Check them out...2 New Favorite Blogs!

As you already know, I love reading blogs. If you read a few each day, it's like having a mini-magazine right at your fingertips. It's a quick getaway from your day, a fun way to get inspired, and an easy way to stay up to date on trends in the design / fashion world. And it's free!

Here are two blogs that I've recently added to my favorites:

The Zhush...daily inspiration for everything stylish.

Coco & Kelley...a beautifully designed blog featuring tons of inspiration on design and fashion.

Inspiration: Eclectic Photo & Art Walls

Both images from ModInMind.

I have spent many hours flipping through home magazines, reading blogs, and watching HGTV. I am constantly dazzled and amazed by the creativity and individualism that homeowners demonstrate these days. Just when I think that I may have seen it all, another room will come along and take me by surprise. I think it is fantastic that we are taking a laid-back approach to decorating. The rooms really show who these people are as individuals.

One of my favorite creative features that I have seen in many rooms, is a mis-matched photo wall. The look is absolutely effortless (Even though the owners probably spent a lot of time choosing which photos to use on the wall...), and it makes the room so friendly and inviting.

InspiredInteriorIdeas

Coastal Living

Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

Decor*Pad

Suzanne Dimma & Rob Fiocca

Design Sponge

Domino Magazine

Curbed

Annie Schlecther

Elle Decor

Philosophy: Purity Cleanser

Purity Cleanser by Philosophy has to be my number one favorite cleanser of all time. First of all, it smells wonderful, just like all of their products do. It's actually "fragrance-free", but the natural smell of the product is light and clean.

This cleanser is one of Philosophy's top selling products for good reason. My skin is so clean and so soft after washing with it. Bonus: It doesn't dry out my skin like almost every other cleanser out there.

It comes in a few different sizes, so you can purchase a small size to try it out. Sephora often has the mini bottles near the cash registers for "last minute" purchases.

With the Winter season fast approaching, I highly recommending testing out this cleanser.

PS. They have a sale on skin care right now, through the website!



Knee High Socks: Inspiration



I have always adored knee high socks, so I was thrilled when I started seeing them appear on runways and in magazines in 2009-2010. They remind me so much of the style seen in Clueless. I still can't figure out a work-appropriate way to wear them, but I'm still inspired by these fabulous images.
  


Photo from Fashionising.com

Photo from Fashionising.com

Photo from Fashionleaka

Photo from Fashionleaka

 Alexander Wang

 
leblackbook



Clueless 

wr2bam.com

Can't live without: Bobby Pins



I would have to estimate that I have bobby pins in my hair 5 out of 7 days of the week. I use them for straight styles, curly/wavy styles and updos. They are my go-to accessory in times of hair need. Although I usually use the standard brown bobby pins, there's a ton of options out there for trendier, cuter, and more adorable pins, many of which you could probably do yourself!

I found these adorable ones on Etsy (bought them): 2 per pack in colors of your choice.

    

White flower hair pins from Muscari.

 
 
Gorgeous golden bobby pins by Sylvia Benson.

So Shea

One of my all time favorite body products ever: Shea Whip Body Lotion. I use this stuff day and night, all over my body and as a hand cream as well. It does everything. I've even shaved with it when I've run out of shaving cream! It's packed with anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich shea butter, as well as babassu oil from Brazil. I love it because I can put it on before work, and it absorbs quickly enough that I can dress right away. It also leaves a lovely gleam on my skin.

The Shea Butter is naturally sourced from Ghana, and is one of The Body Shop's many ingredients from their Community Trade program.

 







Skin Boost



Fall is here, and with it comes a whole slew of new skin care issues. It seems that as soon as the weather gets cooler, my skin instantly gets drier and duller. Thankfully, many years of retail employment at The Body Shop provided me with "insider" info on some of the best stuff out there. I'm talking Vitamin C, and I'm talking the best little treat your skin has seen in a while. Vitamin C Facial Radiance Capsules are little miracles. I picked up a jar on the weekend, and I've been using one per day since Saturday. My skin already feels and looks so much better.

Each capsule contains a high concentration of Vitamin C which is one of the best ingredients to fight environmental damage (sun, pollution etc). They leave your skin smoother and brighter. I can't believe I waited this long to buy them again!



Puppy Love...introducing Cooper

This Summer, after years of pondering, waiting, and researching, I finally brought home a puppy! He is a beautiful little Boxer who we have named Cooper. He is already full of mischief and personality, and he keeps us busy every minute of the day. I can't wait to do all of the things on my "Cooper and me" list: walks in the park, puppy play dates, lazy days at the cottage, and Christmas mornings with a special stocking for the dog :)

Photo by Sarah R (Thank you Sarah!)

Photo by Sarah R (Thank you Sarah!)

Photo by Sarah R (Thank you Sarah!)