I could use..

one of these.
Don't you have weeks like that?

Ok I'll take 2.

Things that make me smile today.

1. This jam, sent to me by DailyCandy. I have to get my hands on Miss Eliza.

2. Ava Witherspoon---seriously how adorable is she!? I was reading about them in the U.S. Weekly while enjoying some coffee this am.

3. Let's go ahead and make that #3 on the list...coffee. Coffee gives me that morning jolt I need to open my eyes a little bit wider (even though I endure 60 minutes of work out before it). It also makes my heart race just a bit so I plow through a few hours of work right in the morning.

4. A couple of Tumblrs I've tumbled upon (wah wah). First off-what they hey is a tumblr?! I'm working on figuring that out just yet. Nonetheless, the unofficial JCrew tumblr is fab (appropriately named 770 after their corporate store), as well as this tumblr called cognac and coffee (yes please).

I think that sums up my loves for the day..that is until I start perusing the Internet and that list continues to grow.

Royal Fascinators

This DailyCandy video has me intrigued. Hat maker Eugenia Kim shows us how to make quick and easy fascinators in this short clip.

My cousin Cindy (the one in S Africa) asked me recently what I thought of "fascinators" that the British ladies are wearing lately. Being that I am a maker of headbands and hair pieces, I'm obviously a fan of head wear in general. Lately I haven't been wearing much more than a bun on top of my head, but the upcoming nuptials might be an occasion to change that.

Kate Middleton is a frequent wearer of these feathers, and keeps it classy and fairly simple.

Inspiration can also be taken from SJP, and she definitely isn't afraid to go the extra mile!

All Star.

How cute are these new Converse styles? Made with Marimekko prints, sold online!

I'm a big fan of prints and patterns in my clothes, and of comfortable shoes. May have to snag a pair!

Dining in the Dark

"Let your eyes take a back seat while your senses do the driving!"

This Valentine's day, you can have the chance to take a sensory journey at Aloft while dining in the dark.
I had no idea this actually existed but I saw it once in the movie When in Rome. While it is not the most captivating romantic comedy around, this scene absolutely kills me!!

Enjoy!

Let's make spectacles of ourselves.

Just went to the eye doctor last week (my least favorite appointment). With prescription in hand, I'm finally ready to order glasses. Of course I love all these...

1) wooden frames via Urban Spectacles

2) vintage frames via JCrew

3) Buddy Holly frames via Madewell

But the truth is, I know of a cheaper option (we've discussed this before). I'll just hop on over to zenni and make similar selections to the pricey eye wear above and be just as happy :)

Will post pics when they arrive!! :)

Full of Feathers

I absolutely love feathers. I love them on headbands, as earrings, adorning clothing...everything. Today's DailyCandy inspired this post with the last picture...the feather mobile. I'm determined to make one to avoid the large sticker price on it!

(1) From my shop, plush purple feather headband
(2) From Anthropologie, the Season's Fleetings Wreath (they also have trees!!)

(3) From JCrew, the plumage mini

(4) From JCrew, the feather tippet

(5) Also from JCrew, the Feather and ribbon elastic belt (SO CUTE!)

(6) From Forever 21, Feather earrings

(7) And finally, from After All, the Driftwood Mobile

Isn't it divine!?

Alexa Chung for Madewell

Alexa Chung is really pushing for the socks + sandals/shoes look this Fall. The models wearing her line for Madewell are repeat offenders in nearly every preview!

I have these shoes on today (in the suede version) (sans socks) and love them. SOooo comfortable.

Cue model on the right---with that poppy red top? Looooooove the sailor buckle belt she's sporting.

Pairing a cute fitted blazer with poppy red shorts-sure! Why not? Just pack some pants should you run into snow or sleet...

Obviously, I'm ready for Fall.

Fashion Don'ts

Daily Candy has one lonely male editor named Dan. Over the weekend he gave his opinion on fashion don'ts...or at least those fashion trends that don't do it for guys. A couple of them CRACKED me up and I just had to share...

1) Socks with heels. This one cracks me up because I could be ok with it...especially when Madewell makes it look cute.

2) Raccoon eyes. Well this girl looks terrible, but I am a fan of dark shadow, especially purples. I just try to add highlighter by the brow to tame it down.

3) Denim on denim. Never been a fan of this. Sometimes my roommate makes it look cute with a lighter chambray and darker (even more tailored) jeans on bottom. Overall, the denim tuxedo still scares me..

Oh how I wish I had another Sunday!!!! :(

My favorite day of the week, and my favorite things.

My fantastic coworkers, Mary, Emily, Courtney (and newly Andrea) and I have been struggling through the week. Monday was awful, Tuesday was uneventful (and fine), Wednesday-ugh. Some call it hump day. Some call it half way through the week. But me? I think, "really? Only Wednesday?" So today, we've made it! It's Thursday! Some of us agree that this is our favorite day of the week. It's close enough to the weekend that you can taste it. You can pack for your weekend trip tonight (I'm going to Houston to be with cousin Julie) and pat yourself on the back since you've almost made it!

Why isn't Friday my favorite day of the week? Well, it may sound silly, but it's so close (nay, it is the weekend when that clock hits 5) to the weekend that it already spills into how quickly Monday will approach. Saturday morning is great because you still have the whole day ahead of you but by the evening you think, shoot....tomorrow is Sunday....which might as well be Monday.

That probably made no sense. But that's what I imagine, so I'm stickin to it.

Since I have yet to experience the joy of shopping (truth be told I don't like shopping very much because I end up tired and hungry, but I do like owning new things) and sweets, I thought I'd post about the things I've been eyeing this week. I've kept my distance...

How can I make this on my own...

Since I've been making headbands I have this need to handmake any accessory that I like. This is what goes through my head:

Oooohh I like this. (Grabs it, turns it over, twists it, peaks at the seems)

How should I make this?

Can I make it for less than it's selling for here?

Hmmm....(goes home to test)

Now I want to see how I can make something like this, and definitely more affordable. It arrived via my DailyCandy blast today.

Isn't it fabulous?? The other question I ask myself would anyone want this?