flirty finds for valentine's

Hey there, Valentine! Looking for that finishing touch to glam up your V-Day?  Opt for a flirty headband courtesy of one of my favorite sites, ban.do.  With fabulous 'french poufs', glitzy shoe clips and bows that scream drama, ban.do takes accessorizing to a new level with a bit of tongue-in-cheek glamour.  Keep all eyes on you (including his) with a fabulous hot pink find like the Pop Flower pin or the Two Tone Satin Sash headband.  Whatever you choose to "be yours," you'll certainly have more than one secret admirer after a prance in a ban.do pretty!

All photos courtesy of ban.do.

chic reads.

A unique assortment of coffee table books is one of my favorite things about someone's home.  Accessories and decor say a lot, but there's something about the books that a person openly displays (and usually only a few at a time) that really sum up true, individual style.  These over-sized, over-the-top reads exude a lifestyle essence that they seem to bestow on their owners once they are stacked nonchalantly atop one another. Here are a few of my favorites that are not only artistic displays of beautiful content, but timeless finds that I could flip through over and over again...all designed and written, of course, in very good taste.  

 

Have a favorite "chic read?" Share by leaving a comment below!

We could all use another gorgeous book or two...xx

sparkling words of wisdom...

I came across this beautiful note with a quote from the one-and-only Roald Dahl on on of my favorite blogs, {this is glamorous}. Aside from the gorgeous blog that it came from, I thought it was such a special piece of wisdom to share...

clink! clink! cheers to retro revelry

Thanks to Mad Men, I think its safe to say that the traditional cocktail hour is back in style.  Grab your pearls and champagne coupe and start clinking to the good life.  Vintage cocktail glasses aren't just unique, I think they make for great home accessories as well.  Search for great Culver finds, glistening with grapic gold prints, or opt for some whimsical rocks glasses with bold stripes. Place on a pretty cocktail tray and, voila!, the perfect side table accessory. Retro chic is all about bold patterns and bright colors, so take some risks and have some fun.  Try mixing and matching for a quirky happy hour full of style!

For a little inspiration...

 

All "Mad Men"photos courtesy of AMCTV.com. Vintage glassware [top right] via the BorrowedAbode blog. Champagne and vintage glassware from Lonny Magazine. Gold Bamboo glasses from the Sleepy Poet via Matters of Style blog. Purple vintage bar set: ebay.com

Gimlets, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds, Oh My!  Click here and cheers to the good life!

 

All "Mad Men"photos courtesy of AMCTV.com. Pink cocktail glasses: The Hour Cocktail Collection. Culver glasses on red backdrop: Ruby Lane.com. Culver gold trim bar glasses: ebay.com. Green-striped rocks glasses: esty.com 

For those in the mid-Atlantic area, The Hour cocktail shop in Alexandria, Virginia is an amazing little spot brimming with chic bar accessories and fabulous vintage cocktail finds - including retro artwork and jewelry (because every girl needs that perfect cocktail ring to partner with her punch!).  Here are a few samples of their fun inventory...

All photos and images courtesy of The Hour Cocktail Shop (Alexandria, VA)

coming soon: vintage happy hour!

Hellooo there, Don Draper...

After coming across these great shots of the dapper Jon Hamm, I just had to do a 1960s-inspired cocktail party, a la Mad Men. I'm convinced there's nothing better than vintage glamor - and nothing pairs better with an A-line dress than a retro rocks glass for that perfect punch of panache.

Stay tuned for HAPPY HOUR on Monday...

In the meantime, feel free to start drooling over this little montage of Don Draper eye candy...

HAPPY FRIDAY, LADIES!

Photos courtesy of Best Life Magazine via The Neotraditionalist

good taste resolution: start saving with style!

With each coming new year we seem to gain new experiences, new friends, and new decisions to better ourselves for the road ahead.  As we embrace 2011, during these lovely economic times, we could all benefit from the resolution to start saving more (my least favorite thing!).  As always, gorgeous designer temptations always seem to break the bank, so I decided to dig deeper and see if it really is possible to still look polished and put-together on a serious budget. With a little creativity and some great resources for fresh finds, I think it just may be possible...

Look 1: Pearl Studs - $6.  Hive & Honey Pearl Necklace - $68. Modcloth Coming Up Buttercups Dress - $85.
Enzo Angiolini 'Sweetness' Sandal - $99. Look 2: Modcloth Try This for Sighs Cardigan - $60.
Kate Spade Signature Spade Studs - $38. Steve Madden Hard Case Clutch - $61.
Modcloth Rum Raisin Cupcake Skirt - $40. Kate Spade Date Night Solid Ring - $55.