love: chambray

{Pindot Chambray Shirt, Anthropologie $88}

 i can't wait to get this soft, broken in chambray shirt from Anthro.  it is perfectly faded and there are feminine little pindots all over.  i love finding something that you know will be something you will want to wear EVERY day.  

 denim has a way of softening your look as well, like how it is paired here with a high-waisted tulip skirt. 

changes part 2

i love this cutie little tank i got from Anthropologie.  hello! i look so good in green! *haha*  the peplum is a little short for me because i'm so thick-waisted (ew)....but it will be really cute paired with a pencil skirt or jeans and a cropped blazer.

and look at how adorable the back is!   it's the little things in life that make us happy... *hehe*

i've made a big decision (once again) to take some time off working at Luna's and focus on Etsy and my crafting again.  i've been super busy with orders and i wasn't really even trying to be busy.  how fun would it be to work from home doing something you love?  so i'm going down to part time at lunas and focusing the rest of my energy on building my business.   i'll be adding some new items (soy candles, vegan lip balms, etc) and trying to have more of a presence locally.  today matt and i worked tirelessly ALL DAY LONG on re-doing the "studio" room into a true workspace for both of us.  pictures to come!  it used to be a garbage room where we just threw junk into haha.  we got a cheapo pull-out loveseat from Ikea so we can lounge and watch tv or play our Wii while the other person is working.  i added curtains and reorganized my art supplies.  gave myself a big desk for a workspace, some new filing boxes and storage boxes.  now when i am "working" on my Etsy stuff i will treat it as a true workday.  get up, get dressed, go to my "office" (hehe) and work.  when i'm done i can relax in the living room. 

wish me luck!  xoxo

fashion stalking: shift dress

love this twiggy-inspired look.  personal pet peeve-- ladies that belt shift dresses.  it's supposed to be boxy, get over it!  anyhoo i want this silk one with a donkey print!

donkey silk shift, anthropologie $188

packing for Charleston

normally when i pack i just throw some random crap into a bag on my way out the door.  i've always been a lazy packer!

but Charleston is different...a southern gem (it's been called!).  it evokes a sweet southern charm and ladies who lunch.  so i wanted to make sure that i brought plenty of wedges and skirts for our mini day trip.

had so much fun packing that i had to share it with y'all.  i've been trapped behind the scenes at the juice bar without a need to look cute or feminine in any way so i forgot how fun it is to actually dress up like a girl.  gotta get going-- my friends are throwing me a small get-together cinco   de mayo birthday bash tonight!

outfit 1: a gauzy sweater with a striped mini skirt

a cluster of color with this chunky necklace

sassy, easy shift dresses for seafood dinners out

bright pop of hot pink

a ruffly top tucked into a fun printed skirt

so springy!

a easy knit tank dress with a hand-knit vest

i wear this hand-knit vest with EVERYTHING.  love this beaded necklace with neutrals.

my "beach house" show outfit.  a vintage-style polka dot dress.

layered with a thin coral cardigan and a fun belt.

can't forget my bathing suit!

oh, what a pillow can do

Theodore chilling on the bed.

my pillow arrived today from Mod Diva.  money saving tip:  order printed pillowcases and stuff with a cheap pillow from Ikea.  i love these pillow cases from Mod Diva for the fun prints (she even carries Marimeko--which i adore) and the hidden zipper so you can unzip and wash.

 my other Mod Diva pillow resides in the living room on my favorite

comfy chair.

this new "Mandarin Mango" scent by Capri Blue in a gorgeous citrine jar is my current favorite.  anthropologie $28.

 

picked up this shaggy rug in a neutral color.  the kitties love snuggling on it!

 

Theodore:  profile view.

nathalie lete

Nathalie lete was born in 1964. She lives and works in paris. She works in many ways, mixing different techniques and mediums, illustration, ceramics, textile and painting… She is inspired by her travels, but also by the mixing of vintage toys and old engravings of flowers and animals. Her work is colourful, naive and poetic, sometimes strange, to the point of tending towards art brut. Her world is nurtured by popular and folk art. She produces children’s and graphic’s books, knitted and stuffed toys, glass pictures, patterned dishes, but also postcards,ceramic sculptures, silkscreen printed t-shirts, rugs and jewels in limited edition… both for herself and for commissions.

i have adored everything about nathalie lete and her whimsical illustrations since the first time i saw them when i worked at Anthropologie.  i have a good bit of her dinnerware and picked up 2 more pieces to add to my ever-growing collection.  they are nice and heavy and oh-so special!  i just want to have all nathalie lete plates and get rid of everything else *lol*   

owl plate $24 anthropologie.com

hummingbird dinner plate $24 anthropologie.com

Spring redecorating

i've always been a lazy shopper.  such a lazy shopper.  not the type to do any research or care if i'm getting the best deal.  just impulsive and buying the first thing i like and getting it over with. 

i had to get *thrifty* after i left my job at Anthropologie and find ways to scrimp on cash without hindering my lifestyle.  i tried coupon-ing (twice)---it was annoying, i wasn't good at it, and the food was all crap.  i wanted to keep trying new restaurants so i learned about the wonders of Groupon and other half-off sites like it.

you can tell by looking at my closet and apartment that i tend to gravitate to the same things (quirky, colorful) without much thought to where it can go or if i have a use for it.  with our redecorating project i wanted to focus on adding a touch of sophistication but maintaining my style.  i will have to re-"merch" (a retail term, ha!) some of my things and get rid of other things.  i will probably do a lot of re-painting to tone down some of the crazy colors.  lastly i want to add neutral colors to my space as well.  i've never owned a legit bed with a headboard and frame and everything so i had to snatch this one up from overstock when i saw it. 

came home the other day to find that matt had frantically re-arranged everything in all the rooms of the house!  normally, as a control freak, i would freak out--but i actually thought it looked pretty good and i was excited that he was excited to finally jump in and help with decorating and making better use of our space.  got rid of some scary old furniture and making a few purchases...i will post photos of before and after when we're done.  now that i am in the mindset i am ready to re-do everything! 

bedroom inspiration part 1

rivulets quilt from anthropologie $348

one thing i never get tired of is new bedding!  i have many that i love and get softer and break in over time.  matt is really picky about bedding though and only likes the weight of one of the duvets...my least favorite one of course, so i think it's time to freshen up and bring in some new bedding.  i've been eyeing the rivulets collection from anthropologie for a while now and almost bought the coral, until the goldenrod color came out.  now the yellow is sold out and this gorgeous cobalt blue is available which is my absolute favorite of them all.  the cobalt is a season-less color and i will be able to mix and match bedding accessories to make is fit for spring or winter.  it is also a luxurious, breathable jersey which i love also.  what do we think?

"hi there" from karen walker

Karen Walker has been designing clothes since she made her first circle skirt for her Barbie doll at age seven.  She's come a long way since then, expanding her line to a full line of clothing, accessories and decor, all based on an undying love of patterns and color mixed together every which way.

basque floral dress $140

i've been excited to see this collaboration by Karen Walker for Anthropologie.  her vintage, feminine silhouettes and modern prints and colors are right up my alley.  i always need more dresses!

floral wing dress $160

acorn dress $150