Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest yet? Really? How come? It's the reason I haven't been blogging! So quick and easy to just click and share your favorite images: of everything! You need an invitation, so just message me your email address and I will send you one.

Here is a small sampling of what I love that is on there today:

From "Women's Apparel."

Under "Home Decor."

This one can be found under "Food and Drink."

"Hair and Beauty."

I found this under "Gardening."

"Weddings and Events."

"Travel."

There are lots more categories, but these are some of my favorites. You can "like" a pin or repin it to your own board. It's perfect for searching for recipes, outfit ideas, home inspiration, etc. What are you waiting for? Oh, and make sure you follow me!

Beauty shortcuts

Two little shortcuts I've picked up in the last week:

Goody Spin Pins

Cool little hair tools that let you secure an updo with just 2 pins, instead of dozens of bobby pins. I tried them really briefly yesterday, and they held with almost no effort on my part. I will be playing with them more, for sure! They are about $6 at the usual places - drugstores, WalMart, etc., and come in blonde and brunette.

The other tip I can't really show you a picture of. It's from Bobbi Brown on The Today Show. She suggests, instead of using an eyelash curler, to use your finger to curl your lashes AFTER you put mascara on. When it is almost dry, just use your index finger to gently press your lashes up toward your brow, being careful not to   actually press them against your lid, or you will smear your makeup. It works great! AND takes one more tool out of your makeup case! If you combine that technique with one of the many lash-extending mascaras, the effect is almost TOO much, for daytime anyway. I've been using "Falsies" mascara by Maybelline and two coats plus the curling method gives you almost-fake looking lashes - in a good way. Give it a try!

Open House at Upstairs

I had a great time today at the Upstairs Holiday Open House, and enjoyed getting to meet owner and decorator-extraordinaire, Todd Richesin. I've been dying to see the major renovation he completed on a funky old building in Bearden, at the junction of Kingston Pike and Lyon's View Pike. It's a super cool space full of elegant and unique pieces for the home, as well as great gift items and even some jewelry (I managed to NOT buy a killer leather bracelet with horse-bit details for myself!)

One of many beautiful tablescapes

 Giant, lavish wreaths!

 Todd and me

 Papier-Mache bust made of newsprint: LOVE it!

 Fabulous little side table with "branch" legs

 Textiles, textiles!

I love the addition of blue to the traditional Christmas colors, and the stag's head!

 Have fun browsing Todd's portfolio, and be sure to stop in at the Open House: it's on all day tomorrow, too!

New Eye Candy

I'm in the process of updating my blog list (on the left), saying goodbye to some that just don't seem like a good fit anymore, and discovering some inspirational new ones. Check out Radiant Republic, Colour Me Happy and  The Zhush. They are new to me, but all three are colorful and stylish: fun!

Calling My Name

J. Crew has a sweater in the new September catalogue that I should probably get:

And to wear with it, a pair of these from Diana Warner:

The "Betsy" earring. I mean, temptation is bad enough without the stuff having your name on it!!

Pack Rat

As I start thinking about what to pack for Europe in a couple of weeks, I realize I also could use some tips on HOW to pack. I found this little article from Modelinia, which includes tips from supermodels, who of course travel all the time. It features Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, and Elaine Irwin, among others. They all seem dedicated to the "roll it up" method. I'll try it, but I have a hard time believing everything doesn't wrinkle!

As far as what to pack, I'm definitely bringing my Infinity Dress from Hayley Starr:

This thing is amazing! I wore it to a wedding recently, and there are so many different ways to wear it. Ironically, the bridesmaids at said wedding were in a version of it, too, which was so cool because they each wore it to flatter their body type. Great idea for brides-to-be to consider!

The website includes a video on how to create some of the styles, so I just prop my iPad on the bathroom counter and follow along. Fun! Anyway, it can be anything from a skirt to a really casual strapless to a more cocktail-style with cap sleeves. Great thing to travel with!

Runs in the Family!

Look at this amazing chair that Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things had her son draw on as a gift for his little brother. She took a thrift chair, covered it in white canvas, and let him go to town! Doesn't it look like she had a graphic designer do it to mimic little kid drawings? Love it!! Such a great gift idea and a memento that he can keep all of his life. Wouldn't you love to have that to hand down to your own child?