When I spotted Lindzi and Bachelor Ben toasting their 5-way relationship earlier this week with mason-jar-wine-glass hybrids, I squealed, “ooooh fancy!”

I’ve now given away that I am an avid Bachelor fan (cricket), and I will also tell you that upon researching like a maniac post-show (after first spending 5 full minutes scratching my head over Ben’s preference for Courtney), I learned that the glasses that I thought were soooo fancy, are in fact called “redneck wine goblets.”**  Not so PC term aside, I’m in love.

**Note: This is not in fact, my first turn in the “embarrassing rodeo.”  I studied abroad for a few months – went to Cambridge and everything.  Evening one in the school bar – yep, the school has a bar – my friend and I asked for “girl” beer (I was a mere Junior in College – don’t judge.)  We were offered Stella Artois, before Stella had commercials and was sold in every restaurant with onion rings on the menu.  My friend and I drank Stella like it was going out of style.  We thought we were so posh and Brit and Cambridge refined.  As the term came to an end, our beloved bartender noted “you American girls sure do love your white trash beer.”  Yeehaw.

First Image + DIY: White Water Crafting // Bachelor Image Via: Glamour // The Original RedNek™ Wine Glass // Sassy Southern Wine Glasses

A peak at what I’m lusting after …

OB-sessed with these star hair clips featured on the models’ glossy coifs at the recent Rodarte show.  The hair artists used star hair accessories from Rodarte on some girls, and rows of bobby pins on others.   I’m dreaming in DIY.

Images: Rodarte // Found on: Into the Gloss

Mind you, some of the pictures are a bit cheeky …

Images: 1 // 2 (Brigitte Bardot) // 3 // 4 (Alexa Chung for Vogue Italia July 2011)

I never would have dreamed up “bookshelf styling” as a form of, well, “styling.” But that bookshelf (and all of it’s other shiny counterparts on Pinterest), have me rethinking my stacks of books in Targét (pronounced with the pseudo-French pronunciation, tar-zhay, of course) shelving.

I suppose I could at least put in a little effort … maybe my endlessly coveted gold piggy?

These DIY confetti cards over on Design love Fest have my heart all aflutter …

The ladies at the Free People offices are the best dressed human beings alive.  I follow Free People’s Instagram feed, mostly a collection of outfit outfit recaps and the wonderful awesomeness that is the life of a Free People guru.

Meet the updated Free People Floral Skinny Cords.

And finally: a rant.  Is it just me or are CAPTCHA codes – the codes you have to re-write on blog comments, ticket purchases, etc. to prove that you’re not a robot (seriously, I’m not a robot) – completely awful and mostly illegible? ( … or maybe I am a robot?)

When you search the racks for that next winter coat, do you reach for neutrals or the hot pink faux fur?  As a Miami native, I have little need for winter gear, but I like to keep 2 to 3 warmer coats for travel, of course.  One of those jackets is always a funkier pick.  A recent purchase?  The BB Dakota Bostwick Jacket (mine’s an older print, seen here.)

Images: Jak & Jil // The Sartorialist

Also, in attempting to name this color palette, I was thinking something lovely, like “salmon + blueberry” or “sunset + lavender”, but really, it’s pink + purple.  And I like it.

Those incredible-looking donuts sound just as amazing once you hear what they’re made of — they are actually homemade baked (feeling skinny already) chocolate donuts with blood orange glaze.  Make them.

And the sweet thank you notes – there’s a free download for those.

Images: 1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6.

Be My Valentine Homemade Pizza Recipe:  If I have time, I will definitely be trying this tonight.  (The recipe even calls for refrigerated pizza crust – my kind of easy.)  If not, it’s good old circular (greasy) pizza for the hubs.

Etched Vino Decanters:  Oh so pretty; however, ours will come in a bottle.  Hey, at least it’s not a box.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Buttercream:  These have been on my to-do list for months.  Here’s to another year … on the to-do list.

Also on my to-do list – sweet card, cut-out newspaper hearts, and the world’s most phenomenal tent/fort/hybrid.  I coo-ed over that tent last Valentine’s Day, and this year is no exception.**  Only this month, I’ll be recreating said tent with towels, stacks of pillows, hair ties, and broom.  I’m willing to bet on disaster.

If all of this falls through, I’m taking my man to Waffle House.  (Seriously, major fast food chains are offering romantic Valentine’s Day packages, complete with candlelight and tater tots.)

Tent, Hearts, + Card via the ever-talented: Justina Blakeney for Design*Sponge

** Sadly – last year – once I read fishing line and screw hooks, I retired from fancy fort-making.  My brilliant plan that time, “I’m going to sit on my sofa with a blanket over my head.”

Let’s visit example (b), shall we?  My Bubby owned a number of these tiny purses, but all she needed for a night out on the town was a bright hued lipstick and a few dollars.  Also, she was tiny, so how big could her tiny purse be?  Today, we (err, I) require a cell phone, planner (the cell phone doesn’t cut it; Type-A), several shades of lipstick and gloss because you never know what color is hot from second to second, touch up polish (because everyone takes pictures of their nails nowadays), crystal light packets (because I’m ob-sessed), bobby pins, hair spray, headband, band-aids, chic wallet, chic makeup bag filled with all of the essentials, lotion, antibacterial, business cards, business card holder, 5 credit cards, 2 forms of identification (because try as I might, wedding ring and all, I can’t convince anyone behind a rope … or cone – at some of the classier late night establishments … that I am over the age of 18), and other assorted nonsense.

And where, may I ask, does this all go?  In the hubby’s pockets, of course!  Skull-topped teeny tiny clutch – here I come!

Though it’s clear from my homage to McQueen, that I die for the studded skulled numbers, I offer you a mix of dream bags and affordable stand-ins …

Box Clutches: 1. Bottega Venetta Knot Clutch in Shock Pink // 2. Dolce & Gabbana Jewel Clutch // 3. La Regale Clutch // 4. House of Harlow Val Clutch // 5. Alexander McQueen Skull Box Clutch // 6. Anya Hindmarch Marano Clutch // 7. House of Harlow Tilda Clutch

Images 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I’m so envious of all of the lovely ladies attending New York Fashion Week.  I must find the key to teleportation! (<- Is that a word?)  Check out this profile by Harper’s Bazaar of some of the NYFW essentials, as told by fashion bloggers attending the big events.  {Images via Teen Vogue on Instagram}

And if I was in fact going to NYFW, I would most definitely need these sunglasses.

And these.

And because I’m actually in Miami this weekend, and not at Milk Studios, I should probably be thinking practical weekend wear.  Chic practical weekend wear.

I love all of the sweet blouses at Urban Outfitters.  There is something so preppy and feminine about a gauzy sleeved top. {From left: Kimchi Blue V-Inset Blouse // COPE Striped Slit-Back Top // Pins and Needles Mesh-Inset Blouse}

Oh right – almost forgot – Valentine’s Day.  What about a brunch featuring this amazing buckwheat baby with salted caramel syrup?  Between that and a stack of bacon, my husband will love me forever (without the bacon, it’s a toss-up.  Kidding.  Kidding.)

Happy Weekend!

I love the idea of incorporating vintage maps – or any maps, really – into home design, especially because the images remind me of where I’ve been and where I most definitely want to go. Plus, maps are inexpensive, but look luxe on your living room and bedroom walls.

Images: 1 // 2 // 3 //4 // 5 // 6

1. Lauren Moshi Willow Diamond Lips Sweater // 2. Alexander McQueen Leather Wrap Skull Bracelet // Emily Elizabeth Open Heart Bangle // Emily Elizabeth Secret Open Bangle // Emily Elizabeth Skull Open Bangle // Alexander McQueen Twin Skull Bracelet // 3. Picnic Time Picnic Basket // 4. Hanky Panky Zipper Low Rise Thong // 5. Barefoot Dreams Wild Leopard Throw // 6. Ice Cream

I am a slave to fashion, but some trends, I just can’t get on board with; not because they’re ugly, or even that I don’t like them, but simply because I can’t picture myself in them, or because when standing in them under the harsh light of a dressing room, the truth is painfully obvious – I look like a total dork in a lot.  A lot, I tell you.

Which brings me to the button-down blouse.  You know how some women, women like Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, and other leggy Hollywood heroines, look amazing in a man’s button-down?  I do not.  There is nothing more un-sexy than me wearing my husband’s shirts.  And even the female versions, the fitted, tailored, J.crew and Banana Republic versions that taper ever-so-slightly at the waist, well those don’t look good on me either.  My sister, she looks like a rock star in button-downs.  I’ve tried on her chambray shirts, I look like a lame pasty farmer.

I like the updated sheer versions that so many fashion bloggers are wearing.  At least then I can sport a funky bra or camisole, and pretend to still look feminine – collar and all.  On the other hand, I think some girls just look effortless and ah-mazing in the button-down.  But I don’t.  And I’m cool with that.

Clockwise from top right: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

(By the way, the second shirt in the top row totally reminds me of something Bachelorette, Ashley Hebert, would wear.  Didn’t she just have the cutest, most laid-back style? #RealityTVJunkie)

If you have a few minutes, a cup of coffee or a handful of Twizzlers (closet blog-reading-snacker), scroll through Bernadette’s sketchbook, scrapbook, and diary.  I dare you not to fall in love.

Images here

It seems, even the Mickey Mouse sweatshirt is chic again.

And, if I’m going to rock the latest “trend”, I’m going to wear the sweater that looks least like a loaner from Joey Tanner’s closet.

My picks:  Markus Lupfer Sequined Shark Sweater // Wildfox White Label Eagle Sweater // Markus Lupfer Nude Sequined Lip Sweater

Thoughts?

Images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

I put together this little inspiration board over on Glitter Weddings, but the images are too pretty not to share here.

I am a color fiend (though you wouldn’t know it from my black/white/gray/sequined wardrobe), and these images have me grinning from ear to ear – all of the colors are bright, but not too bright, and all feel inspired by nature.

Painted branches — added to the DIY list.

Images: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

On that note, this week’s musical Wednesday is an homage, and mini portfolio to the FASHION ( … turn to the left) that’s inspiring me right now.

{If you miss my mixtapes, I’ll have a shiny new one for you next week, but until then – just press play.}

Images: 1 // 2 {heels: Manolo Blahnik} // 3 // 4 // 5

I first encountered and then babbled about this stunning dining room here (the rainbow of pastels = divine.)  But on second look, I was struck at how perfect those egg-shaped, sleek modern chairs looked set against the heavy farm table.

Which leads me to my current design obsession: the farm table + eames chair pairing.  Request:  a second dining room, stat.

And, believe it or not, some of the sweetest eames chairs are available at Linens ‘n Things; check out the Space Living 1950′s Modern Shell Side Chair + the Space Living 1960′s Mid Century Rocking Chair.  As for the sturdy farm table, I prefer to hunt down my perfect table at flea markets and garage sales, then coat the entire piece in a glossy white or even matte chalkboard black paint (you know, if I had room for all of this design dreaming.)

Images: 1 // 2 // 3

I love the vintage feel of a long lace dress and likely because we all conjure up images of the big day when picturing a floor-sweeping white dress, even the simplest of it’s kind evoke a romantic feel.  Particularly, with peasant tops, tunics, floaty dresses in chiffon and soft cotton, full skirts with pleats and lace details, these dresses also have a perfect 70s-inspired vibe – which I love.

Here are a few other sweet lace styles I adore ( … clearly I miss my wedding):

Sam’s sleeved-maxi is from the line, Of Two Minds {you can check out their dresses here.}

To get you started for Spring, a few of my favorite vintage-inspired white dress picks:  Free People Cutwork Dream Dress // BCBGmaxazria Keylene Dress // Rebecca Taylor Beaded Gown // Beyond Vintage Blouson Lace Dress // Mara Hoffman Embroidered Peasant Dress // ALICE by Temperley Long Esmeralda Dress

Images: 1 // 2 // 3