In the midst of a heat wave...

An outfit inspired by the heat wave we are currently experiencing in sunny southern California..

1. J.Crew - Silk Chiffon Taryn Dress
2. Kate Spade - Folley Beach Bag
3. Kate Spade - Metropolitan Pearls Bracelet
4. Alkemie + Sea Turtle Ring
5. J. Crew - Leather Capri Sandals

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the day filled with a cool breeze and ice tea!!!

P.S. I would like to thank Margie over at Latebloomerbuds for being so sweet and allowing me to grace her lovely blog in her column featuring new bloggers. She made me feel just like this...

Thanks Margie, you're the best!! XOXO

Why I love Target

I have been in love with Target since I can remember, well actually we have more of a love/hate relationship. I can't seem to walk out of there with at a minimum 10 things that I don't need. I blame their brilliant marketing strategy and the fact that they have had some major designers come aboard...Zac Posen, Liberty of London, Anna Sui just to name a few.

Anyway I have been a bit obsessed with dishes lately, so imagine my delight when I came across these...

Discovery Bone China place setting

on the Target website. Once again Target, you have shown me that you can provide a girl with everything her heart desires!!

I am going to be honest in that I have never browsed their "Fine China" category (yes they do have a fine china section) but these are just so pretty and at $39.99 a place setting I just may have to break down and get them.

Plus they would make my Apple Jacks look much more sophisticated.

Sunday afternoon at the movies

Hi all!! Hard to believe Sunday afternoon is already upon us, is anyone else looking to see where their weekend went to?

I revisited one of my all time favorite flicks this weekend. I am a sucker for a great movie set, gorgeous costumes and color combinations that leave me wanting more. Another thing I love to do is make color palettes. I began doing this about a year ago when I had a design composition professor who was big on having us all present the color palettes for our projects before we began. I have continued this practice and love to refer back to different palettes when I am need of some inspiration for upcoming projects, parties, or just because color makes me happy.

I decided that these two things should meet and become friends and become my first regular column here on 365. Introducing... "Color Palette Movie Sunday". Every week I will share with you an inspiration board and color story of some great films that I leave me feeling inspired and renewed.

I love Sofia Coppola's version of Marie Antoinette, it is a lovely film that is full of color, music, costumes and gorgeous sets, it was filmed in Versailles for goodness sake. I really enjoy all the colors that she incorporated into her vision and they all complement one another beautifully. If you watch the special features of the dvd, like I do, she speaks about how she was inspired by colors of French Macaroon cookies, as well as 80's rock, and tried to stay away from some of the darker colors that are often seen in period films.

I hope these colors inspire you to do something lovely, bright and fun (and if they do send me a link I would love to see how they inspired you!)

Still trying to determine what movie will be featured next , any suggestions??

Well I am off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday afternoon I hear some John Denver calling my name.

Inspiration has arrived!!!

I have finally finished my inspiration blogging board for the BYW class, hooray. I have never created a mood board before and must admit I am hooked. I have always enjoyed working on collages so this was right up my alley.

A few of my favorite details include:

- A small illustration from my sketchbook based on a vintage vogue pattern I have stashed in a drawer.

- Stitching on paper, I have always loved the way this looks and try to use whenever possible.

- Some buttons that belonged to my great grandmother, I have quite a few glass bottles of these gems.

- A fabulous card from Paper Source, it makes me laugh every time I see it. 

The idea of this blog has progressed from just posting an iPhone picture everyday to something more and I couldn't be more excited about all the possibilities. I have enjoyed finding inspiration all around me and in the great community that I have been introduced to through blogging. I can't wait to continue along this adventure with all of you. 

Stay tuned...

Tasty Thursday.

Happy Fall Everyone!!! Hard to believe the holiday season is quickly approaching and the lazy days of summer are behind us. Nothing says fall to me like some good old fashioned comfort food so I decided to make some mac n cheese for dinner this evening. I am usually a blue box kind of girl but tonight I felt in a gourmet kind of mood. It came out great and even the Mr. came back for seconds.

I included the recipe below if the mood should happen to strike you as well. If you have a great comfort food go to recipe I would love to hear about it so don't be shy and drop me a line. Remember sharing is caring.

Mac N Cheese (not from a box)

This recipe feed my family of three with enough for left overs, adjust accordingly.

Step 1 (gather these goodies):

-  Coarse salt

-  1/2 pound macaroni

-  3 large eggs

-  12 ounces of evaporated milk

-  1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

-  1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

-  1 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar

-  1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

-  1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

Step 2:

Preheat oven to 475. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni for 6 minutes. It will be a bit undercooked but don't worry. Drain macaroni and set aside.

Step 3:

In a large mixing bowl whisk together eggs and evaporated milk. Once combined add in 1/2 tsp. salt, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, and cheeses. Mix well and add macaroni. Mix together then transfer to an 8 inch baking dish. Gently spread macaroni mixture so it is evenly spread.

Step 4:

Bake in the oven for 12 minutes or until sauce is bubbling. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 5:

DIG IN!!!

Cup full of flowers.

I was feeling in a bit of a funk today, mostly because the things on my to do list did not involve anything that I felt like to doing. On my second trip to Starbucks (yes you read that correctly) I decided to get some flowers and see if that would help brighten my day. 

This is the first flower arrangement I have ever put together and I definitely feel I need a bit more practice. I love using things other than vases on the rare occasion that I bring flowers home and this little tea cup from Anthropologie was just the right size. I see more flower buying in my future because these served their purpose and made me smile. 

What little things help to brighten your day?

Hello Lucky...

I would like to introduce you to my new little friend Lucky. I picked her up in a small shop in Chinatown this weekend during our getaway to San Francisco. I have been searching for the perfect Lucky Cat to bring home for the past couple of years and I have left many shops in Los Angeles, San Diego and even as far as Honolulu disappointed and wondering if she even existed. Often times I would see a version that was almost right and for a minute I would think maybe I should just settle, but I would leave empty handed more determined than ever.  Imagine my surprise when I walked into one of the tiniest shops that was stocked full of air soft pistols and swords and spotted her hiding in the corner. She has the sweetest face is made of porcelain and her paw moves, PERFECTION!! She will be my reminder that you should never settle for less than what you have your heart set on.