Hola, weekend. Nice to meet you.

{via my new favorite print shop}

Aaaah! It's the weekend! Hells yeah! What are you guys up to?? I'm heading to Minnesota with the original plan to hang out with my pregnant cousin because I wasn't able to make her baby shower. Lo and behold, the baby had another plan: Mary Jane, also known as Janie, was born on Wednesday!! Eeeek -- I am SO excited! I can see the family in full. Bet that beats all of your weekends! Well, that was just rude of me. Moving on...

Did you know there is a baby stuff brand called Mary Jane?! [I am aware they are referring to the shoe. I don't care.] I am a NOVICE when it comes to baby stuff. I walk into a baby store and immediately become a raving idiot. I just am never really around babies and I'm always afraid I will accidentally throw the baby across the room. Fact.

Now that I think about it, I never stepped foot into a baby store until a good girlfriend of mine had a baby. At least not when I was making the shopping decisions. I digress... I found the most super cute lil' newborn socks [the ones I got were pink] that are packaged in the most adorable box with the name Mary Jane on top. I almost died. Sold.

I hope y'all have just as great a weekend and I will see you on Monday!

Full disclosure.

I love reality shows. Like, really love reality shows. I watch a lot of them, too many of them. Sometimes I feel like I know more about reality stars than any human should, but ultimately I don't care what other people think -- I like me some fake reality.

None I like more than Bethenny Getting Married? [what's with the question mark?] After watching this show, I feel like I would follow Bethenny into the depths of hell. Wow, that's creepy, but seriously she is just so entertaining and seemingly forthright. And I love Jason, her new husband; I love their relationship and how they find ways to comfort each other and make each other laugh. They just had a baby on last night's episode and it was so sweet! Their incredible joy was evident and I certainly teared up a time or two. [I told you this was full disclosure!]

Anyway, I'll be sad when the show ends and I really hope Bravo renews it for more seasons. I'm sure they will, it seems Bravo had their best July ratings ever. I told you Bethenny was good.

Not to mention her Skinnygirl Margaritas are delish!

Images: 1 / 2

Holy Cannoli.

This is bonkers!! My jaw literally dropped when I saw this alternative hotel in Costa Rica. BONKERS. You must click through to the website to see the other photos. The views alone would be worth the price, not to mention you're IN THE MIDDLE OF A PLANE. I still can't wrap my head around it. Hmmmm, I wonder how much moola this puppy costs per night, ya know? It would almost be like being on LOST! Yesssssss! [Without that whole smoke monster thing, obvi.]

First seen on Home Sweet Home.

Meet my newest obsession.

I have a problem. A really big problem. My name is Laura and I am a home decor junkie. I blame it on the blogs, but seriously my want for home decor items is OUT OF CONTROL. I bought this guy off of One Kings Lane yesterday because, well, it was on One Kings Lane. I've had me eye on porcelain stools for quite some time, but couldn't find one that was affordable or the color I wanted. Seriously, there are so many out there. Like here, here, and here.

It's kind of like the acrylic nesting tables, in the sense that they've been around for a while, but I want, want, want. For real, I just turned into Veruca Salt. My only rationalization is that I am no longer shopping for clothes and shoes, just stuff for the home.

At this rate, I will never want to leave me home. Ever. "Sorry, dear friends, I am going to stay in again with my porcelain garden stool."

I will forever look fondly on him and think of the major discount I received.

Below you will find just a few pictures of inspiration. See what I'm talking 'bout?

We've all seen this pic, right?

First two images from House Beautiful.

Third image from Lonny, via Peppermint Bliss.

Meet Jules.

I was introduced to this blog via Refinery 29 when they announced their five fashion bloggers to watch. Doesn't she have amazing style? I love this outfit so much. It's all so casual, but remains to be incredibly pulled together. I love the polka dots, the caramel bag, the skinny cargos...should I go on? Plus, do I even need to mention how beautiful this lady is? I mean, seriously. No one should be this pretty. Check out her blog to see further proof.

P.O.S.H.

Do you guys know about P.O.S.H.? [I blogged an item from them here.] A shop that opened in 1997 in lovely Chicago that wanted to change it up from the normal finds around and about home decor. It's kind of like having someone else do your flea market shopping for you. Actually, it's exactly like that! These were some of my favorite finds, but you should check it out for yoself. Check out their website or, for my Chicago peeps, head to the store!

"Las Jarras" salt and pepper shakers.
Jadite tumblers.
Vintage hand-turned wooden mortar and pestle from Spain.
Summer-plaid placemats.

Be still my heart.

Here's the deal: I love this fan oh so much. So much so, I almost didn't share it with you because I wanted it all for myself. Greedy, I know, but LOOK AT IT! My heart kind of melts every time I look at it. Man, I never thought I would fall so hard for a fan. Ooooonnnnllly, I can't afford it. And I don't really have a need for it. If one can say they don't really have a need for the most adorable fan on the planet. But maybe you do?! I give you permission to steal this beauty away from me. Especially if you'll grant me visitation rights. Or at least a Christmas card.

Which shoes?

{outfit info}

This isn't as much an outfit as it a question for you. I was halfway through creating the outfit, but then just couldn't decide which shoes I'd like to pair with it. Soooo, I'm leaving that part up to you! Which pair would you choose? I know they are all kinds of similar, but it was the vibe I was going for. In fact, I was going to throw in a pair of cowboy boots, but the denim shirt prohibited it. I am personally drawn to the glittered oxfords; I'm crazy like that. Actually, I was going to pair those with the outfit but thought you guys would balk at the craziness. Was I wrong? [You can click on the outfit info to see larger images.]

Sascalia.

This Etsy shop of whimsical folk art, mixed media collage paintings, prints and prints mounted on wood was suggested to me via the suggestion page. I just found said suggestion page and couldn't be happier about it -- what took me so long to find it?! I was immediately drawn to the vivid colors of these paintings and prints. You should definitely check it out!

I covet thee.

Sometimes I pop over to Net-A-Porter just to do some window shopping. They have some AMAZING pieces, some amazingly expensive pieces. I would like all of the above to magically appear in my closet. Aren't they gorgeous? I can't decide which is my favorite, but I'm leaning towards the red and white patterned kimono-style gown.

In other news, I joined Twitter! Aaaaahhhh! Just because I needed something else on the internet to suck all my time. [Is there such a thing as an internet addiction? If so, I may have a problem.] It's kinda overwhelming in the beginning, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon enough. You should follow me and we could be twitter buddies!! Click the link in my sidebar to send me the love.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Green with envy.

Fafafriday! I never thought this day was going to come this week! It's always so hard to get back into the swing of things after a week off, but I managed. I survived. I prospered. [I guess.]

What is everyone up to this weekend? I have an exciting birthday party for a dear friend of mine that will include fancy pb&j triangles, mac & cheese, and other old-school goodies. [I want to try to find Dunkaroos -- do they still make those?] Holla!

No one is a more devout reader and supporter of this here blog than Katie [said birthday girl] and it's about time I give her a shout out. Not only supportive, she is a Super Friend to boot. In honor of Katie I decided to do an Etsy round up of all things green. [She likes green. Hence, the pictures above.]

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!! And, don't forget -- Mad Men is back on Sunday!

Images: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

I would in that dress.

I figured it has been too long since I've posted about a wedding, or wedding dress, or really anything wedding related. And I remembered this dress. I heart this dress. And the location is amazing; there is something really special about small weddings set in nature. But what really takes the cake? The groom's reaction during the first look -- seriously, look at him! I have never seen such palpable joy and excitement before. It makes me smile every time I see it.

And not that I'm a creeper or anything, but I believe the photographer is the same guy that did A Cup of Jo's wedding and engagement photos. I embarrassingly don't normally remember names of photographers and such, so that just goes to show how amazing this guy is. Well done, Max Wanger. Well done.

All images via Green Wedding Shoes

Top it off.

This tissue flutter tank is on sale for $19.99! Go forth and conquer. There are more colors, but not all of them are at that price point.

I can see right through you.

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The time has come. I cannot stop thinking about Lucite/acrylic tables. I want one. I want one. I want one. There I said it. I know, they are super trendy and something else will be popular before I actually purchase one. BUT I don't think I like it because it's trendy. Really, I swear! I think they are a perfect answer to a small apartment and a way to bring something modern into my mostly traditional setting. See? I told you I've been thinking about it. My question is whether I should go whole hog with a coffee table or start small with a side table. What do you think?


See what I'm talking about?

Images 1 - 3 via House Beautiful
Image 4 via decor pad