Wishing …

It's almost birthday time again and I've been window shopping on Pinterest (it's so easy to get completely lost that way, isn't it?) and all my favorite online stores. Real storefronts just don't happen into my life very much anymore but I'm happy to take virtual looks instead. So here are a few of the lovelies I'm wishing for, the prettiest of pretties. It includes a gown for a glamorous evening out (what? when? oh let's pretend) and the absolute b o m b (-iest of) knee high gladiators that I could never afford. And this swimsuit … sigh … it's so lovely. Let's indulge our imaginations. If not for a birthday, then when? ;)

 Ecote Treasure Trove Dress  $149 

 Rackk and Ruin Triangle Symetrie Bracelet $54

 Pave chevron rings $28 (similar)

Rae gladiator sandal $298

double chevron cuff bracelet  $28

Zinke Starboard Swimsuit $132

A Wish List {holiday sparkle}

As soon as December opens it's chilly doors, my wardrobe longs for all things sparkly. It's one of my favorite ways to fancy up and I love the way clothing this holiday season has been subtly embellished, with little shimmers adorning colors and cuffs, making it easy to wear even for everyday (I wear this shirt from Loft all the time!). So today I'm sharing a few of my favorite finds, all gorgeous for this magical month!

1. A stunning little clutch that is equally gorgeous on the flip side (take a look) | Anthropologie $68
2. A silver sequin cross body bag, sorta chill, sorta perfect | Free People $68 
3. Long sleeve velvet tutu dress, yes please! | Free People (sold out)
4. Pumps in a soft white sequin with embellished toe - wow | J. Crew $375
5. Resin arrowhead earrings, perfect with everything | J. Crew $75
6. Gold t-strap pumps (sigh) | Anthropologie $298
7. Embellished jacket (over your LBD or jeans and a T) | Asos $152
8. Furry collar for adding a little fun and warmth to so many looks | J. Crew $58
9. Jeweled bomber (try the junior department (size 14 at Crewcuts) for better pricing) | J. Crew $79.50
10. Sneakers with crystals! (a women's 7.5 can fit in a kid's size 4 or 5) | J. Crew $98

This wish list series is a happy collab with Holly Marie Designs. Check out her lovely site!

A Wish List {loving the trend}

Just a little wish list to share this weekend, as a part of a collaboration with the very talented Holly. To be quite honest, my wish list (or really, it's more of a love list and a wish grannie could make this list) is ridiculously long at the moment but I've narrowed it down this week to a handful of favorites for both mom and the little one. I am absolutely crazy about the sweet little floral dresses (rich floral on dark backgrounds for winter) and those cool plaid and leather looks at Zara ... crazy! And the kid's clothes are just perfect. Plus these little jackets are incredible aren't they? Particularly for that child who will continue to love playing dress up all winter long. 

1. Floral blouse with faux leather cuffs - Zara $69.90

2. Little lion jacket - Little Goodall $160

3. Cute checked dress to match mamas - Zara $42.90

4. Sheer checkered organza blouse - Zara $59.90

5. Adorable bunny jackets - Little Goodall $149

6. Dark floral dress with lace trim - Zara $49.90

A Wish List {soft and cozy somethings}

Just a few yummy items on my wish list for you to enjoy, organized beautifully by the amazing Holly.  Feeling warm and fuzzy today with fall knocking on my door, ready to slip into those comfy (but still cool!) sweats with my little lady. Perhaps some shiny new shoes for crunching leaves. And sweet handmades for the butterfly's collection.

1. Hand knit fairy princess crown - Lace and Cable - $32 

2. Knit trousers that won't make me feel sloppy - Madewell - $75
3. A pair to match her mama - Gap - $16.95
4. I've been gushing over this little elephant since Scarlet was but a twinkle in my eye - Cloth and Thread 
5. My lovely friend Kate plans to grab these floral boots for her little girl for a family photo shoot I'll be doing on Saturday. Aren't they perfect? We should get to see them on a model soon! - H&M - $19.95
6. Adore these. Nuf said - Madewell - $165

A Wish List {spicy geometry}

A new wish list for you today! It's all the things I'm currently craving, wrapped into a beautiful package by the lovely Holly. Triangles are having a wholly dedicated moment with me as of late.

1. One of my favorite trends for fall are the cool cut out boots.  I've seen a million and twenty that I love but these are definitely tops! Ruidoso boots from Anthropologie - $130
2. An 8 inch chandelier in brass with tiny crystals. Perfect for hanging right above my bed. Junkyard lighting - $149
3. Sweet little arrow ring. Style Addict -$30
4. A linen banner bunting in grey, white, indigo, brown, mustard, violet, and oatmeal - the perfect colors!  Lovely Home Idea - $40
5. The Leonora triangle blanket would look so lovely in Scarlet's room one day. Ivie Baby - $88.
6. I so need a triangle ring in my life. Style Addict - $22

A Wish List

I'm so excited to introduce to you a wish list collaboration! I'm teaming up with my lovely and talented friend Holly and together we're creating a series of wish lists for you to enjoy. These lists will be curated by me and designed by Holly. Isn't this one gorgeous?

So this is a collection of items on my wish list right now. Some new, some old. 

1. For adding a little whimsy to any room in my home (plus it's cool enough for the boys). Paper mache giraffe head from Land of Nod - $69

2. In love with this backpack created from leather and a handwoven blanket. The Inca backpack by Sabrina Tach at Etsy - $185

3. Scarlet would love to have these fairy/bird wings for playtime or as a part of her Halloween costume one day. Wings by Big Bird Boutique at Etsy - $56.75

4. Isn't this sweet? I Love You to the Moon and Back poster decal from Land of Nod - $39

5. A sun kissed August swinging in this beauty with my last summer book. Nicaraguan handwoven hammock from Veronica Colindres at Etsy - $80

6. Wished for a handful of these for for.e.ver now. Kilim pillow from SofART at Etsy - $64

Can't Get Enough!

Another wish list, my dears, and seeing as 90% of my closet devotion is entirely to footwear, it is obvious that they should have their moment too. 

Short or tall - what will it be?

{both sparkled lovelies from Asos}

These are also terrifically smashing, don't you agree?

{$49.50 - Sam Edelman for American Eagle Outfitters}

I couldn't leave out my usual be-floraled beauties! 

{$78 - Anthropologie}

I'm eager to try this flat platform again, though it's taken me a bit to come round. I remember wearing flip flops (early 2000's) with a replica platform that were just eeeeew! (They did not have that print though). But here we are again and I'm thinking that I'll give it another go. 

Again, but in a cobalt blue. I LOVED these but they sold out ages ago. And how could they not?

{$138 - Free People}

A Quilting Project

Well I've been a busy body this morning, spending way too much time at the fabric store with little E. We were on the hunt for pretty fabrics for a quilt that my mom is having made for me for my birthday! It's a really sweet little deal as I have recently met an amazing quilter (mother-in-law to a dear friend) and we're sort of collaborating a bit. I'm picking out all of the fabrics, the plan is for 12 1/4 yeards, and then she will cut them out and we'll lay out the color pattern together before she sews it into something lovely. I'm so excited about the project! 

So this is what I decided on. My inspiration came from this picture and so we're going to create that zig zag or chevron-esque print. And I love the dominant shades of blue with peeks of pink. 

So I had several vintage sheets that I was hoping to incorporate. The pink floral (below) is one of them. And the white with tiny blue roses (first above) is another. And finally, the orange with tiny bouquets is the third. I hope to make it all work but the orange is the likely wild card here, so we'll see. I suppose I could incorporate it into the back, if anything. 

I started off picking out 12 florals, all with a vintage-shabby chic feel to them. But then I found the batiks and I chucked the lot! (not really). I have some mad, mad love for batiks and though I have no idea if they will look pretty in a quilt, mixed in with vintage florals and polka dots, I sure do hope so!

Love the medallion print below. I have 2 cuts with a similar medallion. 

Look at that feather print. Isn't it gorgeous?

A close up of the orange floral. There are plenty of dotted prints in these fabrics, which I thought was perfect. Some are intentional while others feel like rain drops. 

And there you have it! I'll keep you posted on this quilting journey. 

 Part 2 ~ it's wish list time again!

Here's a look at all the items I've hearted this week at Etsy. Lots and lots to get all google-y eyed about over there.

 {whimsical hand chain by Becca Cass Jewelry Design}

{vintage skeleton keys from Attic Antics}

{starry night bangles by Voz Clothing and Art}

 {a more affordable rhinestone and friendship bracelet by Colorblock Shop}

{brightly painted driftwood by Bonjour Frenchie}

Now I know this last one seems a bit indulgent. I mean come on, all I need to do is go ploughing through my own back yard (which abounds in trees and thus, sticks) to pick up a few samples. And then all I'd have to do is sand down those sticks, a job I can assure you ranks top of my list of undesirables. And lastly, all I'd have to do is buy paint and, paint them! (sour face). Not gonna happen. Bonjour Frenchie has done a fantastic job - beautiful! 

Crushing on ... African Baskets

My birthday is just around the corner and you know what that means, piles and piles of wish lists. Haha! Please know that these sorts of things are always for fun, never a true expectation. If that were the case, my family would not be too thrilled, let me tell ya. :) 

(for a full view of wish list items please see Pinterest page tagged here - husband)

Now more on topic, my Granna and Garthie are coming to visit us for the entire summer and arrive in June (they live in South Africa). As is custom, they have requested wish lists from each of us girls and have been filling their suitcases for our Christmas in June extravaganza! My mom has a few flat baskets from SA and of course, I've seen plenty of them in my many ... many years, but now I'm finally dying to own a few and display them in my home. I'd love to hang them like this and hope that my Aunty Di will find some at one of the markets she's planning to breeze through. Oh the life of a flea market hopper!

There is a fabulous website for us American-sters called Baskets from Africa and they have so many exquisite options. The site seems like a wonderful place to purchase fair trade items from Africa with the intention of furthering the economic development of weavers from several countries. Not too cheap, if you're longing for a small collection, but that's where my peeps on the other side of the world may have some luck. We'll see ... :) 

Tonga baskets

Botswana baskets

Uganda baskets

Swazi Sisal baskets

Aren't the colors stunning? I think these would all be amazing in any shape or form in a home, as both beautiful and functional art. 

{Baskets from Africa}

A Fall Wish List

At this moment in time a change in wardrobe is often on my mind and I find myself doing much of my online window shopping at J Crew. They're just so stinking amazing. 

Here are my favorite J Crew picks, those I'm just itching to own (though I hope to find options at a more affordable price). Plus another couple of lovelies that I've clicked on a million times now. 

comfy but chic "vintage" cords -  J. Crew - $79.50

art deco resin bangle - J. Crew - $55

 silk shirts - J. Crew - $98

glitter suspenders! (worn with jeans and a peeking out from under a blazer) - Crewcuts- $24.50

gorgeous leopard heels - Sam Edelman - $168

polka dotted and perfect - Madewell - $78

The Frenzy Continues

I am declaring this week and the next (and the week after, for that matter), my birthday extravaganza celebration. In fact, I think I'll just go ahead and call myself "the birthday queen", if that's alright. Comes but once a year. So here I have a wish list that I've filled with much- adored, dreamy items which are still (unfortunately) sitting on the fence in regards to actual home delivery. They're the goodies I'd love to have but that are still somewhat indulgent. You know ... would be nice, but is it necessary? Which leads to this question - Have any of you girls actually had any success in growing a money tree?

Been longing for a pretty silk blouse to wear with my jeans or tuck into a pencil skirt. This one is just about perfect. 

{Skydot blouse - Madewell - $79.99}

A little secret - Elliot has these exact sandals in tan and I think mommy should have some to match! 

{My Saltwater Sandals - Madewell - $40}

This chiffon blouse with it's rockin' leopard print would be cool enough in the summer heat but still transition well into fall. 

{leopard tie blouse - NG - $48}

And of course, the sheer skirt, something I've been going on about for a while now but which understandably presents potential problems. If it were the ideal length, I'd be sold! 

{sheer lace skirt - Urban Outfitters - $79}

I promise to take more outfit photos again. It's been a little while and it's largely due to the fact that I've been battling a tummy bug. But I'm feeling much better today and will work on looking cute again for you. Not sure if my current look is a great option, not that it's not amazing (I think this birthday queen thing is getting to my head), but rather cause I'm a little sweaty and ruffled from this morning's dance practice. I recently heard a really beautiful song (that the huz was working on for a recent gig) and I felt so completely inspired by it and decided to whip up a routine for my upcoming dance recital (little under 3 weeks away!). I'm actually dancing in it and yes, I'm terribly out of shape! But I've been practicing almost every morning so things are looking up. I hope to actually have video from this year's performance and if I can figure out how to get said video onto youtube from a DVD, I will try to post the dance. I've only ever done it from my iphone. Hmmm ... a challenge!

Wish List Frenzy!

With a birthday just around the corner and the wish list requests rolling in (haha), I'm finding all sorts of beauties on these inter-webs that I'm feeling quite swoon-y over. This is my extravagant birthday wish list, the kind that offers endless (yet un-probable) possibilities. 

I'm loving this summer dress with it's fitted bodice and eyelet detailing. Pretty perfect. 

{J Crew - $158}

And this chic floor length dress in a comfortable knit. Gorgeous!

{J Crew - $98}

 Recently discovered a line of hand dyed vintage slips and dresses at Free People's site. Pretty amazing. 

{Free People - $168}

I think these vintage rocker jeans look like the perfect fit and wash. 

{Madewell - $110}

Next up ... a wish list the huz can handle!

Friday Wish List

Happy Friday! I thought I'd share my spring wish list today, the items I've discovered here and there and which I'd love to add to my wardrobe for these warmer months ahead. Comfy, lightly faded hues with the occasional pops of color. 

A perfect summer dress and the trendy tassel belt

{H&M - dress - $39.95, belt - $12.95}

Tribal maxi skirt that I'd be happy to live in!

{Anthropologie - $88}

 Tissue t's

{J. Crew - $24.50}

 A flattering sleeve length and boatneck in a super soft cotton

{J. Crew - $32.50}

 A faded check perfect with cut offs.

{J. Crew - $68}

 Tiered eyelet mini for hot summer days

{J. Crew - $79.50}

 A small cross-body in a quilted floral. The perfect tiny accent to a summer washed outfit. 

{Need Supply - $38}

 A pretty chiffon maxi dress with (not too short) sheer legs and a tie waist. 

{Urban Outfitters - $78}

Silky trouser shorts

{American Eagle - $29.62}

A faded denim skirt
{J. Crew - $79.50}