friday faves: 6.24.11

first full week back in the u.s. of a.  back to the office and commuting and sleeping normal hours.  back to chatting on the phone  with my girls and wearing heels and straightening my hair.  oh, and back to my pretty things blog!  and back to the many pretty things out there in the blogosphere ~

design/decor

~ perfect entry way space ~

black & white beauty.  i especially love how the books match the color scheme!

from the always-incredible tobi fairley, in the may issue of traditional home magazine

{via the glam lamb}

~ watercolor walls ~

head over heels in love.

 by the crazy-talented black crow studios {via effortless style}

 fashion/shoes

~ craving WHBM ~

as all who know me are aware, white house | black market is pretty much my favoritest store.  and somehow it's been about 3 weeks (maybe even 4...woah) since i've shopped there!  chicka-whaaa?! so here are some of the many cute new items from WHBM that i would love right about now ::

black & white & accent love forever~

that's it for now -- off to iowa for my first weekend off of 2011!  whoo hoo!

fashion: LBD + leopard print scarf

annalynne mcord was spotted out and about shopping in L.A. and i'm completely in love with her casual style.  the LBD in question is super laid-back (not the traditional audrey-esque LBD we are used to, but i still want to add it in that category) and she paired it with comfy looking matching black flats, but what really pulls me in is the long leopard print scarf she added to give the look a pop.

now what is really drawing me in to the scarf is the way she is wearing it.  i'm a major scarf fan myself but i usually tie it more around my neck.  i know that the way annalynne is rocking her scarf is one potential way to do it, but i never really considered it for myself.  well, now that i've seen this particular look, i'm desperate to try it out for myself!  i'm not sure i have one quite long enough, but i really do want to try it.  i also have a cotton black dress that would look great with a scarf tied like this.  hopefully the outfit turns out as chic as hers!

p.s. from the back view you can see just how pretty and laid-back this dress is ::

pictures via the vogue diaries; dress and scarf labels unknown

friday faves: 4.8.11

the theme of my past week has been: adjustment.  adjustment to losing several key people in my life (both personal and professional), adjustment to new career challenges, adjustment to... well, a lot.  i've really loved putting together this compilation of pretty things.  this blog has been a steady constant throughout the craziness, the adjustments - it's been one thing i enjoy doing and can do even through a busy schedule.  but anyways, onto the friday faves...

design/decor

~ the perfect window seat nook ~

i can see myself here...

- curled up reading with the sun shining in

- on my computer going through blogs while listening to music

- with my girl friends drinking win & chatting the night away.

hopefully one day...

[image via]

~ legacy studio wooden shelves ~

 i just love things with separate compartments for different things - easy organization rocks!  especially, especially when it's cute like these shelves from the etsy shop, legacy studio.

discovered on the blog exquisite banana

~ frames, frames, frames ~

beautiful.  i desperately want to recreate this multi-frame look.  but even though i think the yellow shades are just beautiful, i think i would do it with all black and white photos, and then the bedding would be b&w and accent colors.  possibly.  definitely something to try out!  someday, someday...  [via; original source unknown]

fashion/fashion photography

~ sara ramirez @ the NAACP image awards ~

it may be from a month ago, but i can't help but share this beautiful woman in this beautiful gown by tadashi shoji :

love, love, love times a million!  really, it's perfect.  'nuff said.

 via red carpet fashion awards

~ the eclectic-awesomeness of this closet ~

...owned by britt aboutaleb, style news editor at elle.com.  i mean, souvenirs from paris fashion week, a vintage barbie, designer heels, & a mickey mouse sweatshirt??  i think i've met my new bff!

i've only included a couple tidbits, so head on over to the coveteur to see more!

~ malin akerman's casual look ~

i usually only highlight the gown aspect of celeb fashion, but i just had to share my love for malin akerman's casual look because i am just too in love.

from left to right:

1. rocking the boho chic look while still being completely put together - a difficult, and enviable, accomplishment! [via]; 2. i think skinny jeans were made for MA!  woah.  love the tailored top, love that it's tucked in, love the dark wash skinnies (obvs), & love the nude pumps.  basically, her casual style kicks a$$. [via]

~ julianne moore for talbots ~

adore this ad campaign.  [image via sfgirlbybay - go here to see more!]

~ flowy-awesome editorial ~

from the latest issue of wonderland

  truly beautiful photography.  i would love to do something similar in our next photo shoot.

shot by benny horne.  [via]

etc.

~ dana carvey returns as church lady ~

incredible.  watch this most recent church chat here

giveaways

~ handstamped jewelry by oh sweetlee me ~

 well really, you get your choice of any item from this adorable etsy shop -  there's also camera straps and hair pins, i just happen to be partial to the beautiful silver jewelry!  my fave is definitely the blessed necklace, pictured above.  so head on over to sandy a la mode to enter for yourself!

~ chic pillow covers by pillow peels ~

a $30 credit to the shop, to be exact!  and as the hostess of this giveaway, maria at layers of meaning, points out, due to the great prices at pillow peels, $30 can easily mean not one but two - or even more - pillow covers!  i included my top picks above, but check out the pillow peels site to find your own!  and then don't forget to enter the giveaway :)

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long, long day ahead of me.  (as if that were anything new)

completely re-merchandising the main, 5,000 sq ft, store

then doing the whole merchandising of the new second sales floor which is apparently going to open this weekend.  somehow...

interview potential new employees. ack do i hate interviewing.

and then of course, spending my friday night dressing high school girls in my gowns for their prom fundraiser fashion show.  oh yes, my life is just so glam!

but at least it's nearly spring??

sorry to seem like a debbie downer but i just couldn't help it!!

[via my fave site, someecards]

but despite my own debilitating allergies, i still can't wait for spring to truly blossom!

then i can have a windowsill that looks this pretty ::

can't wait!

[image via; originally from southern living]

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i want: the perfect springtime cardigan

this cardi is seriously screaming my name.  

cotton/spandex mix, sure to be both comfortable and body-hugging; perfectly interesting and flattering neckline; lovely colors... i cannot put into words how much i want this!  the cream colored version would honestly match 90% of all clothes i already own.  

unfortunately i can't justify the $88 price tag since i wouldn't be able to wear it to work [my current rule is that i can't buy clothing unless i can wear it when my store is open].  

then again, who knows, maybe i'll continue obsessing over it and give in.  my dedication to this strict budget probably will prevent me from ever owning it, but we'll see...

buy it at anthropologie [discovered first at wit + whistle]