pretty pieces for the home

This past weekend, I did a little inspiration shopping for our home. After checking out H.D. Buttercup in San Francisco, I've been dying to pick up a few unique things that will really shine in the house.

Here are a few things I'm loving from Restoration Hardware and West Elm.

I also picked up this welcome mat. West Elm had quite a few adorable versions - including this one featuring frenchies - but chevrons have my heart.

~via~

a personalized birthday gift

My friend, Amy, is celebrating her birthday this week and I wanted to do something special to commorate her day. After a trip to Paper Source during my San Francisco excursion, I was inspired to create something personalized for Amy. She's a total girlie-girl and so stylish and creative herself, I knew her gift had to be spectacular.

I picked up some pretty paper in her favorite colors and set about embossing some cards with her initials, birds {she loves to put a bird on it} and other cute images. I absolutely love the way they turned out.

it may be cliche, but...

I totally left my heart in San Francisco. I mean, how could you not when this little man lives there?

Isn't he just the most darling baby? 

He's even cuter in person, if you can believe it.

And let me tell you, this girl is the reason the term "bff" exists.

I hope you're lucky enough to have a friend {or two, or three} who, no matter the time or distance that separates you, you can easily pick things back up with like you saw them yesterday.

We ate good food, shopped til our feet hurt, cheered the 49ers on to victory, primped like we were going to an award show and practiced yoga by candlelight with 100+ new friends. Oh, yeah, and shared countless laughs and finished each others sentences, just like old times.

tomato soup and grilled cheese that may very well ruin you on other tomato soup and grilled cheese for life. 

So. Good.

the candy jars at Miette

maple glazed bacon apple, caramel de sel, chocolate rose at dynamo donut

making the most amazing donuts

so cold and the wind nearly blew us over

pretty girls and painted ladies 

i love this shot.

 gucci fiat

 candlestick park as the 49ers take down the saints

 san fran sunset

seriously? i die.

bff shoe shot

 two people {and a baby} going the same direction. together.

 brighter. faster.

smitten kitten | rosy chains

I've been dying for a chain link bracelet for a bit, but I haven't found one I needed - until now. This one from Bauble Bar has caught my eye. It's perfect. And it's pink!

snapshots of life lately

salty {and peppery} and sweet! salt + pepper shakers from my sweetpea

my favorite antique blush roses

a new gilded book and glittery mask

in-flight entertainment for an upcoming trip to san francisco

tom ford sunnies and a polka dot cluch

smitten kitten | it's a toss up

Confession : I am obsessed with toss pillows. Wholly and completely. It's started to become a problem in our home - just ask my husband. When he goes to sit on the couch, it's not unusual for him to move five or six just to find the couch cushion. What can I say? They make me smile.

I picked this one up at Target and it's the perfect combination for me, chevron design in the prettiest pink.

Check out more of my pillow obsession on my Pinterest.

a wreath for all seasons

Now that we have a display door - not one tucked around a corner and imprisoned behind a gate - I'm inclined to make sure our entrance is warm and welcoming. What better way to do that than with door decor?

Thanks to Pinterest, I found so many different ways to adorn my door. I'm currently obsessed with this metal monogram number. Simple and stylish.

But I wouldn't mind adding these darling ideas to my DIY to-do list:

~via and via and via~

How do you put your mark on your entryway?

a sweet little note

When Mark is away, I love to send him cards. Just little reminders that I'm thinking of him, missing him and wishing he was here with me. I have a good collection to choose from - big ones, small ones, sweet ones, funny ones - but my favorites are always from Papyrus.

They are cute, creative and always come with a matching envelope liner. It's the little things that make a difference, don't you think?

Thankfully, Papyrus cards are readily available at my Target, so whenever I'm there, I swing by the card section and see if there's anything special.

life lately

A few snapshots of what I've been up to during my hibernation.

Handmade banner and Christmas cards from friends and family.

Setting the stage for our New Year's Eve eve family dinner {mark and I hosted 14 people!}

Festive fingers - gold and glittery for the new year.

Canadian water has made its way on to grocery store shelves. {p.s. it's delicious}