the gleam of rose tea

wedding shots

2011-04-20T05:51:00.002-04:00

(photo credit: keri mccarthy)

check out some of my fav wedding shots on our NEW BLOG. hope you enjoy!

tello & rose

wedding details

2011-04-19T09:13:00.000-04:00

photo credit: keri mccarthy

head over to the new blog to check out all the fun wedding details from our big day in february!

tello & rose

attention!

2011-04-18T00:48:00.000-04:00

i have missed you all. thanks for all the nice emails and comments. well, i am back. but in a new place. come check us out. we will have fun. i promise.

TELLO & ROSE!!

http://telloandrose.blogspot.com/

interviewee becomes the interviewer

2010-10-28T07:27:00.001-04:00

i am starting to do some interviewing at work and it makes me appreciate all the people who have interviewed me in the past. let's face it, the whole interview process stinks but it's always good when people actually ask good questions. while we were going over who we needed to interview my boss said "you are totally into this, huh?" i laughed and told him i was. i guess i am a nerd like that, but it's fun the first time around.

i think my best interview was when the interviewer looked up everything i had listed on my resume (blog, online store etc.). they knew exactly where i was coming from. it made me feel appreciated and i could talk more fluently about my strengths/weaknesses. the worst question i've been asked was "what is the worst thing that has happened in your life and what did you do about it." this was for a financial position (which i thankfully did not get) and i had no idea how to relate my worst life experience to financial sales. to make matters worse, i have been blessed in my life time and haven't had anything too terrible happen so i had no clue what to say.

what is your best or worst interview experience? have you ever bombed one?

(i have! on that same financial interview i made myself seem like an OCD nut case. i kept talking about how organized i was and started making things because i was getting nervous. thankfully i can leave dave to all the financial busines and can do creative things)

capes

2010-10-27T07:45:00.001-04:00

i never thought i would like this but i really love capes. especially camel ones with brown leather accents. aren't they just perfect for fall? with brown riding boots and jeans. so cute. i should get one for my wedding too. (sorry, wedding talk again).

which one do you like more just for general wear?

over the knee boots and black riding pants? i think that's a huge yes.

brown cords, and white fluffy gloves. i should try this.

planning!

2010-10-25T07:44:00.002-04:00

we are t minus 104 days till wedding time and we have my wedding dress, the church, the wedding party, and almost a reception all booked. we are fast! the picture above is at the reception venue. we are planning on february for the wedding and i can't wait for the reception. it has a huge beautiful stone fireplace and lots of pretty windows.

i can't share pics of my dress until later because dave will look at this but i will give you a hint. the tailor on saturday told me it looked like a fairytale dress. i can't WAIT till it's ready. it is completely opposite of what i thought i wanted but it was the first dress i tried on (so cliche) and i couldn't stop thinking about it. my dad bought it that week and wanted to surprise me but couldn't wait to tell me.

i hope all this wedding talk doesn't get old for you. don't worry i will stop posting about it soon i am sure. there are so many funny stories but i can span those out. so, what else do we need...

invitations are bought, we just need to add some things to them

wedding decorations

wedding bands

honeymoon (totally a priority)

shoes, jewelry etc.

bridesmaid dresses (i need help with this. i want black velvet but can't find anything. at all)

there are tons more things but that is the list for now.

share with me your wedding advice, i would love to read all your pointers!

wreaths!

2010-10-20T07:10:00.000-04:00

i am looking for some wreaths to decorate our church doors with when we got married and came across these two tutorials from jones design company. i just love them and don't know which one i like more. the one with pages is so cool and can even be done with sheet music (our theme is black and white = perfect)!

which one do you like more?

ruffle wreath

book page wreath

have you ever tried one of these? what did you use for materials?

engagement story

2010-10-18T22:06:00.001-04:00

ok so here is our engagement story. sorry it took so long to get it out. i guess planning a wedding in 16 weeks takes more time than i thought!

how it happened...

dave took me to our favorite spot, crane beach, and we toured the crane estate (photo above from the summer). i knew he was going to ask me because we had talked about rings but i didn't know when. we had planned the trip to crane beach a few weeks before but it was supposed to rain so we didn't go. unbeknownst to me, dave had my beautiful ring hiding under his bed the whole time we waited for nice weather.

i got up early saturday morning, wondering if this would be my last time in my apartment as a "single" women (i am so dramatic) and got ready for the day (outfit post to follow when i get the pics). he picked me up and we took the long drive to the north shore. he asked me at one point why my hands were so sweaty and i made up some story about it having to do with my body not feeling well (not sure why he believed it).

we took a tour of the estate then went down to the beach. while we walked down to the water i thought i saw the ring box in his pocket and got SO nervous. we made the seemingly endless walk to the perfect spot then started throwing rocks in the water (dave's excuse for buying time). he gave me a hug at one point and i felt his heart pounding. i thought i was going to throw up. as i knelt down to pick up another rock, he got on his knee. i turned around and started crying/jumping up and down.

he asked me to be his wife, i said yes, and then we sat and talked about the million questions i had. when did you ask my dad? how did you pick out the perfect ring? how long have you had it? because i am curios george.

we walked back to the car, called all our family and texted a million friends, then went to his parents house. he told me he had the whole day planned but we had to stop there first. when we were 5 minutes from the house i told him i was about to pee my pants. he made me wait till we got there , terrible idea.

once we got to the house i ran out of the car, hugged his parents, then told them i had to go the bathroom. i sprinted inside and was surprised by all of our family, grandparents, and cousins saying congratulations!! of course i bursted out with "i have to go the bathroom!!" and ran away. i always have the right thing to say in social situations.

we spent the rest of the day talking about wedding plans and finding it awkward that 1 day early we weren't "allowed" to talk about being married but that today it was all ok.

and that's it. it was perfect. he is the best most amazing person ever and i can't wait till february 5th (yes, we think that is the day) to be an italian-in-law!

guess what!?

2010-10-13T10:18:00.000-04:00

i'm engaged!! we are SO excited and i can't wait to share with you all the details.

and even more crazy...

we are getting married in february! ah. so the inspiration wheels will be turning. here is what i know so far:

colors- black and winter white with jewel tone accents.

inspiration- candles, tuxes, nothing cliche (at all), old sheet music, dried berries, peacock feathers

where- in a church, then prob a restaurant

size- intimate, we want it to be a family celebration because we are both close with our (rather large) families.

i will write more about how he asked me tomorrow. it's a funny story.

sick day

2010-10-04T10:19:00.000-04:00

i have some posts coming up but i am not feeling well today so you might not see them till tomorrow. hope everyone had a good weekend!

happy weekend

2010-10-01T07:02:00.000-04:00

have a good weekend everyone! this weekend i am:

having good friends over for dinner (she is a chef in training so i have something special planned)

going apple picking

finding some more accessories for my apartment

relaxing with dave

trying to figure out a costume for a big event i am going to

a little too hasty

2010-09-30T07:01:00.001-04:00

so, when dave and i were at the epic wedding i posted about yesterday, there were tons of hors d'oeuvres and we were starving. i first started out at the tomato and fresh mozzarella station while dave talked to family members he had never met (he is good at that). while i rounded the kalamata olive table, i ran into some people who wanted to meet me (this was my first time at a muscatello family function). i was so starving i couldn't help but sample my food while nodding and smiling at the countless people i would never remember the names of.

once out of the completely awkward convos, i spotted a rare and mouth watering sight. kielbasa and pierogis freshly cooked on a grill. i had never had fresh ones but they sure smelled good. i walked as quickly as i could without looking like a child (i am sure i still did) and grabbed some off the grill. as i did, i heard a familiar laugh and looked up to see dave standing next to me. he politely told me i was eating off the poor chef's cooking area and was supposed to take them out of the serving dishes. i stared wide eyed at the chef, who was cracking up at this point, and said "i wanted them hot!"

moral of the story: brush up on common manners before going to fancy weddings. and don't be too hasty with the hours d'oeuvers (or do, they taste better hot).

seriously gorgeous.

2010-09-29T07:25:00.003-04:00

here is the epic wedding dave and i went to on july 4th. after attending, i don't think anything could ever match it. dave's cousin and husband (who happens to be an ex-polo stylist) threw the perfect party and most romantic day. i brought home a few pictures to share but beware, they do not do the day justice.

the wedding ceremony was short and beautiful. we listened to friends of the couple sing and connie walked down the aisle to andrea bocelli. she had a cute veil that looked like a giant bow on her head. usually i am not into puffy dresses but her's was beautiful.

the ceremony was held in a nearby white tent. i thought these white lanterns lended a cool modern twist to the otherwise romantic decor.

these were the table settings. everyone had a menu at their spot, along with dipping sauces for bread. the food was served family style and included lots of pasta, meats, and a delicious asparagus risotto.

this was my favorite part of the dinner. it was an orange fennel arugula salad with a soury sweet dressing (no idea what kind). it was definitely unexpected and, since it was such a warm night, the perfect treat.

they also had a 30 minute firework display, fresh fried dough balls, amazing bathroom in a trailer (i am telling you, they were cool), and hors d'oeuvres i couldn't stop eating...i will tell you more about that tomorrow.

jen aniston's place

2010-09-28T05:37:00.002-04:00

i am a few months late, but have you check out jennifer aniston's new house? her home was featured in architectural digest and it looks amazing (which it should for $20 million). here are a few but if you google it you will find a bunch more.

i am not a fan of these beds but it does look really nice. i love when comforters are tucked in. dave just said "she must never live there, it looks so clean." i let him know she also doesn't have to clean anything...

we went to a wedding this summer that had the cocktail hour on a patio like this. it was amazing. love that huge fireplace.

on a side note, if you like decorating you should seriously get architectural digest. i just got my first years subscription for $20. i have always wanted it but didn't feel the need till now.

new apartment decor, take #1

2010-09-27T04:58:00.000-04:00

so, i completely forgot about needing internet when i moved into my new apartment, hence the no show. i am all moved in now for the most part. just need some shelves, pictures, and for my apartment to stop smelling like the person smoking outside my window. seriously, don't you think it is rude to smoke right under an open window?

so i have a frame collage i am working on over my kitchen table. it kind of looks like this, except i am using black sconced frames with gold accents. i need to find a few little mirrors (4x6) to put in the frames to make the room look better. any ideas where i can find them?

i will show you some pictures as i get settled. for now i am airing out the place. stay tuned.

july 5

2010-09-10T07:14:00.017-04:00

i wore this basic outfit when i went raspberry picking with dave. it was the same day we went to crane beach. actually, it was the best date i think we have had so far, besides blue man group. we went to crane beach, visited the crane estate, took a hay ride to a raspberry patch, and went to a sea side resatrant in gloucester. it was so fun!

to be honest, i didn't have any idea we were going to go berry picking this day but the outfit worked out perfectly. this chambray shirt is one of the best purchases i ever made. i wear it ALL the time in the summer.

this is dave and i at the crane estate. aren't the lawns beautiful?

i am going to miss the summer time but i am excited to wear fall clothes. how about you?

crane beach

2010-09-09T07:07:00.003-04:00

if you have a few vaca days left and live in the new england area, i would suggest you check out crane beach in ipswich, massachusetts. it is absolutely gorgeous and is surrounded by beautiful houses and farm land. dave made us a picnic lunch and we spent the whole day walking around the beach and swimming in the freezing water.

tips before you go:

- bring a lunch, the beach is huge and in the middle of nowhere. there is a snack bar near the parking lot but if you want to be on a secluded part of the beach, you will have to walk about a 1/2 mile away.

- go during the week. it is really expensive to park on the weekend and you can't park anywhere else.

- when you are facing the ocean with the parking lot behind you, go left. it looks like a scene from Lost.

july 8

2010-09-08T07:05:00.002-04:00

in july, i was waiting to hear whether i got the job i had interviewed for or not. dave and i were on the train into boston for the afternoon when i got the call. i think he was more excited than i was at the news! he called our favorite restaurant, teatro, right away to make reservations. when we got into the city we walked around the park, ate a "celebratory fried dough" and he bought me some bracelets. he is the best!

i was glad i wore this outfit because the restaurant is nice and its always fun to be dressed up when celebrating.

i love the beads on this bracelet. tourquoise is a great way to add color in the winter months so i will be wearing this for a while.

hunter boots for sale

2010-09-07T19:13:00.000-04:00

if anyone is interested my hunter boots are for sale on ebay. there are two days left. check them out here!

grilled peaches with blackerry butter

2010-09-07T07:14:00.000-04:00

this is seriously SO good. it is so easy to make and can replace a piece of cake for dessert. i made it for some friends at a dinner party and everyone loved it. warmed peaches are delicious and the basil in the butter makes it nice and fresh.

here are the instructions for the butter:

Yield: Makes 3/4 cup butter

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup seedless blackberry preserves

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Garnish: fresh basil leaves (this seems weird but it really does make a difference. just make sure they are fresh!)

Preparation

Stir together softened butter, blackberry preserves, and chopped fresh basil until blended. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve with warm grilled peaches, or spread inside hot biscuits filled with thinly sliced pork tenderloin.

for the peaches...

you can grill them or heat them up in a frying pan. since i did not have a grill, i put a little bit of butter in a frying pan and laid them face down in the pan. cooking time depends on how warm you want them. i would say heat them on medium low for about 10 minutes.

other things to note:

it is not easy to get your peaches to look like the picture (with the hole directly in the middle). if you use really ripe peaches they will look like the picture. if not, just cut them into large chunks and spread the butter on top.

enjoy!

july 16

2010-09-04T08:15:00.000-04:00

this outfit was worn on my family's annual day cruise through the Maine islands. this year it was extremely cloudy but it was still a good time. dave came with us for the first time and i was so glad he got to see the beautiful Maine coast. if yo uare ever in the portland area, you should definitely check out the Bailey Island Cruise through Casco Bay Lines.

i went with these colors because i wanted to feel nautical (of course i am nuts like that) and i thought it would be hot. it ended up be freezing so i am glad i brought my sweater!

this is in front of the boat. i think he looks pretty great too. maybe i should do outfit posts on him...

so my tip for dressing nautical...

don't be too cheesy. if you wear stripes, wear a bright pink or yellow accent instead of red. if you stick to the nautical colors (navy, white, yellow, and red), than go with different prints to keep yourself from looking like a wanna-be sailor.

ahoy mates!

2010-09-04T08:09:00.000-04:00

i am back. did you miss me? i sure missed all of you. i have had a very crazy summer, to put it lightly. it included switching jobs, moving, starting a career in a completely different industry (fashion!), and finding my first apartment! i am so excited for what is ahead and thankful everything has worked out in God's perfect timing (what else should i expect?). there will be a few changes to the blog but nothing that will hinder us from having a good time. all of my outfit posts will be on this blog so you won't need to click back and forth.

lastly, i will be starting a new blog soon that is going to be even better than this one, at least i hope. it is still a work in progress so we will talk more about that later. for now, keep tuned in and i will try to keep you entertained.

-hillary

happy independence day!

2010-07-02T10:27:00.003-04:00

happy july 4th! hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends. we are going to a wedding sunday night in a big white tent. it should be a beautiful day. can't wait!

do you have any fun traditions that you do for july 4th? i usually have a large cookout with my family and we go water skiing/tubing etc. then see fireworks at night. last night dave and i twirled around some sparklers and will probably go get some more at wal-mart. they were only $2 so you should add some to your weekend!

anne of avonlea

2010-07-01T20:32:00.001-04:00

anne of avonlea is one of my favorite movies. i used to watch it all the time when i was younger and still watch it once a year with my mom. i always rewind the part when gilbert asks her to marry him at the end. it's the best movie scene ever (especially after sitting there watching it for 3 hours). check out this cute video from youtube with highlights from the movie.

this is the house they filmed the movie at. i have never been to prince edward island but i hear it is gorgeous.

i always loved all the white, lacy dresses in the movies. the way they did their hair and the dainty shoes they wore were so romantic. i wish we could still wear clothes like that.

this story of anne and gilbert is the best of course. i love how sweet he is and you can always see how much his character loves her. if you haven't see the movie you really should. i need to buy the DVD because i only have a VHS.

next week...

2010-07-01T19:22:00.000-04:00

i am giving all my lovely readers a special giveaway next week. check out red chair confessions, talbots new hip blog. talbots new style is SO chic and modern. in honor of this transformation, they are offering my readers a $250 gift card!! check back monday for the details.

lands end home

2010-06-29T07:29:00.001-04:00

don't you just love summer stripes and adirondack chairs? when i was in highschool i used to go to a Christian camp for a week in the summer. about half of our days were spent sitting on the adirondack chairs in the front lawn cracking jokes and being crazy. lands end has great classic home stuff for the summer. they are having a 40% off sale right now too.

these are the best beach bags. i have one from llbean that has lasted forever. you can wash them, carry tons of things in them, and basically use them for everything. check these out from lands end. they are fairly inexpensive too.

mattapalooza

2010-06-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

i hope you had a good weekend, this weekend i went to the beach, had a nice dinner with dave, and hung out with a ton of good friends. two of my friends are named matt (one has a blog here) and they decided to throw an "epic" party they called mattapalooza. they even made this promo video.

the party was awesome and even included a bounce house, tons of outdoor games, and a lot of yummy food. thanks guys for an awesome party!

they've done it again

2010-06-24T09:27:00.000-04:00

how great is ll bean, seriously? if you are from the northeast, you know how good their boots are for staying warm in the winter. their clothing has always been hit or miss for the younger gen. however, so they launched a new catalog with their signature collection. you need to check it out if you love toast, j.crew, or anthropologie. although super new england-y, the clothes can be worn any where, any time.

how great is this outfit for walking around an ocean harbor or taking a boat ride around the lake in the evening.

and this, of course, is a gorgeous leather tote. perfect for carrying books, magazines, or a day's worth of necessities. all of their products are guaranteed and you can't really go wrong with the designs. i think the first dress looks just like something for anthropologie. check out the details here.

salvation is here.

2010-06-24T07:14:00.000-04:00

this is mine and dave's family after his baptism on sunday. it was so great to have everyone together celebrating his acceptance and declaration of God's perfect gift of salvation.

how great the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure.

tougas farm

2010-06-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

if you are ever in the eastern massachusetts region, you should check out tougas farm. they have all types of fruit picking, from strawberries to peaches apples, and have a petting zoo, horse rides, and food.

this past weekend dave's mom took me strawberry picking there and we picked 11 pounds! it was only $2.19 a pound, which i thought was pretty decent, and they taste so good. we have had strawberries for breakfast, lunch, and dessert ever since. i think the small ones are my favorite.

happy 50th dad!

2010-06-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

(my cousins and i taped the balloons to the back of the chairs. it looks like a mad hatter party!)

it was my dad's 50th birthday today and his brother's 48th so we had a little family get together. since my parents just moved to maine to be closer to their family, i figured my dad should have a maine-inspired party.

i think the hat was a great hit, although my uncle wasn't too pleased about wearing it.

oh to kayak

2010-06-08T14:41:00.000-04:00

do you ever go kayaking? i have been a couple times in the last few weeks and it's been a lot of fun. you should try it out. we went to a state park and rented them for an hour, which was kind of on the pricey side ($20/hour), so make sure you shop around.

now let me give you a little tip. instead of venturing out on your own kayak, you should share one with a friend or significant other (tandem kayaks). than you can put your feet up and relax. dave paddled me all around the lake and i got to sit in the sun. it's not a bad way to spend the afternoon. just be ready for teasing. i got made fun of the rest of the day for "helping out" on our little excursion.

romantic weddings

2010-06-07T17:30:00.000-04:00

is there any other kind? i have had these pictures for a while and wanted to put them on here. i love the lighting. dusk is beautiful. so is nature.

here are a few quotes, just because i am feeling lovey today.

Your slightest look easily will unclose me, though I have closed myself as fingers, you open petal by petal myself a Spring opens her first rose. E.E. Cummings

Love is the whole and more than all. E.E. Cummings

“Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star...” E.E. Cummings

wedding hair

2010-05-26T12:03:00.001-04:00

i wanted to share a few wedding hair styles i think are really pretty. they are mostly messy, which i think looks great with a formal dress.

long hair

don't you just love carrie? this pony tail is great. that's all i have to say.

medium hair

i like this hair style with a white braided headband or something thin and lacy.

short hair

this girl has VERY short hair so i am not sure how she even got it into a bun. it looks very sweet though.

corn on the cob cupcakes

2010-05-24T13:15:00.000-04:00

i got this idea from martha stewart for a baking contest we had at work last week, aren't they cool? so i tried to make them myself. my creation is below. i thought they turned out pretty good. they only problem is you need a million jelly beans. i had three bags and could only make four cupcakes.

i found jelly bellys at the dollar store, though, so it didn't cost much at all. the corn on the cob holders were there and the laffy taffy (butter) was also. instead of using black decorative sugar i used choclate jimmys. i didn't win but i did get points for our team, which was all that mattered since we won field day!

the waffle house

2010-05-18T05:37:00.001-04:00

to many outsiders, the waffle house doesn't look like a very nice place to spend a morning. if you decide to venture inside, however, you will enjoy a quite interesting and (hopefully) fun experience.

this video is from my trip a week ago. i felt like i was in a movie. it was so much fun.

little room, big decorations

2010-05-17T17:30:00.000-04:00

i found these pictures via the tiny hummingbird (my friend's blog, she is having a giveaway this week!). i love the colors and how much character this little room has. some ideas for a little space include:

add height with tall desk lamps

add signature furniture that isn't over stuffed, too bulky

use a small chandelier for lighting

hang long paneled curtains, giving the room height

overall: use one central theme (here, it is the wallpaper) and build off it with little accents (pillows, flowers, pictures)

how cool are these book shelves? it is nice way to get things out of the way and still make them look nice.

i just love this pillow. you could easily make it with pompoms from a craft/fabric store and an old pillow.

have a good weekend!

2010-05-14T13:03:00.000-04:00

this weekend i am:

spending lots of time with my family and dave

looking at some apartments

cooking a (hopefully) yummy dinner for my mom

celebrating my brother's first year of college done!

yay blake, you made it!

found for more: comfort shoes

2010-05-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

now, you know i don't normally condone spending too much money on things. especially when you can find them for less. however, there are times when paying more for clothing really is the better route to go. one of these cases is with nice shoes. i love finding great deals but if you have ever tried danskos or birkenstocks, you know they are worth every penny.

dansko professional in patent leather, $120

dansko professional in cheetah, $120

birkenstock boston, $130

birkenstock arizona suede, $120

so, before you look at this post and think you wouldn't spend that much money on shoes, think about this. many people who buy these shoes have them for years (some over 7). they are so good for your posture, feel so good on your feet, and are actually in style right now.

fun things to do with Twister

2010-05-13T09:04:00.000-04:00

do you like the game of twister? well if you do, there are some wild and wacky things you can do with the game. here at work, we had someone make us a twister mat vest, which is worn periodically during the week.

there are some less ridiculous things that you can do and would be really funny for a child's birthday party. parents magazine recently did an article on a twister themed birthday.

here are a few of their tips:

Create 8-inch dots in the four Twister colors by using a handy circle cutter. Adhere them to the floor and wall with painter's tape. Craft multiple garlands using circle punches, glue dots, and fishing line.

The dots on this cake are just rolled-out fruit chews.

Dip twisted pretzels in melted white chocolate, then sprinkle with blue, red, yellow, and green sugar.

they have a lot more party ideas with game themes. check them out here.

ps. even if you don't have children, this looks like fun. think of ways you can make it relevant to adults.

go steve!

2010-05-12T16:56:00.001-04:00

we had an awesome time on vacation! dave's brother is now an official law school graduate. i told him i would make him famous on the blog. the graduation was a lot of fun and we spent most of the long weekend floating in the pool and eating delicious food. i love the south. it is warm and there is A LOT of sweet tea. when we got off the plane we both looked at each other and wanted to run back on. it was way to cold here.

so...

Congratulations Steve!

now we get to make lawyer jokes every time we go out to eat with you.

have a good weekend

2010-05-07T12:45:00.000-04:00

i need to do another found for less next week. i am away on vacation right now so i wont be able to today. hope you have a great weekend. i will be back on tuesday!

this weekend i am:

going to a law school graduation

going to the beach!

spending lots of time with dave and his family

relaxing, hopefully, by the pool

eating lots of food

missing my mom on mother's day

DIY save the dates

2010-05-07T07:44:00.003-04:00

what do you think...is it necessary to send save the date cards? i think they are really cute but mostly unnecessary. especially when it costs almost 50 cents just to send them out. but i do love these save the date cards, so i am going to share.

this card was probably used for a family member to let them know they have a place to stay when making travel arrangements. you can easily do this yourself by printing out the details on one side and tying the balloon to the back. this will lay out the theme (let's have fun!) for the wedding before the guests get there.

i like these little stickers. you can send or pass them out to family and friends. they are good to use as little reminders in planners, on calendars, etc. you can easily make these yourself. just draw some circles in microsoft word, put whatever wording you would like in the circles, than print them out on full sticker sheet paper. wah-lah. easy and effective.

you can also make your own save the date cards with this template. arent they so so cute? i love the little red heart stamp one. you could probably print these out on business card paper. it is only about $5 at walmart for 150 cards. cheap and oh so personal. woohoo.

DOW

2010-05-06T15:32:00.000-04:00

well, as you might know, the DOW is down today. it had the largest decline in history (over 900 points) and is now up to a 400 point decline. so what does this mean for all of us?

well if you live in europe, you know that the euro is heavly declining, some parts due to greece's debt.

if you live in the US, lets just hope you took your money out of international stocks, or at least will do so now. you probably shouldnt travel to greece for a little while.

there is one thing we all shouldn't do though. don't stop buying and don't completely stop investing. when crazy things happen in the financial industry, our initial reaction is to hunker down. although saving money is a very good idea, shutting everything off kills the economy.

so...let's be wise with our money. maybe this is the time to buy clothing from online european websites now, since the exchange rate is going to be higher. most of all, lets try not to panic. 75% of financial crisis comes from pyschological mindsets.

ps. i am not a financial analyst but i did go to college for business. if you have any recommendations, comments, or issues lets talk about them!

a taco bar, a pita chip

2010-05-04T10:40:00.000-04:00

i just saw these pictures from martha stewart and they made me want tacos so badly. have you ever had a taco bar like this one? i love how fresh everything looks. i never thought of using radishes but i bet they would add an extra zesty crunch.

here is a recipe for this tropical fruit salsa. the chips all look delicious too. there are apple chips, sweet potato chips, and even some bread. yum! is it lunch time yet?

on the weekends i usually make pita chips for dave so he can eat them during the week (he usually eats them all by monday with his roommate). they are so easy to make and are SO delicious with roasted red pepper hummus. here is what i do:

Fresh Pita Chips

- cut 3 white or wheat pita breads into chips (about 8 pieces per bread)

i pull the pieces apart so that they will be thin and can cook quickly

- lay them all on a cookie sheet and sprinkle them with olive oil, garlic salt, and salt and pepper

you could also add cajun spices for a little zest or squeeze some lime at the end

- place them in the oven on 350 F for about 15 minutes. it all depends on how crispy you want them.

make sure you keep checking them and turn them over.

play-doh creations

2010-04-28T11:18:00.000-04:00

look at these awesome creations i found from the facebook play-doh page. they look so real. i can't believe someone took all that time to make the corn kernels and the pasta! when i played with play-doh when i was young, i used to eat it. my mom started making dough (lots of cool recipes here) for us because we always dried ours out. it was never the same though. did you ever play with play-doh? i always wanted to spaghetti maker but never got it...

have a good weekend!

2010-04-23T13:57:00.000-04:00

this weekend i am:

preparing for some hard core things i need to do next week

eating dinner with my parents and dave

playing whoonu (its super fun, try it out)

going to a conference

church

maybe sleeping at some point. maybe.

found for less: urban outfitters

2010-04-23T00:05:00.000-04:00

urban outfitters $24

forever 21 $12

urban outfitters $20

forever 21 $15

seriously, these are the same shoe. they have to be. i like the white ones better.

urban outfitters $18

forever 21 $5

what makes you

2010-04-21T10:59:00.001-04:00

happy

(sun on a freshly washed face)

sad

(alzheimers)

tired

(busy(i)ness)

laugh

(his jokes)

cry

(a loved life lost)

smile

(the way he looks at me in the car)

dream

(children lost in their talent)

love

(commitment)

give

(needs)

full

(loaf of sourdough bread)

work

(deadlines)

create

(smell of spring rain)

doubt

(pride)

believe

(His promise)

what makes you?

funk palettes

2010-04-20T11:46:00.000-04:00

sometimes i wonder how people think of putting such un-traditional colors together then i realize i should look out the window. on a sunny day we are bombarded by yellow, green, blue, white, pinks, and brown. not a normal color palette for your house but it sure looks beautiful outside.

i am loving the oranges and muted colors shown in all these pictures. i think i found the key. use a neutral as a base (brown in most of these photos), pair it with a funky color (orange), and then add something traditional (light blue, grey etc.) and there you have it. i never think of wearing orange but the understated tones here look awesome together.

while looking at these pictures i also noticed red and teal together. it was pretty awesome. what is your favorite "outside of the box" color palette?

having a blog sale

2010-04-20T11:29:00.002-04:00

check out some of the shoes i put up over on the outfit blog today. everything is free shipping. first come first served.

taiji, japan

2010-04-19T14:08:00.001-04:00

this weekend i wanted to watch a scary movie so dave and i stopped at red box and got a movie called the cove. needless to say it ended up being a documentary, opposite of a thriller, but was scary in a completely different way. the film won an oscar and its story is quite riviting. have you ever heard of the killing of dolphins in taiji, japan? every year approximately 23,000 dolphins are slaughtered in a small cove. the video showed the grueling footage and even had interviews with japanese officials.

you should check out the video if you have a chance. or at least the promo they show on the site. it blew my mind. especially the fact that japanese officials are paying small countries to back out of whale saving conventions so they can continue with the killings. not only is it awful for the animals, but the meat has mercury which is poisonous to humans.

more interesting stuff:

- the restaurant "the hump" in santa monica was closed last month for selling fin whale meat in its sushi. gross.

- japanese officials were force feeding children dolphin meat in schools until this film was produced and the toxic effects of dolphin meat were brought to light.

- the old tv show flipper is assumed to have "the worst" effect on the dolphin population because of the enslaving of dolphins for publicity and money making. we should think about this kind of stuff when we make movies and shows. look out elmo (ok, just kidding).

found for less: geek wear

2010-04-16T07:46:00.000-04:00

toy watch $175

forever 21 $7

target $12

the dollar tree $1 in stores

keds $35

my store, vintage $23

whoa.

2010-04-15T15:04:00.003-04:00

i just noticed that i am on this website that i helped design a few years ago. i never thought they would use the pictures i took. most of the other pictures are of a model we found. i was thrown off guard when i saw this.

if you are interested, this site sells sunglasses for amazing prices, with free shipping, and the quality is great. i have a whole bunch that i wear all the time. check out sunglasses of the day for more details.

for the blog

2010-04-14T09:37:00.001-04:00

i am looking to change my banner for both of the blogs and the store so i had a little photo shoot with matt (see his guest post here). here are a few of my favorite pictures. it was hard to decide because they all looked sunny and i love that. let me know which one is your favorite for a blog banner...

here is a link to matt's website for more photos. he wrote about the shoot on his blog.

spring decorating

2010-04-13T10:09:00.000-04:00

are you looking to update your house for spring but don't want to spend too much money? here are a few hints for things you can do on a minimal budget.

grab some baskets from the dollar store to stow away magazines, blankets, or hand towels. "natural" is in right now so this will update your look and organize your coffee table or bathroom.

grow lavendar in pots and use them as table decorations. it will bring color to the room, make everything smell nice, and you can dry it when you are done. lavendar also tastes good in this lemonade. check out these dried lavendar decorations:

wreath

pots

sheaf

change up your heavy curtains with thick braided ropes. you can use them to tie hold back panels or draped over small valances to add texture.

all from pottery barn.

hats

2010-04-12T10:51:00.001-04:00

how do you feel about hats? sometimes i feel like i am trying to hard. i always want to wear them though. i just got this new straw fedora and as much as i like it, i am skeptical about how much i will wear it. here are some pictures i will be using for inspiration, if i ever end up wearing it.

ps. i wont be wearing it with this coat, i look like sherlock holmes.

have you worn one of these yet? how did you wear it? do you ever feel uncomfortable wearing any type of hat?

hope you had a good weekend

2010-04-12T10:07:00.000-04:00

we went to a celtics game on friday and had some pretty decent seats! it was raining and windy on the way back to our car so dave carried the umbrella for us. after a few minutes i noticed i was getting soaked and looked up to see our umbrella completely inside out standing straight up in the air. i couldn't stop laughing for about a block and wished i was the couple behind us watching. we must have looked so ridiculous.

the rest of the weekend i went thrift shopping and found this really cute skirt for the shop, took a nap in the hammock, went to church, and spent some quality time with dave.

found for less: skirts

2010-04-09T12:01:00.000-04:00

i am not a HUGE fan of skirts but i think these are great deals. the colors may vary but you can get the same look. i got the target one because i loved this oufit from j.crew.

j.crew $58

target $17

(ps. i think the girl in this picture is a giant because the skirt is definitely not that short in real life)

a.p.c. $200

forever 21 $20

this is kind of a stretch. i can't believe i am comparing d&g to forever 21. but they do look similar. here goes nothing...

d&g $815

forever 21 $18

new things today

2010-04-08T12:13:00.000-04:00

these are in the shop, as well as this one.

what do you think of them on these flats? i think they are kind of cute.

if you have any you would especially like, i can make a custom order. just let me know!

spring wedding inspiration board: color

2010-04-07T12:15:00.001-04:00

i LOVE all of this color. i just went through my inspiration folders and crammed everything together. having a spring wedding would be very fun, especially since color would be much welcomed after a long, drizzly winter. the best way to combine all the colors together would be to work from your flower arangements. look at pictures of beautiful gardens for inspiration. take the colors from the pictures, use white as your base (bride's dress, tableclothes, cake etc), and you will have a beautiful pallet.

all the dresses are from jcrew. the flower photos are from style me pretty. i love the little white vases with pops of color. very cute. the name card holders are oranges. clementines would be really cute! the moss covered bouquet is an awesome idea. i love little details like this. the man's boutonniere has little flowered thistles for an outdoor look.

flower pin giveaway

2010-04-06T17:35:00.000-04:00

hello everyone! i am having a flower pin giveaway tomorrow on gussy. if you are interested, head on over and check it out.

making a statement

2010-04-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

as you know, statement necklaces are in for 2010. wearing them with t-shirt always looks cute. plain sundresses and vintage blouses are also being embellished with these beauties. here are a few of my favorite below that don't cost an arm and a leg (some are just an arm).

(this could turn out really indianish if you arent careful. wear it with a plain t-shirt, pleated chinos, and gladiator heels to keep it chic)

these are both from forever 21. i think they are so cool. i really love the peacock feathers.

these are from anthropologie. i want to try to make the first one. this second one wouldnt be too difficult to make either. just tie a bunch of old necklaces together. you can usually find beaded necklaces at thrift store for .50 cents each.

an adventure

2010-04-05T13:12:00.000-04:00

we went to Goddard State Park this weekend, ate combos on the beach, and found the biggest swan's on earth. it was a really relaxing time and i had so much fun traipsing through the woods like a 7 year old.

the bugs were certainly out but so were all the buds on the flowers and trees. it was even warm and i didn't have to wear 15 coats and sweaters.

this is where we found the huge swans. dave and i got up really close. later we found out swan's are mean. good to know...

hope.

2010-04-02T09:25:00.000-04:00

sometimes we forget what Easter is. we love buying Easter dresses, eating peeps, and spending time with family eating delicious meals (i know i do). but that isn’t what Easter is.

as most of us know, Easter is the celebration of God giving up His most prized possession, His Son, and the miracle of Jesus rising from the dead. to many that sounds cliché and ritualistic, but open your heart for just a second to think about what that means.

when Jesus died for us, it wasn’t an act of selfish martyrdom, His death gave us the choice to live. we can all "live" and do whatever we want, but do you sometimes wonder:

there must be some purpose beside self edification...

...there must be some thing I have a purpose for.

our purpose lies, not in ourselves, but in the One who died so that we may live.

the only way Christ could show us how much He loved us was by sending His Son to pay a horrible death. if He had done it any other way, we would not see the miracle. many religious figures die for the sake of their beliefs but none have risen from the dead with 500 witnesses.

if you are interested in what this all means you can email me. but know this:

if we were created without a purpose, life would be pointless and boring. we were created by God to accept Him as our Savior and serve Him with our lives. when we do this, life is peaceful and purposeful.

think about the true Love you can find in Christ.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.- Romans 10:13

found for less: silver

2010-04-02T07:06:00.000-04:00

francesca's collections $35

forever 21 $7

(thanks to my friend jaclyn for sending these my way)

david yurman $2100

forever 21 $4

michael kors $495

fossil $85

(i love these watches)

happy april fools day

2010-04-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

after i walked into my office i got about 20 calls. it was hilarious. i put everyone on speaker phone and more people called. did you do any pranks today? i heard about one guy who's dad put saran wrap over the toilet seat...what a mess!

cool pencil storage

2010-03-31T09:40:00.000-04:00

i found this cribbage board the other day at work on the "recycling" table and took it back to my office. after trying various things i decided it would be a good pencil holder. i ran to Michaels, got some cute pencils for $1 for 8, and stuck them all in. i have people walk by my office all the time asking me what it is. i reply "an artsy pencil holder" because i don't quite know myself.

if you are a school teacher, this might be a good idea for your classroom. you can fill it up with tons of pencils, and, as long as they are sharp, they don't fall down. check out all the cute pencils at Michaels right now too. they have grey/yellow polka dots, yellow florals, and bright plain ones.

wedding day mayhem

2010-03-30T07:28:00.013-04:00

wake up, brush your teeth, call your bridesmaids and ask them why they're not at your house yet, wonder where you left your shoes, get your hair done, yell at someone you like because you're stressed out, get your makeup done, freak out, wonder if your fiance will remember to pick up his tux, have a breakdown, get consoled by your bridesmaids (except the one who still hasn't shown up yet), force a smile for the poor photographer even though you're thinking about a million other things, pack your purse with everything you can think of, wonder if your fiance remembers what time the ceremony is, get in the limo, ride to the church, get hitched, rush the photos to get back to cocktail hour, stuff your face, talk, mingle, shmooze, and run away with your new groom.

there's your wedding. one statement in that abbreviated narrative is especially disturbing to me : "rush the photos to get back to cocktail hour". of course, being a photographer i am definitely biased, but allow me to defend my point...

all that craziness on your wedding day is nearly unavoidable and i know that it's overwhelming, but just try to put it into a little bit of perspective. no matter what happens that day, the only thing you'll have left after it's over is the photos (and your spouse). with that in mind, doesn't it make sense to give it some decent time on your wedding day?

i can do formals (the photos of the bride/groom and the wedding party) in 15 minutes if need be, but it definitely allows for a more relaxed and creative atmosphere when you go into it knowing you've got 45 minutes or an hour to work with. if you're really that anxious to get back to the cocktail hour, then make it a point to sneak out of the reception for a half hour or so with your new groom and the photographer (preferably blueflash) at dusk while the sun's setting if you're having an evening wedding in the summer. you can catch some great photos when you take a little bit of time and make a deliberate point to shoot. these shots were taken when the bride and groom snuck out of the reception for a bit. we otherwise wouldn't have been able to get them...

make photos a priority and i promise you won't regret it afterwards!

big thanks to hillary for letting me have some of her blog space. sorry i wasn't able to post my outfit today. i'd love it if you take a minute to check out my website and my blog. also, if you want an awesome addition to your wedding, you have to check out the bluecube. thanks for reading, and be nice to hillary!

if you have any questions and want a photographer's perspective, feel free to shoot them my way. my advice is free, even if you're using another photographer.

first guest poster

2010-03-29T15:21:00.000-04:00

tomorrow matt from blueflash photography will be our first guest poster with a post entitled "wedding day mayhem." he has some great tips on how to manage your stress level on your wedding day and when you should be taking pictures through the event. check out his site and make sure to come back for the post tomorrow.

i originally wrote a post about matt here.

(if you would like to guest post let me know!)

orang(m)elo

2010-03-29T09:37:00.002-04:00

have you ever had an orangelo? i tried one on thursday and can i just say it was not very good. it might not have been the best out of the bunch but…ugh. it was gross. i was excited because it looked like a grapefruit and i love grapefruit. not so lucky. have you ever had one that tasted good? i am hoping this was just a dud.

i tried this while at my desk because i had eaten a rather onion-y sandwich for lunch and was hoping this would combat my (strong) breath. i couldn't eat it though, so i put it on our "food sharing counter" (bunch of filing cabinets people stick chips etc. on) and felt bad for whoever tried it.

have a good weekend!

2010-03-26T18:03:00.000-04:00

i took today off so i will do found4less on monday. i hope you have a good weekend. this weekend i am:

going to a birthday party

having dinner with friends

doing nothing

going to a crazy chicken farm place (more details to come)

have you heard?

2010-03-25T13:02:00.001-04:00

this week, you can get $25 gift certificates on restaurant.com for $2! check out the details here. you have to spend at least $35 to redeem your gift certificate, but you are still saving a bunch. the site has all the participating restaurants included. the offer lasts until march 31st so make sure you check them out soon!

things i like

2010-03-24T07:52:00.000-04:00

these items caught my eye on etsy. i wanted to share them.

all of these together with a pair of linen pants and you are set. you can use the pencils to draw. take a day in the park. you will feel much better. (but wait until it is warm enough!)

when you feel a lack of inspiration

2010-03-23T12:20:00.002-04:00

...take photos as much as possible

...ready for change...

(i didn't even have them line up like this. they just did.)

...a smelly day's work...

...over cracks and crags to find you...

more flowers

2010-03-23T11:12:00.000-04:00

more flowers in the shop today. come check them out or make a custom order.

(i already have 5 orders so email me soon!)

waterfire

2010-03-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

we went to waterfire on friday night, have you ever been there? it was a great way to spend the warm evening (70 degrees!) and we had some delicious cake at pastiche. i had their classic vanilla. i get it every time. dave got carrot cake and my grandmother got lime mousse pie or something like that.

before dave ordered he whispered, "it doesn't actually taste like carrots, right?" i assured him it didn't and, thankfully, he enjoyed every bite.

what are you doing this weekend?

2010-03-19T12:30:00.000-04:00

i am...

making more flowers

making dinner for my grandmother and dave

going to pastiche

going to newport

singing at church

sitting in the sun

(pictures will follow!)

found for less: khaki

2010-03-19T09:24:00.000-04:00

khaki is big for spring, whether its skirts, pants, capris, or boyfriend blazers. try out linen's and pants with minimal pleats (to keep the bunchiness down). check out these styles for less.

isabela marant $710

my store, vintage $24

miu miu $435

forever 21 $23

banana republic $98

old navy $29

(these are owned by the same company so make sure you look in both stores before you buy something fron banana. they usually replicate themselves)

cucumber seltzer

2010-03-18T07:39:00.001-04:00

during the day i get really bored with drinking water. i know it's super good for you but there is nothing fun about it. a few weeks ago i started drinking soda water from the fountain in the cafeteria which added a little more spice to it (and it is still free). the other day i decided to kick it up another notch and brought some cucumber slices to work. i used two and the flavor lasted for two 20 oz. cups of seltzer.

the only warning i have is that you will probably have to run to the restroom a few times. it tastes so good (and i don't even like cucumbers) you wont want to stop drinking it.

collars

2010-03-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

i have been seeing these everywhere and wasn't too sure what i thought about them. i thought they were cute but didnt know if they were ridiculous. until i made one and put it on. now i love them. plus, i made mine so you can wear it as a necklace too. so i decided to share one with you. check it out in the store.

here are some places you can find collars.

ban.do

j.crew

check out a DIY project from cut and keep.

and another from the SCOOP. her sister is so cute! (this is for a floral j.crew jacket)

new flowers in the store

2010-03-16T11:22:00.003-04:00

i really like these. i will be putting in a few more tomorrow probably. what do you think?

there are two available.

spring knitting patterns

2010-03-16T09:39:00.000-04:00

are you a member of the lion brand yarn website? if not, you should be. they always send out awesome free patterns and have discounts on their yarns. this week they have 3 balls of their organic cotton yarn for $12 if you are a member, which is a steal. check out all of their patterns for this yarn here.

these are a few of my favorites:

baby blankie

market bag

everday hat

nikki yanofsky

2010-03-15T07:22:00.000-04:00

have you ever heard of nikki yanofsky? she was discovered at the montreal jazz festival and has a beautiful voice. she sung at the 2010 winter olympics this year and the performance was awesome. the link to the music video is below. check out some of her covers for ella fitzgerald.

i believe for the 2010 olympic games

found for less: j.crew

2010-03-12T08:10:00.002-05:00

this week's found for less comes straight from j.crew. check out these styles for (much) less!

j.crew $128

forever 21 $16

j.crew $64

forever 21 $18

j.crew $78

forever 21 $23

the no-no's

2010-03-11T07:54:00.001-05:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

i normally don't find too many things i don't like but the other day i stumbled across a few things and had to write about them. if you think of good ways to wear these then by all means leave a comment.

i can't imagine how these could be cute for spring. can someone explain? i can't even think of a better alternative. they were found in forever 21 and should stay there as long as possible.

i stared at this outfit for a while when i first saw it on net-a-porter. i came to the conclusion that i dont like it at all. if you knew how much it cost you would be appalled ($2,035). please do me a favor and don't spend that much money on an outfit like this. you can buy the same sweater in jcpenney for probably $20.

kakalinarose

2010-03-10T14:52:00.000-05:00

my friend katherine just recently started a new vintage store and blog and i wanted to introduce you all to her. she is so cute and loves wearing funky things.

these are my favorite things from her shop. her prices are great so make sure you add her as a favorite!

ankle booties $40

leather jacket $50

emersonmade

2010-03-10T07:20:00.002-05:00

i just came across emersonmade and i love her flowers! they are so cute. her website is great too. she has flowers for shoes, hair, clothes etc. even for guys! check it out for inspiration.

my favorite is the one and only corsage. she wears it on shirts and dresses.

love this outfit. blazers with skinny belts are so cute.

blogger issues. hurting my head(er)

2010-03-09T16:31:00.001-05:00

help! help! help!

i was trying to switch over to the three column template for blogger and then i couldn't get my header picture to show. when i tried to switch back, the picture wouldn't show in my header either. even when i click "instead of title and description". does anyone know how to fix this?

also, which template do you use for the 3 column layout? i used minima from a free template website but it smushed everything. i wanted to use the minima stretch 3 column but i dont know if that is possible.

i don't like html stuff.

ted over at the blogger help forums helped me out with this. here is what he said:

"Your template is missing the header image container (id='header-inner). You need to revert widget templates.Backup your template first. If something goes wrong you can browse, then upload to return to the current state.

Template modifications require a Full Template Download first.

Dashboard > Layout > Edit Html > Download Full Template and you will have a backup on your computer.

Changes are made right on that page, in the template editor.Then, very carefully, below the template editor box, to the left of Clear Edits, click the Revert widget templates to default link.If you get warnings about loosing gadgets STOP. View the blog without saving changes.If you get no warnings, continue.
When the template is saved, immediately view the blog and make sure it is complete and in good order.

Check everything."

thanks ted!

florals for spring

2010-03-09T07:07:00.000-05:00

florals are huge for spring. make sure you get a few to update your wardrobe with. pairing them with some more grounded pieces (thick belts, chunky sandals, lots of bracelets) will keep you from looking like a 7 year old. i love the headband in the picture below. check out lovemaegan's tutorial on how to make rope necklaces, which are also in for spring, and try it with a headband.

adding flower pins and belts are a good idea too, if you can't buy new clothes.

shorts for spring

2010-03-08T12:06:00.004-05:00

i am pretty sure i am going to wear an outfit (mostly from chloe) like this tomorrow or very soon (weather permitting). i got shorts that look exactly the same this weekend at goodwill and i already have a similar shirt. i got these sandals this weekend that will have to do.

what do you think, can i pull it off?

sea town inspiration

2010-03-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

this weekend we went to wickford and narragansett RI. the weather was gorgeous and i wanted to run around in flip flops (until we got on the beach and i had to lay in the sun because i was so cold). we went to a lot of cute little shops and i found some beautiful antiques and very unique (trying to use a nice word) shops. let's just say shops entited "the herb house wyfe" aren't always the best choice. dave ended up pulling me out of a shop that i think was a cover for a witchcraft specialty store. yikes.

this is a hydrangea flower that they dried and mounted onto a nice art mat. it was $656. i think it was probably made for $50. it's a nice diy project if you are in the mood for some new artwork. they had ferns and leaves framed as well.

i thought this candle holder was cute. especially on an otherwise boring coffee table.

this was my favorite. its a cribbage board table that can used as a coffee or side table as well. isn't that a great idea? i thought it would cool to have this at a lake house or cabin.

have a good weekend!

2010-03-05T13:20:00.000-05:00

this weekend i am:

going home to rhode island and...

going to thayer street

going to the beach with dave (cant wait) and walking around little towns

playing games with good friends

church

soup kitchen

naps?

attention: liberty of london for target

2010-03-05T11:26:00.000-05:00

did you know that liberty of london was going to do a line of clothes and home goods at target! i just found out today (thanks tara) and i can't wait. it starts march 14th.

see some of the clothing looks here.

see some of the home looks here.

if you don't know, liberty is well known for their prints. you can find their fabrics used in designer fashions and even nike shoes!

found for less: black

2010-03-05T09:16:00.001-05:00

oscar de la renta 1609 pounds

forever 21$18

perfect to go over a little dress for a nice night out

elizabeth and james 240 pounds

forever 21 $19

love this. looks great with just about everything (jeans, leather jacket, skirt, shorts)

helmut lang 190 pounds

forever 21 $16

the trend for spring is shorts with platforms, boots, or heels. wear them with tights now and tanks later. make sure to glam it up with big earrings and little cardigans or boyfriend blazers (more on those next week).

found for less series

2010-03-04T14:41:00.003-05:00

i decided i am going to do a "found for less" series every friday. i love finding really good deals and i am sure you all do too. the next one will be tomorrow.

i will post things i find that look exactly or almost exactly the same as designer clothing lines but are (much) less. not just your regular magazine mark down. i don't like when i find "deals" in a magazine that don't even look like the original items and they are still over $75. that isn't a deal. these will be real deals.

a white wedding inspirtation board

2010-03-03T12:25:00.000-05:00

wedding dress: carolina herrera

bridesmaid dress: j.crew

inspiration:

table shell decorations

kids and cake

white cakes

i love white weddings. especially when they take place outside. it makes for a very simple, elegant day. they are best during the day. a lot of people use "green" initiative themes with white weddings for an overall calming and environmentally friendly effect.

ps. i love all the kids on the bale of hay. they look so cute.

stolen update

2010-03-03T11:09:00.000-05:00

if you live in massachusetts, you can get your glass fixed for "free" on your car because it is included in your car insurance. isn't that great? i was really nervous i would have to spend a lot of money. they are even coming to my house. God is good.

i started using a new purse (trying to figure out what i can fill it up with) and got my new license yesterday. now i am just waiting for my credit and debit cards to get here. everything is working out well. thanks to my dad, uncle, and dave.

thank you for all your support. it puts a smile to my face.

scamming and stealing

2010-03-02T13:49:00.001-05:00

this is going to be an un-exciting post but after everything that's happened in the last few weeks i thought i would share. let's do a timeline.

two weeks ago: dave and i put some things in the car and then went to a movie. when we got out someone had stolen his GPS that was hidden in the glove box. they didnt steal anything else so they must have been watching us put it away.

last thursday: got scammed into agreeing to an interview with a company in boston. thought they were very prestiguous (the website looked great) but realized they were a door to door sales company. nothing wrong with that, but they claimed to be a business to business agency. thankfully i read this blog post before i actually went.

sunday: my friend matt, rachel, and ashley, along with 6,000 other people got scammed into the Boston 411 Spring Home and Bridal Show they have been preparing many months for. thousand's of dollars have been lost. read more about it here.

monday: my purse, camera, special jewelry, wallet, and glasses were stolen from my car while i was in the gym. the theft smashed the window and took everything in my purse and a DVD. i was parked under a light in a "secured" parking lot.

moral of the stories....

- hide your valuables in the trunk -

- research online as much as you can -

i am not going to be doom and gloom but be careful out there. people aren't as nice as we would like to think.

guess what?!

2010-03-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

i got my hair cut. it came out of nowhere friday afternoon. but i am pleased with it. the best part is that dave likes it too. score.