Christmas Shopping

Hi friends! I've been looking for Christmas gifts for my dazzling friends and fam lately, and I just wanted to share a few fun and unique gifts I've found to hopefully help you out as you're shopping! It's almost like the old Top 5 posts (remember those? ha) but...not quite! :)

1. Urban Outfitters was a surprising place where I found tons of cool stuff! I always thought of Urban Outfitters as expensive clothes, but that's not all they are! It seriously may be my one stop shop this year. They have a huge variety of stuff. We are talking not clothing here, but sweeeeet stuff for guys and gals such as: vintage cameras, retro electronics, really fun home accents, jewelry stands, etc. Really great stuff and such affordable prices! I can hardly write enough about how impressed and surprised I was about them! You will be blown away at all the clever stuff :) Go on! Check them out!

2. Although you can't shop online, I was impressed with Pier One's collection of little doo-dads. Again, some fun little vintage toys and such "for the person who has everything." :) 

3. The article in the December issue of InStyle has a GREAT gift guide in it! Buy the mag if you want, or just steal a glance while you're waiting in line. I was inspired by their selection of fun gifts for everyone! 

4. Shop Anthropologie.com for the girls in your life. I'm sure you can't go wrong. I enjoyed their selection of note cards and jewelry, especially their array of "statement" necklaces! 

Well, it's just a little, but I hope it helps!

Decor*Eight!

I'm loving my room right now! I got it all cleaned and organized a few weeks ago, and I put the finishing touches on it yesterday! This first photo is of my inspiration board and chandelier--my two favorite things in my room!

Next up are the new bookends that I got for my dresser! I've been wanting cute bookends for a while and, well I finally found some! And they are BIRDS! Can it get much better? No. I finally broke down and got some "office supply" things for my "home office." Not to mention, how cute are they?

And finally! I've been wanting new knobs for my dresser for YEARS and YEARS. I walked into Hobby Lobby the other day and they were marked way down!
Here's my hand-me-down, normal dresser BEFORE the knob transformation...

And here's my custom designed, classy dresser AFTER the knob transformation!!


Lovely!

I also finally got another curtain for my window. For the longest time I had just one curtain. It worked alright, but now I have a nicely framed up window because of the TWO chocolate brown curtains!

Secondhand Style

I had a bit of free time yesterday and, as a vintage junkie, I couldn't resist doing a little thrift store shopping. I found a retro-licious 4 dollar lamp that had tons of potential! It just needed a little love. Check out it's poor condition before...

The word "hideous" comes to mind. :)
But look at it now! Chic, Posh, Elegant. All it needed was a little white spray paint lovin'!

Ahhh-mazing! :)

Guess who didn't post a Top 5 for April?

That's right...it was me. Laaaame! And I hate to be the one to tell you this, but this isn't going to be much of a Top 5 post either. If you'd like to see my Inspirations of late, pick up the April edition of Domino Magazine. Did you know that Wal-Mart started carrying Domino?! Anyway, it is a gorgeous one this month.

 

Speaking of gorgeous...

Saturday morning dawned the most beautiful sunrise over the beach. I felt so awake and invigorated as I stepped out onto my hotel room's balcony (morning hair and all). The sights, smells, and sounds of the ocean greeted me and, well, who could ask for a better wake up call? The working day went well (if it's on the beach, I'll never complain) and the wedding was simply stunning. I would promise photos soon, but here I sit with my memory-completely-full mac. No room in the Inn. So the photos are stashed away in a safe place for now, until I can get my mac to make friends with a cute external hard drive. :) This single (unedited) photo from the weekend made it onto my computer somehow. Lovely!

Well, here's one little item that caught my eye. 

I love small purses. I've been carrying a "wristlet" (the name makes me giggle) as my main purse for a couple of years now.  You've got your cell phone, keys, lip balm, and cards all at your fingertips. None of that digging in your black hole of a purse anymore. This leather wristlet from American Eagle has caught my eye. It's so classy! White leather for summer (though it comes in brown and silver too), sassy tassel on the side, fun yellow print interior, and a built in spot for all your cards! Try the wristlet. You'll be hooked. 

Hope your days are lovely!

Who doesn't love Anthropologie?

...And it's cold here again. Man, I was loving that little taste of springtime weather we were enjoying. I confess, I've fallen prey to the marketer's schemes of "promote the next season 4 months before it actually starts." Swimsuits, sandals, and airy decor already? Bring it. I'm excited about Spring! I love the colors, the warmth, the life. Getting outside on that first day when you can smell that it's really Spring...nothing beats it!

I think I'm also super excited about the season's change because so many good things will be happening this summer: Emily&Josh's wedding, Amanda&Kyle's wedding, Trips and such with friends and family, Photography second shoots and jobs, and Pine Cove just to name a few. Usually summers come and I "relax." No more of that! I'm ready to go. :)

Oh! And I have found my new favorite musician (until next week, when I find another ha!). It's One Cell in the Sea by A Fine Frenzy. This girl is delightful! Self taught pianist, sweet soprano vocals, and extremely chill/beautiful/artistic songs.

And here are the "Of-the-day"-s. :)

Quote of the Day: (by my dad) "It's as easy as falling off a log." :) gotta love it!

Funny Thing of the Day: I looked and looked and couldn't find a picture, but Chick-fil-a's new breakfast advertising cracks me up! As a self-proclaimed cereal addict, I just couldn't stop laughing at their fake cereals like "Frosted Monotony" and "Stale O's." Phrases like, "Free block of wood inside!" and "Mmm...Cardboard." and "Now with HALF the flavor!" and "Explosion of Tastelessness!" made me almost fall out of my chair laughing.

Pretty Picture of the Day: Some Pottery Barn green to happify your wintry house, perhaps?

Hope you all have a lovely day!