Saturday is my oldest and dearest friend Megan's birthday. We always try and find the perfect gift for each other and from the moment I saw this necklace I knew it was for her. It's so unique and beautiful. Just like her.
Image via Babette

I don't know about you, but right now all I want to do is shop for clothing. Maybe it's the weather that has turned gorgeous or maybe it's that I've been so focused on the house and making it feel homey by purchasing home goods. Either way, I'm itching for new spring wardrobe goods.

I want to help the economy!

Right now I'm coveting anything girly and this blouse is right up my alley. So feminine, simple and well, pretty.

P.S. J.Crew is having an additional 20% off sale stuff until midnight on May 1.
Image via J.Crew

Weekend Creative: Punch Collage by Ali Edwards

Untitled by jeanet.dk

Gorgeous color, gorgeous dress. Thanks Traci.
Image via Anthropologie

Watercolor River by Denis Collette...!!!

Ever since Lancome seemingly changed the formula of their Definicils Mascara {which then gave me terrible raccoon eyes} I've been on the hunt for something new. I've been open to high end, low end and everything in between with a criteria that it should lengthen and thicken, wash off easily and most importantly, not run. I have pretty decent lashes, so they just need something to help them standout. Enter Maybelline Full N'Soft. My lashes are definitely clump free, not brittle, longer and thicker and so far no raccoon eyes! I'll let you know once the humidity invades Charlotte, but for now, I'm thrilled I found something that get's it all done!
Image via Drugstore.com

60 Minutes had a really interesting piece on coal. It explains clean coal and what the U.S. has to do in order to make it happen. It's very educational and definitely helped me get a better grasp on where I stand regarding the future of American energy.

Don't Chain Me Down by ...-Wink-...

Happy Monday to you! How was your weekend?

Ours was a blur and slipped by in a blink! On Friday we saw Dave Matthews Band which was so much fun! The weather was fantastic, hanging out with friends was wonderful and the energy from the band was out of this world. I don't know who started the rumor that Dave doesn't like Charlotte... I've seen him three time here and eight times total and every time {Charlotte included} the band has played for over 2 hours and they've given it their all! Saturday we attended the funeral which was incredibly sad but so beautiful. {Our thoughts are with you, Chris.} Sunday was just a clean and catch-up on errands kinda day... I think I need another!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Have a great week!
Image via flickr

Happy Friday everyone! What fun do you have planned?

The weather is going to be gorgeous here which makes it perfect to go to an outdoor concert--exactly what we're doing tonight. Our friend Mitch is in town visiting so we're spending time outside tailgating and then listening to one of my favorite bands, Dave Matthews. Sadly, on Saturday we're flying up to Virginia for the day to attend our friends father's funeral. It was an unexpected event so unfortunately this weekend has a sad part to it.

I hope you have a relaxing few days and as always, be good.
Image via flickr

Color Me! by AgniMax [away]

Long story short: Our wedding photographer had a family emergency the day before our wedding and substituted his assistant. I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the images {just ask my mom!} and two years later I still don't have an album.

After lots of time looking at the CD he gave us, I came to the conclusion that the reason I was disappointed wasn't that I didn't like the images, it was that the colors weren't vibrant like how they are at the Desert Botanical Garden, where we were married.

I asked an amazing photographer I met online if she thought anything could be done and she said yes. Here's a sample she sent. I couldn't be happier! Thanks Alyson!

Remember this spoon I mentioned winning a few weeks back? Well, I received it yesterday and it's more beautiful than I could have imagined. Below is a copy of the letter that was included with it. I think it's so special and touching. {Click text below to see each page larger. There are three pages.}

Florid by moaan

In celebration of Earth Day I wanted to provide you with my top three suggestions for having a healthier, greener lifestyle. I've implemented these suggestions into my life and they truly are easy.

1) Take You Name off Mailing Lists- I use two companies that make it super easy. DMAchoice.org allows you to take your name off mailing lists that send out credit offers, magazine offers and other types of junk mail {think super saver coupon packets that have coupons for gutter cleaning and other things you probably don't need}. You simply fill out a few forms with your name and mailing address and they get to work taking your name off lists. For unwanted catalogs I use Catalogchoice.org which allows you to pick and choose the catalogs you want {or don't want} to receive and how often. It's an easy site to use and you can log in as many times as you want to update your preferences or add new catalogs that have randomly started coming to your home.

2) Use Reuseable Shopping Bags- I've talked about my love of Baggu Bags numerous times but I'll say it again- I love them! I keep one in my purse and the rest in my car. I use them in the mall, at the grocery store, at Target, at the farmers market. Really, anywhere I need a bag or am offered a bag I'm using my Baggus.

3) Use Green Cleaners- Green cleaning products are available everywhere. Target carries Method, the grocery store carries Mrs. Myers. Even Clorox now makes a green line, Greenworks. {Although they do still manufactur Clorox Bleach a high pollutant so your money might be better spent on another company that makes exclusively natural products.} But, what I think is even better than these green products you purchase is that you can make your own in your home. I use a combination of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean windows and mirrors. I use the same thing on the floors. A fizzing baking soda/vinegar combination flushed with hot water works great to unclog shower and sink drains filled with hair. Baking soda with water works great as a scrubbing agent on soap scum. Remember, your grandmothers and great grandmothers used some of these methods and although they may not smell as nice, they do the job and save money!

Bonus 4) Recycle- Almost all cities across the nation have free curbside pick-up. Depending on where you live, you can recycle junk mail {even the envelopes with the clear window}, catalogs, newspaper, magazines, glass, tin cans, cardboard, computer paper and certain types of plastic {check with your city for which numbers}. Recycling is so simple, why not do it?

P.S. Do you have any Earth Day resolutions? For me, I'm starting to use only personal health products {shampoo, lotion etc.} that are all natural.
Image via flickr

Now that I think I have the dress, I'm still on the hunt for gold shoes. I tried on the ones above when I tried on the dress. I liked them and they were really comfortable but there's two things: 1) They were a bit expensive 2) I think they are rather trendy and I would feel like I'm spending too much on something that will be out of style soon. So, what do you think about the ones below? They're on sale {yeah!} but does the dress call for a heavier heel because it's so light and flowy?

Images via Banana Republic and Nine West

Untitled by Krambambuly

Last night while at the mall I tried on this dress as a contender for the two weddings I'm going to this summer. My friend Lindsay originally picked it out because I said I wanted something light and summery. Plus, I'm always wearing black so I wanted something of a departure away from the usual.

Well guess what?! I loved it! It showed off my shoulders, which I really like and was so comfortable. Now I just need to find some gold shoes and fun accessories. I'm thinking earrings and a bracelet. What do you think?
Image via Banana Republic

I haven't seen this wallet in person but I really like the style of it. Especially the clasp and color. {Just wish the inside were a bit different}.
Image via Target

Morning Rain by livelovepaper

This video showing President Obama reading Where The Wild Things Are {one of my favorite childhood books} is very endearing.

This weekend we tackled redoing our small front yard. Here's some pictures of our project.

yashica 35mm by livelovepaper

Happy Monday to you! How was your weekend?

Our weekend was so productive and it felt wonderful! Friday we relaxed with some good friends and Saturday we got down to work planting our summer flower garden. I'll post some pictures of it later in the day, but for now here's a picture of one of the Fuscia plants that's by our front door. I'm really happy with how it turned out. :) On Sunday we started work on priming the bookcase and it's taking a lot longer than we thought. :( What a huge project! It needs to be done by Thursday because that's when our carpenter is coming back to caulk the unit so there are no gaps between the walls and the unit. Can you guess what I'll be doing after work this week?!

I hope you had a great weekend and that the weather was as beautiful in your area as it was here! Have a wonderful week!

Happy Friday everyone! What fun do you have planned?

Originally we were going to Norfolk but unfortunately the flights don't look good so we're staying home. Kind of a bummer because we were really looking forward to seeing our friend Chris and spending some time on the beach.

So, instead of that, we're going to be priming the bookcase and doing a lot of planting in our pots front yard. Hopefully I'll have some pictures of both projects for you on Monday.

I hope you have a relaxing weekend and as always, be good.
Image via flickr

Any thoughts about seagrass vs. jute vs. sisal rugs in terms of durability, softness, color etc.

Ode to a Fabulous Weekend*Explore! by lifelovepaper

Now that our bookcase is coming together I need to start filling it! {Not that I don't already have a ton!} So, yesterday while flipping through the Wisteria catalog several things caught my eye including these vessels d'art. I love the fluid shapes, especially the front left one.
Image via Wisteria

Another Version by lifelovepaper

Installation of our built-in bookcase began today! There's still a lot of work that needs to be done but so far, so good!
Step #1: Have cable and electric lines placed correctly on the wall before installation.
Step #2: Remove the original baseboards and crown molding.
Step #3: Piece it together. Our carpenter built the whole unit at his studio after two trips to our condo to take exact measurements.
Step #4: Attach bookcase to the wall and making sure everything is level.
Later in the week the doors to the lower cabinets will be installed and the original crown molding will be reinstalled at the top of the bookcase. We'll also put the knobs on the doors. Finally, we'll paint it and after that's definitely dry we'll caulk the unit so that there are no small gaps between the unit and the wall.
More pictures to come!