Sweet skills.

In my quest to become the ULTIMATE blog designer, I have been exploring some new options. Since I have this lovely little blog of my own to play with, you might notice there's a brand! new! menu bar at the top and a handy little outline around the main wrapper.

Please bear with me as I play with my new skills.

Happy weekend!

OOTD (01.29.10).

01.29.10- Haircut day!, originally uploaded by krameymartin.

My eBay sweater came. I LOVE it. Happy Friday!

Glasses: Kate Spade
NEW Sweater (via eBay), Dress: Anthroppolgie
Tights: Target
Flats: Steve Madden

Me: at the moment.

It's been a while since I've posted about myself and what's going on in my life. It's not for a lack of happenings, or a lack of thinking about myself, because Lord knows that never stops, but I really have been trying to sit back and experience life a little bit more and PLAN a little bit less.

There's been some newbies around these parts lately, so I feel like I should say hi! and here's who I am!

Anyway, here's a little taste of what I've been up to.*

I've been watching...Bones: Season 5 (on TV via the internet...yeah it's lame), 30 Rock: Season 3, Jersey Shore, One Tree Hill, Vampire Diaries, How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM): Season 3, assorted movies via NetFlix + X-Box and WAAAY too many episodes of Law and Order: SVU (yikes!). Please don't judge me on my bad taste in entertainment.

I've been reading...the first three books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. READ THESE BOOKS. It's like Harry Potter but Greek mythology, instead of wizards! I inhaled them.

I've been writing...four chapters of a novel originating from a dream I had. What?! Who am I? But after the whole Twilight phenom, we can't just be ignoring these dreams of ours!

I've been creating...some blog designs that I really love and working with some really fantastic clients. I'm also trying to take steps to stir up business, like taking out a Facebook ad! but (shameless plug) I could still use your help, lovely readers! Word of mouth recommendations are the best!

I've been googling...endless amounts of old Anthropologie items. I've also been googling Alison Hannigan, because she is the most adorable thing EVER on HIMYM, and she has red hair, so I lover her.

I've been listening to...the New Moon soundtrack. Non stop. It's no secret that I'm a Twilight fan, but even if I wasn't, I swear I would still love this CD. Such a perfect, melancholy January mix.

I'm looking forward to...a real, grown-up Valentines Day with my husband. Where we go out to dinner and stay in a fancy hotel. Bathrobes and room service! Squee! I'm also really looking forward to my parents coming down for my brother's game next weekend. I'm also, also looking forward to receiving the handmade bread box my Uncle David made for me!

I'm pondering...why I have been given the interests I have (fashion, decorating, design, all things crafty) and where those interests will take me.

I'm loving...Wednesday movie nights with my husband, BSF, seeing my friends more often and searching for bridesmaid dresses with Ms. Spotts.

I'm missing...my Uncle Jerry, who is recovering from a recent health scare.

I'm dreaming of...going back to France, attending Fashion Week (either NYC or LA, I'm not picky), being a stylist for Anthro catalogs and having my hair long again.

So, what's up with you?

Edited to add: Check me out on the StyleLush site today. I love it there!:)

*This post was written (and the photo taken) from the bathtub in our master bathroom.:)

On the inside.

So...I warned you about my little Anthro love affair that I have going, right?

You don't know the half of it.

Not only have I formed a strategy to get my hands on the last year's worth of catalogs (more on that later), but in the last two weeks or so, I discovered that Ms. Anthropologie Addict has links to old catalogs posted in her sidebar. Which led to me spending hours on my lap top Friday night scouring the old 'logs and getting inspired.

It wasn't until a few days later, while reading another Anthro die-hard's site, that I realized that I could search eBay for older Anthro items. You are all probably thinking, um DUH. But since most items from my favorite store are named and not listed by brand, it can be rather challenging to find specific items.

Since my grand revelations I have been able to find treasures such as the fabulous S'more Striped Cardigan from the June 2008 catalog:


Which will go perfectly with my Staystail Shirtdress (purchase here) I bought in December.


I was able to score this pair of Seychelles wedges that I've been dying for, but were WAAY out of my price range, for only $44.


And I've got my eye on a few other items...

What about you? Do you utilize eBay for items that you missed out on in stores? Or do you mainly use it for getting discounted items?

I'm loving their "watch" option, where you can add an item to your list and see if anyone is buying it, or wait and see if it (or something like it) gets re-listed. They even send notifications right to your e-mail!

Anyway, that's all I have for today. Happy Wednesday!

Springspirations and an OOTD (01.26.10).

I'm on an Anthropologie kick.

What? That's not news. Okay, whatever.

Anyway, here are some spring outfits, windows and pieces I just can't get out of my head.

Love the lace skirt with the prim and proper blouse.

I can't stop thinking of these shoes.

I can't wait for non tights weather!

SUCH cute boyfriend jeans.

Loving the wrap sweater and wedges.

See...I've totally lost it. I've got a sickness...

Jacket: Anthropologie
Top: J.Crew
Pants: LOFT (via Rhi)
Shoes: Anthropologie (Seychelles)

Please disregard the jellyfish hand.

Happy Tuesday!

SAG Awards.

Since I've missed posting on the last few award shows, I figured I'd better post some favorites from the SAG Awards. Which, really, if people are going to look good, they're going to do so in front of their peers, right?

So, without further ado...

BEST DRESSED:

Diane Kruger

BEST GLAM-UP:

Jenna Fischer

RISK TAKER:

Kate Hudson

BEST ACCESSORIES:

Christina Applegate

BEST HAIR (TIE):

Michelle Monaghan

Anna Paquin

What were your favorite looks from the awards?

*All images courtesy of InStyle and JustJared.

Magazine Snapshot: People StyleWatch- February 2010

Good evening loves. I'm currently stuck on the couch after a long night of lower abdominal uteral distress, and decided I would put up my post on the latest issue of People StyleWatch. I actually thought this was a pretty great issue, but when I went to write this post, I didn't have too much to put in. It was more photos of things I liked, not necessarily pieces they had for sale.

So, here goes.

People StyleWatch: February 2010

(couldn't find a photo of it)

Both my co-worker and I thought this was cute and talked about it today at work, so although it's way too expensive for a scarf, I really loved the idea of it and hope someone cheaper copies it...

Lyric Culture, $75.00.

Loft, $39.50 (various colors).

I really liked the way Olivia Polermo (sp?) wore a big, fancy necklace over a casual striped tee. I don't have a casual striped tee or fancy necklace, but if you do, I think this is a great look!

And finally, I thought this book looked fluffy and cute and Parisian.

Amazon, $14.00.

That is all. Happy Thursday night!

Putting my order in.

So I guess I'd better give you some background on this post. Well, there's this:


Which I tweeted while watching Pippi Longstocking. What? It's a classic and I was bored. Anyways, there was the CUTEST little red headed boy (an orphan) licking an ice cream cone and I literally could not hold back the lump in my throat. All I could think was "I WANT ONE (you know, eventually)." and "WAH."

Then, Jennie (who has a pretty adorable little love of her own) chimed in and reminded me of this:


Here he is in case you haven't seen that movie:


RIGHT? WEEPING.

I know that you're not really supposed to be able to do this, but I'm just *hoping* that maybe since I'm getting my order in SO! early, maybe God will honor it.:) So, here goes...

Dear God,

When the time comes (sometime in the next 5-10 years), may I please have two of these:

(Forrest Landis, "Fed Ex" in Cheaper by the Dozen.)

Heck, I'd even settle (just kidding) for one of those and one of these:

(Liliana Mumy, also from Cheaper by the Dozen.)

I promise to love them, feed them, teach them about Jesus and dress them well.:)

Pretty please and thank you!

Amen.

Homie corners.

The thing about buying a brand! new! pretty house is that you have NO MONEY to decorate it with. I know, rough life huh? So, since I can't give you big beautiful full-room shots just yet, I'll show a few little corners that are slowly creeping towards pretty.

Framed these gorgeous prints Taylor got me for our anniversary. They go PERFECTLY in our bird themed bedroom.

The ladder shelves, which we ordered in October, just arrived! And I LOVE them. They add so much depth and make the dining corner of the main living space so much more cozy!

My closet, though far from my ideal organization system, is coming along. Once we get a dresser, I'll be able to move the plastic bins out from underneath the dresses and hopefully get some shoe storage in there.

I found these prints at World Market and couldn't resist them! I love that they pull some of the Tiffany blue color from the walls.

I knew this print, which I found on Etsy before we even bought the house, would someday be in my office. It's just me in a nutshell. Taylor + blogs + coffee. I love the gray with the Tiffany blue walls.

And last but not least, I spent like 6 hours on Saturday putting together these cubes, and though I think I'll need 4 more, I really like the way they fit on this little wall! The day when my crafting stuff will be PERFECTLY organized is drawing near.

Ta-ta for now!

Spring finds at Urban Outfitters.

Urban Outfitters can come up with some pretty weird stuff. Lately they've been featuring some of their models in very odd ensembles. You know, like see-through tights as pants, skin as a blouse and a jacket thrown over top. Yikes! Sternum, it's so hot right now, sternum.

This is why I almost threw away the January catalog without even opening it! But good thing I did because I found some awesome goodies I can now share with you lovely people! Be warned, these pieces are for those who are experiencing late winters in the 60 degree range, not really true winter styles.

UO, Seychelles Marguerite Heel, $98.00 (Also available on the Seychelles site).

UO, Lucca Couture Open-Back Dress, $58.00.

UO, Fletcher by Lyell Flutter Dress, $68.00 (with the Seychelles shoes!).

UO, Staring at Stars Paper Straw Fedora, $24.00 (in various colors).

UO, Deux Lux Twist Bag, $68.00 (in various colors- the green is my favorite).

UO, Deux Lux Basketweave Satchel, $58.00 (in various colors).

Do you find treasures at Urban every now and then? What do you think of these?

Happy shopping my loves, I'm trying to resist!

OOTD: (01.19.10) The one in which I long for the high seas.

Headband: Forever 21
Top, flats: Gap
Skirt: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue (via Anthropologie)

There's nothing too special about this outfit, though I do feel like I would fit in at some East Coast yacht party. I didn't go to great lengths to pick it out, I just really like it. Reason enough to post it, right?

Oh! And as you can sort of see behind me, I got some new craft organization thingys (technical term) in my office this weekend, so I'll have to take some photos and show you tomorrow!

Anyone else SO GLAD it's not Monday today?

Fashion Quandary: Stefanie

Stefanie, a blogger who I met through this here space and have really enjoyed following, has submitted a very! important! fashion quandary. Here's what she emailed me:

Hi there,

I need a fashion advise (Stefanie is German, and ADORABLE) from you! :) Next week, Thursday, I have an interview for an environmental engineering position. It is my first job interview for a real job after graduating from college.

I have a brand new skirt suit in black that I would like to wear. My dilemma is: What type of shoes and shirt should I wear and what type of purse should I bring (if any)? I read that purses should be kept small and neutral. Also, the shoes should be under $100 and the purse as well.

The place where the interview is at is very conservative (government).

I would love to hear about your ideas.

- Stefanie

Well, after digging around in Stefanie's Flickr archives to find a photo of her, I found this, which I can only assume is her new skirt!

A great place to start! This black pencil skirt is a fantastic piece for an interview, and so it the jacket, but I'm the first to admit that suits can feel a bit stuffy. So, here's my recommendation for a top: go with a super crisp, white classic button-up, like this one on Jennifer Aniston.

If you find one that really hugs your curves you won't feel so stuffy and boring. I also like the simple black leather watch she added to this ensemble.

As far as shoes go, if you are wanting to get away from the typical pointy-toe pump, a round toe pump in either a fun (though still classy) color, or higher heel is a great way to spice up your footwear.

I really love these blush patent pumps, which would be little bit more interesting than a plain black shoe, while still maintaining a clean look. I've even heard that nude shoes elongate your leg, so there's that too.

Steve Madden, $69.95.

Coming in at $69.95, they are well below Stefanie's price limit.

Next up, the purse/bag. I found this little lovely soon after the pumps and I couldn't help but drool at the little rosettes. Stefanie would have room for all the essentials without being forced to tote around a big bulky, noisy bag, and could even slip it around her wrist while she holds her resume!

Forever 21, $12.80.

I'm having to resist the urge to order this myself.

Paired with either a nude or black patterned nylon, the pencil skirt and classic white shirt would be offset by the blush shoes and bag, but also blend very nicely. Adding a pair of pearl studs to a sleek hair do (either up or flat ironed) would give her a classy, professional look without her blending in with the rest of the corporate world.

Although I know she'll kick butt in her interview, let's wish her the best of luck anyway and everyone send good ju-ju to her on Thursday! Go get those engineers Stefanie!

Delurk you!

Hey lovies.

It's been a wicked crazy day, but I just can't bring myself to miss out on delurking day! I LOVE knowing who's out there reading and not saying anything!

So, here's the deal. Leave a comment with YOUR NAME and the title (and author if you know it) of your favorite book.

OR

The name of your very favorite place to shop.

You can also leave your blog address if you want, and I'll come lurk on your space!

Happy DELURKING day!

Magazine Snap Shot: Lucky- February 2010

So, as I tweeted, there was some weird crap in this issue of Lucky. Lucky (haha) for us, there was also some really cute stuff! So, fasten your seat belts, it's time for your first real magazine snapshot of 2010.

Lucky Magazine: February 2010

First things first, I was interested to see that Clinique has finally jumped on the mineral makeup bandwagon, or at least have just begun advertising it. Clinique is my go-to makeup brand and I'm looking forward to testing out their version of the mineral phenomenon.

Next on my radar, was this adorable photo of Reese Witherspoon. I love this look! Black flats, leggings, a long sweatshirt/sweater, loosely tied scarf and fedora. So casual, so cute! May have to don this look the next time I travel.

Moving right along, there was a section of "under the radar" maternity clothes, and immediately I thought of a few of my fellow bloggers currently boasting a baby bump. The magazine claims that these sites do the best job of combining comfortable maternity silhouettes with the latest trends.

Here's their list:

yestyle.com

topshop.com

loftonline.com

asos.com

picklesandicecream.com

The next thing that struck me was the fact that they often include pieces from Armani Exchange, yet I never think to look there. The only problem is that every time I go to look up an item for one of these posts, it's never there (this happens to me A LOT with Lucky). So bad form Lucky, but good work A/E for having cute stuff.

In fact, the adorable pair of tie-belted slacks I just went to find from the Gap weren't there either. BAH.

Moving on, one of the features showed this bag in a glorious canary yellow color. The brown is not so glorious, however the yellow is not showing on the NW site any longer.

Nine West, $79.00.

I loved the yellow; I'm sure you could find it somewhere on the Internet.

The last item worth mentioning wasn't necessarily picked for it's steal of a deal quality, or even it's purchase-ability, but merely for it's aesthetic value. I love the cut, color (a deep rich red in the magazine) and look of this dress, but the $260 price tag sets it WAY out of reach for me.

Amsale, $260.

What do we think loves? Anything strike your fancy?

Looks I'm loving.

Happy Tuesday!

I've come across a few looks in the last week or so, which include a lot of pieces that a lot of you might already have. For those pieces you don't own, I've included links so you can snatch them and mimic these lovely ladies' looks.

1. Eva Mendes makes polka dots sexy and sports some jazzed up Mary Janes.

Get a similar look for a lot less! You could add a thin white belt to look just like Eva.

Urban Outfitters, $39.99.

The dress would go great with these lovely pumps. I've been dying for these in green, though they're now sold out on the NW site.

Nine West, $89.00.

Next up, Ms. Zoe Saldana. She is so gorgeous, although a little too thin for my liking. However, her classy look is easy to achieve. Most of us already have a pair of dark wash jeans, and a plain black 3/4 length or long-sleeved shirt.

All you need for this killer look is an animal print scarf, like these:

Overstock.com, $28.99.

And a pair of wicked black heels, like these:

Steve Madden, $49.98.

Such a chic, sleek look!

And the final look of the day comes from Twilight star Ashley Greene.


I loved her sweater so much, I had to order it. Who knows if it will look as cute on me as it does on her, but we'll see! Here's where you can find it.

Express, $49.50.

Add a pair of dark wash jeans, a simple white tank, a light leather bag and a pair of flat boots and you will look just as fabulous as Alice...I mean Ashley.:)