hello munday

a few instagram shots from our weekend:

{clockwise from upper left}

1 // many of you messaged about "the super cell" that was heading directly for nashville on friday. thankfully the storm wasn't quite what they had expected. w + i took shelter w/ friends chris & faith and enjoyed a little candlelit game playing until the electricity came back on. check out that HAIL!?! (photo courtesy: chandra)

2 // you didn't realize that nashville is the athens of the south, did you? saturday am our running team met at the parthenon for our mid-training run! 6.5 miles. yeowch. did i mention we're running for a great cause? read about it here. :) i need to get on my fundraising. we're asking $1 a mile. that's $13.10 for me and $26.20 for wade (yes - he's running the FULL!).

3 // i bought supplies for a fun little sewing project. but unfortunately didn't even start it over the weekend! would you believe that we have 4 friends having baby boys this month!?! crazy! time to make some welcome home presents.

4 // wow - i've been baking a lot lately. thankfully w + i are running must of it off. :) these yummy lemon bars are based on this recipe from the baking beauties. and they are the perfect equation of light fluffy crust and lemon tart! i modified the "all-purpose flour mix" by using sweet rice flour instead of brown rice flour since it's what i had on hand. while brown rice flour would have been a bit healthier, at least the lemon will fight off scurvy. ;)

i hope you had a super fun weekend.

{ hello munday }

hello lovelies! we're home. :) a little sad to be home from vacation ... and the icky rain isn't helping, nashville. while the weather outside is frightful ... here's a delightful hello munday to cheer you up:

{source: deck // me, prep // photo: b. gustafson/styling: c. stills johnson, yum // clipart}

deck // introducing one very naked tree complete w/ garbage bag tree skirt. very nice! w+i were anxious to pick out the perfect tree after we arrived home on saturday. now to find time to decorate her. in the meantime, i have added light. her magnificent glow and smell fill our little apartment w/ holiday cheer!

prep // wade and i are preparing for the holidays by hitting the gym extra extra hard. inspired by my sister + the 2 days a week she attends boot camp, we went to our first workout class this am. it's the level 1 class at our gym. level one, my abs (pg-ed). i felt nauseous for 2 HOURS after the class. yes - i'm that out of shape.

yum // and since we're being good little gym-attenders, we might as well have a little fun! tomorrow's the first day of our 12 days of gluten-free christmas. y'all ready for this!?! having missed out on half the fun @ thanksgiving, i most certainly am!

{source: serve // west elm, eat // paula dean, shop // burberry, make // real simple}

serve // i'm not talking about on these adorable west elm dessert plates - though yes, i looooove them too. w+i started advent yesterday ... a few days behind schedule. two years ago our church provided this great family advent devotional. it has great interactive ideas for the full family. do check it out! this week, we are challenged to share love. one teeny-tiny way we plan to do this is to purchase pocket hand-warmers for the homeless newspaper distributors that we come in contact w/ this month. we're also going to prepare a box of christmas cookies for our neighbor. how do you plan to serve this holiday season?

eat // feliz navidad. ha! we brought this yummy and healthy sizzling fajitas recipe home w/ us from hawaii. way to go paula dean! substitute olive oil for vegetable oil for an even healthier meal.

shop // okay okay i know i should be christmas shopping. but i can't pass up a bargain. especially when it's my ultimate favorite scent. yesterday i found burberry brit @ tj maxx for $25. woo hoo. i so wish this computer was scratch and sniff. have you had the pleasure of catching a whiff of burberry brit? it's my ultimate favorite!

make // last year we stumbled upon freshly trimmed magnolia branches along the side of the street. we brought them home and went to town making wreaths & garland for the apt. this year we haven't gotten so lucky. but i did stumble upon this lovely wreath DIY from real simple. très élégant! i also love the idea of using boxwood. decisions decisions.

{ hello munday } from hawaii ...

hello lovelies! i took a bit of vacation time last weds, thurs & friday ... but i'm back somewhat. we still have 5 days left in hawaii. yahoo! and we have a very packed schedule between now and friday. today a bit of a hawaiian {hello munday} w/ just a few of our adventures thus far ...

{source: explore // aloha top 10, drink/eat // me, hike // wade}

explore // today we went to haunama bay to snorkel! when we arrived at the cove, we watched a video about the reef that emphasized how important it is to not stand up on the reef. this made me a very nervous snorkel-er ... such a rule follower. but we were able to see lots of amazing fish. winter is the perfect time to visit hawaii - this was our only "tourist heavy" day thus far.

drink // okay okay - maybe this doesn't count as a drink. but for the ultimate sugar high, you have to stop by matsumoto's in haliewa for shaved ice w/ ice cream! i'm trying to convince wade that nashville needs a remote location. yum!

eat // if you're heading out for an intense day dodging waves at waimea bay (w+my favorite beach)? you must first grab breakfast @ konos in haliewa. while i have been a good girl sticking to my gfree diet, wade enjoyed yummy waffles topped w/ bananas and macadamia nuts. again yum!

hike // doesn't this picture look fake? wade captured it yesterday while exploring the wiliwilinui ridge trail w/ my brother-in-law, brandon. 3.5 miles + red mud and ropes? instead my sister leigh and i opted for a chill day at the "rich people beach" complete w/ valet parking and drink service on the beach.

{source: wear // hawaiian tropic + neutrogena, catch // asp/cestari, yum! // le cupcakerie}

wear // okay what gives!?! wade has been wearing neutrogena's wet skin sunblock (spf 50) since we arrived, while i've been wearing hawaiian tropic's tanning creme lotion (spf 2). and who's the one w/ the amazing tan??? WADE. gah. i used to be known as "brown bear blair" (way back in the day before my older cousin's started calling me "blair blair underwear"). not so much anymore.

catch // a wave! wade and i mastered ... okay not really ... attempted surfing yesterday w/ brandon. leigh & brandon own a long board - which i'll go ahead and say was the coolest board on the beach even if none of us can surf. the last time i was in hawaii (5 years ago) i actually stood up a few times. i guess i am getting older - bc that didn't happen this time. speaking of surfing ... the real surfers go to north shore in the winter when the waves are huge. w+i might make another trip up to haleiwa to catch the vans triple crown surf competition.

yum! // another of my hawaiian favorites - bubbies! we stopped by bubbies after snorkeling today for mochi - gourmet ice cream wrapped in sweetened rice confection! wade went all chocolate - chocolate/vanilla, chocolate/peanut butter, and chocolate mint. and i tried raspberry, chocolate/vanilla and this month's special pumpkin (double yum!).

wow - i'm talking a LOT about food! probably not a good thing considering we've been in our swimsuits pretty much 24/7. ha! but that's what vacation is all about, right!?! now we're off to catch up w/ an old friend who is also stationed at pearl harbor for dinner. hope you're well, blog friends. :) miss you.

{ hello munday }

{source: eat // me, adorn // helen norman, win // make&mingle, make // oh so lovely! via my girl thursday} 

eat // yummy gfree apple crisp! w+i took a trip to a u-pick apple orchard a few weeks back w/ friends chris and faith. fyi - apple picking is a september activity. we were there when the trees were very limited. but we collected enough to make a yummy gfree apple crisp. click here for the recipe (modified from betty crocker).

adorn // your thanksgiving table w/ these fantastic ideas via southern living! i teased last week that too many of my friends are skipping from halloween directly to christmas. but i'm all about thanksgiving and i am a teeny bit sad that we won't be hosting a thanksgiving of our very own. (remember - we'll be in hawaii visiting my sister + her hubs and little boys. that's why it's just a "teeny bit".) maybe i can sneak an heirloom pumpkin or two on the plane. oh - i kid.

win // a lovely giveaway teaser! TOMORROW we're having a fun-tastic giveaway here on the blog from the lovely ladies @ make&mingle. i'm pretty stinkin' excited. and you should be too. so please stop back by tomorrow for all the details!

make // this adorable bow diy by oh so lovely on my girl thursday today. w+i went to a wedding saturday night {congrats, rachel + mike} and i struggled big time w/ my hair. and finally gave in and wore it the usual boring way. time to google some hair-torials. wouldn't these little bows be a fun addition as well? and they make it soooo easy-peasy. yes please.

{source: share // darlingmagazine, gift // korin, listen // david nail}

share // have you checked out darlingmagazine? a sweet twitter friend shared this lovely site last week {thanks, hé ré}. 1) choose your personality. 2) explore! no worries if you have multiple personalities - apparently me too. loving all the posts about "the hostess", "the dreamer" & "the achiever" ... then again ALL of the articles are super great reads. do check it out.

gift // these adorable mugtails from korin featured in real simple this month. adorable (and i'm not the only person to think so ... due to overwhelming demand you wouldn't be gift these until february 2012). if there was such thing as a city animal, nashville's would be the squirrel. i prefer them in my dishware - rather than in real life. and bonus: wouldn't these go sweetly w/ last year's squirrel nutcracker?

listen // david nail's new album is in stores tomorrow! and w+i are thrilled out of our minds. yup. we love him. he's country, yes ... but he's also bluesy cool. i played his last album straight for about 3mo. really have high hopes for this album as well. and just in time for 7hrs of listening (aka our flight to hawaii NEXT week!)

{ hello munday } new orleans edition

hello, beautiful people. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! we're back from ANOTHER weekend away - this time visiting new orleans. i'm still putting the final touches on our (very last minute) halloween costume ... so in the meantime, today's {hello munday} is new orleans inspired. enjoy!

{source: stay & make // me, visit // gonola.com, drink // the purposed heart}

stay // our trip to new orleans was technically a work trip for my husband. marriott brought in several conference planners + press folks to tour the city (and of course their hotels). we got the full voodoo experience! we arrived thursday and caught up w/ the gang @ muriel's on jackson square. afterwards, we toured the streets of the french quarter as part of a funeral procession which led us to lafitte's blacksmith shop. in between hotel tours on friday, we visited st. louis cemetery number one & took a tour of the bayou ... ending the day w/ the most spectacular halloween party! and then, w + i had a free day on saturday to do our own exploring. a big thanks to the marriott gang!

make // these adorable pumpkin centerpieces. every hotel planned a meal for our group. the table decor @ the jw was adorable. somebody had been pinning!

visit // we walked bourbon street ... but for a true new orleans' experience, we're so thankful that the locals encouraged us to visit frenchmen street! apparently it is what bourbon street was like before the tourists invaded! such a fun street w/ amazing entertainment and yummy food!

drink // pumpkin eggnog! just don't count your calories while you do it! we were fine dined all weekend & wade LOVED it. unfortunately being g-free  is a bit difficult in nola & being allergic to shellfish is incredibly difficult in new orleans ... so i enjoyed each and every calorie of my pumpkin eggnog. got you salivating? check out this yummy recipe from the purposed heart.

{source: eat, tour & wear // me, shop // french quarter condo trends}

eat // okay i cheated. i had a beignet from cafe du monde. yum! in fact i double cheated - not only was i not supposed to have gluten, but w+i didn't notice the gigantic line @ the door until after we had found a table and had our order. woops! for those that do have to stand in line, this deep-fried powdered sugared treat is definitely worth the wait!

tour // st. louis cemetery no. 1 and find a) marie laveau "the voodoo queen of new orleans" grave ... mark it with 3 x's and make a wish ... if you dare! & b) nicholas cage's pyramid shaped family grave. over the top. beware of the snakes!

shop // magazine street in the garden district. w+i planned to take the st. charles streetcar to the garden district, but we didn't have exact cash. so then we decided we would walk ... and um ended up walking in the complete opposite direction (aka bonus tour of tremè). finally we made it to magazine street & enjoyed lunch & a drink @ ms. mae's on magazine street w/ a friend from home . next time i ditch the boys AND SHOP! they had everything!

and last but not least ...

wear // an alligator mohawk - apparently it's the biggest thing in the bayou! okay not really. but we definitely recommend an airboat tour! our guide was fantastic. sidenote: wade is not so much afraid of this itty bitty alligator as he is the threat of alligator pee (aka gatoraid) in his hair for the rest of our long day of tours!

there was definitely too much to do in just 3 short days - especially since our first 2 days were pretty busy w/ hotel tours. so what did we miss? w+i definitely plan to make another trip.

i'm off to do a little sewing! hope you have a very fun day!

{ hello munday } sticks & stones

hi friends! today has been busy busy ... a short week in the office since we're heading to NEW ORLEANS this weekend. fun times! here's an itty bitty {hello munday} to hold you over ...

{source: shop // this is pretty, wear // our family jewels, make // cantilever & press, smile // david & goliath}

shop // these birch bark lanterns from this is pretty. wouldn't they be such a pretty addition to your fall or even winter decor? oooh - or a fall wedding. love!

wear // this simple twig bangle from our family jewels.

make // this amazing coat rack. okay okay - so i just finished a coat rack for our apartment ... but my aprons need to be properly displayed as well, right? time for a nature walk to collect some sticks! not up for the challenge? start saving your fun money and buy the original from cantilever and press.

smile // "you rock! you rule!" i am so appreciative of those of you that are reading. :) thanks for sticking w/ me when work isn't blog conducive. i'll be back to my regular old self soon! xo.

{ hello munday }

{source: eat // whole foods, wear // a beautiful mess, make // a place for us, shop // melanie favreau}

eat // these yummy apple sandwiches w/ granola and peanut butter via whole foods! adorable and delicious.

wear // your heart on your sleeve(s) w/ this cute little heart patch diy from amanda @ indiejanephotography via a beautiful mess. i have quite a few cardigans that could use a little update this winter. ... to goodwill to find a few spare vintage pillowcases!

make // i haven't put up a single decoration yet for fall! sigh. last year i was as pathetic - but we had just gotten married and were unpacking. this year i have no excuse. love these brown paper bag flowers from a place for us! and as luck would have it - we have lots of brown paper bags.

shop // these adorable "taking aim" arrow earrings from melanie favreau on etsy. in fact check out all of melanie's adorable designs ... yes, please!

{source: win// eat drink chic, learn: bhg, visit: unknown}

win // a copy of frankie magazine's 2012 calendar and daily journal via this giveaway @ eat drink chic. i am absolutely in love with & in need of that daily journal!

learn // w + i had a time hanging one our latest projects over the weekend leaving us w/ about a 1" hole in the plaster. woops. i don't blame myself or my husband - i blame our apartment and the chippiest walls EVER. lesson learned. love this tip from better homes & gardens for perfect placement. ideally we'll be hanging our bits & bobs wall in the next week or two (at last!). yahoo.

visit // we enjoyed a perfect getaway to the very northeastern corner of tennessee over the weekend. we had a fantastic time exploring the area including exchange place - an 1850s farmstead, bays mountain nature preserve & the gray fossil museum. we particularly fell in love w/ jonesborough, tn - the international storytelling capital - where we spent saturday evening listening to ghost stories in the town square. we already plan to make the trip again next year!

{ hello munday } ... on a tuesday

if you follow along on twitter, you already know that i've been under the weather for the past week & a half. finally i gave in yesterday and went to the doc. it's amazing how much better i feel already after 1 day on the correct meds. doh.

so i'm back today w/ another {hello munday} on a tuesday - filled w/ sthings to inspire the week ahead:

{source: eat // workmanfamily, drink // closet cooking, make // better homes & gardens}

eat // these adorable mummy oreo cookie pops from the workman family blog. such a cute idea! thankfully there are gluten free "oreos" bc i definitely plan to make these to share.

drink // pumpkin pie white hot chocolate from closet cooking! are you kidding me!?! and then go run 5 miles. totally worth it thought, right??? i wonder if it would taste all right w/ skim milk.

make // pumpkin candy corn! i love this adorable idea from better homes & gardens. i really need to get to it and decorate for fall.

 {source: win // smashed peas & carrots, wear // unkown}

win // 10 yards of WAVERLY fabric for all of your fall sewing projects through this giveaway by smashed peas & carrots! oh i really hope maggie picks me bc i have a long list of homemade christmas presents to get started on! ;)

wear // absolutely in love w/ this outfit. the tulle skirt w/ military inspired jacket - perfect! a must do this fall. though i can't find the original source for this particular image (help?) ... i did find this similar tulle skirt @ zara for just 59.90.

enjoy // fall to it's fullest! i created a little check list of 25 things i really want to do this fall. luckily we'll be able to do a ton of these things while on our trips this month. october is nutso! this weekend is finally our anniversary trip to east tennessee where we'll knock a couple things off the list: √ visit an apple orchard & try their apple cider + √ take photos while on a hike.

what's on your must-do fall checklist?

{ hello munday }

 {source: shop // allure by u, eat // make&takes, covet // madewell}

shop // this pretty little leaf bracelet from allure by u on etsy. i'm feeling rather girlie today & loving that price - $20.00!

eat // yes - i'm still on my apple kick! it's fall, after all. and especially now that i've seen these adorable apple cupcakes from make&takes - a must make for all future falls! however - i'm thinking a little tweak. apple-flavored (and gfree of course).

covet // mama needs a new blazer this fall! while i find lots and lots of inspiration on madewell (gah - love!) ... my new clothing budget is more suitable for a second hand find w/ a few alterations. w/ printed inspiration, it's time to thrift.

{source: make // the picket fence, visit // oh, hello friend, play // one sheepish girl, smile // sears}

make // this cute little corn husk fall wreath from the picket fence. hmmm i posted a wreath last week. it's official - i need 2 front doors! ;)

visit // it's yellow week on oh, yello friend (woops - oh, hello friend). yellow is my ultimate favorite color ... it just makes me so happy! click here for to instantly brighten your day!

play // this photo challenge display from one sheepish girl has me completely inspired to attempt this super fun 30 day photo challenge from oh so lovely. okay okay so i'm a month and a half behind ... woops. but i just bought some new gear for the camera w/ blogging in mind and it should arrive any day now! so am i up for the challenge? hmmm ...

{source: oh so lovely}

smile // it's official ... i stumbled upon the ODDEST thing on the internet. these 7" spike heel ballet ankle boots from sears are NOT OKAY. i was googling rainboots for my mum and happened upon those bad boys girls. hmmm - what are you thinking sears? stick to hardware and appliances.

{ hello munday }

{source: eat // martha stewart, wear // sundaycrossbow, make // back40life, drink // tasty kitchen}

eat // after a week in the 70s ... i'm definitely ready for fall! and what screams fall more than pear & apple butter. yum! get this slow cooker recipe via martha stewart. 

drink // and while we're talking apples ... how about this mulled apple cider recipe from tasty kitchen (in the crockpot as well!). i'm thinking it's time to knock "21 // go to a u-pick farm" off the {30 before 30}. yup - semptember is prime apple picking season in tennessee.

{side note: thank the good Lord for our slower cooker! these mundays have been eating very well lately. the favs: pork harvest stew & tenderloin w/ plum sauce. don't those just sound perfectly fall-like! i promise to share some recipes asap!}

make // this cute little "days until" countdown w/ leftover chalkboard paint from your chalkboard wall (or door). definitely a must as w + i are anxiously looking forward to thanksgiving in HAWAII!

wear // layers! check out my latest blog find sunday crossbow. um wow - she has my ideal style and she's super savvy. Lord knows i can't afford designer on our new budget. but she doesn't skimp on photos - the lucky girl has a fantastic photographer double as husband!

{source: shop // anthropologie, listen // adrien broom, stitch // studiomme}

shop // this adorable ascot swing jacket from anthropologie. and everything else in the september catalog. anybody have the story behind the shoot? no fun to be on a budget.

listen // wade has had the grace potter album on repeat for the past couple of weeks. and i have to agree - it's pretty "repeat-able". and she's so freakin sexy, right!?! {okay okay - so it released way back in 2010 and we're JUST now getting on board.}

stitch // congrats to megan of studioMME as she launches her new whimsical illustration embroidery patterns this week! they launch on september 15th - but catch a sneak peak today ... here.

{hello munday}

eat // mushrooms! we're meal planning, people! in an effort to grocery shop wiser, i sat down yesterday w/ the calendar and planned out this weeks menu. we happen to be eating 2 meals w/ mushrooms this week: portobello mushroom pizzas (yum!) and a new italian chix crock pot meal later this week.

but by this time next week ... we should be able to eat 1 very special mushroom meal. we'll be harvesting our first batch of oyster mushrooms. one of wade'sfriends from his stint in boston sent us 2 back to the roots' mushroom kits as a wedding/anniversary gift. have you heard of this!?!

i'm still a little shy of fresh grown mushrooms. but wade is sooooo excited. and carefully watches our crop daily! :)

wear // lace this fall w/ the perfect silk blouse or a little knit dress or the perfect little sweater. okay okay - it's true i'm a sucker for lace + ivory. so this is RIGHT up my alley! love.

{source: we heart it}

make // pretty little cake bunting w/ a bit of scrapbook paper + a glue stick, a bit of yarn or ribbon and 2 tiny dowel rods. this weekend we celebrated wade's big birthday. finally he and i are the same age again. ;)

*** inspired by the darling bunting on this yummy looking cake photographed by call me cupcake. now to learn to make cakes so lovely!

buy // an alphabet stamper like this one from sculpey. then ... take on this adorable diy catch-all plate via a brooklyn limestone in progress. a complete "ah ha" moment. and definitely a necessity for my upcoming pottery class, wouldn't you agree!?! :)

{souce: amazon & a brooklyn limestone in progress}

listen // the new jeff bridges album. i'm just going to admit that i find jeff bridges to be hot, hot, hot. i know he could be my grandpa. ha. so i'm pretty smitten w/ the new bluesy country sound of his album released earlier this month. have you had a listen? have one here!

{source: Dustin Cohen}

happy munday, folks! :)

{hello munday}

eat // or at least remember ... these awesome lunch box ideas for {someday} when i have kiddos - courtesy of this lunch rox. i love creative parenting. way to go, jamie.

{source: this lunch rox}

make //a bits and bobs wall inspired by dottie angel. over the years i've begun to collect lots of little lovelies but had no idea just how much fun it might be to display them all. i am absolutely in love w/ this creative space (and everything else dottie angel touches).

{source: dottie angel}

wear // this lucky brand tropicana paisley scarf. pretty dang excited about the cooler weather we've been having lately {even if it's only cooler as in upper 80s!}. yay for fall and layering w/ pretty pretty scarves!

{click to shop}

enter // this giveaway from waverly home and you could win a pack of waverly decorative trim!

{click to enter}

covet // this lovely coin clutch @ plumo! and while you're there, check the rest of their new fall collection!

{click to covet}

happy munday, folks! :)

{hello munday} ... on a tuesday

eat // gluten free gnocci. w + i are converting this yummy gnocci recipe to gfree this thursday before i head out of town for the weekend. i love a good recipe w/ pictures for each step! of course if everything works out pictures + recipe to come.

{source: the kitchn}

make // a feather earring so that you can pick and choose when you want to wear your feather extensions. genius idea via faith. a quick easy DIY coming tomorrow ...

{source: pinterest}

wear // this "i'm a hugger" tshirt from sugar and bruno. i've been a bit glum this week - ask wade. but just seeing that shirt makes me feel a little happier. :)

{source: sugar and bruno}

learn // this perfect friendship bracelet DIY from honestly ... wtf. then invite your girlfriends over for brunch to spread the DIY love. i snapped a couple quick shots @ emily of little observations' "crafty girls brunch" last sunday. fun in the sun!

OH - i didn't share - my big weekend flub. i made the most lovely (gluten-free) pear apricot tart to share at the brunch in one of those pans where the bottom pops out. well - i went to reheat it at the party ... and when i lifted it out of the oven i forgot about the removable bottom and the sides slid down into the fold of my arm. the HOT 350ºF sides. yowch. in a moment of panic - i completely dropped the tart. :( martha stewart would be so ashamed. luckily there was plenty of other yummy treats to go around.

daydream // about 10 days in hawaii. :) w + i bought tickets to spend thanksgiving in hawaii with my big sister + her husband + their 2 little guys. pretty dang excited. i went to visit them the last time they were stationed there 5 years ago - but this will be wade's first trip to hawaii. let the countdown {and beach body workouts} begin ...

{check out my short hair in '06!}

cheer // scouring craigslist might have finally paid off!

{drumroll}

i decided to expand my daily craigslist search to southern illinois since i'm heading up for a girls weekend w/ my mom + aunts. and what did i find ... a listing for 200 old high school desks @ $10/piece or 3 for $25! i immediately called the gal and she asked me to send her a picture of what i've been looking for. just received a message back that she's 99.9% sure those are the ones. fingers crossed.

{an example via buschdesign on etsy!}

{hello munday} ... on a tuesday

the first day back in the office after a long weekend is always a madhouse --- yesterday was no exception (unfortunately neither was today!). so this week's {hello munday} is just a wee bit delayed ... on a tuesday:

eat // these gluten free, vegan AND no sugar added cookies via kat in the kitch. i gave up sugar this week - well other than red wine. ;) what do you think, folks - would this be cheating? what if i used semi sweet choc chips? ha! have a hunch i won't be successful for long.

{source: kat in the kitch}

make // these mason jar/pipe clamp DIYs are all over the internet right now. w/ a pedestal sink in the bathroom, we love the idea! *bonus* the plan is to incorporate this little vintage inspired soap dispenser we picked up at target last year.

{source: flickr, tresorellecottage}

play // the coast guard fest in grand haven, mi. over the weekend, w+i spent time in northern michigan w/ our friends taylor + reed. they perfectly planned their wedding reception to correspond with grand haven's coast guard fest - which for a small town is a BIG deal. there was too much to fit into 3 quick days: a carnival (complete w/ fried treats!), ship tours, a craft fair, the beach, fireworks + so much more! we both agreed that we might just have to make another trip up - esp someday when we have kiddos.

wear // these timeless tanks from banana republic. i consider them my grownup undershirt + praise them for "holding me together". i rarely leave home w/o one. we stopped by a banana republic outlet store on the way home from michigan last weekend - where you could buy 2 for 1. WIN! (i also got a new blazer at last - i'll post soon!)

{click to shop}

covet // this ridiculously cute goldfish bowl from alessandra baldereschi - available through made in design uk. just a bit out of our price range at $450. wade and i need a fish!

{source: made in design uk}

learn // these furoshiki (japanese wrapping cloth) techniques (and more). mama needs a large square scarf! ps - how fantastic is that red/white scarf available through uguisu!?!

{source: uguisu}

read // as part of my 30 by 30 ... i started reading the catcher in the rye last night. have you read it? join me!