Good Morning!

{via Daniel Island, South Carolina}

Hope everyone's weekend is off to a lovely start!

Big Apple Love

{As Promised}

So two weekends ago, I went here:

You might find it bit odd that I would go to NYC right after a blizzard, but if you really know me, you'd know that it's not odd at all. I love this city.

It wasn't nearly as cold as it looks. In fact, thanks to some awesome rain boots we bought at Tertorn in SoHo and these amazing fur hats, we were totally toasty.

Here's a look at our trip:

Red Velvet + Dulce de Leche {Crumbs}

CP ♥

Purl Soho {love this place}

Washington Square {The Village}

Park Ave. {flowers} | Bryant Park {snowmen}

Tretorn saved our lives! {and our feet}

Do as ze Russians do.

CP

SoHo

Hello, Kate Spade.


The Rug Company | SoHo



Ze Pod.


{taxicab yellow} the accent color of the city

New York in Four Seasons

Spring: Me

Summer, Fall, Winter: Hubby

Love &hearts

Wednesday Whimsy

I wouldn't necessarily describe my design style as completely whimsy all the time, but I do believe in a little whimsical goodness peppered in with more classic and/or clean elements.

Particularly relating to kitchens, I think open shelving is a lovely element that does lend itself to being whimsical and colorful, adding instant interest and even a little bit of warm fuzzies.

This yummy eye candy says it all:

Hello, Autumn!

The official first day has passed, but it's just starting to feel like fall. Mornings are crisp, days are overcast, and we've actually been getting a lot of rain here in the lowcountry. I'm not complaining though, because this is what the weather looks like next week:

So looking forward to it.

So with little whims of autumn creeping in all around, I can't help but be inspired. Here are some of my favorite fall things....

{click image to see stuff in all it's splendor}

All of this eye candy makes me want to go outside take in a deep breath of crisp air, and jump into a pile of leaves- of course while staying cozy in that black and white wool cape or that rust-colored silk-cashmere wrap. I am so ready for some Wellies and oyster roasts and toasty red wine and cuddling up with a good book on an overcast day. The Gardiner Heist is one I'm really looking forward to. And speaking of cuddling up, I could really use a pair of those sock slippers. And that Fire Side Wood Wick candle, and those maple marshmallows...and...all of it!!!

Oh fall, I'm so glad you've made it. You're just in time.

From top left:

• Vintage Herringbone Pillow High Street Market (etsy store)
• Continuum: Music by John Mayer Amazon.com
• Gold Stackable Rings Stella & Dot
• Passion Flower Plate Crate & Barrel
  
• East Hampton Cottage Flannel Shirt Shopruche.com
• Natural Draw-String Sweat Shirt Gap {no link available}
• Sam Adams Octoberfest Beer
• Decorative Pumpkins and Gourds (set of five) Pottery Barn
  
• Snow Leopard Cocoon Cardi-Cape Leilanni (etsy store)
• Warm Slipper Socks Forever 21
• "I Love!" Copper Notebook Oh Joy!
  
• Heritage Badge Mug Starbucks
  
• The Gardener Heist by Ulrich Boser Amazon.com
  
• Facetted Jewel Necklace Forever 21
• Nail Color in Velvet Voyer Essie
• Frilly Sweater in Oatmeal Shopruche.com {out of stock}]
• WoodWick 10 oz. Candle in Fireside Wood Wick
  
• Studded Leather Wrap Bracelets Lori's
  
• Sculptural Birds Pottery Barn
  
• Weathered Leather Boots Forever 21 {yes...F21. I didn't believe it either. Please don't let them sell out, please don't let them sell out!}
• Beauty Basics Scarves in Olive, Dusty Pink, and Eggplant Shopruche.com
• Trasforming Wool Cape Lex M (etsy store)
• Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies and Brown Sugar Ginger Spice Cookies Whimsey & Spice
  
• Fuzzy Plaid Scarf Forever 21
• Gray Pearl Cocktail Ring Ann Taylor
  
• Maple Marshmallows Whimsy & Spice
  
• The Emerson Clutch EmersonMade
  
• Silk Posy Tee in Moroccan Spice, Jeweled Dream Cardigan in Rope, and Refined Silk-Cashmere Wrap in Vintage Rosewood J.Crew
• Gossip in the Grain: Ray Lamontagne Amazon.com
  
• BDG Sholder-Stripe Cardigan Urban Outfitters
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee Creamer International Delight
  
• Women's Pelican Tall Boot Lug in Tan Plaid Sperry Top-Sider
  
• Escudo Rojo Chilean Bordeaux Blend

Into the Wild

I'm not usually given to garishness. My wardrobe consists of a lot gray, white and black. I'd say all and all, I'm pretty monochromatic with punches of color here and there. To me, you make more of a statement with subtlety because people are actually more prone to notice a gold belt or coral cuff when it's up against a canvas that actually allows it make a statement, rather than getting bogged down in with over accessorization or patterns that should just be a statement themselves.

So I'd like to acknowledge the latter of the two- patterns that should just a be a statement themselves.

Animal print hasn't always been my thing. But this fall, I'm finding myself really drawn to it. Especially in softer colors that we all know those animals don't really come in (grays, pastels, plum).

If you really look at it, animal print is nothing more than an unconventional pattern of neutrals, that when done correctly, is so Fifth Avenue and so not Jersey Shore.


Now, I'm definitely not advocating over doing it (which can be easily done).

I think sticking with one jungle cat inspired item per outfit is all you need.

I've had this thought before, and I think this just proves it to be true- God is truly the king of couture. I wonder what His muse was when creating such haute patterns.

Grandparents

"Grandparents are people with gray hair and golden hearts."

Today is grandparent's day and I am so thankful for the most wonderful grandparents in the world, who's presence in my life has been such a great blessing. I hope they know they are so loved.

These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New

So my husband may be the most amazing man on the planet. Okay. He is the most amazing man on the planet- for a lot of reasons. But what does that have to do with the picture above??

That's where he's taking me for my birthday! If anyone can understand how much I whole-heartedly adore New York City, it's him. I mean, he is the one who has to listen me obnoxiously gab about "If we were in New York right now, we could do this," or "Today would be a great day to walk around Central Park," or "I could really go for some [insert one of my plethora of favorite cafes, bakeries, vine bars, etc.] right now." He listens patiently as I spit every lyric of Empire State of Mind. He understands. It has been engrained in him. Manhattan is my favorite place in the world.

How lucky am I to be to be going with my favorite person in the world to my favorite place in the world on my birthday?

More lucky than I ever deserve to be.

Drooling.

Drooling. That's what I'm doing as I'm looking at these Cenedese Glass Opaline vases. They set my heart all aflutter.

Of course they are ridonkulously expensive and of course they are on sale at gilt.com. But of course they are still too expensive :(

Too bad. They remind me of little jewels of magical sherbet loveliness.

I told you the internet is a heartless witch.

♥ Adele

Can I just tell you how much I love Adele???

I know her music's not super new, but I've recently rediscovered how much I ♥ love her.

Thanks for getting me through this long, long Friday love!