat-o! 

Available at My Sweet Prints. Be sure to check out the rest of Janette's fabulous shop!

Happy Weekend

Friday, May 21, 2010

 Image by Flume

It's going to be 87 in Chicago on Sunday. I need a tan and a pina colada!
Wishing you a happy weekend Sweet Peeps!

(P.S. Sorry for being a bad blogger friend this week! So much going on lately, aiming to catch up on all your sweet sites while I'm on vacation next week!

Microwave Jam

Friday, May 21, 2010

Photo by Aimee at Simple Bites

Doesn't this look yummy?  You can make it in the microwave!  Maybe I'll dig out my inner domestic goddess and try it out...she's been hibernating through the winter but an 87 degree Sunday should bring her out :)

(P.S. I feel certain I saw this on someone's blog earlier. I saved the link but not the source - if it was you let me know!)

We have a Winner!!

Thursday, May 20, 2010


Orange Sugar Home
is the winner of the Grateful Giveaway!


{Congratulations & thanks to all for playing}


Sad you didn't win? :( 
 Pick up your copy of 'When I Am Grateful' on Amazon.com!

Doll Shoes

Thursday, May 20, 2010

 Photo by maisiecousins

It's good to be Barbie.

A Grateful Giveaway!!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

This installment of the Grateful Series might be over but the fun is just beginning...

Allow me to introduce...the Grateful Giveaway!

When author Kaye George commented on the Grateful Series and told me she had written a book about being grateful I was thrilled. So imagine my excitement to find out she lives twenty minutes from my work!  We decided to meet and chatted about being grateful and the tugs of daily life that often get us down. She's so sweet - it was like talking to an old friend. And what an inspiration! Compiling a book while working full time and managing a family - whew! The best part is, she is offering an autographed copy of her book "When I Am Grateful" for you sweet people!




I've enjoyed running this series so much and your participation has been more than I could have imagined. I'm so excited to offer you this fabulous book and I know you'll enjoy it so much. It's full of inspirational antecdodes to keep you feeling grateful.

Here are the rules for entry:
1. Visit Kaye's website - When I Am Grateful
2. Leave a comment below telling me something you're grateful for

That's it!

Hurry, Hurry! Contest closes at 5:00pm Thursday, May 20th. Winner will be annouced shortly after!

Oh...and tell all your friends and family - anyone can enter - just make sure I have a way to reach you if you win!

Thank you all sooo much for participating and thanks to Kaye for the fabulous giveaway!

While we wait for a winner, enjoy my interview with Kaye:

What inspired you to write the book? Where did the idea come from?
The idea to write the book came during a dark period of my life. I had been recently divorced and living in less that desirable conditions. At the end of a very frustrating and overwhelming day, I returned home with 10 bags of groceries to carry up two flights of stairs. I was tired and alone; I was angry for living an apartment building with no elevator. My budget was lean, my relationships destroyed and my job in jeopardy. At that moment, all I really wanted to do was sit down and cry.

But then, I remembered the elderly man who lived in my building. Earlier in the week I had noticed his difficulty in carrying his own groceries up the stairs. Because of his physical limitations after a stroke, he struggles every day with what others take for granted such as carrying a bag of groceries. Here he was, juggling his grocery bags and his walking cane as he ascended the stairs to his apartment. I had offered to assist him, but proudly, he refused my help.

I said to myself, 'You have two strong legs. And climbing the stairs with some extra added weight will give you a good work-out. You have a job and a source of income that let you purchase ten bags of stuff; some of which are items you want, but do not necessarily need. Many people can't purchase even one bag to feed their families. You have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on. You have far more than many other people have in this world.”

What things in your life are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful to God for granting me the privilege to live an extraordinarily ordinary life. Although my journey has not always been cheery, I am grateful for having a “glass half full” perspective. It is my hope that as you read this book, you will join me in being grateful and thankful for each day and for those around us who shape our spirit.

Many of my readers are female entrepreneurs - how did you find time to pursue the book while balancing job/family/daily life? What was the biggest challenge?
Like many women my age of the 'Sandwich Generation,' I struggle with maintaining a balance in life. I have a full-time job that at times can be very analytical in nature. And, therefore, the random moments that I found to use my “left” brain and reflect on being grateful an escape from the everyday grind.

What's the most interesting grateful scenario you've encountered? (How to find something to be grateful for in every situation.)
There is not one scenario I find more interesting than the other. However, I do find it interesting that many of the scenarios are about small distractions that often times we turn into a big deal. Rather than turn anxious or angry about things out of our control, we need to take a deep breath and find something to be grateful for.

 
Thank you all sooo much for participating and thanks to Kaye for the fabulous giveaway!

Notebook - lost & found

Monday, May 17, 2010



Have you heard of Ecosystem notebooks? You design your own based on paper style, cover, size & color. If that weren't cool enough, they come with an individual ID to register. That way, if it's ever lost you can be reunited. The list maker in me loves this nifty idea!


Things I'm Grateful For - Z

Monday, May 17, 2010




 is for Zinfandel



Red Zinfandel that is.  With your robust flavor and deep burgundy color - you range from light and fruity to intense and peppery - and that's what I love about you. Thanks for being my wine of choice. (And the perfect way to cap off this series!)

What are you grateful for today?


P.S. The Alphabet Series might be coming to an end but the fun is just beginning! Stay tuned for a special treat tomorrow - something to be GRATEFUL for indeed ;)

Yellow Wall

Friday, May 14, 2010


Speaking of Yellow....I want this to be my living room.
But black cats and white couches do.not.mix.

Happy Weekend!

Things I'm Grateful For - Y

Friday, May 14, 2010





is for Yellow



Today I'm grateful for Yellow.

The color of the sun that warms my shoulders
The color of a buttercup that reflects off my chin
The color a busy bee
The color of a daffodil signaling spring is here
The color of grilled corn on the cob dripping in butter (also yellow!)

The best things come in Yellow.

What are you grateful for today?

Lift Up Nashville

Thursday, May 13, 2010


Local artists created this cool collection of prints with the proceeds going towards flood relief.  Get one here.

Most families didn't have flood insurance and many lost nearly everything. Want to see what a flood looks like?  Stephanie posted a few photos showing the damage to her mother's home.

More ways to help:
Buy a T-shirt
Attend Nashville Rising - tickets go on sale tomorrow!
Donate to the Middle Tenneesse Red Cross
If you're local, sign up to volunteer.
 
I sure am proud to be from the Volunteer state :)

This One's for the Boys

Thursday, May 13, 2010



I realized today that I've been completely lacking in the male fashion/products posts category.

I was surprised by this since:
a. Men's clothing is my job
b. I like guy stuff

My only explanation for this is that:
a. Men's clothing is my job and I don't want to talk about it anymore
b. I really like girl stuff

Maybe it popped in my head because I spent the weekend with the hubby and our friend, Eric. We visited a few bars and the guys went on a mission for new Cubs shirts. (I came down with a cold/allergies/misery and pooped out of the fun.) Luckily, these guys enjoy a good product purchase every now and then so buying cool bar shirts is always on the to-do list.  Imagine my excitement when I found out about the Dive Bar Shirt Club! 

For $20 a month, your lucky guy will receive a brand new, professionally printed tee along with a little info about the featured Dive. Tee's are retired after their month is up so you're always guaranteed a fresh design. The best part is....membership is commitment free, cancel at any time (when you decide his t-shirt drawer is full) or you can prepay for 3, 6 or 9 months. Father's Day is just around the corner ladies...Surprise him -you'll be the coolest chick on the block!

I'm sure as soon as the hubby reads this we'll be signing up. If any you beat me to it I'd love to hear about your experience!

(See more sample tee's here.)

Things I'm Grateful For - X

Thursday, May 13, 2010




is for X Chromosome



Bethca haven't heard that in a while? This is the first letter that I was worried about finding something to be grateful for but it turns out it's quite simple. The X Chromosome is one of the sex determining chromosomes. Simply put, boys have an X and Y chromosome, girls have two X's. So the extra X is what makes us female. Which leads to many wonderful things to be grateful for:

twirly dress
pink nail polish
red lipstick
stiletto heels
handbags
babies!
hair products
the bigger closet
ladies first

What are you grateful for today?

Happy Thursday the 13th

Thursday, May 13, 2010


More 13 love here and here.

Wedding Wednesday

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Nashville continues to be on my mind lately so I guess it was meant to be that I stumbled on this Nashville wedding yesterday on Ruffled.  The beautifully unique details have me swooning.  If we still lived there I'd be requesting a double date with this super cool couple! Handmade loveliness, meaningful memento's and some serious creative ability, I hope you're ready for this treat...  the wedding of Golriz + Devon - even their names are cool!





Paper strips and little white lights create an oversize chandelier

 Hand stitched bird cake toppers - made by mother of the bride

 The cupcake table sits before a curtain made of vintage fabric flowers

 A TV art installation, how cool is that?

 What's a Nashville wedding without a little music?

 Photos by Ryan Lash


See more about the wedding here.

P.S. As a special treat check out their wedding trailer here. You'll find a groom grinning ear to ear, delightful hanging umbrellas and an adorable singing clip!

P.P.S. Have you helped Nashville yet? 

Pantone / Product

Wednesday, May 12, 2010


Fossil Watch - Nordstrom, $95


Things I'm Grateful For - W

Wednesday, May 12, 2010




is for Weddings




I seriously love weddings. The planning, the preparation, the anticipation of planning the biggest and best party of your life. Small or big, beach side or city chic - weddings are just full of pretty and uniqueness. They're like snowflakes - no two are exactly alike. I page through online wedding galleries like a newly engaged person but I've been married long enough now that The Knot has pretty much kicked me out.  I must be making up for lost time. I wasn't one of those people that planned a wedding since childhood. Never looked at diamonds or envisioned the day. I was supposed to stay single and get a cute city apartment with my grandmother. But things change...I met Mr. Right and from engagement day forward I became a wedding lover.  I can't stop!! The colors, the themes, the ideas, so much inspiration! My friend Brooke still gets bridal magazine subscriptions because she says they have the best beauty tips - see, there's so much to love about weddings!

What are you grateful for today?

Our wedding - August 2nd, 2003



P.S. If you have wedding pics on your blog leave me a link so I can check out your wedding, pretty please :) It's Wedding Wednesday after all...

Shoe Storage

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

City living means small closets, for me anyway. Loving these ideas for creating more shoe space!





 Images via House to Home 

Party Outfit

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

We're hosting a party on Sunday and I'm itching for some new threads.
If money were no object I'd wear all this.

Sweet pink polish with flats to match, a pretty ring to show up nicely around a cocktail glass, and a strapless dress to keep the sleeves out of the gravy (just kidding, there won't be any gravy.)


Click to view larger

Shopping Lists

Tuesday, May 11, 2010


Debbie collects misplaced shopping lists and illustrates them. This one made me laugh. I make lists for everything. I'll make them prettier from now on in case someone finds them!

via Creature Comforts