rent the runway!

happy monday, everyone. please tell me you've all heard of rent the runway! for those of you new to the game, the concept is this: pick a pretty dress (or skirt or necklace or cocktail ring) that you could never afford at retail price, rent it for four days, dazzle your friends with your cost-savvy designer duds, and return the dress after your event. they'll even deliver it in two sizes so you can be guaranteed the perfect fit!

gryphon's sequin striped set

retail: $535

rent the runway: $75

rodrigo otazu's insanely chic crystal cuff

retail: $415

rent the runway: $65

theory's pretty in pleats dress

retail: $450

rent the runway: $75

susan hanover's sorbet necklace

retail: $220

rent the runway: $25

lela rose's sparkle halter dress

retail: $1,095

rent the runway: $150

janis savitt's starburst earrings

retail: $425

rent the runway: $50

i love the idea — especially for those of you in the throes of wedding season! — since it's frustrating to invest in a pricey dress and find you won't wear it more than once with the same crowd (case in point: my beloved alice + olivia prom dress). yes, you could always go the forever 21 route, but wouldn't it be so much more fun to waltz in wearing giambattista valli or hervé léger? click here to find the perfect look for your next event.

happy monday, everyone. please tell me you've all heard of rent the runway! for those of you new to the game, the concept is this: pick a pretty dress (or skirt or necklace or cocktail ring) that you could never afford at retail price, rent it for four days, dazzle your friends with your cost-savvy designer duds, and return the dress after your event. they'll even deliver it in two sizes so you can be guaranteed the perfect fit!

gryphon's sequin striped set

retail: $535

rent the runway: $75

rodrigo otazu's insanely chic crystal cuff

retail: $415

rent the runway: $65

theory's pretty in pleats dress

retail: $450

rent the runway: $75

susan hanover's sorbet necklace

retail: $220

rent the runway: $25

lela rose's sparkle halter dress

retail: $1,095

rent the runway: $150

janis savitt's starburst earrings

retail: $425

rent the runway: $50

i love the idea — especially for those of you in the throes of wedding season! — since it's frustrating to invest in a pricey dress and find you won't wear it more than once with the same crowd (case in point: my beloved alice + olivia prom dress). yes, you could always go the forever 21 route, but wouldn't it be so much more fun to waltz in wearing giambattista valli or hervé léger? click here to find the perfect look for your next event.

something new {friday finds}

i thought i'd add a new little feature to the blog on fridays wherein i link to some of my favorite finds from the past week. i think it'll be a nice way to share the love and send you off to enjoy some lovely links to my favorite blogs, shops, etc.!

this week in blogland:

daniella shared her thoughts on collections...

this lucky lady got engaged (don't get me started on that ring!)...

j.crew delighted with new arrivals for you and yours...

this darling landed her first teaching job...

emily nailed the high-low mix...

i wondered how these babies would look on...

this controversial dialogue on decorating fees jenny opened up was not to be missed...

and katie found the cutest kiddo you ever did see (with a little surprise at the end!).

this weekend i'm photographing a little project for my sister's bedroom, scouring my local library for chelsea handler's first book and season one of mad men (do you watch?!), and hopefully catching a pilates class or two at some point. what are you up to?

i thought i'd add a new little feature to the blog on fridays wherein i link to some of my favorite finds from the past week. i think it'll be a nice way to share the love and send you off to enjoy some lovely links to my favorite blogs, shops, etc.!

this week in blogland:

daniella shared her thoughts on collections...

this lucky lady got engaged (don't get me started on that ring!)...

j.crew delighted with new arrivals for you and yours...

this darling landed her first teaching job...

emily nailed the high-low mix...

i wondered how these babies would look on...

this controversial dialogue on decorating fees jenny opened up was not to be missed...

and katie found the cutest kiddo you ever did see (with a little surprise at the end!).

this weekend i'm photographing a little project for my sister's bedroom, scouring my local library for chelsea handler's first book and season one of mad men (do you watch?!), and hopefully catching a pilates class or two at some point. what are you up to?

party planning {garden party}

how could i forget? apart from our regularly scheduled programming, the charming catherine from the shiny pebble is hosting a little link party to celebrate her wildly popular designer challenge. i for one can't wait to see what she makes of her dining room after all the design ideas from some of our favorite style-savvy bloggers. catherine's planned a smokin' texas get-together... so i thought i'd plan a little garden party for the day of!

i'll get ready in my delightfully chic dressing room, overwhelmed by all the fabulous options from which to choose.

ultimately i'll decide on a fabulous haute hippie number for a little afternoon sparkle.

my guests — that means you! — will arrive through my beautiful front gate, admiring our manicured lawn and topiary collection.

we'll have plenty of time for strolls in the garden, enjoying the afternoon light and the smell of abundant summer flowers.

i'll take guests on a little spin of the grounds since no design get-together would be complete without a home tour from the hostess.

we'll savor a light afternoon meal with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables while swapping blogging and design stories and finally getting to know one another face to face.

i'll serve a couple rounds of watermelon basil margaritas and thank em for sharing the recipe.

the table will be lined with gorgeous flowers in rich purples and lustrous pinks and everyone will compliment my fine taste before marveling at the wonderful company that our shared love of blogging has brought together.

darlings, do join me, will you? it will be a party for the ages.

{photo credits: mark burstyn via delight by design, shopbop, tim clinch via haute design, jinny blom via the neo-traditionalist, suzanne kasler, elle decor, hip hip gin gin, style me pretty}

how could i forget? apart from our regularly scheduled programming, the charming catherine from the shiny pebble is hosting a little link party to celebrate her wildly popular designer challenge. i for one can't wait to see what she makes of her dining room after all the design ideas from some of our favorite style-savvy bloggers. catherine's planned a smokin' texas get-together... so i thought i'd plan a little garden party for the day of!

i'll get ready in my delightfully chic dressing room, overwhelmed by all the fabulous options from which to choose.

ultimately i'll decide on a fabulous haute hippie number for a little afternoon sparkle.

my guests — that means you! — will arrive through my beautiful front gate, admiring our manicured lawn and topiary collection.

we'll have plenty of time for strolls in the garden, enjoying the afternoon light and the smell of abundant summer flowers.

i'll take guests on a little spin of the grounds since no design get-together would be complete without a home tour from the hostess.

we'll savor a light afternoon meal with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables while swapping blogging and design stories and finally getting to know one another face to face.

i'll serve a couple rounds of watermelon basil margaritas and thank em for sharing the recipe.

the table will be lined with gorgeous flowers in rich purples and lustrous pinks and everyone will compliment my fine taste before marveling at the wonderful company that our shared love of blogging has brought together.

darlings, do join me, will you? it will be a party for the ages.

{photo credits: mark burstyn via delight by design, shopbop, tim clinch via haute design, jinny blom via the neo-traditionalist, suzanne kasler, elle decor, hip hip gin gin, style me pretty}