If I Only Purchase One New Item For My Spring Wardrobe...

... it's gotta be these shoes!

I know by now any fan of Sperry Top Siders knows that Milly created a spring line for them. I had previously had my eye solely focused on the floral classic Top Siders, but then I encountered the shoes below on the website while lusting over which new pair of Sperry's to add to my wardrobe. I'm seriously in shoe heaven.

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So much to look forward to this spring! Hurry up warm weather- I'm so over Wisconsin Winter. 

Spring Break, Meet Your New Project...

A few months bag, I came across this bag while perusing the Anthropologie website. The colors immediately caught my eye, and as I have penchant for trims and decorative finishes, I could not stop thinking about this tote. That being said, I could also not stop thinking about the $518 price tag that came along with it.

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The way I see it, a sturdy canvas tote and an array of tassels are all that I need (excluding the requisite notions involved i.e. thread, etc) to make my tassel bag. While it could be seen as a bit of work, I have a week's worth of time on my hands coming up, and a gift certificate to Mood that I've been trying to find a project for. Not to mention, in making you're own you can pick whichever color tassels you would like! 

Since I'm a firm believer in never having enough bags, as well as the fact that I've been looking for a reason to make another trip to the Garment District, I'm looking forward to this project! 

Heart Throbbing

While in J.Crew a few weeks ago, I came across the Heart Throb print iPhone case. The pattern was adorably happy, in a navy and coral-red print. While I loved my Leopard print J.Crew iPhone case too much to switch it up just yet, I couldn't get the print out of my head. I went on J. Crew today to look up a pair of their espadrilles when I found flats in the same pattern! They even have it in a bikini- too cute!

{flats} {case} {swimsuit} {shirt}

Trending Trim: Scalloped Hems

Maybe it's the prepster in me, or the underlying desire to get back to good ole New England as soon as possible (two weeks!), but I cannot help but fall head over heels for scalloped hems! I first encountered scalloped hems for this upcoming season on a perfectly purple J. Crew skirt a few weeks back while in J. Crew with my sister. We had made a quick run to the store for a t-shirt and an iPhone case while my dad (who was in town visiting) was having his iPad and iPhone fixed in the Apple store nearby. Molly, my sister, nearly had to drag me out of J. Crew before I maxed out our dad's credit card on the entire store. Yet, of all the pieces I fell in love with- and, as per usual, there were many- I could not get that skirt out of my head! Sure enough, J. Crew is now selling a scalloped-hem pair of shorts in a bright, hot red that I also severely desire for this summer. The one predicament I have, however, is that while I could pull off the skirt at work, I'm not sure if the shorts will fit in with my Milwaukee summer attire. I may be ridiculed slightly for how preppy they are but, to quote the ever lovely Meryl Streep at the Oscars this past Sunday night, "but whatever!" (said with a sassy smile-smirk combo). Back on track~ here are my scalloped-hem musings below!

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7}

And can we just gawk for a second over how adorably chic the Marni dress is?!

Pom Pom Love

Ever since I saw these Lilly Pulitzer Party Pom Poms hanging in my friend's room last year, I've been obsessed with crepe paper pom poms.

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While it took me a while to hunt down the Lilly version, my adoration can be seen on my Pinterest "Holidays and Parties" page. I want to make some to hang in the corner of my room, since the shapes mimic the blossoms on my duvet cover.

{images via pinterest}

Love all the colors and different shapes! While traditionally these are used for party pieces, I think that these pom poms could be used to add detail to any setting. Not to mention, the bright colors bring happiness to this Monday!

Color Crush: Back to Basics

My friends make fun of me all the time, especially when getting ready to go out, when I exclaim I have nothing to wear because everything I own is black, white, or J. Crew (I don't want to ruin my Crew Clothes going out...). They get an even bigger kick out of how, when shopping, I tell them not to let me purchase something that is black, navy, or neutral, and end up gravitating towards the neutrals anyways! What can I say? I'm practical and classic. I love love love color, but when I'm purchasing things, especially nicer pieces, I like to think of the many ways I can use or wear them. 

Let me acknowledge that these are my Midwest friends. They consider it to be some East Coast thing. Which it probably is. Left to our own devices over fall break since we were too far from home, my friend Hannah (the only other non-midwesterner, a loud and proud New Yorker) and I had girls weekend. Naturally, girls weekend involves shopping. We left pretty much empty handed because we kept catching each other trying to buy neutrals. 

{sweater} {heels} {cuff} {watch} {bracelet} {cape} {belt} {skirt} {trench} {tote} {flat}
{wedged boot} {suede flat} {heeled boot}

Happy Sunday!
ox

Oscar Treats

If I were to hold a classy Oscars viewing party these are a few of the treats I would love to serve! 

{All images via Pinterest!}

{Note the "nommies" ~ I live with an education major and a pediatrics major... }

Happy Oscars Viewing!!!

Friday's Fancies: Oscar Night!

This week's Friday's Fancies over at Long Distance Loving is Hollywood Glam! There's nothing I love more than imagining what I would wear were I ever to be lucky enough to attend the Oscars, so naturally this was right up my alley. I kept it {relatively speaking} simple, as seen below ~

{Dress} {Shoes} {Bag}

Happy Weekend!

Lifestyle Crush: Society Social

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS COMPANY EXISTED? 

Society Social, like Matchbook Magazine and Kate Spade, embody everything I adore in life~ sparkle, bright colors, a penchant for a good cocktail party, and a love of life all wrapped up in one glamorous package. Their motto is even "#livesparkly"

#signmeup

{images via Society Social}

Creativity on a College Budget

I love a good Parson's table. In my future dream home, I will ideally have either (or both) a phenomenal Parson's dining table and/or a mirrored Parson's nightstand. Naturally, when moving into my apartment, I picked up one of the super cheap (bonus) Parson's side tables at Target. I couldn't find a picture of it online, but it looks more or less like the LACK side table that IKEA sells for $7.99 (talk about a bargain). 

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I would show the current state of my nightstand, but it's currently clogged with magazines, beauty products, books, etc. I have had great plans for this nightstand, but I couldn't decide on which direction to go in, until I saw this month's House Beautiful issue, where in one segment interior decorators were asked what piece in their home they've repurposed. 

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I DIED when I saw this tortoise shell Parsons in February's issue of House Beautiful! I had to email my mom and have her look it up for me in her copy, because I had forgotten to write down the designer before I left so I could gawk at the tables online while I was at school. Gotta love MB, she sent a link to Gorgeous Shiny Thing's post that covers "How-To Recreate Tortoise Shell"! Thanks mom! 

I'm hoping to tackle this project this summer, when I have a nice weekend during which I can borrow my friends' back porch so I don't turn my tiny apartment into a completely intoxicating environment! 

I'm going to top the finished table with a lucite square tray (any ideas on where to find that are encouraged and welcomed), turning my table from tres cheap into tres chic. 

A little positive thinking

{images via Pinterest}

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

I'm always in the mood for throwing (or attending) a good party! :) 

{all images via Pinterest}

Color Crush: Blue

Blue is and always has been my go-to color to wear. I'm not sure if it is because of my blue eyes, or my love of summertime and being near the water, but for some reason, it is the dominate color in my closet. My friends all make fun of me-- as in, sometimes, while out shopping I'm told to not buy more blue products-- and it's funny because blue is not my favorite color. Anyways, I found myself clipping to Polyvore and pinning all different hues of blue items. My favorites are below~

{hair ties} {watch} {clips} {clutch} {purse} {shirt} {shorts} {belt} 

{earrings} {flats} {dress} {umbrella}

yet, wait, there's more...

{caftan} {bangles} {flats} {bracelets, bracelets, bracelets!} {wastebasket} {pants}

{shorts} {tunic} {iPhone cover} {purse} {tote} {bracelet}

Saturday Design Inspirations

Talk about bargains. Naturally, I went on Craigslist and Ebay to see if I could possibly find chairs that looked like the ones I found in Dragonfly that I wrote about the other day. When I originally wrote this, I was going to say that I didn't find the chairs, but I did find some other great deals.... and then I found the chairs!!!!! ~

Mid-century Modern Upholstered Armchairs

{via pinterest}

Happy Weekend! 

Splurge: Landon Armchair, Pottery Barn, $999- $1,299 depending on fabric grade

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Steal: Dragonfly Milwaukee via Craigslist, $65 each or $120 for both

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When I posted this picture on my mom's Facebook page to show her I had found the chairs online, my friend Mallory commented that they reminded her of Austin Powers Goldmember. I agreed, which is why I would most certainly be recovering these beauties if I could get my hands on them.

1950's Caned Armchairs

{via pinterest}

Splurge: Antiques du Monde, Set of 4 caned armchairs, $6,800

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Steal: Craigslist, $35 for set of two

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Obviously the "steal" chairs would need some sprucing up, but I personally like the slight stylistic difference more, and for someone starting out or in a small space, they would be super cute!

Vintage Wood Trunk

{via pinterest}

I would put these trunks at the foot of the beds rather than the wicker ones shown above!

Splurge: English Accent Antiques Camphorwood Trunk via 1stdibs.com, $6,750

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Steal: Vintage Wood Chest via Craigslist, $150

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I especially love the sailboat etching on the steal trunk! 

1960's Herman Miller Chairs

{via pinterest}

{via pinterest}

Splurge: Area 51 via 1stdibs.com set of 4 1960's Herman Miller Eames Side Chairs, $6,000

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Steal: BoomBox Designs via Craigslist, Pair of 1960's Herman Miller Eames Side Chairs, $350

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Madrileña Musings

This Friday, I'm trying something new. I'm linking to Long Distance Loving's  Friday's Fancies. This Friday's Facies is in conjunction with Elembee, Etc and themed "Let's Fly Away." My dream location is Madrid- I miss it so! We had to pick and place and an outfit that we would wear while traveling. Clearly, I'm thinking about Madrid in the summertime! It's extremely hot, but that is no excuse to not be fashionable while touring the city. 

Here are my essentials~

{iPhone case} {Top} {Flats} {Satchel} {Necklace} {Hat} {Scarf} {Shorts} {Suitcase}

1. iPhone ~ This summer, I didn't have my iPhone quite yet so instead I kept notes of my experiences on my iTouch while taking pictures on my Point and Shoot camera. If I had a bigger bag with me or was going to a specific location, I would bring my clunker SLR camera with me instead. With my iPhone, I could blog, write down notes, and take pictures on the go- and have it all in one place! 

2. Light and Breezy top~ Summers in Madrid are sweltering, so I usually stuck to tanks or lightly-colored short sleeved shirts. Not to mention, this white top will go with many different prints/patterns and colored bottoms. 

3. Ballet flats~ I wore through both pairs of my Gap city flats this summer. At $30 they were a great deal, and extremely comfortable-perfect for spending all day on your feet walking around the city. I love the color of these pink flats, as well!

4. Satchel~ Again, this neutral color can go with many different outfits, and it's essential for walking around the city. It's not too clunky, but it can fit everything I need. 

5. Bon Voyage Necklace~ I don't wear much jewelry when I travel for a couple of reasons. One, it's a pain taking jewelry on and off in security, and two, I don't want anything taken, so the only jewelry I ever wear are pieces that I will not take off. My mom gave me a Saint Christopher's medal, the patron saint of safe travel, which I wear when flying to and from school, and never took off while in Spain and Italy this past summer. However, I love the cute message on this Kate Spade necklace!

6. Straw hat~ The sun is hot! This protects my face from burns and also cools me down a bit. It's also super cute! 

7. Scarf~ Europeans wear scarves, pants, and long sleeves throughout the summer as if the heat does not exist. It's crazy! That being said, when spending long days out and about, it can be chilly in the early morning, and cooler at night as well. A lightweight scarf is nice to have.. and if you're traveling, it doubles as a makeshift blanket! My blue pashmina is always a staple when traveling in the fall/winter, and I choose a lighter-weight option for the spring/summer months. 

8. J. Crew Chino Shorts~ I may be biased, but I love love LOVE J. Crew chinos. The shorts fit perfectly, are lightweight, and easy to clean. I have them in four or five different colors and wore them religiously in Spain when I was not wearing skirts. (Also a staple!) 

~ I chose a Diane Von Furstenburg suitcase, since I have had mine for six years and it hasn't failed me yet! (And believe me, I've put it through quite the wear and tear)

~ The two photographs pictured below? Two of my all time favorite places in Madrid. In the upper right hand corner there is Parque del Retiro, the Central Park of Madrid. The artificial lake features rowboats that you can rent for $4.50 euro, which divided between four people is only a euro and change each! You get 45 minutes on the lake, though time isn't monitored too strictly, and provides boatloads of fun (no pun intended). We went twice while we were in Madrid, racing each other across the lake, rafting up with other rowboats, etc, etc! In the bottom left hand corner is El Tigre, my favorite tapas place in Madrid, and what I would dare to say is one of my all-time favorites (big words, I know). For 6 euro, you get a drink (Mojito, Sangria, Calimocho, Beer, etc...) and a small plate filled with all sorts of tapas- Croquettas, Patatas Bravas, Tortilla Espanola, Jamon y Pan, etc- probably one of the best deals known to mankind. Bonus~ if you go with a giant group of people, as we normally did, you could feed everyone a  full meal. Since each person gets a tapas plate with their drink, and the plate is overflowing with food, mixing and matching the tapas each person receives is one of the most delicious meals in Madrid. (And very cheap!!)

Happy Travels!

Happy, Pretty Things

I know. So non-descriptive. Yet, sometimes things are just that- things that make you smile and happy when you look at them. Some of my recent happy things are below ~

{Photographs via Pinterest}
{Drawing} {Sweater} {Card Case} {Sunnies} {Pillow}

I especially love the "Here's looking at you, kid" card case by Kate Spade. From, what else, Casablanca! 

Interior Desire

My mom and baby sister came out to visit me and my younger sister in Milwaukee this weekend. As always, one of our favorite things to do is shop. My mom loves to window shop for ideas for (constantly) redecorating our home, and now has expanded her sites to the imminent prospects of decorating my own shabby apartment when I graduate in a year. (Yikes!)

One site we visited on our tour of Milwaukee was the vintage store Hannah and I discovered a couple months back when we went over to the East Side to have our hair done. Dragonfly on Brady Street has everything from Men's and Women's vintage clothing, to records, kitschy items, cocktail glasses, etc. The also have furniture that is perfectly priced and hidden under all the items that are carried in the store. I so desperately wish I had taken a picture of the two (modern take on the traditional club) chairs that caught my mom's eye. The legs were a gorgeous walnut brown, and while the chair was covered in moss green velvet that neither of truly appreciated, we both could see past that with ease when the price was a cool $65 per chair! Unheard of! We walked away sans chairs, however, as my tiny apartment comes furnished and we would have no place to store the chairs. We now live in hope that they will still be there next May (as if) when I graduate and my dad and brother can lug them back to Connecticut for us. Of course, the next store we hit, Embelezar, in Milwaukee's Third Ward, had the same exact style of chairs (in leather) for $1100. Gulp.

Ever since the siting, I've been hit once again with interior design fever. I call it interior desire. My mom and I have the occasional bouts where we just dream about decorating and redecorating. I actually fear for my future well being when I have a paycheck and apartment that I can decorate. Yikes.

Here are some of my current favorite design accessories and inspirations (obviously via Pinterest, my other addiction).

From Left to Right~

{chandelier} {wallpaper} {tray} {lampshade}

{trunk} {bin} {lamp} {nesting tables}

{ottoman} {desk} {pouf} {apothecary jars}

{chair} {coffee table} {bowl} {dining chair}

I don't think there is one thing that I dislike about this. 

The contrast of the white settee against the pink walls is simply to die for, 

and the frames? I love wall art, especially big groups of framed photos and works of art!

They say a creative mind is rarely neat.

While I pride myself on being organized, this

organized chaos is exactly what I find inspiring:

being surrounded by favorite things, colors, patterns, etc

as a source of inspiration. Also, the modern white chairs paired

with the classic dark wood table? Perfection!

One word: Frames. I love the frames! Also, this
could work perfectly in a small space. Love it!

The bright colors and modern design is addictive in
this set up. I have a thing for Parsons designs, so these
Parsons table/ottomans are right up my alley!

Zebra Print. Modern Table + Classic Chairs. Pink settee

Picture frames arrangement? Love. Love. LOVE!!

All My Lovin'

I'm not one to love all the sap of Valentine's Day, but I do love the colors and the kitsch that surrounds it (a little bit). Here are some of my Valentine's Day-inspired goodies. 

{belt} {balloons} {bag} {lipstick} {sugar cookies valentines} {lust pillow} {flowers} {tic tac toe} {dress} {sweater~ sold out :( } {pom poms}

Of course, hearts and "love" are all the rage in jewelry design. Here are some of my favorite pieces I saw this weekend.

 {gold "love" necklace} {earrings} {heart necklace} {red "love" necklace} {cuff}

Live Colorfully!

While I'm often chastised by my friends for my "east coaster" wardrobe of black (and, on occasion, white and navy), I love color. It's only mid-February, but the bright and cheerful patterns and colors of spring are starting to appear everywhere and I am loving it. Below are my favorite light & bright products, specifically the Pantone scarf and (cough, cough, ahem) the seafoam green Ella tote from Tory Burch! 

{barstool} {plate} {necklace} {Sperry's} {pink bangle} {tote} 

{skinny bangle} {orange bangle} {clutch} {scarf} {nail polish}

{leather bracelet} {teacups} {Pantone tin} {handbag} {rope bracelet}

{pink bracelet} {chevron cups}