{The Sartorialist}

Loving this...

"It's almost like going out there and letting yourself fall in love a little bit everyday."
- THE SARTORIALIST

♥

{sophisticuteness}

via the locals

Isn't she the cutest? (those glasses!) 

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{ itty, bitty, ink. }

I've never had a burning desire to get inked. But if I did, I would most likely pull a "Phoebe" from friends and get the world's tiniest tattoo of a bird in flight (juuuuuust...one.) somewhere that made people question whether it was indeed a tattoo, or just a misshapen beauty mark.

New Heights with Jeffrey Campbell

1. Splendid {$119.95} 2. Sisley {$134.95} 3. Snick Std {$119.95} 4. Tackle NS {$139.95} 5. Miracle {$114.95}

via solestruck

My 5'3 frame is loving the idea of a nice little boost from Jeffrey Campbell! Is it just me or are they kinda like London Underground for the 21st Century?! Remember these? They were popular with everyone but my mother back when I was in middle school.

{It's a good thing your daughters turned out so damn classy, Mom! Otherwise, you'd have enough reason to get all fired up over my next shoe purchase ;) }

♥

{Murchison-Hume}

Murchison-Hume's eco-lovely product line is making its way back to the states! Last Summer I purchased the Heirloom Dishwashing Soap in the luxurious "Juniperberry" scent and I have yet to stop raving about how wonderful this product is! The ultra-chic amber glass bottle (pictured far right) has sat beautifully next to my sink ever since. Unfortunately, the bottle has been empty for months because although the product itself (Heirloom Dishwashing Refill) is well worth the $19, I still haven't been able to justify the $45 in shipping fees from Australia. However, it looks as though the long wait is finally over! According to Max Kater, the stunningly beautiful Creative Director and mother-of-two behind Murchison-Hume, the eco-friendly product line will be available come May 2011 at Bloomingdales, alice.com, soap.com, and (hopefully) Anthropologie! I'm thrilled to hear this! I can't wait to restock my shelves with the deliciously scented products and finally resume dish-duty once again ;) 

For more on Murchison-Hume's Premier housecleaning products visit 

http://murchison-hume.com 

♥

cute suit.

Nordstrom, J. Crew, Anthropologie

We're going to Maui in April and I'm totally stoked! I'm thinking this is going to be a great excuse to sharpen up my swimsuit wardrobe. I've been dawning the same trusty swimsuit for three seasons now because I really haven't spotted anything I've liked more than mine. The suit was a gift from my lovely sister, Amy, who works for Jantzen Swimwear. There are a million and one reasons to love your sister. In my case, free swimsuits is one of them! (Thanks, Amers.)  I'm hoping I get to raid her "closet" of sample suits for a few staple pieces, and maybe splurge one one of the above suits for the trip. I've always like the idea of a little singleton suit, however I'm not convinced my short stubby legs and 5'3 frame can pull it off. The idea of going out to go "swimsuit shopping" in this cold, rainy Portland weather has had me less than interested, so I've resorted to ordering a suit online, which I guess is going to be a bit of a challenge. As it turns out, no one on God's green earth puts a model under 5'10 in a one piece. (Maybe this is a not so subtle hint?!)  

Below, a drawing I left B on our chalkboard recently after my less than gratifying online swimsuit purchase... 

 

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SHUT THE {barn} DOOR!

Somebody, QUICK! Please provide me with a rational reason why anyone would NOT jump at incorporating a barn door into their home?! I'm pretty sure it's a given, my home is in dire need of one. (I started looking for one online yesterday!)

Umm...hello?!... this must have been made with my bedroom in mind...

*Ahhh... sigh*

{via apartment therapy, design*sponge, m.elle, house*tweaking, you are my fave}

 ♥

Bring on Spring!

Word has it that the Groundhog has predicted an early Spring! Don't know about you all, but I'm feeling like if it ain't gonna snow, it might as well be Spring! I've always loved my mom's "English garden" style. Her giant poppies are my favorite. (The above photo was taken in late Spring a few years ago at the home I grew up in. Beautiful, right?)

... and here's some other gardens I'd happily get lost in this Spring.

Happy Spring dreaming, darlings!

♥

bus signs.

I've been in serious search of written inspiration for our dining room chalkboard, but alas I think I've finally found it here. (#1 is my fave)

(superHEROES!)

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ink and peat.

ink and peat is my very favorite flower shop. 

B (♥) gave me an arrangement that looked very similar to this one for my 25th birthday. The boy knows the way to my heart...

find more of their lovely creations at housemartin.

LIBERATION.

Now I am normally a moderately modest person, however after showering, I love to walk around my house naked for an inexcusably long period of time. In fact, I think it's one of the things I love most about being a home owner. It makes me feel sexy and I love the rush I get tip-toeing around my house, peeking before crossing windows to make sure no one's in sight.)

Here's 5 things that (I think) are better when executed (practically) topless.

1. waking up

2. morning coffee (or in this case, milk.)

 3. cowboys and indians (♥ it.)

 4. enchanted forests

5. chores, especially ironing ...

all photos via we♥it- keyword "breasts" xo ;)


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which shape are UU?

My intention is to keep this blog as PG as possible. However, this week I will make a few rare exceptions. I'm in need of a good laugh (hence, the above photo via) and a little more confidence this week, as I go in for breast surgery on Thursday (it's my very first, I've still managed to hold on to my wisdom teeth!). 


No, I'm not getting an augmentation. Unfortunately, they'll be taking more than I'm receiving. About a year ago, I found a benign mass (most likely a fibroadenoma) about the size of a kidney bean in my right breast and in one short year it's grown 330% (it's approx 1.5 inches now). The outlook for my surgery is excellent, but I'm still a little "tiddy-bit"  ;) nervous about the whole ordeal.


This week, in preparation for baring it all, and with sincere hopes of embracing my new body (however disproportionate it may end up), I'm going to be posting (tasteful) photos of women sans bra and/or shirts. (Betting B (♥) follows my blog this week?!...)


...And because I only have a few followers thus far (Hi, mom.), I can do this without fear of offending anyone! 


(Side note- ladies, gentle reminder to do monthly breast exams!)


Thanks to my awesome support system! Love you all!

♥

Why, a horse, of course.

I was am one of those girls who loves horses. 

"Horses and their girls" by Anne Hall

On my ninth birthday, I asked my mother for riding lessons and my very own horse. Got the lessons, (not the horse) and was ecstatic to say the least. For my twenty-fifth birthday, I want to celebrate my unwavering affection with some sort of horse print for my home. I thought about asking for one for my birthday, but I'm afraid art may be too much of a personal thing. Here's some of the inspiration I've found thus far ...

I've found some great inspiration by Anne Hall. I first spotted one of her pieces over at A Cup of Jo's home tour photos. I think it's such a great piece for her space and how on earth could you not fall in love with the sweet title, "Horses and their girls." (fitting, I'd say ...)


Here's another one of her photographs. I love how light and fresh her photos are. Wouldn't you love to do this on a day off?!

But really, Wild hearts can't be broken.

And the impeccable Jackie O. That could be a donkey and she would still find a way to make it look graceful...

Photos via A Cup of Jo, Sfgirlbybay, etsy shops here and here, Elle Decor, Country Living, House Beautiful, & Apartment Therapy

♥

Crushing...

...on TO MY WIFE, a tumblr that a guy writes to his future wife... a-dorable. 

(and he loves peanut m&m's!)

via  A Cup of Jo

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Oh, hello Friday!

{photo via Say Yes to Hoboken}

Hello lovelies! Ever have a case of the Monday's on a Friday? I'm back to work tonight after what seemed like the shortest week off EVER. I hate working weekends (I work every third), but I must say, they always seem to end up being so much more pleasant than weekdays at work. Hoping for a quiet start to three long nights... 

On a happier note, my 25th birthday is in six short days! I can't wait to celebrate with family and friends! xo.

♥

Calligraphy

I think I would dream in Calligraphy if it were possible. When I was a little girl my grandmother used to say that my handwriting was the prettiest she'd ever seen. She told me a story about how my great-grandmother was also known for beautiful penmanship, and that it must have been a talent passed down from her. Don't you love learning little tidbits of familial history? I certainly do.

I've never been that artistic, but I have always loved to write. This past summer I started practicing calligraphy again. There's something so gratifying about making something so ordinary look extraordinary. (I least I think so.)

And how sweet is this!? For Christmas, B's(♥) sister got me this Authentic Calligraphy Set, which I obviously loved to pieces. She always finds the best personal gifts.

Table numbers. Love the white on black.

via

Wouldn't it make your day to find a letter in your mailbox addressed like these?!

via

Or this one?

via

These stamps are to die for. If I was planning on keeping my maiden name the rest of my life I would totally splurge for myself! But what a cute/unique wedding gift, right?!

♥