sparklers + siblings

one gorgeous ring

i am not "a fancy, ridiculously expensive jewelry-gift" girl,
but this lovely ring is right up my alley (and less than $60).

On a related side note...you know it's the holidays when you see the cheesy jewelry commercials come on the air.

a wishlist

J Crew polka dot tights

Urban Outfitters Ikat Dots pillow

Anthropologie flowering pasture blouse

Nobletown Vintage triple quartz cluster

Land's End Canvas pleated pocket skirt

I've been keeping tabs on my favorite things using tumblr, and it makes a great way to compile a cumulative wishlist.  After looking at them all together, I'd say dots are pretty high on my list this season.  I'm really loving the necklace for only $24 and the skirt for $40 would be versatile pieces I could wear year-round. 

p.s. Indy girls - did you know Land's End Canvas is sold at Castleton Mall?  I love their classic styling, but I want to see how their items fit (hopefully similar to J Crew, for a fraction of the cost).  I'm ready to go try on some of their cute fall outfits!

finding your signature pieces

I've done a lot of closet-cleaning since we've moved twice in one year.  Each time I try to whittle down our possessions to the things that are loved, functional, or both.  It can be hard to do, but it is worth it -- especially when you have to move.  The best part for me is not having to weed through my wardrobe to find something I want to wear.  The pieces inside are items that are comfortable, but still have some cute details.  Here are some of my signature pieces that made the cut as both loved and functional...

casual, striped tops

v-neck cardis with a little something extra

sweater dresses to pair with boots

Once this is accomplished, add in some new pieces to help fill in the gaps and express your style as you grow and evolve over time.  It is a lot easier to buy things you will use, when you have visualized a closet of clothes you really wear and love.  Right now, I'm digging this statement-making necklace....

found here

...for $38, I could wear this beauty with all kinds of outfits, casual and professional.  Plus the necklace matches my style - simple but with girly details.

necklace DIY round-up

Necklaces are my go-to piece of jewelry.  While I've posted loads of inspiration necklaces, with high price tags to match, I usually am more thrifty when I actually go to purchase one.  I'd like to spend a day or two this summer making some new necklaces using these DIY instructions from some sweet, ingenius bloggers.  Just click on the caption for links to each necklace.

{from ECAB}

 {from Joslyn}

{from Jenny for Lucky}

nature necklace

sweet. simple. lovely. 

{Zach, I kind of love this pretty agate}

this seals the deal

I have loved this bed for a long time, and it is on my wish list for "someday." After checking out the price again this weekend, I started to secondguess myself.  Then today it pops up again in the emersonmade sneakpeak on designsponge.  I'm in love with it all over again....

Oh, and I am loving these blue ring pillows from emersonmade.  Not that I need one, but they are so cute!

dreams of spring

{Anthropologie, $28}

This necklace is lovely and perfect for a budget-minded girl. 

It could go with everything from a tee and jeans to a strapless dress for a spring wedding.

friday night flowers

Surprise flowers during busy season when I least expect them.

I have the sweetest husband.

christmas list - necklace edition

Algae filament necklace

2 friendship necklaces from Kate's shop - one for me and one to give

A monogram necklace from my sweet cousin Sarah

This year, after simplifying during our move, I don't want a lot of extra things in our house that we won't use.  So I'm wishing for something beautiful, unique, and handmade that I will love to use for years to come.  Gifts that have meaning and that aren't just junk from a big box store are at the top of my list.

Today I love...

...the shop Emersonmade.  I love love love their gorgeous, hand-dyed flowers, striped shirts and scarves. 

two years too late

I just stumbled on the bonheur necklace from anthropologie.  If I had seen it two years ago, I would totally have picked this for my bridesmaids to wear.  Classic, elegant and gorgeous flowers.  Love.

it's all in the details

...because some days I miss the white dress, pretty flowers, and yummy cake.

A boutonniere made of lamb's ear and orchids (inspiration)

Simple and symmetrical tables with roses for the guests to take home.

A lovely cake with spun sugar flowers and french vanilla and lemon layers (inspiration)

Sitting pretty with my favorite girls.

Pinching ourselves that we are husband and wife!

etsy earrings

so cute!

found here.

etsy favorites

I love finding unique, handmade items to mix in with the Pottery Barn/Target wedding gifts in our apartment. I have some pretty awesome stuff that my grandma has given me, but shopping on Etsy is a fun way to find well-designed, artistic pieces on the cheap (usually).

Here are some of my favorites:

Chad Wys Fine Art- see his shop here, found on stephmodo.

Chakra Pennywhistle - love the arrow pillow for the chair in our bedroom, see her shop here.

Zola Designs - her smokey quartz ring is gorgeous!

Sfgirlbybay - I love my reproduction English WWII poster, $25

vacation packing

With our vacation coming up, I am thinking about a couple of things I would like for the trip.

1. Jersey dress - makes packing and getting ready easy. It's nice enough for dinner out, but also would be comfortable for a day at the zoo.

JCrew, 50.

2. Statement necklace - perfect with a tee or tank, and I seem to be addicted to all shades of purple. I can't get enough!

Anthropologie, hale shower necklace, 32.

3. Gladiator sandals - something comfortable, neutral, and more interesting than flip flops.

Urban outfitters, 29.

pretty and sparkly

If I were picking wedding jewelry again I would definitely wear this bracelet, even though it costs more than my dress did. I think it would become an heirloom piece.

enchanted seeds bracelet from Anthropologie