{tgif: be joyous}

It’s the weekend! Now everyone let out a collective “Ahhhh!”

{p.s.} Did anyone see Mila on Project Runway last night? How adorable is she?

Photography by Matt Jones

Posted in Uncategorized

{friday finds: a lazy girl’s journal}

I’ve always sucked at journal writing. You wouldn’t imagine it since I’ve got this blog going, and I write elsewhere, but I do. When I reflect, my mind races. I’m better at creative writing or writing someone else’s history. However, I might be forced to reconsider. I once read somewhere that to make your own home videos more interesting, you should capture only between 15 – 60 seconds at a time. I think that concept would translate well into a journal and am curious to see what 5 year’s worth of one line entries would read like.

ModCloth {via} mika 78

{friday finds: venetian decor}

Venetian Decor, {my newest sponsor} makes some very beautiful furniture. Pam, the owner, gives new life to the old by using quality vintage furs, French furniture, leather, down cushions, natural wool stuffing, and eco-friendly VOC free paints and a lavender beeswax top coat. All her items are one of a kind.

Seriously, does it get more glam? A fur bolster on the bed or couch is so Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. {Remember when Delysia purrs about feeling fur against bare skin?}


{btw} Pamela in no way promotes the killing of animals and only uses vintage items, so you can tell your conscience to pike down.

{everyday beautiful life: plush palate }

Today’s guest was one of the first to turn in her submission, which on many occasions I had to resist not posting earlier. Plush Palate has quickly become a go-to blog for all things stylish. It’s author, Crystal, always gives off happy vibes. The girl must know a thing or two about living an everyday beautiful life! Let’s get on to her post, shall we?

Coffee *This is quite possibly my favorite little pleasure in life 🙂 It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning and ready to face the day ahead. For me, it represents that quiet time I have with myself before all the noise of the day kicks in.

Journaling * My most prized possessions are my beloved journals. They document the beauty, pain, hope, fear, and growth in my life. If ever I lost a journal, it’d be like losing a vast library into my heart. I treasure the catharsis and companionship writing has always gifted me with.

Traveling * It’s in my blood, it’s in my veins, it’s in the depths of my soul 🙂 Perhaps that’s what ultimately led me to move to Italy after college, without a plan, without a job, without anyone, but armed with hunger and a dream! I fell in love with the place the same way you fall in love with a person – passionately and wholeheartedly.

Fresh Flowers * They never fail to put a smile on my face and make me happy. That’s why I always have fresh flowers in my apartment. I buy two bouquets every Sunday to get me through the week. They add instant life and joy to my life.

Food+Wine * Some of my best memories were made over shared meals. Good food and wine bring people together and feed the soul. Food should be enjoyed in all its raw and natural deliciousness (so none of the low fat, low carb stuff for me!)

Beautiful Spaces * I am of the breed whose happiness and productivity is very affected by the environment in which I am. For me, good design is not incidental, it’s a way of life. Being in a fabulous space makes you feel fabulous in return. When you are surrounded by beauty, balance, luxury and comfort, you can’t help but channel that same energy inside.

Running * This is my best medicine. It helps me feel strong and powerful. I love to run long distances, breathing in the fresh air, slowly drifting away from stress and into that wonderful thing known as runner’s high. I feel at my most beautiful after a long run – glowing skin+radiant eyes!

Sunbathing * Feeling the warm sun on my skin, on a beach, in a swimsuit makes me feel beautiful 🙂 There’s something very nourishing about soaking up the sun and sexy about sunbeams dancing on your skin.

Friends * I am blessed to have so many loving friends all around the world! They have been my joys, my rocks, my partners in crime, my sources of laughter, my counselors, my shoulders to cry on, my mirrors, my party pals and my sisters. They have been there to challenge me, love me unconditionally and compassionately, and to always make me feel beautiful!

Love+Passion * All we need is love! Being with someone who makes you feel beautiful on the inside and desired on the outside is what every woman deserves!

Photos: 1. Simply Seductive, 2. Irene Lamprakou 3. unknown 4. Carolyn Barbar & Reed Davis, 5. Reed Davis, 6. Haute Design, 7. David Sheilds, 8. Kate Young, 9. Phil Poynter, 10. Valeria Lazareva

{age & history}

It seems that this is the month where I’m reminded of history that is personal to me. Perhaps, it is because I am presented with two women who will have another year added to their age this month. On the 28th of this month, my grandmother will turn 100. Today is my mother’s birthday.

All changes with age. Some say that beauty fades. I think it just changes and a new beauty emerges that is often missed. Some are proud of aging and some depressed by it. Either way, everyone is nostalgic. Everyone looks back at their story, their history.

We all have secrets and histories.

Unfortunately, we forget that the old were once young and as wild {if not more} than we are now. I wonder how many extraordinary stories have not been told. And, then I think of my own family and their history. I may have mentioned before that many times I finish a book, fiction or not, and see in it the drama and daring that has unfolded over the past 100 years for various members of my family.

To add to the irony, as of yesterday, I have yet another reason to reflect on the subject, which I will share with you soon…

In the meantime, perhaps you should dig around for the treasures that lie hidden in the past of your own family.

Photo by Yannick Labrous

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{book city jackets, edition 2}

Remember these? As of yesterday, there is a new edition of jackets available. May I remind you that the holidays will be here before you can say “turkey” or “boo”, so you might want to get a head start. As a bookworm, I can say that I’d be happy to receive these as a gift!




{Click on images to visit their online shop}