Bing

Is it just me that thinks the new Bing Search Engine commericals are %100 creepy??!With all the people spouting off random facts with cracked out looks on their faces?

Containing Hints

Do you ever feel confused or torn over making decisions? Are there times you just wish there was a sign or a message for you to do something, a shining beacon of light to guide you in the right direction? Someone people find their direction in religion, in politics or through others guidance.

I found my light at the Container Store website.

As I was doing some research for my post this morning, which was going to be on organizing and moving ideas. But instead I was bombarded with, "Ships Ahoy! Tips for Going on a Cruise." You're probably thinking, so what, who doesn't want to go on a vacation?!

But I was contemplating Working on a cruise ship for this upcoming holiday season with the boyfriend. So if my scholarship offer falls through from U of Virginia, then I may just have to find me some employment on a cruise line in the future. If not...we were still planning on taking a short trip to the Caribbean this Winter so either way. There's my sign, thank you Container Store!

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Organized packing is a MUST on a cruise with the lack of space in each cabin. I always find packing all my tolietries is difficult...not with these Capri train cases.

Capri Train Case: on Sale $12.99

And lets not forget fashion:
Everyone needs a light, tropical dress for the voyage at sea. How about this silk blend tulle dress?

Alexander McQueen $2739 on sale from $5476
(I know...far fetched...but a girl can dream!?)

And who want's pre-mature wrinkles? Keep those peepers covered from the hot Caribbean sun with these over-sized, chic shades from Marc Jacobs.


Pretty sure I'm Dying for these in Ivory! Only $77.99 instead of $145 on Bestbuyeyewear.com

And being 5'10", although I love me a fabulous pair of heels...on a boat and beach, I pine for some comfy, chic flats. These simple, colorful Joseph Griffin Sandals will do from Piperlime.


$115 on Piperlime

Success and Budgets

Our yard sale was a small success, so we decided to be rational and put $300 away for a trip we have in the works (cough...Christmas cruise...cough) and use the rest for a nice dinner and some groceries. We are both on strict budgets and so we made a shopping list before hand (one of my favorite things to do) and stuck to it! (I gave us both a gold star for the day when we were only 10 cents over our budget)

At Vale Design you can download SUPER cute to-do lists "The Freakin' Never Ending To Do List" and "The Blog Topics To Post List "


My boyfriend's dad stopped by today and was in shock at the clean, organized room my boyfriend had now acquired since he acquired...well, Me. And he couldn't stop talking about the closet and how organized it was with the white matching hangers and boxes. Of course in my mind I think it is normal for a closet to look like this, who Doesn't have hangers that match!?
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I just found this and this office space design is dear to my heart. Everything about it simply screams perfection. I could get some serious work done here.

apartment therapy (container store)
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On a random shopping note, on several occasions (mostly all of them) when I go into stores, I look at everything. Even if I don't want to buy anything or am in for a specific reason. I just have to inspect everything and make sure I didn't miss anything...you know, just in case. I also have a little place in my brain where I store all this useful shopping information, in case I need something or want to spout off some useful pricing information. I can't do crazy hard math in school, but I can whip up some mean %40 off equations on a cute pair of shoes in seconds.
Enough of the rambling, it didn't take me but 5 minutes to find these long and lean tanks for $5 each at Target. No one can argue with 5 buck tanks, and I don't think that basics have to be super expensive. The word basic and expensive contradict each other. With that being said,
1 white, 1 black= $10, 100's of possibilities. love them.

mossimo long and lean tank normally $7.99 sale $5

I'm having a yard sale tomorrow!

Me and the boyfriend have worked very hard all day to prepare for our yard sale tomorrow! Organizing for it has made us acutely aware of how many unnecessary nick-knacks we simply possess. Over 90% of the things we had stored hadn't been touched or thought about in over a year. Since we're moving, we're trying to get rid of as many things as possible, so hopefully there will be a good turn out.
It's too hot down here in the south right now, we're starting early, and providing beverages... I thought complimentary margaritas would be a good idea, but I got out voted...so we are doing strawberry lemonade ...and being from "the land of football" and dating a former athlete, only a Alabama Football Cooler ...not any of these stylish spigot jars....perfect for big batches of ice, cold lemonade.

After 5: Del sol spigot jar with stand $39.99



Crate and Barrel: Recycled Glass Spigot Jar $39.99

Pottery Barn: Vintage Inspired Glass Dispenser $59

I just hope that we get some things sold...but everything left over we are taking to the Hannah Home Battered Women and Childrens Donation Center .
Have a relaxing, fun weekend!

Wow! My apologies!

I've had to take a little hiatus from the lovely blogging world to take care of some important jobs in the real world. I promise to be back by the end of this week once all the projects I'm working on are due. :D Miss you ladies.

potatoes and cents

I've been in the cooking mood lately. As me and the boyfriend are trying to save money (read: We are broke college kids) We've been trying our hardest to eat our meals in and not go out to eat. We did the math for last week:
I shopped at Whole Foods and spent $39
He went to Bruno's and spent $49
TOTAL: about $90
We used to eat out almost every meal at approximately $20 a pop. 20X2=$40 a day X 7= $240 a week. So we're saving $150 a week by eating in. Soooooo, that means I can spend it on useful kitchen tools by Martha right?!!

Martha Collection Mixer $69


6-piece Martha Collection Mixing Bowls $34


Green Colander Martha Collection $22 5Qt. (I actually have this in Pink, but LOVE the white)


I would never use this but it is SO cute!
Martha Collection Recipe Tin $14.99



Did you say organized leftovers!!! I'm in heaven.
Martha Collection 16-piece container set $29.99

Ikea-NYC installations

I wouldn't even mind paying the bus fee


"Hi Mom, oh I'm just at the office....I mean payphone..."


Baby, grab and blanket and a basket...we're having a picnic...with 300 of our closest friends


Park Benches don't have to hurt


Do you have enough confidence to get in bed tonight?


These were all from Ikea's installations throughout NYC. "In preparation for Design Week in NYC, IKEA teamed up with Deutsch to make 'everyday fabulous' for New Yorkers.

another shamless plug....

Because I love my mother so much...here is another plug for her brand new etsy store. It is an extension of her store in Shoffeitt's the Antique Collective located in Downtown Healdsburg, California.
In addition to being a wonderful, fun mom, she is brilliantly creative and artistic. Please take a second to check out her new etsy development. Or even better if you are located in Northern California, take a drive up the coast to Healdsburg and stop on by her store, The Fig Tree.

The Fig Tree Online houses several vintage items as well as handmade goods specializing in silver work.
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Super fun, rhinestone snail brooch $23.99


*I have to give credit to the birth of this collection: American Sign Language Initial pendants crafted from antique silver spoons.
letter H : $16.99 (Any initital upon request...even a peace sign SO cute...and originial)

I really hope everyone will check out the site and support handmade.

Award Time again!

Thanks to Ana From Far Away and her blog Something Good In Everything I See
!!!! Love getting awards!
"The HonestScrap award comes with a caveat or two. Firstly, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know, but that are true. Secondly, you have to tag 10 people with the award. Thirdly, let all the people you've given the award to know that they've gotten it (comment on their blogs or something). And finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you." (Okay, so I personally added in #3 and #4, but really, that's just common courtesy when receiving/bestowing anything.)
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Here I go: 10 Things To Know About Me:

1. I am a food snob. I prefer organic, fresh food over processed, fast-food ANYDAY. I'm also vegetarian/vegan (I don't eat eggs, or cheese, or milk....but if there is a tiny bit of milk or cheese in a sauce i'll eat it)

2. I'm obsessed with list-making and organizing things. My lastest organization was me & my bf's closet which is much smaller than my last walk in, so I had to come up with a great organization system. It's going rather well by the way.

3. I can't stand fast-food "restaurants" if you can even call them that. I refuse to eat at them or support them. They are the reason so many people have weight and obesity issues in our generation.

4. I used to have a shopping problem, which has been curtailed with my new found "grown-up-ness" and living on my own. Where I realized things cost money, that you have to work for, then give to things like power companies and rental managers.

5. I can honestly save I love to clean, sometimes I can't do things until things are cleaned. I even got myself out of bed this morning because I knew the kitchen was dirty and wanted to clean it.

6. I'm terrified of getting wrinkles/skin damage....but I can't stop myself from getting rays by the pool. (with big sunglasses, and spf 28 of course)

7. I wish having a TV in the bedroom was illegal.

8. I'm having a 20-something mid-life crisis. I have no idea what direction my life is going in...I just know I'm going to enjoy the adventure.

9. I've biten my nails since I was 3 and still haven't found a cure except one time I got acrylics and when I took them off I kept my nails really nice....then I got stressed and lost them all. I'VE TRIED EVVVERYTHING.

10. I've changed more in the last year than I have in all 20 years of living...and I LOVE IT!

****I have to go run some errands but as soon as I return I will returning the award favor to 10 other fun bloggers.

Summer makes me want to lay in a hammock, drink lemonade (ok...mojitos) and just be lazy. I wouldn't mind serving my lemonade on this cute, vintage bird serving tray. Handmade on Etsy for only $59!! It's on of a kind and definitely a conversation piece.



who needs a bed when you have one of these!!! too bad its $19,000. But a girl can dream.

cocoon hammock - Uncrate.com

Cute dog, but does this hammock even sway?

Pottery Barn Hammock

Summer Dreams on a Saturday

It's been a lazy Saturday. I decided at 10 it was a good idea to get up and make some coffee. Also on my quest to break my boyfriend's desire for Mc Donalds, I made him a whole wheat, egg, turkey breast and cheese muffin. I opted for a whole wheat, tofu and tomato basil hummus sandwhich. We're still on the couch watching Flip This House, but at least we're up!
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Some fresh, summery rooms for me to dream about since it's raining once again

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Once I pay all my bills, I want to try this How-To project from Apartment Therapy. Indoor herb garden in a pot. I just bought a fresh, organic basil plant.

Thunder, Fridays, Coconut Cupcakes

I started my Shopaholic book on the plane and I already finished. Must get the next one...I think it's Shopaholic and A Baby?

There's a huge thunderstorm coming in and I wish I had a new book to start! After our dinner though (Me=Tofu, Him=Chicken) I baked some coconut cupcakes...which called for almond extract...which of course I didn't have once I started making them..So they pretty much taste like nothing. Wish they looked like this:


or like this one from Martha Stewart....leave it to her to one up me:


or...maybe I'll just cheat next time with the help of Barefoot Contessa

Back to Reality

Now that me and the boyfriend are home, it's time to get back to reality. I'm currently waiting for some school news/ searching for a job just in case. And paying off the last of my bills from the apartment and a lingering credit card debit from this most recent surprise trip home. But other than a little stress, I think we're both ready for new adventures.

I'm also ready for my own place so I can decorate...finally!
I could easily finish reading my book, "Shopaholic ties the Knot," on that couch.

If I didn't have my gorgeous, loving boyfriend...I think my living room mayyyyy look like this! How fun!

OHHH! and don't forget to visit my mother's NEW Etsy shop! It's rather small right now, as she's still starting up, but she would love everyone's support and feedback! You can also request custom designs and items! She even does the CUTEST shabby chic dog beds!


(and yes...that stuffed animal of a dog is our doggie Daisy)

Good-bye Jimmy Choo

I just finished my first summer read, "Good-Bye Jimmy Choo." Set in the countryside of England, where two out-of-place city women find friendship in under unlikely circumstances. My parents hail from England and Scotland so I've taken many trips back to Britian. I figured I'd share some of my very ammature photography on my most recent visit. My little 5'2" Granny lives in a quaint, seaside cottage, "Bridge Cottage", and memories of indulging in creamy british cookies, lots of tea and biscuits will never leave me. This book reminded me of all the adventures I've been on and hopefully I'll have more in the future. I figured I'd do a post with some English Cottage style.

Row Houses in Oxford: Early Morning and Fresh Snow.

Sepia Tone Street in Oxford, my aunt and brother are up ahead.

"Bridge Cottage." in Powfoot, Scotland.

Row Houses facing the coast in Powfoot, view from Granny's cottage.

*Photo's courtesy of Me.

Now some more professional shots, aka nothing I could accomplish with my point and shoot camera.

Calming cottage garden



Comfy cottage quarters


Cottage kitchen creation


Well, I'm sitting in the Vegas airport again heading back to the south after a great trip home.

I left my heart in San Francisco

My boyfriend and I have found our future address...1000 Lombard St.

I wish I could take a tour of some of these interiors because the exteriors we saw yesterday were amazing.
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We decided to park at Larkspur and take the ferry! Something, in my 18 years of living by the bay, I had never done! So it was an experience for us to share. We got into the port at 8:45a.m. and started our adventure.

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We ended up walking up to Union Square down Market Street.

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We bought our day passes for the cable cars and buses to save our poor little feet.

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We saw Chinatown, the Crookedest Street, Ghiradelli Square, some old boats, and traveled down the Embarcadero.
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We had such a great time, forgetting the fact our backs and tootsies were rather sore. And our itinerary didn't lend its self to being a very expensive excursion to the city at all.
2 Adult Ferry Tickets (Free Parking) $14.50
2 coffee's and a banana bread slice on the ferry $5.50
2 All day cable car passes $22
Lunch at the bottom of Bloomingdale's Mall $18.00
2 more coffee's (yea, we needed it) $6.00
2 Adult Ferry Tickets $14.50
=
1 really fun, memorable day in the city for two: $70
Completely worth it.