Everything's coming up roses...and posies and daisies // H&M Garden Collection

I can't wait to check out the H&M Garden Collection in stores. I'm loving the color palette and prints, along wtih the fact that it's made with recycled material.


image source: hm.com

fashion || rain, rain

It rained for four days straight last week and over the weekend. Poured, in fact. Every time it rains, I mutter to myself about how I need to buy a casual rain jacket for when I take the dogs outside in the downpour and for  other random adventures spent tromping around town in the rain. And then I decide I need new rainboots to match my new rain jacket. So, because I was bored and trapped inside, I started looking for my new rain gear. And if perfection were a shiny rainboot, it would be these lovelies from See by Chloe. I almost plopped them in my shopping cart. Almost.

And then the sun came out again and brought me to my senses.
(Along with the realization that I do not need to spend $200 on rainboots since my cost per wear would be, oh...about $100.)

But they sure are lovely. And they'd look so cute with a casual little rain jacket...

Rainboots, See by Chloe | Trail Model Rain Jacket, L.L. Bean

looks i'm loving

I'm loving Jennifer Meyer's tough leather jacket paired with the sweet floral dress. And Kate Moss' nude meets hot pink Valentino Couture frock paired with the animal print shoes is genius. 
 Jennifer Meyer at a Louis Vuitton party || Kate Moss at The Love Ball

food // spinach, noodle and chickpea soup

I spent the better part of last week feeling like I got hit by three freight trains thanks to a nasty cold. All I wanted was hot tea, chicken soup and lots and lots of DayQuil. Since I didn't have any cans 'o Campbell's in my cupboards, I decided to get adventurous and make my own (cooking is adventurous when you're sick). I came across this recipe on Fresh 365 and thought it sounded like a good base for my soup. So, I adapted my recipe from that one. I just threw all the ingredients in the pot and let the stove do its thing while I went through half of box of tissues. I'll never eat canned soup again.



Spinach, noodle and chickpea soup
1 12-oz container low sodium chicken stock (or veggie stock)
1/2 lb pasta (I used whole wheat spaghetti and broke it in thirds)
1 15.5-oz can chickpeas
2 cans of water (use empty chickpea can)
1 cup fresh baby spinach
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp thyme
sea salt, to taste
cracked black pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to boil.  Gently boil 8-12 minutes (or until pasta is cooked). Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

from my studio // pearls, glass, lampwork and ribbon necklace

I felt like working on some jewelry this morning and I'm determined to use what I have before I go and buy more beads (way too many beads, way, way too many). The necklace below is the result of today's bead brainstorm. I'm keeping this one for myself, but I'm hoping to make more in similar styles. This one uses glass pearls, glass beads, artisan lampwork beads, and of course, a ribbon. I think I likes it.

fashion + home // white ruffles

I love white ruffles! Nothing is more girly or springy. J. Crew's Sweeping Ruffles Shirt and Paula and Erika's handmade white ruffle curtains are definitely on my spring 2010 shopping list.

One down, two to go

A brief follow up to my Q&A with the Magic 8 Ball®.

So, maybe I'm crazy, but I think there might be something to this Magic 8 Ball thing. It told me I was going to catch a big break soon and well...it was right! I just landed a huge freelance contract with a pretty cool company that's much closer to the fashion industry than the current 9-5 gig. I'd say that's a big break, no? And technically - technically - it's almost a new job, too. So maybe we can say we're 1 1/2 out of 3? Come on Magic 8 Ball, I'm counting on you to pull through on that San Diego thang. I know you can do it!

if i could be...

Brandi over at Brandi Girl posted this on her blog the other day, and I thought it would be fun little activity for me to post on my blog, too.


If I were a month I’d be August
If I were a day I’d be Sunday
If I were a time of day I’d be 7 p.m.
If I were a planet I’d be Earth

If I were a sea animal I’d be a dolphin
If I were a direction I’d be West
If I were a piece of furniture I’d be a vintage paisley printed chaise lounge
If I were a liquid I’d be champagne

If I were a gem stone I’d be an amethyst
If I were a tree I’d be a palm
If I were a tool I’d be a hammer
If I were a flower I’d be an orchid

If I were an element of weather I’d be a summer thunderstorm
If I were a musical instrument I’d be a piano
If I were a color I'd be turquoise
If I were an emotion I’d be passion
If I were a fruit I’d be a mango
If I were a sound I’d be singing
If I were an element I'd be fire

If I were a car I’d be a Prius

If I were a food I’d be chocolate covered strawberries
If I were a place I’d be the beach
If I were a material I'd be silk

If I were a taste I’d be spicy
If I were a scent I’d be coconut

If I were a body part I’d be eyes
If I were a facial expression I'd be a smirk
If I were a song I’d be musical theatre

If I were a bird I'd be a finch

If I were a gift I'd be a mix tape
If I were a street I'd be the main street in a vibrant downtown
If I were a city I'd be San Diego
If I were a door I'd be french doors

If I were a pair of shoes I’d be perfectly worn-in cognac knee-high boots


If you could be, what would you be?

morelle // spring 2010 handbag collection

I've posted about this indie designer before on my other blog (here and here), but I just love the designs so much that I'm posting again on this blog. morelle recently launched the spring 2010 collection of stylish, handmade bags. And not only are the bags beautiful, but the photography is stunning as well.







image source

Shop for morelle handbags on Etsy or on the morelle website.