happy ho, ho, holidays gift guide : for a mother who ...

loves to entertain and party plan. I hope to one day have her time management skills for such events.
1. kate spade all occasion gift set : a box set of cards for her to send out for any reason. once again kate spade has done it again!

2. anthropologie reef knot mug : for her tea when she relaxes after the hoopla of one of her parties.

3. nordstrom lined leather gloves in iris : every proper lady needs a pair of leather gloves.

4. michael buble crazy love cd : my mom actually introduced me to this sexy crooner... he's coming to atlanta in March... maybe we'll have to go!

5. the chef set page flags to identify recipes : what a great idea. everyone who uses recipe books could use these!

6. snuggie : i had to put a snuggie on at least ONE of my gift guides! especially since the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. my mom also gets cold when it's 80 degrees outside.

7. anthropologie ski cap candle : my mom always have these really cool candles, like one shaped like an artichoke. I thought this one would be really cute for the winter!

happy ho ho holiday gift guide : for a little man who

was born with Clemson spirit sprouting from his head. This is a gift guide for one of my best friend's son.
1. converse chuck taylors in red : every stylish little boy should have a pair.

2. gap buffalo plaid trapper hat : this awesome little hat will keep his noggin warm for the winter. i wish they made this in adult sizes!

3. bright clothing owly the best friend owl onesie : oh how i love bright clothing! Carrie and Sara are based out of Atlanta and make wonderful original screen printed children's clothing. They also sell their line in Beehive Co-op!

4. clemson super fan cape : OMG! every clemson fan needs one of these! I think I just admitted how much of a super fan I am!

5. lil' sprout knits oliver the octopus : this plushy toy is hand knit in atlanta. (i'm pushing the local artists, if you couldn't tell!) Lil' sprout also sells at beehive co-op!

6. little tikes cozy coupe ball pit : so I might get killed by my friends if I actually purchased this for the little guy. But it looks like SO much fun. I have such great memories of playing in the ball pit at Chucky Cheese as a kid.

hello, i love you

'Tis the season... for the holiday party. I daydream of when I will be invited to a fancy holiday party with champagne and delectable fine cuisine. But until then, I will just plan my outfit!


1. sarahseven tea and crumpets bundle : oh, how i covet this shirt and skirt set. sarah makes all orders to custom to your measurements. right now probably isn't the best time to order as she is backed up about 10 weeks. but gorgeous and definitely worth the wait!

2. christina kober designs champagne earrings : these hollow sterling silver balls dangle freely from 18K gold earwires. all handformed. simply elegant.

3. anthropologie double ruffle trench : can you imagine walking into a party with this coat on? beautiful.

4. jcrew satin limelight clutch in ivory : i have a bad habit of purchasing clutches. i like only having room to carry the necessities. which includes the next item...

5. nars velvet matte lip pencil in dragon girl : red lips make any outfit an occasion.

6. steve madden trinitie pumps in blush : i have a pair of pumps in this color and i love them. they look great for an evening out or with jeans and a white blouse.

Hello, I love you

I'm getting so excited for the holidays! Dan and I are having my parents over for dinner on Sunday for an evening of good food, wine, and tree trimming (and maybe some favorite Christmas music)!

This is the first "cold" week we have had here in Atlanta. By cold, I mean a frigid 60 degree high. It's making me get in the mood for my favorite cup of tea, a good book, a big fire, and some comfy clothes.


1. j crew pretty poplin chemise in dusty rose ... i love this casual yet understatedly sexy nightgown. it would even work great with a tank and jeans.

2. christina kober designs sterling silver handwritten initial necklaces ... each of these initials began with my handwriting on a sheet of paper and round sterling silver wire. the wire is then formed, hammered, filed, soldered, hammered, melted, sanded, and polished to make each letter. they simple and beautiful.

3. anthropologie mezzanine wrap ... this wrap is beautiful. it looks so comfortable, i can envision myself wearing this constantly. oh and ps...this is going on my christmas wish list, so dan i hope you're paying attention!

4. bailey doesn't bark dotted mug ... i love tea. herbal, black, green, white, everything except jasmin (a recent unpleasant discovery at a thai restaurant). these porcelain home accessories are beautiful. definitely check out the site. the ants on my mug is a little too real-looking for me to feel comfortable!

5. pottery barn sweater knit throw ... i found this throw in pottery barn a few months ago. i was carrying it around with me in the store trying to pursuade dan that even though it was 80 degrees outside, we needed a knit throw. now i think there is no pursuading neccessary! ps this has just been added to my christmas wish list!

6. gap slipper booties in parchment ... the MOST comfy slippers EVER.

7. clothbound penguin classics wuthering heights ... i love this book. plus this cover is beautiful.

hello, i love you

Holy cow, I can't believe it's already Wednesday! This week is slipping by...and then I'll be in Palm Springs. (tonight I'm going to get my suitcase out and begin the packing process)

I have been dying for some herringbone tights. I think herringbone is the epitome of winter & what better way to wear it than as tights!
1. j. crew dream tori ruffle cardigan: this cardigan has been on my list of things to buy. but unfortunately if you follow the link it has sold out. and it doesn't look like they'll have anymore! what a BUMMER!

2. christina kober designs fortune cookie lariat: ok seriously, who doesn't love getting a fortune cookie at the end of your meal at a chinese restaurant. these little fortune cookies are hand formed and each fortune is hand stamped by myself. you can get pre-made fortunes or create your own! (this one says "you are going to have some new clothes." yes, i really did get that on a fortune.)

3. gap essential featherweight cami: i buy all of my camis, tanks, and tees from gap. they have great quality, they are super soft, last through more than one washing without shrinking and you can usually get great deals (buy 2 get 1 free, 2 for $20, etc).

4. via spiga suri bootie: at first i was very leary of the "bootie." but I have found that they, this style especially, really make your legs look long and shapely.

5. kate spade sparkle herringbone tights: i have yet to find kate spade to do anything wrong? i love the slight sparkle these tights have, great for a holiday party.

6. j. crew wool flannel shorts: why not wear shorts in the winter?

7. i think red lips would really top off this look!

hello, i love you

Every year since I can remember, my parents and I drive down to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday (yes, I spend 8 hours in the car with my parents). My Grandparents had 4 daughters and all 4 families come together to celebrate, eat, exchange Christmas presents, be thankful, and eat. My cousin and I have also started our own mini tradition of shopping until we drop on Black Friday. It is definitely my favorite holiday.

This year is going to be different because I'm going to spend Turkey day with Dan's family in Palm Springs, CA. While I'm REALLY excited, there are other parts of me that are nervous and sad. Nervous because well, who wouldn't be nervous to spend an entire week with your boyfriend's family! Sad because I am going to be missing my family something fierce. For me to agree whole-heartedly to this trip Dan had to promise that we will be spending New Years in Florida with my family AND we will go to Thanksgiving with my family next year.

Well getting back to the excited part, of course my mind automatically thinks of what should I wear?! Can I just say that the weather will be in the high 70s!!! So, today's Hello, I love you is something to pack for Palm Springs.
1. j. crew cashmere-silk splendid cardigan - I chose this because even though it's going to be warm in Palm Springs, I will be cold!

2. forever 21 soft knit striped tank - going for the nautical look in the desert.

3. christina kober designs 18K bubble necklace - I think gold looks amazing on tanned skin (which I will hopefully have). This necklace can be made custom in sterling silver or a mix of sterling silver and gold, different lengths...the options are endless.

4. anthropologie grand proportions belt - I love the look of a wide belt slung across your hips. Something about it is sexy to me.

5. dvf armor pants in white - even though it's after labor day, I wear white wide-leg pants. I am actually wearing some today! And can I just say...DVF, swoon!

6. kate spade bamboo espadrilles - I love these shoes. I have them in white and wore them so much I broke them and immediately replaced them. So comfortable. I love this color too!

7. calviree extra large poppy tote - I love the jute webbing and canvas handles. It looks like a super sturdy bag for travel. I just discovered CalviRee on Etsy earlier this week. Patty has some great designs. If you haven't already noticed, I love handmade bags.

hello, i love you

it's a big day. Today, well tonight, Dan and I will be flying to San Francisco. As I mentioned before this is my FIRST trip to San Francisco. And has been much anticipated.

I barely slept last night; today, time is passing slow, I mean literally creeping by. I can't wait. And of course I keep repacking my suitcase in my head. So the inspiration for "hello, i love you" today is what I would pack for a night out.


1. anthropologie sprinkled chiffon top
2. christina kober designs rose by another name necklace
3. anthropologie wheatfield belt
4. j. crew toothpick jeans in twilight
5. moop market bag in sage & olive
6. born "sosie" tall riding boot

hello, i love you wednesday (a little belated)

ahh, I love shopping. I can't express how much I love it. It brightens my day when I purchase something new. It might be a little troublesome at times for my wallet, but it really is like an addiction.

So here I am beginning a weekly post of some of my favorite items, ones that I covet and ones that I may have just purchased. So today I begin with something easy, my outfit I am wearing. (except for the made by hank clutch).

1. carnation cluster tee from j. crew

2. steel, gold & silver tension ring from christina kober designs

3. supersoft layering crewneck t from gap

4. vintage-destructed boyfriend jeans from gap

5. made by hank clutch-- ok, let me just say I love these bags {the one I have listed has sold}. Katie {ie hank} is a very talented little lady and hand makes all of these bags. So far I only have one of her tough ruffles clutches in purple, but I hope to be adding to my collection soon. I have rss'ed her shop and I can never seem to catch one of her bags. They seem to fly out as soon as she posts a new listing.

6. "michelle" caged high-heel sandal

Sushi Sunday

I meant to write this on Monday morning, but Monday mornings always turn into Monday evenings really quickly. And before I know it it's Tuesday morning...


We had Sushi night on Sunday this past week with a good friend. We all tried some new entrees and I had to share these awesome displays of sushi. It's such a fabulous art food. And delicious too! Although the right bottom sushi photo, none of us tried.

hello. i love you.

So I am on a quest to make my bedroom a haven. A beautiful, comforting, vintage- yet contemporary-inspired, cozy room. (I'm sure there are more adjectives I could use, but I will spare you)

It all began with a mirror I spotted at Anthropologie a few years ago. It was a beautiful mirror. Full length, lean against the wall, rich dark wood, framed mirror. Shockingly it had a really reasonable price tag and I was saving for it. I went into Anthro one day and it was gone...I was in mourning over that mirror and mad at my lack of self discipline that I couldn't stop myself from buying another pair of Kate Spade shoes instead of putting that money toward the mirror. So ever since then I have been on a mission to find a similar mirror.

Fast foward to one month ago. I found this fabric at Beehive Co-op that Deborah from Whipstitch carries. "hello. i love you." was my reaction to the fabric.


I heart this Amy Butler fabric. I finally decided to purchase a yard of it to bring home so I can figure out where in my room I want to put it. I have been laying across the bed (should it be a duvet or shams?). Should I make curtains? Should I frame it? I have even wrapped it around myself to see if I should make a skirt or a dress too! I don't know. I love it so much I want to see it everywhere! So in my indecisiveness, I'm still not 100% sure.

hello. l love you. moment #2. I haven't been looking at my usual websites (Pottery Barn & Crate & Barrel) for the mirror recently and yesterday I thought I should do a quick check. I found it! Needless to say, let the saving begin again!


But to make things even more exciting, Boyfriend and I will be moving out of our one bedroom apartment at the end of September. We will be moving, hopefully, into a house. My check list for this house includes:

• all hardwood floors
• big windows
• a room for a studio with access to a sink (I'm tired of my hallway I call my studio with no sick but the kitchen)

on a quick side note...
I reached 900 "hearts me" on my etsy yesterday! When I get to 1000, I think I'll do another give-away!

every season j. crew has something that i crave. something that i'm not sure if i can live without (although typically my wallet is screaming, "no, no, no.")

this season is no different. these boots are amazing. i already have outfits picked out that would be perfect for these boots. and a little spot in my closet for them.

j. crew, you never cease to amaze me!

hint hint boyfriend...my bday is around the corner!