Putting The Pieces Together :: Part 3

Melissa is a newlywed {like myself} that enjoys cute crafts, antiquing and, more recently, living on a budget - thanks to Dave Ramsey. She also just so happens to have the most gorgeous wedding photos by Tec Petaja that you must check out here! Her blog "I Dearly Love To Laugh" is a must-read that includes her day-to-day happenings, home decorating ideas and great shopping finds. She tends to lean towards a romantic, feminine style, and her outfit choice here is no less lady-like.

To Melissa, "summer" means skirts and she picked such a lovely, breezy one. The accessories add a dainty, girly touch! You could wear this outfit most anywhere during the summertime, but she pictures herself wearing this number out strolling cute shops in an exciting beach town. Well, doesn't that just sound absolutely perfect?

14K Rose Gold Earrings ($380), Pierre Dumas Viviana Black Shoes ($40), Jas M.B. Medium Twisted Shopper ($529), PHI Leather Belt (520 EUR), Linda Farrow for Damir Doma Round-Framed Sunglasses ($199), T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank ($74), Flapper Flower Headband ($198), Koh Samui Fay Skirt (174 GBP).

Thanks to Roberta Jane from Camp Comfort for the inspiring idea. Check out her "How I'd Wear It" series here.

Putting The Pieces Together :: Part 2

If you are just tuning in, Roberta from Camp Comfort just finished up the "How I'd Wear It" series, showcasing personal looks from her favorite bloggers. I just loved her idea and thought it would be fun to ask several of my friends {who are also bloggers} to try this idea with me. It's so inspiring to see outfits come to life in so many different ways. I've pre-selected the T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank and each of my friends will put together outfits based around it and let us know where they'd wear the outfit.

We'll continue "putting the pieces together" with my uber-creative and eclectic friend Carissa of Where The Wild Things Are. She is constantly posting inspiring finds - especially on crocheting, knitting and gardening. Here's what Carissa has to say about her cool, edgy look for a night on the town.

I can't go through any night without being comfortable. I love how I can dress up this simple tank with a bit of color and heels. My most recent obsession is adding an edge into my wardrobe. I'm crazy about things like metal studs, heels with a gothic feel and bold jewel tones. I'd wear this outfit out on a date or a fun night out with the girls.

Miu Miu Suede cutout sandals ($675), Alexander Wang Wool-blend pants ($395), Vanya Necklace - Black by Fiona Paxton (160 GBP), T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank ($74), Cosmic Crop Hem Vest (32 GBP), Jimmy Choo Zulu studded leather clutch (395 GBP).

Be sure to check back everyday this week for another great outfit and see how others would wear it.

Fashion Friday: Putting The Pieces Together

I am all about expressing yourself through your clothing and embracing your own personal style. Roberta Jane from the lovely Camp Comfort blog has been doing a personal style series that I absolutely adore. If you haven't checked out her inspiring blog, you definitely should. The series is called "How I'd Wear It" and is such a genius idea {... if only it was mine!}. I thought it would be fun to ask several of my friends {who are also bloggers} to try this idea with me. I've pre-selected one piece of clothing and each of my friends will put together outfits based around it and tell us where they'd wear the outfit.

I thought we'd kick things off with my ever-so-talented sis-in-law Joy Williams. She is a phenomenal artist, and has such a fun and artsy sense of style... not to mention that she always looks so perfectly Euro-chic. Keep up with her adventures here.

The item I've pre-selected for everyone to base their outfit around is the T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank:

Here is how Joy would wear it for a casual weekend look... perfect for a Saturday morning! Wake up late, go for a walk to meet friends at your favorite brunch spot, and feel free to visit your local flea market afterward, too.

BLKE MaxT BLACK Eyewear glasses (87 GBP), T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank ($74), Aztec XL Frame Clutch Bag (30 GBP), Indigo Turn Up Knee Shorts (28 GBP), Red canvas jazz pumps (12 GBP), Oval Antique Ring ($20).

Check back daily {for the next week} for another fun outfit choice and see how others would wear it. Happy Weekend... I'm off to Atlanta!

Alexander Girard

Have you seen the Alexander Girard for Urban Outfitters collection? I've been oohing and ahhing over it since I got their newsletter last week. I'd really like one of everything, but I guess I'd settle for these favorites on my wishlist. :)

Hazy Day

Today was a really, really hard day. There's not a lot of words to put to my emotions right now, I just feel a bit lost in a haze. It really has been such a surreal several hours. At about 2:30 pm this afternoon, I got pulled out of a meeting at work to hear that my husband had been in a car accident. Luckily, he is alright - nothing more than aches, scrapes and bruises {and a burn from the air bag}. Travis had been driving and looking for a certain street to turn on, wasn't paying attention and ended up running a stoplight, only to crash head-on with another car.

I left the office as soon as I could and my stomach turned as my brother-in-law pulled us into the driveway. Our car {that we bought just two months ago}:

Cars can be fixed. I'm just so thankful to have my love safe at home. Thanks for all your prayers.

The Young & The Fashionable

If Bronka B. from Slovakia really is 13-years-old like her LOOKBOOK.nu page says, she is by far the most fashionable girl of her age that I have ever seen, or imagined for that matter.

Sneak Peek: Mid-Century Modern

I am sooo into the new "sneak peek" from Design*Sponge. My friend Katie immediately came to mind when I saw it... she adores the mid-century modern look, and we even realized that she has the EXACT same buffet {first image below} in her house! She picked it up recently at an antique shop for only $50, what a steal! I wouldn't describe my decorating style as mid-century modern, but I definitely love an eclectic mix and do my best to keep to this same $100 or less rule {usually found at the flea market or thrift shops}. I love how spacious and unique this place is.

{images from the home of morgan satterfield}

Anna Maria Horner

I ♥ Anna Maria Horner. Her new blog header makes me feel all warm inside. Such a precious family! Check out her blog if you're not familar with her already. She's amazingly talented!

Where I've Been...

Dear blog {and lovely readers}, I'm sorry I have been away for so long. I am back now. Here's what's new:

I got a haircut and immediately regretted it. I cut almost 6 inches off of what I've been growing out for nearly 3 years. Sad day, especially since I was having my first good hair day in awhile the day that I chopped it {this is my "before" picture, "after" coming soon}.

I'm working on something sooo very exciting that I cannot wait to share with you! It'll have to wait for now, but I promise the big news is coming soon.

Meet our new friend. He reminds me of the Tootsie Pop owl and Travis says he looks like a little guy from Clash Of The Titans. We found him at an antique shop and he's actually a radio (you turn his eyes to adjust the volume and change stations). Can you help me name him?
I've scored some amazing things thrifting lately.

We had some fam in town and celebrated my bro-in-law Nate's birthday together. Fun times... Happy Happy Birthday, bro!

The hubs and I are heading to Atlanta on Friday and I am so ready! It's been so long since I've actually had a real vacation. We're taking a couple days to see some Red Sox games, eat lots of yummy breakfast, explore vintage shops and play in the park. The is us last time we were in Atlanta {about 2 years ago}. We're excited!

Flickr Finds: Canopy Beds

I am so intrigued by canopy beds. I had one as a little girl and can't wait to have one again someday. I think they are just so romantic and dreamy.

{from top to bottom: emily kay photography, xjavierx, xjavierx, ooh food, ocean views, iwearsoftpants, ooh food}

Fashion Friday: Switching It Up

I'm gonna switch it up a little bit today... Posting some of my favorite recent fashion-related articles, photos and more from across the web. Some inspiration for you!

What Would She Wear: Sienna Miller

Austrian-born designer Devi Kroell


Alexa Chung


Face Hunter


Elle UK's Fashion Phonetics


Le Fashion Blog

Take Me To Another Place

Love these photos from Emir Ozsahin. Today I wished I could curl up in a ball in some pretty pretty flowers, and escape everything. A hug from a gigantic dog would've been nice, too. One of those days...

{via Dropular}

Amazingness

Yes, I totally just made up a word. This is just so delightful.

{via yellowgoat & design you trust}

Colorado: Part 2

Have I mentioned how beautiful Colorado is? There were so many likable, quirky parts of town that were such fun to explore with my Mom. Down the road from their rental house, I spotted an old, old house with a rusty "Art's Antique Shop" sign in front, and was immediately anxious to visit there. This hidden treasure was owned by the cutest, tiniest old lady named Mary. Mary was the most friendly and endearing woman, talking our ears off the whole time we browsed the cluttered, beautiful mess. It was a dream come true! I scored some great antiques and vintage clothing at various antique and thrift shops about town. Travis was a tad frustrated that we had to buy two new suitcases to get everything that I had bought home with us. Hey, at least I spotted the suitcases for only $5! That's some justification, right? :)

Colorado: Part I

Colorado was so so wonderful. The weather couldn't have been nicer... being away from the Nashville summer made me realize even more how humid and hot it is in the south! We spent many hours huddled outside on the front porch of my parent's cute rental house. I absolutely adored this little home - the overgrown lavender flowers, the white picket fence, the screechy porch swing, the chirping birdies in the bird house, the ornate detail on the screen door and even the crazy, eclectic neighbors. Ross from across the street stopped by to bring us fresh lettuce from his garden, Floyd {the most precious old man} dropped in to talk about his adventures driving up snowy Pikes Peak in a semi-truck, his lovely wife of 56 years, and his 12 brothers and sisters. I also spent lots of time playing with Brinkley, my parents' precious boxer. We watched her run with her doggy friends in the dog park, which was beautifully nestled in between the stunning mountains. There are many more stories to share {over the next few days}, but, for now, I'll let these photos speak for themselves.

'Til We See The Shore

I'm counting down the minutes to vacation! Travis and I leave this afternoon for Colorado to visit my parents. I can't wait to see them and the new place they call "home." I'll try to be blogging from the road and am excited to share some pictures from the trip!

Seabird, an indie rock band that I work with - one of my personal favorites - is today's Amazon MP3 Deal of the Day! This means you can get their entire record {today only} for just $1.99. iTunes describes their sound as a mix of modern British rock {especially Coldplay and Travis} with American piano-based pop {Ben Folds}. There are soo many awesome tracks on this album, but if I had to pick my favorite I'd say: "Maggie Mahoney," "Let Me Go On" and "Cottonmouth (Jargon)." Check it out and let me know what you think! Come on, it's worth it for $1.99, right?

Historical Portraits

I've been digging into 17th and 18th century portraits the past couple of days, and just can't get enough. I'm in love with this portrait of Mrs. James Denham by Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1789. Check out Historical Portraits if you're into this kind of thing... it's a great resource for British historical portraiture, especially from this era.

{via 18th century blog}

Kai Nødland

Ooooh! Some quirky drawings and paintings by Kai Asserson Nødland from the UK. I love all of the little imperfections, that somehow seem to make these just, well, perfect.

{via dear ada}

Sick Muse

This video is simply spectacular. Emily Haines reminds me of myself, dancing around alone in my room. Wait, did I just say that? I just adore her and the new Metric album Fantasies.

Another beautifully shot Metric/Emily Haines video here.