Shoesday

Baby you're a fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirework.

Rawr, love these shoes.

Love,

Hannah

Things I love about the 4th of July...

Let me preface this post with the fact that the 4th of July is MY FAVORITE holiday. Today (Saturday) we are taking the liberty (pun intended) to turn the 4th of July into an entire weekend celebration...I mean, we do have Monday off!

Now, here is why I love the 4th of July (and why everyone else should too):

• Friends. 4th of July is one of those holidays you can celebrate with allll of your friends and family.  It's not a friend-only or family-only holiday. It's a holiday for everyone---even strangers.
• Wearing red, white and blue. Duh. It's great. It's like dressing up for college theme parties, but I'm not in college anymore.  One can dream.
• BBQ. Burning charcoal, grilled corn on the cob, hotdog buns with ketchup (Frankfest?! Anyone?), pickles.
• Drinks. Themed, of course.
• Decorations. Including firework straws, per my photo below.
• Beach. Backyard!!! Sun, blue skies (I hope), fluffy clouds and tans.
• Get a day off of work.
• Country music. It's Amuuurica.

I'm sure I can think of some more reasons as the day goes on...

Red, white and blue,
Hannah

Plans this weekend? How about a vintage craft market!?!

 This Sunday from 11 - 4, there will be a Arts, Crafts & Vintage Good Market in Boca Raton.  See image below for directions and details! Or visit www.DowntownOpenMarket.com.

I'll be there (and so will Jodi and Billie I hope!) and so will Alyssa (a friend from work) who started her own company called I Make Apparel and Stuff.  She'll be there selling her items, so make sure to check her out!!! 

Here are some of the things she makes:

See you Sunday,

Hannah

Cure for the Common Room-Decorating Syndrome

If you haven’t read this morning’s post, you should because this post is in reference to Room-Decorating Syndrome and how I may or may not have an online cure for it. My definition of Room-Decorating Syndrome is the obsessive compulsive tendency to think non-stop about how you are going to decorate a new (or old) space. Like I said this morning, I’m pretty sure we’ve all been exposed to it, if not diagnosed, and it can be overwhelmingly stressful and incredibly fun at the same time. So if you read this morning’s post, were inspired by Jayne’s creativity, and have a sudden urge to re-decorate, you’ve caught the disease! But have worry not because if you are craving a vintage chandelier, precious door knobs, a new desk or a modern wine rack, there’s an easily accessible medication available online. CSN Stores is a monstrously huge site that has everything from lights (did someone say chandeliers?!?!) to wall art…even plumbing appliances if you so desire. Check them out! You may find a useful little gem there for your place.

Love,
Hannah

Betseyville Wristlet Bag ~ Pale Pink and Glamorously Gold

I love spending time at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Home Goods just browsing the isles for great deals.  Although sometimes it takes a little bit of work, you can find some great little gems there!  Take this Betseville Wristlet bag I recently bought.  Originally around $60, but I got it for just $20 at Marshalls!  I love the shiney, pale pink fabric and gold trimming.  Plus it can hold a lot more than it looks.



Maxinista,

Hannah

Whitney Eve ~ From The Hills to The City to My Closet

Whitney Eve was first introduced as the sweet girl working next to Lauren Conrad on the Hills.  She then left the Hills and went cross country to NYC in her MTV show The City.  From hit TV shows to hit clothing lines, Whitney Even is now wowing the world with her self-titled line "Whitney Eve."  Just this past week, she made her next big move.  From big city lights to sunshine, her pink halter dress with black lace trim and a black bow has made its way to Lauderdale by the Sea :).

You all know I love bows (which Whitney Eve uses a lot...major love right there) and sales and now you know I'm a big fan of all things flowy (especially skirts and dresses).  This past week I did a little retaily therapy and came across her pink halter dress on Piperlime.com.  It's flowy, has bows and was on sale.  Had to get this little gem obviously.  Originally $205, the dress was marked down to $113.  I actually loved the dress before I saw the pricetag, but once I saw the red line, I loved the dress even more.  So I instantly pulled out my Amex and made the purchase.  Things only got better (for me).  On Thursday, I got an email updating me on the status of my order.  Did a little clicky-click and checked where my shipment was.  I was thrilled to find out it was on a FedEx truck headed to Fort Lauderdale!

Then something caught my eye.  The price of the dress was no longer $113.  It was $83!?!?  I put two and two together and realized, WOW the dress went on sale even more about two days after I ordered it.  (This is like the iPad situation...it would happen to me).  I decided to take initiative because I wanted the $83 dress instead of the $113 of course.  So I picked up the phone, dialed Piperlime and vuala, they gave me a refund!  I was literally THRILLED...a dress originally $205 that I bought for just $83? 

Here's are the dress images from the web:

Do you see why this dress is so me!?

As soon as I got home, I went to the front desk to get my dress.  That night, I tried it on and had the toughest time taking it back off.  Not because it was too tight.  Not because my head's too big (it is).  But because I was in loooove with it.  The only downfall is that it's pretty see-through, but nothing some black tights or a slip won't fix!  Ben took a pic of me in it, and I feel super awkward making serious faces so thumbs up guys.

"Bows" and Arrows,

Hannah

Charming Charlie Part 3

This is one of the first headbands I bought at Charming Charlie, and I've worn it on at least 5 different occasions.  It's also one of the ones I was able to find a month later to get Jayne!  The best thing about this headband aside from its flower shape and sequins is the fact that it's black.  Black matches with everything, so it looks great with plenty of outfits!

And I'm thinking a close-up is needed...thanks, Ben

Love,
Hannah

Charming Charlie Part 2

Yes, another hair piece…a headband this time though!  Charming Charlie’s headbands range from gorgeous to cute, so you can have one for any occasion/outfit.  I actually bought a couple of their head bands for one of my best friends, Jayne, for her birthday last month.  I don’t want to brag or anything, but let's just say she wore both the weekend of her birthday.  There are pictures to prove it!

I love this black and yellow faux-feather headband because it adds a splash of my favorite color (yellow—actually I have a lot of favorite colors, but the day I wore this it was yellow) to an outfit.   I’m actually starting to notice a trend in my clothing style (besides cardigans, Jodi)…I like to have a simple style with at least one statement-making piece (or what I consider statement making haha).   When I say piece, I mean it can be a pair of earrings, shoes, scarf, headband…anything that goes with an outfit.  Heck, a purse even!  

Love,

Hannah

Charming Charlie Part 1

A few months ago Ben’s mom introduced me to what is now one of my new favorite stores: Charming Charlie.  It’s like a hairpiece-jewelry-trinket haven.  If you know anything about me, you know how much I love bulky necklaces and snazzy headbands, so going to Charming Charlie was a match made in heaven.   Their store is literally overflowing with little gems, and all of their prices are great.  So of course, when I went to the Charming Charlie in Fredericksburg, Virginia for the first time, I had to find out if they had more locations nationwide (specifically in South Florida).  The cashier informed me that they plan to open plenty more locations in 2011, and I couldn't have been happier when I found out there was one just 40 minutes away from me in Pembroke Pines.  (You can visit the Charming Charlie site to find out if they have a location near you!)

SIDE NOTE: The reason I name this post Part 1 is because I know I will be posting more about the little gems I find at Charming Charlie.  I mean, I already know what my Part 2 and Part 3 will be—N.B.D.

During my first experience at Charming Charlie, I bought the cutest set of hair pins decorated with a hot pink flower and a sparkly stud (see picture below).  I decided to wear it out this past Saturday night to add some color to outfit (which was plain dark denim bottoms with a plain white turtleneck--except for the red cranberry juice I spilled on it as noted in my post earlier this week).   I personally love the hair pin (obviously or else I wouldn’t have purchased it), but when someone I didn’t even know stopped me on Saturday night to tell me how much she loved it, I was ecstatic.  Little did she know, she much gave me the best compliment ever.

I hope there is a Charming Charlie location near you, but if not, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they start selling online soon.  In the mean time, just keep checking for updates on new little gems I find there!

Love,
Hannah

<3

Shop Anthropologie, because, yes, they actually have sale prices

Initially, the thought of finding low prices at Anthropologie may seem almost as impossible as the thought of enjoying ketchup on a brownie—it just doesn’t happen (soon you will realize how I enjoy ketchup on almost anything--except chocolate).  But don’t disregard the term sale prices with Anthropologie just yet.  Hear me out.  Anthropologie is filled with shabby-chic, vintage clothing, accessories, décor, bedding and more—but at prices you always hesitate at before you hit the cash register.  I'll admit, however, that there is the occasional splurge because they have an item you just can’t help but fall in love with (it happens—I mean they’re store is great).  But for the other 75% of the time, it’s hard to get yourself to spend a lot on something made to look old.  That’s when you make your way over to the sale section of their store or website.  They actually have pretty incredible deals here on all of their items.  While their sale section is usually a mish-mosh of random tops, skirts and trinkets, you can always find little gems worth the price. 

Unfortunately, there are no Anthropologie stores close enough for me to be willing to sit in rush hour traffic, so I opt for their website.  It’s a beautifully-designed site that is easy to shop on and navigate.  The only thing their site is lacking is the opportunity to smell their delicious candles when you log on (it’s almost worth the traffic just to get a little sniff--but I can live without it). 

On Tuesday I was in need of some major retail therapy (no different, really, than any other day of the week).  I went to the sale section of Anthropologie.com and began my search.  That’s when I came across their “Stormy Nut Bowl” (sorry I can’t link it because they sold out today but luckily I saved a picture so you can see it below!).  Now what could I possibly do with this nut bowl?  A lot!  Haven’t you ever been to someone’s house where they have a small bowl filled with nuts for you to munch on?  Well, I have and I’ve always wanted a nut bowl I could call my own.  As soon as I saw this one from Anthropologie I fell in love.  Then, I looked at the price and loved it even more.  For $3.95 I could serve nuts in a decorative bowl or use the bowl as a cute decoration for our home—the best of both worlds.  (The only anomaly in this situation was the fact that it was actually more expensive to ship the bowl than to buy it.  But who's really counting.)  I got an email confirmation today that the nut bowl is on its way to our condo, and I cannot wait to set this little gem out and fill it with nuts.  You may think I'm nuts--pun intended there--but I honestly cannot wait!

I hope, reader, that you can also benefit from the little gems Anthropologie has.  You have to admit that it feels great when you leave Anthropologie with something to take home—feels even better when it’s on sale!

Love,
Hannah