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Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy Friday! Big News!

Home Sweet Home Print from Etsy
Happy Friday, Lovelies! I have some exciting news...Eric and I are moooooooving! Where to? An adorable rental house in our town. It's a re-done bungalow from the 1930s-1940s, near the beach, with a backyard, a white picket fence...and a washer and dryer! Swoon. More swooning for the dishwasher, too. We're getting the keys this weekend, and although we won't be moving in for a few days, we're so excited to finally enter our little dream house. We're going for a beachy-cottage style in the house, so get pumped for moving tips, budget home decor tips, and of course, photos of our new love, the house.

What are you all doing this weekend? Shopping? Hanging with the gals and your guy? Sewing? (Ps. I get my own sewing room in the house!) (PPS. Can you tell I'm over the moon excited?!). Do share and have a lovely, lovely weekend!


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Lovely Book Pick: Good Travel and Beach Reads


You know those days when you don't feel like watching TV or being online and all you want to do is cuddle up with a book? I totally get that way, except sometimes the book I'm reading is too long, or too wordy, or too much for the moment I'm in. That's when it's the perfect time to pull out a book like The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. Set in North Carolina, the book revolves around Willa Jackson and the estate her family had to give up many years before she was even born. It's a story about women, societies, group-think, love, and...magic. Yes, magic. It's a good book--nothing life changing or poignant--but, it's good. It would make a perfect beach read. I could even see it being a book club book, but like I said, it's pretty quick, and the story just rolls along (hopping back and forth between older times and the current time), with no hard-hitting phrases or words. It's a sweet story, for sure, and in a way it sort of reminded me of The Help.

If you like reading about the South, check out an awesome book, Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore.  Set in the 1970s, it follows the story of Catherine, a small town Georgia girl who wants nothing more than to get out of town. However, as soon as she leaves a tragedy pulls her back, and she starts to see her life, and town, through new eyes. What I loved about Looking for Salvation was that there was a certain innocence to it; you really could feel that she grows in the book, and becomes a woman from the small daughter of a Baptist preacher that she once was. Another great beach or travel read...also a good book club choice.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Lauren Bush Lauren's Gorgeous Ralph Lauren Wedding Gown


I was browsing Celebrity gossip (shut up) when this picture came up from Lauren Bush Lauren's wedding shots in Vogue. The bride's dress designed by her father-in-law Ralph Lauren (seriously, some girls have all the luck), was meant to conjure up a rustic Victorian wedding. Apparently she's got boots on  under there. Now, I'm not one for high necked anything (I gag in a turtle neck) but something about this dress kept me coming back. I am so over strapless. So. OVER. It seems like all fancy dresses these days are strapless. There is something, certainly, reminiscent of Pricness Kate's wedding look here too. But that beadwork/lace situation, oh my. Oh my indeed. Also, I love this picture. Also doesn't David Lauren sort of look like James Spader? 
I've found 2 dresses which are similar to Lauren's- they're both under $500 dollars too.. which is still probably more expensive that Lauren's, since I seriously doubt this dress was paid for. Groan, right? Let's just agree that Lauren Bush Lauren looks gorgeous in her gown and that you will look gorgeous in yours and leave it at that. After all, maybe you'll meet and marry J.Peterman's...son? Or maybe not..

Lovely Book Pick: Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan


I'm going to be honest here for a second: I rarely read books on the New York Times bestseller list. However, when I came across Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, and was looking for a family novel to delve into, I decided to give it a shot. I love novels about generations of women, especially when they describe all the twists and turns of a mixed-up family. Maine was exactly what I was looking for! Set mostly in a beach house in...Maine, it follows the lives of four Irish-American women in one family and all their relationships, decisions, and lives. Sullivan is a detailed writer, without being overly flourished and grating. You can see the characters come to life and genuinely start to care for these characters as if they were real people. Maine addresses issues such as alcoholism, raising children, and new-age Catholicism with humor, wisdom, and a lot of wit. If you liked Maine, it reminded me of two other books, both by Maile Meloy: Liars and Saints and The Family Daughter. All three books explore the entire extended family's traumas, lives, and loves. You really do feel like these people come alive on the pages. If you have a family, which I assume most of you do, you'll love reading all about a family who is unique, crazy, and hilarious in their own special way.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Layla Grayce Birthday List

Lovelies, I am a huge fan of the truly lovely shop Layla Grayce. Not only are all of their products gorgeous and classic, but they are an independent company run by real people (they tweet with us!). I love that all of the items they sell are handpicked and many are made by artisans. Here's my Layla Grayce birthday list...

Aquamarine is my birthstone, and though these Drops of Jupiter Earrings ($48) are just seaglass, I simply adore the color!
I am a huge fan of mixing greens and blues ("deep greens and blues are the colors I choose"), so when I saw these Sienna Marine Blue Crystal Earrings ($60) I fell in love!

Okay, seriously...I would totally wear this Jessie Steele Apron ($30) as a dress! How adorable is it?! Who wouldn't want to whip up a meal in this pretty number?
This Lollia Shea Butter Handcream ($24) would be a perfect gift  for a late-winter born babe like me...my hands get so dry! And, I love the smell of shea butter. Yum.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Cohabitable: Tool Time


Happy Monday! I’m actually working from home today, trying valiantly to defeat this cold that I’ve had for, well, two years probably. I kid, but really, I feel like I’ve had one long cold for a few years. It goes into remission and I think I’m free, but it always comes back just when I do not need it around. Which is, like, never.

I have a veritable arsenal of weaponized herb derivative substances to combat the icky cold feelings (shout outs to my crew: Day Quil, rooibos tea & Puffs – I don’t know what I do without yous guys). In keeping with my martial metaphor, today’s post if about defeating the enemy that is your messy, unkempt apartment with a few cheap and lifesaving helpers.

Much like having a good medicine cabinet, upon moving out of your parents home, you should be well stocked with the necessary tools for setting up house. Every woman should have a toolbox. My personal toolbox is much like this fancy red number below.



Since space is limited, the toolbox will be small as well. Here are the most necessary items that you need:

• A hammer: invest in a good one, you will literally find a million and one uses for this baby.
• An adjustable wrench: again, you will not BELIEVE what a wrench can do for you. They rule, literally. If the toolbox kingdom were to crown a king, the wrench would be the undisputed sovereign.
• A pair of pliers: an all purpose utility tool, great for leverage during tricky jobs.
• A Phillips head and a flat head screw driver: if you can, find one like this changeable one below. They often come with different inserts and different sized heads (+ less storage in the toolbox).

• Measuring tap
• Frame hangers
• Assortment of nails and screws
• Wire
• **Bonus** Wireless drill: these are pretty expensive, but if dad/mom/grandma/boyfriend has one that they are willing to lend to you, take them up on it!

When you move into a new place things will need fixin’. Furniture may have become loose in the move, joints may have come undone and wire hangings on picture frames broken. You will need to fix all of these and, I promise you, it’s NOT SCARY. If you have a drill, hanging shades and shelving will be immensely easier than screwing things in by hand.

Hanging framed art up in your place can instantly make the space more homey and give visitors a glimpse into your personality, but guess what!, hanging pictures is annoying. That’s why you want to be prepared with additional wire and framing hooks and hangers for your job. Scout’s motto applies here: Be Prepared. There is literally nothing worse than watching your boyfriend sweat and struggle to hold up a humongous frame just as the realization hits you that you have nothing the attach the frame to the wall. Yeah…forethought has not always been my forte.

What’s great about having your own toolkit it the enormous sense accomplishment when you take a look at your handiwork. You’ll save and time and money if you can do-it-yourself. Also how cool is it to wield a hammer? I am Woman, hear me Roar!*


*Please don’t think you can fix your own plumbing in the elated moment. You can’t. Call a plumber.

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday, Lovelies! How was your weekend? We ended up having a very relaxing weekend, which started off with a lovely treat: our cousin's sweet 16! The theme was stars, and each table was named for a constellation, so cute. How gorgeous does she look in her stunning blue dress? The dress for the party was "black and white," and since it was pretty cold out on Friday, I stopped in at The Loft on my way home from school and (with a 20% off coupon) picked up this comfortable and warm black and eggshell colored striped sweater (also: Dear Loft, have your sizes gotten smaller and smaller? I'm barely 5' tall and the small size looked like a child's sweater on me!) The sweater comes in a variety of striped colors, and I adore the sweet buttons on the shoulder, giving it a 1940s feel. I wore the sweater with black skinny pants (also Loft) and my old black boots. It was simple, but so warm!

How was your weekend...do anything special or fun? Relax? Cook? We'd love to hear!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Pop of Color Pillows

Top Left: Sunny Day Pillow; Top Right: Soliel Lion Pillow; Bottom Left: Sunny Day Pillow (black); Bottom Right: Toucan Pillow
I'd like to give a shout out to Ms. Ali, our wonderful writer of Cohabitable, for turning me onto One Kings Lane...now I am obsessed. One Kings Lane has a gorgeous, and pricey, array of home decor from a ton of different designers (but, like Ali said, you can find great deals!). Don't you love these whimsical throw pillows? They're 12x20 inches and $45 each, making them a piece of home decor you want to chose wisely, but they would surely add the perfect pop of color to your apartment or house.
 
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