And the eeboo goes to...

 

i drew from a hat and the results are in.  leigh of create is the winner!  thank you to EVERYONE who played.  i am so lucky to have readers like you all!  p.s. we're so close to the weekend!

my life is a joke. domino is folding.

Well, just as my week was looking up (it is the half-way point after all), Joanna lays a big, fat one on me.  My baby, domino, is folding.  FOLDING.  That means, nothing, no more, R.I.P.  Womp, womp.

You had a good run, D, and will be greatly missed. xo

via Cup of Jo

BO-teg-a VEN-eta

Need some help pronouncing Designer Names? Who doesn't? Valet, almost a year in action, is a men's lifestyle magazine bringing you the how-to's and handbooks of all things curiously practical. Yeah, it's "men's lifestyle", but I'm EASILY entertained with posts like these. Here's a clip...I'm taking notes:

• Bottega Veneta: BO-teg-a VEN-eta
• Burberry Prorsum: BUR-bur-ree proar-SOME
• Comme des Garçons: Comb day gar-SON
• Dries Van Noten: DREEZE van KNOW-ten
• Givenchy: Zshee-VON-she
• Hedi Slimane: Eddy slim-MAHN
• Hermès: AIR-mehz

photo and clip via Valet

G is for GIVEAWAY!

Specs: 5.25 x 7 eeboo notebook in Bird & Nemo

Remember my little fixation with these notebooks?  Lucky you, Roisin from eeboo was nice enough to send one over (in my favorite design) and I want one of you to have this beauty.  I'll be randomly selecting the winner this Thursday from those lovely readers who comment below.  Best of luck, boo.

Mesi Jilly

Let's start off the week just dreaming about these rings:

Applause to Mesi Jilly for those stunning ring designs. Made from real shells gathered from the pretty seas and embellished with stones, jewels, and gems. I need to note that they are even more amazing in person (if you can believe that). P.S. You think that's glitter? Heck no, that's real silver dust. Save up and buy here.

Happy Friday!

Hi pretties, it's the weekend!  Can you believe it?  I've had such an exciting week, not to mention OBAMA helped it go by a little faster.

Any good plans for the weekend?  I'll be in Atlantic City!...but I wish I was in Denver for the Knitting for Our Troops Marathon.  My big sis sent me the link to this amazingggggg event which includes 24+ hours of knitting in countless locations within the Mile High City.  The goal?  5,280 hats.  I'm rooting everyone on so, so much, and if you are in the area, get your knits and purls pumping!

Photo via Le Love

Now that we're on the subject...

Ahhhhhh...Bon Jovi and Wham! So appropriate and snappy for Valentine's Day. Who says love stinks?

(via you are my fave via apartment therapy)

Obsessed much? Thread Social.

Did your heart just not break because these are so spectacular?

Woop, Woop! I got an award.

Pretty Nicole Marie from La Mia Vita crowned me with this award days ago...and I couldn't be anymore grateful. This girl pulls through big time: she was the one who fueled my shopping addiction. Now, here are some pretty random answers to these questions:

1. Where is your cell phone? Attached to my right hand.
2. Where is your significant other? Probably watching Sportscenter.
3. Your hair color? Dark, dark brown.
4. Your mother? ---
5. Your father? ---
6. Your favorite thing?

• Cheeseburgers, vintage cars, poppies, cheap wine, history channel, nostalgia, homemade scarves, beat up sweatshirts, Carlton Banks, summer dresses, Barcelona, and flea markets.

7. Your dream last night? No recollection, but probably something wacky.
8. Your goal? Be on time.
9. The room you are in? Bedroom.
10. Your hobby? Food, photography, magazines, clutter.
11. Your fear? Doing laundry.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Hopefully with a job!
13. Where were you last night? Jury duty.
14. What you are not? Morning person.
15. One of your wish list items? Sick shoes.
16. Where you grew up? New Jersey.
17. The last thing you did? Blog...and Twit? Is that the right term?
18. What you are wearing? Nail polish, fools.
19. Your TV? TV Land.
20. Your pet? ---
21. Your computer? MAC!
22. Your mood? Sleepy.
23. Missing someone? College.
24. Your car? VW Beetle.
25. Something you are not wearing? Contacts.
26. Favorite story? Sleeping Beauty.
27. Your Summer? TAN and happy.
28. Love someone? A heck of a lot.
29. Your favorite color? Red.
30. When was the last time you laughed? 7:30pm, Seinfeld "The Money"
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday, Barry's speech was phenom.

Now, you have to answer the questions or else. I do not want to be picky and choosy, but I gotta do what I gotta do. I pass this bad boy on to:

• dallas: dilly dallas
• gabby: gabby, she wrote
• leigh: CREATE
• maya: fashion bananas
  
• k: blog goggles
• betsey: eccentric fruit
• lauren: double takes
• sara: miss jane
• underfunded heiress
• bb-blog
  

Twitter, what? Twitter, who?

What's the hype with Twitter?  Anyone do this?  Considering facebook and blogging is not enough, I signed up for an account!  Exciting.  Find me here and let's be buds.

My favorite Valentine

Library card Valentine?! Oh my, my, my!

Spotted: Distressed brown leather couch

Who doesn't love a comfy, distressed, brown leather sofa? It creates a cozy feel, no matter how prim and proper the room may be. After scrounging all over the web, I found the perfect alternatives via Truck Furniture:

All of the above = here. Btw, the other things featured on T.F. are fantastic. NYC loft meets old-fashioned factory. Ow, ow!

What do you think...too overdone or everlasting love?

top photo via domino

Their loss is our fortune, Part 2

Resolutions got you tied down?  Unwind with some wonders from the web that will keep you dreaming of the coming sun without emptying your savings account.

• Pixie Market: Your one-stop shop for that item with a one-of-a-kind feeling. Browse their SALE section for deals that will leave the others in the dust.

• Blue toots skinny Minnie belt, $95.00 $57.00: Adorable skinny belt in a baby blue hue, perfect for denim dresses or white trousers.
• Printed silk tank dress, $149.00 $89.00: Bright deco print brings me back to my childhood days.
• Mozambique safari black sandal, $176.00 $88.00: The perfect flat for spring with a not-so-overdone rocker feel.
  
  
• Vivre: The vivid collection of classic and indie goods brings us slashed prices on items that undoubtedly work next season.

• Stripe Print Pareo, $70.00 $28.00: Wrap as a neck scarf for an effortless boost of color.
• Straw Pouches by Vivre Selection, $110.00 $39.00: Wonderful little clutches combine the rich tropics and practicality.
• Snake Ring by Roberto Cavalli, $225.00 $112.50: I want. Wow.
  

Today is for Obama

It's finally here. Making history. Giving hope. Very exciting.

I will be watching the news all day and probably tearing up left and right. I love America more than ever right now.

p.s. his letter to Malia and Sasha = amazing.

photo via here

Doggone dandy.

 I love every minute of this shawl.  Here.

How to have an optimistic week.

Read that over and over and over.  Happy Monday!

via le love

Woof: Country Home is folding!

Just in time for the weekend, I get the news that Country Home is folding.  Yeah, I know, it's not exactly one of my "top 5" per say, but it's still a sign of the times and that things are not looking good for some of our favorite magazines.  I leave you with some of my treasured inspirations from this timeless publication:

via ruby press

Is there any hope for the unemployed when people like this exist?

Please look at Teen Vogue's feature on Phillip Lim's 15-year-old intern.  When I was fifteen I had braces, gelled hair, and thought Mandee's was couture.  Is this seriously my competition as a college graduate trying to get a tiny foot in the door?  Thanks for being so freaking perfect, Colby.

Via I*Heart*You

Ebay find: Hermes Ashtrays

After reading MKA's Influence, I took a serious liking to the beauty and elegance of Mary-Kate's noted-favorite: Hermes ashtrays.  Aren't they just darling?  Expensive, but still darling.

Photo via Hermes

Who is MTV trying to fool?

Did they just clean up Justin Bobby a bit, tell him to put on an Aussie accent, and then strategically change his name to Jay Lyon?  Like seriously, guys.

photos via here and here

Their loss is our fortune, Part 1

Wallet's empty from the holidays, but you still want to optimistically shop for the spring?  Here are some steals from some unexpected places:

1. dELiA*s, End of Season Clearance: Wintertime may be winding down, but these pieces are perfect for the coming temperatures.  With the generous prices, you can snatch so many key items at a killer deal, it's almost illegal.
   
   

• Abby Safari Romper, $34.50 $19.99: Oh, to be sitting on a terrace with a margarita in hand.  It's linen, so you can be cool as a cucumber in the molten heat.
  
• London Top, $22.50 $9.99: Use now with skinny jeans and ankle boots.  Carry over to spring with high waist shorts and gladiators.
  
• Cora Skirt, $34.50 $19.99: Tuck in a black tee for work or pair with a tank for nighttime.
  
  
2. Bakers, Big Winter Clearance: A little bootie here, a high heel there.  Layer with tights now, so you can get the most out of your fantastical buys.
   
   

• Nik, $89.95 $69.99: Industrial and heavy duty ankle boots can be the perfect offset to a feminine ruffle dress.
• Wendie, $59.95 $10.90: Reminiscent of satin prom shoes, tone down with jeans.  Seriously.
  
• Ivy, $69.95 $39.99: The idea of gray all year round gives me butterflies in my belly.
• Shayne, $99.95 $49.99: The wooden heel is just right for warmer temps and plays down the intense suede.
  

One big to-do list

2008, not too far, but definitely gone, and 2009 has snuck up on me very, very unexpectedly.  I needed a couple days to think about some good NYRs.  What are yours?  I think mine are solid: Arriving everywhere 15 minutes early.  Reading a really good book every month.  Learning a new language (Arabic is my number one, Portuguese is my number two).  Drinking more water.  Becoming really great at photography.

photo via tumblr

My tiny PowerBook is out of commission

...be back as soon as humanly possible when Apple brings my baby back to life.  Until then, I'll try to sneak a post in here and there from work.  So far, not very successful.