More...Mad for Plaid

Happy Halloween everyone!  What a beautiful, crisp Autumn day it is!  Today I am off to see my kiddos and all the cute little school kids' costume parade at their school.  It will be so much fun.  

I was inspired by Lori's post yesterday; I loved that gorgeous outfit, so I thought I would piggy-back off of that with a plaid decor inspiration post.  Classic, cozy and stunning in a humble sort of way, plaid has taken center stage this season.  

mrkate.com

via

www.huntedinterior.com

peidesigncat.wordpress.com

www.examiner.com

bliss-athome.com

rusticweddingchic.com

lilluna.com

www.savvydesignwest.com

highstreetmarket.blogspot.com

Meet Mr. Chips aka "Chipper."  I got the name from the classic film Goodbye Mr. Chips.  We love him!!

Happy Halloween!

Minor Obsession: Fisherman Sweater

Happy Wednesday, all!  This really is a very happy, happy Wednesday, thanks to Microsoft and Lexi from Glitter, Inc.  I won a Surface 2 tablet!  Well, I won a $500 gift card to Microsoft to aid in the purchase of a Surface 2 tablet.  I cannot get over the fact that I won something like this!  I am so excited.

image via

Can this outfit be any more perfect?!  The fisherman sweater, the plaid shirt, gold arm candy, the beautiful oxblood bag...  The setting isn't so bad either!
Once again, I'm in love.
I hope you're week is going as well as mine now is!

Halloween Party Preview and Good News

Friday I told you it was going to be a busy weekend for us.  I wasn't lying.  It was packed.  Our Harry Potter Halloween party went off without a hitch.  It was a blast!  I will have pictures from my photographer and friend eventually and I will share the details with you then, but here are a few I took to show you right away:

My two cuties, all ready for the party to begin!  The treat table was all decked out with delicious treats (although they were, of course, called disgusting names).

One of my favorite things were these pumpkin dioramas.  Didn't they turn out cute?!  My mom printed out pictures and made them dimensional with sticky adhesive squares pressed between the images.  I cut out the holes in these carveable black pumpkins, put floral foam in the bottom--to secure the images--then covered in moss.  I added twigs and foliage to the background of Hagrid's hut.  It was a fun little project that the kids "ooed" and "awwed" over.

More exciting news:  We are adopting a puppy on Wednesday!  We are in love with this little guy and can't wait to introduce you.

Happy Monday

On Friday the Cat and I went to Forever 21 to look for some pieces for our Halloween costumes.  We found a lot of great inspiration, and I picked up a great new bracelet.

F21 by desertgirls featuring choker jewelry

Forever 21 choker jewelry / Forever 21 polish jewelry / Forever 21 necklace / Forever 21 gold chain jewelry / Forever 21 bow jewelry / Bracelet / Forever 21 polish jewelry / Forever 21 necklace

It's that one in the top left hand corner.  I love it.  I almost ordered it online a while back, but settled for the shoes that match instead, which I also love, despite the fact that they really aren't very comfortable.
Hence the bracvelet- I can wear that thing all day with no blisters!
I hope your Monday is off to a fabulous start!

Designer Profile: Beth Webb

Beth Webb of Beth Webb Interiors is one of those designers who is steeped in tradition but doesn't lose sight of the here and now.  I think that is an excellent combination.  Sometimes her rooms are bright, lush and sophisticated while others are rustic and moody.  They are always gorgeous.  In her own words her rooms are, "happy, clean, authentic, livable and timeless."  What more could we want!

summerfielddesign.wordpress.com

bjornsrandoms.tumblr.com

www.atlantahomesmag.com

www.cococozy.com
The above room has been one of my favorites since I saw it in House Beautiful.  It's perfection.

www.donnavining.com

splendidsass.blogspot.com

delightbydesign.blogspot.com

Beth Webb

This is a designer with a lot of range and passion for what she does.  

On another subject, my weekend is going to be packed!  We have a blood drive to attend on Saturday morning, my daughter's soccer game in the afternoon, and our Harry Potter Halloween party in the evening!  Phew.  I don't know how I am going to get everything done.  

I'll let you know how it all went next week!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Helloooo, Nurse!

Just thought I'd share this perfect specimen with you today.

image via The Fuller View

Any of you know where I can find one of these?
Happy Thursday!

A Christmas Puppy?

My husband and I have never owned a dog (as a couple) and since our kids aren't babies anymore, we are considering breeds that we might like.  There are so many adorable pooches out there; it's hard to decide.  Not only that, but I am a bit of a neat- freak so the prospect makes me slightly nervous.  It stands to reason I have been so drawn to images of precious pups lately.  Here are some of my favorites!

hannasinspo.com

Is a fun little pug in the cards?

pinterest

A stylish little frenchie?

amoebalanding.tumblr.com

How about a dapper terrier?

pinterest

A sad-eyed, deer of a greyhound?  We have lots of property for it to canter across.

natureanimalsandpets

or....drum roll...a little Yorkie bundle of non-shedding sweetness?  You guessed it.  I'm leaning toward a Yorkshire terrier a la Audrey Hepburn's "Mr. Famous."  Perhaps we might find a rescue litter.  I feel better about that than buying from a breeder.  Any thoughts on the subject?

I'm Only Human

My Wardrobe

How cute is this Burberry Brit cashmere taxi cab sweater?! It makes me miss London and their little black cabs.

So, lately I have had this song stuck in my head.  (Go ahead and check it out and see if it gets stuck in your head too.)

Also, I have a new site that I am obsessed with.  I know, I know, I'm late to the game on this one, but I'm just glad that I finally found out about it.  What is it, you ask?  Humans of New York, or HONY.  All I can say is- IN LOVE.  You can check out their facebook page or the tumblr.  It's just generally good, uplifting (though admittedly sometimes heart wrenching) stuff that reminds us that no matter what, we are all people, just running around and living our lives.  It does a wonderful job relaying the fact that everyone of us has a story.  Crazy stuff.

Anyway, if you haven't checked it out already, I urge you to go and take a look around.

I hope your week is off to a good start!

Carolina Herrera and The Essential White Blouse

traceyjacksononline.com

Nothing but nothing is as classic as a white blouse.  Audrey Hepburn knew it, Lauren Bacall and Olivia Palermo too.  But no one knows this style fact better than the fabulous designer Carolina Herrera, and she drove it home for me.

Here is the beautiful woman herself and her advice related to the white blouse:

janellemccullochlibraryofdesign.blogspot.com
"You can wear it with diamonds or wear it with nothing--it's up to you." CH

fashionandcrafts.com
"I don't think there is a correct way of wearing a white shirt.  I think whatever way you are wearing it is the correct way to wear it." CH

divinecaroline.com
"I think running into someone who is wearing the exact same white shirt is not a if you have style." CH

dailymail.co.uk
"...the most important thing is the fit.  If you like the way it fits, and you like the way it looks, then it is a good white shirt." CH

versatilidade.com

This is all great advice from the white blouse expert!  I'm inspired to go looking for a few.  I will need a few this fall and winter for sure because it is the perfect foundation for an outfit.  I hope you were inspired as well.

Travel Chic

This week's Friday's Fancies theme is centered around staying chic when you travel. We were just talking about traveling last night at dinner. I realized that we need to start planning our trip for next summer, or for spring break, if we decide to go somewhere then. I also realized that I have never really traveled during the winter or fall months; at least, not on a plane. We've gone up north, but never really far. Hmmm. Maybe we can remedy that soon. So anyway, here is my take on a couple of comfortable, chic looks that will take you from the airport to final destination in style. I also happen to think these would be great outfits for running errands in on the weekend.

Travel

Paul Smith cardigan / Zoe Karssen jersey tee / Merona plus size long sleeve top / Loeffler Randall slip on shoes / UGG Australia Women s Alloway Slippers / Sperry Top-Sider green purse / Mango black purse

I've got to say that I am so glad it is the weekend.  Time is just flying by; can you believe that we only have two full months left this year?!  Crazy!
Happy Friday, and a big thanks to Alison over at Long Distance Loving for hosting the link up!
Oh, and happy birthday to my little brother!