Know your Muses/Cate Blanchett Oscars 2011

She was flawless. Simply flawless. I didn't stick around for the fashion commentary, nor have I read any fashion reviews on it yet, but I don't care. It made me sit up in bed. (Yes, we watched the oscars in our pajamas in bed, and yes, I sat up. And gasped.)

Look at the detail! And these pictures don't even do it justice. The colors were quite vibrant on screen.

I just love her. She nailed it. She made this intricate Givenchy number look easy. Even the hubs sat up in bed and said "She's so gorgeous. She's real" ~ Well, that was a stab at all the botoxed and pulled actresses he can't stand to look at, but when a man can get behind a unique look like this, it definitely says something.

I love the idea (in my Givenchy dreams) of wearing this with my dark hair pin straight and long in back (casual hair, killer dress) and just letting the stunning back detail poke out as my hair moves with the fabric...

Yep, this pretty much sums up one of my fashion fantasies. (Sigh) What was your favorite look of the night?

1&2 - Getty Images

3 - Givenchy Spring 2011

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Vintage Hat

Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong era.  Everything and anything with a little history or story to it, makes me happy.  This hat was found via thrift, and was probably stored in some hat box somewhere and barely used.

I tied this old brooch at the cuff of my sleeve and looped it around like a ring.

Then the monkey and I headed out for a late lunch date.

(P.S. - an awesome trick I discovered was to cut off an old pair of black leggings and make them into booty shorts for all my short dresses!)

Hat - Vintage

Silk Dress - Unknown (Made in India)

Boots - Steve Madden Perrin Boots

Earrings - F21

Leather Bag - A gift from an ex that I made into a diaper bag (Take that!)

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Life as I know it

These past few days have been a whirlwind.

My best friend whizzed through town on her way to Mexico to do more volunteer work for an orphanage (and one little orphan in particular) that she has fallen madly in love with. I barely had time to hug her tightly for all the time we've missed, before I shuffled her off to her terminal and her next big hearted adventure. Her giant love gives me giant hope for humanity.

Computer crashed, read for a film, dates with the little one, temple drive-by's, photography tests with the beloved new iphone, and trying to keep up with this life as I know it... But finally, finally... stolen moments of vintage shopping bliss, and a gorgeous hat I will be debuting tomorrow.

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Beauty Trick ~ Lovely face/lovely hands

You can tell a woman's age not only by her face, but also by those hard working hands.

Whether those hands are those of a photographer, a mother, a baker, a therapist, (or so many countless other important jobs that we do...) you need to take care of them, just as you would that lovely face.

So as simple as this trick may seem... Use the same product on your hands as you do on your face.

No, I'm not suggesting you invest in even more of your nightly serum...

It's easy ~ as you're putting on your nightly face cream, save that last little bit of product and make an effort to cover the top of your hands.

I alternate between Olay Micro Sculpting Cream and Sanitas Serum, and never ever waste a drop. Try it, I swear it makes a difference! xx

Fuzzy Faux Jacket - F21

Nail polish - Essie

(1st coat Baby's Breath, 2nd coat Ballet Slippers)

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Vintage Jeans/Wavy hair

If I had a daily uniform, it would probably be this: Vintage jeans and wavy hair. I guess it's become my staple and the easiest way for me to feel like me on any given day.

I've given tips before, on making the best waves with hot rollers and how to shop on a dime  via thrift, vintage and simply by creative thinking... (see How To Host a Clothing Exchange ~ one of my favorite ways of creative shopping!)

But it really comes down to what makes you feel good.  And I wanna know... what's your typical daily uniform, girls?

Shirt, belt & jeans - Vintage

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For the love of Travel

I've been dreaming of Barcelona for years...

Man and Dog on Alley, Barri Gotic, Barcelona via here 

Well, because of alleyways like the above, and a little bit of an obsession with a famous dead guy. I've never been, and I've always had this feeling, deep inside me, that I'm supposed to go.  Have you ever felt that way about somewhere you've never been?

I feel like certain destinations call to me, and although there's so many I have yet to experience, when I think about it, I've visited some pretty fantastic places. 

 mal pais, costa rica

And I have no intention of stopping any time soon.

On this year's Travel List: 

Mexico

Bali

Singapore
New England

Where do you want to go?

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For the love of Fashion

When I started this blog, I didn't have a specific intent in mind. I only began to write and post about things that inspired me and made me happy on a daily basis.

And fashion has always been such a big part of that. If you've been on this journey with me for a while, you know that nothing gets my creative juices flowing quite like the dig, hunt and score of amazing finds through thrift and vintage shopping.

And recently, this creative journey has taken a hard left into territory that may just end up being my calling.  I'm often inspired by a runway show, a gorgeous celebrity muse, or simply something I find in a magazine... 

Then I team up with my uber talented seamstress & styling partner, and we hack away... it's been really cool to see just how much we can do, while spending very little. 

Case in point: This little red number was a super boxy, unflattering suit (circa bad 90's), but the pants fit so well, I just couldn't pass up the $5 price tag. After some tailoring of the top, I have a daring ensemble that I'll wear in place of a cocktail dress when I'm feeling a bit bold and rebellious. 

The rest of the time, I'll pair the pants with my leopard flats and camel cashmere sweater, belted over a tee. 

Pantsuit - Thrift

Heels - Jessica Simpson Dany Platforms

Runway pic unknown (I grabbed it ages ago!)

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For the love of Peaceful Romance

Three years ago yesterday, the hubs (previously known as the boyfriend) asked me to marry him.

And soon, we'll be heading off to Mexico, the very place where we were wed, to watch some of our closest friends say their own I do's. 

I snapped these pictures upon the arrival of our wedding week and looking at them now,  I'm reminded of all the crazy emotions swirling around inside me at that very moment.  That sweet rush of anticipation... the desire to become someone's wife.  To someone, quite frankly, who had just about become a myth to me.

That ONE RIGHT GUY.

And then he was there.

Look, I realize there are no guarantees in life. I realize that situations, feelings and people change. But I'm going to bet on this one, and I'll tell you why...

I did a lot of soul searching while writing my wedding vows, and the one word that kept coming to mind was peace.  And how without even trying, he brings that into my life.

So now... after 2 years of marriage, 4 years of being a couple, 1 tiny person (who looks a lot like the both of us) and close to a decade of knowing eachother, to me... love and peace are one in the same.

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For the love of chasing dreams

The hubs snapped these shots upon my arrival home from another part-time creative gig.

Being an artist type is not easy. And sometimes I find myself getting disappointed or distracted by certain plans and dreams that don't exactly turn out the way I'd hoped they would. But then magically, something else always comes along.  And I'm reminded that if I keep doing what I love, if I keep being creative, work will come. 

And what kind of a life would it be without the love of those spirit-rising, heart-thumping, awe-inspiring dreams? 

Not a life that I'd like to be a part of.  Not a life at all. 

So here's to the chase, lovely girls...

Keep going!

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For the love of Sisterhood

I know some people view Valentine's Day as a silly and commercialized holiday that forces the masses to spend money, give weak attempts at gifts, and make the unattached feel even lonelier. And to those I say... I feel you. I understand. But turn your head if you must...

Because I like this holiday.  I like celebrating love.

So all week I'll be sharing my most special loves with you.  Happy V-week. xx

As I've mentioned several times before, my sisters are my heart and soul. They inspire and encourage me more than any friend ever has. Well, because their love is unconditional. 

We've been through a whole hell of a lot together... so when something amazing happens to one of them... I can't wait to celebrate.

Over the weekend, little sis and I headed out to Abbot Kinney to toast her gig at the Grammy's.

She has this special kind of way of inspiring creativity...

 Wherever we go...

Whatever we do...

And in whatever we wear...

It's no surprise she's becoming one of the top artists in her industry.

And I couldn't be more proud.

Red thrifted mumu

Black F21 mini skirt

 H&M necklace

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