finally!

I've long been jealous of iPhone users and the cool, just-for-iPhone apps {I'm an Android user}. But today I'm so excited because one of my favorite lust-from-afar apps is now available for my phone's operating system.

Hello, Instagram.

I think we'll be great friends.

follow me @modernlovely

some of my favorite things : around the house

This weekend, I picked up a few things to add a little whimsy to the house. 

~spooning leads to forking. new art in the kitchen - a giant spoon from my mother-in-law~

~first spotted this little piggy at sur la table. found it on discount home goods.~

~daffodils : the perfect way to welcome spring~

~this little piggy will live in the garden, glowing pink at night after soaking up the sun all day {it's solar!}~

a diy project : anthro-style letters

Have you seen them at Anthropologie? Maybe on Pinterest or maybe in a friend's home. These zinc letters all the rage.

~via~

And I found a way to get a similar look for significantly less thanks to this DIY tutorial {isn't this blog just the cutest?}.

I picked up my papier-mache letters {$2.50 each} and spray paint at Hobby Lobby. They have a weekly coupon you can access from your smart phone and it's usually 40 percent off!

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.

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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!

c. wonder-ful

Sometimes, I dream of living in New York City, especially around the holidays. There is so much to see, to do and to enjoy. I'm talking about admiring the holiday window displays at famed stores, checking out the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza or Central Park, enjoying a hot chocolate at Serendipity...I could go on.

But of course, what would living in NYC be without access to all the amazing stores? One I've been dying to check out has now opened their e-commerce store and I couldn't be more excited. C. Wonder is a veritable wonderland of things I covet {all moderately priced}, and I can tell you that my checking account is going to become best friends very familiar with the shop.

I'd be happy to find any of these under the tree on Christmas morning.

1. big ideas notebook    2.  ring box

3.  city bike    4. monogram cheeseboard

5. alphabet mug

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?

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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.

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Get your own pair here or here.

my favorite olsen

Lots of people think Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are the bee's knees when it comes to fashion, but I'm enamored with their younger sister, Elizabeth {great name, don't ya think?}. She's currently staring in her first major role in Martha Marcy May Marlene and has been receiving great reviews. The film is on my list of must-sees, but my review is in - when it comes to her style, at least.

I love it - easy, effortless and always pretty. I say we keep an eye out for this up-and-comer. I know I can't wait to see her style evolve.  

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fall wish list

blouse

dress

shoes

clutch

pants

an apology and a style shocker

Between fighting a cold, nursing a rowing injury, finalizing details on our new home and packing up our old place, I've been slacking on posting. I hope to be back on my regular schedule really soon!

And now - a brief story on how I surprised myself by actually liking a shoe line I said I'd never wear...

I can appreciate that TOMS shoes are socially conscious. In fact, I really like that about the company. What I don't like? The shoes. I know they're comfy and supportive, but they look like they belong on prisioners' feet, not on fashionable men and women.

But TOMS may make a wearer out of me yet. Look what I've spotted!

The ballet flat line is launching next spring and I'm excited to try a pair or two on. I'm loving the pink and blue ones. Which is your favorite?

elsewhere in the country...

...people are all about autumn, but someone forgot to tell Phoenix that it's time to cool down. It's supposed to be 108 degrees today. Ugh.

So instead of wearing something like this

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I'll still be wearing something like this

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make a statement

Big, chunky statement necklaces are a staple for fall and can instantly take your ensemble from ho-hum to fabulous with just the click of a clasp. Pair them with your favorite jeans and a t-shirt or mix them into your work wardrobe for some punch to complete your look.

~chic, affordable - a must have from Spike the Punch!~

~from Anthropologie~

~from J. Crew~

~oh, Kate Spade, how I love thee~



mad for missoni

The launch of Missoni for Target was crazy! Websites crashed, stores sold out, fighting fashionistas were spotted. All I wanted were these ballet flats...and I'm happy to say my nearest store had a pair!

I also picked up a few other treasures. Mark laughed when I showed him..."You really are obsessed with chevron."

~plates, pillow, towel, makeup bags~

speaking of weddings...

A few wonderful things came in the mail yesterday {i love getting packages...} but the most wonderful was a wedding gift from two of Mark's friends in Canada. The surprise was carefully packed in paper and sealed with a Papyrus hummingbird sticker {i'm obsessed with their cards, so this detail really got me excited for what could be inside}. And what was inside?

Our wedding invitation.

Mounted in a matching blue-gray frame and mat.

What a perfect wedding gift! It's so personal and romantic. I cannot wait to hang it alongside our engagement and wedding photos in our new home. It's going to look amazing - just wait.

smitten kitten | naughty + nice

Are you shocked that my latest obsession is a collection of shoes? I didn't think so.

In any case, I'm loving these flats and heels from Sam Edelman. They are the perfect mix of masculine and feminine in one {or a few} chic shoe.

So kick up your heels, ladies! Just not too high or you'll poke your own bum.

Sugar and spice = very nice

Channeling Chanel

Animal print with bite



smitten kitten | the beauty department

It's been a while since I've found something worthy of a smitten kitten post, but when Lauren Conrad, one of my favorite fashionistas, and her hair and makeup gurus launched The Beauty Department a few months ago and I became an instant fan. They dish out loads of useful information, inspiration and instructional videos designed to help you master the perfect ballerina bun or cat eye {two of my favorites, and although I've been doing both of these looks for some time, I picked up a tip or two that really helped}.

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before and after | technology

before

after

I've been in desperate need of an upgrade when it comes to my computer. I've had my reliable MacBook for more than five years. And at the rate technology changes these days, some of our newer technology wasn't talking to my good ol' MacBook.

Now that I have a new MacBook Pro, all is right with the world.

a "b" or a "d"

I have very few gold accessories, but lately I've found myself being drawn to gold pieces. An armful of gold bangles, simple gold hoops and this letterpress necklace have recently joined my collection.

I love initial necklaces, too {remember this one?}. I think it has something to do with the fact that I love words and letters in general. So it's perfect - delicate and simple. I've been wearing it non-stop for the past few days. I have a tendancy to play with my jewelry, and when I press the charm into my finger, it makes an impression of the letter "d." {It didn't photograph too well.}

Is it a "b" or a "d"? Properly, the letterpress letter is a "d," but on my neck it looks like a "b." Then I realized it won't matter soon, because in a few short weeks, both will be my initials.

before and after | bathroom drawer

I don't know about you, but there is a drawer in my bathroom that is a catch-all. Bobby pins, hair ties, brushes, lipgloss, mini lotions, bandaids - they're all tossed in the drawer haphazardly.

A couple of days ago, I was searching for a lipgloss and was so frustrated when I couldn't find the color I wanted {turns out, it wasn't even in the drawer - woops}. So on a recent trip to Target, I picked up a flatware organizer and decided it would be the perfect way to organize my messy drawer {and, of course, by organizing, help me purge unecessary items}.


What do you think?

before



after