neutral {hues}

Illesteva mirror shades, $260

Marc Jacobs velvet clutch, $200
Fossil watch, $105
Alex Katz (artist)

under {$100}

1. Flokati rug, $80
2. Chambray shirt $75
3. C’mere Hand Gold Edition, $95
4. Chain link necklace, $52
5. Feu De Bois Candle, $60
6. Striped sweater, $80
7. Riding Umbrella Stand, $80 

Wish List {2011}

1. Beaded clutch, $27
2. Rose gold watch, $105
3. Jolly Roger Horn Box, $28

4. Silk shirt, $98
5. Ankle booties, $35
6. Leopard iPhone case, $25
7. Tribal Glam Cuff , $36

weekend {hustle}

This past weekend was full of hustle and bustle for us.  C-note returned for a few festive parties and some much needed Christmas shopping time.  I officially finished my decorating while we enjoyed an oyster roast on Saturday afternoon and a rocking birthday party for our friend Jen on Saturday night at the Cocktail Club where we experienced the La Luna Negro punch which tasted like a little sip of Christmas.  All in all it was a successfully  busy weekend.

hostess {gifts}

1. Fine Dining Placemats, $13

2. Mustache Corkscrew-Opener, $12

3. Beetle Paperweight, $16
4. Marquis Spreader & Bottle Opener, $10
5. Honey Sampler Set, $13

6. Round Lacquered Box, $10
7. Pocket knife, $24

under {$50}

1. Dachshund Bookends, $30

2. Glitter Salad Set, $34

3. Pragmatic Vase, $48

4. Celestial Coasters, $32

5. Dalfred stool, $40

6. Lace up boots, $49

7. Glitter belt, $40

8. Chevron necklace, $38

camel {coats}

Lust, $225
Must, $75

It is very hard for me to want to invest in a coat while living in Charleston where it was a cool 78 degrees on December 7th.  However, the only decent coat I own {that Linus has gotten a hold of} is my boring black coat that accompanied me during my time in Boston ... yes I have had it forever.  Needless to say I am in the market for a new coat and this time I want a new color.  Now that I have gone from blonde to brunette I can finally switch it up and transition myself into a luxurious camel coat - really going out of my comfort zone aren't I?

x-mas {envy}

I know we aren't supposed to envy others ... especially at Christmas time but how can I not envy this house and its tastefully simple Christmas decorations.  Besides ... the art alone is worth a bucket full of jealousy.  I know what I am shooting for next Christmas in terms of looks now.  This year I didn't get a Christmas tree since the C-note is living three hours away for the next ten weeks.  Instead of trying to Grinch a tree into the house by myself I decided to get creative - ie. going to Lowes and getting scrap branches from cut Christmas trees .. for FREE!  I then filled multiple vase around my house with these beauties in order to get the smell of the tree without the mess.  

under {$25}

1. Chain necklace, $7.80

2. iphone cover

3. Gold Playing Cards, $15
4. Paperweight, $12

5. Tortoise hoops, $15

6. Embellished Gold Collar, $25

7. Knee socks, $15

8. Feather Tray, $24
9. Hyllis bookshelf, $15

silence is {golden}

Do you ever have those days when all you want is silence and the noise just keeps getting louder?  Well ... I'm having one of those days today ... can everyone please just shut it for a while?

wish {bone}

 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

leopard {lust} & leopard {must}

* J.Crew - $188

 

* Romwe - $45

weekend {indulgences}

{need I say more}

{the kind of mints that my grandmother used to hide in her kitchen drawer}

{pancakes made from scratch}

{french fries - double fried in duck fat - YUM!}

weiner {schnitzel}

 

While C-note (the husband's fabulous nickname) is away the cat will play ... oh wait ... that is the dog trying to sunbathe in a window ... not a cat!  The husband is away for 10 weeks! and we went to visit him this past weekend.  One of us was quite relaxed in the new digs. 

cov8t {quirky}

1. Turquoise Foo Dogs, $82
2. Tortoise Shell Higball Glasses, $56
3. Jeffrey Campbell Beebee shoes, $146 
4. Pewter Predator Stapler, $85

5. Forever21 bon lapin top, $18

6. Forever21 rhinestone deer necklace, $5.80
7. Gama-Go Mustachioed Refreshment Straws, $9.99
8. Mr. and Mrs Cocktail Glass Set, $18

new {jewels}

Lust: $88

Must: $8.80

little {monster}

I love that he is checking out the toes on his new monster feet!  Every time my grandmother walks into the room he immediately says "Dede's fingernails" - you see Dede has always had perfectly manicured fingernails painted in the shade of OPI Cajun Shrimp and Thomas is enamored by them just as much as I am.

celebrate {sparkles}

We had an exceptionally fun weekend!  Two of our great friends got engaged and we were able to celebrate the excitement with a few wonderful people and a fabulous cookout.  The bride was completely surprised which made the occasion that much more thrilling.  It also didn't hurt that this gave me the opportunity to wear my new sequin loafers that sparkled almost as much as her new shiny ring!

view full image

leather {leggings}

Leather leggings ... a do or don't?  I like the edgy look of leather leggings but I'm not quite sure that they scream comfort.  I mean where does one's body heat go and how do you go about getting them off after a long day.  However, this pair seems ideal for two reasons - 1. they are cheap (yeah for pleather!) and 2. the back is made of knit which helps make them much more appealing the comfort scale.  I'm going with a DO!

*leatherette leggings

lust {must}

Tory Burch Arelia pumps, $395
Lela Rose for Payless Fulton shootie, $55

fall {cleaning}

I broke down this weekend and started my fall cleaning - reorganizing the pantry and throwing out a few old (I mean old) things was the starting point and now I am looking for ways to organize the rest of the kitchen.  Here are a few ideas that I can't wait to try.  Putting measuring cups and spoons on the inside of a cabinet door is ingenious - these are the gadgets that seem to always disappear first in our house.  And what a fantastic use of spring rods below as dividers for all of those awkward serving trays we all have.  Now, if I could just find someone to organize the rest of my house ... hum ...

i actually do know something {art}

  

 

       

I was so excited when I saw this photograph, simply because I was familiar with the work of art you see in the background.  This is a reproduction of a well-known Islamic work dating from 1590.  The original is page from a biography about the king at the time and is known as the Akbarnama.  This page was actually 1 foot by eight inches which makes this a rather large reproduction but what a cool way to experience art history.  The message of this miniature painting was the strength of the king - the image actually depicts multiple moments from a story involving the king taming a wild elephant (an allegory for the king taming a wild society, which was the case during this period).  I know that many people question the use of art historians but in all actuality art is an amazing companion to history and creates a visual documentation, especially before the modern period (ie. before 1870).  So, yes, I do know a little something every now and then.

*image from Burnham Design

relax {in style}

J Crew cable knit cardigan, $82
Anthropologie cropped pants, $138
ASOS zipper bag, $55
Woman at her toilette, Edgar Degas

lust {must}

{lust - J.Crew Cape, $198}

{must - Loft, $108}

white {noise}

H&M lace dress, $40
J Crew wool herringbone jacket, $198
Steve madden Cirkus platform, $150
Falke mustard tights, $38
Blue and Yellow, Jura Beda

conjoined {twins}

{hoping they bake well}

A few weeks ago the girls got together for baby shower for two of our friends who are due a week apart!  One is having a girl and one is having a boy which made it an all around perfect time for me to break out the conjoined twins cookie cutter! And face there will never be a more apropos moment for this tool!  We enjoyed a healthy brunch and a few mimosas and lots and lots of sugar.

{bringing my twins to life}

{Katie's delicious spread of brunch food}

{for those of us who could enjoy a mid-morning mimosa}

{a pregnant woman's dream - cake, icing, and candy coating}

{It's a Boy!  It's a Girl!}

{Congrats ladies!!!}