critter pillows

i love modern design. i also love old, craftsman type design. i used to think i had to choose between the two. however, slowly i have been integrating the two styles and i really like the results.

these critter pillows from areaware are perfect for helping me achieve my style. i think they would go perfectly on my all-white bedding.

what do you think about these pillows? how would you incorporate them into your decor?

christmas list #3: a go-to long necklace

my favorite kind of outfit is the kind that looks like you put in a lot of effort, but you really just reached into your closet and pulled out the first things that you touched.

i do this two ways: 

1) buy pretty much only things that will work with the rest of my closet &

2) throw on a long necklace

these lockets by beklina are the perfect go-to necklace. simple and elegant, they can be paired with a pretty cocktail dress or put with leggings, a cardigan, and boots. they are a little bit steeply priced at $98, so that is why we will put them on our christmas lists!

i am in love with the sand-colored one and the red one. i can't think of anything that these would not go well with.

christmas list #2: portable turntable

i have a friend that is really so much cooler than me. if she had a blog, i guarantee you'd be reading that one instead of mine right now.

this friend is a master at creating a comfortable, inviting, and warm ambiance that makes you just want to stay, drink tea, and socialize for hours. i have been trying to pinpoint just what makes it that way. it is a number of things that i have identified so far, but i think the quickest way to create a nostalgic environment is some old vinyls being played on a record player. 

after doing some searching, i decided that if i could have a turntable, it would be this one from urban. my place is pretty tiny, and this can be tucked away when it is not in use. plus, it has a USB port, so i can play my ipod if i don't have whatever music i am craving on vinyl.

birthday cake

today is my lovely sister's birthday. she turns twenty one! i am unable to celebrate with her as we are not in the same state, but when i go to my home state in about a month, we will celebrate. when i saw this cake, i thought of her, and decided this is what i will make. isn't it darling? i love the blush-pink frosting.

happy birthday sammie! i love you and can't wait until i can celebrate with you.

scalloped gold glitter garland

i get really excited about decorating for christmas. today, i found this fabulous scalloped glitter garland on etsy from stephlovesben. it combines everything i love the most in decorating: scallops, matte gold glitter, and garland. i think i will display it behind my christmas tree. the thought makes me giddy. check out her store. it comes in a six foot strand, but she will make custom lengths if you like. oh, and the price: it's reasonable at $14 per strand.

christmas list #1: copper cookware

without trying to sound like a know-it-all, i think you to add something to your christmas list: 


some copper cookware for your kitchen.


 i can't decide what i like better about mine: how it makes my kitchen look or how completely and evenly it distributes heat for even cooking. this has seriously revolutionized my culinary life. no more burning in the middle and undercooking on the sides. 


i have recommended several sets below and included several price ranges. functional and gorgeous, all of them will work wonderfully; picking one is only a matter of what your price range is, and how aesthetically pleasing it is to you.


#1- calphalon® tri-ply copper 10-piece cookware set
     this set is a great value. i received this as a gift when it was $1000+ from crate and barrel. now, its is on sale for $449.95! It comes with a lifetime warranty.

#2 mauviel professional copper 10-piece cookware set

this gorgeous set comes from williams-sonoma for $1,399.95, and comes from france.

#3 ruffoni copper cookware set

in my opinion, this set from anthropologie is the most beautiful. it has a hammered copper finish. coming to us from italy, this set is $1098, but only comes with 5 pots and pans as opposed to 6. 

and just a word of warning- you have to take care of your copper cookware! please look at the specific instructions from the manufacturer, but you can expect to:

• allow pan to cool before washing.
• hand-wash; dry immediately with a soft cloth.
• avoid using steel wool, steel scouring pads or harsh detergents.
• copper will develop a rich patina over time. this will not affect the pan’s cooking performance. to keep the exterior looking new, use a copper polish or a combination of lemon and salt.

Rumor has it...

...Anthropologie will be participating in Black Friday this year. According to Effortless Anthropologie and my source who works there, Friday from 6am to 11am, sale items will be an extra 50% off. Wake up, get your peppermint mocha, and get there early, because I'm pretty sure this will be the best sale Anthropologie has ever had.

I have had my eye on this coat for a while. Hopefully I can snatch one up before everything's gone! Find more things you may see at the sale here.

Stipulations:
- sale clothing only
- in-store only
- not valid on charge/sends
- items cannot be put on hold
- USA only as of now

Christmas Trees

It is Christmas season. I know that some of you will scoff at this, but I firmly believe in a long, drawn-out Christmas season. I have been calling all of the local tree lots to see when the fresh cut Christmas trees will be in. I think they are starting to expect my calls. Anyway, looks like I'm getting my tree from Lowe's on the 21st. Can't wait!

There are so many varieties, themes, and possibilities when it comes to Christmas trees. 

How do you like your Christmas tree? I think that this year I will go for a naturey themed tree- simple, with woodland creature ornaments and even some terrarium ornaments I am going to make myself (thanks to design sponge).

                                          (image via Design Sponge)