i want: a stampler

want?  psssh - more like need.

need need need this on my desk.  asap.

from suck uk
first discovered on badder homes and gardens

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

wedding wednesday: throwing pom poms

fun, unique, quirky.... love!!  look at how this adorable couple encouraged guests to toss colorful pom poms after their vows, in lieu of the traditional bird seed or the environmentally conscious bubbles ::

hip hip hooray!

[via -- definitely click on the link to see the whole fun & 50's inspired wedding!]

wedding wednesday: unique cake toppers

for today's wedding wednesday post, "unique" is the name of the game.  introducing: a handful of cake toppers for the quirky couple.  for some of the more unusual toppers, i wish i knew the personal meaning behind them.... i'm sure it's something good!!

1. bridal peeps! [via]; 2. kissing penguins = awesome [photo by mcgowan images, via]

formal birdies?!  yes, please!

via ruffled & photographed by stacie & geoff of lang photographers

ridiculously awesome & diverse little people made by the small object [via]

 buffy/angel cake toppers!  i wish i knew the whole story behind it... 

photographers whitney & dustin deal from oh, darling! photography [via]

...and now for a truly great cake topper story:

brass african [dogon] couple purchased near where husband proposed. 

a cake topper with intense personal meaning?  definitely the best possible option.

read the whole story here

photographed by missy photography

love ~ 

design: bedroom with office nook

 LOVE:

 - simple & classy headboard

- dark blue accents with coral pillows

-fun & unique wallpaper - on only one accent wall.  my fave.

- little window seat. cute cute.

that's it.

oh wait.... & the completely awesome office nook!

probably the coolest thing ever.  i want i want i wannnnnt.  [sorry to sound whiny but goodness gracious i'm in luhuve with this nook]

~ i'd probably add a curtain to semi-hide it during the day ~

via the decorista

originally found on la dolce vita 

design: perfectly quirky purple bedroom

from the dutch home of claudette halkes, author of the books uitgeverij snor

 

love

- unique corner structure [their house used to be a primary school & they kept many of the original architectural elements.  how cool!]

- deep purple bedding...

-....with funky patchwork pillow

- bed frame with built-in shelving for books.  oh & the reading lamps!

- soft pink & cream curtains.  lovely.

- quirky lighting

** pairing of woodsy wallpaper with pretty lavender paint **

i simply love this bedroom.  it has such a beautifully perfect combo of natural elements, soft and romantic colors, and quirky accents.  love, love, love!

also love this quotation on style from the writer-owner:

"[style] means knowing what makes you feel comfortable, happy and beautiful. Knowing what suits you best, in fashion, living, everything. And style also has to with to be able picking beautiful little things out of a bunch of crap."

yesssssss.

see the whole quirky-awesome house here.

wedding wednesday: statement necklaces

typically, wedding jewelry is simple. classy. understated.
and that's all well & good, but what do you do if you want something a little grander?  more modern?  bolder?!

then consider a statement necklace ~

photograph by anda marie [via style me pretty]

photographed by jason q tran [via the loveliest day]

beautiful homemade hair bows wonderland

 monique lhuillier's *incredible* necklace & bridal gowns [via alta moda]

 photograph by white haute photography [via wedding bee & love & lavender]

a bib necklace highlighting my all-time fave flower - the daisy!! lovely shot by erin kate photography 

but....

...if deciding on a special gown and a special statement necklace is too much, you can always buy a two-in-one beauty like this aidan mattox dress! :

[image from neiman marcus, via grandiflora]

sooo super fun & unique!

*see also*
bridal statement necklaces
brides are loving chunky necklaces
statement necklaces

design: swirl bookcase

coolest bookcase ever?

quite possibly.

but definitely in the top ten.

via

design: modern meets traditional bookcase

most amazing bookcase. simple but somehow still ornate?  look:

quote from Jeanine Hays ["AphroChic"] : "never have i seen a piece of furniture that so beautifully blends modern and traditional design, and that reaches beyond its form to be completely functional." yesss.

bookcase by Munkii

via AphroChic

idea: necklaces as decor

hanging necklaces instead of wallpaper border:

i looove this totally unique design idea!  and how fun would it be to search through yard sales and thrift stores looking for quirky necklaces to hang?!  totally a must-try for one day in the future!

found on the blog desire to inspire