Eight simple steps to the perfect blow out! I've done this the past couple of times my hair has met my blow dryer and I've got to say it really helps keep my hair from looking like a complete frizzy mess! Fairly quick (compared to a normal blow dry) depending on the thickness and length of your hair but oh so worth it! :) (source)

Repurpose your local news for some fun Christmas wrapping paper! Steps & more wrapping ideas can be found here at Country Living!

What an awesome competition that we all get to enjoy! Check out the 1st round of "The Beauty of a Second" short-film contest. Each round will feature 20, one second long video compilations. Can't wait for round 2 and 3! Oh... and these days everyone can be a film maker so submit (they accept all digital formats). For more info. check out their crazy cool interactive site.

Who doesn't want a pair of sequin hot pants! Fun, festive and a great way to add a little sparkle to this holiday season! Love 'em.

Are you a design nerd, needing a time waster or looking for a little inspiration? The Piccck.Me game has got your covered. It's a one on one match between designs. Categories include typography, logo, website and illustration designs, all pulled from the dribbble RSS feed. So check it out and vote, it's your duty! 

 OK... so I'm slightly embarrassed to be admitting this because I really don't care for a certain famous family (which shall remain nameless) promoting these new OPI colors but regardless I must sing polish praise when polish praise is due. I. am. in. love. with this deep aqua/turquoise blue nail lacquer. Goes on smoothly and dries shinny (I didn't even feel the need for a top coat). Perfect for fall and a fun alternative to black. :) And there are at least 5 more colors from this line I still want to try.

I'm in love with this fall trend! It's so simple but adds a fun little detail to an ordinary sweater or cardigan. Cue (inexpensive) DIY project...

You'll Need:
Sweater or Cardigan
Twill iron-on patch
Scissors
Ruler
Pins
Iron

Steps are pretty simple. Cut out oval shape from patch. Measure where you want the patch to sit. Mark the spot (you can use a pencil, marker, or pins). Do the same for the other arm, making sure the patches sit evenly with one another before you iron. Iron on patch, following the directions on twill patch package.

Then PRESTO! You're done and have a great new sweater for less than $2.

I blogged about Tennis last spring because I loved the style of their feel good beats! Now they're back with a new single an an upcoming album, Young & Old, due to be released early next year. Add in a little Patrick Carney of The Black Keys (their album El Camino is out next month) as the producer, and my friends, we'll arrive at music gold. Really looking forward to all the new tunes coming our way in the next couple of months! 

Happy Friday! Here's a fun little single from High Highs to kick start your weekend. Awesome folky/electro/pop in its purest form. I hear the duo is working on a full-length album too, can't wait! In the meantime, check out two of their other songs here!

Ah! I'm all over this style! Love the pop of polka dot! I just bought a polka dot scarf a few weeks ago and have been searching for unique ways to wear it. Consider this (with a little spin of my own interpretation -- of course) a future look of mine! Happy Monday! Love.  

 I am all out lovin' paring ridding boots and a high socking! This look completely says "winter time" to me. Perfect for the cooler weather we're having in the O.K.L.A. and a great accessory to change up the styling of your boots. I just need to find the perfect pair of high sockings and I'm set (pair on the left are from Banana Republic but these from Target may work just as well and are a quarter of the price). Picture on the right is from Blushing Ambition's What I Wore Flickr set. I dig EVERY look on her blog and photostream! I'm *obsessed* with her effortless style! Complete and utter style envy! Check out her blog and get obsessed too!

It's a new month! Which means it's time to change your desktop wallpaper :)! Right on schedule, the design savvys over at Smashing Magazine have put out a ton of free options (with or without calendars). Though, I find with to be very useful! Just a couple of my favorites are pictured above. Enjoy!

 I have a HUGE watch obsession, and I fear my feelings of love/need/want are translating to eye wear as well. Love. Love. Love. These Crosby Burgundy Fade specs from Warby Parker! And they're fairly inexpensive (including prescription)! Also, been obsessed with eye wear from here since forever. I see a row of glasses lining my dresser in the near future.  

With Halloween right around the corner I took to a little experiment and went all Dexter on my nails. Fun but messy and time consuming. Check out how it turned out below! For steps on how to recreate plus a few more fun Halloween nail art ideas, click here! Happy Halloween!

5 Things!
Alexandar Wang Anais loafer pump in silver
Zoya Nail polish in Yara (seriously zoya is awesome, tons of colors and last longer than most others)
Sperry Top Sider Boat Shoe in Plum Metallic (and they're on sale right now!)
DIY Nail Art over at Honestly... WTF oh and you'll need some of these too
Russel + Hazel One Day at a Time smart date notepads

How cute are these retro nerdy love prints! Nerdy Dirty has these and more on her etsy site, with greeting cards coming soon! :) Can't wait!

 

These 'The Rules Of:' illustrations by Christie Young gave me such a good laugh! This is only one of the many visuals she's created on how to handle yourself during the most awkward of situations. Read them all. Helpful & funny!

Great tunes for the latter part of the week! Mates of State is a husband + wife duo with an indie pop sound that makes me want to drop everything, get up and dance! They've got tons of great tracks (throughout their almost 15 years in the music biz), I also recommend their 2008 album Re-arrange Us. The above song is off their latest album, Mountiantops (released on September 13). Enjoy!

Aside from the fact that I've recently become obsessed with Mad Men (I know... I'm behind), these unofficial Season 5 illustrations from Radio are in and of themselves *Awwwesome.* Slightly embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t until I fell in love with the Banana Republic Collection inspired by the show that I finally decided to give Mad Men a go (having Netflix stream on my TV probably had something to do with it too). Peep the rest of their crazy cool portfolio for more inspiration. I'm really loving the Sugar Type too!

Ok. As I've probably hinted at in previous posts, I am no chef. But this tutorial looks fully fool proof! Simple instructions, striking visuals, and will go perfect in my newly acquired hermetic bottles (also pictured below) from The Container Store. Complements of a friend that lives in a bigger city (more equipped with, what I deem, essential decor/storage stores, e.g. Ikea, World Market, West Elm, The Container Store just to name a few). Think I'll go with Almond... YUM!

Mine is the one in red! :)

p.s. If you haven't checked out My New Roots, do yourself (and for all those you cook for) a favor and start reading! Sarah has created a beautiful blog with wonderful, nutrient dense recipes.

Mmm... hungry yet?? Gojee can be your own personalized recipe creator. Paired with absolutely delectable food photography, Gojee offers recipe suggestions based on your cravings and/or ingredients you already have in your pantry! You can even customize it to include food restrictions if you're a vegetarian, vegan or have a food allergy. I'm completely inspired now to brush up on my (pretty much non-existent) culinary skills! Let's get cookin'!

  

My obsessions, A to Z. First up, A through C --- With a double dose of the letter "C" because I just couldn't choose.

A - Apples (Granny Smith, in particular)

B - Bubble Gum Art (This guy is pretty crafty with gum, I chew enough, could DIY this in no time)

C (part I) - COFFEE (self explanatory, however this local option should get a shout out)

C (part II) - Coach (this obsession is a problem)

So. In. Love. with these metal + leather pieces from By Boe! Made even better by their 5% of purchase donation to Women for Women International. Find out more about the this awesome org helping women survivors of war HERE.

Holy cat on a hot tin roof!!! Must wear these 50s-60s inspired shades at all times and bring out my inner feline! Talk about the cat's MEOW!
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8

Vacationer is a secret (until now) side project between the band Body Language and another yet to be announced singer. Really though, after looping through this song 1000 times, it doesn’t matter to me who this secret singer is.... I just know I want more. So I’ll be {im}patiently waiting. Also reminds me of how much I’m overdue a vacation too. I crave travel!

Yeah. I really like this band... and you should too. Got this track free from itunes SXSW mixer, it's great, as is the rest of their tunes.

Could watch this for hours, completely mesmerized and in awe of the beauty God has created. Absolutely sublime.

All about this beat + mood. Video is pretty awesome too.

Simplicity, might simply be one of my favorite concepts.

This song made me smile so much I made it my alarm clock to wake up to, haha no but seriously... I did.

ALL about these mixed prints! The bright contrasts are so eye catching! Now... must figure out how to pull off this style with current wardrobe... hmm... 

Absolutely obsessed with this band! Every time I here this song I imagine running/dancing through a big, sunny field!!!! Happy tunes!

Love Love Love this drawing and the message it sends! See more of this crazy talented gal's inspirational pad here (via Design*Sponge).

Even after several years of French (in high school and college) I still have no clue what this song is about... except that the title might say something like, "What You Do" but kind of like not knowing and just getting busy busting a move to this funky little grove.

Grow Hair GROW!!! I need longer hair so I can fully care out this easy/whimsy style.
LOVE BRAIDS!

 

Truth in illustration... I definitely suffer from this (at times), but it's comforting to think that most women do! Check out more of this crazy talented illustrator's work. I'm also swooning over her savvy photography skills too!

Wow! Love the home + office goodies you can find at MoMA stores. Who knew? Seriously need those pinch and pour prep bowls. I'm a messy cook.

With store like this and this, you never have to forfeit style for functionality :)

 5 Things! Can you tell I'm ready for Spring!!!

Camera Obscura: French Navy
Neon Arm Candy 
Looking for Love
Peachy Shoes
Tennis: Marathon

Winter Wonderful.

Perfect music for the winter weather we're having. Every song on this EP is amazing. Ms. Waggoner is a master of the piano. Take a little listen below.