birthday girl
water color & micron pen (sorry my scanner washed out the background color so much!!)
illustration friday

Today I bought a red maese dress @ anthropologie that I have been covetting, but like all trips to anthropologie I go in to buy one thing and leave finding a million other fantastic pieces. Today was no different...I found 2 adorable pairs of knee shorts and a slew of tops and dresses I would love to add to my summer wardrobe. Here is my updated anthropologie shopping list complete with cute shoes that just may be perfect for my new dress not to mention countless other summer looks:

most wanted: (both pairs were incredibly flattering and comfortable!)

half a legue linen cropped pants by hei hei (14.75" l) $68; dapper pinstriped knee-shorts--wide-legged and cuffed by charlie and robin $98


top spin:




aquila trapeze tank By Velvet $118; wisp tank by rebecca beeson $68; morning star eyelet tunic byTracy Reese $238; st. george surplice top By RicRac $58; ruched tank $48; pilar shirtdress By Anna Sui for Anthropologie $218; keekie eyelet minidress from Le Shack by Tracy Feith $258;

a shoe in:

 

after all of the near scathing reviews of this show i can't wait to watch! haha it sounds highly entertaining...

Chicago Tribune: "'The Hills' finds Lauren sunning poolside at her 'Melrose Place'-style apartment complex, enrolled in fashion school and licking envelopes at Teen Vogue, where one editor warns that 'you need to have a lot of experience in writing and fashion and publicity if you want to be an intern [here],' and then promptly offers Lauren the job. Apparently experience doesn't matter when there's a camera following your every move, especially when that camera has a direct line to Teen Vogue's target demographic." ...

&

"[MTV is] now a network where Lauren's roommate can say, 'I want to be the fun, party PR girl in L.A.,' with a straight face, because she knows that with the celeb-status bestowed upon MTV reality stars, she's on her way. Never mind that skeptical college adviser. Never mind college, really." ...

"Compared with the superhit 'Sweet 16,' 'The Hills' is more refined in its celebration of materialism, though no less celebratory. It provides all the pleasures of escapist TV -- money, celebrity, romance, bikinis -- but steers clear of the crass entitlement so central to that other show. Lauren is never going to say, 'I'm a princess,' or 'everybody wants to be me.' She'll just think it."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (random I know): "Lauren has appeal, but she's, well, dumb. She has ambition but no drive. She wants to be responsible but rarely does the responsible thing."


Other Reviews:


'The Hills,' a Follow-Up to 'Laguna Beach,' Makes Its Premiere on MTV -- The New York Times

MTV Beach Bunch Gets a Taste of Reality in 'Hills'--The Washington Post

Stuff For Your Pup Swap from Romely & Tank:


an adorable personalized card...complete with photos of sophie and tank!!! Sophie has a new pen pal!!! It was the cutest thing. The package was even addressed to Sophie!!! Sophie and I opened it together--she was pulling on the tape!!! :) ...she loved the ball, the rope, and the toy (she immediately tryed to rip it open with no luck) and those min bones are her favorite. All of this stuff...she would not allow me to photograph but the collapsable bowl, the pup scarf, and journal were all mine to photograph:



thank you so much romely for the fun package!!! sophie was one thrilled pup!!!

Far Too Cute Vintage is Too Cute to Pass Up!!
The Far Too Cute web store is now live. Personally, I was very excited to read the press release.

The info you need to know:

The site is operated by Nikki Goloskov, "a documentary film producer whose work has been featured on National Geographic, Discovery, PBS, and HBO. What started as a personal interest in scouring tag sales, thrift stores and people's attics or unique vintage clothing and accessories has led her to a business plan: offer a carefully edited selection of her favorite vintage fashion gems via the internet.

With clothing and accessories ranging from the 1920s thru 1980s, providing everything from streetwear to couture vintage fashions, Far Too Cute caters to people looking for unique style and quality fashions. Nikki brings a fresh approach, friendly shopping experience, and excellent knowledge of the vintage clothing market to her customers."

In offering sixteen pieces every two weeks Nikki aims to ensure she meets her own high standards. "All pieces offered are mint or near-mint quality. It has to be charming, a little quirky and truly unique--that's the point of buying vintage."

For more information, email Nikki at fartoocute@hotmail.com

Watermelon is my absolute favorite (as a little girl my grandfather would call me "watermelanie"), so when I saw this recipe posted on martha stewart I admittedly became a little giddy. My lil' sis is graduating today, but I am going to try to find time to whip some of this up!!! Recipe below:

Watermelon Limeaid

Makes 2 quarts


3 cups chopped seedless watermelon (about 6 pounds)

1/2 cup 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4)

2 to 4 tablespoons tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup 1/2 cup vodka (optional)

Ice cubes, for serving

Fresh mint leaves, for serving


1. Working in batches, purée watermelon in a blender with lime juice until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, and blend to combine. Taste, adding more sugar if necessary. Transfer to a pitcher. Stir in vodka, if using. Cover, and chill for up to 2 hours. Before serving, stir well, and serve over ice, garnished with mint.
via martha stewart

the 2006 grad dancing by a well on a family trip to Missouri (a photo from my Uncle Terry's collection)


I still can't believe my little sister is graduating high school!!! I think I will always remember her at this age right here...I loved having a little sister because it gave me an excuse to play Barbies well into middle school. I was also "forced" to watch The Little Mermaid repeatedly (I can probably thank her for my obsession with that movie).

Being the oldest, and six years older than my sis I can also remember the other times...
like the time when she cut her own beautiful long hair (this explains the hair cut she pictured above that was just beginning to grow out); She cut it so close to the scalp...it was the worst hair cut she's ever had!!!

I will remember every time (there are too many to mention here) she pulled my hair, pinched, pushed or hit me and then quickly would proceed to run to my mom and tell her that I had in fact pulled her hair, hit her, pushed her and/or pinched her. It was her signature preemptive tattling that allowed her to get away with most things. I have to admit, I wish I would have thought of it!!!!

I also will never forget her 3rd birthday party when she ran over our brother in your new motorized mini jeep...not once but twice. Luckily, he was okay, and we have it all on tape! (I need to convert that vhs tape to dvd stat...maybe post it on youtube!!!?? I wish I knew how to do that!!!)

Anyway, those are my memories of growing up with my little sister. She graduates this Sunday from Newton Senior High School!!! I will be going home tommorrow so I will be away for blogging. Enjoy your Weekend!

especially loving the red shoes:

Dolce Vita Twist Toe Ballets $78.00
Seychelles Stitched Woven Heel$88.00

Seychelles Peep Toe Wedge $88.00


Slingback Cork Wedge $38.00

all available @ urban outfitters (while you're there check out the mega sale!!)

butterfly cards & floral journals ($19 --$5 shipping):

i adore her work...ever since i received a postcard of hers via a swap a few weeks ago!!!

nebo peklo

Go here for unique, fun, and pretty prints, cards, tees, bags, jewels, & other accessories.

i am loving these kitty prints by hyewon each one is $75:

daddy print; in shoes print; shoe print; bad day print

prints & cards that i love:

row 1: little red riding hood $60 by jillian; bear in rain; new wave series: business as usual print $75 by rachell; big city girl print $12 by rachell;
row 2: new wave series: here comes trouble print $75 by rachell; going home print $45 by rachell ; girl with deer print $30 by daria; chickadee card $2 by susie;
row 3: bliss cards $10 by junkflea; bike photo prints $60 by day19; fabric circle flower print $40 by kellylynn;

+ more:


row 1: horse hostess card $3.50 (print $30) by im smitten; cake card $3.50 (print $30) by im smitten; giraffe boy card $3.50 by im smitten; quiet story book by daria $2.50;
row 2: grocery story book $6 by chris; hansel & gretel wallet $20 by jillian; horse button pack $3.25 by edwin; jeana's button pack $4
row 3: owl tee $20 by susie; deer bag $20 by kelly lynn; unicorn tee $25 by core;

all available @ little paper planes

photo by s. liu in 2004 via photo.net


This will be my first fleet week and I have to say I am a sucker for a man in a uniform! :) haha --kidding--well kind of. I am however, on a mission to get some of my own fleet week photos! I am curious to see others...Do you have A Fleet Week Photo?

memories page with envelope for journaling/photo captions ; family page; page with blank tags & envelope for journaling; photo captioning




monogram "d" "bloom" page...watercolor flowers; star page with the words: "believe", "imagine" "dare to dream" & "cherish" below; wish upon a star page;


espadrille page with fun dots; mittens page with the poem "the short life of a mitten" complete with my doodles :)

"create" journaling page/folder--each tab pulls out of folder...the tabs can be written on; one can post photos on the outside of the folder, on the tabs, and can journal, store concert tickets, notes, and other memorabilia inside the folder or secure on the pull out tabs. i wanted to allow for a fun journaling and creating space inside the scrapbook for her that can be added to over time.






friends page; remember page; imagine/dream page.

Color-iffic Swap (Theme Red & Blue) from Laura:



there were endless amounts of cool things in this package, but it was packed so perfectly...i didn't want to mess it up!!! laura went all out with the americana theme...my favorite items were the pillow case cover complete with HILLARIOUS TYPOS that laura pointed out...it was fun to search to find them...not that it was that difficult "BEAKE A CAKE!!!" is pictured above. Other items included a melon baller, a beaded necklace, a lady bug keychain, friendship embellishments, and a chocolate & strawberry candy bar that was delicious! THANKS LAURA!

Drawing & Painting Swap...received from Melissa:


this painting rocks my world! i adore these shoes! She wrote a message on the back saying these shoes were one of her fab vintage finds from years ago. This is being framed and will be displayed in my apartment because I love it so!!! :) THANKS MELISSA!!!

found on ebay:

June 1952 Betsy Mccall Paper Doll + matching outfit (7 hrs left)
Betsy Mccall goes to the seashore (4 days left)
4 pages of uncut Betsy McCall paper dolls (seasons) (5 days left)
Betsy Mccall meets Seamonster (buy it now $4)

all available on ebay --hurry!!!



from paper doll review:

ann sheridan paper dolls; mix n match separates; ballet paper dolls; beautiful paper dolls;
sweetheart paper dolls; raggedy ann paper dolls; storybook paper dolls; little miss america paper dolls;
united we stand paper dolls; cover girls; marilyn monroe paper dolls; mae west paper dolls; all available @ paper doll review 

haha nice keds, snap bracelet, head band, and earrings!!! i love it! :) i thought i was america's next top model!!! (not that times have changed much!) this photo was taken on a family trip to missouri by my uncle terry i am not sure when it was taken but i look about 9 or 10 so I would guess around 1990-91.

Apple is teaming up with Nike to help all of us runners streamline our workouts. They will soon be introducing the Nike Sports Kit. The kit helps you track your work outs and will upload your workout data to the internet as soon as you sync. The partnership will also have sports mixes available on itunes.

how the sensor works:

pre-order the nike sports kit now @ niketown for $29 here

for more info visit the apple nike sync website or the nike + site!

check out the coverage of the new york stationary show over @ design sponge here and her coverage @ icff-international contemporary furniture fair : part 1 & part 2

1) The Break Up, starring Jennifer Anniston & Vince Vaughan:



In Theatres June 2, 2006 view the trailer here



movie stills:

this is crazy, odd, silly, and fun, i loved it and i had to share!