idea: paintbrush vase

simple, fun, unique.  definitely my style! unfortunately i don't have directions on how to make this but i'm sure it's incredibly easy.  i mean, i bet it could be recreated with paintbrushes (either old or found at a dollar store -- or both), a simple vase (again, either found around the house, at a dollar store, or Goodwill), a hot glue gun, and some twine.  a simple project for a simply lovely vase ~

originally from country living [via ritzy bee blog]

and now for a personal note . . .

i'm considering starting a second blog for more personal posts.  i just think it would be out of place to write about book reviews and personal struggles on pretty things since it is a blog for, well, pretty things!  the question is: would anyone read it?  would anyone care??  i'm not necessarily interesting and i'm certainly not an exceptional writer, but i do love to write and love to give myself new challenges, which this would certainly be!

your thoughts??

friday faves: 4.15.1

here ya go, friday faves for mid-april day!  lots of pretty things for lots of pretty followers ~

design/decor

~ distressed pink bathroom cabinet ~

just love this - simple as that!  by graham & green [via]

~ suitcase stool & hatbox ottoman ~

 completely awesomesauce.  tons more similar upcycled furniture by REcreate

[discovered on lottie loves]

~ DIY twinkle light headboard ~

 unique, whimsical, seemingly easy to make.
see the directions here

fashion

~ leather & sundresses on marissa miller ~

 love this juxtaposition of hard and soft, and desperately wish i could pull it off - not quite sure i could... the leather would just look too out-of-place on my typically super fem self.  

image via the vogue diaries.

{pssst - want more? check out blake lively in a similarly awesome outfit}

fashion photography

~ circus love ~

*cite previous post on jessica stam @ circus

gorgeous photos from the editorial "magical mystery tour," shot by the incredible ellen von unwerth for vogue nippon.  

found on the terrier and the lobster

{psst - want more?  remember jessica stam at the circus??}

~ mirror-shot-love ~

i'm really just in love with this shot - everything about it, but mostly the awesome angles.  this is definitely something i'd like to try out in our next photoshoot!!

from elle uk april 2011 - model sessilee lopez shot by karen collins

see the whole breathtaking photo shoot here

 ~ elie saab editorial love ~

i'm pretty sure it's impossible not to fall in love with the designer after seeing gowns photographed this beautifully.  

[1. elie saab haute couture photographed by benjamin kanarek, from harper's bazaar china april 2011 - via; 2. olivia palermo wearing elie saab for elle mexico. photographed by steven gomillion & dennis leupold- via]

~ happy model love ~

i've previously expressed my love for happy models {exhibits: A, B, C} and this one definitely ranks way up high.  i mean, a bathing suit model doing something other than pouting or giving some other "sexyface" is a true treasure.  can't say it enough - love this pic!

model marloes horst

[via] 

etc

~ a double decker dress shop ~

woah, woah, woah... i read the story of the bus and now desperately want to find it!  not just to shop what will most likely be one of the cutest collection of dresses ever, but also to meet this erin character, who would most likely be one of the coolest and most inspiring women ever.  see more on happiness is..., where i first read about this bus.

~ paperie: papél new york ~

a little q & a with owner raegan hirvela ::

What is your aesthetic? I always had a vision of the shop aesthetic having a classic concept with a modern edge.   From our store fixtures and window displays to the products we carry, I look for items and ideas that are timeless. 

How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic? Although the music is fun, the cards on the shelves get more than just a giggle, and Francesca my daughter is constant amusement for the customers, but when it comes to collaborating with a client, it’s all business.  We have a dedicated space in the back of the shop where the bride & groom can sit down, relax and flip through our edited selection of wedding vendors.  We created this space so that it was secluded enough for client meetings, while un-obstructing the flow of the store.   It allows first time customers a sneak peak into the customized world of stationery and invitations that we offer.  We achieved this with our room divider made of reclaimed coffee tables that I picked up at thrift shops and the Salvation Army across the city.  It is simply awesome!

 ~ *--*--*--*--*--*--* ~

must be added to my "maybe one day" file... [via]

- psst : the divider she speaks of is in the pictures i included above -

giveaways

~ lovely green necklace ~

by Friedasophie.  head on over to bijou and boheme to enter (with lots of chances for extra entries!!)

~ free blog header ~

i already have my own beautiful blog header from debby @ inspired design, but if you're in need of one, head on over to HERE and enter to get a gorgeous header of your very own!

*note: the header pictured above is just one of the many up for grabs!

~ adorable pink stand ~

loooooooove!  this cute stand is by stands for all seasons and is being generously given away over at moon face.  hurry on over to enter... no really, hurry -- the giveaway ends tonight!

~ a book on social change ~

for anyone interested in something a little more substantial than just pretty things, there is a giveaway going on over at from the right bank for the book, Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan.  i read the excerpt and this is seriously powerful - and way inspiring - stuff.

head here to enter

one last thought... 

“all you need is love. 

but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

- charles m. schulz

hope your weekend is filled with lots of love & lots of chocolate as well!!

~ kait

to do: anthro ruffle lampshade

this just may be one of the best "recreate-an-overpriced-anthropologie-item" posts i've come across - for realzies.  inexpensive, seemingly easy, and a fantastic outcome. 

~ the $88 inspiration ~

cute.  very cute.  but $88??  nuh-uh, not for the crafty folk!

~ the handmade (a.k.a. cheap) versions ~

 the original, made by terra over @ mama says sew

 the one i discovered on just a girl

for once, i actually do think i can make this as well as these seasoned crafty professionals!!  of course, as with the rest of my ideas, not even a small DIY project can be fit into my life.  sigh.

but wait!

that's why i have this blog!  to keep track of all my ideas for the day i can get around to it.  the day when i have space for adorable bedside lamps, the day when i can cut strip after strip of burlap.  but anyways...

go to either of these sites for pretty easy-peasy instructions and make yourself a crazy cute ruffle lampshade!  but if you do, don't forget to post pictures and then come back here to leave a link for me to see your handiwork!

~ happy crafting ~

 

friday faves: 4.1.11

as promised - a longer friday faves than last week's brief list! 

design/decor/DIY

~ ruler picture frame ~

 i don't have the actual directions for how to make this adorable clip-frame, but i think i just may be able to figure it out.  let's hope so because it's seriously fantastic!  from the fab blog, the lettered cottage

~ french canvas decor ~

that i super duper want.

these beautiful works of art are created with old french dictionary pages.  my fave is the "je rigole, tu rigoles..." one.  my years of french taught me just enough to know that this is the conjugation for the verb "rigoler" which means to laugh.

fyi - the first print is the conjugation of vivre which means to live [merci, michelle!] and the third print conjugates dormir which is to sleep.  adorable!

[from lily and lime, found on the blog dear designer]

~ framing chic shopping bags ~

but only when they are exceptionally chic and worth showing off - e.g. hermes.  (remember i wrote about my love of this idea here)

 image from the coveteur, via the decorista

~ scrabble pillows ~

i also adore the choice of "cozy" rather than "love" which seems to be ubiquitous.
found here but original source (unfortunately) unknown

~ this little breakfast nook ~

i heart nooks of all kinds, definitely including adorable little kitchen nooks such as this one.  i mean, can't you just imagine yourself sitting on the corner booth, drinking your morning tea and looking out through that lovely window?? i sure can :)

image found here 

fashion/shoes/accessories/etc.

~ turquoise fabulosity ~

at first when i saw this posted on the blog simply designed and etsy finds, i wanted the perfectly practical (yet still beautiful) satchel with all my heart.  then 5 minutes later all i could think of was those comfy-cute moccasins.  so i've decided - both are needed in my life.  simple as that.

available at Boden

~ more of mila kunis @ the oscars ~

yes i know i already declared this elie saab creation to be mila's best dress this awards season, but i just couldn't help but share another pic it.  i mean, she is just perfection.  the dress is too actually.  [image found on the vogue diaries]

~ jamie chung, beautiful in bright yellow ~
gown by giambattista valli.  drop.dead.gorgeous.  'nuff said.
it's no surprise she was voted best dressed of the week by both readers of red carpet fashion awards & the fashion critic blogger herself ~

best dressed of the week, indeed. 
~ michelle trachtenberg = marchesa goddess ~

it's times like these that i wish i were michelle t.  now only is she beautiful & talented, but she is wearing marchesa at a ball about ballet.  life crush times a million.  [from rcfa]
oh wait, she was also voted BDOTW @ red carpet fashion awards, the week before jamie chung!  guess we're all on the same page these days :)

fashion photography

~ a model & an elephant ~

 i mean, come on! - how could you not love this image?!  i just find it captivating.  honestly.  can't stop looking at it...

model samantha gradoville and unnamed elephant model.  photographed by sean & seng for pop magazine.  via.

 ~ b&w portraits ~

stunning.  
the gorgeous model eniko mihalik, shot by lachlan bailey in vogue china march 2009  [via]

giveaways

~ hip, hip, hooray! ~

hey remember back in the day (erm, just a couple weeks ago) when i posted about a fab giveaway from sandy a la mode??

well... i won!

this was honestly the greatest part of a not-so-great week :)

* now onto some great giveaways you should enter *

~ the double whammy giveaway ~

 both $100 for gas money and $100 for clothes??  count me in!

enter for yourself over at shasta ann

~ simply lovely necklace ~

by lisbeth jewelry.  silver & rose gold, the perfect mixture & perfect level of simplicity.  can't help but desperately want it!  this beautiful necklace is being given away over at caroline & the city.

~ say it sweet giveaway ~

in honor of reaching 150 followers, the sweet lori over at penelope blue is hosting her first giveaway.  the winner gets their choice of an 8 x 10 print from the great etsy shop, say it sweet.  my fave is the picture shown above because i just love the english words: "i love thee with the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach."  love, love, love.

anyways, enter the giveaway for yourself here!

now a personal note...

 God is throwing quite a bit at me these days and this upcoming weekend of work will be the greatest test of my patience and endurance.  i am a strong believer that we are not given any more than we can handle, but that doesn't mean the "handling" part will be easy.  i know i will get through the weekend, but i also know that it will take nearly every inch of my energy.

so please, dear followers & visitors, send me some happy thoughts.  that's all - just some happy thoughts please :)

to do: button magnets

it's no surprise an adorable person is described as "cute as a button" -- i mean, buttons are pretty much the definition of cute.  i've seen some pretty great things made out of buttons - purses, hair clips, push pins - but never magnets.  which is bizarre considering how great & easy to make they are!

looks like i have a new craft on my to do list!

simple directions found here

link love 9.22.10

design & decor:
- incredibly creative uses for old cabinet doors
- an fabulously design home
- an ode to hermes boxes [with a super cute story!]
- so, in case you haven't seen this in the blog-o-sphere, check out the coolest tub ever.  seriously.
- framed wallpaper : love this!
- most incredible ottoman possible.
- fun & colorful rooms
- is purple the color of 2011??  hell yeah! [& the color of all years for me!]
- oscar de la renta inspired interiors

fashion:
- blazer & tennies = one of my fave looks!
- awesome fall fashion looks: prep, date night, chic, & weekends in new england... i actually love all of these looks & would definitely wear them!
- 2 ways to be mrs. business
- food & fashion pairings
- black & grey outfit

etc:
- an ode to bicycles & bicycle inspired design
- "breakfast club" stereotypes done by etsy.  [my faves are from "the princess," although i would say my stereotype would have to mix in elements of "the brain" & "teacher's pet"]
- does it make me a lush if i want this soap dispenser?!
- completely adorable, completely unnecessary, abc ice cube tray

to do: throw pillows

check out these super cute pillows made my blogger, my backyard eden :

she got the idea from pottery barn, who produced these:

not only are her pillows just as adorable, but she painted the words with stencils rather then embroidering them, meaning i might actually be able to do it too!

maybe i'll make some for my bed, using bright colors like yellow & aqua instead of red.  hmm...

* tutorial *

idea: how to makeover a wardrobe

before:

looks useful, but also so...so... old.

& not in a cool "vintage" way, but in a completely un-modern, un-pretty way.

so check out how designer lia fagan revamped this old wardrobe into "stella" :

so cute!

what's even greater about this makeover is that it seems somewhat doable.  definitely something to file away for later days.

more pics and information here