while my chesty top half would never agree to this dress, i think it's tops.

so, back in january i decided to get crazy after about 4 years of lusting after this kirsten dunst haircut.

but instead of the amazing kirsten cut i had for so long admired, i got the blagojevich. at times, it would morph into the becky-from-roseanne. but never did it ever resemble kirsten's.

it was the worst haircut i've ever gotten. my hair was puffy. really puffy. and i have ultra-fine blonde hair that is incapable of puff.

in my 26 years, i have never regretted a haircut. mostly because i don't care that much. but boy do i rue the day i stepped foot into that salon.

for the past few couple months, i've been super-obsessive about growing my hair out. vitamins, upped water intake, horse shampoo, lots of head massage, no more blow-drying... everything i can think of.

i read a week or so ago on hey susy about her experience with kent combs and brushes. has anyone had any super-healthy hair luck with those?

or, can you recommend anything that's helped you?

i've already vowed to grow out my hair nice and long, so i appreciate any tips on how to get there. patience, i know. but anything else?

photo here.

perfect looks from dace.

via unruly things.

be still my heart.

now let me go grab that extra $800 i have laying around. thanks, frye, for your a beautifully made shoe that i cannot afford.

one pair, maybe.

yes, i really need to find a way to make this shoe happen.

new york & company is one of those places that never really catches my eye. somehow it's even more boring than the limited, and i can't quite get past that.

but i like do like these things — so fresh and so bright! especially that dress.

the fuschia top and awesome belt could be playing a trick on my eyes, but this is the first time i've really thought wow! i should wear harem pants.

what are your thoughts? not for everyone?

this pair from anthropologie seems like it'd be pretty forgiving so i might finally be ready to give it a shot.

to all who sneaked a peak at monday's giveaway: sorry about that. i hit publish too early! please come back and play (for real this time) later today.

i'm so sorry and also very embarrassed.

update: we're having some technical difficulties, but rest assured... an awesome giveaway is coming up.

it's a good thing for my joe that gene kelly is no longer living, or he'd have some serious competition. i really might be in love. but not as in love as i am with joe, of course.

cutest photo ever via we heart it.

somebody please snatch up this necklace from imogene and dannie's etsy shop so i no longer have the opportunity to buy it.

via oh joy.

my brilliant friend holly has gone and turned her love of color into a blog, creative holly color. she plans to feature color portraits of her favorite creatives, and i can't wait to see more.

though it goes without saying, i'm honored to be a part of it. thank you, holly, for profiling me!

my heart stopped for these calling cards by invited ink.

genius. and beautiful as always, by simplesongdesigns.

love affair with luxe paperie.


snow & graham... i can order this for myself, right?


natalie eden... i hope you'll notice the glitter around the edges.



hello! lucky... love that little moustache!



peculiar pair press... those colors! that pattern!



wiley valentine... so pretty!

love.

via shiny squirrel.

i might feel the need to blow my entire yearly shoe budget on a bunch of these summery styles from marais.

where to start?
eggplant irving
chestnut mulberry
emerald perry
red prince

via creature comforts.

guess what it is not like today...


this. it was 80 and awesome two days ago, and today? icy and cold.

save 30 percent through the 15th at gap, banana and old navy... all the while giving 5 percent to the world wildlife fund (there are other organizations to choose from, but you get this one from me).



perhaps you'd like one of these new (product)red t-shirts. think of how much good you'd be doing with one simple purchase!

via stuff under twenty.

i recently took a peek at "city chic: the modern girl's guide to living large on less." author nina willdorf is editor-in-chief of budget travel, which is always my first travel magazine pick (hey guess who can't afford the world's best secret spas/beach getaways/european escapes?), so i was excited to see what advice she had to say about doing more with less.

the book, an update to its initial 2003 release, offers tips on everything from sprucing up your space and wardrobe to getting the most out of a haircut and getting fit for less (she almost has me convinced to start running). willdorf's advice seems easy enough to follow — small steps (packing a lunch, trimming your bangs) that not only help you save money, she says. you'll also start feeling great about controlling your formerly spendthrift ways. i can totally vouch for that, except in my case, i like to reward myself with something bought. bad.

in short, the book is a smart buy (a mere $10 investment on amazon) and addresses the issues a lot of us will be facing in the months ahead. curse you, economy!

if i haven't yet convinced you, perhaps the greatest endorsement of anything ever, from simon doonan, will do the trick:

"city chicks no longer need to turn tricks or sell dope in order to live a glamorous lifestyle — just read nina's brilliant book."

thank god for that!

i am really wanting a new camera. something a bit more substantial than my point&shoot but not quite a dslr. anyone have suggestions?

above: canon powershot, leica v-lux (what i really want but cannot afford) and panasonic lumix.

in the meantime, i think it's time my slr saw a little action. maybe we'll get that out this weekend.

wouldn't that be nice on some days?

and under $12 for a set of 8 of these pads? that's a lot of days...

via stuff under twenty, which i'll add is a nice resource for scoring cute things on the cheap. i think we can all use a bit of that right now.

so maybe i've spent hours and hours today looking at silly japanese printed fabric. maybe i was a little inspired by the fabrics in my last two posts. and maybe i just happen to have developed a really big obsession with said silly japanese printed fabric.

thanks, super buzzy for keeping me super busy tonight. tomorrow, i take on repro depot.

ideas for what i could do with the fabric? i'm thinking pillows. and little girl skirts. and maybe big girl skirts. kawaii!

might not be able to live without this pillow from olive's etsy shop. and at $17, the price is pretty right.

some pretty wares from jennifer ladd. the paris clutch will be mine as soon as i get a little spending money.

and those booties? cutest ever? could be? yes.

sigh. if only pugs could wear booties.

lovely cards from essimar papel, using various media such as graphite, die-cut paper and screenprinting inks.

psst. her blog is pretty lovely, as well.

check out these illustrations and patterns from studio violet of gothenburg, sweden. i'll have to snatch up some of the postcards soon. and what a great way to display them, no?

you know how i feel about nina simone...

and this just sets my heart a'flutter.

i could watch it over and over again for days. what do you think?

via black*eiffel.

from top: the english dept. (via coco+kelley), indulgencecouture (yes, that's a rainbow), holly stalder, lola show girl, modernromancepdx.

and, if you missed the first go-round, you can find some more sigh-worthy pieces here.