Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a fun Halloween evening! I'll be watching scary movies and eating a little (or a lot) of candy. :-)

photo via here

A night of spookiness

Tonight I'm going over to my friend, Kati's house, to watch some scary movies. I'm such a chicken when it comes to scary movies, and Halloween is the only time you'll see me watching them. But, tis the season, so let's hope I can make it through them without my hand over my eyes the whole time. Hope everyone is having a spooktacular Halloween weekend!


photos via here and here

Vintage Organic Apartment

Home envy!
The apartment of Emily Johnston Anderson, recently featured on Apartment Therapy is simply lovely. The house gives you a calm feeling, with neutral and earthy colors. I can definitely take some inspiration from this space.


More photos here.

photos by Emily Johnston Anderson
via Apartment Therapy

Blast from the Past

I spent the afternoon today visiting my grandma. My grandma just turned 80 this month and her house is filled with so many little treasures. Walking around the house with her, so many things have a story, and the different antiques and other pretty things always make me smile. I didn't have a camera with me to take pictures, but one day I'll have to snap a few pics.
A few things I liked today:
I loved her pretty perfume bottles which sit on a mirror. She had some beautiful crystal bottles.
A few pretty cloth dolls her daughter (my aunt) had bought in Ireland.
Blankets my great grandmother had sewn.
My great grandmother's wedding dress that she hangs on a dress form. The dress is from the 1920s.
I didn't take any pics, but this dress is a similar style.


Photos via we heart it and google images

American Apparel Halloween

Some Halloween costume inspiration from American Apparel:




all photos from American Apparel

Banana Republic

Just a few looks I'm loving from Banana Republic. A great holiday look, and a great everyday look. I love that coat and clutch!

photos via Banana Republic

A little under the weather

I haven't been feeling well the past few days. I think it's just a cold-no fever, but a runny nose, bit of a sore throat, fatigue. So I've been spending quite a bit of time sleeping and cozying up in bed. Definitely haven't done much this weekend, besides work, which is where I'm headed again in half an hour.

This week has been a little quiet with my mom and Carl gone on their honeymoon. I'm happy that they will be back home tonight. Can't wait to hear about the island-they went to St. John.

Next week: Substitute teaching orientation and Halloween!

photo by Interludio

Dogs on Furniture

Don't these pups look cute? What great portrait shots!

photos via architectureblog

Patterned Black Tights

I've been seeing this trend around the blogosphere lately and really like it. I like basic black tights, but a pattern adds a little bit of fun to any look.


photos via here and here

Norah Jones

I've always loved Norah Jones' voice and the beautiful music she has released. I can always come back to her music and really enjoy it. That being said, I'm really looking forward to her new album, which will be released in November, that will have a bit of a different direction. According to billboard.com, she will be foregoing her signature jazz sound, and will be embarking on more contemporary rock (wikipedia). I will definitely be giving it a listen. "The Fall" will be out on November 17th in the U.S.

Here's an older song, "Thinking About You" and its cool video.

Specimen Calendar

Love this sweet 2010 Specimen Calendar from Postal Press. You can clip up each for use as a calendar and then after that month is over you can trim the bottom portion off for a 5.5" by 5.5" print.

photos via Postal Press

Flipping Out

Another TV show I've been addicted to this season is Jeff Lewis and Co. aka "Flipping Out." Jeff Lewis flips houses, and this season he has also expanded into design. The show features him and his crew: Jenni (chief executive assistant), Zoila (housekeeper), and his many other assistants and people he works with. If you've watched this show, you know that Jeff is just a tad bit crazy-obsessive compulsive, passive aggressive, inappropriate. One of my favorite lines from a few episodes ago: "If you're an employee and you continue to entertain me on an everyday basis, that's your job security." Oh, love it. Thank you for your reality shows Bravo, thank you.

photo via Bravo

Leighton Meester

Loving the style of: Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester can be seen in a lot of classic looks with a bit of a twist. She breaks out the neutrals as well as the bright colors and rocks them all. I like how she embraces a sexy style, without being overtly sexy.





photos via google images and style.com

Birthday Weekend

Another weekend of celebrations. Friday my friend Kati took me out for my birthday (dinner and a movie) and Saturday was my Uncle Charlie's 50th birthday. Happy times with friends and family= a good weekend. Must add that seeing the sun shining today was wonderful. We've had clouds and rain here in Illinois for a solid week (also temps 20 degrees below the average, in the 40s this week!). I'm hoping this week we will get some more sun as well. :-)

photo via narwhals vs. unicorns

Marais USA

Loving the adorable shoes from Marais USA. Great excerpt from the designer's (Catherine Chen and Haley Boyd) "about us" page on their website: "Their college years of shoe shopping led them to identify a terrible abyss in the market: simple, versatile, essential styles that don't break the bank. As a result, the pair began their beloved company, Marais USA, in 2007."
Some of my favorites are the Mercer Flat and the Prince Wedge.



via simplesong

Whip it

Movie night tonight! My friend Kati and I are going to grab a bite to eat and then going to the theater to see Whip it. It looks like a really fun movie and perfect for a girls night out. Then to bed at a decent hour because I have to work tomorrow morning. Yes, it kinda stinks working evenings and weekends. But, I like my job so all is well!

24 today

Officially entering my mid 20s. Hard to believe I tell you. Today I slept in, treated myself to a cupcake from a new cupcake shop near my house, and tonight I'm going out to dinner with my mom. All in all, a pretty nice day. :-)

Lyell Fall 2009

New images from Lyell's Fall 2009 lookbook. I always love the feminine, simple, and delicate clothes that Emma Fletcher creates.


photo credit: Tamara Schlesinger, via: Lyell

Guilty Pleasure: Gossip Girl

Okay, I am going on 24 years old and watching a show geared toward the teenage audience, but hey, I like it. The set design on Gossip Girl is gorgeous, as well as the fashion. I think those are two of the reasons I'm drawn to it. Also, Blaire Waldorf and Chuck Bass are fascinating and funny. They always entertain me.
*SPOILER ALERT*
This week's episode was especially drama filled, but it was great to see Lily and Rufus finally tie the knot, and not in an over the top fashion. Here are a few of the photos from this week's episode. Wasn't Lily's dress beautiful? And Sonic Youth in this episode? Didn't expect that.


photo credit: Giovanni Rufino, Via: CW

Not your typical farmhouse

Painter, Sean Scherer's renovated farmhouse has something interesting around every corner. Throughout the house are Mr. Scherer's collections of botanical anatomical, and zoological artifacts. Being a biology major, I think I would love exploring this home. I also love all the antique furniture. More photos over at New York Times.

photo credit: Tony Cenicola, New York Times

Celebration Weekend

Weekend: Hours spent decorating the house for Saturday's wedding, beautiful candlelight, twinkly lights, one very happy couple, family, new step siblings and a stepfather, Grandma's birthday celebration, more family, lots of wine, cool weather, hours spent cleaning the house after wedding.

This week: back to work and back to looking for a second job, and birthday celebrations!

photo via Santa Barbara Chic

Calvin Klein Backstage

I've always liked the backstage photos from fashion shows where you get a more casual glimpse of the models and clothes. I think all of these little dresses are divine.

all photos from New York Magazine