i'm dreaming of a white christmas...

...a white Christmas coat, that is. I popped in to Anthropologie and fell in love {it's too easy to do in that store, don't you agree?} with this winter white coat. As I mentioned before, I have an unhealthy obsession with coats, and this one is so gorgeous. That neckline? In the words of Rachel Zoe, I die.

Have I found my Christmas present to myself a little early this year?

~via~

I think so, yes.

spotted | kneepad tights

How cute! I spotted these kneepad tights over on A Cup of Jo. Aren't they adorable? I'm totally lusting after them.

~via~



Get your own pair here or here.

happy birthday

Hello, lovelies! So yesterday was my birthday {the first as a wife and a homeowner - eek!} and I quietly celebrated the day with coworkers during the day and my mom in the evening {Mark is traveling so we'll be celebrating later}. And at Banana Republic, who feted my day of birth by offering 50% off up to five full-priced items {ok, I'm sure it wasn't exclusively for my birthday, but I took it as an excuse to add some pretty pieces to my collection!}. They promoted the special one-day sale via coupon on Facebook. You really should like them; they have the best deals.

Care to see what I picked up?

~how sweet are the elbow patches? i can't get enough!~

~an easy lbd that fits like a glove~

~i love a good v-neck t - it's the best for my shape~

~a little glitz - and it's on sale~

There were a couple of other things - like this black dress and a bright pink taffeta skirt {that I can't seem to find online...curious} - that I would have loved to have made mine, but even a birthday girl must use restraint. However, they are on my wait-til-they-go-on-sale watch-list!

A little something extra : Markdowns at the store usually happen on Wednesdays!

tweet tweet!

Are you following me on Twitter? If not, you're missing out! I'm always posting fun little tidbits and photos.

And since life has been pretty hectic lately, it's a quick way for me to keep up with sharing fabulous finds and updates with you!

Find me @modern_lovely

some of my favorite {new!} things : beauty products

I've been testing lots of new and new-to-me products lately and I am loving all the results.

My new favorite dry shampoo is by Suave. Yes, Suave. It smells citriusy fresh, absorbs oil and doesn't leave any of that dreaded white powdery residue.

For those days when a power pout just won't do, my go-to lip color is Fresh's Sugar Passion tinted lip treatment. It gives just enough color and moisturizes like nobody's business.

As I mentioned here, I'm obsessed with long eyelashes, but I've been hesitant to try a growth serum to help make them longer and fuller. After some research {and thanks to a HauteLook Deal of the Day - let me know if you want an invitation to shop}, I picked up a tube of Rapid Lash and have noticeably longer {although not exactly fuller} lashes with none of the scary side effects some simliar products warn about. It's one of the more reasonably priced options - I've seen the price hovering around $30 - and can be found at most national drugstore chains.

I have sensitive, combination skin, so I make sure all the products that I apply to face are gentle and oil-free. Still, my face {especially my t-zone} is shiny shortly after my morning makeup routine. I recently acquired Boscia's No Pores No Shine T-Zone Treatment and found it works wonderfully! It helps minimize my larger pores and keeps me shine-free nearly all day.

fondant and f&b

On Wednesday, Jenny and I met up for a fondant decorating class {remember our baking day and our holiday cookie/cupcake decorating class} at Icing on My Cake in Scottsdale. It was the first time either one of us had worked with fondant, and I have to say, I think our cakes looked amazing.

~jenny's sunny yellow theme~

~mine: lavender and white~

Afterwards, we met up with one of Jenny's friends for a luxuriously long dinner at FnB Restaurant in Scottsdale. The food is delicious and uses seasonal ingredients from lots of local sources. I highly suggest making a reservation {the place was packed - and it was a Wednesday!} for the bar where you get to see chef Charleen and her crew in action.

Our conversation and spread of food and wine was so engaging I didn't even think to take photos of all the deliciousness that was happening. I did, however, have to capture the sweets that capped off the most amazing meal.

~caramel pudding~

~flourless chocolate cake with housemade vanilla ice cream and huckleberries~

a view from the {semi} top

Our new house is nestled in the foothills of our community, which means we have access to some really great hiking trails. In fact, there's a trail head two houses down so there is really no excuse not to get moving up the mountain.

So when I wasn't able to sleep in on this past sunny Sunday morning {don't you just hate that?}, I filled up my CamelBak, clipped on my iPod and started on a little hike. My effort was rewarded with some gorgeous views and friendly exchanges with other hikers and their pups.

This weekend, I plan to go a little further and see what's at the top of the next peak. Care to join me?