Favorites Friday: March

Happy April, ya'll! Since it's the first Friday, you know what that means...time for another Favorites Friday! We know you're excited. So sit back, relax, and enjoy Ann and Allison's favorites from March.


Ann's Top Ten:
Man! These months are flying by, March was busy for me and my family so there are a lot of great this to choose from. Here are my top ten for March:

1. The absolute best event I attended this month was the Bon Jovi concert. I am a product of the 80's and was born the same year the band formed, therefore so appropriate that I attend, and besides who ISN'T "living on a prayer". Cheese, cheese, cheese, sorry, I couldn't help it!

 

 

2. My biggest accomplishment for March, I ran the 5 miles for the St. Patty's run downtown. Whew! My time wasn't far off from my pre-baby days either, and that I am proud of!

 

3. My favorite piece of furniture to hit the floors this month was this end table/nightstand. A great example of a redo done well!

4. The best piece of jewelry I added to my collection was from Premier Designs, this is the Leila necklace, it goes with just about everything! Love it!

5. My pick for shoes this month are these dusty purple Badgley Mischka strappy heels with a multi-layered fabric flower. Very fun!

6. My husband and I were lucky enough to have a date night and in our wait for a table we wandered around in Brentwood and I must say, I.O. Metro does it right. Their displays are awesome and their product is dead on. They have the perfect blend of "cool" and "this would totally work in your home" feel. Here is one item I would totally have in my home. It could be in a bedroom, foyer, an accent in just about any room.

7. Maybe it's just the new, fresh, fun, spring items coming out, but I loved SO many things in the most recent Ballard Designs catalog. From adorable chevron totes to indoor outdoor rugs, to lighting! Love it all! Her is just a sampling, I could go on and on...

 

 

 

 

 

8. A new product that I came across, Mariposa Home candles. I found them right next door at Modern Vintage Decor, I also got one of their bath bombs and I'm sure I'll love it as much as the candle. They burn so evenly and nice and fragrant and are soy and handmade.

 

9. The best recipe that came via Pinterest, was a crockpot spinach and artichoke dip. Yummy! It was a hit and NO leftovers, so I will need to double it next time. Try it out.

10. I'll combine my color combo with my outfit since I'm on ten already! Hopefully this nice weather is here to stay, and we can wear something like this. Inspired by sunshine and blue skies, here is my coral and teal!

Photo credits: Ballard Designs, BudgetSavvyDiva.com, Pinterest


Allison's Top Ten:
1.  Alright, so I may be a bit of a thrifting enthusiast.  I've really come to hate buying new things at regular price, so resale has become my favorite way to shop.  There's something about the excitement, the surprise when you find something you love, and better yet, the hunt for an amazing deal.  My friends at Women's Closet Exchange had posted a photo of this GORGEOUS pink dress I spent a day and a half absolutely drooling over...went to try it on, and it unfortunately was a size too big...bummed out, my friends at Clique (the young adult version of WCE) came to my rescue...and I ended up leaving with more than I had anticipated.  My most favorite resale purchase this month was of course these amazzzingggg, sassy shoes by Wild Pair.  When the shoe fits, you HAVE to buy it, right?!  Especially when they're a perfect color, funky and different, studded platform heels....

.....yep.  Shoes deserve to be loved, too.

2.  I swore to myself at the beginning of this year, that I was going to do things I've been wanting to do forever...without letting other people get in the way, stop me or distract me from what I really wanted...So, this may come as a surprise to many, but the furthest west I've ever been was to Vegas...and that was when I was a newbie 21-year-old.  Obviously, I've been dyyyiingggg to make it to California, so the biggest accomplishment for me this month was officially booking my summer trip to San Diego with two of my close girlfriends.  Ahh...San Diego, roadtrip to LA...and the BEST part, I'll be spending my birthday on the West Coast.  July can't come soon enough.

 

 

3.  “I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.”

4.  Back to my friends down at Women's Closet Exchange...My favorite "Best Announcement" this month was the OFFICIAL news release of their reality TV show "Resale Royalty" airing on Style Network on May 12th produced by the one and only, Rachel Zoe...Needless to say, I almost passed out when I found out she is the producer.  Check your times and be sure to tune in! Here's a sneak peek of what's to come:

5.  Favorite songs this month-Trouble Maker by Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida
I love the beat, it's catchy and a perfect song to listen/dance to while getting ready for a girls' night out...

Oh, Marina and the Diamonds...another song I CAN NOT get enough of is "How to be a Heartbreaker"...if you like it, check out the rest of her music...

6.  A look I am LOVING right now:  The Flower Crowns.  I went on a mad search one day trying to get my hands on one of these suckers with no luck...and the only ones I came across were upwards of $100 online at Urban Outfitters (which obviously wouldn't arrive at my doorstep within a few hours for my Friday night outing)...So, I went on over to Pinterest and found a great Flower Crown DIY tuitorial.



Here's my flower crown...I must say, it drew quite a bit of attention and I got a ton of compliments  :)

7.
Dear Future Fiance, 
Please take note...

This stunning jewelry line I came across:  Le Vian.  All of the jewelry is absolutely breathtaking and I love the unique designs that make a statement all on their own.

I just about died and went to heaven when I spotted this stunning ring:

...but with a price tag of $13,250...what girl wouldn't?

 

 

 

 8.  Rolo Cookies...Probably some of the best cookies I've made in a LONG time...Not only are they absolutely delish, but they were incredibly easy to make!  I highly recommend them.  Recipe here

 

 9.  I'm a huge coffee addict...so here are a few coffee-lover things I got a kick out of...

...yep, pup.  That's how I feel every morning.

 

10.  Last but not least...STLFW was in March, so there were a ton of fun events to attend.  One I attended was the "Steampunked Fashion Show" hosted by South Broadway Art Project.  Their mission is to teach young people and adults how to enhance their own lives and community through art.  They offer art and fashion design programs, which I thought was pretty cool.  The Steampunked Fashion Show featured the young fashion designers from the South Broadway Art Project...so, these kids designed and created their own incredible fashions and then modeled them.  Awesome and cute is by far an understatement as to how this show was.  Here are some pics:

This pin was in my goody bag   :)

My friend, Acasia, and I at the show.

Favorites Friday: February

We're baaccckkkkkk!  Since February is obviously a short month (not to mention, it FLEW by) and the first day of March just happens to be a Friday, Allison and Ann are here again with our FRIDAY FAVORITES from February!  Can we get a what-what?!  A whoop-whoop?!  Ok, so we're overly excited and a little obnoxious about it...enough of that; let's just get started:

Ann's Top Ten:

1. This is my Valentine's Day dedication, talk about sexy. Maybe next year I can get a babysitter and find an equally sexy outfit to enjoy.

 

2. This month's color combo just fell into my lap and oddly enough came up twice in one day, and it made me stop and say "Wow! I really like that!"

'Golden Gate' Photography: Andrey & Lili 

 

3. Yummy! These little peep toes are absolutely delicious! They could be dressed up or go casual, their versatility makes them even better.

 

4. I'm thinking ahead for Easter, I found these on Pinterest and can't wait to try them! Hopefully I can find the time to do them. Check out this great site for instructions: Rubber Cement Dyed Eggs

5. It's is my favorite piece we got in this month, it's a great size, not too big, not too small and can be used for a wide variety of uses. It combines style and function seamlessly.

6. I am a sucker for containers and storage, that brings us to our accent piece for February. These are small and add storage to just about any room. How cute are they?!?!

 

7. My jewelry pick is going chunky this month, the picture does NOT to it justice, the faceted beads pick up the light and sparkle, sparkle, sparkle! Love it!

 

8. Pillows, another item that most interior designers can't have enough of. I'm sure my husband is happy that I can control myself from having a plethora of them in our house (or at least I think so). I love the pattern of these and the colors are nice and neutral.

9. This is the only type of drama I like in a room. And boy, did they hit the nail on the head on this one! I love the long window treatments and even though the color isn't heavily distinguished from the wall color, the thin black on the inside makes enough of a statement. The color palette is soft and sensual, very inviting.

Houzz by Jane Lockhart designs

10. This month's recipe is another soup.  If we ever get out of winter, I promise they won't all be soups! This one was scrumptious, but I also love anything with avocado on top.  
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Allison's Top Ten:

1.  My favorite piece of furniture we got in this month is this beautifully painted jewelry armoire.  I just love the vintage feel, the tassel antique key, and the ornate flower details.

 

 

2.  One of my New Year's resolutions this year (actually more like every year) is to get more organized.  This idea made me so excited and makes me want to organize my flip-flops like NOW...but it's snowing.  I have a hard time organizing my shoes, and trust me, I can make a room look like a war zone searching for the "wandering wedge" that's shoved under the bed rather than "where it should be" aka the closet.

 

 

3.  If you put something peanut butter in front of me...I'm going to eat it.  If you put something peanut butter with chocolate in front of me, I'm definitely going to eat it.  This month, I made Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites from Sally's Baking Addiction.  Seriouslyyyy one of the best creations I've ever created.  To die for.  I really wanted to make them again, but with Girl Scout cookies coming and swimsuit season right around the corner,  I figure I better hold off.

My creation didn't appear quite as "pretty" as Sally's, but when it comes to delicious tasting, who needs to be a perfectionist?! Here's a snapshot of mine:   :)

4.  "The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her."-Marcelene Cox

...and ain't that the truth?!  Shopping will show multiple aspects of a woman's personality.  Whether she is impulsive or cautious, wasteful or frugal, indecisive or certain, outgoing or reserved, nice or rude, the list could go on.  It will also explain what she likes, her fashion personality or if she even enjoys shopping to begin with!  (I usually assume girls that say they "don't like shopping" are fibbing...but we can agree to disagree.)

 

 

5. Ah...Jennifer Lawrence...From the fall at the Oscars, the interview following, to the gorgeous looks, style, and blunt candidness, what's not to love about her?!  Honestly, I'm pretty positive no other girl in the universe could have fallen so flawlessly in a Dior dress and handled it with such an incredible sense of humor...which has made her every girl's most recent girl crush.  Her hilarious backstage interview won me over and made me wish I could hang out with her ALL. THE. TIME...we'd seriously be BFFs.

 

6.  I'm a sucker for glitter, shine, and all things sparkly.  My jaw literally dropped when I stumbled across this picture on Pinterest.  Glitter in a lampshade?!  SERIOUSLY?!  I NEED to own one of these...possibly a DIY project?

7.  Continuing with glitter and on to the upcoming holiday of Easter...a little Easter DIY that I thought was simply egg-dorable.  A little something-something from Martha Stewart.  Here's the Glittered Egg How-To.

8.  This bathroom...looks like one of the most relaxing at-home retreats that anyone could ask for.  Thank you, Chapman Interiors, for some re-modeling inspiration.  Bye, I'll be in here for hours.

9.  Gaslight Anthem's "45".  This has been a favorite for a bit, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to blast the volume, jump around, sing at the top of my lungs, and go in complete rock out mode every single time I hear it.  Their entire "Handwritten" album is prettyyyy good, so if you enjoy "45," go ahead and check out the rest of their tunes.

10.  I'm not sure if you've all heard of the adorable British singing/dancing duo known as Sophia Grace and Rosie.  These cute little princesses became known around the world after a YouTube video of the two performing Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" went viral and fell in to Ellen's hands.  Well, they've done it again, but this time a cover of Taylor Swift's "Trouble."  Enjoy.

Photo Credits: Chapman Interiors, Fanpop.com, Fine Art America, Houzz.com