life is reed-iculous

.blogging.

2012-01-25T07:52:00.000-05:00

i want to blog my friends, but alas, i have no time.

hopefully a house post coming soon...

.seeing spots.

2012-01-23T18:25:00.000-05:00

i've mentioned before that i had never been much of a dot girl. i feel like they looked cute in decor magazines & on cute little fashion bloggers, but for me...eh. however, thanks to the now elusive Cloverdale Rose Bowl by Kate Spade--seen here in the home of Lonny's founder, Michelle Adams--a penchant for the spotted began.

so friends, spot or not?

images via

.an art wall is a work of art.

2012-01-18T21:14:00.000-05:00

i've always been pretty obsessed with the perfect art wall. i, personally, prefer a mixture of art, prints, + photographs. these being my favorite pinspirations:

my own art wall will include, but is not limited to, the following images:

this collection is quite personal including my grandfathers, my wedding, fish, horses, obx, labs, Benny & Shelby, and my favorite couples. Tuna will likely hate having a framed image of Big + Carrie on his wall in his own home but...sorry it's gonna happen.

.currently.

2012-01-15T23:26:00.000-05:00

WATCHING:
lots of new tv! favorites include my abc family indulgences that are Pretty Little Liars & The Lying Game. i also religiously watch Castle & Gossip Girl, and have recently gotten into Revenge. it's goooood.
possibly most excited for Jusitified which comes back this week. i mean, le duh.

READING:
Red-headed Step Child by Jaye Wells. it's a supernatural series...i just started it so we'll see. so far i'm not blown away.

LISTENING:
Lana Del Rey. i love some good white girl music.

WEARING:
polka dots. i'm typically not a polka dot nor pink fan, but something about this sweater had me clicking add to cart.

happy monday friends. i'm out of town for work this week. blah.

.it's friday beeches.

2012-01-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

so glad it is friday so i can finally take the weekend & tackle unpacking all the boxes that won't stop closing in on me. i have a lot of office work to do today, so i leave you with a few snapshots from around The Rental + a few add to carts for the weekend.

open shelves for dinnerware

fun patterns around the living room

beef, apple, & sweet potato stew

backyard swing

Hallelu | sweater sunnies pants

Madewell | sweater parka boots

Old Navy | sweater

ASOS | fur sweater

Hyla Dewitt Jewelry | necklace

Vestique | tunic

many of these items are on sale!

.zip it.

2012-01-10T22:12:00.000-05:00

i just had to share this photo taken by my dear husband from our trip this past weekend. that's me up there doing my zip line thang.

.out with the old?.

2012-01-10T10:36:00.001-05:00

we were in our previous home for 4 years. the latter half of that time i focused on decorating and making it our own. now we've up and moved and are renting. every home has its own personality and quirks and nooks. and i have already spent my cold hard cash on pillows + drapes + side tables + lamps, etc for previous home.

so do i use it all again in The Rental b/c i already have it? i almost hate not to.

my favorite pillows were lucky in that they had a spot waiting for them. this is a very preliminary photo.

my green office desk is going become a bar. i'm going to get the racks to hang wine glasses underneath with some lighting of some sort under there. just add pretty glasses + tray + flowers + lamps + liquor. Tuna thinks it is weird b/c it is a desk but anyway. this little area is just off of the living room.

my biggest dilemma right now is whether to use these silk eggplant drapes that worked so perfectly in my moroccan inspired luxe dark and glorious previous bedroom.

The Rental has almond color walls + white trim + light beige carpet in both bedrooms. eeeeek. since this bedroom was so glam and girly, i want the new master to be traditional, simple, and masculine. sooo probably not use eggplant drapes right? leaving the guest bedroom which is really also going to be my dressing room. i have an old wood chest & desk. so picture eggplant drapes, a gray monogrammed duvet, with fun pillows.

pillows 1, 2, 3

i dont know. i'm basically brainstorming on the blog. sorry for the crappy "mood board". i am supposed to get my laptop back today.

how do you feel about recycle, reuse? even if it maybe isn't exactly what you want...i keep telling myself this is a rental. not long term. but that doesn't mean i want it to be any less aesthetically pleasing.

.monday happenings.

2012-01-09T11:06:00.000-05:00

we enjoyed a highly gluttonous weekend of boozing and eating dips with friends at Wintergreen ski resort. nothing was healthy or low sodium so i feel disgusting and swollen to start the week. yay. big fail for me. i was hungover and tired and in the mcdonalds drive thru on our way back yesterday and i did NOT order french fries. so my no french fries in 2012 resolution is still going strong. DON and i are doing this together. feel free to join us on our fried potato famine journey.

a couple of product reviews for y'all.
1. Banana Boat sunless tanning lotion smells better than most and works nicely.
2. ANEW Clinical Retexurizing pads are pretty awesome. i use them about every other day before bed and typically follow it with a vitamin C serum. my face always looks even and glowing in the morning. and coming from me, that is saying something. they are not cheap at $25/30 pads but considering you don't use them every day it isn't too pricey. i will definitely be ordering them again.

we finally got all our stuff moved. everything is in boxes just staring at me. waiting and wanting to be put away. where it will all go i have no idea. we didn't even have room for the large chest that was in our bedroom. so more sorting and donating in the near future. i just entered the galaxy of organization that is The Container Store. i have never been to this site in my life until 5 minutes ago. WOW. a new me is coming. i can feel it.

i want some boots. finding the boots i want is quite difficult. i want a heel, but not a tall heel. they have to fit over my calves, le duh, and they have to be a good price. these are two options i found on endless.com that i "saved for later".

top: Dolce Vita Quince boot. i love the look & color of these and the western flair of the heel. and while the heel looks okay in the picture, the description says the heel is 3.5". for me, that is too tall for a casual, everyday boot.
bottom: BCBG Hans boot. i like the over style of these + the heel height is a meager 2". perfect for everyday. i wasn't going for suede but it doesn't really matter i guess. they aren't as special as the DV boots, but they are definitely more practical.
which do you ladies prefer for a casual boot?

ok. i'm getting to work now.

.write this down.

2012-01-03T16:34:00.000-05:00

ok so after reading everyone else's resolutions, it has made me think a little more in detail about what i want to accomplish in 2012. so what the hell, why not put it in writing. cheers to resolutions.

1. like millions of other people, i want to lose 10 lbs. or more. woo hoo. lame but oh so true. i've been too fat & happy this past year and it is showing. if you follow me on twitter, you may have read the jello in trashbag analogy referencing my experience with leather leggings yesterday. really, my main goal is to be able to wear shorts without vomiting in my mouth. that shouldn't be too difficult right? i have a freakin Masters in nutrition, i know how to eat healthy. i just gotta put the french fries down and do it. we are buying a treadmill in the next couple of weeks and my sister is making me participate in a 5k in february, so i am on the right track.

2. oh my gawd get organized--work edition. you have no idea what a scatterbrained crazy mess i am. this will always be a work in progress for me. but moving is really going to force me to get my shnit together since i no longer live in the middle of my territory which spans about 2/3 of NC. it is going to be all about scheduling and appointments. and driving. so much driving. but again, i'm on the right track. i'm so much better than i was 5 years ago and hopefully will continue to improve.

3. get organized--home & wardrobe edition. Tuna has become a clutter nazi. already! this is not good, but sometimes we will come to blows and i will throw so much crap away and then it feels good. this mostly ends up being office stuff and papers and mail that piles up. and magazines. oopsie. i have a real office space in The Rental and lots of shelves which will help. Pinterest will have you an organized bookshelf in nanoseconds. i have completely accepted the "i haven't used that in months/years, get rid of it" mentality. the same goes for my clothes. i have gotten rid of or given away so much in the last year, but there is still plenty. i am embracing quality not quantity. and now i really live at the end of the earth, so i won't have any reason to wear half the stuff i already own anyway.

4. grow creatively. this sounds really gay but that's about the only way i know how to put it. i want to paint a lot, perhaps even enough to have an etsy shop (this is one of those unattainable but still fun to think about goals), finally take a photography class, learn how to sew with confidence, and have fun decorating The Rental without spending a billion dollars. this will mean going to the local auctions, stopping in those sketchy antiques places i pass by all the time, and utilizing what we already have.

5. stop with all the bad habits. this a major one. i have a couple of self-mutilating habits that are frustrating and annoying and addicting. this is weird, i know, but these are my real resolutions. i have 3: peeling the skin off my lips, chewing the inside of my mouth, and scratching my head. yeah. weird. it drives tuna crazy. and i know it is not good for my body to have to regenerate cells all the time. not to mention the invitation for bacteria. and the contorting of my mouth which i'm sure will lead to more wrinkles. anyway. i want to stop. i've been doing all of these for years. years. i don't know why i do it and i don't really know how to stop. yeah, i've googled it...

6. friends & family. i don't have a ton of friends, and we are all very spread out, so it takes effort to stay connected. i want to visit Lizzy {bff college & mountain dweller} & Hotlanta {bff hometown} this year. at least once. i want to actually use my stationary i love so much, and send cards & notes for special reasons or no reason at all. i am going to try to take some initiative to make friends in our new tiny town too. this i am not good at. come to me bitches. haha. not really. no one could possibly be as weird as me but you never know. after being gone from home for 11 years and now living just 20 miles away, i want to really take advantage of being so close to my family. be it spending a lazy sunday with my mom or helping my dad with some kind of home project. having my brother over for dinner as many times as he will make the 30 minute drive. taking my nieces to the movies or having a girls night in. dropping by my grandma's and taking her lunch. you get the idea. it makes me all warm & fuzzy inside.

7. spend less time on the internets! i love to blog and read blogs and pin and repin but i spend way too much time sitting on my ass looking rather than doing. DIYs, cooking, organizing, etc cannot be done with my digits connected to the keyboard. with that said, i would like to someday tackle organizing my pin boards. oh pinterest, you slay me.

8. save big money. we sold our house quickly and even with all the work we came out in the black, plus we are renting for cheap. there is no reason why we cannot put away some serious cash this year. being married to a financial advisor certainly makes this more of an issue in our household. he is wanting me to categorize my spending! while i'm certainly not one to do without, i am so grateful for the smart financial decisions we've made both as a married couple and when we were single. we may have not had the biggest house in the best neighborhood, but we are laughing all the way to the bank. and there is not much that makes me happier than that.

holler. i didn't even know i had all those things sitting on the couch in my mind. i guess that's why it is good to make resolutions and set goals. brings things to top of mind and it's all about awareness. if you made it through reading all of those i commend you and thank you. hopefully you can help hold me accountable.

image credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

.new year, new blog.

2011-12-30T12:34:00.000-05:00

new year.
i've been home all week doing nothing but feeding my internet addiction, but i'm taking a little break. i'll be posting sporadically but not everyday until we got settled. we finally got movers lined up. so the next couple weeks will include packing boxes, cleansing our house of things we do not need or use, and going back to work. work = ew.

i don't really do resolutions. my plans with each new year are always the same...get back in shape & don't sweat the small stuff. i would like to get back into painting in a major way this year. i do feel like the new year is a great mental motivator. new beginnings of any kind conjure up a fresh outlook, and a revived effort in accomplishing even the smallest of tasks. hopefully, i can harness that into the organization of pretty much all aspects of my life. i am not organized by nature so it takes major effort. major effort i tell you. perhaps i should subscribe to Real Simple?

new blog.

so like many other bloggers, i was looking back over the past year to see what type of posts i got the most feedback on and how i may improve the blog going forward in 2012.

**the top post of 2011 was this post where i discussed the affluence of many 20something bloggers and that got you girls fired up. i loved it!

look for more candid posts about things we think but don't blog about. i'll also be documenting the joyous task of decorating a new home on the cheap and as a renter. and as always, more fashion, shoes, and dogs.

CHEERS TO YOU & YOURS!

.today.

2011-12-29T17:03:00.001-05:00

today i am missing long hair.

today i am buying a tv. a big one. b/c this is ridiculous.

today i am working on my mental preparation to start working out & eating healthy again.

today my skin feels like this...even after moisturizer.

today i am getting a pedicure. unfortunately not from wherever this is.

via

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

.Christmas recap.

2011-12-29T09:59:00.000-05:00

i know i've been blogging all about gifts, but Tuna & I made a trip to our old house yesterday and i grabbed my camera cord. so today i am sharing some family photos from Christmas.

pretty paper and festive decor. my mom can do a mean tablescape.

activites included playing some Jenga, taking (an avoiding) pictures, and practicing our shooting skills.

the dogs had a great time as well. they did a whole lot of nothing as usual. reed ended up eating half of that particular stocking.

my nephew came to our house already in spiderman gear. and perhaps not loving his new penguin hat.

shipping off a gift or two to friends. hope you like them!

and feather extensions for my nieces were quite a hit.

so yes, i do more than just shop! my camera is giving me some issues reading memory cards and this is not cool. a new camera is not in my budget, so i was very happy these photos were not destroyed and that i could share them with you {or at least my sister}. i feel a fun random post coming soon...

.add to cart: post-Christmas.

2011-12-28T08:59:00.001-05:00

there are always some things on your list that you really wanted and didn't get. if husbands and parents were on pinterest, this would not be an issue. but that is neither here nor there b/c i love taking advantage of free shipping and good sales. and today ma friens, i did just that.

first purchase of the day, Max&Chloe classic monogram necklace. i mean, everyone else has one so i have to have one too. and since i'm so damn good at internet shopping, i found a random coupon code & got $10 off + free shipping.

next stop. a shower curtain. i had my eye on this one from West Elm & then this one from UO. then my little brain light bulb went off and said 'check the sales, duh'. so i did and scored this fun little number for $10. while it is not exactly what i originally planned for, i actually love the bright & fun vibe it has. and it was $10 (marked down from $80!)

UO was also running a $10 off all jeans sale, so i had to finally purchase my green jeans.

UO is also doing free shipping when you spend $50.

i searched everywhere right before my christmas parties for those black LC by Lauren Conrad pumps for Kohls and they were sold out in my size. i like the seamless flow from black tights to black pumps and these fit the bill perfectly. it came to me today to check online and not only were they already on sale, but i also found a coupon code for an additional 20% off + $0.99 shipping. holler.

so then i remembered my sister texting me this morning saying Avon was having good sales. our mother sold Avon back in the day and i have since always used their eyeliner. it is cheap & good and it doesn't make my eyes water like cray.

Glimmersticks eyeliner in Cosmic Brown

i've read almost every review for these retexturizing peel pads and decided to give them a try. Avon's ANEW line has great reviews and many of the products are often recommended in magazines. i will let yall know what i think.

ANEW Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel

and then i got a trial size cleanser for $0.99 + free shipping :)

anyone else a consumer whore after christmas like me? fun isn't it?!

.Santa came & went.

2011-12-27T11:29:00.001-05:00

does Christmas not just come and go like a tornado? i can't believe it is already over. it was a wonderful whirlwind as always. here are a few special items like i was lucky enough to receive this year.

my brother & sister were savvy and explored my amazon wish list.

Z Gallerie Chisel glassware

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

my husband gifted me with my very own lightweight badass shotgun.

my mom got me an awesome sewing machine with which i hope to make my own pillow covers & drapes.

and my grandma gifted us with a gift card to a local restaurant in our new little town, which has the best, delicious fattening country food. perfect for that new year's resolution. good thing we still have a few days before 2012.

hope yall had a fabulous Christmas!

.wish lists.

2011-12-22T10:20:00.000-05:00

Zara Court shoes

ONA camera bag

David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric

a palomino horse

Effy 14k yellow gold & green amethyst & diamond ring

Elizabeth Cole fishbone earrings

n.d.c. riding boots

table top easel

Creative Walls book

20 gauge shotgun

diamond studs

West Elm David Stark tree plates

Max&Chloe monogram necklace

Old Navy coat

.big news.

2011-12-20T12:27:00.000-05:00

i am so excited to share the news that God has blessed Tuna & I with...the internet!! haha. fooled ya. so i am back but being such a busy time it may be a while before a real post. in the meantime, i hope you enjoy these hectic, wonderful days before Christmas!

via

.it's friday beeches.

2011-12-15T23:55:00.000-05:00

my crazy insane work schedule is finally over until 2012. cheers!

we still have basically no furniture at the rental. just a mattress on the floor and a chair. come on mover people! get your asses in gear and give a quote that company X will accept and get this shit done! ugh.

i am not visualizing fabulous, attainable rooms for the new house. the only thing i have set in my head is a new bar set up using my current green desk. just trust me, it looks good. but that leaves 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, a giant miscellaneous room, and a weird room. i'm going to take pictures this weekend and show y'all what i'm working with. i know i just need to focus on one room at a time. i should start with the living room. we need a loveseat. is that what they are still called? you know, the small sofa thing. my mind isn't working properly. anyway, i like these:

INTERESTING

LESS INTERESTING

LESSER INTERESTING

of course price will be a factor. and comfort. i'm talking serious lounging comfortable.

any suggestions? experiences/advice you'd like to share?

.dear pinterest.

2011-12-13T18:27:00.002-05:00

.christmas trees.

2011-12-13T07:55:00.000-05:00

my mom instilled in us an intense love of christmas, and every year i want more, more, more. she has downsized quite a bit now that we are all out of the house. this tree was once a 14' gold & white masterpiece.

it is still gorgeous and i am going to do an all gold, silver & white tree next year i've decided. along with an all colored tree. and my little white tree. yessssssssssssssssssss. i'm also super in love with Jessie's mom's tree. moms know how to do it.

but we are in the middle of a move and that sucker punches my ability to decorate for Christmas the right way. alas, we do have trees up at the new house. no furniture. no tv. but we have 2 sad little trees.

this was one of 2 trees left for sale at the nearby grocery store. it is small. but not terribly deformed. i love old school traditional big bulb lights. and lots and lots of ornaments.

this is my little white tree i got my first Christmas i was in college. i decorated it this year with real vintage ornaments from my mom. and i got this idea before seeing it on pinterest. score one for an original idea! haha.

i'm only running about 30 minutes late so i must go now.

.sitting in the parking lot.

2011-12-08T17:45:00.001-05:00

yes, i'm literally sitting in a parking lot. luckily there is nearby unsecured wifi. i've had one hellacious of a work week and it isn't over, but i can see the light. in fact, the reason i'm sitting in a parking lot is that i am early for a dinner meeting.

some dude shot up my local food lion lastnight. basically the guy had some beef with a food lion employee. two others were shot by accident i think. they found the shooter dead later on. this all went down literally a few miles from my house. i almost went to the grocery store lastnight. even had on my loafers which i thought about not wanting to get wet b/c the weather was furious. weird. i don't like it.

after next week it will be on like donkey kong. we are moving for realz and i couldn't be more ready. i'm ready to enjoy christmas close to home in our new little house.

i have a hair appointment next friday. bangs? i'm thinking yes. shake it up for the new year.
some pics for reference:

the clarisonic mia is definitely better than the olay face brush. i'm glad i ponied up {first time i've had to spell that phrase} and bought it. my face feels wonderful and looks decent.

someone HAS to give me a fabulous recommendation on a self-tanning lotion. i loathe being pasty but my skin is so terribly dry, i can't bear to go to the tanning bed. yeah and it's bad for you blah blah.

serious question:
taking money completely out of the equation...if you were an A cup or smaller, would you get a boob job? let's say you are not rail thin, so it's not like you would be gluing coconuts to a toothpick, but an average size woman with really small boobs. be totally honest with me ladies.

.over myself.

2011-12-05T16:10:00.000-05:00

yes i deleted my last post b/c i was looking at it and thought "ah ma gah, get over yourself". haha. i mean, blogging in general is quite self absorbed, but that part i don't mind. i was getting a little obsessive about how i looked that it got on even my own nerves.

so. in other news. i think i'm going to sell my new kate spades. i have only worn them around the house when trying on different party options, which unfortunately messed up the bottom enough to where i can't just send them back. bummer.
so. are any of you interested in the kate spade latrice. size 8.5? they run a little small so i ordered a half size up. i normally wear an 8. they are seriously the most gorgeous shoe i've ever owned. a luxurious navy satin with black glitter bow & heel.

email me {life.reediculous@gmail.com} if you are interested. i'm asking $235 including shipping. they currently retail for $325, so this is a hell of a deal!

.living rooms to live in.

2011-12-02T08:27:00.001-05:00

each of these rooms are both fabulous and lived in. just my style.

all images here

now someone move me and buy me a new sofa. chesterfield please. gray velvet? yes that would be quite pleasant.

.shneeeeebles.

2011-12-01T11:55:00.000-05:00

first, thank you for all your sweet comments about our dear Shelby girl. she's been doing poorly for a while and it was time. that doesn't make it any easier and i already miss her nudging my arm so i will pet her. i would have had her 9 years in january. she was almost 14 years old--i got her from the spca after Lizzy {bff-college} got a beagle puppy that i decided needed a friend. it makes me sad that she will not be moving with us. and finally to a house she would have loved. big fenced in back yard, big doggy sunroom area. she loved brisk, cold weather and to lay in the sun. and ham. she really loved ham.
i can't believe i've lost 2 dogs in one year. that's more than should be allowable by nature. it breaks my heart that Benny didn't get the opportunity to drift off into slumber like Shelby. Tuna says lots of reassuring things and i know he is right. but today i am heartbroken. it always makes me feel better to look at pictures so i put together this collage of shelby's life. she had it pretty good i would say.

.all dogs go to heaven.

2011-11-30T19:51:00.000-05:00

.christmas cards.

2011-11-29T08:49:00.000-05:00

i had this big long post about christmas cards and it was so boring i deleted it. basically go to these sites for great, affordable cards: Minted, Tinyprints, & Shutterfly. i ordered mine from tinyprints yesterday to take advantage of the sales.

i also ordered a Clarisonic Mia. in turquoise! so much for a christmas list. i keep buying everything i want. my Olay ProX face brush died. it lasted a little over 9 months. but now that i've been using a face brush, i can never go back. SkinStore had free shipping and 20% off, so i decided to just go for it. i hope it is worth the money.

yeah, i placed 5 different online orders yesterday. holy moly. christmas presents to myself, tuna, christmas cards, and my face brush which is definitely a necessity.

it is pouring down raining and the last thing i want to do is go to work. but alas, i must pay for the above items.

have a happy tuesday.

.winter white.

2011-11-28T18:00:00.001-05:00

i have a little bit of an obsession with all shades of white for winter. it is so crisp and clean and snow-like.

think of how fresh to death they would look if they were wearing all white?

today i shopped for a white holiday dress. something very simple and classic, so as not to compete with the fabulous shoes. if you can get past all the bodycon ASOS has an amazing selection of dresses. today the site had 25% off ASOS branded items and 20% off entire purchase. plus they offer free shipping both ways all the time. my kinda shop.

i had to order each dress in a different size b/c they were sold out of what i think i need. so we'll see which one i like best and how good my tailor is. the far right option is my favorite, and of course is the one i had to order 2 sizes larger than my normal size. perhaps ASOS brands run small and maybe it won't be so big. b/c i love it with black tights, my holiday heels, and either a faux fur coat or black blazer.

did y'all score any cyber monday deals? i'm going to take advantage and order tuna's christmas present right now!

.add to cart.

2011-11-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

a long pleasant thanksgiving holiday with an enormous amount of food. hanging out with family and friends. shooting guns. with surprisingly very little shopping. until about 3 minutes ago...
remember those Tory Burch velvet heels? yeah well i kept going back and forth and dilly and dally and now they are gone. not on the website. ugh.
so i'm home and the dishes are washed and i sit down to my computer to check out the online deals. of course, my first stop is endless (actually tory burch but we know nothing happened there). endless has $30 off $100. $60 off $200. and $100 off $300. i stumbled upon these beauties:

kate spade latrice. navy satin with black glitter bow & heel. how perfect are these for the holidays? or any day where you want your feet to be the best dressed in any room. and $100 off. putting them a sight cheaper than the TBs and while i loved the velvet, these are definitely sexier and more flattering to my stubby legs. happy thanksgiving to me!

now the task of finding a dress to wear with them. i'm thinking simple. maybe a shift dress. in black, navy, or a nice winter white. your thoughts?

.stocking stuffers - beauty.

2011-11-22T06:00:00.004-05:00

1. everyone must have a face brush. it has transformed the texture of my skin. Olay Pro-X
2. this liquid exfoliant {toner} is not at all drying and smells amazing. Aveda Botanical Kinetics
3. a long lasting blush. i love the slight shimmer and last all day blush by Smashbox. in Chiffon.
4. moisturizing lip balm that makes lips soft & shiny. Rosebud Lip Salve
5. illuminating tinted moisturizer. mixed with foundation this gives skin the perfect glow. Laura Mercier
6. a vitamin C serum will brighten your complexion and help correct sun damage . i use it once or twice a week. the Anew version is no longer available. Ole Henriksen is a nice alternative.

.navy & black.

2011-11-21T06:02:00.000-05:00

i have been up since 4am. Reed is not my favorite dog right now. i did finish a painting project and watch the season finale of How to Make It in America. and now i'm blogging so that's fun.

navy has always been my favorite color in the world for all of my life. i love to pair navy & black together. it is classic with a twist.

are you drooling over those velvet Tory Burch heels? I am. like seriously. like they made my heart flutter. and when that happens...i know they will forever be stamped on my brain. they are available for pre-order. if i knew my house was sold i would buy them. in a hot second. but i don't know for sure yet. uggghhh. i want them so bad!!
let's look at them again.

the black & gold is freakin hot too.

According to Tory:
The Cicely Pump is done in rich, vibrant velvet with a contrast satin toe and architectural bow detail. The high, stacked heel gives it height and stability. A great day-to-evening shoe that can be worn with trousers or skirts and opaque tights.
you got that right Tory. i would wear them with black tights and this dress for my christmas parties:

this dress has never been worn and i've wanted to wear it so many times. it is embellished at the top with big 'ol crystals. it was $16.99 at least 3 or 4 years ago. "daaaaamn grrrl." that is what wilson is saying to me in the picture.

.sunday night randoms.

2011-11-20T20:20:00.001-05:00

it doesn't look like it below, but i got my camera fixed. and it didn't cost me a penny. thanks Peace Camera!

i did the ombre nail look and i love it a lot.

nail colors l to r: SH Salon Manicure in Commander in Chic; Revlon Smoky Canvas; Ulta Concrete Evidence; Ulta Set the Nude

i finally painted the mahi:

he is gold and glorious.

i painted a canvas gold too:

this is surprisingly interesting. like i can look at it for a long time and it is pleasing.

michaels had canvases buy one get one free. so i bought a couple huge ones for future projects. and this one was kinda flunked up so i decided to do something with it while i had gold spray paint in my hand.

movietime:

i actually watched this a week or so ago, but it was good. i really like anne hathaway despite her love of paleness.

i walked around target knowing i needed something from the grocery section. i couldn't ever think of it until i walked in the door to my house.

it was oranges and whole cloves. pic.

the dogs refused to cooperate for christmas card photo session. this is as good as it got:

they look so bored. oh well.

hope yall had a good weekend and start your holiday week off with high a dose of festive. i have to be on the road mega early tomorrow, so we'll catch up later.

.seeing red.

2011-11-18T17:14:00.001-05:00

here's what i'm thinking of wearing tonight to dinner.

yeah i went there.
inspired by heidi, blair, krystal, and penelope

hope your weekend is red hot.

.crunch time.

2011-11-17T11:03:00.000-05:00

it's that time of year when everything goes into overdrive. and simultaneously the time of year that many of us want to slow down, relax and enjoy ourselves. not only do i have an insane work schedule for the next 3 weeks, and we are somehow supposed to find time to move {packing anxiety anyone?}, but oh yeah, and it's Christmas. the thought of it all almost gives me the nervous barfs. such is life i guess. i'm also not supposed to be spending any money in this time frame as well. except on christmas gifts. for other people.
bff skinny has been instructed to tell me how ridiculous and selfish i am when i buy something. so far, i'm not doing very well. my self-imposed spending restriction did keep me from buying two cobalt blue tufted ottomans from homegoods yesterday. that means something right? however, i did buy these items.

this is crazy cute in person. multi-color sequins and it is longer in the back. score.

if it has a black lab on it, i'm probably buying it. this pillow is embroidered and has black piping. for $16.99. score.

i really want to shop for holiday party dresses. i mean, who doesn't? even as a teenager i would go shopping with my mom. we would walk in a store, immediately split up and do our own thing and then reconvene. i would have arm loads of cocktail dresses and high heels. at age 14. my mom would just shake her head. the same pattern exists now even. some things will never change. thanks mom!

here are a few dresses i'm loving for the party season.

i obviously love a low back. all of these dresses can be found as asos.com except for the top middle number which you may recognize as Tibi. that silhouette has been in various forms for several seasons now. it is a winner. le duh.

.gold influence.

2011-11-15T08:54:00.001-05:00

i was almost giddy when i woke up extremely early this morning. i guess it is the weather and the upcoming holiday season. and the big move. fall has been absolutely gorgeous here at my house. the woodline surrounding our property is almost all hardwoods and the leaves are bright yellows and orange. we've had a lot of wind so they've been falling like crazy. i watch Reed and his shiny black coat reflecting in the sun and the bright leaves delicately falling around him. {le sigh} i would normally have a picture to document such a beautiful sight, but i haven't gotten my camera fixed yet.

fall has me certifiably obsessed with gold. i've always had a thing for gold jewelry, palomino horses, and golden bronze skin. {can you tell i'm really over being pale right now?} these days i'm obsessed with gold nails, gold flatware - thanks Jessie, gold glitter/sequins everything. it just won't stop.

now that i'm on a major budget, i will be putting my gold spray paint to good use. here are a couple items that will be getting a gold makeover.

these chairs will be painted white and the legs will be "dipped" in gold.

our amazing paper mache mahi is begging to be glammed up.

even on a budget, i may pick up these two things from Kirklands. total steals.

Minogue mirror $129.99

bamboo tray table $49.99

are y'all obsessed with gold as much as i am? what gold items are on your wish list?

.renting.

2011-11-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

you may remember, tuna & i are moving. we finally, hopefully, i think maybe found somewhere to rent in the new town. of course as soon as i walk in, i think about how will i decorate. the place is old, but not gross old, but not cool old either. it's just a little brick ranch. it does have a big fenced in back yard which is great for the dogs. it has some weird elements though. let's share:
      1. large enclosed porch w/ skylights and all windows. sounds awesome right? eh, not in reality unfortunately. skylights leak. it's on a concrete slab with kinda gross carpet stuck on top. it has direct access to the crawl space, so you can just imagine how not dry the air is. will be an exercise room. which isn't a bad thing...
2. the tiniest bedrooms you could imagine. the house is in general not too terribly small, but these bedrooms are crazy. we will not be able to set up our current bed or use both dressers. we are going to have to go with a bedframe and maybe i'll make a simple headboard so it isn't totally fugly and college apt looking.
      3. as with most old houses, closet space is practically non-existent. i'm going to purge hardcore. lookout goodwill cause you're about to get some killer stuff.
      4. there is no dining room. someone sort of made a dining room by yet again enclosing what was once a porch i think. but this opens to the "exercise room" which just doesn't work. and has a door leading to the garage. also weird for a nice dining room. but seriously when do we formally dine? never. so this room will become my art studio!!!! i've always wanted a space separate from my office and guest room that is solely dedicated to painting. i'm actually really excited about this. i've got several ideas for paintings too.
      5. rent + mortgage = no loot. which means no buying anything new for new living space. this is a bummer. but i keep reminding myself that we are renting. which means if stuff breaks we don't have to fix it. and hopefully our house will sell soon. then we will be livin high on the hog.

the general layout. not totally to scale obvi. but you can see the bedrooms are small. the living room is plenty large, but it is long and narrow. it's not too bad and i'm ready to just be moved already and half way settled by Christmas. i'll be documenting our progress so stay tuned!

.it's friday beeches.

2011-11-11T11:05:00.000-05:00

i'm happy it is friday. aren't you? le duh. i must get it out there that "arctic tans" and "le duh" are both phrases that i have taken over from DON. so thanks DON. i love saying both. frequently. i was so grossed out by my own pale skin that i lathered myself in self-tanner lastnight. oh the joy it brought me to see the brown/orange goo being soaked up by my skin. like breathing in warm dog smell. haha ew! i wish i could say i didn't actually enjoy that but i do. so comforting.

anyway. happy weekend to you all. my red pumps came in yesterday. {yes i don't play around with shipping} they are fab. perfect height and perfect point. i have always loved a pointed toe pump. and flat. i think they are just so elegant, timeless, and sexy.

so i leave you with these beauties...

via

.i think i'll pass.

2011-11-09T12:36:00.003-05:00

typically you read about stuff people love on blogs. hot trends in fashion, decor, food, etc. today, ma frien, i am going to share what i don't like. that's interesting.

i got lazy and didn't feel like explaining each one of these, but now i'm feeling less lazy and feel like commentary would be fun.

1. turbans - self explanatory.

2. fishtail braids - while these can be okay, typically they look like a runaway russian milkmaid who has been traveling on foot through the forest trying to escape her evil master.

3. arctic tans - paleness goes hand in hand with depression.

4. choke collars - ugh i HATE this. it is running rampant on fashion blogs. the decolletage is sexy and wonderful. don't cover it up like you are in a nerdy latino gang! or brody jenner.

5. leather pouches - for one, i hate the word pouch. and two, they seem to have little structure and like they would be awkward to carry in real life when it is full of shit.

6. bad red lips - granted the red lip is kind of hard to pull off in general post 1950. especially if you are blonde. and most of the time if you are not anne hathaway or gwen stefani, you should just probably try another shade. just sayin.

7. gladiator sandals - another trend that has always made me vomit in my mouth. even if you have the skinniest legs known to man...they just aren't cute. and if you have chunky monkey legs like me?? don't even look at them. they are not your friend.

8. high heeled hiking boots - again, self explantory. and ridiculous.

9. over the knee boots - i know there are plenty of styles that don't look like they were made for high class hookers, but still...let's just stop at the knee mmk?

alright, i feel better now. what would y'all add to {or subtract from} my list?

.fur + red = happy.

2011-11-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

i had started a post yesterday on how i am finding it nearly impossible to find the perfect fur vest. i wanted one that wasn't too bulky, that wasn't too expensive, that wasn't black, that wasn't super boxy, etc. well. lastnight i went to petco to pick up le dog food and thought i'd run in Ross to see if they had anything interesting. my local Ross is ghetto, but has random fabulous designer stuff so it is worth checking out every now and again.
anyway. i found my vest.

it fits perfect and was only $30. i'm also wearing my new booties. they are mega tall, but those jeans i'm sportin' are silly long so it worked out.

and i just couldn't stop until i clicked add to cart on some red shoes. i chose the nine west flax in red suede. they closest resembled the kate spade licorice but at a fraction of the price of course.

they were a good price, good silhouette, and a comfortable heel height (3"). now i can put this search to rest!

.shoe got a problem?.

2011-11-07T12:49:00.005-05:00

my weekend included a wedding, oysters, football, and sleep. a november wedding is slightly hard to dress for. i'm not really into wearing tights unless it is with something with a shorter hemline. you can't exactly pull off "mini" at a baptist wedding. here is what i came up with that was climate controlled + a cape which makes everything more awesome.

i found these booties in my size and ordered them of course. so did Kerr. she is my shoe friend.

i didn't look at pinterest for several days. wow. lots o pins. this one inspired me to get obsessed with finding the perfect red pump.

i know i don't want much of a platform, if any. i know i do want suede or some type of texture. that should narrow down the options right? eh. wrong. here are a few top contenders.

1 Dolce Vita ~ 2 Joan&David ~ 3 Ted Baker ~ 4 Joan&David ~ 5 Pour la Victoire ~ 6 Sacha London

.giveaway winner!.

2011-11-07T11:11:00.001-05:00

congratulations to LMS {Leah} for winning the yellow chevron pillow covers!

hope you enjoy & you think of me every time you see them :)

.magazine shots.

2011-11-03T14:54:00.001-04:00

finally getting around to looking at a couple great online mags.

while perusing the latest issue of House of Fifty, these images earned a screen shot.

a pure haven of feminine glory. i would squeal with glee to have a space like this to display my shoe collection. and the rug, the bold jewel tones, high ceilings, and dark wood. just perfect.

a metallic gold cowhide rug is now my newest obsession.

The Holiday Guide by Emily Henderson has tons of gift ideas & decor inspiration for the upcoming season.

this tablescape and color combos are G.OR.GEOUS. and i really, really want to DIY some poignant saying on a map, such as "Joy to the World". that's poignant right? note to self: earthy textures, cool turquoise, and glamorous gold make for a delicious plate of interesting.

if you haven't already, be sure to check out both of these great online magazines.

.deals & steals.

2011-11-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

the 2 sweaters from target were in the boys department for $16.99. boys clothes are a lot cheaper than womens.

the skull & xbones sweater is not online, so check your local store b/c it is totally rad.

jcpenney has been doing a lot of advertising as of late.

check out their very decent shoe selection. i've pinned my favorites here.

speaking of shoes. i must share these with you via LuLus.

unfortunately, i did not see them until they were basically sold out {only 5.5 left, and they say to order 1/2 size up...so if you have tiny foot syndrome then snatch these up immediately}.

but aren't they HOT?

don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

.chevron craze + giveaway.

2011-11-01T11:00:00.002-04:00

i <3 blogging. and bloggers. that means you.

so after 3+ years of sharing .life is reediculous. with y'all i'm giving back. i hope you like it.

who doesn't love a little or a lot of chevron these days?

it is undeniably everywhere.

all images can be found here.
so friends, how would you like to add a little chevron to your home?

i'm giving away 2 {24" x 24"} yellow chevron pillow covers!

these were made by the talented Melissa of Windows by Melissa

check out her other goods here.

to enter:

1. become a follower & leave a comment

2. for an extra entry, re-blog and leave a separate comment.

eazy peazy.

i will announce the winner Monday morning. good luck!

.it is finally Halloween.

2011-10-31T09:46:00.000-04:00

when Halloween doesn't fall on the weekend, it seems like it is celebrated for days. nothing wrong with that, but i'm ready to move on. Tuna & i went to a halloween party saturday night. i was trying to decide what i wanted to be and looked around for inspiration....i was a black dog. clever right? it actually turned out really cute, and most importantly, really warm. Tuna dressed up as a colonial gentleman. he was being called george washington or sam adams all night.

halloween nails:

creepy hand pic. and that is gold glitter on my ring finger.

my Nikon is giving me a bit of trouble reading SD cards. this is the second one i've had in a few months. it says "Card is Locked" and therefore won't allow me to take any pictures. anyone know anything about this? the card works fine in my little point & shoot camera. although the pictures look like crap {hence creepy hand pic}.

i am a mexican food cooking goddess:

these are what i like to call chimichiladas. they were fast & easy to prepare, semi healthy, and insanely good. i didn't use a recipe but i suggest you try to make something that ends up looking like this.
the filling is 93/7 turkey burger, a big can of green chiles, lots of spices, a generous helping of homemade salsa, and about 2 oz of low-fat cream cheese b/c i had it. the sauce on the outside i bought premade in the mexican food section and it is the green enchilada sauce. it is new & comes in a bag, the canned stuff is not as good. it tasted like fresh fire roasted tomatillos. anyway. i wish i had one to eat right now.

how amazing are these dolce vita booties? i want them even though i already have a fabulous pair of black suede booties. i could have gotten them 25% off yesterday, but i didn't pull the trigger. and now i missed the sale. and i don't need them. but that really isn't the point is it?

i'm ending the randomness now. i'm thinking of doing a giveaway very soon. here is a very vague hint, and i'm being serious versus sarcastic about the vagueness.

via

.Booties & Pine.

2011-10-26T18:28:00.001-04:00

i finally received the cheap ankle boots from old navy i discussed here. i like them. fyi -- they run a wee bit small. my original plan was to glitter the heels as seen in aforementioned post, but i probably won't ever get around to doing it. although it would be awesome. maybe i will. i've been a sparkle lush lately.

anyway. here are the boots live and in living color.

i went in target for some black nail polish. i left target with $100 worth of...stuff. ugh. i went a little crazy on the Christmas scents.

Sprucey, piney, manly, woodsy smells are my favorite. Yankee Candle's Autumn Rain is amazing. run to target and buy it. and yes, that is a glow in the dark skull.

i went back to Furbish on Tuesday to buy this blazer. i had been patiently waiting its arrival and it is exactly what i was hoping. not too shiny and not too long.

i wanted to set up shop and peruse for the rest of the day, but alas, i had to get moving. i didn't leave without a little bling however.

getchu one HERE!

.halloween is here.

2011-10-25T09:42:00.001-04:00

i am finally getting a break today after practically a month of going full throttle. i am perhaps getting a pedicure, going shopping for sure, & getting my hair done {being so naturally blonde takes work}.

fall is in full bloom at our house. Reed refused to cooperate for a picture.

lastnight, tuna & i carved our beautiful pumpkins into scary jackolanterns.

mine is the sinister bastard on the left. tuna believes top hats are scary {?)

we both believe cold beer + peanut m&ms are necessary for top notch pumpkin carving.

who is doing halloween nails? me. 

via

i am loving matte black polish + gold glitter.

are you watching American Horror Story?
i am. it is mega, extra creepy.
 

.in the dark room.

2011-10-23T19:54:00.000-04:00

Friday night, Jessie, Hyla, and I went to the preview party of the grand opening of Furbish Studio's new location. with the extra square footage, comes extra fabulous...everything! since we are moving soon, visiting Jamie's new store definitely has my mind in overdrive thinking about how i want to decorate the future House of Reed.

the one room i can plan with a doubt is the master bedroom. i went dark in my current bedroom thinking it would help me sleep. it does. i will have a hard time ever going back to a light, bright bedroom. the darkness is sexy and glamorous.

my bedroom

viva la eggplant

for round 2 i'm wanting something more masculine. and i'm sure Tuna would not disagree.

inspiracion

via

navy is my favorite color of all time. it is classic, soft, bold, luxurious and versatile. all at the same time.

.J Crew 2.0.

2011-10-20T10:40:00.001-04:00

as you may recall, we were recently blessed with a jcrew warehouse sale. i enjoyed this event last year and found some nice items {see last year's recap here} this year wasn't quite as amazing in shoe/outerwear department, but i still managed to drop some cash.

first. blazers galore. we all know blazers are huge this year and i scored a couple winners.

the details on the black blazer are fun, and i am a sucker for a raw hem.

the other one fits great and is a peachy blush tan-ish color.

speaking of blazers...how amazing is this one? and only $69!

back on topic. i also got a couple sweaters.

my pictures aren't great, so excuse the reflection from the mirror. but sequins and gold = sold.

i also got this skirt, a blouse almost identical to this, and this dress. oh plus a casual oxford shirt and a belt.

so all in all a success. i am toying with the idea of going back next week and see what is left and if they've marked down anything super, super duper cheap.

.glitterrrrr.

2011-10-19T07:20:00.000-04:00

you can believe that i will most definitely be making a DIY version of these.

possibly using these from Old Navy

they are on sale right now for $22!

.NOLA.

2011-10-18T09:32:00.000-04:00

we are back from new orleans! it was a fantastic trip with some hilarious moments with one of our favorite couples to share in the fun. now i am in full detox mode. so much food. so much booze. so little sleep.
however. i really wish i was having one or two of these this morning with a steaming delicious cup of cafe au lait.

beignets from the famous Cafe du Monde.

pouring powered sugar on myself while listening to some lively street musicians sounds like a good time.

speaking of the street, there is always plenty of entertainment just people watching.

police car turned transformer

fake ladder man

hmm. these brown baggers were with us.

i am glad our NC waters are not home to this guy.

we went on a swamp tour and tuna aka eagle eyes spotted this monster gator. the tour guide was even surprised to see such a big one, especially this time of year.

meet Brian. our guide's pet gator. Brian is about one year old and will be released back into the wild when he is approx 3 ft long.

i wouldn't want to make the gators angry and end up here:

a super fun time and if you've never been to new orleans i highly suggest it. tuna & i have been twice now and we have practically made the city adopt us.

**i wasn't paying attention and took half the pictures on a weird camera setting so they didn't turn out quite like i had hoped. oops. i guess too many hurricanes and gator bites will make your brain a little fuzzy!

i have another busy work week with a lot of traveling so my blogging may once again be spotty. i feel so behind after having such a crazy few weeks. i'm not commenting much, but i'm still reading your blogs and will hopefully get back to normal soon!

.where are we?.

2011-10-12T17:16:00.000-04:00

.work = ew.

2011-10-11T14:56:00.001-04:00

not really. b/c i actually really like my job. buuuttt i haven't had much time for anything else. a lot going on here at house Reed. moving, selling, working, vacationing. oh, and a little shopping.

the only shopping i've done is the jcrew warehouse sale in chapel hill last friday. i scored some lovely items. 2 blazers, 2 sweaters, 1 skirt, 1 belt, 2 tops, and 1 dress. i will share pics of those in the near future. here is what i wore to the shopping event. each item served a purpose for the serious warehouse sale shopper. and you can finally somewhat see my new hair.

there are no dressing rooms: skirt necessary for trying on pants.

flats: necessary for easily trying on shoes

cardigan: it was cold and we had to wait in line outside for almost 2 hours

tank: to try on tops etc

my sweet munchkins.

.forget me not.

2011-10-10T21:03:00.000-04:00

I was visiting my parents and left my computer charger there. Now im home fully planning on hours of blogging and pinning...when oops...no power. Im tediousy tapping out this post on my nookcolor. I will hopefully get reconnected tomorrow. Blegh.

.my love.

2011-10-06T10:01:00.000-04:00

Reed has this song on repeat:

.the perfect jeans.

2011-10-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

every once in a while, i pull on a pair of pants and think omg. because they are just perfect and i want them in duplicates. this happened to me yesterday at Urban Outfitters. with these jeans.

BDG Ankle Cigarette High Rise Jean

There are more than a few versions of this Cigarette jean. High Rise, Mid Rise, Ankle, Grazer, Regular, Vintage...etc. Also in an assortment of colors & fabrics; red, green, cobalt, yellow, pink, white, lots of different denim washes, black, corduroy, teal, wine, etc. i have found the perfect combination in the Ankle High Rise which is, of course, the least common. i already have the red in regular length and will definitely be getting them hemmed, but i really hate taking clothes to the tailor. aside from the added expense, it is just aggravating. nonetheless, i'm going for the perfect 30" inseam, high waist, comfortable, & affordable skinny jean.

i stood there staring at the large display of all the BDG jeans and could not decide between green and cobalt blue. when i finally decided on green...i search the stack and my size is out. ugh. so i may wait around for them to go on sale, or just order them right now. or order both green & blue??

.10-4.

2011-10-04T06:25:00.002-04:00

it's that day of the year again when i go back and look at all my wedding photos. in no particular order, i will share some of my favorites.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TUNA!

.football & grandma.

2011-10-02T22:32:00.000-04:00

tuna rented a van and 8 of us had transportation to and from the ecu:unc game. i didn't take one single picture unfortunately, but it was a good, and at times, interesting, experience. my favorite moment was perhaps watching one of our guests screaming into the woods behind my house for her boyfriend...he had gone to the store...there was no one outside...oopsie. anyway.

we also celebrated my Grandma's birthday.

fall flowers for Grandma.

the best bbq chicken in existence.

the kids frolicking about.

hooray for october. my favorite month of the year.

.my hiatus...& kohls.

2011-09-30T10:24:00.000-04:00

so i've been busy and out of town for work. blah blah blah. when you're away from blogging for a while, it gets a little hard to start back. and who knows when and if i'll get caught up reading all my favorites.
other than one little trip to the mall {on a weekend--eek!} i haven't spent a dime. hooray.

my mall trip consisted of one Miraculous bra. hello. ew my nose is bleeding. weird.
one tube of Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer. so far i really love it.
and then a cheap dress from francesca's.

celebrities with cheap clothing lines seems to be quite popular. i may check out what ill-fitting attire Kohls has to offer from JLo.
such as this sequin top. and i kinda like this dress.
LC's line is not too shabby. like this ensemble.

this pleated maxi skirt is quite nice & perfect for fall.

enjoy your friday & your weekend internet friends.

.shoe got a problem?.

2011-09-24T18:52:00.000-04:00

Nine West | Kate Spade | Hunter | Ivanka Trump | Zara

i went through a shoe phase. apparently a pointed toe shoe phase. i just realized looking at the pics that they all have the same shaped toe. cool. i managed to accumulate these in less than a week. except the nine west shoes...i got those a while back, but i haven't worn them yet. anyway.

i've been m.i.a. i will continue to be m.i.a. lots of work going on. but i'll be at a work meeting next week which may call for business ootd's. my favorite!

.friday feature.

2011-09-16T08:30:00.000-04:00

on friday! wow.

paul & clint | gloss on matte | gold leaf diy | greek key chevron | groovy classic

.the mercury falls.

2011-09-15T14:17:00.004-04:00

i didn't realize until just then that we will be experiencing a 20+ degree temperature drop from today to tomorrow. it is like getting a little gift sent down in a silver parachute. {hunger games reference, no big deal} speaking of, who is hype about the movie? i am.

and in the spirit of cooler, rainy days i picked up these today from Gilt Groupe.

Hunter original in navy
There are really only three things I look for with dedication on sites such as gilt, rue, and hautelook. those include DVF, Hunter, and Tibi. i rarely buy anything, and if i do really want something, it is usually sold out in milliseconds. however, today i was getting ready to pack up for lunch and saw the email come through from gilt. so i sat here in the hotel convention center on my super fast internet connection and when noon struck i clicked 'go'. and from there everything happened so fast, i barely remember....scroll down original tall click navy click size 8 click add to cart click submit order click. wooo. literally at like 12:01 i had purchased the boots. and then at 12:03 they were sold out. HOLL-ERRR. being that Hunter's rarely go on sale online, getting them for $79 was really exciting.

the Hunters and the lower temps made me daydream of fall outfits for casual, everyday wear. some things i will be donning soon:

.moving on.

2011-09-15T09:47:00.000-04:00

via

our house if officially for sale. by owner. tuna is meeting with the guy taking his office as we virtually speak. tuna is then going to take over a different office, about 1.5 hours east. it is all happening a little faster than we originally planned, but whatev. i'm ready for a change. living so landlocked has never been for us.

we've had our little sign out front for about 36 hours and have already gotten one phone call. that's a good sign i hope. will they call back? who knows. but at least there is one soon-to-be retired couple out there looking to live in lizard lick, north carolina. yep. we live in lizard lick. it is a crossroads now made famous by my neighbors...Lizard Lick Towing. you can catch their reality show on trutv if you're interested in being a little more cultured.

who doesn't dread the moving process? and we are planning on finding something to rent. with 3 dogs. good luck with that you say. the town we are moving to isn't exactly a hot bed of real estate activity so maybe we'll get lucky.

i was really proud of myself this morning b/c i actually was leaving the house on time for once. i get about 5 miles down the road and realize i forgot my rings. i hate that. it takes me a couple more exits to make the decision to turn around. so i drive back home to get them and come in the house. tuna is still sleeping and he gets up when i'm grabbing the dry cleaning pile...and he sleepily declared he thought he was going to have to kick someone's ass for stomping through his house. i laughed and said 'you really came prepared for a fight being that you are um...naked.' hahaa. tmi i know, but it was funny.

what a boring post! sorry. i am going to be sitting at a trade show all day. so it's likely i'll post some pretty stuff later on. thanks for reading and all your great comments regarding my hair! i still love it so that's a good sign.

.new season, new hair.

2011-09-14T11:49:00.002-04:00

ok ladies...i have been pretty ~~lazy~~ busy and haven't taken a real picture of my hair. but i love it. and here is the awesome pic i took in my truck when i left the salon.

it doesn't look crazy blonde in the pic, but it is believe me.

it is basically exactly like kate bosworth's hair here:

if you are local.

Hair & Face Lounge in Cary. GO.

**my sunglasses are these from Urban Outfitters. i am too much of a trainwreck to have nice glasses. they would immediately get sat on, lenses face down in the floor-board of my truck, chewed on by the pup, or lost in my purse among sharp objects and dirt.**

.today is the day.

2011-09-13T12:18:00.000-04:00

this afternoon my hair will hopefully be some combination of the following

wish me luck!

.it's a dog's world.

2011-09-12T08:40:00.001-04:00

not too much to blog about around these parts. we had a weekend full of football and snacking. i made these two recipes from pinterest:

Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake cookies & Jalapeno Popper Dip
the cookies are an odd consistency once baked, almost like a shortbread, but with the cream cheese center and fresh blueberries, they make a fantastic dessert or breakfast.
the dip was as good as cheesy, spicy dip always is...and it was devoured. would also be good with chicken.

the dogs were being photogenic:

Shelby didn't feel like coming outside so she missed out on the photoshoot. Reed is looking dashing, while Wilson is sticking his tongue out. look at Wilson's FEET! i just love his furry little paws.
well that's about it. i have to go to work now. more exciting stuff tomorrow as i will be sharing the recent additions to my shoe family in detail.

.hair + care.

2011-09-08T12:38:00.001-04:00

this is exactly what my hair looks like today. years ago i bought one of these:

thinking it would give me hair more like this:

i was wrong.
but nonetheless, i pull it out about once a year to channel jessie spano.

i have to admit. it is kinda fun.

i also found some oscar blandi hair products at tjmaxx. score.

i haven't tried the dry shampoo spray b/c i have both the suave dry shampoo (which for less than $2.50 is fantastic and the oscar blandi powder).
warning: if you try this you will be an addict and will only buy absurdly expensive hairspray from this point forward. the hairspray smells like hairspray and a meadow filled with gardenias produced an offspring. this is the most fabulous smelling hairspray i've ever smelled in my life. gardenias also happen to be one of my favorite flowers as well. i don't think i'll ever be able to purchase anything else. plus it has a nice flexible, volumizing hold. click on the pics to buy.

.enough is enough.

2011-09-07T10:06:00.001-04:00

occasionally there are trends that are so good, i just can't stop accumulating. this year, my friends, there are two of said trends: leopard & glitter. granted, animal prints are always in style, but some years, such as 2011, they are on the forefront. and glittteerrrrr (& sequins). holy geez. i have a real problem. not to mention high-waisted everything. i've only been searching for high-waisted apparel my whole life. i realize those are 3 trends. whatev.

so how much is too much? leopard shoes, leopard scarves, leopard coats, leopard bags...sequin sweaters, glitter shoes, sequin blazers, glitter nails....

in less than one week i've purchased these leopard flats...and then today, with the opening of Zara e-commerce...i bought these:

look how everyday casual fabulous they are on the LovelyPepa:

to complete my collection, i still am in need of a sequin adorned blazer and/or sweater, and a leopard bag. like this messenger from ASOS for example:

unfortunately this hottie is out of stock. but that's okay.

is there anything you can't get enough of? have you splurged on any items for fall? have you purchased any animal prints and/or sparkly items of goodness??

**shelby update: i think she is doing better today. one of the medicines she is on makes her have to tinkle a lot, so i had to get up with her twice lastnight, but she seems to be moving better and maybe not quite so out of breath. hopefully after a few days when all the meds really start to do their thing, she will be doing even better. she has enjoyed the cheeseburgers, chicken & gravy, hot dogs, and other snacks that have been involved with making her eat & take her pills, so it's not all bad!

.Shop Reed's Closet is live.

2011-09-06T15:15:00.001-04:00

i have a tab right under my blog header so check it out! there are definitely a few items i went back and forth with whether i was ready to let them go. happy shopping!

.slow tuesday.

2011-09-06T13:13:00.001-04:00

so i took zero pictures this weekend, but had a relaxing one that was full of doing nothing.

i noticed shelby was doing worse over the weekend so i decided to take her to the vet this morning. she is definitely in a bad state and the vet said it was bad enough to put her to sleep. what?! i wasn't prepared for that. but we decided to drain the fluid off her abdomen and put her on some heart meds and see how it goes. she either has primary heart failure or a tumor on her heart. the thought of losing two dogs in a little over 6 months time makes me want to vomit. literally. shelby has been a staple of my adult life. i never thought about her ever being fragile or sick. she is so...shelby! the few of you who know her personally know what i mean. i'm hoping the medications will make her feel better. so one thing i would like to point out is that having three dogs can be very expensive. i've literally spent just over $1000 in one month at my vet. it is insane! wilson got neutered, reed had his annual boosters/checkup and got on a new, very expensive allergy medication, and now this. anyone have pet insurance? i don't know anything about it but i could have probably used it this year! so pray for shelby and hug your pups real tight.

while waiting for my computer to download an incredibly large presentation for work, i took pictures of all the stuff i want to sell on the blog. mostly shoes and dresses. so look for that in the very near future.

i did a little cooking this weekend. i made these:

insanely easy and delicious. i used reduced fat crescent rolls and reduced fat cream cheese.

tuna and i love good bbq. now we are from eastern nc so this is not your traditional bbq and we are very picky {only the best vinegar based bbq for us}. anyway, i wanted some but there is no where worthy around where we live to get it. and i wanted something fairly healthy. enter chicken bbq.

this is also insanely easy and delicious. put chicken in the crockpot. i had frozen giant chicken boobs.

add Uncle Yammy's bbq sauce. i have a feeling uncle yammy's is a nc thing, so you may not be able to find it everywhere. it is the best bottle vinegar based sauce i've tried compared to my own uncle's homemade sauce which is the best you've ever put in your mouth. ever.

so anyway. cook chicken with bbq sauce. i also added a little more apple cider vinegar. no measuring, just poured in a tad. and when my chicken was fully thawed, i poked holes in it so the sauce could get in the meat. when it's done shred up to your liking. this is going to be extra delicious after it sits a day and the flavors meld. but it's also good right out of the crockpot steaming hot.

i made dijon chicken in the crock pot lastnight but we are having it for supper tonight. so i don't know if it's going to be good yet. again, giant chicken boobs, squirt on a healthy dose of dijon mustard, add a can of cream of chicken soup, and a splash or two of whatever beer you're currently drinking. yum!

.good friday.

2011-09-03T11:23:00.000-04:00

my day started out with a long dreary drive to meet with my regional manager for my annual evaluation. i always get a little anxious prior to this particular meeting b/c you never know when someone else thinks you suck at your job. fortunately, not only do i not suck, but i'm really awesome. so i left feeling great and compensated.

of course, that means i headed straight for Saks. i had already made up my mind i was buying myself something amazing as a treat for getting a bonus this year. i had in my head i would get a new pair of TB Revas. i wear the crap out of the pairs i own, and wanted a new color to add to the party.
so i casually walk in saks and basically bee-line it for the shoe department. to which i am greeted by the dashing george clooney meets some UAE sultan or something. anyway. the man is worth photographing. i'm just saying.
SO after perusing the reva selection, i ask him to grab my size in a nice sensible patent leather nude and a tan pair. i try them on. they are fine. but don't blow me away. i look around and the angels sing down upon this pair. before i try them on i know they are it.

Kate Spade Eryn leopard flat

sold.

then i tried them on. they are so incredibly comfortable. i am keeping my cool of course, but mr. UAE clooney knows the look all too well. he says, "you like those the best." not a question, just a simple statement. 'why yes mr. UAE clooney, i do. i'll take em.'

i was filled with glee leaving the mall. only to come home and remember my red skinnys were waiting for me!

boom.

i love them. and so do the dogs.

so that does it. a great start to a long weekend.

.friday at last.

2011-09-02T07:52:00.000-04:00

i'm so glad september is here. the 7-day forecast shows highs in the 70s next week?! september and october are my favorite months of the year. being named summer and having a watermelon & cold beer kinda birthday makes me feel bad about putting july in 3rd place...oh well. with age comes wisdom. and an ever decreasing desire to sweat buckets and be in a bikini.
but anyway.

what does blogger mean when they say "try the new blogger interface"?

remember the red skinnys i ordered from UO? well they are finally supposed to arrive today. another piece of my fall wardrobe falling into place. haaaaaaaaaaaaaa. get it?

i ordered this sweater yesterday from Hallelu.

i really want these boots. n.d.c. made by hand Genet riding boot

the perfectly worn perfect luxurious leather. perfect shape toe. perfect heel. not so perfect price...$789! enough about fall clothes. i'm sure that will occupy many posts to come.

so i bought a cheap roman shade to give the buy a cheap roman shade and add a ribbon trim project a try. epic fail. a cheap roman shade is worse than mini blinds. i will be returning it. if i can get it back in the box. i think i'll try a medium priced shade and see how that goes. speaking of projects...

i bought 7 cans of spray paint today. now that the weather is easing up a bit i will attempt a couple of quick painting projects that have been on my mind. i tried spray painting a picture frame in 90 degrees and 99% humidity. it doesn't work too well.

thank you so much for all the feedback i got on my hair. i love hearing your input, and while ultimately it will come down to my own decision, i like having the opinion of so many stylish bloggers. it helps me feel like i'm making a solid decision based on research on preparation. huh?
anyway. i think i've decided what i want to do. have you voted yet? if not, do so HERE.

have a non-laborious weekend.

.hair inspiration & a poll!.

2011-09-01T13:14:00.012-04:00

i have been perusing the internets for some good hair inspiration photos. i basically have been saving images in 4 categories. i would love for you to review the images and then cast your vote. thanks friends.
she bangs:

she is bangless:

bangless and platinum and short. this would be the most drastic change:

the Sienna: the most familiar look. i like the layers and the long bangs

the Model: platinum blonde with chunky bangs and a blunt bob. i'm not so sure i can even do bangs like this and i feel like it would definitely take some fixing to look hot.

the Olivia: kinda what i've got going on now, but a little shorter. (and insanely more amazing) le sigh.

the Kate: neck length, platinum, all one length. this would definitely be a change! i would also definitely have to fix this cut. i would not do it unless it was super blonde. otherwise i know i would hate it. super blonde makes everything better.

**edit: i can't believe i didn't comment on the stupid headpiece kate is wearing in this photo. please ignore it when picturing my face with her hair. that is all.

so ladies. i watched some youtube videos and figured out how to put a poll in a blog post! holler.

.sequins & supper.

2011-08-31T20:38:00.001-04:00

DON posted this pic of Ali Larter and let me just say two things: 1.) this outfit was made for me and somehow ended up on her and 2.) i must find a sequin cardi. stat.

so perfect. like a vanilla cupcake with glitter frosting.

finding the perfect sequin cardi is proving difficult, however, i am loving this little marc jacobs number:

on a different note. i made a pizza quesadilla for dinner. it was mediocre. but i took pictures.

oh yeah. i sauteed some yellow pepper with onion and garlic. add italian sausage and turkey pepperoni. left over spaghetti sauce. fresh basil & mozzarella. and grill on panini press in wheat tortilla. it was kinda genius. and kinda made my stomach hurt. but what doesn't?

i cleaned up the blog a little. it was getting on my nerves, but i'm really liking the fresh new look. speaking of new look. i'm about to shave my head again like i did in high school. i didn't actually shave it...just went from shoulder length to pixie cut on a whim. in all honesty, i'd love to rock it again, but i don't think i have the balls anymore. i would most definitely have that b platinum too.

hot, no?

so i'm on a mission to do something different with my hair. not crazy different like little carey mulligan. but different. maryam, if you're reading, be thinking about it. i'll see you soon :)

.pinning is winning.

2011-08-29T17:20:00.001-04:00

i pin, you pin, we all pin 

glitter & pleats | wingback flair | art wall perfection | leather jacket phase | delicious

.a little rant.

2011-08-29T09:29:00.000-04:00

everyone on the East coast was most certainly inundated with Hurricane Irene footage this weekend.

our local news station reported some nuts & bolts in the parking lot, some "flooding" aka rain, a downed tree or two in new england, and holy hold your socks...maybe some wind gusts in rhode island.

w. t. f.

it was the worst selection of news coverage i've ever witnessed for a hurricane. tuna & i were flabbergasted. not one single news reporter was even in cape hatteras or ocracoke which got slammed. and the news doesn't even mention the pockets of devastation in the inner banks. it made me so angry and if this is how our media outlets cover the weather...how terrible a job are they doing at reporting other news stories? just lastnight and today are the news reporting of new inlets being created by the storm and the massive flooding in OBX. today? really?! the only images we saw before lastnight were submitted by a viewer.

here are some images from eastern nc & and the outer banks.

these are all images of the new inlet, and highway 12 which obviously got eaten.

my work bff and her family have a cottage at the river near Aurora, NC and there is not much left. never heard of any of this damage on the news.

anyway. twilight zone of hurricane coverage.

aaand there are only 2 more episodes of trueblood! oh no!

.there's a cat in the craft room.

2011-08-28T22:03:00.000-04:00

glittermania by lifereediculous featuring slingback pumps

me-owww by lifereediculous featuring leopard print flats

getcha some.

.khaki.

2011-08-26T06:25:00.002-04:00

monochromatic khaki is the flavor of the day.

wearing my safari vest over a jumpsuit.

i was curious to see if i could really notice a difference in my ootd pics with the new lens.

uh yeah.

can we say wrinkly pants and wet hair? hollaaa. {i was discussing with reed how he never wants to move and that my shoes would not be seen in the photo}

i really just wanted to check out the photo quality. and since i made them into a collage in picnik it compresses the file size, therefore they are not as crisp on the blog as they are in real life. but still better than they were.

and the pups at play...plus a floral arrangement.

.thoughts on thursday.

2011-08-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

beware: several thoughts floating around in my circus today.

1. jim cantore is in Rhode Island for Hurricane Irene. RI? really? have you looked at the path of this bia? i'm sick of hearing about the jersey shore getting a little wind. hello mandatory evacs for the outer banks...what about us?

ugh. anyway.

2. i have to work on saturday. wtf.

3. i got my new lens yesterday and even though i've only taken a few photos inside the house just to use it...i already am loving it.

4. i'm pretty sure my old dog, Shelby, is in the latter stages of congestive heart failure. she has recently almost completely lost her appetite {except for ham...her favorite}, has excessive fluid accumulation in the abdomen, heaving breathing, and a crazy sounding heartbeat. she technically has had heart disease for a while and a moderate heart murmur, but i can tell it has gotten worse. she has been getting extra love {& ham} from tuna & i. she will be 13 this winter. i adopted her from the spca, so i don't really know her birthday...i am original and just use january 1.

5. i majorly injured my toe lastnight by somehow stubbing it on reed's mouth. sounds very strange and i still don't really know exactly what happened, but i know i busted him in the nose and now my toe feels broken.

6. i need A LOT of spray paint to complete a couple projects around the house. gold & white. lots of it.

7. i wore an arm party to dinner lastnight. i held my arm out and asked tuna, "what do you think this is called in the fashion blog world?" to which he replied,"an arm full of crap?" haha. close.

8. Skinny scored this faux bamboo mirror for me for $15.

holler.

9. i have 3526 unread messages at my old email address. i use it for annoying stuff that gets sent daily. like all the emails from stores, groupons, etc etc. i used to stay on top of it, but it has gotten a little out of hand at this point.

10. my intro to animal science and swine management professor was recently in national hog farmer magazine. NC State is such a pioneer in modern agriculture and makes me very proud to have went there and be a part of it.

11. there are sales going on everywhere & i'm full speed ahead in my brain with fall fashion goodness. i absolutely do not need to spend any money, but look at THIS:

burnt orange blazer with leopard cuffs. oh yeah.

12. i'm fixing to have a huge blog sale, mostly shoes size 8. in fact, since i'm working saturday i'm treating today as my saturday, and, therefore, i may take pictures of said sale items with my new lens.

told you i had a lot of thoughts today!

.add(ed) to cart.

2011-08-24T23:04:00.000-04:00

i got done with my meeting a little early yesterday, and i was so excited about my outfit, that i felt i needed to go somewhere...that somewhere ended up being the mall. i went to all of 2 stores.
Urban Outfitters

i super super <3 these jeans. a lot. {and they're on sale right now for $39}

since i have short legs, they are much closer to ankle length on me and i absolutely love the high rise. i am going to wear these out fo sho.

i've been searching for juuust the right cat eye and this is IT. and for $14 i can afford to sit on them.

then off to

Nordstrom

i went in looking for this satchel, and it did not disappoint. i am not one to covet the bags, but this is nice and i desperately needed a black carrying device.

this necklace is fun. and it was only $22.

i also got a couple tops that i didn't need. i have accumulated quite a few fun tops that i better start wearing. i need another blazer {pink? kelly green? i can't decide but definitely a bold color} and i'll be set to wear them all well into the fall.
i'm creating a board on pinterest for my fall must have items. my bff, Hotlanta, always puts together a little list of things she really needs/wants each season and this is so smart!
stay tuned...

.peaches & cream.

2011-08-24T08:47:00.002-04:00

probably one of my favorite outfits ever.

.purple people eater.

2011-08-23T08:27:00.000-04:00

i got these gems [pants] from goodwill.

DON, i have a feeling you are going to like this one.

BOOM.

.lens anxiety.

2011-08-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

after reading hundreds of reviews, i sat there with my mouse on the "place order" button & finally made the click.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor lens

i hope i will be happy with it over the f/1.4.

that was my big dilemma, but based on what i use my camera for, my skill level, and budget, it should be more than adequate.

anyone have experience with this lens? the f/1.4?

i really, really need to take a photography class. i truly don't know what i'm waiting for.

thanks to one of the best online retailers out there, i will be receiving this bad boy tomorrow.

.weekend.

2011-08-22T09:41:00.001-04:00

Tuna fished in his last tournament of the season last week, so i went down to the beach to join him for the weekend. heading to the beach i was faced with this:

i took this while driving...but a nasty storm loomed ahead. luckily it moved north of me so i didn't have to drive through it.

my little munchkin likes to snuggle beside me on road trips. he was so good this weekend, i just want to squeeze him every second.

Pirates Cove is in Manteo, NC and the future location of our second home.

the guys are back and cleaning up the boat. a 41' Express Albemarle. it's for sale if you're interested.

some white marlin flags-a-flyin.

one of the big tournament sponsors was Bacardi. So. needless to say, i wasn't feeling so hot Saturday morning. Saturday we drove to Edenton to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. here is a shot of my hangover birthday celebration style:

tie dye maxi, big sunglasses, and water.

saturday night was low key and we had a nice dinner and stayed with some friends.

at 4:30am on Sunday, we get up to go for a day of fun fishing, but since i have wilson and whole list of other excuses, i decide not to go. Tuna, however, just cannot turn down a fishing trip. ever.

so i hang out on sunday and do a bunch of nothing. i arrive at the dock at around 4pm and wait for them to get back. 4:30 comes and goes, as does 5, 5:30, 6pm...and i'm wondering...wtf. finally another boat shows up that i know and i ask the capt. he said they lost an engine and are limping in reaalll slow. wouldn't be in til about 8pm. good grief. so i leave at that point and head back home. here are some shots i took of the marina while i was waiting...

this photo will be inspiration for a new painting!

dead tuna head.

on another note. i get another email from Urban Outfitters that my backordered red skinnys which were supposed to ship tomorrow, are now backordered until sept 18. seriously? i'm so sick of all this backorder business. you either have the product or you don't?! ugh. perhaps it's a sign that i don't need to look like stuffed red hots (those red sausage things in the jar--not the candy).

.yellow.

2011-08-19T11:09:00.000-04:00

i'm rocking a lot of yellow while i still can. yellow cannot be worn well by everyone. lucky for me, i am tan, have blonde hair, and well...look good in yellow.

this is not a very good example so you will just have to trust me.

i got this skirt from a boutique in atlanta that also has a small selection of vintage goods. i can't remember the name...sorry.

one of the things i love about vintage clothes are the details. so many fabulous details.

yellow&white crocheted chevron pattern with scallop hem. delightful.

worn with a totally amazingly stained cut off tshirt (it is not that bad looking in real life).

i won't be a fashion blogger anytime soon.

a fun, casual outfit with some snazz.

.friday feature.

2011-08-19T08:18:00.000-04:00

my favorite pins this week look a little somethin like this:

{the classics}

headed to the beach after work for the last night of the Pirates Cove marlin tournament.

then to just enjoy nags head for a couple days. it is my favorite place on earth.

.vintage stripes.

2011-08-18T12:27:00.000-04:00

i'm feeling better now since i fixed my hair and put on fun clothes. funny how much difference that makes for my attitude. so then i decided to take some ootd pics. yesssss.

here is item #1 from the clothes my mom pulled for me when going through my grandparents' attic. my mom knows me so well...i loved everything she saved for me.

if you've read my blog for long or know me IRL...you know i hate shorts. my legs were not made for shorts. my legs were made for the midi skirt. go me.

these, however, combined all of my favorite attributes: stripes, navy&white, natural waist.

paired with a yellow&white striped tee and nude wedges. i also found the sunglasses i'm wearing in my header. i loved these so much and lost them on my wedding day. i get in my mom's car this past weekend and low and behold she's been rocking them. i traded her my new cat eyes which she loved for these.

speaking of love...

wilson is happy to be home with his brother. not happy about his new accessory.

i'm off for a 90 minute massage :)

.missing.

2011-08-18T10:30:00.000-04:00

spending the night without wilson made me weepy and sad. coincidentally, it has been exactly 6 mo since Benny left me forever. i am already emotional this week and now i am just a hot mess. sometimes it just comes back and bites me in the heart. i miss him. and i missed not having Wilson even for 24 hours. but he's home now and recovering fast :)

so i'm going to post some pictures of my doggies b/c there is nothing better in the world.

my pups enjoy a good snooze.

Benny: pics 1 & 2

Reed: pics 3 & 4

Shelby: pics 5 & 6

Wilson: pics 7 & 8

ok i'm done. i'm feeling poopy today but it will pass.

.impromtu dinner party.

2011-08-17T07:13:00.000-04:00

there are 3 of us from our freshman year that still live close by and still make the effort to stay in touch. b/c we are the cool ones. and anyway, i was feeling we were a bit overdue for a get together so i invited them over for dinner. i was craving a solid meal and decided instead of pizza & paper plates i would opt for a little more refined dining experience.

first and foremost, the tablescape.

i love chargers. i love my french country rustic chic china.
and i bought these sweet little vintage dessert plates from the flea market.

and the food.

spinach ceasar
asparagus parmesan risotto
grilled london broil
and wine.
i definitely want to set the table more often.

wilson is going under the knife today.
say goodbye to his manhood.
& wish him a speedy recovery!

.nostalgia.

2011-08-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

my sis, brother, & me

yeah i'm rockin some shades on Christmas Day. inside.

my mom & dad (& sister). they look so young!

{b/c they are...}

mom & dad lookin fly

we are not sure who these people are. but this picture is awesome.

this is my granddaddy during WWII.

i could look at old photos for hours upon hours.

it's 10am and i've taken Wilson to his grooming appt, finished a book while waiting for him, went to an empty Target and grocery store, sold a truckload of feed {this is a work term}, and made Wilson's appt to get his manhood removed. productive day.
however...my day started with the buzzing of the alarm. followed by Reed crawling on top of me like he does every morning. today he swings his big bear paw right at my face and his toe nails go in my eyeball. it was so painful! i couldn't open my eye at all for about 15 minutes. now it is a little red, swollen, and just plain hurts. thanks Reed. good morning to you too.

.the estate.

2011-08-15T18:23:00.002-04:00

i can't believe i haven't posted since last wednesday. have you noticed? i always wonder who reads daily...anyway.

i've just been super busy with work and kind of unmotivated. i've started a couple projects but nothing worth blogging about just yet.

this weekend i went Home and enjoyed hanging out with my family. my dad has been bugging me about going through my grandfathers house and seeing if there is anything i want. ("Pop Pop" passed away a few weeks ago) so that i did.

here are a few of the items that have now joined my home.

a desk lamp and a couple fun mirrors. i also got one really huge mirror which i haven't unpacked yet.

a silver coffee pot in need of some tlc, some amazing glasses, and a fun little side table.

i am in love with this pale blue leather overnight bag.

there was a lot of fun costume jewelry to sort through.

**my mom got this chair...not me!** isn't it fabulous?!

there is also a matching settee that is upholstered in a rose velvet.

the details are extraordinary and i just love it.

we also stumbled upon a box of old family photos. several of which even my mom had never seen. i obviously love photographs and to see some of my parents so young is really neat. i'll be sharing some of those with yall in a different post.

i also got some vintage clothes which are getting their own post. i got a couple insanely fabulous skirts and dresses.

hope everyone had a better monday than i did. but it's starting to wind down and i'm looking forward to a grilled cheese, some chicken noodle soup, and a glass of wine. dinner of champions.

.going native.

2011-08-10T09:41:00.000-04:00

so if you follow me on pinterest you know i've pinned a plethora of red pants.

alliteration anyone?

i broke down and purchased these from UO. they are backordered, but whatev.

i also finally purchased this.

5x7 zigzag printed rug

i've had it sitting in my cart several times, mostly b/c i didn't want to pay for shipping. and i was having a hard time deciding between gray and blue. i finally bought it and i chose gray.

even with shipping it is still a great price. although it is super easy and simple to DIY a chevron rug. or a chevron anything for that matter. my whole house is going to be zig zagged soon.

speaking of zigzags.

anyone else loving the native trend?

it must be the mix of colors and patterns, but i can't get enough.

i'm so ready for days that felt like this morning (it was maybe 78 when i took the dogs out!), so i can wear my $10 Houlihans {ok, so they aren't really Houlihans, but the american eagle version, to which i was basically forced to purchase at a price tag of $9.99}

and with them i can wear my fringed dream catcher t-shirt.

score.

in some additional happy news...Lizzy {bff college} is in town today and staying at casa de Reed tonight! i'm so excited. with that said, i need to clean up. and work.

.what's next.

2011-08-08T09:36:00.000-04:00

the house we live in is not permanent. or even really semi-permanent.

i know i've been talking about us moving for over a year now and it still hasn't happened. but it will. it is just a matter of time.

so. what am i supposed to do now?

i want to wallpaper my bathroom.

i want to buy rugs, rugs, & more rugs.

i want to window treat myself into an oblivion.

but why would i do {and more importantly, spend} all this if we are moving?

it makes me kind of crazy.

i need to channel all this creative energy into some other outlet, like painting.

but this is hard when i don't have anywhere to paint. in order for me to be successful in doing any task, i have to have all the right tools, materials, space, and organization.

if i had these spaces, i could paint my ass off.

via

but that will not be happening any time soon.

so what's next? i think i'm going to buy some uber cheap roman shades for the office/guest room,

and make them look good from a distance.

i may paint them and/or add a ribbon trim.

also loving the tassel trim

so we'll see. have any of you done any DIY roman shades? or any window treatments for that matter?

.friday feature.

2011-08-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

my favorite pins of late:

animal influence | gold & toile-esque | hair love

.missoni for target!.

2011-08-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

missoni & target collaborate.

check it: sept 13.

i'm excited for all the color. and zigzag delightfulness.

and i've always wanted a classic missoni bikini

can't wait to see what they have in store. over 400 items including home decor, bedding, & apparel!

.old navy.

2011-08-02T09:13:00.000-04:00

old navy is a good standby for cheap wearable clothes.

i'm loving this crochet sweater

a great vest for layering

one day i just might be able to wear pants again.

i'm dying for a pair of bright hued skinnys.

each of these items can be worn practically all year round.

except when it is just crazy hot. like now.

.it's a circus in there.

2011-08-01T12:58:00.000-04:00

a friend of mine in college said to me once that he wondered what went on in my brain. he said, "i bet it's a circus in there." i always thought that was such an amazing compliment and have never forgotten it. i also definitely believe it to be true. this is not necessarily a good thing since i lose my keys and wallet and forget my address on a regular basis. i have a lot going on upstairs.

this being said, i am always looking around my office and thinking how gloriously bright and inspiring it is. every new piece i add to it, be it art, furniture, lamps, etc...i want to add another color. another pattern. it is definitely a kaleidoscope of fabulousness. this is starting to spread throughout the rest of my house. with all the colors and patterns i feel like i am morphing it into something no man would ever want to live in. Tuna has very clean, zero clutter, very fresh tastes in decorating. he likes wood. lots of wood + white + maps + mounted animals.

i like to mix jungle + circus + beach house + colonial themes. that works right?

so how do i find common ground? 

i am lucky in that he appreciates my creative side and allows me take the reigns most of the time. but it is also his house, i want him to like it and be proud of it as well!

any advice out there on how to tame the creative beast? 

i've pulled some images from my pinterest boards to help me stay focused on an interesting, yet man friendly design.

i would probably have to add at least one more pop of color here...perhaps in the pillows or lamps. but i feel like this has both style and traditional masculine elements as well.

the dark walls are so rich and luxurious. printed throw pillows & fun chairs add some funk.

sometimes classic is just so good. i would perhaps upholster the chairs in a neutral pattern.

actually pinned this today before the thought of this post even came to mind. but holy moly this room is crisp and perfect and makes me want to drink a lot of red wine.

this bedroom is both totally glam and quite man friendly at the same time. the sturdy, traditional bed with the nailhead trim mixed with the lucite legs of that tufted bench is a fantastic pairing. and of course i love the equus art.

anyway, that is my little take on the marriage of tastes.

.i've been up all night.

2011-07-29T08:08:00.000-04:00

i rarely sleep very well and last night was no exception.

i bet i slept a total of 4 hours. i really need 9 to feel good.

anyway. i got up for good at 6:30 and took care of the pups.

checked my email for a shipping confirmation on my watch...still not there. grrrrrrr. i want it now.

remember those glitter flats i bought? well. you really need to buy them too. or any pour la victoire flat because they are truly amazing. for example:

PLV Levi loafer

PLV Fabienne flat

i've been listening to gary allan on repeat for the past 3 days.

i've seen him in concert twice and he is super. and hot.

speaking of music, the Wu-Tang Clan has a new album, Legendary Weapons. i love underground rap. download "never feel this pain" for a taste.

another good tune worth downloading is this cover of "fortunate son" by Todd Snider.

i have seen fall clothes everywhere and i can't even stand the thought. i had to wear jeans & boots yesterday for work and i thought i was going to melt. covering my legs, arms, and feet is just not a good plan right now. we are sizzleeean here in NC. i really want a pool.

something like this would be nice.

i've had wine for dinner the last two nights. this is my new weight loss plan. i feel slim & i like it.

my favorite wine which i rarely buy because it is over $10 is this:

great to bring as a gift to a dinner party, etc.

Francis Coppola Pinot Noir.

if you haven't tried it, do so. while wearing your new glitter loafers.

trust me, i know what i'm talking about.

.art smart.

2011-07-28T07:54:00.000-04:00

i know i said i was taking a blogging break, but i ended up with a full day in the office and got a lot done, so i feel much better in regards to my to-do list. so...this is a fake break.

i was perusing random national geographic images and came across this one

which immediately took me way back

b/c in high school art class i whipped out this charcoal drawing one afternoon

lucky for us i saved my high school art portfolio.

holler.

.add to cart.

2011-07-27T08:55:00.000-04:00

MK5314

.busy.

2011-07-26T08:14:00.000-04:00

between the wedding weekend, my sales meeting, and then my granddaddy passing away...i've been pretty busy. i have 3 suitcases half unpacked laying in the floor. a mountain of laundry. and i've spent 1 night in my own bed since july 12.

but i'm home now. and i have a busy week of work ahead of me, so i'm going to be taking an official blogging break until next week.

in the meantime i'll leave you with some pretty flowers from the wedding.

see you soon internet friends.

.the Dresses.

2011-07-19T23:26:00.000-04:00

the most important part of weddings. the dresses.

the bride wore Priscilla of Boston

i wore Melissa Sweet

and so did all the other bridesmaids. duh.