Have a safe Halloween weekend everyone !!

I am super excited for this weekend! My cousin Michelle, is coming in from Florida, for a halloween party tonight - followed by a trip I organized for 12 of us to go to the wineries out east/pumpkin picking this Sunday. My cousin and I haven't spent a halloween together since we were young - And, we have neverrr even had a drink with each other! So - it's going to be a really amazing, fun-filled, memorable weekend!  

I'm rockin' the pink jogging suit [HOT] - Miche is in front of me

in the white hoodie. Probably our last halloween together.

Custom head gear!!

After seeing the feather headband I made for Christina's engagement party,  one of my blog readers [Shout out STEPHANIE!], wanted some of her own!  Check out her feather headbands that I created below.

That shit craa..!

I came across the work of Matthew Cox today – He is an artist that combines embroidery with X-rays, and the outcome is both beautiful and haunting.  Pretty nuts. Click "READ ON" for more images.

Dear UK, why do you have all the most amaze clothing sites? Love, Jpep

A friend of mine who thankfully reads my blog [ shout out to ALEXA!] - was commenting to me that she can never find any cute, affordable work-appropriate dresses.  Taking in to consideration that she already mentioned she liked shopping on Lipsy - Immediately I thought of Miss Selfridge.  A company I only learned about when I started working at InStyle, and am now in love with!   Check out my top picks from the site. Shop their dress shop HERE!


P.S. My fave feature? Much like ASOS - Miss Selfridge let's you control your selection by price.  Thus, your splurging will be limited to your budge!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:  BIKER JACKET; GOLD PLATE NECKLACE; PLEATED LONG SLEEVE TOP; CROC TRIP BAG; TEXTURED MAXI; BROWN ANKLE BOOT; 1 SLEEVE DRESS

Shop all of Miss Selfridge HERE >

Have a beautiful and safe weekend!

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

Sparkly Stems!

In the midst of my morning routine, of reading up on my blogs, listening to some light music, and drinking my coffee - I have discovered my new obsession (of the moment)! Check out these uber glamourous tights!  As we know, ladies, tights are a MUST for the cold fall and winter months. They are a basic staple, but  why not have them steal the show? I spotted these tights on Bebaroque.  A european company that is known for their bedazzled body suits and luxe legwear!  However, they can run you a pretty penny - and for a not-so-dainty and very saavy shopper like myself.. I'd rather take this trend the DIY [do-it-yourself] route! Click "READ ON" for more tights from Bebaroque and my tutorial on how you too, can have sparkly stems! ;)

Excuse Moi!

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month, I'm pretty sure you may have noticed that The Muppets have taken over every avenue of advertising for their upcoming movie (coming out November 23rd).  But, when I saw this editorial in November's issue of InStyle - I smiled from ear-to-ear.  Genius! (and not just because I work here!)  The fact of the matter is, there is no character more glamourous than this here swine.  And, aside from her sometimes selfish, gold digging, spot light craving behavior - she is a curvaceous, business-minded, fashionista (see how I put a positive spin on that?) - the envy of little girls for years.. or was that just me?

Aside from combining the luxe fashion with this fabulous pig - OPI has released a line of new colors in conjunction with the film's release. Click "READ ON" to check out the colors, and watch the official movie trailer! 

Jason Wu

Christina & Matt's Engagement Party!

Dressing my best friend for her Engagement party made for such a sentimental and amazing day! As per my last post, you can see which choice she went with - and wore it well! She looked amazing! Click 'READ ON' to check out some more pictures from the day, what playlist we listened to while we got ready, and a little montage I made of all the pics.

P.S. I made her feather head piece!  Soon enough you'll be able to shop items just like this one on my upcoming site. ;)

I hope life treats you kind, and I hope you have all you've dreamed of, and I wish you joy and happiness–But, above all this, I wish you love.

So in conjunction with my last post - I figured we would continue on the Wedding topic, since that seems to be the theme of the weekend.  Christina (my aforementioned best friend)'s engagement party approaches this weekend - and she has asked me (or maybe, I told her?) to style her for the occasion!  There is nothing I love more than being given full reign to dress someone!  

A little background on the bride - Her and I sat at the same [purple] table in kindergarten (22 years ago!), are born a day apart, live one block from each other, and have been on more adventures than Bill & Ted.  She has currently been with her counter-part Matt, for six years - and they adorably got engaged in Disney about a month ago!  So, I am so obviously happy for her - and delighted that she wants me to be so involved in her big day.

"READ ON" below to see some inspiration and ideas I have pulled for the-bride-to-be.

SIDE NOTE: If the name of my blog has not already given it away - I am a lover of whimsy and all things quirky.  That being said, no one does WEDDING and WHIMSY better than the one and only KATE SPADE (Or Deborah Lloyd, who is running things over there). Pictured above is a snippet of their 'Wedding Belles' campaign - which I adore.  There's something so FUN and GIRLY about the collection - with out being so serious!

SHOP WEDDING BELLES COLLECTION HERE >

Celebrate the little things! :)

..now if I just knew who was reading! Leave me comments! Follow me by email (on the right)!

A Porcelain Tale

My bestie Christina just got engaged!! [along with.. everyone else apparently? lol] And, in talking her down from the ledge of getting absolutely stressed out about this whole thing - and talking her into ENJOYING the moment and planning for her very special day - We have collectively dove in to researching!  I came across the MOST amazing wedding site called 100 layer cake.  It is full of great DIY wedding projects, loads of resources, and tons of super creative wedding inspiration! Getting a glimpse in to all the different ways people choose to spend their wedding day, is so fun!  
Below I pulled some imagery featured on the 100 Layer Cake blog - from a wedding shoot entitled 'A Porcelain Tale' that I thought needed to be shared! But, what's even more amaze? The 'moving photo shoot' below it. Absolutely stunning!

Loy Kratong.. yea I said it!

Approximately two years ago - I had the pleasure of seeing one of the most amazing 4th of july fire work displays I've ever witnessed.  And, if you know me at all - there is nothing I love more - than fireworks! So, there I am, in a field, way upstate, sitting directly under the display (I wanna say, dangerously close) - when one of the firework lightees comes out with a "sky lantern". Something, at the time, that was totally foreign to me – but, definitely had become love at first sight. I obviously HAD to go home and google this.  

Upon my google search - I discovered "Loy Kratong" - a celebration in Thailand.  "Loy" meaning literally 'to float'. It is a festival held on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month and usually falls in November. The festival involves thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns) drifting into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.  Each flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. 

The visual, of all of these lanterns in the sky - is amazing.  There is something so romantic and beautiful about it - with undertones of hope and comradery.  Click the 'Read On' below and watch the video – you'll see what I mean.. or you'll think I'm crazy! ;) 

I think I've mentioned I love Fall, right?

As the weather changes, there is nothingggggggg I enjoy more than a cozy day under blankets, watching movies, open windows, and a bowl of my veggie chili.  Something, I would like to think, is a specialty of mine - as I am a closet Martha Stewart! So, blog readers.. are you ready? For your reading pleasure, a once in the life time opportunity, my [not-so-secret] chili recipe! Eat and prosper!  

P.S. Get creative! Make it your own! I like to add olives, corn, the kitchen sink!

"I am not a great believer in fairy tales. Every woman should fight hard for her own happy ending."

   As October 12th is upon us - I thought it only appropriate that I dedicate a blog post to the most amazing couple I know - my parents - and their anniversary.  There are few relationships I have come across in my life, that are as strong, beautiful and real as theirs.  And, when you ask my dad what the secret is – he'll tell you "true love". 
   The story goes as follows - Jo meets John at a gas station by her house and proceeds to come back often (sometimes with coffee and a rose in hand - usually to get some "noises" checked out in her car) - in hopes of wooing John.  He, however, was sending some mixed signals - that Jo, could not for the life of her, figure out!  So.. after much persistence - she gave up! And, in due time - got a phone call from John, telling her to come by the gas station - that he needed to talk to her. He then explained he was engaged - and being the loyal man he was - could not pursue Jo.  However, that engagement had since ended.. And, three months later - Jo and John were engaged!  31 years later, they are still living their "happily ever after".  


If I have half the relationship they do - I will be a lucky girl. (..but I want the whole thing!! ;)

Oh, what can you do with a sentimental heart.

I am a lover of things with history.. people, places.. and sentimental value – so when I came across these images today, I couldn't help but be inspired to share! The photos are from a vintage photo collector Giuseppe Savini.  He took these while in Bologna, Italy.  I just love the thought of how these people in the older photos, stood in these very spots, that still exist today.. something sort of eerily magical about it.

The BUN, UNDONE!

The more and more I wear this easy-to-do, chicer-than-a-pony, hair style - the more I'm getting questions on HOW do I do it?! SO, here's a play by play ladies.  This is my go-to hair DO, when I can't get my hair to cooperate, am feeling a bit lazy - or want to add an ultra fem softness to a rough around the edges outfit!

Busy Sundays Lead to Lazy Mondays!

There is nothing I love more than a Sunday filled with street fairs, pumpkin beer, and pasta with my beautiful family!  However, such a jam-packed day has me yearning for a comfy Monday. Here's what I'm sporting today [with a very large, caffeinated pumpkin coffee in-hand] as the solution!