Brendan's 2nd Birthday

For Amy

I'm really excited to share my first true fashion consulting experience with you ladies. Amy - an awesome family friend reached out to me a few weeks ago to help her step outside her self proclaimed "style rut". Amy is trying to slowly build a transitional wardrobe with pieces that work when in “mom mode” and also work with a skirt to look professional as she looks to a promising career in PR. Since Amy already has great style and loves jewel tones just as much as I do, this made my job easy! My plan for Amy is simple - add some bright colored pants, skinny jeans and some playful patterns to her wardrobe to add pizzazz to the pieces she already owns. Amy already picked up a pair of Hampton pants from Banana and striped sweater - two recommendations from my Polyvore board below that are both extremely versatile. I can't wait to get some pictures from Amy of her new looks to share, sure to be adorable!

For Amy by gracefulwhimsy featuring colorful shirts

J.Crew colorful shirt / Boat neck sweater / Banana Republic top / Banana Republic top / J.Crew colorful jeans / Banana Republic tall pants / J.Crew j crew / BX by Bronx western boots / Banana Republic flat shoes / Victoria's Secret pointed toe flat shoes

Birthday Party Favorites

HGTV March Issue Highlights

HGTV magazine is still pretty new. I got the preview issue last year and was instantly hooked - no surprise I'm a subscriber now. In fact, it's one of only two design magazines I subscribe to (right up there with house beautiful).

The March issue is full of Springy, happy ideas to add pizzazz to any room after a long winter of blah. I can't wait for spring after reading this issue and after today's storm, warmer weather really can't come soon enough :)

Outfit of the week

I picked up a pair of Chevron tights at TJ Maxx this week. At first I wasn't sure if I can pull them off - but I soon fell in love with them. I love that even more paired with a contrasting pattern like these giraffe print heels. The emerald green (coveted pantone color of the year) skirt is from J. Crew - found on super sale.

Kate Spade Inspiration

I just picked up a copy of Kate Spade's new book and I can honestly say - I'm more inspired than I have been in months:) Every page is swoon worthy. I might even cut out a few favorite pages to frame - literally each page is a work of art. Here are a few of my favorite images from this lovely new book. Did I mention the hard cover of the book is hot pink with gold embossing? Needless to say, it makes an amazing addition to any coffee table and everyone should pick up a copy:)

James Dean, Pinwheels, emerald green, lipstick red, polka dots, hot pink, zebra - what more can a girl ask for?

Holiday Card 2012

Holiday Details

This year the color scheme for the holidays around our house is similar to last year. Lots of blues and golds - but a few touches based on some new obsessions I have this year.

1) Framed Starbucks Bag - I bought a mug at Starbucks a few weeks back and fell in love with the snowman illustration on the bag. I remembered YHL had framed a Crate and Barrel bag a couple years ago. Inspired by their resourcefulness, I decided to turn this shopping bag into art:)

 2) Polka Dot, Faux Bois, Snake Skin and Metallic Gold Wrapping Paper - I looked high and low for polka dot wrapping paper and finally found a kraft paper version at Home Goods, which I snatched up immediately.

Holiday Photos with Wild Ginger

This year we decided to splurge a little on our holiday cards. This family is new to schmancy holiday cards. You'll probably remember for three years in a row I did eCards. Then finally I learned this is no longer cool:) Last year we took our own photo and ordered our card from Shutterstock (we saved a ton with an online promo at the time). This year, we went all out. This is Brendan's first Christmas walking and talking, and we want to really wanted to hire a pro to take our pictures this year. And that we did, a friend told us about Tara from Wild Ginger and we met her for a 30 minute session. I don't know how else to describe Tara's work - other than magical. Brendan was running around determined not to have his photo taken. I was stressed, Matt was freezing - but someone she captured images that are beautiful despite the curve balls we threw at her:) We picked two images for our holiday card and ordered them on matte paper from Minted. A little expensive, yes - but Minted cards are so beautifully printed - I honestly feel it is well worth the extra money.

Can you guess which image we picked for a our holiday card?