Add a comment »

Okay, Smashbox got things together, and voting is now open. Today's model of the day is Delancia from Houston, TX:

You can vote for as many different girls as you like, however multiple votes for a single girl are not counted.

Add a comment »

Blades of Glory, starring Will Ferrel & Jon Heder, hits theaters today...don't miss it.

View the trailer here or below:

1 Comment »

the smashbox model search contest is still down. once it is back up and running i will post my picks for model of the day.

Add a comment »

yesterday, i hit an all time low. after work i went home, walked sophie, checked the mail, checked my email, and then fed sophie. blah blah blah. it was a typical day in the life of me. until something horrible happened. i spotted the girl scout cookies! now, i didn't buy the girl scout cookies. i didn't place them in the kitchen. see my boyfriend's niece is a girl scout and she sells these cookies and he feels obligated to buy them. he bought two boxes one samoas and another of dosie dos. i really only like thin mints and samoas, but yesterday the do-si-dos caught me off guard, i tasted one, then another, and then i thought oh just one more, until i had polished off the entire box. i lost count how many i ate...but i know i ate one complete row and then some. of course the first thing out of my boyfriend's mouth when he got home was, "hey, what happened to the do-si-dos ?!" and as i hung my head in shame i said "i ate them" even though i wanted to blame sophie. he was laughing hysterically, and then of course lightheartedly accused me of being lazy for not walking accross the street to get some real food for dinner. (i suppose he has a point there!) my boyfriend also said he had only eaten one out of the box, but i can only hope he is lying because that would mean i ate the whole entire box minus one cookie in one sitting. that is just disgusting. this may go without saying, but i was sick the rest of the night...like a kid who eats too much after a sleep over birthday party. clearly, i fell victim to an evil marketing ploy put into motion by those sweet looking girl scouts. they even have a myspace page to sell their devil's food. i'm telling you, those girl scouts are bad news! my advice to you, stay away from those evil girl scouts selling those cookies, nothing good can come of it! i learned my lesson the hard way!!! :)

Add a comment »

as smashbox is updating their servers due to excessive traffic.
tomorrow it should be fine, stay tuned.

Add a comment »

i am head over heels in love with these jen corace limited edition letterpress prints:

two color letterpress prints, titled "girl" & "boy" are printed on thick cotton watercolor paper
they are signed, dated and numbered by the artist
limited edition of 125 per image

Add a comment »

i have been so bored with work lately. there have been so many things to do, i am incredibly busy, but it has done little to excite me. i count the hours until the day is done. i will friday to arrive early. periodically, i find myself gazing outside my office window-- looking down 30 flights at all the cheery tourists enjoying the spring weather. i guess that this is normal. everyone dreads the daily grind. outside of work i am perfectly happy. the weather has been fine. i have been finding inspiration everywhere i turn this week. maybe it is spring fever, but the only joy i get out of coming to work is violating the dress code. for some reason that brings me great pleasure. speaking of which, i saw some lovely must haves @ oak nyc that might just bring me out of my horrible work mood:


top: barb & joleta yellow cloud $65; barb & joleta blue cloud $65; barb & joleta black cloud
$65; @ oak nyc;

bottom: eurythimic empire ruffle dress $162; helmut lang tank dress $318; filippa k
little black dress $248; @ oak nyc;


top: tank with waist belt $78; borne alex dress $432; dolan key hole mesh tunic $112; @ oak nyc
bottom: anna corinna butterscotch bender bag $389; tsubi leanbean vintage indigo $225; jeffery campbell suede peep toe wedge $96; @ oak nyc

thankfully, it is lunchtime so i am off to enjoy the weather. the smashbox modeling profiles haven't been working properly this morning, so i will post the smashbox model of the day later this afternoon! i'm shooting for a happy wednesday, hope you are too! xo, melanie

Add a comment »

forever 21 has some mighty cute things for spring. it is usually a constant struggle, but thanks to the fantastic prices at forever 21 my wallet & closet will remain content. here are some items worthy of your hard earned cash money:

top: Sheer Rosebud Dress $24.80 Striped Tunic $14.80; Polka Dot Top $15.80; Woven Eyelet Dress $27.80;all @ forever 21
middle: Art Deco Tunic $17.80; Polly Jacket $24.80; Dotted Dress $27.80; Embroidered Empire Dress $22.80; all @ forever 21
bottom: Woven Tube Dress $15.80; Ashley Dress $24.80; Woven Tunic $19.80; Flared Waist Jacket $27.80; all @ forever 21

Add a comment »

Target has chosen the British design duo, Libertine, to be the next featured designer in their Go International collection. Libertine is known for their preppy meets Victorian style. Their target collection hits stores in stores in August.

i really like the two middle dresses pictured above. but overall i am disappointed with this line. other than those two dresses i mentioned (which are probably the least colorful & most wearable of the bunch) this collection doesn't strike me as something i would wear often if at all. the collection is not one that would entice me to stand out in the cold in order to get my hands on it, like i did for the proenza schouler for target collection- that much is for certain.

Add a comment »

Kassia, a 21 year old from Lawerence is today's Smashbox Model of the Day:

all three of her photos are amazing, and she surprisingly only has 12 votes so far, so help her out & vote for her! you can vote for as many different girls as you want, so if you haven't already also check out my previous smashbox model du jour picks below:

Monday: Kierra Smith
Sunday: Rachelle
Saturday: Heatherlynn
Friday: Angel

Add a comment »

le train bleu is offering up some covetable spring wardrobe options. i felt myself swoon when scrolling through their new arrivals!

put your best foot forward:

{l to r, top to bottom}: Rebecca Ballet Flats $63.00; LD Tuttle Harlequinade Sandals $354.00; LD Tuttle Mozartiana Flats in Black $371.00; LD Tuttle Mozartiana Flats $372.00; all available @ le train bleu

dress the part:

top: Development Hill Print Ruffle Dress $325.00; Illana Moses Black Beauty Bustier Top on sale for $114; Mint Applique Boatneck Tunic on sale for $93; all available @ le train bleu
bottom: 12th St Blue Piped Dress $273.00; Flora Tank on sale for $63; Bi La Li Cocoon Coat $712.00; all available @ le train bleu

Add a comment »

& often! here are more than a few shoes to love (and buy) from anthropologie:

Add a comment »

nothing will brighten up your kitchen quite like anthropologie--not even that bowl of fruit loops you had this morning! they have an endless amount of bright colored things to cheer up your kitchen. lets be honest here, my kitchen could use some color, not to mention some cheering (and err some using :))!!!

i just adore the whimsical designs on these dessert plates:

life aquatic dessert plates $12 each @ anthropologie;

lime green & orange aren't usually colors that speak to me, but i can't resist these citrus hued bowls:

{l to r, top to bottom}: bamboo sweet and sour bowl in mandarine; inner glow bowls in orange $48; bamboo sweet and sour serving bowl notched for spoon $48; bamboo sweet and sour bowl in lime; all @ anthropologie;

aprons & other kitchen essentials:


top: watercress clock $298; ringa oven mitt $12; bamboo sweet and sour serving spoons available in lime & mandarine; all @ anthropologie;

bottom: raindrops apron $38; confetti apron $28; wild daisy apron $38; all @ anthropologie;

be sure to check out anthropologie's new home catalog currently available online for your viewing pleasure


also file under: i wish i had an anthropologie stipend

Add a comment »

Amy Bundesen, a Chicago based artist, with a degree in studio art from Lake Forest College, creates gorgeous mixed media collages with whimsical and imaginative detailing. Amy's images are often paired with text with content that "draws attention to the absurdity of adult observations, expectations, or stereotypes: things that are learned through worldly exposure". Two of my favorite pieces by Amy are currently available for purchase at the BKnown Art Gallery:
"Ahhh, Woman! Part I: Cool as Blue" by Amy Bundesen
Mixed media collage on plaster covered wood panel.
Measures appx. 12.25x11.75" $350 @ BKnown gallery

"Ahhh, Woman! Part II: Archer's Bind" by Amy Bundesen
Mixed media collage on plaster covered wood panel.
Measures appx. 12.25x11.75" $350 @ BKnown gallery
The artist will sell the pair for $600

{images via bknown gallery}

Add a comment »

how about orange, a blog created by graphic designer, jessica jones, (and one i discovered via oh joy) has a wonderfully delightful thumb tack tutorial posted that will brighten inspiration & cork boards up across this great nation. do check it out.

(image via how about orange)

Add a comment »

Today's Smashbox Model of the Day is KieraSmith from Miami. According to her profile she is 5'10' & 20 years old.

I like her hair, I think she has a strong face, and her three photos demonstrated she can offer a versatile look. Remember, you can vote for as many different potential models as you like, so vote away!

For my previous "Smashbox Model of the Day" picks see the links listed below:

Sunday: Rachelle
Saturday: Heatherlynn
Friday: Angel

1 Comment »

Pretty: The NYLON Book of Beauty from the Editors of Nylon magazine $16.47 @ amazon

Add a comment »

It has been a lazy sunday, but staying true to my word, sunday's smashbox model of the day, is rachelle from ottawa. she is 5'11 & 22 years old. again the eyes have it.

Remember you can vote for as many different girls as you like! See you Monday.

Add a comment »

i turned to the boutique "Basic French" to fill my new york city apartment with those french things you use in day-to-day life (la vie quotidienne) so maybe/possibly/hopefully my apartment will start to feel a little bit like a stylish paris apartment. at the very least, the little things will remind me of one of the most fascinating cities on earth.



Pastel Hatboxes $18- 25; Astier de Villatte cup & saucer $65;


Enamel Plaques $12; Toile Picture Frames$18-25;



Mini Recipe Book $10; Atelier LZC Address Book $36;



Body Lotion + Foaming Milkbath $10-12; La Compagnie de Provence Foaming Bubblebath $19;


Lavender Boxed Fragonard Soaps $16; Atelier LZC Ornaments$12;


Enamel Thermometers$18-22; Ribbon Wish Bracelets $8;

all available online @ basic french

Add a comment »

I see yesterday's pick, Angel, is currently in the top 10, so if you haven't already, vote for her to keep her there.. To choose today's pick I sorted through the most recent entries to find the girl. It wasn't easy, there are tons of beautiful girls, but many are just pretty faces and don't really scream high fashion, some do look like models, but don't have a look I would consider appropriate for a cosmetic ad, many are smoking hot & look they should be in Maxim, and others are just doing it as a joke (someone posted a southpark character, while another posted a picture of their calculator). In any event, when I see someone like Heatherlynn from Dallas, TX with huge green eyes, shiny hair, and pillow lips and I just have to vote for her.

Remember you can vote for as many different girls as you like, so vote away. Everyday, I plan on doing just that, scrolling through & voting my little heart out, so stay tuned for more of my Smashbox Model of the Day picks!

Add a comment »