Category — Inspiration

Ever since traveling 1,000s of miles away to actually get a tan (note: we live in Miami), I realized the hubby and I could stand to, well, stand in the sunshine.  I go from home to car to work to car to home.  Not good.

So I’m going to be industrious, and force our butts outside – Martha Stewart style.  The plan: dining al fresco.  I love the idea of a picnic – they look so lovely in pictures; then again, I’m not exactly “one” with nature, I’m more “allergic” to nature.  So I’m thinking baby steps – -we have this great outdoor set-up on our little deck and we never ever use it.  Operation, dinner outside, in motion.

Do you do dinner outside?  Do you ever just plop down on the grass and enjoy the great outdoors?

I’ve got to get on this, or else we’ll wind up just purchasing one of these crazy picnic table contraptions via Architizer and calling it a success …

Images via: Classy in the City // Pinterest // Architizer

I have big, BIG, weekend plans … it involves sweat pants and blogging.  So relieved to get back in the swing of things.  Don’t get me wrong, vacation is magical, but it’s also a whirlwind and the first and last few days of any trip I fret over what I still have to do, what I may have missed, and all that needs to be done when I get back.  Have I mentioned my Type-A personality is ummm, very Type-A?

Anyhoo, these are a few of my {current} favorite things …

• ~ I’m going to start with Shoes.  These Diane Von Furstenberg Leopard beauties are screaming my name.  Woe to my budget.
• ~ I’ve been dreaming up reasons to wear and make a floral headpiece/crown, and I’m starting to think that Halloween is just too far away.
• ~ If you’re looking for a bit of pretty inspiration, this sweet-as-pie backyard wedding is just the ticket.
• ~ Sunday afternoon the fam is gathering to watch the Heat in the playoffs (a.k.a., an excuse to eat), and I’m thinking about taking this peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich cookie recipe out for a spin {finally!}.
• ~ Do you think if I strung doilies on our bathroom mirror my husband would notice?
• ~ Low-cal Sangria? Yes, please.  Any big Cinco de Mayo plans?

Image here

It’s official: I have a serious crush on Ashley Tisdale’s celebrity style.  Like most fashion gawkers, I flip through the pages of gossip and fashion mags alike, looking for great pieces, but when it comes to Ashley Tisdale’s wardrobe, I want it all.  The Disney starlet has a seriously enviable closet – a closet I so desperately want to shop in.

Ashley’s look evolves daily and she has this impeccable ability to pair such seemingly mismatched items at a range of price points.  Ashley wears what she likes, repeats when it works (and trust me, plenty of celebrities never ever repeat, ever), and has a healthy dose of covet-worthy couture.  Even Ashley’s workout gear is fierce (ahem, I could totally be motivated to go to the gym more with all of Ashley’s neon and metallic sneakers, and a donut at the end of the tunnel.)  And girl has one heck of a purse collection!  Not to mention – I want all of her cardigans.

And the icing on the cake – Ashley and best friend, Vanessa Hudgens, actually swap some of their favorite pieces and coordinate their outfits on shopping dates, red carpet events, music videos, and vacations – because two closets are better than one.  Best described as bohemian chic, the longtime best friends’ style recipe is completely unique.  While Vanessa can’t get enough long flowing skirts and hippie-esque maxi dresses, Ashley pairs her more free-spirited pieces with a couture item that really pops – faux fur, a sequined mini skirt, studded couture leather jacket, arms of thick cuffs and chunky rings on every finger, amazing fringed high-heeled booties, enviable denim, sunglasses galore — refined rockstar chic.

Ashley Tisdale Images via Star Style, Inc.

We think its tremendous popularity is proof that the 2012 Corolla offers the ideal blend of comfort, value and safety. In it, you’ll find a surprising number of high-end features, like available Display Audio system. It offers remarkable performance and fuel efficiency, plus an impressive list of standard safety features. Factor in its legendary reliability, and it’s even more apparent that Corolla is the smart choice.

Compensation was provided by TOYOTA via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of TOYOTA.

“If you want to know where your heart is look where your mind goes when it wanders.” – Unknown

Photo found via Coco Cozy via Alvhem

I stumbled across these images on the Free People Blog (which by the way, always has gobs of funky and fabulous inspiration) and I couldn’t resist sharing.  I need to get out more, smell the grass, feel the sunshine.  Do you make time to to just be outside?  Are the great outdoors part of your daily routine or is walking to the mailbox the extent of your trek?  I’m the latter (only my husband gets the mail … i.e., no sunshine at all.)

As for the amazing story behind the images – In 2003, artist Anna Schuleit was commissioned to create a massive public art installation called Bloom at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center (MMHC) which was slated for demolition.  Nearly 28,000 potted flowers filled almost every square foot of the MMHC including corridors, stairwells, offices and even a swimming pool for the showcase.

Learn more about the incredible installation at This Is Colossal.

Images found on Free People via This Is Colossal

I’m forever drawn to the muted staples when it comes to color – blacks, greys, nudes, and so on, but if I’m going to go for color, the classic colors are my sweet spot – peach, navy, peony pink, cream.  Whether it’s clothes, art, or design, the navy and peachy-pink hues in these images have me seriously swooning, and considering a navy cardigan (I know, I know, major stretch from a black cardigan.)

Images: Small Shop Studio // Everything Reminds Me of You //  Jen Garrido // Tom Delavan // Etsy Prints

I loved this list when I recently saw it on the FP Blog. I like that the list helps me to pretend to think I can be zen-like, all full of green tea, unprocessed foods, and yoga.

Well, I can at least accomplish number 17: “wear clothes that make you happy.” Easy.

Also, it has just now occurred to me that in attempting to find my inner chi and be all zen and what-not, I’ve found a list. A to-do list! #TypeAProblems

Via Free People

Happy Monday, all!  Though I’m not generally a fan of Mondays, I leave on vacation in less than 20 days, so even Mondays feel one step closer to a plane ride far far away!

But since Mondays do in fact stink, and even answering the phone this morning feels like heavy lifting, a few of the images that are seriously inspiring me right now … (a.k.a., fashion + design = my happy place)

Aren’t the Alexander Wang fur sandals just dreamy?  And they’re on sale!

And admittedly, I think I have been drooling over the Yves Saint Laurent Arty ring for at least a year now.

Via Crush Culdesac + Tumblr

A few years back, MAV (Maria Alexandra Vettese) created a now very well-known and well-styled campaign for Victoria’s Secret PINK, and that campaign and brand re-haul stuck.  MAV now keeps these stunning little vignettes and inspiration boards neatly photographed on her site, so that we all may swoon just a little bit.

In addition to being a magpie to all things pink, I’m in love with the “old-fashioned” inspiration board.  I’m sort of torn about internet inspiration – the internet has sort of swallowed our inspiration up whole and also helped to foster it in a big way.  Though many of us have become Pinterest addicts, there’s something genuine and ever-inspiring about a back-to-basics cork board.

Inquiring minds want to know (me, me, me), are you a child of the future – i.e., online pin boards are your calling, or is the cork and push-pin more your style?

Images via Maria Alexandra Vettese

My weekend lies somewhere between this + this …

i.e., working/writing + drinking (cheers to green beer day!)

Happy Saint Patty’s Weekend!

Image Board Created by Glitter & Pearls // Original Images: 1 // 2