Simple, modern, and handmade porcelain artifacts for the home (and occasionally your wardrobe) from Muddle Paris...they'd make a great gift, no?

I am a bit timid when it comes to bold eyeliner, and I just love seeing how each of the women mentioned above not only made the look their own but also made it iconic. I suppose the "Kirsten" definitely leans toward the sweet side, and if I'm feeling sassy, has a hint of Amy to it. HA! No, I kid I kid. Amy is the one and only lady that could pull off a ratty beehive and that crazy eyeliner. I'd say Marilyn is closest to what I do...a bit more understated, but equally pretty. Tell me below which you are...I am super curious!

PS While we are on the topic of eyeliners, any that you swear by? I feel like mine have been super smudgy lately...and not in a good way. 

{Images: 1, 2, 3, 4}

This would be such an easy and rad way to spice up a DIY table. You could easily go to a home improvement store, pick up some nice plywood, and sand it down to a smooth finish. Screw some legs on, paint them, and BOOM! Instant cool table on the cheap. You could also go the Craigslist route and find a table that is is somewhat decent shape and just paint the legs. Either way, it's a win!

{table image via sfgirlbybay}

Today while I crank away on some blog design schemes for a few awesome clients (did you see my latest - I'll Take That In Purple...? I laughed out loud reading through her posts....good stuff there), I'm having visions of bubble gum pink paired with the perfect shade of citrus yellow. Packs a sweet n' sour punch, no?

Images via Lauren Moffat // Apartment Therapy

Perhaps it's because Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's Daughter Longstocking (phew) was one of my fave childhood heroines, I have always loved freckles. I even like the word freckles. Freckles. Haaa. It's a funny word when you say it a lot. When pouring over some photos of John as a kid, I nearly melted into the floor over the little freckled face with the mischievous smile that stared back at me. They must have faded with time, because the freckles are nowhere to be found on hubby's face nowadays. Oddly enough, my super fair-skinned self never really got freckles...instead, I got freckle/mole hybrids on my arms and face that formed what I like to think of as constellations. Now, I know that freckles are a sign of sun-damaged skin, but aren't they just so endearing? A total beauty 'do' in my book.

PS Just because I am compelled to say it.....wear SPF everyday, people.

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

Jean-Christophe Aumas, I am sending one giant high-five overseas because you knocked it out of the park when decorating your Parisian apartment. It's like a European Ace Hotel, no? The neon and pastel paint colors, the mid-century furniture, the stunning floors....even the painted fire wood. I love every last detail.

{maire claire maison via decor8}

Never one to not appreciate a good pun or a funny new perspective, I just had to share these witty observations of tree leaves from Cristoph Niemann and The New York Times...

In an earnest attempt to break my chip-and-dip habit, I started looking towards veggies that could satiate my penchant for salty snacks full of empty calories. I got to thinking about healthier alternative, and thought how tasty a baked hummus chip would be (anyone else think so??). That lead me to the  humble chick pea....it's chock full of filling protein, low in fat, and a delicious and fiberlicious snack. While the chick peas in this recipe don't have that crunch you get with a chip, it definitely makes up for it in flavor. Give this recipe a whirl next time you are feeling a little peckish after a workout or want a healthy side dish that packs a protein pow!

1 (15oz) can chickpeas/garbanzos, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1-2 Tbsp. seasoning of choice (I used a combo of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne)
1 Parsley, to garnish

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.

Well, ladies and gents, the day has come. If you are a shop owner, blogger, creative ingénue or just a cool person, you can now sponsor this blog! Woohoo! Doesn't that just make you so beyond happy? Click here for the details.

The Earnest Sewn Co. is debuting their staple skinny Esra jean in a vivacious series of colors for Spring - I'm talking  neon pink, kelly green, blue, orange, and red. They are hitting stores in March, but if you are hardcore jonesing for a pair like I am, you can pre-order them at Earnest Sewn. The hardest part is picking what hue to color your stems - green? pink? blue? Ahh I want them ALL!!!

Totally brilliant and perfect for spring, this adorable headband/corsage/neck-tie hybrid from catbird + ban.do is totally on my wishlist. Get your new fave 3-in-1 convertible accessory while they last....it's limited edition.

Just wanted to share some snapshots from our little Valentine's Day party for 2 last night. We rarely do anything out of the ordinary for V-day, but this year John decided to cook what was one of the best meals of 2012 - a roast rack of lamb with asparagus and rosemary garlic potatoes. This is a guy that has frozen pizza, cereal and pancakes on his cooking repertoire. Consider myself blown away that not only did he attempt such an ambitious meal, but that he TOTALLY PULLED IT OFF! Amazed. I am beyond lucky to be his Mrs...love that guy so much. Wanting to make the evening a little more special, I went to the party store and picked up some balloons, heart garlands, candy hearts and confetti. John was so surprised when he walked into the decked out apartment, and his face was priceless. I tried to snap a photo of him walking in, but of course that turned out blurry. Such is my luck.

After one of the mushiest and smushiest holidays there is, I decided to post about something tough and strong. Noooo, sillies, I am not talking about my husband....though he should consider himself flattered at the thought. I am talking about concrete. Yep. The tough grey stuff that we pound our well-heeled feet on everyday. Not so glam outside, but bring the matter indoors and you have a very different story. Concrete is beautiful in it's simplicity, the tone and texture varying from piece to piece.  Perhaps it's because my dad is in the industrial and commerical flooring biz and I grew up hearing about the differences between DecoFlake and ThermalCrete floors. I will refrain from getting into the details for fear of boring you half to death, but I will summarize the moral of the story: concrete = cool. So, now it's time to revel in the cool concrete home decor finds from Obelisk with me.

I'm flying my nerd flag, and fully embracing these amazing Nerdy Dirty illustrations by Nicole Martinez. They brought on a major case of the giggles. I mean really, how can you not bust out your best snorting laugh when you hear things like "I think I lava you," "I lichen you a lot," and "I sulfur when you argon." Genius.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Courtesy of the Bumble and bumble's Allen Wood and Gretchen Jones, this peek backstage at Gretchen Jones' New York Fashion Week FW2012 presentation doesn't disappoint! How amazing is that ropey, textured hair? I want to rock this at the beach in Hawaii, walking down the streets of South Congress, and traversing the sheer cliffs of mountains (what?). Basically, this creative and cool style has totally stolen my heart. Maybe the whole backcombing and flat-ironing is a little intense for an average gal like moi (and tumbleweed isn't a good look for me), but the beautiful ropey twisty chignon...count me in. I really do need to get myself a bottle of that Surf Spray...it's the magic ingredient to pretty much every hair style that makes my heart go pitter-patter. 

To say I am smitten with this super-talented lady's designs is an understatement. Everything Gretchen does (and Bumble, for that matter, too) is totally brillz.

I

Bodum Eileen French Press Coffee Maker // The Art of French Baking // J.Crew Vintage Pajama Set // Ugg Slippers // Kate Spade Confetti Dishware // Chevron Serving Tray

Broadcasting to you live from my bed on this happy Saturday! After taking what was a totally glorious 9.5 hour snooze after a pretty busy week, my belly is rumbling for pancakes made specially for moi by my master 'pancakatier' hubby.  Perhaps with schooling from that French baking cookbook, I can work him up to fresh and piping hot crepes. With nutella. And banana. And homemade whip cream.  Oooooh now I am just torturing myself.

So, just to give you guys a happy little update on the news I broke in this post, I have had a project-filled week working on a few different blog redesigns for some awesome clients. My latest project to wrap up was with the lovely Michelle at Uncharted Style, and I gave her blog a new look with a graphic makeover....and I must say, I think it looks great! I really can't tell you how lucky I am to have such rad people to work with..and I am so excited to debut the new looks for the others when they are finished!

Also, on a side note, I just added Triple Max Tons to Currently Obsessed so feel free to stalk me and stock your closet with the lovely things that have caught my eye. Fingers crossed we share the same size so I can borrow them, haha.

Hope you have a happy Saturday!

Devora Libin jewelry. It's cheeky and rebellious in a bad-ass bohemian glamour sort of way. Those bracelets remind me of something a punk kid who is sent to summer camp would make, no? I mean that in the most flattering sense possible! Seriously though, how cool is that snake bracelet and those nugget earrings?! Me gusta!

Valentine's Day may give you the perfect excuse to rock Adriana Lima-style locks, but let's face it...who wouldn't want this look everyday?? Surprisingly, it's not the most complicated look to muster up for a weekend date or special occasion. Here's how to get your very own bed-head approved look.

Morning Preparation:
1. After you take your shower, let your hair air dry or give it a rough blow dry. Nothing to smooth or sleek!
2. After hair is dry, fasten your hair into a top knot bun as high on your head as you can using bobby pins. Try not to slick your hair to your head...you want to create some volume!
3. Go about your day as you normally do.

Styling:
1. When you are ready to turn up the volume (both on your hair and sexy meter), let your hair down and shake it out.
2. Put a good volumizer in your hair, focusing on the roots only.
3. Rough blow dry the hair with your head flipped over to create maximum root lift.
4. Apply a dry shampoo through out the whole head.
5. Separate hair into 4 sections (2 front and 2 back) and begin curling hair, one section at a time. With a large 1 1/2" curling iron, make sure that the barrel of the iron is at a vertical angle to the head and curl the hair away from your face. Start from the root, positioning the iron a safe distance from your head, and twirl the hair around the iron. Leave the ends out of the iron for a natural, modern look!
6. Once you have curled each section, gently run your fingertips through curls and finish with hairspray.

images 1, 2, 3 // instructions via glamour

I am a make-up junkie, and have been since I was a kid. One of my favorite memories was going into my mom's make-up drawer when I was about 5 years old, and pulling out her Guerlain Météorites Powder. I thought the colorful little pearls were so pretty, and just loved to draw all over my face with them. I would come out of the bathroom looking like Edward Cullen in the sunlight....super sparkly and shimmery indeed. That glowing, shimmering style is still one of my favorite beauty looks, and one I definitely plan on rocking for Valentine's Day. Naturally, I will likely be raiding one of my most favorite stores in the whole world - Sephora - to add some of the goodies above to my make-up repertoire. Like a kid in a candy shop, I tell ya.