August 26, 2011

Lovely Life Series - Life's Just Beachy


"Count your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years."
- Unknown

I am off for a birthday weekend celebration, coming along with me will be champs, good friends, party dresses, beachy times, and fun. Wishing you the same sort of wonderful weekend, wherever you are.

xo, 
L

PS. I know it seems as though this is becoming quite a quote blog but, I assure you it's not, I just had to throw one more in that I felt was very fitting for a girl turning one year older.

* Credits - 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5

August 23, 2011

Lessons Learned - 31 for 31

With August being my favorite birthday month (and this being my birthday week) I thought it would be fun to take this post and reflect on my 31 years. (yikes!) I have always looked at my birthday as sort of my own New Year's and instead of making resolutions in January, I like to start fresh on my birthday. A new year with new intentions for an even better year. 


This year isn't a huge milestone birthday but it is the first official one of my thirties. These lessons learned are hardly new ones, but here are my 31 for 31:


1. Laugh as much as you can and as often as you can. A hearty laugh can do so much for the soul.

2. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. 

3. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

4. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

5. The beauty of life is that nothing lasts forever. The good as well as the bad has a timeline.

6. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

7. There are few joys that equal a good book, a good walk, a good hug, or a good friend. All are free.

8. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

9. Friends are so important in your life. Make the effort stay in touch. They become your family and will help you through all of lifes ups and downs.

10. Like Adele says sings, "sometimes it lasts in love and sometimes it hurts instead."

11. Have no regrets. It is what it is. Stop with the what-ifs.

12. Try and stop over thinking. Over-analyzing. Over-assuming. I know this can be a hard concept, but some things are better left as they are, can't waste anymore time trying to make sense of it.

13. Let go of what you think people think of you. Chances are they really don't care too much. And really, it's none of your business.

14. Life is short, eat dessert first. Even better, enjoy your dessert with some champagne.

15. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

16. Nothing changes if nothing changes. This is one of my favorite mantras and I say it to myself quite often. 

17. Always smile. People gravitate to smiling people.

18. Motivation comes in short bursts. Act while it’s hot.

19. Stop thinking about what you need to accomplish and and look around to what you have and what you've done. If you keep looking to what you have to do, your list will never end. 

20. Thank your mom and dad. And often. (Thanks and love ya, M & D!)

21. Tears and kindness are not a sign of weakness, contrary to what many believe. It takes a stronger person to show real emotion.

22. Be creative.

23. Try and start each day with a grateful heart.

24. Your attitude is your choice. Choose wisely.

25. Have a sense of humor. Life is way to short not to enjoy it.

26. Ask lots of questions. It's far better to be a curious person than one that could care less about what is around them.

27. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Albert Einstein had this one right. If you feel in a rut with what your outcomes are, switch it up.

28. Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold.

29. Enjoy the simple things in life, the things that don't cost you any money. Conversations with friends, sitting in the sun taking in a beautiful view, strolling through a farmers' market, road trips.

30. Love yourself first.

31. The best is yet to come. I like to think that our best days are still ahead of us. And if my days get even better than how they have been for the last 31 years, I simply cannot wait for the next 31.

And maybe just one more for good luck...
via Kate Spade
So with my birthday bubbly in hand I will start to work on my {new} New Year's resolutions. Cheers!



xo,
L

August 18, 2011

en.cour.age

Do you ever have those days when you just need a boost or a pep talk. Something to get you going in the mornings? Well, I have stumbled upon the sweetest, most thoughtful website. It's called en.cour.age and it is basically a place you can go to for a motivating quote, some pretty pictures (you know how much I love those) and just plan ol' positive thinking. 


Personally I am going to book mark it and visit it every morning for my daily "en.cour.age.ment" (see what I did there)









Small encouragements go such a long way.


xo,
L

August 13, 2011

LSL - {The Lovely List}






Splitscreen: A Love Story, directed by JW Griffiths

This video is an amazingly sweet love story about two people in two of my favorite cities, Paris and New York. Not only was I blown away by the quality and talent, but by the pure beauty he captured of everyday life. Such a 'lovely' love story.

Oh! and a side note, this film was shot entirely on a Nokia N8 mobile phone. Seriously.  


xo, 
L

*Credits - 
Director: JW Griffiths
Producer: Kurban Kassam
Director of Photography: Christopher Moon
Editor: Marianne Kuopanportti 
Sound Design: Mauricio d'Orey
Music composed by: Lennert Busch
via Life's Little Jems

August 12, 2011

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Food for Thought

We are indeed much more than what we eat, 
but what we eat can nevertheless help us
 to be much more than what we are. 
-Adelle Davis



Wishing you a lovely weekend!

xo, 
L

August 10, 2011

Missoni for Target

Huffington Post, Style
I don't know if you remember me mentioning in this post, that Missoni is coming to Target. Well it is on September 13th and if you're anything like me, I can hardly contain myself. I mean my absolute favorite-est brand ever is coming to a frugalista's dream store! Cannot ask for a better deal. (pun intented)


There is so much great stuff to look forward to, 400+ pieces from $7.99 to $199.99. From clothing to luggage, bicycles to children's clothes. And as the Huffington Post article sums it up, it'll be from, "...bed sheets, to enough dinnerware to set the table for colazione, pranzo, and cena,"  


Here are some of MY favorites...
via all the way up here via Matchbook's Daily Spark

So if you see me at a Target near you on September 13th, a word to the wise, stay outta my way! I am coming for that bicycle...and those cappuchino cups....and probably those scarves...and I know I can't stay away from the clothes...too. much. goodness. 

What do you think about these lovely Missoni Target fashions? Are you going to be on Target's doorstep, like me, on opening day? And no, I was not paid for this post. (though that would have been nice) I just love finding a great designer at an amazing deal, to share with all of you.

Enjoy!

xo,
L

*Credit - A special thanks to Matchbook Magazine for the reminder.

August 5, 2011

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Where it all starts...

I thought I would take this Friday to look at where all of those delicious Foodie Friday creations begin...in the good ol kitchen. There are so many different styles of kitchens: modern, rustic, functional, country, the list goes on.  And, each person has their own criteria for what makes their style of kitchen a favorite; is it a functional one? Kid-friendly? Does it have a large island? Is it a pretty soothing color? 

Below are some of my favorite kitchen inspirations that I would someday hope to re-create, in my dream home, no less.

Love the textures of all the different seats and table
Via
Plush Palate

Turquoise tiles are great stand out detail
via
House Beautiful
photo - Francesco Lagnese; designer - Frank Roop

White cabinets with black marble look great with the avocado color
via -
YHL via Rusty Hinges


You have to must check out the renovation of this beautiful kitchen below, it's is simply amazing!
Via The Bee Hive via D*S

A BIG hell yes! to hinged doors and chalkboard paint
Source unknown (please help if you know)

Such beautiful Spanish influences. And that fireplace, come on
via
Elle Decor
photo - Simon Upton
designer/owner - Antonello Radi

Modern and manly
via
Elle Decor
photo - Emily Minton-Redfield; designer - David Adjaye

That ceiling was modeled after an old sailboat
via
House Beautiful 
photo - Christopher Baker; designer  - Gary McBournie

I swoon every time for an all white kitchen
via
Elle Decor
photo - Simon Upton; designer - Steven Gambrel

Holy crap! Those floors and that marble
via
Rooms Bloom via My fav place

That Dash and Albert rug looks great with this country style kit
via
My fav place


What is your favorite kitchen of the bunch?  Are you a home geek like me and spend time day-dreaming about what your dream house and/or kitchen would look like? Really, just me?  Well, just in case you are too shy to mention it, check out my other house musings, an office-inspired post here and my outdoor entertaining ideas here

Have a lovely weekend.

xo,
L


August 4, 2011

LSL {Tunes} - Just Dance

I'm not a big music person, but I thought it would be fun to show you what I have been listening to. What is getting me off my cute little behind and dancing again.

So, if you read this post, you would know that I pretty much have a girl crush on Miss Adele. Her whole "21" album is amazing.  But, this song, "Rumour Has It" gets me moving.


I had heard of Mumford & Sons through some girlfriends, but when I got my hands on their CD (yes, an ol-fashioned CD) I could not get it out of my walkman, err, I mean car stereo. This song just makes you want to get up and learn a jig. 


I really like the beat to this Foster The People song. The lyrics are a little interesting, but half the time when I am belting out a song at the top of my lungs, I am hardly thinking about what it means.


"Hello" is a no-brainer. Just listening to the beginning makes my head nod. This song is totally over played on the radio, and sadly I even heard it on a Trident commercial, but I don't care, it's a good dancin' one in my book.


Well, Lady Gaga is just an obvious one. This song is still a classic favorite in my book. How can you not "just dance!"



And, I have to give a shout out (do they still say that?) to anything that came out of the 90's, that'll get me moving for sure. I am probably dating myself, but some great dancing music came out of that decade. Swear.

What songs get you going? What type of music gets you up and out of your funk?  I would love to add to my playlist, all I know is what comes from the radio. Sad I know. My brother is probably rolling his eyes as he reads this. E, I'm musically challenged, what are the cool kids listening to these days? Help a sista out.

xo,
L

*Credit - Youtube
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