monday morning...daaah, daaah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah...

nope- you're not crazy- it is Tuesday and yes...I was having technical difficulties yesterday.

You know- in our old house we use to get at&t and now we can only get Charter here- blah.  At&t totally rocks.  Their employees are incredibly friendly and it even seems like they care.  Charter- blah.

Needless to say: here was my post for Monday...

So yes, I have finally graduated to the new iphone 4.  I have been carrying my old one around (loud and proud) but it was clearly time to take the next step in life.  This new one is so pretty I must find a new case.  hmmmm... which one to pick?

adorable, right?  you could even use it as a clutch- looks like it might have some room for id, card, and lipgloss.

(photo via etsy.com)

So many of these to choose from- do it yourself or buy it. 

(photo via purlbee.com)

yep- for the trendsetter.  Not only is the pattern amazing but I LOVE the neutral colors.  You know how some people say, when it doubt wear black?  Not me- I say wear a blend of neutrals. 

(photo via society6.com)

How cute!!  This was definitely a top contender for my new case...Hmmm, did I pick it?  I'll tell you at the end :)

(photo via etsy.com)

I mustache you a question?

To choose or nor to choose?  That is the question.

(photo via dannijo.com)

yep.  right on with my glitter obsession, one would have thought it would have ended with the holidays- nope.  My love has only grown stronger.

(photo via society6.com)

throw back.

yes and yes. 

Who wouldn't want their very own cassette case?

It will go perfectly with my cassette dress.  yep- that thing is just as cute.

(photo via karmaloop.com)

wait... did I just mention throwback?  I think this one tops the cake.  ahhhh, a lot of memories for this one!

press play for a good time.

(photo via etsy.com)

This one totally reminds of a little shop on prince st in soho.  I wish I were there now.

(photo via society6.com)

Yes- I love books.  This would be a great kindle case too.

heehee.

Chevron is so big right now from clothing to home decorating.  Classic with an edge. Me likey!

(photo via skinit.com)

Ready to see which one I choose?!?

drum roll, please...

ta dah.

wooden camera.

I totally love it.

Now that we are finished shopping for the day here is a little DIY inspiration.

1) start with any old thing- mine happened to be a hat with a whole lotta buttons.

2) Get a regular t-shirt.  (This is a $10 kids shirt from h&m)  The shirt was just plain.  I took the lace fabric off the hat and used fabric glue to attach to shirt.

3) closer look of the glued fabric.  I happen to just have a fabric pen at home and it was the easiest thing to use!

4) I sewed on each button individually using different color thread for each type of button.

5) close up of finished product.  Took me about 20 minutes.

Here's a pic of my little lady in the shirt. 

(This picture is taken by my very talented sister- Amy Cowles.  Check out her work- http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cowles-Imaging/133754833365008, )

5 weekend necessities

1) Why aren't these everywhere?  It would totally make my weekend WAY more fun!

2) Perfect weekend outfit.  Let's talk about it:

hat- don't fix your hair

sweater- slept in it last night

skirt- so comfy, yet polished

jacket- keep the chill away before you get to the cafe for a latte

boots- I'm imagining that she has to have on combat boots.

3) Sooo, the weather has been so unseasonably nice here (like 65 degrees, folks), I am most certainly taking a long walk with baby and dog.

4) oh my.  what a ring- 1920's vintage bow ring.  I was totally born in the wrong era.

5) perfect dress for date night with hubby!  It's actually his birthday but sadly enough, I think it's our first date alone since Linden.  Pretty excited.

I had to add this:  I imagine this is what my mom does every time she orders a pair of shoes from zappos.  Look at the girls' leg- yep.  That's why my mom's back always hurts.

Happy Friday!  Enjoy the weather- hopefully it will be snowing this time next week.  (hey- we're in stl, it could be snowing by tonight!)

better than the old days of school...

Happy New Year everyone!!  YAY!!  We spent the weekend with Mark's family celebrating their Christmas since so many family members live away.  It actually works out perfectly every year---it's like I always have a date for New Years, and IF (that's a big if) I want to wear my pj's that night and day- I'm totally not judged, as a matter of fact, I think it might be slightly anticipated.
Although, I came prepared to celebrate nye all night long, here is actually what I said right before the ball drops...(some of you may get this, others...you will think I've lost it)  "10, 9, ...." "Hey guys, how about we just quietly say Happy New Year and kiss our significant other when the ball drops, that way all the moms won't be running into the rooms where their babies are sleeping..."
Really?  whoop. whoop.  I got wild and crazy :)  At least I finished every one's champagne.  yummy....




before the champagne...

linden hogging gifts.

fairy godparents.

"I LOVE my sleeping bag!"

So this year- I challenge you to some diy projects- I feel like ever more than before, chalkboard paint is EVERYWHERE besides classrooms!!

It's cheap, efficient and addicting.  In our last house I had this awesome chalkboard wall in our kitchen and yes... I had some extra paint and started painting EVERYTHING. 

It's a no brainer project- you really can't mess it up. 

Kids would LOVE this door- maybe a basement or closet door?

again- this might have to be in the basement- I don't think I could handle the smears.

so cute- change the words for every holiday, like "Joy","Noel" for Christmas.

I could totally deal with this wall. 

Every little girls dream, right?

Remember when I said I started painting everything?  kind of surprised I didn't do this one!

been there- did that.

so cute for a shower- you could also do mason jars and serve them with the signature drink

how many times do you forget where you are in a recipe?  Perfect-
or maybe a "to-do" list before a party.

organization- YES!

I would definitely need a garden window for this one.

you just dip in paint and dry.  super, duper easy.

a little message all the way to the bedroom.
or...if the kids have surpassed their curfew you can warn them from what lies ahead....

birthday party-- totally cute!
or grab some pails, paint, and put party favors in

This is just so you don't see them mess but it's right where you need it to be

yes- I am now kicking myself that I bought one from pottery barn...

not only for weddings people...
airport?  hmmm....maybe next time husband is out- wouldn't he love that...hehe.




Totally off subject, but just saw the tv, Jane Fonda REALLY has another workout video?  This happens to be coming from someone who would do it in her 600 square foot apartment in nyc.  yep.  My neighbors loved me.




Alright guys-
Happy New Year- make it a good one!

(all pictures via pinterest.com)

gotta share-

Pure Bliss.  Check it out yo.

best of 2011

Here are a few of my favorite things:

best of 2011

• Linden walking
• first winter snow (although it was incredibly lame)
• joining pinterest
• drinking when mentioning pinterest out (a great game to play with the girls)
• new boots
• Linden's first birthday
• finally getting down to Houston to see some family!!
• going to dc with my family (super refreshing to be in a city again!  bittersweet- that one.)
• shopping at zara while in dc
• our church started another location
• hanging with ashley (although I wish we could have been hiking in cali)
• turning 30 and starting to actually figure out what life is about
• obviously all my trips to nashville- I love my family!
• Seeing Pernikoff Brothers go from playing at our favorite coffeeshop to opening for Tim Reynolds and playing at ACL
• listening to pernikoff on saturday's at Kaldi's
• tall, soy vanilla latte from Kaldi's
• walking around Kirkwood
• looking for a new home (we are slightly addicted)
• Linden's face at Christmas

• 

  "Here housty!!  Get your toys!!"

• 
  

  
• Then she turned the corner and saw her new kitchen..."for me?!?"

  
  

  
• 
  

  

  
  

  
• dance party with cousin Russell

  
  

  
• The magic key from Jesus to Santa- thank you pinterest :)

  My grandparents 65th wedding anniversary
• glitter nail polish

5 weekend necessities

1) You gotta have something cute for the flow of champagne!

diy tutorial here: honestlywtf.com

2) I certainly wish this was a necessity every night!! 

Veuve Clicquot Champagne

soo yummy.

3) o.m.g. 

 not only would I wear this dancing nye- I would wear it to work out, go grocery shopping, and yes... to bed!!

marc by marc wristlet

That is my kind of purse!

4) Peruvian Traditions

My sister in law is Peruvian and crazy superstitious- which turns out to be adorably cute.

Needless to say- every year we do something to jump start the new year--- here are a few of my favorites:

• drop your ring or piece of jewelry into your glass of champagne- when it reaches 12:00, drink it BUT of course- take the jewelry out of your mouth!!  This one makes me crazy nervous-- what if I actually swallowed it?!?  I would so do that.
• run around the block with an empty suitcase- this will allow you to have prosperous travels in the year to come.

5) laelia quilt

I will definitely be needing some comfy bedding for later nye night- it's going to be a late one!  What's better than crawling into your own fluffy bed on a cold night?!?  Absolutely freakin nothing!

Happy New Year!!

Do you have any resolutions?

I usually don't do them but this year I do have one.  It's to take a situation, any situation, from the perspective of the other person(s).  I have a tendency to look at things from just my view- so hopefully I can turn that puppy around!

This is totally for my sister- you will know which one it's intended for :) 

amen.  it actually makes me happy.

"what are you wearing, new years eve?"

"what are you wearing, new years eve?" by allykayb featuring sequin cocktail dresses

Long sleeve cocktail dress
celebboutique.com

Jigsaw vintage cocktail dress
£325 - jigsaw-online.com

French Connection wrap dress
$298 - usa.frenchconnection.com

ASOS long sleeve sequin dress
$180 - asos.com

Christopher Kane sequin dress
$6,720 - net-a-porter.com

Vintage evening dress
£880 - farfetch.com

shine into the night...

What are you wearing NYE?
What are you doing NYE?
Are you snuggling up on the couch or making it a night out?

Me?  I'm having my second Christmas with my husband's family- it's a tradition- his family is huge and fun, it's always a great time.  You know that scene in Home Alone when the cop (aka bad guy) stops in to "check" on them and can't figure out who lives there?  You've guessed it!!!  That's what our Christmas is like- it's pretty freakin awesome.

Although I won't be shining in sequins (I did that for Christmas), I most definitely think it would be a wise decision for my fellow party goers.

 Here are some awesome dresses---

keep with the theme and add sequin shoes- it's new years- you totally  have an excuse!