it's the weekend!

i'm so happy this week is over! i might not have been looking forward to it quite as much as these girls (who write a hilarious blog about getting through the work week) but i'm pretty happy nonetheless. my boyfriend is coming to tours to meet my host family and join the bucknell group on an excursion to a nearby château. the language barrier could get interesting as my host family doesn't speak english but it'll be an excuse to wow michael with my french! i can't wait to show him around the city and introduce him to all the people and places that have made my stay here so delightful.

thank you for all your lovely comments this week — you have no idea how happy i am to hear from you! whatever this weekend has in store for you, i hope you have a great one and i will see you back here on monday!

{photography by kate powers}

i'm so happy this week is over! i might not have been looking forward to it quite as much as these girls (who write a hilarious blog about getting through the work week) but i'm pretty happy nonetheless. my boyfriend is coming to tours to meet my host family and join the bucknell group on an excursion to a nearby château. the language barrier could get interesting as my host family doesn't speak english but it'll be an excuse to wow michael with my french! i can't wait to show him around the city and introduce him to all the people and places that have made my stay here so delightful.

thank you for all your lovely comments this week — you have no idea how happy i am to hear from you! whatever this weekend has in store for you, i hope you have a great one and i will see you back here on monday!

{photography by kate powers}

desk du jour

white walls, dark floors, cool art... this is one of my favorites!

{ryann ford via desire to inspire}

white walls, dark floors, cool art... this is one of my favorites!

{ryann ford via desire to inspire}

rent the rainbow

there's a whole host of bright new hues at rent the runway. i've blogged about this site before but here's the gist for you newcomers: rent any dress for up to 90% savings off the retail price, receive it in two sizes for no extra cost (just in case the first isn't quite right), wear it out, receive compliments on your designer duds, and return the next day. it's a great philosophy especially for women who tend not to wear the same dresses repeatedly.

for instance, i loved my high school prom dress (a floral floor-length alice + olivia number) but haven't found a good time to wear it again. wouldn't i have done better to rent the same dress for a fraction of the price, return it, and then use my savings to order something stunning for my next occasion? here are my picks from rent the runway's current offering:

mark & james by badgley mischka scarlett o'hara dress, retail $350 / rental $50

rebecca taylor pin dot runway dress, retail $595 / rental $75

pencey neon marquee dress, retail $374 / rental $50

alice + olivia asymmetrical one shoulder dress with belt, retail $395 / rental $50

catherine malandrino cap sleeve ruched dress, retail $425 / retail $50

clearly i'm most drawn to the red-orange end of the ROYGBIV spectrum but rent the runway's members-only service allows you to search by size, color, occasion, and more — so you're bound to blow everyone away at your next event.

want in on these deals and more? click here to join rent the runway for free and check out "you're invited!" on the right side of my blog for links to more savvy shopping sites like gilt groupe, shopbop, and others!

there's a whole host of bright new hues at rent the runway. i've blogged about this site before but here's the gist for you newcomers: rent any dress for up to 90% savings off the retail price, receive it in two sizes for no extra cost (just in case the first isn't quite right), wear it out, receive compliments on your designer duds, and return the next day. it's a great philosophy especially for women who tend not to wear the same dresses repeatedly.

for instance, i loved my high school prom dress (a floral floor-length alice + olivia number) but haven't found a good time to wear it again. wouldn't i have done better to rent the same dress for a fraction of the price, return it, and then use my savings to order something stunning for my next occasion? here are my picks from rent the runway's current offering:

mark & james by badgley mischka scarlett o'hara dress, retail $350 / rental $50

rebecca taylor pin dot runway dress, retail $595 / rental $75

pencey neon marquee dress, retail $374 / rental $50

alice + olivia asymmetrical one shoulder dress with belt, retail $395 / rental $50

catherine malandrino cap sleeve ruched dress, retail $425 / retail $50

clearly i'm most drawn to the red-orange end of the ROYGBIV spectrum but rent the runway's members-only service allows you to search by size, color, occasion, and more — so you're bound to blow everyone away at your next event.

want in on these deals and more? click here to join rent the runway for free and check out "you're invited!" on the right side of my blog for links to more savvy shopping sites like gilt groupe, shopbop, and others!

bling bling

one of the aspects of style that i feel i stand to learn the most about is jewelry (ok, tied with make-up). it's supposed to be the finishing touch on any outfit and yet i'd say i leave the house without a single piece of jewelry on 99 percent of the time. i'd like to get to the point where i not only feel naked going out so unaccessorized (as does my college roommate!) but also really feel like i know what i'm doing when it comes to picking out pieces i'll actually reach for time and again. i think any one of these long gold necklaces would be a nice start for a beginner's jewelry collection, don't you?

house of harlow 1960 long key necklace, $98, gold

j.crew demi fireball necklace, $50, gold

gorjana somerset cluster necklace, $115, gold

what a fun task expanding my collection will be! for now, though, i'm saving my monies for travel — buying experiences, not things! — so this is a goal for another day. maybe this summer?!

one of the aspects of style that i feel i stand to learn the most about is jewelry (ok, tied with make-up). it's supposed to be the finishing touch on any outfit and yet i'd say i leave the house without a single piece of jewelry on 99 percent of the time. i'd like to get to the point where i not only feel naked going out so unaccessorized (as does my college roommate!) but also really feel like i know what i'm doing when it comes to picking out pieces i'll actually reach for time and again. i think any one of these long gold necklaces would be a nice start for a beginner's jewelry collection, don't you?

house of harlow 1960 long key necklace, $98, gold

j.crew demi fireball necklace, $50, gold

gorjana somerset cluster necklace, $115, gold

what a fun task expanding my collection will be! for now, though, i'm saving my monies for travel — buying experiences, not things! — so this is a goal for another day. maybe this summer?!

desk du jour

since you all seemed to love the use of jen's parsons desks in yesterday's desk du jour, i thought i'd provide another example of the high impact of such a simple shape:

if you're still loving the simplicity of this look, i've found a couple of relatively inexpensive options for you:

the ubiquitous west elm parsons desk, $299, available in a variety of finishes.

and a real steal: student desk from overstock, $170, white.

since you all seemed to love the use of jen's parsons desks in yesterday's desk du jour, i thought i'd provide another example of the high impact of such a simple shape:

if you're still loving the simplicity of this look, i've found a couple of relatively inexpensive options for you:

the ubiquitous west elm parsons desk, $299, available in a variety of finishes.

and a real steal: student desk from overstock, $170, white.

you're so vain

there are few features so feminine and frivolous as a well-outfitted vanity. whether in a bedroom, a bathroom, or even a closet, a little table space for a collection of perfume bottles and a bouquet of fresh blooms never goes unnoticed.

in the closet, a built-in vanity adds to the eye candy.

mirrored everything: a vanity is the perfect place for all-out hollywood glamour.

beadboard, cool art, pretty flowers: yes, yes, and yes.

a vanity with pretty hardware and a little tray to collect make-up keeps this monochromatic bathroom from appearing dull.

my personal favorite. i love, love, love the ruffled girlishness of this chair! here's a good look-a-like:

ballard designs upholstered swivel stool, from $199, in any of their fabrics (they have dozens of beautiful ones) or you can mail them your own and they'll upholster it for you! you can also get it monogrammed!

what do you think of these vanities? do you have one? want one? how could you not?!

there are few features so feminine and frivolous as a well-outfitted vanity. whether in a bedroom, a bathroom, or even a closet, a little table space for a collection of perfume bottles and a bouquet of fresh blooms never goes unnoticed.

in the closet, a built-in vanity adds to the eye candy.

mirrored everything: a vanity is the perfect place for all-out hollywood glamour.

beadboard, cool art, pretty flowers: yes, yes, and yes.

a vanity with pretty hardware and a little tray to collect make-up keeps this monochromatic bathroom from appearing dull.

my personal favorite. i love, love, love the ruffled girlishness of this chair! here's a good look-a-like:

ballard designs upholstered swivel stool, from $199, in any of their fabrics (they have dozens of beautiful ones) or you can mail them your own and they'll upholster it for you! you can also get it monogrammed!

what do you think of these vanities? do you have one? want one? how could you not?!

desk du jour

i love the idea of pushing two parsons desks together to create one gigantic workspace. the chic window treatments and perfect inspiration board don't hurt either. this brilliant design courtesy of jen over at made by girl.

i love the idea of pushing two parsons desks together to create one gigantic workspace. the chic window treatments and perfect inspiration board don't hurt either. this brilliant design courtesy of jen over at made by girl.

love to love her

whether you love her or love to hate her, there are three things about victoria beckham you've got to admire: her penchant for high high heels, her taste in men, and her recent showing at new york fashion week. there is not one of these dresses that i wouldn't kill to add to my closet.

{photos from style.com}

whether you love her or love to hate her, there are three things about victoria beckham you've got to admire: her penchant for high high heels, her taste in men, and her recent showing at new york fashion week. there is not one of these dresses that i wouldn't kill to add to my closet.

{photos from style.com}

pray for me...

hello, lovelies! before i return to blogging as usual on monday, i just wanted to pop in and let you know that i will be bungee jumping tomorrow morning outside of barcelona with my dad. this has long been on my list of things to do before i die but now that the moment has arrived i am absolutely positively terrified! talk about a leap of faith...

...something like this except much less dainty and instead of hopping through puddles we will be stepping off a bridge at 120 feet. same difference though, right? cross your fingers for me — i hope you enjoy an equally exciting weekend and i will see you all back here on monday!

hello, lovelies! before i return to blogging as usual on monday, i just wanted to pop in and let you know that i will be bungee jumping tomorrow morning outside of barcelona with my dad. this has long been on my list of things to do before i die but now that the moment has arrived i am absolutely positively terrified! talk about a leap of faith...

...something like this except much less dainty and instead of hopping through puddles we will be stepping off a bridge at 120 feet. same difference though, right? cross your fingers for me — i hope you enjoy an equally exciting weekend and i will see you all back here on monday!

desk du jour

a room with a view that incorporates my love of lucite and pink flowers.

a room with a view that incorporates my love of lucite and pink flowers.

bad blogger

a heartfelt apology from me to you for my absence from le blog. i spent a long weekend in paris with my boyfriend (check it out here)and leave tomorrow for four days in barcelona with my dad. i really do hate to be away for so long (though i love to return to all your comments and the new posts on other blogs, even if it takes me multiple hours to catch up!) but i hope you'll understand. in a perfect world, i would be rewarding you for your patience with a little jaunt to la durée on the champs-elysées so you could pick up some yum-yums:

and walk away with a trademark container of macaroons:

which (this is for you, jenny) look like this close up:

and have a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior as you can see here:

these richly flavored beauties will cost you a pretty penny (i paid 23 euros for 15 of them) but, you know, when in rome, er, paris... in response to your curiosity, our favorite flavors were vanilla, coffee, and rose petal. the raspberry was downright yucky and the chocolate was a little too rich for my liking, but the good ones were good. they don't travel particularly well but i've saved a few for my dad to try and i plan on cleaning out all the little crumbs and saving the packaging because it's just way too pretty to toss out. jenny, does that cover it?!

a heartfelt apology from me to you for my absence from le blog. i spent a long weekend in paris with my boyfriend (check it out here)and leave tomorrow for four days in barcelona with my dad. i really do hate to be away for so long (though i love to return to all your comments and the new posts on other blogs, even if it takes me multiple hours to catch up!) but i hope you'll understand. in a perfect world, i would be rewarding you for your patience with a little jaunt to la durée on the champs-elysées so you could pick up some yum-yums:

and walk away with a trademark container of macaroons:

which (this is for you, jenny) look like this close up:

and have a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior as you can see here:

these richly flavored beauties will cost you a pretty penny (i paid 23 euros for 15 of them) but, you know, when in rome, er, paris... in response to your curiosity, our favorite flavors were vanilla, coffee, and rose petal. the raspberry was downright yucky and the chocolate was a little too rich for my liking, but the good ones were good. they don't travel particularly well but i've saved a few for my dad to try and i plan on cleaning out all the little crumbs and saving the packaging because it's just way too pretty to toss out. jenny, does that cover it?!

because everything is prettier in pink

on the heels (hehe) of yesterday's pink rooms, here is a smattering of to-die-for pink shoes.

i wear my cowboy boots all the time, but i think i'd have to save these ones for special occasions. luxury rebel sandy suede booties in fuchsia, $250.

pedicured toes peeking out from beneath girly ruffles? yes, please. steve madden florale flats, $70.

did you not all die when you saw these in your inbox on monday? tory burch wrap up heel in lipstick pink, $325.

i love the architectural details of this prettiest-in-pink pump. elizabeth & james mason suede platform pumps, $350.

a flattering shape in the prettiest pale pink. j.crew alecia suede platform peep-toes in paris pink (!), $265.

on the heels (hehe) of yesterday's pink rooms, here is a smattering of to-die-for pink shoes.

i wear my cowboy boots all the time, but i think i'd have to save these ones for special occasions. luxury rebel sandy suede booties in fuchsia, $250.

pedicured toes peeking out from beneath girly ruffles? yes, please. steve madden florale flats, $70.

did you not all die when you saw these in your inbox on monday? tory burch wrap up heel in lipstick pink, $325.

i love the architectural details of this prettiest-in-pink pump. elizabeth & james mason suede platform pumps, $350.

a flattering shape in the prettiest pale pink. j.crew alecia suede platform peep-toes in paris pink (!), $265.

desk du jour

this post is less about the desk and more about the awesome inspiration board behind it, not to mention the view of the city skyline to the left.

this post is less about the desk and more about the awesome inspiration board behind it, not to mention the view of the city skyline to the left.

pretty in pink and just in time

even those who hate the holiday can surely appreciate the inundation of pink everything, right? below are some of my favorite {pink} finds of late.

a hot pink chair becomes a provocative focal point in an otherwise blank canvas.

a pink window ups the charm in an old-school kitchen (as if that refurbished post office unit weren't enough).

the perfect way to bring a small dose of valentine's day into your home: a pretty pink bouquet. (though the dining chairs would work nicely too.) i hereby dare you to nix the red roses and go for something a little less obvious.

go big or go home, right? a heavily saturated hue dominates a family's foyer.

i can't decide which i prefer: the overwhelming presence of the egg chair or the discrete display of the disco ball in the bookshelves.

this room is valentine's day.

even those who hate the holiday can surely appreciate the inundation of pink everything, right? below are some of my favorite {pink} finds of late.

a hot pink chair becomes a provocative focal point in an otherwise blank canvas.

a pink window ups the charm in an old-school kitchen (as if that refurbished post office unit weren't enough).

the perfect way to bring a small dose of valentine's day into your home: a pretty pink bouquet. (though the dining chairs would work nicely too.) i hereby dare you to nix the red roses and go for something a little less obvious.

go big or go home, right? a heavily saturated hue dominates a family's foyer.

i can't decide which i prefer: the overwhelming presence of the egg chair or the discrete display of the disco ball in the bookshelves.

this room is valentine's day.

desk du jour

i don't particularly care for the actual desk here (in fact, i think i hate it) but i love the drawing on the opposite wall, the hodgepodge of colors (kelly green lamp, hot pink and yellow pencil cups, teal and lime green containers...), and the fact that they all work in this otherwise neutral environment.

i don't particularly care for the actual desk here (in fact, i think i hate it) but i love the drawing on the opposite wall, the hodgepodge of colors (kelly green lamp, hot pink and yellow pencil cups, teal and lime green containers...), and the fact that they all work in this otherwise neutral environment.

Style Icon {Kate Bosworth}

this blue-and-brown-eyed beauty has killer street style and an enviable track record on the red carpet to boot. dressed up or dressed down, kate bosworth is definitely one to watch.

au naturel in calvin klein.

accessorizing her alexander wang mini with red lips and leopard print heels.

a neutral number from rodarte.

stealing the show in alexander mcqueen.

keeping it casual in calvin klein. (but could somebody fix her ankle strap?!)

straying from her neutral tendencies in hot pink preen.

backless in gucci.

an easily duplicated casual look: aviators, black peacoat, neutral bucket bag, skinny jeans, pointed flats.

a crossbody bag and sky-high wedges make a simple t-shirt and jeans combo something special.

classically chic in a white skirt suit and black pumps.

a signature kate look: straight blond hair, natural makeup, a khaki short suit by chloé, and great shoes (same ones as two photos above!).

this blue-and-brown-eyed beauty has killer street style and an enviable track record on the red carpet to boot. dressed up or dressed down, kate bosworth is definitely one to watch.

au naturel in calvin klein.

accessorizing her alexander wang mini with red lips and leopard print heels.

a neutral number from rodarte.

stealing the show in alexander mcqueen.

keeping it casual in calvin klein. (but could somebody fix her ankle strap?!)

straying from her neutral tendencies in hot pink preen.

backless in gucci.

an easily duplicated casual look: aviators, black peacoat, neutral bucket bag, skinny jeans, pointed flats.

a crossbody bag and sky-high wedges make a simple t-shirt and jeans combo something special.

classically chic in a white skirt suit and black pumps.

a signature kate look: straight blond hair, natural makeup, a khaki short suit by chloé, and great shoes (same ones as two photos above!).