amy atlas arrives!

this just in!


i got the sweetest email yesterday from lisa hauptman, amy atlas and the lovely people at amy atlas events...

her debut book is available for pre-order! 

if you've ever seen images like these on pinterest or other blogs regarding parties...

(via)

they're all amy.

she basically started the dessert table trend years ago, and has been topping herself
--and inspiring entertainers everywhere, myself included-- 
ever since!
i realize i sound like a commercial...but i promise i'm not being paid or anything to endorse this. 
she's just that good.

i can't wait to read the book...

but we'll have to wait until april 24th!

this sucker is jam-packed with 15 chapters of deliciousness featuring 100 recipes for incredible treats, 75 diy craft ideas, and endless inspiration. 


pre-order yours at amazon or b&n online today for only $18.46!


xo

kelly fois deux

do you read the glamourai?

kelly framel is a new york blogger, jewelry designer, 
stylist, consultant, & model with gorgeous looks 
& unique imitable style to boot.

her blog is a daily read of mine, and i find myself constantly inspired by her style and presentation. 
small surprises and thoughtful, intentional dressing  
(or "costumery" as she so rightly puts it) 
abound with every click.  


i mean, a girl whose christmas tree looks like this?

we likey. 


kelly recently had the lucky opportunity to spend a long weekend at the malibu beach house of one of my fave interior designers (recently turned clothing and jewelry designer as well)...
kelly wearstler. 


today's post by the glamourai recaps that weekend 
brilliantly. 
(what can i say? i'm a sucker for beautiful scenery, 
photography, interiors and fashion. 
not to mention those gorgeous cinema graphs!)


pop on over and check it out; it just may take your breath away. 


xo
(all photos by kelly framel & jeremy james via the glamourai)

ray of sunshine

(via) 

hi y'all. 

i hope you're having a wonderful wednesday.

(gah. that sounds awful, like something they say at one of those horrible offices where "hawaiian shirt day" still exists. 

"its wonderful wednesday! bring your favorite quiche to share!" nothing against quiches, but still.)

so. yeah. 

i know its pinbinge wednesday, but, 

i'm kind of having a week.

(via)

aside from getting sick, not getting enough sleep, etc., i am

--and i'm sure i'm not alone here--

scrambling to get the christmas cards, holiday gift shopping, crafting, memory-making, movie watching, stocking monogramming, gingerbread decorating, hot cocoa sipping, classroom project creating, teacher gift buying, don't-forget-to-do-that-because-goodness-knows-we'll-never-have-christmas-again things, all done. 

and man, is it a challenge!  

(tim walker via)

what exactly did they do before iphones, the internet, 

malls, and target, i ask you?!  

cavemen were happy with a sharp rock or a new variety of grub to enjoy; my mother tells me of when she was little and would go to the 5 and dime ... "some people got glue, some got pencils..."; now every morning i wake up to a brand new batch of 

gift guides in my face via my inbox 

(which i feel obliged to read, every last one of 'em), 

sale after sale of the latest and greatest 

(its the "time is almost almost running out" sale!), 

and i am 

just. 

plain. 

overwhelmed.

shocker.

if you've read this blog for more than five minutes you may have picked up on more than my incredible good looks and acerbic wit.

i have a tendency to go all in. 

as in, or nothing. 

go big or go home. 

its how i roll.

i am trying to evolve, honest i am; 

its just a slow process for us over-doers. 

i saw a few things today that were kind of awesome. 

lucky for you i share. 

the dear anne sage 

posted this earlier on fb; i read it, agreed with its awesomeness, and had to share:

11 things you should know by 25 

(or 35, or 45+... some are relevant to us ALL!)

via shauna niequist for relevant magazine. 

goooooood stuff.

also.

i have hashitmotos thyroiditis. 

(no, i know what you're thinking, its not another term for amazingly awesome. i know!)

its a super frustrating auto immune disease that causes all sorts of fun symptoms, and generally affects my well being and all around heath and frame of mind. super fun, right?!

after fighting this disease for more than 10 years, i am finally finding some light, truth, and action i can take to really heal. 

so exciting!

if you have any auto immune issues (or really any health issues at all, are curious about quitting sugar, finding a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow, or befriending a unicorn, this is for you!)

sara wilson, i love you.

i hope you all are enjoying your quiches (with wine, duh), and that this helps make your wednesday a little more wonderful. 

who knows? 

you may just want to go and put on a hawaiian shirt. 

xo

what the friday

happy friday, y'all! 

here's a dose of fun for your weekend pleasure. 

what i've been listening to this week:

your own religion

tv girl

cough syrup

young the giant

(bathing caps, glitter in speakers, and synchronized swimming, what's not to love?!)

walk
foo fighters
(dave. friggin. grohl!!!)

irresistible force
jane's addiction

everywhere i go
lissie

in the sunshine
a b & the sea


watching:
oprah's lifeclass


reading/writing: 
my 5-year goal setting journal


surfing:
mfamb
atlantic-pacific
calliespondence 
(and working on putting together my holiday cards IN ADVANCE, thanks, Callie!)
sketch42
rise
(which happens to be my wickedawesome big sister's blog about boot camp and other antics... more on that soon!)


... and catching up on everyone i know via fb, twitter, pinterest, instagram, polyvore... what else am i ON?! 
this computer is rocking my face off. 
but if i don't put it down, my face may fall off. 
i'm off to bed! 
good stuff next week, you guys. thank you for coming back, for reading again, and for continuing to inspire me!
hope you have a beautiful weekend. 
xo


ps. stay cool this weekend. 
like my friend
ice-t

(thanks, e; made. my. day. love you!)

give it away now: babies!

it seems like all of my friends are having babies right now. 

i'm not.

but that doesn't mean i don't love shopping for just the right gift for the new babes and their mums & dads!

here's a roundup of some of my favorite of-the-moment picks:

honestly one of my favorite childrens' books 

(for obvious reasons--birdie! and shoes!)

by gifted author & illustrator sujean rim; you may recognize her signature watercolor prints from your inbox every morning, as she is the talent behind the gorgeous illustrations of daily candy's website & books, among others.

the story is adorable, stylish, and fun, and after almost two years, we still read it almost daily.

what to pair with the sweet read? 

why, a pair of perfectly fabulous shoes, natch!

obsessed with tip toey joey's sweet mary janes. 

pick your favorite color...or get all three.

birdie would approve.

looking for something with a little more wow factor?

cutest ever 

burberry three piece tunic, legging, & gilet set

$213 via alex and alexa

who doesn't love a gift from tiffanys?

instant heirloom status. 

i treasure the tiffany & co. china sets we received for our girls, as well as the precious moon rattle that for whatever reason they still play with. 

my pick for a truly unique gift from tiff?

the elsa peretti padova bubble blower.

sterling silver, $200 bucks, and awesome. 

also. had our financial bubble not burst in recent years, 

this would be mine. ha.

bla bla dolls are one of my absolute favorite gifts to give.

(in addition to which they have the most precious knapsacks, a great back to school gift for little ones!)

not only are they made with all natural, high quality cotton, hand picked in peru where they are hand-sewn, but their home base is in my hometown of atlanta! 

their shop is utterly adorable, as are their products. 

read more here. 

from their website, here are a few of their fabulous offerings; its almost impossible to pick a favorite 

as they are all so special! 

 don't you want one?

the jonathan adler junior collection is about as adorable as home decor can get! 

i'm loving these sweet yet stylish needlepoint pillows and totally chic nightlights:

$48

 $120

 $165

 $120

 $98

$48

 

$98

go here for more. 

finally, i give you: calliespondence!

callie burnette's fresh & unique approach to stationery makes for a wonderfully personal, and therefore special gift.

so proud to be able to call her my friend, 

callie's incredible personal style translates effortlessly into her work; describe your vision for stationery perfection, and she'll make it a reality.  

there's just something...special about receiving a thank you note on the baby's personal stationery. 

some may think its a bit much, but i think its 

one of life's little pleasures. 

after all, how often will someone be able to give a thank you note on behalf of their infant child? 

ok, those of you who are not kate gosselin, octomom, 

or living on a "farm" in utah. 

you get my point. 

go here to see more of callie's work, order some stationery as a gift or for yourself, and stay tuned for
an interview with her in the coming weeks. 

yup, i have an official ladycrush.

before callie, however, comes jenny.

this week's ladycrush is my very own sisterwife, mfamb. 

interview forthcoming.

happy gift giving!

xo

most beautiful androgyny. ever.

you know how sometimes you innocently click on a website and then are absolutely blown away by what you see?

my girlfriend nicole's amazing blog 

had that very effect on me this evening. 

check this out. 

dude looks like a lady.

yeah.

like the most gorgeous lady ever. 

 'cept she's a he. 

as in, andrej pejic.

 he's a bosnian-born supermodel,

 models as both a woman and a man, 

 is about to turn the ripe old age of twenty,

and has closed the galliano show 2 years in a row,

as the bride.

 and...

he's probably the most gorgeous 

person 

i've ever laid eyes on. 

all photos from here. 

go here to read nicole's story on him.

xo