Yo Royal Highness!

I brought you a braided crown . . .

I hear Hurricane Irene is two hours away from NYC, so this princess is trapped

in her castle tonight. But that's OK. I'm going to take this time to (drink a big glass of

pino grigio) show you how I wore my hair earlier this week: up in a braided crown.

I stumbled across this photo of Mary Kate (or Ashley?)

and decided this hairstyle is possible, even for the most hair-challenged.

What I suspect you'll need:

+like 6 bobby pins

You'll want your locks relatively clean (or dry-shampood) to get the most volume.

The thicker the braid, the better.

1: Her hair (above) is parted down the middle, but I think it looks romantic (messier)

parted down the side (and this really works if you wake up with a huge zit on the

left side of your forehead & you need coverage). See:

2: Separate your hair in two sections. Braid the first side up and along side your head.

Once the braid is draped over the crown of your head, secure with two bobbypins.

(repeat on the other site). Still with me?

3: Once both sides are secured at the tips, use your leftover bobby pins to secure loose ends (and then pull a few strands out here and there to force messiness).

And Wallah:

That wasn't so bad, was it?

A staircase out of a fairytale

the little things

I might have to wait a few years for

a winding staircase like this,

but I can paint my walls that salmon color

and completely cover one wall with mirrors and artwork.

I'll take what I can get . . .

happy birthday, elana

credit here


Today's Virgo Horoscope from Cafe Astrology
August 25, 2011

Applying yourself to artistic or other creative pursuits and hobbies
today can bring rewards down the road, dear Virgo. There is great if subtle
strength in the way you carry and express yourself right now.
Revealing conversations can occur today that give you a fresh new
perspective on important people in your life. You are able to assert
your needs in such a way that you win others' respect.


love you, girl

olive + ivory

It's a beautiful thing.

Imitation is the best form of flattery:

Try this blouse: raw-edge henley shirt | Gap | $59.95

skirt: (believe it or not, it was difficult to find a cream lace pencil skirt. I did my best): national lace cream skirt | lulus | $37

clutch: tan envelope purse | polyvore | $31

bracelet: horse bit hinge bracelet | express | $26.90

=$154.85

Try this blouse: chiffon oversized button-up | american apparel | $58

pants: skinny military cargo | free people | $43.13

necklace: fan plaque necklace | topshop | $25

=$126.13

See raw-edge henley shirt | Gap | $59.95 above (now you have two outfits planned for the same blouse. bam.)

short: volcom frochickie shorts | zappos | $38

bag: vintage women camel leather shoulder bag | etsy | $30

shoes: poppy peep toe floral ballet flats | pacsun| $22.50

=$150.45

interior motives

I'll take the light in this apartment and call it a day, but what a great idea to use a sheer curtain to split the room. One curtain rod later and you are out of your studio and into a one bedroom (i'm being optimistic here).

Wow. I am prepared to say goodbye to my red kitchen right now. I want my next kitchen to look like this. White walls. A burlap table cloth, distressed furniture (check!). If I could, I would drink coffee/wine in there all day long!

Romantic. Bohemian. Beach Cottage.
Makes me miss Florida.

This is happening. I certainly have enough books to fill that space.
Amazing.

mason Jar today, soap dispenser tomorrow

If you check out my blog daily (I should be so lucky), you would have read that I spent all night last night looking for my stupid glue gun to make this DIY project! Well, I still haven't found it, so I picked up super glue on the side of the street today. Come to find out, I didn't need either to make this sweet mason jar soap dispenser.


Impressive, huh? Well guess what? It's doesn't take much and it's a whole lot prettier than a plastic grocery-store bought one. I'm just sayin . . .

You can try it on your own (steps below) OR I can give you one I just made (i'll explain). Either way, here you go:

Here's what you'll need:

1} $1.50 mason jar. They are EVERYWHERE now (fishs eddy, target, local thrift store, whatever)

2} The pump from your crappy plastic store-bought soap dispenser

3} A hammer, nail, and pliers

This is how you do it:

Step 1: There are a few ways to make the hole in the mason jar lid. You can use a drill or a hammer and nail to make the initial opening and then pliers to finish. Try and make it just big enough to fit the pump and you won't need any glue. You can do it yourself or you can ask a friend. Like him . . .

Step 2: Insert the pump.

Step 3: Glue it on if your heart desires. Just make sure it is clear and dries quickly.

Step 4: Fill it with soap or lotion or whatever . . . I have made one for my bathroom:

For for my kitchen:

AND for you, friend (or mother, WHOEVER is reading this):

Seriously, I made an extra one to mail to someone who is reading. Here's the deal: Just post a link to my blog on Facebook and Twitter, tag me so I know you did it (to do that, you write @person'sname). I'll just like put your names in a hat (seriously) and choose someone to send it to on Friday. So, you have until Friday and there's probably going to be like 3 people trying to win (so you have a really great chance!) Well, this should be interesting . . .

plan B

My whole plan was to post this DIY project yesterday and make it, so I could give it away to someone who reads this thing! But I couldn't find my freakin glue gun, so I will try and get replacement glue today and post tonight (just FYI, in case you want to check back and see what it is).

SO, since I needed a plan B. I know, I know I said I wouldn't post pretty little wedding things on here, but I just can't help myself sometimes (and maybe you'd like to see it every once in a while?) Well, without giving away too many wedding plans, here's a glimpse of where my heads at: