[WEST ELM MARKET]

January 15, 2013

Have you guys checked out West Elm Market yet? I was going through my phone a few weeks ago deleting all of the emails I get from various retailers every. single. day. and an email from West Elm caught my eye. They're launching a new concept store that expands their traditional store offering to include every day household items, including kitchen and dining, personal care, and even appliances, for cryin' out loud. The products are also now available online, so naturally, I had to go through and build a list of my favorites from the new collection.

I'm weirdly into artfully designed food packaging right now, and they have a nice array of different syrups, vinegars and spreads... which seems like a natural extension of parent company Williams Sonoma. And I dare you not to love a vintage-style chartreuse refrigerator. Some pieces are bold, some are simple, some rustic, but they all share that signature West Elm style, and I love it.

[MY FAVORITE THINGS OF LATE]

January 7, 2013

I hope that 2013 is off to a beautiful start for all of you! It certainly is for me. I turn 31 today. Yikes. Am I the only one that thinks life is moving just a little too fast? Things like birthdays always remind me that I need to be taking the time to enjoy my life, because it is an astoundingly blessed one. And in the name of taking time to enjoy the little things, I thought I'd put together a collection of my favorite things right now. Don't get your hopes up... I'm not Oprah, and I'm not giving them away. But I do hope you'll check them out.

1. I think it only appropriate that my hairdresser introduced me to Bumble and Bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. I feel like I've been let in on an industry secret. It makes your hair shiny and soft, and super full but light as air at the same time. It's worth the spend, and a little goes a long way so it will last you forever.

2. Season 2 of "Girls" is starting on Sunday and I couldn't be more excited, because the writing is brilliant, the characters are second to none, and let's not kid ourselves... I need more Shoshanna in my life.

3. It's always the dumbest things that inspire me to work out, and right now it's these Nike Free Run 3 shoes. They're absurdly comfortable and lightweight and they have breathed new life into my resolve to get my ever-expanding behind in shape.

4. Rifle Paper Co. is one of my great new loves in life. I don't think I need to wax poetic yet again about my love of paper products, but this is a great little company, and this notebook will soon be mine.

5. More paper, I know, but I love the color and simple design of these note cards from SilhouetteBlue, and they remind me of how much I love getting hand-written notes in the mail. I also love that they chose a grand name like Olympia Biddeford.

6. I paint my nails all the time. I love trying new colors (light gray and emerald green are my favorite right now), and to me, it's like expensive perfume... probably no one notices it but me, but it makes me feel fancy. So to take care of my nails, a nail and cuticle salve like this one from Fig + Yarrow is the perfect addition to my manicure routine.

[MAY YOUR DAYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT]

December 24, 2012

Just wanted to wish you all the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years.

Be kind, be thankful, do something nice for a stranger, hug your families extra tight, and love each other abundantly.

[I LOVE PEPLUM - TRUE STORY]

December 19, 2012

Do you remember when peplum was in style the first time around? Think way back. I remember being a pretty young girl and I had this white and navy polka-dotted peplum dress, and I also distinctly remember thinking that dress was just about the best thing that had ever happened to me or the world. I remember getting dressed up in it for church with white tights and white shiny shoes... judge me if you want, but I looked good, and I knew it. And maybe this is why I have a particular affinity for the peplum trend. I think it's fun and feminine and works for almost any occasion.

I love it with a trendy spin like floral prints or beaded accents, simple and comfortable tops (that heather top is my favorite of the bunch), and with sequin or lace, you can pair it with anything and have yourself an automatic party outfit for the holidays.

So tell me, do you have anything peplum in your closet? And more importantly, did you used to wear peplum as a kid like me?

[A NEW FAVORITE: SUGAR PAPER]

December 9, 2012

I don't remember how or why or where, but I came across Sugar Paper not long ago, and it is all I have thought about ever since. Ok, that's not exactly true, but I love it, and I think you will love it too, and that's why I'm here to share it with you. I am kind of a paper/stationery freak. When the Mr. and I were in New York (to get engaged, unbeknownst to me), he took me to some of his favorite places from when he'd lived there, and one was this awesome paper store, and I already pretty much knew, but that was when I knew for sure that he was the only man for me. So you get the picture, I love paper stores. And this is a good one, so without further ado, here are a few of my favorites from their shop.