Current Lust Item: Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag.

  I've been on the hunt for a new bag for about 3 years now, and for one reason or another, I have been having the hardest time finding the one that was just right for me.  Initially, I thought I might want a lifetime, blow the bank, happy next 10 birthdays to me kind of bag, but last year after almost pulling the plug, I remembered that I am a mother of two, running from one place to another, and a beautiful bag would would not only get destroyed, but wouldn't be very practical.  So, instead, I've been sticking with canvas bags, and pulling out my trusty old tote, day after day. 

Over the Summer, I started seeing pictures of the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag, and I was intrigued.  From day one I pretty much fell in love with the clean lines, and simplicity of the bag, but I cast it away thinking that it would be far out of the price range that I had envisioned in my mind.  Instead, I went to pinning and pining, and it was only about a week ago that I actually tracked it down, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bag I wanted (mini/ black) was actually under $500.  After mulling it over for a few more days, I finally decided that YES!!!! this is absolutely the bag I want for the next 5 years of my life, and that I can't think of anything else I would want for Christmas, and please please please can it be mine.  That kind of decision.  I had bookmarked a few websites that said they had it in stock, and when I went to purchase it today, I found that it was sold out everywhere.  Just to make sure, my SIL called one of the vendors where she was told, "there are no more left in the world."

The WORLD!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Obviously, I did some digging and its true, this f$%&ing bag is so damn popular that there really isn't one in all of the interwebs.  I'm now kicking myself for not looking sooner, and obviously this is at the bottom of the list as far as bad things go, but I still really wish I could find it.  After signing up for a dozen newsletters, I'm hoping I can grab one when they re-stock in December, but we all know how that game goes.  Until then, I have these images to drool over, and who knows, maybe Santa is real, and maybe he has a line on fine leather goods.  I know I've been a good girl! ;)

She is a thing of beauty, isn't she?

In general I am a huge fan of the bucket bag, and thought I'd do a little crave/ save/ investment. The bottom bag is only $30 and I have to admit I'm loving that it comes in emerald green! 

Investment
(My Love)

Crave

Save

If anyone sees one out and about, email me.  Seriously.  I promise to send back the most incredible shopping karma in return!!!

The Time of my Life.

What does one say after coming down from having one of the very best weekends of their lives? 

GRATEFUL is really the first word that comes to mind.  Grateful for my beautiful girlfriends sisters.  Grateful that such a beautiful place exists, only a three hour plane ride away.  Grateful for my family, who recognized how important it was for me to spend this time recharging my batteries,  and grateful that I will forever have this weekend etched in my memory, and the pictures to prove that, yes, it was real.  There are so many things about this trip that I can't help smiling about when I think of them.  Getting stuck in the pouring rain (more than once.)  Gorging on beignets and cafe ole's (definitely more than once.)  The dinners, the dancing, the friends we made... all of it was so surreal.  In the end, the thing I will remember most is the laughing.  Laughing like I haven't laughed in years.  Laughing so hard it hurts, and laughing in to the wee hours of the morning.  These two ladies bring such incredible joy in to my life, and all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart for such an incredible four days.  I'm already counting down until next year!!!

Here are a few pictures from our trip, if you'd like to see. If you haven't been to New Orleans, this is most definitely a place to add to your bucket list!

To my future Golden Girls... thank you for being a friend!

An Inspired Affair.

 Have you all seen the STUNNING pictures from Poppy Delevingne's weekend wedding?  If you haven't then your eyes are in for a real treat!  Since I've been helping my little sister plan her wedding, I can definitely say my interest in this type of events has peaked, but I've been somewhat disappointed in a lot of inspiration that is out there.  Sure, most of it is couple centered, and I get that everyone has different taste, but lately what's been turning me off is just how over the top some of these events can be.  It's like people hear the word wedding, and they try to add in everything but the kitchen sink as far as decorations, favors, table settings, menus...etc.  I don't know about you all, but as a guest, the most memorable weddings that I've been to are the ones that are simple, with great drinks, good company, and a killer band.  Now, since I'm not a supermodel, nor am I friends with one, sadly, I was not invited to this wedding and cannot attest to the perfection of the reception, but if these wedding shots are any indicator, you can bet it was a beautiful, understated affair.  You can bet we're taking copious notes from this one! 

Obviously we all can't get married in custom couture Chanel, but I have to say that this dress is probably the most beautiful I've ever seen.  EVER.  The cap sleeves, the detail, the structured bodice and flowy skirt, all so so so beautiful.  I also love how she wore her hair down, and kept everything so white, from the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses.  Whoever thought to add that subtle smokey eye is genius, and I can assure you I'll be pushing for some of this at my sister's wedding. Of course, we can't leave out those darling flower girls, and her husband looks so dapper in that gray suit and tails. I'll take one of everything ;)

(Photos via Who What Wear)

P.S. You can follow our wedding board on Pinterest if you'd like to follow along with our wedding prep.

TV Gallery Wall.

We all know there is nothing more that I love in life, than a good gallery wall. On the exact opposite spectrum, is our media wall, which up until last week had only one thing on it... the TV. In most spaces, I don't have any feelings one way or the other about solo television, but in our space (where all the furniture faces that one wall) it was kind of an eye sore. I've gone back and forth over whether on not I should just wallpaper the area, but since I was never 100 percent, I decided against it. After the Carter Kustera prints arrived, which were meant for the guest room, I had a vision of a bright and sunny gallery wall, filled with color pattern. Minutes later, Grayson and I got to work, and after stealing a few pieces from the rest of our house (a print, similar to this one, is actually going to be the large center piece) I finally found a way to camouflage the television and actually lightened the whole room! Now, I'm kind of addicted (shocking I know) and I actually want to add more prints, and take the wall to the ceiling, but these things take time and for the moment I'm just happy that I finally figured out what to do in this space. Behold, my new favorite wall in the house!

Doesn't it bring in so much color? I love it!

When it comes to a good gallery wall,  in my book there is never too much of a good thing. For those of you who agree, here are 6 of my all time favorites. 

Ahhhhhh I'm so inspired! You can bet there will be more where this came from!

Pastel Colored Hair... I'm In!

 Have you guys SEEN what Nicole Richie did to her golden locks? 

GAH! I'm so in to it!!!!!

So chic, so unexpected, so modern. I love everything about it.

Now, I realize there are only two types of people who can pull this look off 1) uber hip celebrities and socialites, and 2) Girls in their teens and twenties. Since I am neither, I most definitely will be sitting this one out, but I have to say, I really can't get enough of it!

For those of you who are cool/ brave/ young enough here is a little more pastel colored hair inspiration that's slightly more subdued for us mere mortals!

You can't say it doesn't make a statement!

P.S. I have to laugh a little, because about 12 years ago when I was dating my husband, I bought one of those color tinted shampoos to try to tone down my too golden hair. After one two many washes my hair turned purple, and we were spending the weekend at my future in-laws! I seriously cried the whole way up. Little did I know, that 12 years later I would be dying over this same color! Damn, that's what you get for being a decade-too-early trendsetter! ;)