Nicole Richie

on a budget. Her very expensive, but definitely rocking outfit.


And mine. Everything under $100.

Nicole Richie on a budget by Rachel Aldridge featuring Dorothy Perkins

While I sit here at work, counting down to 4:00, my husband is at home snuggling with our fur children and watching t.v. Oh, the life of a rockstar.

IF...

Just a few wish list items for the month:





{both via LuLus}






{both via Ruche}

Hope you all had a great weekend. We had some dear friends in town, threw another wedding shower, watched football, ate homemade eggrolls, and visited friends who had just had their baby. Maybe soon I can add one of these items to my wardrobe?!

IF...

... I were shopping today, these are the items I would grab up in a hurry.





{both via Urban Outfitters}

The leather jacket is a bit of a stretch for me since I feel leather jackets are very masculine, but the ruffle is just the ticket for me!



{in tan via Victoria's Secret}

Enjoy your Wednesday blogger friends!

my livingroom: furniture

Remember this post where I fell in love with this room featured on Benjamin Moore's website? Well, since then, I have been trying to replicate it on a serious budget. It won't be identical obviously, as we don't have that size living room (and definitely not the same budget). But, I'm pretty excited about what I have found so far.

This table (which I bought in white) is from Walmart. And it only cost me a whopping $14. It's actually very sturdy. Now, if I could put a coat of laquer on it, I'd be set.



Just as a reference, these were the original tables in the inspiration room from Jonathan Adler for $1000. phew!

And then I found this black chair from Overstock.com for $135. The inspirational room had two black leather chairs. The look of them was completely different, but I'm very happy with this one I found.


Since we could be looking for a house for quite some time, we've decided to go ahead and paint the apartment. My next task is just that, finding the right paint color.

I have so many new things to show you all, but they must wait until I'm finished. Just know, that is where my time is being spent right now. Party planning, and sprucing up our apartment.

IF..

If I were shopping today, I would buy these items:



{Love Birds Wall Art by Gennine Zlatis via Urban Outfitters}




{Parrot Pillow Cover via West Elm}



{Penelope necklace from Etsy shop mylavaliere's}

You should go check out more of her items. They're so very cute and a great price. And, part of the proceeds go to charitites or organizations listed on her profile. Can't beat that!

So, today I have a thing for birds.

have a seat, please

Now, I know these chairs are completely out of our price range, but they are exactly what I have been searching for. I've needed some modern chairs to fit our modern couch, and with a touch of color/fabric. These are divine. Darn that price tag!



Mademoiselle Chair with Missoni Fabrics via AllModern.com

I wouldn't mind having a more traditional chair and have them re-upholstered in modern fabric. I just have to find the right ones. Ideas??

happy friday!

If/when we get our first home, I would like to hang something like this in our dining room:



{via Lamps Plus}

I had a glorious week spending time with my sisters (my older sister lives in Virginia and came in for a visit) but I am exhausted. Tonight will be a lazy night, as my husband will be off recording. I'm thinking a good book and some kettle corn popcorn.

Have a lovely weekend!!

going green

I know the color white is so timeless and perfect for any room to brighten it up, whether it be curtains, pillows, vases or just odds and ends. However, I am more of an ivory color kind of gal. I love how the white looks in homes, and white trinkets are so available these days, but what about ivory trinkets?? They are a little harder to come by, or maybe this is just "not their season." Whatever the case, whenever I see adorable pieces I love in white, I just picture them in ivory and start a mad hunt to find them.

Such as these lovely textured white vessels:

I've done just a little more to the dining room (the big green painting is going to have a drastic make-over soon, meaning the color is going, but this picture had the table and shelves together. And those vases will have flowers in them soon, I hope)



If I could add more of these amazing vases to my green collection, I'd be one happy girl:

{vases via West Elm}

It's been such a busy week. I never knew how much time and energy went into the possibility of purchasing your first home could be! Hopefully we'll know more with that over the weekend.

Just a funny little picture to leave you with. My adorably kitty, Tigger, during his bath.

Have a great weekend!!

feeling lucky?

Lucky Magazine just came out with their "Everything under $100 issue," and I am positively giddy with it. If you haven't gotten your copy ladies, I'd say it's a fashionistas dream magazine. Everything in this issue is truly under $100, and I'm not talking about things being $99. It gives a list of websites perfect for bargain hunters. I haven't officially begun my shopping hiatus, and I don't plan on going wild, but I do "need" a few more summer pieces.

Perfect for a summer wedding

{via LuLus}

Poolside with your man


{via Forever 21}

Lunch date with your girlfriends


{via Miss Me}


And of course, something for your home


{via cb2.com}

Hope you ladies had a great weekend. Mine was pretty eventful and I hope to share more of that soon!

20x200

Most of you bloggers have probably heard of Jen Bekman's 20x200 Project. If you have not, please go check out the website as you will not be disappointed. If you are like my husband and me, we love art and are always on the hunt to expand our puny little collection, when we can afford it. One of the great things about 20x200 is it bring artists to you and you to the artist, all with this great technology we call the internet. How fabulous?? And, you can choose how much you want to spend according to the size of the prints. I love her formula: (limited editions x low prices)+ the internet= art for everyone.

These are the two my husband and I love:



artist: Valerie Roybal



artist: David Corbett

For $20, I am sold!

birthday wishes

No, it's not my birthday today, but it is in 20 days! I have an absurdly long "wish list," which is ever-changing. These two are definitely on it, and may get them early. My husband said I have a surprise coming my way Friday.





{via anthropologie}

In other news: My sweet husband has already told me what I'm getting as a graduation present. A DSRL camera!! EEEEP! So, we're trying to decide, Canon or Nikon? And I am an amateur, and by amateur I mean I've looked at these cameras and that's about it. But with the camera will come photography classes or just a lot of help from one of our several friends who are in to photography. So, suggestions for which brand/model?

love at first sight.

These adorable gemstone rings from Lindley's Recessionista by Korcula line




New York City, where my lovely friend Laura is for the week. I love the hustle and bustle, having the starbucks barista ask me to order something again because he loves my southern accent, Broadway shows,huge billboards, and the many different cultures one comes in contact with in a single minute. I do hope to go back soon.



This fabulous necklace the lovely Laura purchased today at Tiffany's.

This classic swim suit from J.Crew



Ocean blue vases from Tina Frey Designs, first seen at design public. I love all things blue right now, really.



And last, the bed frame I want is on sale at West Elm. I really need to see someone about my West Elm obsession.





"Love of beauty is taste. Creation of beauty is art." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

trying to complete the bedroom..

I would love to have a headboard similar to this...in more of a brown/cream color scheme.

And ideas from you lovely design bloggers on how I could achieve this look? On a friendly budget!?

{photo via Livingetc.}

could you...

...imagine this peaceful night's sleep?

And speaking of paper lanterns... I would love something like these for my dining room. Anyone know where I could look? I think they'd look perfect with the rest of the furniture. (we are getting our Parsons table tomorrow!!)

{photos by Nicolas Matheus}