“MAD ABOUT [GINGHAM] MONDAY”

…a familiar pattern re-invented in such a refreshing way.  When I saw this shoe, I knew I had to dedicate a post about gingham just so I can share this super adorable Christian Louboutin.  Can there be more perfect shoes for Spring?  Umm, I think not!

Not so much for a picnic in the park but more like a lunch at the Ivy perhaps.  And as if all that cuteness is not enough, D&G sent these down the runway for Spring 2011.  Take a look at those cute gingham wedges.  So friggin’ adorable.

And I’m totally loving their Spring 2011 catalog…especially those cherries sandals and wedges.  I want everything cherries!  Can you tell I haven’t been out shopping in a while, and my urge to shop (especially for shoes) is rapidly escalating (based upon this post and the chunky heels post last week)?  I think I might end up with 5 pairs of shoes the next time I make it to the mall.

Apparently, D&G is not the only designer in love with this pretty pattern.  Chanel Resort 2011 collection is also full of gorgeous gingham.  Isn’t this cuff so fresh?  I think it will look so cute with a plain, simple, sheer white tee and a pair of jeans.

All I can say is, “is it Spring yet?”

Images:  1. Luisaviaroma, 2, 3. Fashion Gone Rogue, 4-6.  Dolce and Gabbana, 7. Chanel, 8-10.  Style.com

“BANANA REPUBLIC’S GRAND OPENING”

…of its new concept store at South Coast Plaza.  The store had a major make-over, and it is now showcasing the brand’s latest collections each in their own “boutique” within the store.  I heart Grand Openings –  there’re always cocktails, h’orderves, live DJ, and a fashion show!  And this time, everything was on sale.

Rose bubbly with edible petals and kumquat…

I was completely inspired by the display and the decor.  I noticed this hourglass display, and I thought this would look so cool as a centerpiece, don’t you think?

There were many of these pretty flower arrangements displayed throughout the store so I had to take the photos and save them in my inspirations file…

I totally love this jacket…especially when paired with the cute ruffle plaid top.

And they had a tons of jewelry on sale…

I ended up picking this edgy, gunmetal necklace…and it was priced at $20!  What an awesome deal considering the original price tag was $79.  Great deals make me happy 🙂

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend~

“FABULOUS FRIDAY [CHALKBOARD PAINT]

…so I plan to have a combined office/arts & crafts space/closet in my next place.  It (hopefully) will be a bright, airy room where I can be organized and inspired by all things beautiful.  I plan to paint one of the wall with chalkboard paint like these rooms below.  How cool is that?  Not only it will look eclectic, edgy, and cool (dark, matt black wall), it will also be functional.  So inspiring…

Images:  1. Jaclyn Paige, 2. Pink Persimmon

“BEAUTY FINDS”

…nothing fancy.  These are just some beauty products I got recently and just wanted to share how fabulous they are…

1. Benefit Bathina Touch Me then Try to Leave Cream – this is actually not a new product, and it has been around for quite some time now.  So soft, silky, and smells so light and lovely.  For some reason, I could never bring myself to buy it because I thought it is quite pricey for a tub of body cream ($30), which will probably be used up in a month or so.  I recently got a discount card from Sephora so I finally gave in.  If you haven’t tried this on before, you should give it a try.  So luxurious and feminine.

2. Too Faced Starry-Eyed Liquid Eyeliner – I’m in love with this liner!  My obsession with everything sparkly continues.  This liner is perfectly glittery, stays on all day (I’ve tested), and it comes in so many pretty colors!  Mine is called Stalkerazzi.  How awesomely appropos.  I think I also want to get the Ooh & Aah and the Silver Lining ones.

3. The Face Shop Nail Polish – I found this little beauty store gem tucked inside a very unlikely location – a local Korean grocery store, Zion Market, close to where I live.  Can you believe this polish is only $2???  YES, TWO DOLLARS!  I was so excited I had to stop myself from buying too many.

This is me browsing their awesome collection and practicing self-control (that’s me putting stuff back) …

Why wouldn’t anyone want to buy them all?

4.  The Face Shop Hand Cream – Ok, how cute is this thing?  This one looks suspiciously like a tomato, but I assure you it’s supposed to be an apple.  They also have this soft and silky hand cream in Green Apple (which I almost bought because of the fabulous kelly, almost neon, green color), Plum, Orange, and Lemon.  All in the cute fruit shape of its corresponding scent.  They all smells so fresh and light, which I love.  I’m not a big fan of heavily scented cream/lotion.  The best part, it’s only $7.

So there you have it.  My fabulous beauty finds – life’s little indulgence.

Happy Pampering~

“INSPIRED BY THIS…[FRINGE STREAMERS]”

…OMG so cute!  Super sweet and cannot be easier to make.  I found this tutorial on Oh Happy Day.   May be for a next birthday party, baby shower, or a bridal shower.  I can design an entire event around this…

Simple and fabulous.  Just the way I like it.

Images: Oh Happy Day

“I WISH…”

…my closet looks like these…

So organized, roomy, with plenty of room for SHOES.

And I wish E’s side of the closet would look like this…

Also organized with no piles and piles of clothes on the floor *sighs.*  Wishful thinking.  Boys will always be messy no matter how old they are.

Images:  1. Most Beautiful Darling, 2 and 3, Note to Self

“CHUNKY HEELS + WIDE-LEG JEANS”

…a fresh new combo for Spring.  I still haven’t made up my mind yet about these chunky heels.  The chunkier heels seem to offer a lot of support so I would imagine that they should be more comfortable to wear than stilettos.  Oh, who am I kidding?  Heels are NEVER comfortable…but they look amazing though, don’t they?

These are by Marc Jacobs

And how adorable are these by Charlotte Olympia?  I’m really loving her shoes so much right now…

These are Viktor & Rolf

And these are by Costume National

I would imagine pairing these chunky heels with these wide-leg/flare jeans.  They are a huge trend this coming Spring, which I’m super excited about since I’m a huge fan of wide-leg pants in general.  They are soooooo comfortable.  No more skinny jeans – yes!

I’m loving the look of these ones by Derek Lam

and I especially love these ones by…the GAP!  They look pretty posh for the GAP, don’t they?

A little 70’s, a lot fabulous.  Love.

Images:  Shoes from Luisaviaroma, Runway jeans via StyleCatcher, Derek Lam via Style.com, GAP jeans via Fashion Gone Rogue

“WEDDING THUMBPRINT TREE GUESTBOOK”

…my latest project.  So excited to share…

My dear friend, Nora, got married back in December on the exotic beach of Thailand (see my Flower Shoe Clips post).  She is having a wedding reception here back in the US this coming April.  She is thinking of getting the Wedding Thumbprint Tree as her guestbook, but after browsing through Etsy, we realized how expensive they are.  These are some of the ones sold on Etsy…

Wedding Tree from Grey Dog Designs – $50

From Bleu de toi – $117

From Cottage Creek Arts – $75

I’ve never seen these before, but I really love the idea.  I like the idea of the bride & groom being able to use items from their wedding to decorate their home afterward.  I thought I would give it a try so I volunteered to make one for her as a gift.  This Wedding Thumbprint Tree definitely has a DIY potential so if any of you are thinking of purchasing one, you may want to consider trying to make one yourself.  It costs a fraction of what you would have paid online.

Since, admittedly, I’m not a born artist, I needed an inspiration.  I was inspired by this tree from chicks n hen because it’s so simple, clean, and a bit whimsical – perfect for Nora’s wedding style.

Here are the materials you need:

Blank Canvas – I used 18 x 24 for Nora since she’s having about 150 guests for her wedding.  You can adjust the size of the canvas accordingly

Paint – I used acrylic paint in Nora’s wedding colors (raspberry, tangerine, and aubergine) plus the colors for the tree (black and espresso)

Paint Brushes – a medium round brush for the tree and a fine point brush for the details

That’s it!  Let’s get started…

I first drew lightly on the canvas with a pencil.  Be careful not to draw to hard because it took me FOREVER to erase the pencil marks afterward.

Once I was happy with the design, I started painting with the brown paint using random strokes to mimic the tree trunk pattern.

I then switched to a finer brush to paint the branches.  After I was done with the entire tree, I mixed a bit of the black and brown paint together and went over the trunk again to enhance the tree pattern.  Then I “etched” a little heart with N + J in the middle on the tree trunk.

I then let the tree dried over night, but you don’t have to wait that long.  Acrylic paint dries really fast.  After the paint has dried completely, I went back and erased all the pencil marks.

Then I painted the Bride’s & Groom’s names plus their wedding reception date in the bottom…and voila!

Definitely cheaper than buying one pre-made, and you can customize it however you want.  All Nora needs now is to buy the ink stamp pad in her wedding colors, and her Wedding Thumbprint Tree is ready to go.

Congrats (again) Nora!

“MAD ABOUT [WEDDING ERRANDS] MONDAY”

…Nora (the Bride) and I (the Coordinator) are off today from our normal jobs (thank you, Presidents Day) so we are handling our second job (wedding planning) and heading to downtown LA for our multiple appointments with the florists and searching for supplies for her wedding reception.  It’s gonna be a crazy day (off).

Be back blogging as usual tomorrow.  Enjoy your day off (if you’re off) 🙂

Image:  Patterson Maker

“PRETTY POLISHES”

…if you haven’t already noticed from my previous posts, I have a mini obsession with nail polishes.  I’m constantly searching for new polishes in all colors of the rainbow and also for the ones that are not the colors of the rainbow.  I love anything from pretty pastels, neutrals, sparkles to brights, neon, and deep, rich shades.  The only color I never buy is red.  I’m just not a red polish kinda girl.

This is my little collection, and I am hoping it will keep growing.  So pretty to look at 🙂

I totally ❤ being a girl~