Dreaming of Kitchen Chairs...

how about that lovely lantern as the chandelier?

a close up of those oh so perfect chairs

{images via La Dolce Vita}

Ever since I laid eyes on this gorgeous kitchen designed by Tommy Smythe of Sarah’s House on HGTV, I could not stop thinking about new chairs for my kitchen table. I am so grateful Paloma from La Dolce Vita featured this kitchen on her Fabulous Friday post. Although I am mildly obsessed (quite the understatement) at this point in my search, I'm also a bit frustrated. I can't seem to find anything quite as perfect as those chairs but here are the runners up...

{Side Chair, Acquisitions}

{Vienna Side Chair, Crate and Barrel}


{Constance Side Chair, Ballard Design}

Have you seen anything similar lately?

Aspiring Kennedy & Fab K Blog Giveaway!

Yay! It's time for another Fabulous K Creative blog design giveaway. If you read blogs, chances are you've seen Kelly's amazing work somewhere. Aspiring Kennedy (another fun and entertaining blog--I'll be featuring her as next week's Blog Du Jour) is hosting a giveaway and here are the details!

Enter now to win the

FABK CREATIVE

PRETTY BLOG PACKAGE GIVEAWAY!

1. Be a follower of Aspiring Kennedy

leave your first comment

2. Be a follower of Fabulous K

leave your second comment

3. Add Aspiring Kennedy to your blog roll

leave your third comment

4. Add Fabulous K to your blog roll

leave your fourth comment

5. Tweet or blog about this giveaway

leave your 5 &/or 6th comment

6. Tell us your most embarrassing moment (seriously! this one counts!)

leave your 7th comment

*Winner will be picked at random on Sep 3, 2010. I will be in Norway, but will post as soon as possible- please forgive any frustration of projected tardiness with happy thoughts of me in a Viking helmet.

** Kelly is talented beyond measure. However, this blog giveaway is open to Blogger users only. Sorry.

My Love for Lulu's

{all images, Lulu's}

1. Simple Syrup Olive Green Dress, $36

2. Blossoms for Breakfast Tie-Neck Blouse, $34

3. Cutest Smile Taupe Dress, $38

4. Calliope's Song One Shoulder Dress, $36

I really wish I had found out about Lulu's a little earlier in the summer. They have the cutest, most reasonably priced dresses but their fall looks are just as sweet and pretty. I put together a few of my favorite pieces that I will soon be adding to my shopping cart. I originally wanted Calliope's Song One Shoulder Dress the in cobalt (I saw someone else wearing it and fell in love) but didn't see it on the site, so I emailed Lulu's to see if they would be getting any others in. I received the nicest reply letting me know that their buyers will do everything the can to restock the item. They even sent me a 15% off coupon to use in the meantime. Now that is service! Generally when I email online stores with a question, I rarely receive a reply, much less a coupon. They have definitely won me over!

Blog Du Jour: Elements of Style

Sorry for the late post! Had a little trouble jumping into the week but don't worry, Blog Du Jour is here! Since I'm new to the blog world, I'm just now discovering all of these amazing blogs that everyone else has been onto for a while. They might not be new to you but nevertheless, they are definitely worth sharing. Today's blog is Erin Gates' Elements of Style.

Erin Gates, Elements of Style

Erin's picks are always spot on and quite awe-worthy. Her posts are smart, funny and inspiring. Most of all though, I really envy her affinity for color and prints... I wish I could be as daring (I'm working on it!). Enjoy a few pics from Erin's latest project... Erin, can you please come decorate my house? :)

Love the wallpaper and clear barstools

the softness of this room is so yummy and that chandelier! oh that chandelier!

{all images via Elements of Style}

Must Have Today: Made By Girl

Most of my friends know I have an obsession with Made by Girl. I anxiously await Jen's posts each day of her DIY projects, interior design inspiration and best of all, the items in her shop. Jen recently added chevron calling cards to her inventory and these are what I Must Have Today.

{Chevron Calling Cards}

I actually have a new project I'm beginning that these cards will be perfect for when the time is right.

Here's a few of my favorite lovelies from Made By Girl:

{Blogs and Coffee}

{LOVE Pattern}

{Skull Pattern}

Dreaming like a King...

Happy Friday loves!

Lately it seems that our bed just keeps getting smaller. Maybe it's because we've been spoiled this summer with a few luxurious King beds in hotels and rentals but our Queen just doesn't feel the same. We're crowded and it's time for a change. Right now we have a pretty traditional dark wood bed and I'm itching for something a little different. We're currently fixed on this one from Restoration Hardware:

{Maison Bed}

What beds are currently on your radar???

Marchesa. I Die.

While catching up on my neglected DVR, I watched Rachel Zoe battle through fashion week, looking for Oscar worthy gowns that needed "a moment". One dress in particular caught my eye and looked quite familar for some reason. Rachel was "dying" to get this dress for Cameron or Demi and then it hit me! This was the dress Sandra Bullock wore for her Oscar winning night! I guess we know who won the dress in the end. Poor Rachel. Love, love, love the dress though--and Sandy's red lips!

Blog Lovin

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Underground Living: Party Girl

{Party Girl, Clay Kessack}

Description: This photo was taken in Brooklyn at a party that some website was throwing. The space is actually a converted old party supply store and the people that run it now throw parties and have bands play. While the DJ was playing music a few people started to dance and I noticed this girl really seemed to be enjoying herself.





Underground Living is brought to you each week by Clay Kessack, a Brooklyn based photographer who specializes in documentary photos and enjoys riding his bike around town. Please visit his website for more information or his flickr to see more of his work.

Please Welcome...

Happy hump day! I am so excited to introduce you to our new contributor, my very own brother, Clay Kessack. He has lived in NYC for the past couple of years, pursuing his dream of documentary photography and will be sharing a photo with us each week. Please check out his website and his flikr when you have a chance. Clay's first post is coming up!

Style Share: Trial By Error

So, who would've thought a tripod would be so difficult to use? Please bear with me while I'm working on the logistics of taking pictures of myself and not looking like a complete idiot. I'm definitely not the model type and am not great with poses that aren't entirely cheesy. Here's my first shot...

*Long Overdue Lunch with a Friend*

Top: Queen Esther, TJ Maxx

Bottoms: Forever 21

Kicks: BCBG Girls

Timepiece: Michael Kors

Earrings: Gold Hoops with sparkly Silver Balls, from Dora Rae

Tiny Bit of Sparkle: NYC Lipgloss in Sheer Ruby, Ulta (which I realize is hard to see in this pic)

As you can see, my style is simple but I hope it still suits you!

xo,
sarah

RIP Wayfarers

Such a sad day last week. All of a sudden, a large (and unexpected) wave swept over me and took my beloved wayfarers back with it. I couldn't believe my stupidity for wearing them out into the darn ocean. B (my husband) has given me his blessing to replace them... Let's take a moment to pay the originals some respect, I mean they were with me for 3 years!

Throw it Together

{images via Just Jarred}

These are a few celebrities who have mastered the art of looking like they haven't thought about what they're wearing but somehow magically end up looking completely put together. The true master is Jennifer Aniston of course...

Blog Du Jour: New Dress A Day

I always love finding a new blog that not only inspires me, but also is a self-made challenge to its' author. I actually was introduced to this blog via Mostly Mellen, a greeting card blogger (from my hometown, Lexington, KY) who creates invitations, calendars and paper products full of whimsy. Anyways, New Dress a Day came about when Marisa lost her job and decided to tap into her creative juices and her passion for bargain shopping. She has challenged herself to rework her $1 "finds" each day into new, fun and flirty pieces for her very own closet. It's amazing what she's accomplished so far! Here are a few of my favorite transformations:

{images via New Dress a Day}

Smells like Vacation...

Please accept my apologies for the lack of blogging around here. Vacation called and I had to answer. We took a week long trip to North Topsail Beach, North Carolina and it couldn't have been more relaxing and fun! Beach, beers and boating... what more can you ask for? Here's a few flashes from the trip...

out on my cousin-in-laws boat

our redneck beach party attire part 1

part 2

a beautiful beach sunset

More to come and the new direction of our little blog is starting to take shape... We can't wait to share with you soon... Come back and see us ya hear???

Tiny Bit of Sparkle from the Beach...

{Elizabeth and James}

Just a quick hello from vacation... would love this Elizabeth and James sweatshirt! What a way to spice up comfort...

See you in a few!

My blogging might be a bit sporadic for the next few days... depending on my level of internet access. In the meantime, enjoy the musings of Tiny Bit of Sparkle's newest contributor, Cindy Huynh! She will be sharing her {crazy} endeavors and indulging us in what I call, "her cultured life." I know you will love Cindy as much as I do!

Tiny Bit of Sparkle: What I Wore + Tory Burch

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything about this look styled by WhatIWore’s Jessica Schroeder for Tory Burch's blog. I love how this casual look was given a surprising "tiny bit of sparkle" and those, booties!!! This girl can pull off some booties... Tory's Ginevra Bootie to be exact.

Oh Happy Day! Lonny is here!

It's always the best feeling to wake up in the morning and see that an email from Lonny has arrived, announcing a new issue. Just sat down with a LARGE cup of coffee to select a few of my favorite images to share...

{all images via Lonny}

Hello Splender & Fabulous K Blog Design Giveaway

I have been a fan of Fabulous K's blog design for a while... pretty much the majority of the blogs I follow have been designed by her or have mentioned her work. Through Fabulous K's blog, I recently discovered Hello Splendor, a refreshing blogger who features her beautiful findings with a unique view on life. She recently announced a blog design/blog makeover giveaway from Fabulous K design and it's very easy to gain a chance to win! Click here to check out the details:

Happy Monday!

Music Monday

My newest musical obsession... The Black Keys. Jazzy and full of soul, pretty awesome for some guys from Ohio?!?! Check out their video for "Tighten Up" below:



Also be sure to check out "Next Girl" when you have a chance...

Why Sundays are the Best...

{Markus Lupfer via Net-A-Porter}

Nothing else required.

Entertaining: Glasses Galore

During these summer months I long to entertain even though my hostess skills are not quite up to par yet. I need a few more "stopper recipes" and the house needs a few more touches before we're ready but nevertheless, I always have a watchful eye out for entertainment pieces, particularly glassware. My favorite being New Arcadia Double Old Fashioned Sunflower, Thistle and Crocus glasses, perfect for a cool summer drink.

New Arcadia Double Old Fashioned Glasses

I already own a few but I recently spotted the Arabesque and Brocade versions in beautiful patterns of black and gold, perfect for my winter parties (I may someday have).

New Arcadia Arabesque and Brocade Double Glasses

My love for sweatpants

Ever since a certain puppy entered our lives, I feel as though my clothing has gone quite casual. It's not really fun to poop scoop and throw the tennis ball in heels and tight jeans, especially in this Georgia heat. Therefore, I'm always on the look out for comfy clothes that aren't just plain sloppy looking. I recently stumbled upon an amazing blog, The City Sage who featured some AMAZING DVF sweatpants (or Souka pants as Diane has named them), perfect for bloggers and in my case, also dog lovers and the upcoming fall months.

{DVF Souka Pants, via The City Sage}

Today on my daily trip to Target, I happened to find some awesomely similar sweatpants for a fraction of the cost... $24.99!!!

Must have: Ikat

This morning I must have all things ikat. I feel like it's been calling me because everytime I turn around, there is another amazing piece covered in ikat. I realize this is something that needs to be prescribed in small doses but it's so hard to choose with things like these out there...

{Printed Diamond Ikat Rug, Williams-Sonoma Home}

{Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel, West Elm}

Some other amazing ikat finds from Design Sponge...

{via Design Sponge}