Poster: The Architecture of American Houses

My love for home goes beyond just interiors. Ever since I was little, I've entertained a sort of fascination with exteriors, too - specifically, types of houses. I had a 3D-Home Architect CD-ROM (do those even exist anymore?) that I'd "play" on for hours. I'd track down floor plans of Victorian Queen Annes, craftsman bungalows, and brownstone rowhouses. I'd "build" them in the 3D Home Architect program, then go on to add wall color, floor materials, and arrange furniture. I was obsessed.

5 Lust-worthy Objects of Desire from Anthropologie

Oh, Anthropologie. You sure do know how to make a girl lusty over frills and rocks and thin gold wires. It's one of those catalogs that I look forward to receiving in the mail, but I never order from. I tell myself, "Someday... someday I'll order something from Anthropologie." But the cheapo in me frowns at the price tags of even clearance items. So for now, I'll just happily flip through the matte pages whilst daydreaming - and dreaming up thriftier, diy-ier alternatives.

But in an Anthro-world, you'd find me lounging on my bed

swathed in that fluffy, frilly, all-too-frou-frou duvet above. 

5 Favorites for May: Pink Polka Dots, Matte Red Lips, #GirlBoss, and more!

May is a month of transition for me. This is my last week at my current full-time job and I'll be starting at a new company next week. Here are five favorites that are part of my fresh start this spring:

1. Whilst shopping for a fresh workplace wardrobe, I hit up Old Navy. I've been disappointed there in the past, but I gave it a try. And I fell in love with their 'Pixie Skinny Ankle Pants' - especially the light pink ones with the white polka dots. The trousers are the perfect skinny cut, ideal ankle length, and are so comfy. At around $30, I bought several pairs to get me through the work week. 

A Peek Inside My Purse: A Planner, Lipsticks, and Mason Jar... Oh my!

I'm a sucker for bloggers' "In My Purse" posts. Just like looking at someone's bookshelf to catch a glimpse of their personality, you can tell a lot about a lady's lifestyle by taking a peek into her handbag. So while I would never rummage through a random stranger's bag, I do snoop around on blogs and Pinterest for these personality glimpses. While I may not have the pricey name-brands found in the purses of Nicolette Mason or Cupcakes and Cashmere, it sure is fun to dump out the contents, take a pic, and do a post of my own.

Here's what's in my bag:

1. My new Daily Project planner from MochiThings. It's dateless - so I could start it in May! It's simple and chic on the inside. It's just the right size. And it's the loveliest shade of vintage chartreuse. I use a pretty, pink, patterned pen I found in the Target dolla' section to plan out my life. 

Wishlist 4.10 | 10 Too-Lovely Things

It's that time again. Here are ten lovely thing I'm lusting over lately.

Like these cute little succulents potted in hot pink rocks up above.

Roundup: 10 Pretty Planners from MochiThings

I usually start off a new year with a fresh planner. There's something about a pretty planner that makes me feel polished and pulled together - even though I also use my Google calendar to keep track of everything, I like to write everything down as well. Whether I'm tracking craft beer events, musing about blog content, or  planning a weekend getaway, a planner is a must-have. This year, it's already March and I have yet to find my scheduler soul mate. It has to be pretty, simple, and sized to toss into my bag. 

I've had great luck finding pretty planners at Target in the past, but this year I find myself underwhelmed by their selection. (I bought my sisters the last two pretty planners I saw there.) So I'm taking my time and taking to the internet in my search for the perfect planner. Today, I hit the jackpot. MochiThings.com has the loveliest selection of agendas that I've ever laid eyes on. And now I'm overwhelmed with picking just one. Here are my Top 10 Contenders:

Wishlist 2.28 | Five Favored Finds

Time to share some of my favorite lovely finds from February. First on the list - how have I come this far through life without seeing the beauty of an uncut diamond?! These uncut diamond studs are gorgeous. I love the raw, natural elegance and the hazy hue.

Wishlist 1.14 | 8 Objects of Desire

Sometimes I just like to share things I like. Like the adorable mason jar measuring cups above. 

Oh Deer. Have I never before mentioned how I fawn over does and bucks?!

I don't know who did it, but someone told Target my dirty little secret.  That I'm impossibly, severely, obsessively smitten with deer... and have been for about five years. Especially white porcelain deer.  I swoon, squeal, and altogether fawn over them.  (Fawn! Heh--get it?!)  But really.  This is serious.  I walked into Target for a casual little stroll about the store tonight.  And never have I had to forcefully remove myself from the decorating aisle.  I practiced some serious self control there, folks.  These darling deer were all meant for me!  The big deer head.  The little deer figurines.  The deer candle holder.  The deer plate.  *sigh* I'm so very swept off of my feet by Target right now.

Pick a Color, Any Color!

Without reading the descriptions, pick the color that most appeals to you. Then decide if the description matches you.  Since I'm drawn to several colors here, I picked the top four colors that I like best... not only to just look at, but to dress in and decorate with.  I went with Chartreuse, Lake, Persimmon, and Gravel.  What top three or four apply to you?

Rainy Mood, Petrichor

The Suspend(s) is Killing Me!

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So I have a little confession to make.  I have a serious attraction to guys in suspenders.  I can't quite put my finger on the reason... Is it the vintage flavor?  The throwback to more pulled-together, refined men's fashion of bygone eras?  Could it be the just-nerdy-enough that it's sexy look?  Well, whatever the reason... I'm coming out with my strange little swoon-trigger and sharing some seriously classy eye candy with you.  So before the suspense suspend(s) kills ya, on with the show!

Take Me to Fall

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We've had a long, beautiful, hot summer here in Iowa.  It stormed all through the night last night.  And this evening there's the smell of autumn in the cool air.  It's time to say goodbye to the iced lattes, Summer Shandies, and sweet tea.  And to welcome the return of pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin lagers, and hot cocoa.  Oh, I just can't wait.  Dear Fall, please just get here already.  I'm ready for the jeans, the jackets, the boots, and the scarves.  The pumpkin patches, the fiery leaves, the hayrides, and the barns.

Victorian Houses = Love

I have a mild severe infatuation with old houses.  Stately brick mansions.  Old farmhouses.  And my most favorite: elaborate Victorians.  I'm obsessed to the point of often asking, "Do you think they'd mind if I knocked on the door and asked to look around?"  Okay, okay... so usually I only think that in my head.  And I'm not so bold as to ever do that.  But nothing's better than driving around and looking for beautiful old houses.  I love seeing the ones that have been lovingly maintained and/or restored.  And while it saddens me to see the abandoned, dilapidated, forgotten beauties... I can't help but get a little excited and romantic.  Because all I can see is the potential.  The potential of what the rundown place could be if I were given unlimited time, lotsa money, and a construction crew to order around. ;)

Dream House: Victorian with Turquoise Roof!

So I found my dream house.  Seriously.

I. Am. Swooning.

Turn On (the light!)

Word of warning.  You may think less of me after reading this post.

So if you're faint of heart or judgmental, I suggest you depart quietly from the blog.

But for the rest of you who don't mind a little (almost) raunchy decor-porn...

Axel von Fersen: Historical Heart-throbs, Part 1 | Favorite Fictional Man Candy

It is a scientifically proven fact that we females are prone to falling head-over-heels for on-screen and on-page studs.  We all have our film and novel champions.  So I'm going to dish about mine.  And who's at the top of my fictional to-do list?  Well, Count Axel von Fersen.  Yup, he is my Number 1.  My entire perception of who he is and what he looks like is entirely based on Jamie Dornan's portrayal of Fersen in the film Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. (And I also crushed on him majorly in Sena Jeter Naslund's Abundance novel.)  

Swedish Count. Lieutenant General in the Royal Swedish Army. One of the Lords of a the Realm. Diplomat. Statesment. Alleged lover of Marie Antoinette.  How's that for a resume?  He looks pretty good on paper.

...And he also looks pretty good in person.  Above, you'll see that he is the master of smoldering eyes.

And seriously.  The name Axel conveys his 18th Century hotness, too.

Thou shalt not covet queens of centuries past who get to frolic in pastures with studly Swedish lieutenants.  *sigh*  He is simply irresistible.

Stay tuned for my the second Historical Heart-throb on my list. ;)

ManCandy: Zac Efron

It's been a while since I posted a for the pure pleasure of eye candy.  And since the Chris Evans post is still sizzling popular around the blog these days...(Thank you, Avengers.)... I've been pondering who is worthy enough to stack up our stacked up Captain America.  And well, in case you haven't heard... somewhere between Charlie St. Cloud and The Lucky One, Zac Efron has grown up to be quite a man.  And I mean man in every sense of the word.  (Wasn't only yesterday that my little sisters were crushing on him in High School Musical?)  *sigh* How the time flies.  So now it's my turn (and yours) to swoon!

11 Luxuries Every Girl Simply Must Indulge In

[1] Chocolate. I'm not talking your typical Hersey's. I mean chocolate that is as decadent and delicious as its packaging is pretty. Wrapped up so lovely you can hardly bear to undo it. But so yummy you're glad you did.  So seriously. Hit up the nearest chocolaterie or the fancy chocolate aisle at your super market.  And don't your luxurious bar on the go. Set aside time to really savor it.

Daydreaming: English Countryside