Haute Diggity Dog!

I pretty much lost it today when I saw these parody dog toys:

Barkbury + Facebark, Puptron Silver, kate spayed, PUGGS, Pawda, Chewy Vuitton, Manolo Barknik, etc. A worker came to join in on the fun, because I could not stop laughing!!

Love Gifts

My go-to gift this past year for that hostess with the mostess was fun cocktail napkins. This year, I am trying to think outside of the box. Here's what I've been gifting lately:

Introduce your hostess to a new treat! I love Ciao Bella's 'Blood Orange' Sorbet. It even has a seal of approval from Oprah, as it made her favorite things one year. It's a delicious sorbet, fun-sized and a great little delight for your hostess to dish on after all of the guests have gone. Top it with a bow, and it's sure to be a hit. (Spoon under the lid = no more dishes!)

We have entertainingly great photos of friends from our wedding. I've had a blast printing some of my favorite ones as 3.5 x 5s and placing them in double frames. Tie with a bow!

Root Beer Floats are fun! I have fond memories of them from my childhood as they are a dessert my parents and I would often treat ourselves to. I still order one today at my favorite restaurant, Angus Barn. Pick up a glass bottle root beer, a baby vanilla Ben & Jerry's ice cream and add a straw! Add two straws if you think this float will be shared with a sweetie.

One of my favorite theme nights is Mexican night. Last week my friend Elle and I got together for our own little fiesta. I love the idea of a tequila tasting, so I played off of this for her hostess gift. I placed three mini-bottles of tequila in a set of two salsa dishes I scored at the Dollar Store. Then I used brown shredded paper to add a little pizzazz - The best place to find shredded paper is at the Dollar Store as well. I love how this turned out. Ariba!

Love gifts are the happiest of gifts.

A Stately Gem

My state, your state, his state, her state... I love this little 'state' gem from Pinterest. It was a must create. I printed and cut out the states where Hank, Bentley and I were born.

Then I personalized each state by cutting out tiny paper hearts to place at our birth cities. I arranged the states & placed them into a floating frame. (You'll find all instructions here.)

Now I'm absolutely loving this little area of the lobster room, postcard collection & all.

Cuban Night - Salute!

Cuban-Style Flat Iron Steak + Sauteed Onions + Black Beans & Rice + Fried Plantains

Thank you for hosting a wonderful Cuban Night, Kat!

Vintage Cocktails, Assouline (Lucky Score)

The only cocktail book you'll ever need. I love a good cocktail, and I've been wanting this cocktail book for years. I randomly decided to look Vintage Cocktails up the other day on Amazon, and it was listed at well over double its cover price... Yikes! I contacted the publisher to see what the deal was, and they let me know this book is out of print. They only printed it in limited quantities so it would appreciate in value. I never knew this was a thing!?

I knew it was now or never - I remembered seeing this book at Anthropologie, so I contacted my local store first, and luckily, they discovered they still had a few in-stock (very limited quantities in locations across the country). I'm glad I realized this book is now out of print sooner rather than later! So, back to this being the only cocktail book you'll ever need...

The book itself is beautiful, substantial & creative. I love the handwriting, color & illustrations throughout. The photography is frame-worthy, and the 66 recipes laid out simply. This is my favorite style of recipe book. You are given the recipe & a full-page color photo to accompany it. I'm a visual person when it comes to recipes, especially when it comes to perfectly garnishing cocktails. Now I'm ready to begin 1/66 this weekend!

From DRAB to FAB - Part Two (Reveal!)

Tap Tap... Is this thing on? Without further ado... Here she is!!

DRAB

FAB

DRAB

FAB

I'm astonished by how she turned out. I love that she wears the same outfit as settee. The beauty of what white semi-gloss paint can accomplish is magical. This is my dream chair!

A standing ovation to Furbish Studio.

Wine & Design - Take Three

I love this place & concept so much that I can't get enough. I've previously enjoyed 'Date Night' and the Old Well, but this night was all about 'Paint Your Pet' with my sisters & MIL!

There's puppy Bentley printed on the canvas - thank goodness for a helpful starting point. The wine part was easy, but the design part was challenging. This class was definitely more advanced, but in the end we each came out with beautifully painted puppy masterpieces.

That's puppy Annie above, and Bentley finished & framed here... As always, Happy Painting!

From DRAB to FAB - Part One

I've been looking for the perfect chair to replace an old tried & true recliner from our college days. I knew I wanted a Louis XV style chair but finding the perfect one was a hunt & a half.

I love the look of these chairs - the ornate detailing is what makes them most beautiful to me. After months of searching, I finally found the one on good old craigslist. It had been in a lady's family for over 60 years!! For sad reasons, she had to sell (& fast). This was the scariest of my craigslist encounters (use the buddy system), but for $50, it was so worth it.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? This chair had spiders underneath it! It was not allowed inside (obviously!!), so it camped out in the garage for a bit. It's all about the vision. I want you to sit on those two photos so you can enjoy the reveal next week even more.

*Hank nonchalantly thought of this blog post title for me the other night, and I love it!

Olive Outfits

Poncho + J.Crew's Pixie Pants (or leggings) + Cowboy Boots = My fave go-to outfit lately!

I like to top it off with a super colorful & printed scarf and a splash of fun jewelry here & there (accessories are my favorite part of any outfit!). P.S. Bentley would like to go on the record as saying hi! & he does not prefer the taste of puzzle pieces as referenced below.

Puzzle Me.

Last Saturday night was for pizza, beer & completing this 3D puzzle:

Santa must have known we climbed the Eifftel Tower while honeymooning in Paris (and loved it!!). This was perfectly intermediate, but we are missing two pieces... Bentley!?

All Lit Up!

I never realized the power of a lampshade until I saw these awesome gold & white chevron ones from Target on Twitter. I immediately ran out of the house to scoop up the last pair in my area for miles & miles. I didn't exactly know my plans for them, but I knew I loved them.

"Think of lamps as jewelry for the home. Go for something statement-making & eclectic."

I went from lamp to lamp in our house in search of their new home... decisions, decisions... One landed on our entryway table, and it really makes a POP! right when you walk in. The other added some height & vibrance to an otherwise dull corner in the lobster room. At only $20 a piece, these were a cost effective way to add a little va-va-voom to a room.

*Since these shades are a bit hard to find, this presents a great do it yourself project!

Olive Outfits

Playing in the dressing area while Hank tries on jeans...

This is my bohemian chic - slouchy sweater & dress + swingpack.

Happy Birthday, La!!

Lovely on the right is 22 today! AND she got Teach for America. Big day... BIG congrats!

(My Sister-in-LOVE!)

One BIG Happy

I won a round of bowling last night - This never happens!!

Confetti & Ikat - Hooray!

I was recently inspired to print on card stock & laminate some fun (& free) 2012 calendars.

I chose confetti & ikat offered through Red Stamp. You can print your own here by using the link below each calendar to pull up a nice, printable PDF. These calendars are lovely.

I use Red Stamp (an iPhone app) often to send thank yous & sweet hellos. It's great because you can use photos from your phone to put right into each card & send them on their way.

Window Art

Zeeb Stripes!

Furb Lovin'

Like many people, I love Furbish Studio. I always feel as though I need to take multiple laps around Jamie's shop, because I'm afraid I may have missed something wonderful. I went by Furbish this week to dilly-dally, and here are a few of my favorite finds... Onward!

Santa Hank gifted me these Jonathan Adler Jet Set Porcelain Coasters for Christmas. They're an absolute gem around our house - whimsical & fun... I dream of Capri most!

I love this little white lacquered table.

This saying gets me every time! I try to remember it when dessert is staring me down.

I love my python tray, but oh that monogrammed lucite box... How lovely!

Oh la la... Yes to the hot pink welting around this charcoal dot fabric. Genius.

This picture frame is a blast - I would love it with a photo of me & my bridesmaids.

These glasses are the best little treasure for that special couple in your life.

The most fabulous ice bucket I've seen. I love that it is pretty but practical.

If I had discipline, I would keep candy to share on my desk in this metallic gold zeeb jar.

The table of jewels - It gets me every time.

I love these beaded clutches - I've been eyeing red leopard, but lefty, you're cute too.

While seashell hunting on the beach, it would be nice to find this golden delight ; )

I had the best time dilly-dallying at Furbish Studio (per usual)... Love that place!

One BIG Happy

Oh Sunday Brunch...

If you live in the area, ACME is delicious always but incredible on two days. Tuesday all entrees are $12.95 (ah-mazing!), and Sunday is brunch. Yesterday, I had this tasty drink:

It's the Classic Bloody Mary, but Hank ordered one with tequila instead of vodka + chili powder, and it was the best. Hank always orders the better dish - I think it's an art.

For brunch I dined on (surprise) The Deluxe Benedict - two poached eggs, ham and fried green tomatoes on english muffins with hollandaise sauce and sides of mixed greens & route 3 diner potatoes. I left not a speck! Next time I'm ordering what Hank had, Texas Border Breakfast - grilled angus butcher's cut steak, cooked medium rare, with green chile grits, two poached eggs & chipotle hollandaise sauce. This restaurant is climbing into my top five!

Crafting Queen

My mom and I had the best time crafting reindeer. My fabulous aunt gifted one to my mom last Christmas and corks have been collected ever since. We were so excited to recreate!

This reindeer is made of seven wine corks, along with wintery odds & ends from the craft store to create the nose, antlers, ornament hook, tail and greenery accessories. These guys made for wonderful Christmas gifts. I enjoy mine to be grazing around the house, but many people hung theirs from the Christmas tree. I love that reindeers are still relevant to be grazing around the house now, since it's winter, as this creation is a wintery delight. Enjoy!