Friday Faves: Optical Illusions

honeycomb necklace by harbinger co, confined necklace by aroha silhouettes, radiolara necklacedendrite earrings by nervous system by nervous system,

I found some great pieces of jewelry that use optical illusion and scientific patterns to create beautiful, wearable art. I especially love the dendrite earrings-how cool are they? Enjoy!

Friday Faves: Cold-weather Cozy

knitware porcelain vases by Alyssa Ettinger Design, felt flower necklace by Labyrinth Vintage, OOAK shawl by Knittles, knit rocks print by Resurrection Fern

I am a sucker for all things warm and fuzzy-call it the grandma inside of me that would rather be knitting in a rocking chair than watching bad VH1 reality tv and downing jager bombs (doesn't that sound like the least fun you could have?). So I found some uber cute knitted and cozy pieces on Etsy, hopefully they make you feel warm inside! Happy Friday!

Friday Faves: Notebooks, Pencils, Paper, Oh My!

pencil case, sidney ann; bell jar desk set, Midwest Finds; shoulder bag, Byrd and Belle; letter organizer, the vintageholic frog

I love browsing Etsy-it isn't a suprise to anyone by now. They always have great gift guides and guides for men, women and children. They have also curated a great School and Office Supplies guide that showcase fun little notebooks, pencil cases and other supplies one would use at school or at their desk at home. Its fun to upcycle something into a useful item for the classroom-especially when money is tight. Enjoy!

Friday Faves: Children's Toys

handmade wooden animals, Happy Squash Toys; socktopus, Friends of Socktopus; doll, Simpli Jessi; momma and baby monster, Danger Crafts

The children's section on Etsy is huge and is built on the love of many artists and crafters. Toys, blankets, clothes and everything in between-each handmade item is worth much more than that plastic toy you bought at Toys 'R' Us. Trust me. The toy section is definitely my favorite; handmade wooden toys, hand-sewn dolls and teddy bears-oh my! Here is a selection of a few toys that stand out from the crowd. The next time you go to a child's birthday party or are wanting a new toy for one of your own, give Etsy a try and you could find something he or she will cherish for years.

Friday Faves: Pre-Fall Fashions

Today I'm combining Friday Faves with our Fashion post. The weather has changed in Portland (who knows how long-perhaps summer will have its last 15 minutes of fame next week!), and I am already seeing some warmer, cozier clothing coming out of those dusty closets. I love seeing knits, coats and beautiful fall jewelry hit the internet-so here are a few pieces I've found that I love! I really can't wait for fall...
Blue Cowl, Tickled Pink Knits, $77


Gorgeous bib-style necklace by Dolores Petunia, $85

Fitted blazer, Forever21, $27.80

Floral Dress, Mary Savel, $58

Yvette Bootie, Loeffler Randall, $575

Friday Faves: Workout Wear

yoga bag by rejenerate; halter top by jmorco; pants, lululemon; wrap top, shihar

I own next to no workout clothing, apart from a few pairs of jazz and yoga pants and two sports bras. Etsy has a very small selection of workout clothes but accessories for your yoga mat and water bottle are easy to come by. Inspired by my new goal of exercise/diet change, I found some items that are a great addition to anyones workout wardrobe (I know I should buy some new sports bras and tops other than ratty tshirts). Loose, comfortable styles are sure to please any pilates or yoga class. Happy Friday!

Friday Faves: Marie Antoinette

earrings by Bionic Unicorn, headband by Miss Ruby Sue, macaron photo by food 4 wibowo, necklace by eighty8clothing

Today's picks are inspired by Marie Antoinette: feminine, frou frou and totally fun. Wouldn't it be nice to sip champagne all day and be given diamonds and gowns? Well, these will make you feel a bit like that. Enjoy!

Fashion Maven: Emma Watson

We (meaning the entire generation of now 20 something year olds) grew up with the Harry Potter series. The books were fantastic, the movies are spectacular, and now that the 6th movie is coming out, we only look forward to the 7th and final movie in a childhood staple that has been with us since we were in elementary school. With that, we've also grown with the characters of the movie. One in particular, Emma Watson, has become a huge style icon and is growing up to be incredibly chic and classy. I love her! There was a great article about her at Style.com, so we must give respect to miss Watson as she most definitely is a fashion maven.


Here she is on the new cover of Elle looking something fierce. Not sure about that seat shes on though.

Watson is now the new face of Burberry. Quite fitting for a brit!

Love this vintage dress at the London Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Heres Watson with the Kaiser himself, Karl Lagerfeld

images via Style.com, Hot Celebrity Photo Gallery

Uber Fashion!

This week was the start of the haute couture runway shows in magical Paris. I've been searching through the collections and they are a-ma-zing. Sparkly, out of control, totally ridiculous and makes me want to throw my sheets together into something fashiony...maybe not. Here are my faves! Have a lovely day you fashionistas!


Lady Gaga is that you?! Oh no, just a look from Gaultier. Theres something happening with the dramatic hip action thing. Beyonce, Gaga, Gaultier. Either way I'm liking it in a strange, fembot sorta way.

I really liked the entire Dior collection. It was very Dynasty meets Dior's New Look. All the models looked like total bitches who use cigarette holders and stomp around their boudoir and fling pearls and pantyhose. Loved it!




These three looks from Valentino capture the nude and black theme of the entire show. There were tons of really beautiful, wearable looks. That shoe is crazy! Ladies better be careful walking the streets of NY or Paris, the pigeons might think its a mating dance.


This dress from Gaultier is just so freaking hot I can't take it. I love that it transitions from silver to gold. HOT.



Oh Karl. You are ridiculous and may or may not be the father of Lady Gaga, but you are hilarious and create amazing clothes, so you're allowed the eccentricity. The girl is giving good face! Work it honey.To top it all of, Christian Lacroix gave us this final piece. A true Madonna come to life. Weird? Yes. Couture (and also batshit insane)?? Totally, utterly and completely. And thats why I love it.

images via Style.com

Fashion Friday!

Okay, so in order to build up more posts on my blog, I'm going to try and do several posts a day (if im feeling up to it!). Today I went shopping and found some cute dresses at forever21. It was SO hot today and I've been wearing this printed dress all day!
Forever21 has sooo many types of cute summer dresses, and theyre always cheap so you can grab several! I love all the floral and ikat prints-and you can't beat the price when the economy is tight! Here are some others I'm loving...
Have a great weekend!

Friday Faves: Nautical

This week's faves were found searching the Vintage section of Etsy using the term "nautical." The results were sweet and reminiscent of being on the high seas, or kissing a cute sailor. Enjoy!

Friday Faves

Top row: Twig solitaire by bmjnyc, Anemone necklace by Abigail Percy, Wood Ring by Zoe and Doyle
Bottom: Modern Rock studs by Metalicious, champagne diamond ring by onegarnetgirl, chocolate diamond ring by Jesse Danger

Okay, as many of you have noticed I'm currently obsessed with all things weddings. Wedding photography of all kinds, jewelry, dresses, you name it-I love it. Perhaps its because June is wedding month, perhaps its the nice weather, or just maybe its all the AMAZING new blogs and websites i've been finding that have sparked my new obsession. Don't read too deep into this-I'm far, far, far, FAR away from any sort of engagement/wedding/ack I can't think about it. I really just love looking into people's lives and seeing their own stories of love and commitment-and all the goodies that go into making a wedding!

I have found SO many crazy talented jewelry artists on Etsy that can create one of a kind pieces for your big day-I think having someone hand make your unique wedding or engagement ring is so much more personal than picking one out at a big chain jeweler. You can find the style thats perfect for you, especially if your style isnt a huge rock that blinds passersby. So I've put some great artists up today for you to discover and enjoy. Happy Friday!!

Friday Faves

Todays post is all about beautiful wedding photography. All of a sudden I'm absolutely obsessed with looking at wedding photos (don't worry, its not putting any ideas in my head other than being a wedding photographer!) So many talented photographers capture such sweet, delicate moments and I love that people are so willing to share their special day with others. Style Me Pretty and Brooklyn Bride are my favorite wedding blogs to ooh and aah over, and I find myself being drawn in each time I visit! So here are a few (out of hundreds, maybe thousands) of photos on their websites. Enjoy!

You must click photo to enlarge-they are too good to see small!

Friday Faves

Todays post I thought I'd put together a little inspiration board. I was browsing some wedding blogs and am really inspired by the color schemes and beautiful photography, I decided to create my own outfit! It can be for a wedding or an Oscar night...lets just say the more dramatic the better! The accessories were all found on Etsy, which means you can have a truly affordable and glamorous outfit (okay okay Monique is NOT affordable, but a girl can dream right?) Happy friday!

click on photo for larger image

Dress by Monique Lhullier, headband by IceCreamCandy, clutch by RedRubyRose, rings by neologybymina

Friday Faves

Today's post is all things pink and girly. I imagine having a little boudoir thats filled with crystal perfume bottles and jewelry cases dripping in pearls and gems. The weather outside is promising, so I'm going to go enjoy it and you should too! I'm going to have a full week of blogging come monday, so get ready!

Clockwise from top: sarahseven, lifelovepaper, dinosaurtoes, myrakim.

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Friday Faves: Colors of Spring

Spring has sprung in Portland, with a comfortable mid to high 70s in the forecast, I'm busting out my tank tops and slippers. The look for this spring is bright, clean, fresh (when is it not though?). I searched around Etsy and found these lovely items to share with you all! Have a great weekend!

(Click the photo to enlarge)

Friday Faves part II

Dare I say I love this new something so much I just have to share with everyone? YES. Is it a little sad that its ice cream? Not at all! Haagen Dazs has just released their new line of flavors called Five-each ice cream is created with five all natural ingredients and they come in amazing flavors such as mint (minus the chips! finally!), ginger (I bought this one today, its creamy with a hint of that spicyness, super good), passionfruit (SO glad someone has made one, its an addiction), brown sugar, coffee, milk chocolate and vanilla bean. Each spoonful is a little bit of heaven, and the Five line has less fat than their regular ice creams (amen!). Enjoy the weekend and buy some ice cream!

Friday Faves

This week I keep seeing beautiful cherry blossoms blooming all over the city. Some trees are like little white cotton balls, while others look like pink popcorn. Its such a treat, I am trying to photograph them when I get some time and before they all lose their flowers. Heres to a new season!

Friday Faves

This week my older sister came to visit, so I've been busy shopping and eating! I found some inspiration at a DWR studio in downtown, and mid-century modern is whats on the menu for today. Enjoy!

Also, Christine at Akane Designs is holding a contest between four photographers-I'm one of them! Please vote for my photo, "Marketplace Flowers" as your favorite and you could win a print! Vote here.

Friday Faves

Going along with my Design*Sponge addiction, I thought I'd share with everyone some of my favorite homes in Grace's Sneak Peek sections! So many of the artists/designers who allow their homes to be put up on her page are truly inspiring, beautiful and make me yearn for a swanky loft, big country home, or humble house of my own to fill with anything and everything. So....here we go!