and speaking of sparkle...

You've got to check out this gift wrap inspiration over on Grey Likes Weddings today.  I only wish it would have been posted sooner since all my wrapping is done and now I want to re-wrap my gifts using all sparkles!  Bonus:  MaeMae printable gift tags! 

P.S.  Grey's gift wrap inspiration last year was fab.  See all the goodness here and here.

yes, let's talk about it

I realize what I'm about to say is way too early in the holiday season to be saying it, but let's let this one slide, shall we? I live in a tiny house.  And while I love the idea of decorating for the holidays with a big tree trimmed with lots of ornaments, we simply don't have the space.  So when I saw this lovely vignette from the J. Crew holiday gift guide, a little light bulb went on over my head.  I think a gilded branch suspended over our mantle with a few ornaments will be the perfect solution....so long as it doesn't turn out looking more "Charlie Brown Christmas" than "rustic chic".  Here's hoping.

inspired by: tiny animals

I love these little guys.  I'm thinking some variation might have to grace my Thanksgiving table this year.

image credits, clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

today I love...

This fête sends me over the moon!  A little glam, a little casual, a lot of fun.  I've always had this idea of throwing a 1920's-themed New Year's Eve party, but never had the house to do it in. I love the idea of guests coming in black tie attire and sipping champagne from low champagne glasses, great conversation, dancing, and a few memorable shenanigans (of course!).  I'm filing these images away to borrow from should I ever get the chance to host my dream party. Perhaps next year....

All images via Martha Stewart.  See more images here!

(via Coco + Kelley)

A little sunshine for your Monday

Loving these yellow chairs at the Summertime and the Living Is Easy event in San Diego this weekend.  Styling by Sitting In A Tree.  Photo by Oh Joy!  Thinking I might need some for the backyard (to continue my obsession with the color yellow).

A Bridal Shower Weekend

Over the weekend, I got to throw my first bridal shower for my best friend.  You might remember her engagement photos that were featured a while back.  The other bridesmaids and I had a blast planning games, mixing cocktails, and making Grandma be the model for the toilet paper dress.

The color scheme we chose was based on M. and B.'s engagement photos: yellow, white, sage green, and gray.  We made fabric bunting, potted mini succulents and perched them atop vintage books, mixed up some yellow cocktails, made a photo wall with a yellow streamer backdrop, and even ordered cake "pops" that were frosted in yellow and gray.  Favors for the guests to take home were "mix tapes" (actually CDs) of the bride's Top 10 favorite songs.  We made colorful cd labels and packaged them up in stitched paper sleeves.  All in all, we all had a great time!  Check out some of the table decor below.

Silly girls.  The bride (right) and me (left).

Blog Crush

I just discovered Dandelion and Grey via Twitter and I think I have a new blog crush!  Check out some of Erin's lovely styling (and more!) over on her blog.  I am particularly fond of this table scape she put together. (Sighs of happiness).  So lovely.

Smallable

Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not really into kid stuff (or kids for that matter, but that's a whole other conversation, really).  HOWEVER, I came across this site on Sunday and the first thing that popped into my head was "Oh, wow!  If I had a kid, I would totally want to shop here!"  

I think that Smallable appeals to the kid in me more than wanting to have a kid to dress up and buy for, though.  I look at all their super stylish products and wish that I could find a bottle marked "Drink Me" and spend a pint sized day enjoying all the modern goodies that Smallable has to offer.

They also have a "Look Book" for kids with fabulous product styling and photography, and, as a designer, I can't ever resist a good look book.

 

  

 

images from smallable.com

Have you met Mrs. Lilien?

I randomly stumbled across Mrs. Lilien's blog a few weeks ago (via SF Girl By Bay) and couldn't be more delighted at this gem of a find!  Mrs. Lilien is a designer and stylist out of San Diego, California (holla!) and blogs about all things fabulous from frocks to footwear.  Every entry is a little treat.  The "Mrs." outfits and accessories are coordinated to perfection, but that's not the best part!  Mrs. Lilien writes a witty little poem to go along as the description of each post and for as many blogs as I skim everyday, I actually read Mrs. Lilen's entire post every time. (I know!)

A little bit about Mrs. Lilien from the Mrs. Lilien website:

"...a designer and stylist extraordanista, she's one in a million.  She applauds luxury and anything red letter.  She delights in the good life because it's just better!  She's daring, dashing, and somewhat dangerous.  She's fearless, flamboyant, and brilliantly boisterous."

Mrs. Lilien just launched her brand spankin' new website chock full of gorgeous eye candy.  If you're anything like me, you'll be coming back for daily hits of inspiration and lusting after Mrs. Lilien's daily picks and fabulous attention to detail. 

 

"Mrs. Uptown" 

 

"Mrs. In Wonderland"  

 

"A Literary Mrs."  

 

"Blinging In The Rain"  

 

"Mrs. McNicey"