Lovely Lovely Love

Now, I am not usually one to bring my personal transgressions into my blog, but let me just say that I really don't deal well with petty, back-stabbing coworkers. I don't deal well with drama, and I'll simply write you off if you cause more than I can handle. That being said, after a very stressful, drama-filled work day yesterday, I came home to find this on the table:

Yes, they are in a Nalgene bottle (Kev's idea of a vase), which I think is adorable!  There was also chicken and pineapple pizza (my favorite! try it, you'll like it!), yummy greek salad, and a selection of beer... just what I needed.

I'm a pretty lucky gal.

Flickr Tag

The Rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into the Mosaic Maker

The Questions:

1.What is your first name?
2.What is your favorite food?
3.What high school did you go to?
4.What is your favorite color?
5.Who is your celebrity crush?
6.Favorite drink?
7.Dream vacation?
8.Favorite dessert?
9.What you want to be when you grow up?
10.What do you love most in life?

11.One Word to describe you.
12.Your flickr name.

So, I am passing this along as it was passed to me.. whomever would like to continue the tag is welcome to do so. I think it is really interesting and would love to see all of my lovely readers/friends create a mosaic as well!

all images courtesy of flickr

Red Dirt Soap Company

The Red Dirt Soap Company is an Oklahoma-based company providing natural soaps that contain "no animal fats, artificial dyes, pigments, petroleum products or chemicals with unpronounceable names... made with olive oil, coconut oil, pure essential oils, and/or fragrance oils, herbs and spices." Originally only found at Oklahoma craft shows, the Red Dirt products are now available online! 

This particular soap is citronella infused to deter unwanted insects while providing you with a clean, outdoorsy aroma.

"To keep bugs away, before going outside, wet the bar of soap, rub a light layer of lather over exposed skin, let the soap dry on skin, don't rinse it off. When you're back inside, you can rinse the soap off."

CUBA Cologne for Him: this is just adorable. I'm not sure how it smells, but, according to the website, it's great. I, however, am sold by the adorable packaging... typical me.

The company also sells skin care products especially for shaving (although who doesn't love a man with a little scruff?) that are guaranteed to leave his skin smooth, and burn/bump-free. The soaps also come in girly fragrances and are sold for women's shaving as well. So, there's something for you both! All the soaps smell delicious.. with scents like Chocolate Raspberry, Truly Pomegranate, Sea Kale, Safari Nights, and Kiwi Pear, how can you not find something you love?!  Overall, the products are au naturale and smell incredible! Check it out!

Flickr Search: La Mode

Inspired by my friends lesley and erin, here is my flickr search... la mode.

Color Story: Yellow

Ooh, dear...

Disaster struck today around 4pm as I happened upon this cardigan when perusing Anthropologie's website:

It is safe to say that I'm in love and will be making a trip to Lenox in the very near future. Here are some honorable mentions that I will be eyeing the store for as well.

Pretty Vintage Kitchens...

bring a bit of cheer to a stressful Sunday evening...

images courtesy of flickr.com

Finally Here: Project Runway Season 5

As I am sure you know, Wednesday night was the premiere of PR season 5, and I am already hooked! The episode was full of designer drama, disappointments, and oohs/aahs/squeals from the audience (ahem, me.) The first challenge was a throw back to season one: Gristedes! I was really hoping to see some of the designers use bizarre grocery items (maybe some live produce??) and was a little disappointed that so many of them opted for the tablecloths/shower curtains. However, when you're on national television with a ridiculously tight deadline... I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same. So, let's just talk about the pretties! So far, the ladies have caught and held my attention with dresses like these by Kenly, Kelli, and Leanne respectively. 

I really love Kenly's use of color and shape to create a very unique piece.

Kelli's inventive use of dyes and bleach and her attention to detail really made the different patterns on this dress stand out. 

I also like the industrial chic feel of the garment.

I think that this dress by Leanne is very cute with a bit of a sweet side. I also really like that it looks like it is made out of candy!

 

Wesley was another of my favorites, but that shouldn't surprise me as he has worked under my favorite designer, Marc Jacobs. The MJ influence really shows through in his own daily attire as well as in his designs. I thought that Jennifer's dress was very pretty and well made, but I would have like for her to take it farther somehow.

I was impressed with Daniel's use of a very unique item (plastic Solo cups!). The dress was quite cute and very well-fitting. He made a cocktail dress from a material that was difficult to work with, so I give him props for not using a tablecloth!

Overall, I was really pleased with the first episode. I completely agreed with the judges' decision to let go of Jerry. For someone who claimed to be on the edge of "making it big" in the fashion world, I felt like he really didn't put together something runway-worthy. I was a bit surprised at his poor performance, judging from his brief bio that showed the very structured and angular pieces in his collection. I admit, I expected a bit more from Jerry. Sigh. 

So, what did you all think? Do you have any favorites to add to the list? I can't wait for next Wednesday!

(Somewhat) Weekend Adventure No. 83: Summer Vacation

A couple weeks ago, K and I took a trip to the beach (Seahaven, Florida, to be exact). We were under the impression that Seahaven was past Panama City, almost at Seaside, but it is, unfortunately, not. Despite the lingering PCB atmosphere (think spring break gone bad), the trip was a definite success... a beautiful condo with a full-size kitchen, a big, comfy bed, sunshine and sand, turquoise waves, beach-side dinner and drinks, and even a rainbow! It did rain the first day that we were there, but, not to be deterred, we played in the ocean anyway. We were able to walk to a beach-side restaurant for dinner and drinks and didn't actually drive anywhere after we arrived, so the location was great as far as that goes. The pool was absolutely beautiful, but it was too crowded for us to enjoy until our last day. Overall, Origin at Seahaven was a great place to stay as long as you were able to go very early or late into the summer to beat the crowds.

Sunset at a beach-side restaurant.

Along with acquiring a good tan, I did get to break out a couple of my summer favorites during the trip.. a red and white Guess bikini, gold Old Navy flip flops, a kelly green sundress from F21, a gold coverup from Tarjay, and a new gold bikini that my mom bought me from Old Navy.

I absolutely love this swimsuit! Note the gold chain on the neckline...trés chic!

It's hard to tell from this picture, but this dress has a Grecian feel to it with a rope-like tie just under the bust line.

hiking in stilettos

Daydreaming of Europe

Today as I was enduring yet another seemingly endless, stress-filled day, I was wishing instead to be in an open air market in Greece or Italy perusing the booths for fresh home-grown veggies, beautiful flowers, aged Chianti, and whatever else may catch my eye. I would probably have been wearing something along these lines as I strolled the streets and ate lunch near a vineyard or overlooking the sea. Sigh.

Fashion Inspiration: Kate Hudson

I have been a fan of Kate Hudson for quite a while (I think it stems from my mother's love of Goldie Hawn) and really love her laid-back look. I also think that my love of Kate is in part because of our similar body type and fashion style. Kate has a way of blending hippie-chic and classic rock style without overdoing it in either direction; a look that I try to achieve, but don't always pull off quite as well. From daily hip to red carpet style, Kate is always stunning, and her fun personality shows through in all of her photo shoots.

I love the ragged jeans, and the belted sweater makes her petite frame look much longer.

If you know me, then you know that I love boots. I like how Kate wears these neutral boots with shorts and skirts as well as jeans.

The strapless silhouette is a great shape for her frame, and the hippie-inspired prints are a lot of fun!

Let me just say that I have been on the hunt for grey boots for five years now and have yet to find the perfect pair...

 I have a good feeling about this upcoming season.

And who can resist this adorable little guy? Kate's son Ryder is simply adorable. He's definitely got his mother's looks!

Photos courtesy of People.com and Vogue.com