{Splurge or Save}...Trapeze Dress

What a b-e-a-utiful color! I love the vibrant & rich color or papaya for spring & summer. The trapeze silhouette is so attractive. It's fun, flirty and elegant. This dress could easily go from Sunday church with this, to Monday brunch with this, to Tuesday night drinks and dinner with this. The pleated dress is by Halston Heritage while the layered dress is by Forever 21. What's one of your favorite warm weather colors and cuts?

An Office Afternoon

One of my favorite shows, The Office, has now found inspiration in one of my favorite painting, Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Seurat. This is one of the most genius imitations I've seen in a long time. Now, let me gush about The Office. I worried that the show would take a sever hit in ratings after Steve Carell as Michael Scott left. However, the writer & actors have really stepped up their performance. Every episode I've seen this season has been top notch in wit, humor & occasional raunch. Well, done, NBC. If you're feeling inspired by this beautiful piece of art, check out Abby's blog for her column of Artistic Inspiration! 

Painting via

Dear, Deer.

I saw this on Tumblr and thought it was so adorable! I love all the patterns and shape. It's so cute, quirky and fun. It reminds of when I was little and wore mismatching socks, shoe laces, purple striped skirts and pink polka dot sweaters with floral tees. It looks just like this sweater.

p.s anyone know the credits?

p.p.s Remember you can follow me on Tumblr for cool stuff not on the blog! Yay for inspiration everywhere!

{Weekend Update}...Small Town Trip

   This weekend I took a very brief trip to Northfield, MN to visit Nick. I spend so much time in the big city surrounded by bustling people, crazy public transit, concrete parks of skyscrapers and museums and an all together busy atmosphere. I love being in the middle of such an exciting place, but sometimes, you just need to clear your mind.

    This semester has been significantly busier than I anticipated. I have a lot going on with a busy schedule, work & everyday life. Everything has been happening so quickly. Luckily, that means spring break is quickly approaching, but it also means I have lots to do in a little bit of time. With everything going on, I've been pretty stressed & tired out. Do you have weeks where all you seem to do is work, work, work & you still don't feel on top of everything? That was last week for me.

    So this weekend I picked up bus & hauled my work with me to Northfield. Nick goes to St.Olaf & I've never actually visited him there! He always comes here...I feel a little guilty. When I got off the bus, Nick surprised me with my favorite flowers! What a gentleman! 

    It was an amazing weekend filled with window shopping around the town looking in used book stores (yay!), candy shops, where we got some deliciously rich peanut butter fudge, rock climbing, and even going to casino night! I'll admit that while I hold my own with Blackjack, I'm a failure with Poker. There's room for improvement and I'm willing to learn! We stopped by Mandarin Garden for some pot stickers & sesame chicken & finished off the weekend with a little Modern Family. 

    I even got to sit in on Chapel Choir's rehearsal. Needless to say, it was beautifully moving. This weekend was a much needed break from my hectic life. I hope your weekend was equally relaxing. 

Sundays

Summarizes my weekend life perfectly. 

Illustration by Lizzy Stewart

Peacock Print & Pigment

Teals, emeralds, plums and periwinkles. I love them all! Peacock feathers were once signs of wealth and would show up in home decode, dress and the like. Now, they're just down right cool. Although I've never been a huge fan of wearing actual feathery earrings, I think the metal alternative by Lucky Brand are totally rad. Sometimes, there's this idea that peacock "theme" can be a little ultra-quirky. It's okay to have a theme to your outfit or event. Just make sure it's not too literal. 

Try wearing a dress or bracelet that features the same hues of peacock feathers. With a simple shift dress, wear some funky feather tights. Grab a basic, but interesting clutch with the peacock feather print or wear a feather in your hair, but keep the rest of your outfit simplistic so that your accessory can really make a statement. You don't want to look like Big Bird.

Even centering a dinner or party around the peacock can feel fun, aristocratic and easy. You're entire table doesn't have to match. In fact, I suggest it should never match. Your dish ware could be teal, while your stemware or water glasses be purple. Flower arrangements or candles can feature shades of greens with some pops of blue and plum. Heck, add a peacock feather or two in the bouquet! 

So if you're getting inspired by something, weather it be art or animals, go with it!

Bracelet / Clutch / Tights / Earrings / Dress / Plates / Old Fashioned Glass / Fascinator

Peacock Cape photo by Gail Adams via

Bottom Painting Myartspace on Etsy 

Vanishing Act

The very little snow that is on the ground is quickly disappearing. Spring is swiftly coming around the corner & I couldn't be happier! This sweater is wonderful. I would love wearing this with some colored jeans or shorts. I highly doubt you fade into the background wearing this sweater. 

Forest Fun

What an adorable sweater by Stella McCartney! This is perfect spring sweater. Baby animals, polka dots, a mustache....all wonderful attributes of the spring time sweater. This is my must have!

Cleopatra's Closet

I want this shirt in my closet. So fantastic. Also, I apologize for the pun. It was begging to be used...I'm a sucker for word humor. 

Quirky Kitchen Clips

These cute bow chip clips would make me feel less guilty about salty, greasy chips whom I love.

Photos via Urban Outfitters.

Bright Beginnings

Pink Umbrella / Lemon Blouse / Yellow Nail Polish / Orange Stud Earrings / Pink Braid Bracelet / Coral Nail Polish / Tangerine Satchel / Neon Toe Cap Flat / Lemon Watch / Pink Bodysuit Dress / Neon Comb / Sunglasses / Orange Patent Belt / Lemon Lip Balm

{Weekend Update}...Wisconsin

I'm home visiting my lovely family this weekend. How can I not adore my hometown, EC? After all, Bon Iver did recently send a shout out at the Grammy's our way. Feeling proud. But the best thing about home? Spending my weekends with great friends & family doing WI "stuff" like grazing on meats & cheeses all day, or taking a walk in the brisk weather while the sun shines, or enjoying brunch at a local cafe with book wall paper and sandwiches like "The Hamlet." I'm spoiled. So here's to having a great weekend at home with loved ones. What are your plans this weekend?

{NYFW} Mercedes Benz...Naeem Khan

I am so loving the monochromatic look from the Fall 2012 collection for Naeem Khan. The reason I love neutral colors is the attention is on the great patters, cuts and detailing with all the sequins & beading. The lace gown is especially attractive, along with the pants! Amazing pants in this collection!

Photos via

Katie Ermilio

How beautiful is this spring line from Katie Ermilio? Everything is so dainty & refined! I love all the lovely peach & sea foam. But I'm also really loving pops of bold pinks & blue! They are so refreshing. This is my spring wardrobe inspiration.

Photos via: Photographs by Jamie Beck; Shoes by Walter Steiger; Jewels by Frieda & Nellie; Hair by Britney Batt; Makeup by Rudy Miles

Not a Gardener

Abby brought home this beautiful African Violet that she planted in a plant propagation class last week. Isn't is just lovely? My grandma adores African Violets. I must have inherited that. What I didn't' inherit? A green thumb. Just look at it now....

I honestly don't know what happened! I like fresh air, but keeping it near the window in a MN winter may have been a little hard on the poor thing. Even though it's dead, I enjoyed having some living pop of color amongst the cold bleak snow & sky. Looking forward to spring!

{NYFW} Mercedes Benz...Venexiana

I am so obsessed with the first & second look. All of the rich hues, elegant, evening gown silhouettes, and detailing. So darkly mysterious and glamorous.

Photos via

{NYFW} Mercedes Benz... RUFFIAN

Photos via