Must Have

This coat from Anthro is one I've had on my wish list for far too long. Must buy soon!

(Fall/winter anthropologie catalog)

Champagne Toast

I had to share a few photos from the champagne toasting! Thanks to a few inspirational pictures, my mom's google search of a champagne fountain, JB's champagne run to Costco, Lindsey and Kyle's wonderful friends and families, Lindsey's steady hands, and several heart-felt words, I will be the first to admit the champagne toasting was a great success!

Home!

I went home a few weeks ago to host an engagement party for my friend Lindsey and her fiance Kyle. I was thrilled to be throwing a party, by far one of my favorite hobbies. And now that I'm no longer living under my parents roof, I love a great excuse to go back home! Even though I have only been gone for about four months, every single time I walk back through my doors, I fall in love all over! Mama, your taste takes me by the seat of my pants! The simplest new additions never fail to amaze me! Gold candles stuck in glass bottles, genius! Ranunculus filling the house will never get old, keep em coming. Dear mama, thanks for making our house a home. I can't wait for my next visit!

Save the Date

I am so in love with this save the date that I found hanging on our fridge. My roomie, Carey's cousin is getting hitched this spring and these are her adorable save the dates! I can only imagine what this wedding will entail!

Fab Five

Meet my littlest/tallest sister, Liz, and her four best friends. This fab group of gals are some of my absolute favorites! I miss these girls dearly each and every day. These little stinkers are all off doing their thing in college, hopefully acting like angels. I had to give a shout out to my young loves because I miss you so much!
xoxo, your favorite older sis!

(these pictures were taken by my oldest/shortest sister, KC)

Spring Uniform

Although I have been a long-time lover of jeans, thick cable-knit sweaters, heavy coats, and wool socks, I am not a fan of a Casper-white face and legs that have not seen the sunlight in over four months. I have spent the past few nights shivering underneath my sheets, dreaming of bare legs and sun-kissed skin.

Yesterday, with the intent of finding some new back work pants (boooring), I headed to J.Crew to find everything but. According to retailers, spring is here! In hopes of a near, sunny future, I have put together my ideal spring uniform. Nothing fancy, just comfortable and interchangeable. Something I can jazz up with a scarf and jewelry or play down with my sandals and unpolished toe nails. Maybe I should be thankful the sun isn't out yet as my funds for this daily ensemble are insufficient.

(via J.Crew)

A Chinese Love Affair

I have literally been craving Chinese food non-stop lately. I don't know what it is, but I cannot get these salty dishes off my mind. Chicken fried rice, General Tsing chicken, a bit of lo mein, and few egg rolls; it all sounds delicious! Wouldn't it be nice however, if while eating my tasty Chinese dinner I could eat it on these lovely Kate Spade plates? This Kate Spade ad is one of my all-time favorites. My feelings grew even bigger when I found out the prop stylist behind this ad was the ever-so-talented Randi Brookman Harris! All of my loves are starting to intertwine!

(another ad torn out of an un-remembered magazine)

And Yet Another Addiction

Another addiction is the last thing I need right now. Once again I was lost in blog land and came across Little Girl, Big City. There was no turning back. Page after page, I fell madly. I just had to share a few of my favorite posts. If anyone is familiar with addictions, I am in desperate need of your help. Attention all bloggers: Please stop posting. And if you don't want to do that, can you at least stop introducing me to new blogs? And enough with the expensive items I cannot afford. Please no more posts and pictures of your amazing adventures overseas, my jealousy is getting out of control. Oh and one more thing, please stop tweeting. I am a true addict and have to read every single thing you tweet. Thanks!

(via little girl, big city)

Stop Snowing

Waking up day after day to snow and slush I cannot help but crave these beautiful spring colors! Pink peonies, I need you in my life right now!

All flowers from the fab Bloomin' Buckets! I miss you!

The Office

I would love to call this space my office! A clean, organized, modern, colorful workplace; how could I ever have a bad day at the office?

(another image I ripped out of a magazine centuries ago. I believe it's from an InStyle, circa 2005?)

The Ole' Switcheroo

I know I was just telling you all how much I enjoy my daily oven-roasted turkey & cheddar cheese sandwiches, but... look what I just stumbled upon? Turkey! Avocado! Bacon! Cheese! All on toasted sourdough! Enough already! Before I make the ole' switcheroo, I have to think of a grocery item I can sacrifice so I can afford bacon and avocado to make this delicious sandwich part of my daily routine. HELP!

(via, originally found on pinterest)

Charmed

Loving these fun necklaces Amy Smart pairs together! I have always loved wearing more than one necklace, but I may need to buy a few more in order to reach Amy's level of charm!

P.S. How beautiful does she look here? Mama Mia!

(I tore these images out of a magazine ages ago and unfortunately I don't remember which one. Bad girl. Sorry.)

Monday Manners

I am always sure to say please and thank you, chew with my mouth closed, hold the door open for the person behind me, and put my napkin on my lap while eating. I consider myself a polite young lady; my mother has taught me well. Even though I know and mind my P & Q's, there are plenty of manners I have yet to learn. Thanks to Manners, by Kate Spade I have a complete guide to mindful, modern manners I can and should use everyday! If you have been following for awhile you may have caught a few manners I posted, but I impolitely stopped sharing. I better get back at it before you and I lose all our manners.

Today's Lesson: Utensils

Two guidelines are especially important to follow when using your utensils. When you decide to take a break from eating during your meal, simply set your fork on the left side of your plate, with the tines facing down and your knife on the right side, with the sharp edge facing inward. When you have finished your meal, place both your knife and fork side by side to the right of your plate. Try this at your next meal, you will be the talk of the town!

(context via Manners, fine dining placemats via Anthropologie)

A Man to Remember

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

(via & via)

A Toasting

I am headed home this weekend to host a toasting for my dear friend, Lindsey, and her fiance, Kyle. These two are not tying the not until October, but why wait to start the festivities! I am excited to spend the day cooking with my mama tomorrow. We are hoping to make some scrumdidlyumptious soups (with JB's expertise). I am excited to spend an evening with some good ole' friends and fam, eating and drinking and sharing a toast to Lindsey and Kyle!

My mom and I are planning a fun little surprise for the party! Pictures to come!

Above are the invitations I made for Lindsey's party. I had such a fun time designing these, possibly a little too much fun! And below the invite is a Polaroid picture I took at Lindsey's house after she asked us all to be bridesmaids; such a fun night! (Unfortunately, we shot this pic before the second Jenna showed up). I am more than thrilled to be one of Lindsey's bridesmaids! So much to look forward to! Cheers!

House Envy

Currently gawking over this incredibly gorgeous home! What a beauty! A simple look with all white walls and floors, filled with large industrial pieces, and a touch of modern flair... I can't stop staring. If this were my home I would never leave, mark my words. From the wide open first floor to the lucite office chairs, from the wall of black and white photos to the gold framed mirror, and from the big leather chair to the breathtaking view, I want it all! See whole house here.

(via, originally found at black eiffel)

A Crock a

Now that I am living on my own and I can't afford to eat out like I used to, I am left with no other option than to suck it up and learn how to cook. Even though I can always be be found in the kitchen, it is the eating I'm partaking in, not the cooking. However, I have always loved the idea of cooking! It is something I daydream about; me cooking up a storm in my kitchen, only using the freshest ingredients and top-of-the-line appliances, never leaving, meal after meal, family and friends coming in and out to enjoy my incredible home-cooked meals! Well, maybe one day, but I have a hell of a lot of work cut out for me if I want to live to see that day. For now I must learn the basics. My sister, KC, a divine cook and my bestie, Jenny, another great cook, cannot stop raving about the crock-pot. "You just through all your ingredients in the pot, walk away for about 5 hours, come back, and voila!" Okay-dokie, you sold me! Next purchase = a crock-pot!

Doing a little research on the crock-pot has led me to a million recipes, specifically for the crock-pot. Check out this chicken and sausage gumbo! And a crock-pot for less than $30! Do any of you own a crock-pot? If so, any good recipes you want to share?

(via & williams-sonoma)

Speaking of Crowns

She wore one well! To say the least!

(via)

Jeweled

I am in love with St. Louis-based fine jewelry store, Ylang Ylang's, business cards. The turquoise color, square shape, and font choice really does it for me! And to top it off with a crown? How fitting! If you are impressed with their business card, you should take a peek at their jewelery (gasp!). Absolutely stunning! I will gladly take one of each. Okay, if I had to pick just one it would be this!

Happily Ever After

I tore this photo out of a J.Crew catalog years ago and finally got my scanner out to share it with you all! (Unfortunately, I am just figuring out my scanner so I apologize for the low quality image.) What a beautiful bride! This simple, yet stunning dress is my dream wedding dress. Her luscious locks paired with the jaw-dropping background, yes, I think it is safe to say she will live happily ever after!

Tom

You can call me Tom cuz I'm feeling like a Tom boy! Heading home this weekend and I will be raiding my old man's closet. Hoping to find something similar to one of the pieces above (high hopes, I know). If that does not work out (assuming Dad didn't rock a Barbour jacket) maybe I will ask the rents if I can exchange my labor for some allowance to fund my next Tom boy purchase. Wish me luck with the new name!

1) Field Jacket, Barbour; 2) Jaspe V-neck, J.Crew 3) Caribou, Sorel