Slowing Down (+ Some Pretty Blinks)

Hope you enjoy this week's pretties:

So tempted to place an order for 5 yards of awesome Glitter Ribbon.  (Fun shop discovered on Besotted Blog)

Mila Kunis in this photograph = my newest style icon. Anyone else excited to see Black Swan? (image spotted on Thistle & Clover)

Really really great colors. (image by cappy hotchkiss via It's Mary Ruffle)

Loving these fun pencils shared by Joanna (beautiful and nyc)

 I've been sharing a few of my favorite 2011 calenders over the past several weeks, but this one? This one absolutely and without doubt, takes the cake.  Uh-may-zing. (discovered via Jane's tweet)

So many things about this photograph make me smile. The petite striped couch, the details on the window frames, her form! (Dani Padgett's flickr via The English Muse)

Admiring the engagement ring & wedding band as seen in this beautiful backyard wedding

You know Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? I had that sort of night/day earlier this week (Wednesday into Thursday), which involved a brief but awful stint with a stomach virus; slipping and falling on the sidewalk where I landed hard on my knee and subsequently ripped my favorite jeans; the maxing out of my budget due to a few unexpected expenses, and surveying my December to-do list and wanting to burst into tears (okay, I actually did burst into tears from a combination of everything).

The good news? I'm feeling better physically and am significantly less stressed after taking a sick day yesterday. (Probably because I spent the majority of the day sleeping).

This weekend is void of commitments and will be spent reorganizing upcoming priorities and relaxing. It's really not as bad as it all sounds, I promise. I just had to slow down for a minute. 

Wishing you a blissfully tranquil weekend. Do me a favor and take a step back from it all, will you? Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to do just that, and since I care about you (I really do!), consider yourself reminded. xo.

Blinks + News

 A few blinks (blog links) that recently caught my eye...

Kevin Kunstadt's photos leave me speechless (via Miss Moss)

 Love the color and shape of this Zara dress. Discovered via Caroline's tweet

 I wish I had an extra $800 lying around to drop on this beauty, spotted on Eat Drink Chic

2,500 matchsticks in 24 hours spotted on A Few Things From My Life

Rainbow Louis chairs and turquoise wallpaper make for quite the eye-catching combo, eh? (seen on Apartment Therapy)

Lena Lena Lena. The things you do to me. (In case this is unclear to anyone, Lena posts really fabulous wedding finds, like this cake, which is now in my dream wedding inspiration folder)

Such a lovely room with so many cozy details. Spotted on Ill Seen, Ill Said

This wrapping paper could have been made for me. i.am.obsessed. (discovered on Creature Comforts)

The brand new "Things We Love" book of inspiration from Kate Spade NY looks so happy and cheerful. (via Felt & Wire)

Hi friends, and three cheers for the weekend! I'm feeling like I have lots of little jumping beans in my stomach because I've been keeping something from you the past couple of days. I hate to mislead with the post title, but I need to leave you hanging until Monday (sorry!). It's pretty big news on the personal front. (And to completely throw you off, does not involve marriage or babies).

Until then, go have yourself a seriously fantastical weekend. I'll be taking care of what feels like a smorgasbord of odds and ends, including catching up on tons of blog reading. It was a busy week.

Big hug and lots of love.

Weekend Blinks + Tricks & Treats

Let's talk Halloween, but first, a few weekend blinks (blog links):

Hello dream shoe closet! (and cute apartment) spotted on Apartment Therapy

Stripes + industrial + a touch of country = a good room, via Remodelista

I can't decide which is more appealing: the simple breakfast or the colorful burst of a tray, spotted on Ardor

I always wonder about the interior of a home based on its exterior. I loved this post by The Drifter & the Gypsy

I think this is one of the prettiest, most natural shots of Miss Monroe as seen on Bippity Boppity Boo

This whole image just really works for me, via Oh Joy

 Mom, this one's for you. Spotted on Milk

Yet another collection of pretty fashion illustrations via Ada & Darcy

A nifty chalkboard ring via Blue Moss

Uh, whoaaa! If I had this tub caddy, I'd be spending a heck of a lot more time in bubbles & bath salts. (Seen on Design Crush)

Yikes. I fear I'll never pass this test. (via Say Yes to Hoboken)

But hey! No forks necessary for devouring pizza, so it's all good. This amazing one courtesy of Katy Elliot

 Dying over this genius "trace your baby's hands for jack-o-lantern eyes" idea spotted on Young House Love

Okay. It's Halloween weekend. We have some invites to a few gatherings in the city, but in all honesty, I'm feeling like I would rather stay home, carve a pumpkin and settle in to watch a bunch of classic horror flicks. I haven't had the time to think of/make a proper costume and when I suggested to Tiho that we just head to the dollar store and pick up some cheap, ready-to-wear "duo costumes" (think ketchup and mustard) he gave me one of those "I can't believe you just suggested that" looks. What? I think I'd look cute in a condiment hat.

Anyway, I hope you have a deliciously scary weekend. If you're celebrating, what's going down? I hope at least a little bit of mischief! I'll catch you back here next week, so long as I don't fall headfirst into the candy bowl first.

Weekend Blinks + You Guys Rock

 Enjoy this week's jam-packed list of blinks (blog links):

I want to win this give-a-way so badly. Really, who wouldn't adore a gold-trimmed rose quartz tray?

Just because it's amazing. Via Petite Alma discovered on Civetta

A good reminder (especially after a blah week) spotted on Simple Lovely

This beautiful home as seen on Design Sponge

A fun pattered duvet (love the elephants) spotted on Apartment Therapy

I am quite certain that Katie is correct in asserting Natalie Portman as every gal's girl crush. I'm particularly loving her hair in this photo.

 I want to start a heart-shaped rock collection

So many things about this room makes me happy, via The Style Files

A charming garden party with the sweetest details, spotted on Say Yes To Hoboken

 I would be so much cooler if I could successfully do this to my hair (Flickr via Destined to Design)

Gah! Love everything from Letterbox Co. (this curated collage was spotted on Lushlee)

This eco-friendly wedding album is gorgeous (and so is that dress!) as seen on Oh So Beautiful Paper

I enjoy this calligraphy and pretty floral fabric very much, via Oh, Hello, Friend

We've reached Friday, friends! Two hands in the air if you're excited for that fact. I'm looking forward to a little NYC flea market thrifting with my mom and a friend's birthday/housewarming party. 

Many thanks to anyone who wished me hugs and/or love yesterday on here and on Twitter. I'm happy to report that the funk is dissolving. Sometimes, letting it out is all I need.

Y'all are the best, do I tell you that enough? Because you are :)

Have a beautiful weekend.

Weekend Blinks + Catching Up

Another week, another edition of weekend blinks (blog links). Enjoy some loveliness from around the web:

Beauty in the sky, via Size Too Small

A perfect little black dress and gold accessories spotted on All Things Lovely

A simple + pretty sitting nook via emma's design blogg

Thinking I need to start collecting pretty plates so my breakfast can look as delicious as this one spotted on Lobster & Swan

A unique spin on the love seat (by James Hopkins), via The English Muffin Blog

Since spotting it on Creature Comforts, I can't stop imagining this decorative aluminum camera on display in my living room

The antique bentwood bench in this adorable dining area makes my heart skip a beat, via Design Sponge

 And of course, the much anticipated launch of Rue Magazine

It's been a long and tiring first full week back in the classroom and I am very much looking forward to savoring the little things this weekend. Most likely, lots of sleep and catching up on my blog reading :)

I'm also feeling the need to organize and cross a few items of my to-do list, so hopefully I'll accomplish that and squeeze in a bit of fun, too.

Enjoy your weekend!