reason #436 why anthropologie has stolen my heart.

right up my retro christmas alley.....

A Thoughtful Tuesday

found here

want.need. (a belated sunday*swoon)

want.need pretty much sums up my feelings about this super adorable gorgeous perfectly me, Betty Draper with an edge vintage suitcase. Revamped with birdies galore. 

I had the screen open on my laptop, in anticipation of sharing it with the husband and asking/begging for it as an early Christmas gift *pleeeasee?!?!*

And then I refreshed the page. 

And it was gone. GONE! 

heartbreak. 

There are others. None that I love as much as this one, but all equally adorable and vintage cool. 

Check out Blue Bernice Upcycled Vintage on Etsy to see the rest of her amazing collection. 

Hope everyone had a happy weekend!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We had a love filled day of family and great food, games and laughter all around! There is so much to be thankful for this year and in the days to come. So much. 

Thanksgiving at my family's house was the perfect end to the day. My mom always makes my favorite dishes (sweet potato casserole with marshmallows perfectly browned on top and five cup salad) and sets the cutest Thanksgiving table in the sun room next to the fireplace. Complete with mismatched Fiesta place settings. 

Afterwards we all help clean up and have pie. And cupcakes. And more pie! LOVE pie. 

Did I mention that there is a lot to be thankful for this year?! Well there is. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Hope yours was just as *lovely*! 

thankful today.

for coffee dates with mom and dad 

and lunches too. 

for happy news from good friends. 

quiet nights at home with the husband. 

and yummy hot chocolate in pretty mugs. 

for my favorite animals that follow me around from room to room. 

for healthy loved ones.

and for a full four days of fun, family, sister dates and joy. 

and even a Saturday night out on the town with my man. 

for new and exciting adventures just around the corner. 

and for pie. with whipped cream. I mean come on, right? 

A Thought for a Tuesday.....

found here

a little bit of luck....

I've hit the jackpot the last few times thrifting and wanted to share some of my finds! 

Going to the thrift store can always be such a hit or miss adventure. Sometimes I leave with nothing (especially as I've become more particular about what I bring into my tiny home). 

If only I could find a place to put them all...

Etsy Holiday: Gifts for Home

This week I'm going to spotlight a few Etsy artists that make fun and unique gifts for the home! This is one of my favorite areas, I'm always decorating and redecorating so I can't wait to share some of these amazing artists with you. 

First up is William Dohman, owner of Oh Dier on Etsy. 

I'm in love with these wooden signs and letters. If you know me, you know this is true. I adore the "keep calm" for a bedroom, as a friendly reminder and the "shut the front door" sign cracks me up every time. I think it may have a better place in our next home, so I'm keeping my eye on it until then. I love that the colors are customizable too, how perfect is that?! 

And all of his pieces are made from recycled wood. Even better. 

Enjoy!! 

Mr. Adorable: Three Months

A Saturday or two ago I met baby Hayden, who is ADORABLE. All three months of him, I just love. 

This summer, when I took pictures of a family of three soon to be four, I had no idea I would get the honor of meeting this little guy. He is pretty much perfect! 

I spent quite a bit of time photographing all his cute little baby parts....baby toes, baby feet, baby hands....

They don't stay tiny forever and I just can't seem to resist them! 

Thanks to the whole family for coming over for a quick photo session! I loved having you over! 

sunday*swoons: emma w.

This girl is *beauuuuuutiful*. 

I may have a bit of Harry Potter fever this week, what with the new movie out and all...but I can't get enough of Emma Watson. She is so lovely. 

I adored her from the start and even more so with the pixie haircut (that I LOVE. and I have sadly convinced myself will NOT look the same on me, so no point even considering it. Sadness.) 

Her new spread in Marie Claire is amazing, the clothes and muted colors. Very chic. 

This girl is going places, there is no doubt. 

italian vogue

all photos found on tumblr. 

In*love

........with Instagram, the new app I just downloaded for my Iphone. 

love, love, love.

all of it. 

Etsy Holiday: Gifts for Her

Homako is another of my favorite designers on Etsy. I wear the same necklace everyday so I don't often buy new necklaces unless they are really special or unique. Homako's designs take the cake on that one! I love every single thing. Seriously, each one would be the perfect statement piece for any outfit!

I am really in love with the rope necklace below. I'm considering marrying it.
Take a look at her store! You'll fall in love too. Promise.  

ami rope smile necklace

kaleidoscope necklace

kuru muru felt ball necklace

fuwa bow necklace

I'm feeling crafty....



vintage ad found here

I think it might be the time of year.....I think I might just break out my knitting needles. 

Etsy Holiday: Gifts for Her- Cozy Cosys

I ran across these a few days ago during a random Etsy search. I thought "how cute!" and kept browsing, because really....I don't drink coffee! Or tea! 

But then, while purchasing a Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate the other night at Startbucks (hot chocolate, yes please!) I realized for the fourth time that this particular Starbucks was still out of their cardboard drink holders. 

lightbulb!

If I had one of these adorable coffee cup covers I would have been a-ok. They are definitely on my list now. And how perfect would these be as stocking stuffers!? 

LOVE. 

The first few are from With Luv Lulu. I adore her colors and cables. And she is running a deal, buy 3 get 1 free! Score! 

And check out these adorable sleeves that fit perfectly around your teacups at home! Adorable. Love, love, love the buttons. These are from Natalya's Studio. She has a lot of other beautiful items as well, including some super cute knit moccasins! 

cranberry red cozy

orange coffee cozy 

teal coffee cozy

 

And if you need something to wrap these adorable sleeves around, check out these gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous handmade tea bowls and coffee mugs by Clam Lab. 

bony tea bowls

deep end mugs

Operation Christmas Child

Stuck at home while the guys put in our new furnace today, I thought I would make use of my time (instead of doing laundry, dishes, blah blah blah) and put together my Operation Christmas Child boxes with my good friend Rachel.
We had a lot of fun combining our purchases and putting together "art themed" boxes (with a few other fun items thrown in too)! We both made a box for a girl and a boy, then filled out the corresponding "about me" worksheets and colored them in. I also want to include a photo of Tyler and I to make the gift a bit more personal.
 It was so much fun!

If you haven't heard of Operation Christmas Child, you can visit their website for more information.
If you have a few minutes, watch the video too. It gives me goosebumps every time.
What an amazing program.

You can include everything from school supplies, small toys, hard candy and personal hygiene items. 

The boxes are then sent to children all over the world who are in need. 

I am so thankful that I was able to take part in this and can't wait to send off my boxes. This year we are donating our $7 (per box for shipping) online, which allows us to track where our box ends up via a small barcode! How cool is that?! 

You can check here to find the closest drop off location to you. This week is collection week, but it only takes one shopping trip and a little extra cash to put a shoebox together!  

Etsy Holiday: Cold Weather Gifts for Her

YesJess makes the coolest hats and leaf headbands among other things...all hand knitted of course! I can't wait to get one of her braided maiden ear warmers for this winter! And maybe a hat. Annnnnnd the leaf headband.....I want it all! 

Enjoy!

braided maiden headband/earwarmers

leaf headband. chestnut brown

waffle cone slouch in chartreuse. love love love. 

forest cowl in aubergine.

Etsy Holiday: Gifts for Her

Inspired endlessly by the original artists selling on Etsy, I thought it would be a lot of fun to spotlight one every day for the next few weeks in preparation for the holiday season. I try hard each year to purchase handmade goods from local artists or artists on Etsy, this is something Tyler and I strongly believe in. Sometimes searching on Etsy can be overwhelming so I hope that by promoting a few of my favorite artists, you may find something perfect for that special someone in your life! 

Happy Shopping! 

This week's theme is gifts for her. 

One of my favorite jewelry designers on Etsy is Elizabeth Scott. She creates the most beautiful botanical designs. I purchased a gorgeous hydrangea necklace from her last Christmas and absolutely loved how it looked in person. Not to mention how nicely it was packaged. 

Visit her store and you'll be lost in the beauty of her pieces. 

She also has the most gorgeous engagement and wedding rings. Love. 

flowering twig ring

stacking rings

mother and child aspen leaf necklace

hydrangea necklace

tiny pool earrings 

tiny pool necklace