taking flight.

amy ruppel is one of my favorite artists; i love her pretty paintings and am seriously itching to get my paws on one. so i was really happy to discover that amy has done a series of state bird prints--one for every state in the u.s.--and that they're really lovely and bright and cheerful, with details that are unique to each state. when my shopping ban is lifted, i'll definitely be ordering a florida (mockingbird) print--i think the color scheme would be perfect in my bedroom. a 5x7 print is $25, an 8x10 print is $40, and you can click right here to shop.

{ images by amy ruppel }

eliza + axel.

the other day, i came across these pretty, ethereal t-shirts from etsy seller eliza + axel and i just had to share them with you. i've put myself on a shopping ban after going a little crazy recently (more on that soon, but forever 21 and its mass-produced-but-cheap-and-cute goodies is going to be the death of me, i think), but once that ban is lifted, i'm definitely going to be purchasing an eliza + axel tee. aren't they summer-perfect?

{ images: eliza + axel }

gorgeous gateaus.

speaking of food, nikole (from one of my favorite blogs, forty-sixth at grace), makes such beautiful cakes, doesn't she?

julie & julia.

i absolutely can't wait for this movie. i adore nora ephron, the director (you've got mail is one of my most favorite movies EVER), and i think amy adams and meryl streep are incredible talents. they both look extra delightful in this movie, don't they?

plus, it's about cooking and it comes out on my birthday (august 7). what more can you ask for?

mind your own business.

one of the things i miss most about working in an office is having business cards. my last job was my first one out of college, which meant that when i finally got a set of business cards, they were also a first. i gave one to every member of my family, from my mother to my godfather, and when i was laid off, i remember feeling sad and strange the first time someone asked me for a card and i had to say that i didn't have one.

anyway, now that it looks like i'll be freelancing/consulting for awhile, i've decided it's high time for me to get my own set of business cards. flickr partner moo will create a 50-pack of business cards for you for $21.99 using a flickr photo of your choice. as someone who desperately wants pretty business cards but who doesn't have a whole lot of money to spend on them right now, this seems like a perfect option--and since i'm based in sarasota, i could use a pretty image of the beach or bayfront for my card.

{ image: jewelry designer abigail percy's moo business cards. so pretty! }

up, up and away.

i thought we could kick off this monday morning with some pretty balloons--a nice idea, don't you think? how were your weekends?

p.s. guess what? i went to a party at a local furniture shop on friday night, and guess who was in attendance? eames demetrios, grandson of charles and ray eames(!!) and head of the eames office in california. SO COOL!

what are you doing this weekend?

what are you doing this weekend, my dears? tonight i'm going to a party at a local shop, and for the rest of the weekend i'm doing some projects around the house (i'll show them to you soon), relaxing and spending time with friends--especially one who just lost her dog, poor thing.

tell me your plans, and i'll see you back here on monday! have a wonderful, pure few days. xoxo

neck couture.

dalia koss is a sarasota-based jewelry designer who makes beautiful, handcrafted necklaces. i can totally see pairing one of these with a very simple little black dress or a black tank and pants. lovely and unique, don't you think? click here to see more of dalia's work, or if you're in sarasota, her shop is located on pretty st. armands circle.

the devil wears prada?

as someone who used to work full-time at a magazine--and who still does a fair amount of freelance writing for one--i'm super excited about the release of the september issue, a documentary about vogue editrix anna wintour and her preparation for the magazine's september 2008 issue. it looks so interesting.

{ via otis and frank, via a cup of jo }

pretty in purple.

more loveliness: i would really like a set of these violet-colored glass bottles. please and thank you.

{ image by holly's talented husband }