Tiny Bit of Sparkle

Almost too good to be true...

2012-02-03T08:43:00.003-05:00

Now you know I love a good deal but I'm not a person that likes knock-off purses. I generally prefer the real thing if possible. I love shoes but if I can find a good knock-off, I'm all for it! Target has done a great job of "paying tribute" to some great shoes and boots at an equally great price.

If you've always wanted a pair of Frye 12R Engineer Boots...

Take a look at Target's version for a fraction of the price!!! ($59.99)

kathryn engineer boot

The next Target/Frye deal is based on Frye's Melissa Button Boot. I've been wanting these for a while but haven't wanted to pay over $300 for a pair of boots.

frye melissa button boot

I think someday I'll invest but the Target version got me by this season for only $48.99! I was a little nervous about the leather looking like plastic but they actually look good in person and I've gotten a lot of compliments. I'll warn you, the leather is a little funny looking up close but everyone always asks me where I got them and ends up buying a pair!

kasia tall leather boot

Now if you're shopping for spring, here's a few good Dolce Vita deals at Target. I love the Dolce Vita Jalen (originally $150, on sale $89.99)

Dolce Vita Jalen

But if you prefer a good deal, check out Target's version (also come in my favorite color, Cognac)...

Pearlynn

Loving this wedge as well that retails at $125 (on sale for $89.99)

Jollen

Or you can pick up Target's version for only $29.99!

Primrose

Hope you enjoy these deals! I would love to hear if you indulge in any!

What deals have you found lately??

Pleated

2012-02-02T08:33:00.001-05:00

I have a minor obsession with buying pleated skirts and dresses lately. I actually feel quite proud that last year I was one of the first to sport this trend and am very happy it's continuing into this year. I found this cute little mint green skirt via Facebook from a little boutique but unfortunately they were sold out. I was able to order it from Lulu's though in case you're interested.

elle fanning pleated skirt

Love this dress... so perfect for a honeymoon!

via

Here's a few of my other pleated purchases lately...

hive and honey pleated maxi dress

I was lucky to find this maxi skirt at Anthropologie the other night on sale for $19.95 because it was missing the zipper and top button. Easily fixed by my awesome seamstress!

via

Are you loving pleats as much as I do???

New Year, New Body

2012-02-01T08:12:00.000-05:00

So this year I decided that I really did want to live a healthier lifestyle ~~minus my wine habit~~. I'm really making a conscious effort to eat healthier and workout. I've gotten a bit addicted to hot yoga thanks to a few of my friends. I found an AMAZING studio (it's not bikram but has a class that is very similar) and I've even started going at 6 am during the week and going at 10 am on the weekends.

Let me start by saying I have never woken up for a workout during the week and especially during the weekend. There's something about hot yoga that is the perfect combination for me. Sweating everything out and the fact that you truly do have to be 100% focused on your poses (you can't be thinking about work and other stresses) makes it an awesome stress reliever and workout.

Of course you need the right gear to keep yourself inspired right? So I introduced myself to Lululemon (which by the way seems to be the happiest place on earth)...

no limit tank

boogie short

I also swear by the underwear. I usually get the sale underwear at Target but splurged on a few pairs at Lululemon and it is so soft and so comfortable!

On a serious note, a hot yoga towel is completely necessary. Here's the one I purchased:

manduka eQua yoga towel

Have you tried hot yoga???

Another Year Older...

2012-01-31T08:57:00.001-05:00

Hey friends! Last weekend I celebrated my 28th birthday! I'm not necessarily a big "birthday person" but I definitely enjoy it. :) I feel like every birthday at 21 hasn't been as big--I even forget how old I am sometimes!

Every year I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have such thoughtful friends and family. One of my gifts in particular has prompted to write a post.

Work has been crazy the past year and I'm hoping it is about to slow down enough to wear I can enjoy blogging and really put some time and thought into what I blog about.

Here's a few of the other goodies I was lucky enough to receive... Can you tell I have a thing for J. Crew???

What has been one of your most memorable birthday presents?

Kate Spade

2011-11-29T08:18:00.002-05:00

While visiting a friend in Kansas City, we stopped into the new Kate Spade store and I realized that they've really upped their game since the boxed purses that made them famous way back when.

It's been a while since I've even looked at Kate Spade but the bright colors and whimsy of the store sucked me and and now I can't get enough! About half of my Christmas list is full of Kate Spade items. Here's a few of my favorite items on my Christmas list...

Belina Dress

Cheers Necklace

Putting On the Ritz Drop Earring

Le Pavillion iPhone Case

Nerissa

Wickford Collection

Confectionary Anastasia

Also, if you haven't already seen this article in this month's Matchbook magazine featuring Kate and Andy Spade's home, it's a must see!!

Tiny Bits of Sparkle for the Holiday Season

2011-11-22T08:42:00.006-05:00

I love the holidays because it's a great excuse to shimmer a bit without being over the top. I went for some everyday sparkle starting with my nails

OPI Designer De Better

Here's a few other items with sparkle you need this holiday season

Kate Spade All Wrapped Up Pave Mini Ring

J Crew CeCe Flats

Westward Ingenue Clutch

Honeyed Hived Posts

So... I'm Kinda Back!

2011-11-21T20:05:00.000-05:00

Hey there! I know it's been a very, very, very long time. So long that there aren't really any good excuses. I've missed blogging but work has been so crazy I barely have time to get my laundry done! With the holidays coming up though, there are way too many great things to blog about so I couldn't resist...

This past weekend, my friend hosted a "Practice Thanksgiving" for us to each perfect our dishes (also just an excuse to have a party). Everything was delicious, especially the mini pies my friend Jennelle made with her new mini pie maker. Who knew there was such a thing? All you need is:

this

and this

to get these...

What are you whipping up for Thanksgiving this year??

FRIDAY

2011-04-08T10:49:00.000-04:00

TGIF!! I know that's completely corny to say but I really mean it this week. Not sure why, but the week has crawled by really slowly.

Reasons why I'm glad the weekend is almost here:

1. It's finally warm enough to wear a pair of my new summer shoes without looking like I'm jumping the gun on summer....

{via}

2. I can enjoy a few summer beverages with friends...

{via}

3. We're finally going shopping for our new King mattress arriving Tuesday! Unfortunately, the bed frame is on backorder until June but we are in desperate need of more space so the mattress is much needed.

{via}

One thing that got me super excited for the weekend though is seeing this rendition of Rebecca Black's hated song, Friday performed by Stephen Colbert and The Roots. Enjoy!

What are your weekend plans???

What 5 Things I'm Obsessed with this Week...Andy Cohen--Thanks for the Inspiration

2011-04-06T20:12:00.000-04:00

Taking after one of my favorites, Mr. Andy Cohen, I've decided to share a few things that I'm obsessed with this week.

{via}

I am loving these flared, Citizens of Humanity wide leg jeans. I'm currently a bit obsessed with the seventies and am wishing I had long legs and a long torso to really work these jeans to their fullest extent. I also wish I could pull off one of those floppy hats like Kourtney Kardashian with them...

{via}

Beyond being obsessed with my new iphone, I am totally obsessed with my new Root wood case I discovered through Sydney at The Daybook (who we all know and LOVE). It's just perfect and gives my iphone protection + the quirky look I was seeking.

{via}

Genevieve Gorder. I had honestly kind of forgotten about her since the days of Trading Spaces but I caught a re-run over the weekend of her show on HGTV, "Dear Genevieve" and completely fell in love with her style and design ideas. I couldn't find pictures from the epsiode I saw, "Crash Pad to Pied-A-Terre" but try and DVR it because it was completely inspiring! Loved the Indian accessory accents and of course ikat fabrics.

{via}

Loving my new spring lip color, Lustering from MAC. I've decided to go the lipstick route this season and won't be turning back. I've always been a gloss girl but have come to learn lipstick can give you some sheen while also staying on longer.

{via}

Lastly, me and the hubs are quite obsessed with Breaking Bad. I've always heard good things about it but we are just now getting to it on our Series List (which I'll talk more about at a later time). It's dark, gritty, and just darn good. Be sure to check it out.

What are you obsessed with this week???

Spring: 2011 Diane Von Furstenburg

2011-03-28T08:44:00.001-04:00

I stumbled upon DVF's spring looks while ordering some new flats from ShopBop over the weekend. I wanted to order everything but I don't think my wallet could handle it..

{all images via shopbop.com}

I just cannot get enough of everything! Loving the bright colors and bold patterns mixed with neutrals. Hope the hubby sees this! :)

What are your favorite spring looks???

Industrial Period.

2011-03-24T08:58:00.000-04:00

I'm really liking some industrial touches for the home right now. Anything brass, iron, or steel adds some masculinity and sense of calm to me.

{via}

Do you have anything industrial in your home???

Happy St. Patty's!!!

2011-03-17T15:12:00.000-04:00

I wish I had a cool Irish accent to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day in but I don't... So, I thought I'd share my green entryway with you instead!

My favorite part of the entryway is not the green though... I am still in love with these lamps which were found at an antique booth in Buckhead. The shop owner/lampmaker sent me a nice letter telling me about the origin of the materials used to create the lamp base. I was so excited to post that today but of course cannot find the letter! They were basically found in an old shipyard and I think were posts of some sort... love owning things with history!

Do you have a green theme anywhere in your home?

Our Family Portrait

2011-03-16T08:29:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of Nan Lawson or seen her work? If you haven't, you need to head to her Etsy shop immediately. I first saw Nan's work a few months ago and I honestly can't remember where. I instantly fell in love and knew I just needed one of her portraits. Only problem was she's so incredibly popular that she had stopped taking orders. Dangit. I kept checking back in and one day I saw that she was taking names for her wait list. I thought it would be months and months but I heard from her surprisingly soon after putting my name on the wait list. After that, it only took her a few days to come up with the first draft and she was amazingly quick with her revisions. I couldn't be more happy with the end result!!

I think I'll hang this with the artwork my brother gave me for Christmas from 20X200 that I blogged about a few months ago...

Wear Tiny Bit of Sparkle

2011-03-15T12:51:00.000-04:00

Hello there loves! Hope your week is off to a great start! I've actually been quite busy these past few days putting together Wear Tiny Bit of Sparkle... I've desperately been needing to clean out my closet because I have an awfully bad habit of buying clothes then never wearing them! So, I decided to put them online and try to find a nice home for them. Here's a sneak peek at a few items for sale...

Check out my closet at http://weartinybitofsparkle.blogspot.com/ and let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Shopping!

Recipe: Pork and Sauerkraut

2011-03-11T08:20:00.001-05:00

I completely forgot to take a picture of last night's delicious birthday meal but did remember to snap a quick pic of the funfetti cupcakes... more of a fun picture anyways! We ended up eating pretty late because we were having our new draperies installed (pictures to come) but it was well worth the wait! I thought I'd share this recipe with you all because not only was it tasty but also quite easy.

Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

-4 Boneless Pork Chops

-32 Ounces Sauerkraut

-1 Beef Boullion Cube

-1 Dark Ale (not dark like Guiness but something Fat Tire or Sam Adams Summer Ale)

Cook both sides of the pork shops in a pan with butter and coat them with salt and pepper. Then, put all ingredients into the crock pot for about 3-4 hours on medium. The meat should fall apart with a fork when done. I served with mashed potatoes and a salad. Yummm!!!

Happy Friday!

Any big weekend plans???

Happy Birthday to my Dear Hubby!!!

2011-03-10T09:24:00.001-05:00

{via}

Today is my husband's 27th birthday! Woohoo!!!! I even got myself out of bed extra early to bake him blueberry muffins (his fave) to start his day off right. He's been a little bitter because this past January I celebrated my Golden Birthday, by turning 27 on the 27th. Unfortunately for him, his Golden Birthday passed him by when he was 10 and he doesn't remember to much about it. Therefore, he has crowned this his Platinum Birthday for no other reason than that's just what he wants to call it!

us celebrating Teddy's birthday, complete with a doggy cake

This day also makes me realize (extra than other days) just how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband that is insanely sweet to me, does the little things and let's me get my way just about every time (i.e. baking a doggy bday cake for Teddy, complete with a candle and singing).

I will be trying my best to whip up an amazing birthday meal tonight (the recipe of which I'll share tomorrow if it turns out good) and funfetti cupcakes! Now that we're in our first year of marriage, I'd like to start setting some birthday traditions...

What are your birthday traditions???

Etsy Love: artLAB

2011-03-09T07:57:00.002-05:00

I love Etsy because every day you can make a new discovery that makes you feel all nice and warm inside! I recently discovered artLAB (a little late in the game) and bought my mother-in-law this amazing scarf for her birthday.

Which can also be worn like this...

and a few other awesome ways. Patricia is doing some amazing things in her shop and I definitely recommend checking artLAB out!

I always love learning about new etsy shops...

What is your latest etsy discovery??

This Got Me Thinking...

2011-03-08T19:26:00.000-05:00

While perusing Made By Girl, I saw a post she featured that Tam had written at Get It Girl Style. It talks about some of the not so positive things going on in the blogging world and it really hit a nerve with me. It got me thinking about when I first started blogging almost a year ago and how fortunate I was that I didn't really run into too much of that negativity. I was actually extremely lucky to get great advice and willingness to be in my features by some big bloggers (my blog "celebrities) and cannot thank them enough for that.

Another thing Tam talked about was how if blogging becomes a chore and it's not genuine, take some time away. This of course resonated with me because this is exactly what I've done the past few months. As you know, it's been really hard for me to find the time to blog since starting my new job and I took a longer hiatus from it than I had planned. I've started to really miss it though and have decided that it's something that I love and I'm going to commit to making more time for.

It also got me thinking about why I blog which is actually something that's been on my mind a lot lately. I love reading your comments and hearing from you but I really do blog because I love it and love sharing my finds and thoughts with my fellow bloggers. It's cathartic in a way sharing your thoughts with complete strangers--I'd say the majority of my closest friends don't even know I have a blog!!! I guess you could say blogging is my "secret single behavior" (see post below).

Anyways, I'll get to my point, just wanted to say thanks to all of you that have stuck with me during my hiatus and hello to any new readers. Also, thanks to all of the bloggers that participated in my "Blog Du Jour" series during my early blogging days--that definitely meant a lot to me and it was so much fun getting to know you all! If any bloggers ever need advice or a new blog friend, I'm definitely here for you!

xoxo,
SARAH

Secret Single Behavior

2011-03-08T08:45:00.001-05:00

I am one of those people that can watch Sex and the City over, and over, and over, and over again. I've seen every episode and still laugh and cry at the ones I've seen a thousand times. One of my favorite episodes though is "The Good Fight" where Aidan and Carrie move in together and it ends up being a bit disastrous at first (btw my favorite parts are when Carrie finds Aidan's rogaine and explains her second bathroom door as her "rape escape door"). Anways, the point of this story is that in this episode, Carrie discuss her "Secret Single Behavior" to the girls and how she needs some time alone. Her SSB was eating saltines with jelly while standing at her kitchen counter reading magazines. LOVE IT! Again, anyways, I thought about this last night as I engaged in one of my guilty pleasures...

I admit, one of my guilty pleasures is watching the Bad Girls Club (or some other form of bad reality tv) and eating Dean's French Onion dip with Ruffles chips. Wow. I said it. I'm unhealthy mentally and physically! I mean I just can't help but love watching all of these dysfunctional girls fight, contradict themselves and just be plain crazy 24/7!!!

What is your guilty pleasure???

images (1, 2)

You Owe Me $285

2011-03-07T08:09:00.000-05:00

Yep that's right! I am giving you a major steal to start your week off with... You owe me $285 to be exact.

I've been coveting Stuart Weitzman's Alex Espadrille for the past year or so but am more of a budget shopping girl and admired from afar. Then, last week I noticed Steve Madden has graciously given us "Fantastik" for a much more modest price of $80. Although I'm not a fan of names spelled incorrectly like when you add a "z" at the end of a word instead of an "s," I'll still be Fantastik's (Fantastik'z) #1 fan.

Alex Fantastik

$365 $80

Your welcome. :)

Some lovely things for your Saturday morning...

2011-02-26T08:20:00.000-05:00

Just taking a look through Anthropologie... a few things caught my eye... I recently bought those quartz coasters... LOVE

Hats Off To..

2011-02-24T09:16:00.000-05:00

Those that can pull off hats! Lately I've been seeing a lot of headwear that I wish I could pull off. First of all, I'm pretty sure I have a weird, huge head so the majority of times hats just don't look good on me. I don't know what it is! Oh how I wish these would look good on me...

{via}

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm a Bad Blogger.

2011-02-21T20:34:00.000-05:00

I know! I'm just awful! A month and a half ago I promised to start blogging regularly again and then I feel through on my promise. As you can probably already tell, I'm horrible with resolutions, much less goals... I still read blogs though and am constantly so inspired and it made me miss my blog and the lovelies that comment and make my day! Things have been so crazy lately with travel, work and just everyday life but I really think I'm going to be able to do this!

So let me catch you up ...

I visited one of my best friends (and someone that is actually shorter than me!) in Kansas City! It was my first time in the Midwest and I was surprised by how "not Midwest" it turned out to be! KC is amazing with lots of great shopping and things to do. I ate myself silly and has some crazy, crazy times with my bestie, Cindy (who always blogs here occasionally).

I celebrated my Golden Birthday (27 on January 27th) with some friends at an awesome place in Atlanta called Ormsby's. It's a bar with indoor bocce ball, darts, pool, and tasty brews. Good times with good friends!

We also went to Jacksonville for my husband's Grandfather's 90th birthday party--let me just say those senior citizens can party!!

After that, we went to Chicago for a weekend (a Christmas present to my husband) and has such an amazing time! We both had never been to Chi-town and did all of the touristy things. First we went to the Magnificent Mile for some shopping and I also found my way a blocks down to my mecca..

As huge top chef fans, we decide we had to try Rick Bayless' restaurant, Frontera Grill. You can't make reservations but found out you have to get there by 4:30 to get in line for a pager. We got there and there was already a line! We were able to get a pager for the 6:00 seating. We both has mojitos while waiting and ended up having the most delicious dinner of our lives. It's hard to even describe the flavors that man has come up with. Everything is so fresh and he's uses sustainable products.

Of course, we had to try traditional Chicago deep-dish stuffed pizza and hot dogs! We ate pizza at Giordano's and hot dogs at Portillos. Yummm!!!

We did the touristy stuff like the John Hancock Observatory and Millenium Park..

And we ended our weekend at the House of Blues for a Slash concert (the real gift to my husband)

Lastly, this past weekend one of my close friends got engaged and we went to their engagement party... I also decided to channel my inner Rumi (fashiontoast) and get some highlights! I tried what's called "color melting" and I love it! They're kind of hard to see in this picture...

So, that's what I've been up to! Plus a lot of additions to the house which I'll be sharing over the next few weeks. Hope you all have had a fun month as well! :)

Tiny Bit of Sparkle

2011-01-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

It's been a while! I thought I'd share a little bling with you all that I've been coveting from J. Crew.

Lulu Frost for J.Crew Vintage Deco Sunray Necklace

This really is a classic but eclectic piece that you can dress up or down. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

On that note, have a great weekend!

Hints of Turquoise Continued

2011-01-13T22:28:00.000-05:00

You all know how much I love little hints of turquoise... I really need to figure out what turquoise I'll be working into our household. Here's a few of my images that have caught my eye lately...

{via}

20x200

2011-01-12T08:02:00.003-05:00

Have you heard about this site 20x200? AMAZING! My brother actually introduced me to it over Christmas because he gave us this awesome print from them.

We Are So Good Together, Dylan Fareed

Basically, they introduce at least two new editions a week: one photo and one work on paper. Most are available in three or four sizes. When they first started, the smallest size was reprinted in the largest batch — an edition of 200 — and sold at the lowest price — $20. Hence the name 20x200. They sell other sizes and even the original artwork at other prices but they have some awesome pieces for only $20!

Here's a few of my favorites:

Ideal Bookshelf 101: Robert Verdi, Jane Mount

prettymaps (paris), Aaron Straup Cope

Photographer's Dilemma, Tatsuro Kiuchi

There are so many other amazing prints, you definitely need to take a look and support this incredible project!

It's In the Bag

2011-01-11T12:57:00.001-05:00

Hi there loves! Wow--it has been way too long. I admit it. I've been a very bad blogger. I was on such a roll until I took my new job and it's just been a lot to get adjusted. I'm really going to try very hard to start blogging again regularly and I'm so glad Ashley from A Hasty Life's It's In the Bag blog crawl is my first post of 2011!

Yesterday, Dana from The Sear Fam showed you her fabulous bag and now it's time for mine.

I actually just made a huge change my long time favorite, Marc Jacobs bag because my sweet, sweet, husband surprised me with my dream bag for Christmas, a Balenciaga City bag. Yes my friends, he is that good.

This really is the perfect bag and will be with me for the rest of my life. It is like my second child (first being Teddy, my wheaten terrier).

Now onto the contents..

I'm not really great with Photoshop or any of those other tools so we'll just kind of work out way through without numbers. Now I can see why you might think I'm a bit bougy from the looks of things but I'm one of those girls that doesn't invest a whole lot in clothes but really like my handbags and wallets. It's my only vice :)

-Forever 21 owl zip up: I've actually had this for a few years and I absolutely love it. It holds my lotion, antibacterial, and numerous lip options. My favorites are my Nivea hand cream, Rosebud Salve, Sugar Plum Lip Stain, and Mac Venetian Red lip glass.

-Tory Burch Aviators: I'm a bit of a sunglass feign as well.. these were actually another Christmas present from my dear husband

-Ray Ban Wayfers: these are staple in my wardrobe and I've been sportin these for the past 3 years. Classic.

-Cough Drops: I'm addicted.

-iPod: love to have my music with me in the car and wherever I am!

-LV Sarah Wallet: this was my wedding gift, again from my husband (I will use this the rest of my life--I told him it was an investment)

-Keys: gotta have those!

Ashley, thank you so much for organizing this blog crawl! It's been a lot of fun to share my bag and get myself back into the blogging spirit!

Be sure to check out Debby's bag at Inspired Decorating tomorrow! :)

Guest Post: ...And Everything Nice

2010-12-08T13:35:00.000-05:00

Hi lovelies! I am so honored and excited for my very first guest post! Please go check it out at my Cold Hands, Warm Hearts partner's blog, ...And Everything Nice! She definitely has the artistic touch doesn't she? My images just looked like a jumbled mess when I sent them to her... all I want for Christmas is to learn how to use that darned Photoshop and Illustrator!

Are you as cold as I am??? So glad I have my new gloves from Anna :) This cableknit coffee is just what I need to top me off!

{via}

Happy Hump Day!

Cold Hands Warm Hearts

2010-12-07T08:02:00.000-05:00

Yay! It's finally time to show our Cold Hands, Warm Hearts swaps partner gifts! I had a lovely partner, Anna from ....And Everything Nice who you were able to get to know a little better yesterday. I receive her lovely package this week...

Anna gifted me with some lovely cards from her stationary line (don't you love her label???) and the most best gloves ever! They're J. Crew fingerless mitten gloves! So stylish and also functional for taking my dog out in this cold, cold weather!! :) Thank you so much Anna--this has been so much fun making a new blog friend!

Blog Du Jour: The Nice Blog

2010-12-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday lovelies! Sorry I've taken a little bit of a break from Blog Du Jour.... things have just been crazy! If you'd be interested in being featured on Blog Du Jour, please shoot me an email :)

This week's Blog Du Jour features my lovely Cold Hands Warm Hearts partner, Anna Elder from ...And Everything Nice. I know you'll love Anna, her blog and her stationary as much as I do... Enjoy and be sure to check back tomorrow to see our CHWH swaps!

Who: Anna Elder

What: ...And Everything Nice

Where: Edmond, Oklahoma

What made you start blogging?

I honestly never thought I would start a blog or what I would do with one if I did. It came about when I was craving an outlet for design and things that interested me visually. I wasn't working in a field that did much creatively for me so I started a blog. The first name was Design to be Free and I thought it was kinda cheesy but I went with it. I needed a place for my thoughts, designs, and visual stimulation. I knew it would eventually morph into something focused more on my stationery which was and still is in it's beginning phases.

How did you come across the name of your blog?

...And Everything Nice sort of just came to me one day. I was probably in the shower, where most of my prolific thinking happens. :) I was thinking of a name for what I wanted to call my stationery company. Who was my target base, demographic, etc. Obviously, young women and women in general. And the saying "A little girl is sugar and spice and everything nice" popped in my head. I liked the pause before ...and everything nice. I think it's a keeper.

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?

Man, this is a tough one. Do I go with an intellect or a celebrity? Who is Jake Gyellenhal dating right now? I want to be her. Kidding. I would want to be Dagny Tagert from Any Rand's Atlas Shrugged. She's a tough, strong-willed, kind of mean woman with a mind of her own in a time when that's not very common and in a setting I can only imagine. I would be curious to see that setting in real life. I'd also be curious to see what it would be like to tall, thin, and angular. I am none of those things. Tough, strong-willed, and a little mean. I am those.

What is the last thing you ate?

I actually just had a bowl of cereal. Frosted Mini wheats. I could live on cereal. I should probably move on to lunch soon.

What is something most people don't know about you?

Another hard one. I am like an open book to my friends. However, the blogging community does not know about my irrational fear of moths and flies. Moths terrify me. I claim to be attacked by one and will divulge in that story if asked. They are furry and fly and it's just gross. I hate flies because of the buzzing noise they make. I think I can hear one in another room.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I haven't been to many places outside of the country. I really want to go to Paris and London. Last year I went on a cruise around the Tahitian islands. That's probably my favorite place so far. If it's sunny and has a beach, I'm there.

What five people would be in your circle for spin the bottle?

Oh, now this is an easy one! How can I keep it to only 5?! Paul Rudd, Jason Schawrtzmen, Zachary Levi, Zach Braff, and my husband. I guess I have a thing for people that make me laugh.

What is your "Must Have Today"?

I really always have something I'm obsessing over. Right now, it's Rayban Wayfarer's optical glasses. I haven't been to the eye Dr. in years and I don't wear glasses. I think I might need some, but I mostly just want these glasses! I have the sunglasses, but I love the frames!!

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life?

Since the word 'tiny' is in this question I think I can get away with saying my pug. My pug Winston makes my days. He's my little fur child and I love him to death. He's always there to listen and cuddle as well as play with. Really, my whole little family of me, my husband, and our two dogs are my everyday sparkle.

My Life According to Tim McGraw; His Life According to George Strait

2010-12-03T09:59:00.000-05:00

{Brian Kvidera}

I don’t often fill out surveys, but my sister did this one and it was actually pretty fun. By pretty fun, I mean a freaking blast!! Here were the rules:

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

This is mine:

My Life According to Tim McGraw
Are you male or female: Don’t Take The Girl
Describe Yourself: I’m Just Me
How do you feel: Unbroken
Describe where you currently live: Sing Me Home
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Louisiana
Your favorite form of transportation: Memory Lane
You and your best friends are: By My Side
What’s the weather like: She’s My Kind of Rain
Favorite time of day: She’s Only Happy In The Sun
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Set This Circus Down
What is life to you: I’m Amazed By You
Your last relationship: Like We Never Loved At All
Your fear: Nothin’ To Die For
What is the best advice you have to give: Live Like You Were Dying
Thought for the day: Watch The Wind Blow
How I would like to die: Where The Green Grass Grows
My soul’s present condition: Smiling
My motto: We Carry On

It made my day when the boy above did his.

Justin’s Life According to George Strait (Chosen strictly from his 50 #1’s album)
Are you male or female: You Know Me Better Than That
Describe Yourself: So Much Like My Dad
How do you feel: Living and Living Well
Describe where you currently live: Heartland
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
Your favorite form of transportation: Blue Clear Sky
You and your best friends are: True
What’s the weather like: The Chill of an Early Fall
Favorite time of day: One Night at a Time
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This
What is life to you: Round About Way
Your last relationship: Run
Your fear: A Fire I Can’t Put Out
What is the best advice you have to give: You Can’t Make A Heart Love Somebody
Thought for the day: I’d Like To Have That One Back
How I would like to die: Ocean Front Property
My soul’s present condition: Carried Away
My motto: If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’

My sister and I are making each other our survey lists as mixed tapes and gifting it to each other for Christmas. Her band was O.A.R. and I can't wait to listen to it!

Now, it's your turn!

Hi, I'm Cindy. I live in Kansas City and date ~~often~~ (eh..) ~~regularly~~ sometimes. I date. I dated a guy once that lived in the Northeast. He described Kansas City as utterly Midwestern. His description of the women here? Farm fresh and corn fed. I hate to admit it, but that sums me up in 4 words and an ampersand. Yes, yes, I am a personality girl whose verbosity and crazy antics sometimes gets the best of her. Yet, it always makes for a damn good time. (well…)

love, love,

cin

Giveaway Winner!

2010-12-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday folks! Today is the day I announce the Livy Creations winner... drumroll please...

Kate Bright from

The Bright Life!

Thank you all so much for entering and for reading Tiny Bit of Sparkle. Sorry I keep apologizing for being MIA but again, I apologize!

Sugar, [Ginger] Spice and Everything Nice

2010-11-30T07:56:00.000-05:00

When it's cold out, I love nothing more than a hot cup of coffee and some Gingerbread Spice Bread. Now I realize making bread is quite the formidable task but William and Sonoma has made it easy for us with their Gingerbread Spice Quick Bread Mix. My Mother-in-law first introduced me to this addicting holiday treat and I can't get enough!

Gingerbread Spice Quick Bread Mix

You can whip this up for your neighbors or friends, wrap it up real pretty and you've got a simple, but delicious holiday gift!

Also, be sure to enter my giveaway to win this lovely pillow from Livy Creations before Friday!

What are some of your favorite holiday treats?

Wrap it Up

2010-11-29T07:48:00.000-05:00

I love beautiful gift wrap. I've never been much of a wrapper though. Mine usually turn out a little "off" and I can certainly never seem to get the bows and accessories down. I would love for my packages this year to look like the ones right below but I'm thinking I'll work toward some of the simple, fun, personalized (user-friendly), and still beautiful ones I've also included.

{via}

{via}

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win this lovely pillow from Livy Creations!

Giveaway Time!

2010-11-26T08:49:00.003-05:00

I know you all are probably screaming and crying as much as Oprah's audience on her Favorite Things show at this point... If you're not, you should be :)

Agnieszka from Livy Creations has graciously donated one of her beautiful pillows to a lucky Tiny Bit of Sparkle reader!

There are a few ways you can gain entries to win this 20 x 20 3 color burlap flower pillow:

Please leave a separate comment for each:

1. Become a follower of Tiny Bit of Sparkle
2. Heart livycreation's Etsy shop and tell us what you like most
3. Tweet about this giveaway (use @tinybitsparkle and @LivyCreations)
4. Like Livy Creations, LLC and Agora Fine Art Marketplace on Facebook
5. Follow me on Twitter (@tinybitsparkle)
6. Follow Agnieszka on Twitter (@LivyCreations)

Also, if you're in the Atlanta area, please be sure to check out Agnieszka's work at the Agora Fine Art Marketplace, where Artists and Designers get together -presenting unique and one of a kind pieces of Art.

Agora Fine Art Marketplace

Friday, December 3 at 4:00pm - December 5 at 7:00pm

3925 North Stratford Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30342

Here's a few of my favorite items Livy Creations...

Burlap Pillowcase with accent ruffles

Burlap Christmas Pillows

Love Pillow

Red Flower Pillow

The winner will be picked via random number generator on Friday, December 3, 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T13:15:00.000-05:00

{via}

Happy Thanksgiving to all my sparkly readers! I hope you all stuff yourselves silly with turkey, mashed potatoes (my absolute favorite) and all the most fattening things you can think of! This is one of two times (next being Christmas) of the year you can eat more than your body can physically take and get away with it.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my ah-mazing giveaway!

xoxo,
Sarah

If I could do it over again...

2010-11-24T07:51:00.003-05:00

I might choose a non-traditional wedding dress. Why can't we have multiple weddings so we can do all of the things we didn't think of before?? I've always loved the short, cute dresses but honestly didn't have the guts to try them. They definitely make an impression and it takes certain type of girl to pull them off..

{via}

Also, happy almost Thanksgiving to everyone--be sure to check back in on Friday--I'm hosting an AH-MAZING giveway! You will love for sure :)

What do you think about short wedding dresses? Would you be willing to go non-traditional?

Silhouettes Please

2010-11-23T19:08:00.000-05:00

Lately silhouettes have caught my eye. I think they're that perfect grouping that has just the right mix of personal touch and class.

{via}

When I first started blogging, I posted about an adorable etsy shop, Le Papier Studio. She has lovely custom silhouettes in addition to some other fun items (i.e. the moustaches). My favorites are these custom couple silhouettes--loving the reverse silhouette especially!

{via}

I also saw this amazing DIY silhouettes project over at The Nesting Game recently I've been wanting to try... Molly did an amazing job and I love the colors she chose for her own silhouettes! She was first inspired by Jonathan Adler's

{via}

and she ended up with this:

{via}

Have any of you tried your hand at any DIY project lately???

Storage Envy

2010-11-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

I have a major thing for pretty storage and organization...

{via}

Tiny Bit of Sparkle: For the Holidays

2010-11-19T08:45:00.000-05:00

For the holidays!

{via}

As you can see, I'm quite ready for Christmas--although I can't wait to stuff my face next week with turkey and mashed potatoes!

Ruffle My Feathers

2010-11-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my neglect this week. The new job has been great but definitely leaves less blogging time! A few swoon worthy "feathered" friends for you...

{via}

Midwestern Monologues: Political Compass

2010-11-18T19:31:00.000-05:00

{Brian Kvidera}

I know it seems somewhat irrelevant now that midterm elections are over, but is anything political ever irrelevant? I hope everyone said no.

Most people identify with a specific political party, but I love THIS survey, because it looks at where you stand on a left/right issues (the economy) as well as where you rank on social issues and ranks you on the quadrant below. It also tells you where a few major political players ranked (like Hitler, Stalin, and Gandhi) so you can compare where you are.

I was surprised at my quandrant! Maybe you will be too.

love, love,

cin

Teddy's Up Country Faves

2010-11-16T07:35:00.000-05:00

Teddy and I both love to stay fashionable and Up Country's collars help in that quest. You can't find better quality or patterns anywhere! I might have gone a little overboard but it was so hard to narrow down to just a few!

Perfect for the rebel pet...

Skully

For all my Brit bloggers out there...

Union Jack

A walk on the wild side for the feisty ones...

Leopard

For the prepsters... like Teddy :)

Henry Stripe

In honor of Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

Mittens

For the holidays...

Peppermint Stick Stripe

If you have a pug...

Pug

Just love this one...

Electric

Be sure to check out Up Country's full line here!

P.S. I also LOVE their pet tag holders... makes it so much easier to switch the tag when you change collars!

Blog Du Jour: Lemon and Lavender

2010-11-15T07:53:00.000-05:00

Who: Ashley
What: Lemon and Lavender
Where: Tampa, FL

What made you start blogging?

I was drowning in a world of pampers and primary colors. I really felt as though I needed to find a place in my crazy world of motherhood that was sacred. I place I could make pretty with lovely images. A space completely void of messy babies :) I knew I wanted to have a blog for my budding business and thought it would be a great way to get my name out there before I went out in the business world last year. Now, I love blogging. I think I'm addicted! But more, I love the blogging community, and think it's amazing to feel connections with people you have never met! For a stay at home mom, whose only social interaction is {for the most part} a two year old and a one year old who basically only talk about Dora, Olivia, or Toot & Puddle, it's nice to have that outlet; where I can talk about things other than parenting and poopy diapers.

How did you come across the name of your blog?

I actually had a blog while I was living in Germany for our first baby. I had a list of my favorite things and on the top was lavender and sparkling water with lemon. These really are on the top 3 of my favorite things in the whole wide world- that- and wine. ;) I thought it was fun and ran with it!

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?

{via}

Gwyneth Paltrow: She is gorgeous, sophisticated, intelligent plus I love her husband. It's an easy choice :)

What is the last thing you ate?

{via}

Pita chips and hummus. I love hummus. My Jewish friend Miranda makes the best hummus EVER. Although, she says it's store bought {she runs a cafe in Tulsa where I grew up} but whatever it's delish :)

What is something most people don't know about you?

{via}

I love opera and food but I also love skinny jeans. It's awful. I'm always hungry :) I also LOVE the French. I read "Bonsoir Lune" {Good Night Moon in French} to my little Claire every night before bed and I hope to one day live in France.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Paris. Love Paris. If I could move anywhere in the world I would buy a flat in the 6th arrondissement and be a very happy camper ;)

What 5 people would be in your circle for spin the bottle?

My hubby {he's my Channing Tatum in Dear John}, Alexander Skarsgård, Ian Somerhalder {Yes, I watch Vampire Diaries, it's my True Blood replacement!} , Brad Pitt, Christian Bale

What is your "must have today" (your current obsession)?

{via}

Christian Louboutin! {Pigalle 120 patent pumps} I am obsessed with Louboutin and I don't own one pair! Maybe Santa will be sweet this year?!?

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life? (person, thing, anything)

My precious babies {and my hubby}. I love my family and friends. They really make me smile each and everyday. I have been blessed with some pretty amazing people in my life. I have the most rewarding {although very difficult} job raising my two small toddlers while running my small stationery business. I feel pretty lucky and sometimes pinch myself. I'm excited to see where the journey takes me!

Tiny Bit of Sparkle

2010-11-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

Another amazing sparkle-gasmic dress...

{via}

By the uber talented Philip Lim of course. I just love the mix of sparkles and matte textiles, hence; the next item:

{via}

Happy Friday! I may be a bit M.I.A the next week or so... I'm starting a new job (hooray!) and training begins next week! Maybe I should purchase that clutch as a new job gift to myself???

Have a wonderful weekend!

Just Peachy

2010-11-12T07:38:00.002-05:00

I'm usually not a peach and pink person. I generally gravitate towards blues, greens, tans, golds, but really never pink and peach. I'm not a tomboy, I'm quite girly but yet, I never go for those tones. I feel as though I've been missing out all these years partially dues to the images below...

{via}

However, I have branched out and gone out of my comfort zone by wallpapering our powder room in a lovely peach:

Please excuse the quality of the picture (via blackberry--too lazy to hook up the camera) and lack of artwork above the toilet. Work in progress as always!

What colors do you gravitate to??

Friend or Faux?

2010-11-11T19:23:00.001-05:00

I recently saw an old picture of Carrie (aka Sarah Jessica Parker) in one of her iconic fur coats and it got me all nostalgic and also thinking about my fur situation. My situation is that I have no fur. I would love a fur for Christmas though. Faux of course. I want to be PETA friendly. A fur coat is perfect for a night out on the town and even now works for daytime. Everytime New Years rolls around I wish I had a fur coat, thus, I am sharing a few faux fur options for you:

Juicy Couture Tipped Faux Fur Jacket

Donna Salyers Red Fox Faux Fur

Kate Spade Lynda

Graham & Spencer Faux Fur

Hello Color

2010-11-10T08:31:00.000-05:00

For the past few days I have been obsessing over the painting Beth from Hello Splendor featured in her Apartment Therapy room.

{Apartment Therapy}

Which got me thinking, my place is pretty, I guess I'll say it, TAN. Yes, I have a major color commitment problem, but I'm working on it. My first step will be purchasing a bright painting for our living room behind our buffet. I've always leaned toward the neutral but something about these just make me happy. I realized I love Beth's pick so much because it reminds me of the two pieces my friend has done for her bedroom:

Love, love, love!

What art are you loving now?

Wreath Round Up

2010-11-09T07:49:00.000-05:00

I realize this post if probably a bit early but I can't help but be excited! With Christmas (and other holidays) on the horizon, I've been thinking a lot about wreaths. I love the mixing of traditional and non-traditional elements to get the Christmas feel without it being "too much." Especially loving the striped ribbon wreath below... this might find a home at the Sapp household this year!

{via}

These last two are the creative genius of Emily Jones of Jones Design Company. If you haven't checked out her blog, then you better, immediately. Not only are they both beautiful but you could add a little Christmas spirit, even temporarily very easily. A few berries, a little holly or even a bit of spruce would X-Mas those babies right up!

How will you be "holid-izing" your house?

Blog Du Jour: Tiny Bit of Sparkle

2010-11-08T08:41:00.000-05:00

In honor of almost having 50 followers, I thought I would do this week's Blog Du Jour on yours truly. Well, to be honest, it's also partially because I've been a bit of a slacker this week (and haven't gotten around to putting another one together) but also because getting to almost 50 followers has really got me thinking. What an honor! Just a few months ago I started this blog and had only 1 follower (my best friend) for the first few months and now Tiny Bit of Sparkle has grown so quickly and it's all because of you all! Do you ever wonder, is anyone really reading this? Should I keep blogging? Well, just want to take this opportunity to thank you for reading, for commenting, following, and just being great! Happy Monday!

Who: Sarah

What: Tiny Bit of Sparkle

Where: Atlanta, GA

What made you start blogging?

{via}

I've actually had a couple false starts with blogging. I discovered blogs during my wedding planning (it all started with Style Me Pretty) and I decided I should start my own blog. I wasn't really consistent and also just didn't really have a direction. I gave up. A year later (post wedding) I discovered design blogs (a.ka. heaven) and thought I would give it another try. It also helped that I had just quit my job (hopefully more on this later in the week) so I had a lot of free time to focus on blogging! I'm definitely a big believer in "everything happens for a reason."

How did you come across the name for your blog?

I really think this was one of the hardest parts. When I decided to finally give blogging a real try, I knew I had to come up with something that was really me. I realized I'm quite drawn to anything metallic, with sequins, or sparkly in nature so I thought, something with sparkle for sure. At the time, I thought I might foray into fashion blogging a bit also so I decided to feature a Tiny Bit of Sparkle with each outfit. I failed miserably and was a little camera shy with the fashion blogging so somehow Tiny Bit of Sparkle evolved into what it is today. :)

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?

1 | 2 | 3

This is definitely the hardest question. I think trading places with Jenna Lyons, creative director of J. Crew would be absolutely amazing. To have her creative genius, even for just a day would be the best day ever. I'm not sure how she comes up with such beautiful and inspiring clothes for the everyday woman, season after season but she manages to have me emptying my wallet quite often. Not only does she have an innate fashion sense but her overall design aesthetic is out of this world as well. Be sure to check out her Domino article and feature at Habitually Chic.

What is the last thing you ate?

{via}

That would be the Butcher's Cut Burger from Flip Burger Boutique, + sweet potato fries. Mmm!! This is Richard Blais' (from Top Chef) brainchild and is a must-eat if ever in Atlanta.

What is something most people don't know about you?

I was adopted when I was about 6 months old and my parents are Caucasian... meaning I used to get a lot of confused looks as a child! The funniest is when I speak to someone on the phone first and then they meet me in person... they usually don't expect a tiny Korean.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

{via}

I would have to say San Francisco. My parents took me there when I was a kid and I've always wanted to plan a trip back there with my husband. Something about that bridge, those Full House townhouses, the zig zap roads, Chinatow, and trolleys make me happy.

What 5 people would be in your circle for spin the bottle (even if you're married... think of it like the "list" from friends)?

This may seem like sort of an oddball list but for some reason, these are my kind of men:

1. Patrick Dempsey

2. Bradley Cooper

3. George Clooney

4. Bear Grylls

5. Matthew Morrison

What is your "must have today" (your current obsession)?

{via}

My Must Have Today would have to be the Balenciaga City Bag in Chesnut or this beautiful, elusive tannish greige one (could not find a picture anywhere) I once spotted at Neiman Marcus.

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life?

That would definitely have to be my puppy Teddy. He always puts a smile on my face!

Tiny Bit of Sparkle

2010-11-05T09:17:00.000-04:00

What more can you say?

{via}

Bend It

2010-11-05T09:13:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I mustered up the energy to go to Ikea with a friend. I really can only go to that store a few times a year A:) because it takes about an hour to walk through the store, B:) because I don't exercise enough and get winded (kidding) C:) because there's so much stuff it hurts my brain; however, this time I was happy leaving because I left with inspiration. I fell in love with their Tobias clear chairs...

{via}

which in turn, put me on the hunt to find some other amazing bent chairs.

{via}

P.S. this last one is from Kohl's and at a great price!!

Midwestern Monologues: Iowa

2010-11-04T07:31:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, that cute boy (Brian) packed up that sweet huskey (Sierra) and that crazy girl (me) and we hauled our way to his alma mater and homestead, (you guessed it) IOWA!

We tailgated. Go Hawkeyes!

We toured the University of Iowa where he studied Finance.

We hit the Halloween bar scene with his high school and college buddies.

We hung out with his dad (whom I've met and the introduction is quite the story!)

And I met his mom - for the first time. Eek! Which also happens to be a bit of a story teller. One day, I will master the art of meeting the parents. One day, I'll share the humiliating stories with you.

And oh! We snuggled. He and I aren't cuddlers. SLEEP IS SACRED and on the rare nights that we end up sleeping under the same roof, we really do try to catch some solid zzz's. But in Iowa, where cornfields go as far as the eye can see, where Hawkeyes rule, and where it is way colder than it is in KC, I was a teaspoon, he was a tablespoon, and we fell soundly asleep, nice and warm, in the silverware drawer.

(Author's note: getting that boy to say OK to using his photo was a doozy! And he never really said yes...hence the smaller formatting; maybe you won't be able to see him as well. So, everyone, zoom in on your browser!! He's cute. Haha!)

love, love,

cin

Oh to Be in LOVE

2010-11-03T07:55:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, my best friend Theresa and her fiance had their engagement pictures taken by an AMAZING photographer, Amy Campbell of Angela Anderson Photography. Both Amy and Angela's work will blow your mind but I was especially impressed by Theresa and David's Engagement session (not that I'm partial or anything....) I love how dramatic some of the pictures are but yet still very innocent.

Have a look for yourself!

Check out the rest here at Angela Anderson's blog and if you're a Kentucky bride, I would definitely recommend taking a close look at the rest of Angela and Amy's work.

Blog Du Jour: Tiptoe Butterfly

2010-11-02T08:28:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the late Blog Du Jour this week! I'm a little behind due to our weekend trip but I'm back and ready to go! This week's Blog Du Jour is Erika from Tiptoe Butterfly. Not only does Erika continuously post some of the most inspirational photos, fashion must-haves, and interior decorating ideas but she is also one of the most faithful blog commenter's out there. Her comments always make my day and I'm sure yours too!

Who: Erika

What: Tiptoe Butterfly

Where: New Jersey

What made you start blogging?

One day I decided to watch the movie “Julie and Julia” – and the whole blogging thing got me curious–so I googled it – found Blogger – and the rest is history!

How did you come across the name for your blog?

‘Butterfly’ came from my Mom’s love of butterflies – and ‘Tiptoe’ came from my idea of going through life and being able to put my little touch on everything – so it’s basically my journey through life and how I go about it – touching everything – even when I don’t think I am, I really am .. kinda like the ‘butterfly effect’ but a more gentle one :o)

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?

Ekkk – hummm – can I be Winnie the Pooh? – I’d really like to be in a place like the enchanted forest! – it seems like it would be a perfect 1 day swap!

What is the last thing you ate?

Coffee count?! – I know it’s a drink and all – but other then that it would have been last night’s snack, which was goldfish (the crackers, not the candy)

What is something most people don't know about you?

Hmmm I graduated college with high honors and I’m suppose to be a Special Education Teacher. (I work in the computer technology industry) - So I guess I’m a bit of a smarty pants :o)

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Switzerland! – I fell in love with this country and 1 day I would love to live there! – otherwise though, I’m a Caribbean girl – I like it hot, clear blue water, frozen drinks, and living in a bikini!

What 5 people would be in your circle for spin the bottle (even if you're married... think of it like the "list" from friends)?

Let me preface this by saying – I really don’t follow the Hollywood men – but I did some googleing – and here’s what I came up with: (1) Bradley Cooper (2) David Beckham (as long as he doesn’t talk) (3) George Clooney (just because) (4) Josh Duhamel (5) Chris Pine

What is your "must have today" (your current obsession)?

Ekk 1 thing?! – I’m gonna cheat and name a few à Lavender; Plaid shirts; Ballet flats; Velvet sectional

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life? (person, thing, anything)

My Dad! – he’s a total gem to me! – love love love him to itty bitty pieces!

Ta Da!

2010-11-01T08:35:00.002-04:00

I'm sure you all were just dying in suspense wondering what we went as for Halloween this year (in my most sarcastic tone)... Hope you all had as fun (and maybe not as crazy weird) of a Halloween as we did!

We got home a little later than expected from our Halloween weekend so this week's Blog Du Jour will be postponed until tomorrow... please be sure to check back tomorrow! :)

How was your Halloween???

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-10-29T07:05:00.001-04:00

Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays! Partially because I credit this holiday with me and my now-husband finally getting together but also because of the theatricality and having a chance to dress up as someone else for the night. My friends and I tend to get really into Halloween, i.e. the troll costumes below, yes this was actually a troll posse of four. A few years the hubs and I have not had similarly themed costumes and those years are a little weird (not sure what I was thinking with the fire fighter) so this year we've decided to be within the same genre. Always much more fun! Stay tuned to see what we are this year!

{trolls; pocahontas + slash}

{yoko ono and john lennon; mario and a fire fighter???}

{barney and betty rubble; ?}

What will you be for Halloween this year???

p.s. thank you to all of my new followers and faithful followers for your comments! you all are amazing!!!

Office Envy

2010-10-28T09:10:00.001-04:00

Just a little office inspiration for you... office spaces always seem to brighten up my day! Something about the organizational bins and boxes, inspiration boards, and layered frames makes me happy. The only trouble I have though is deciding whether to go dark or go light... I only wish my office looked half as amazing as these.

{via}

What is your office style?

Splitting Up

2010-10-27T07:54:00.000-04:00

Lately I've seen a few split art displays which I am completely obsessing over. This would be perfect over our buffet that desperately needs a piece of art immediately. I love their simplicity but added complexity as multiple pieces. Visually they are absolutely stunning!

{via}

If anyone has any purchase information on the first equestrian print, please let me know!

I Want Big Buns...

2010-10-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

and I cannot lie. Sorry for the corny puns. That song is special to me though because really and truly, the is the song my hubby and I first danced to at our wedding (~~maybe one day I will share the link to the video~~). Yes, we are that couple. Anyways, not to get off track, after watching 90210 on Monday, I've been obsessed with high buns and I'm thinking this would be just what my Halloween costume needs. I have really heavy hair though so this might be a bit of a tough job. Any suggestions or how-to's greatly appreciated!

Spotted

2010-10-26T19:25:00.000-04:00

Dying for these polka dot tights from J. Crew....

Seeing Turquoise

2010-10-26T08:03:00.001-04:00

While looking for some inspiration this weekend, I stumbled upon these gorgeous turquoise earrings (which unfortunately are way above my earring budget) that made me start thinking about turquoise in general. It's such a beautiful color that gives rooms, buildings, outfits, and really everything that unexpected but appreciated "pop." Enjoy a few of my favorite pops or turquoise :)

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

Blog Du Jour: Luxe + Lillies

2010-10-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday! Very, very excited about this week's Blog Du Jour! Keely's blog always inspires me and definitely challenges me to go a little bolder than I'm normally comfortable with in decorating. She's managed to accomplish a lot in a little time (umm.. Apartment Therapy, hello??) and has a few services that might be of interest to all of us bloggers. I apologize in advance for a few formatting issues, Blogger fought me tooth and nail all weekend (grrrr...). As always, if you're new here, please feel free to become a new follower and leave a comment! I love your comments, they help me start the week off right! :)

Who: Keely

What: Luxe + Lillies

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota

What made you start blogging?

***be sure to vote for Keely's Room on Apartment Therapy***

I started blogging because I have always loved interior design, creative design in general really. A year ago, I barely knew what a blog was, when I started getting into it [ or rather fell down into the design blog abyss ] I thought, " I can do this!" and the rest is history!

How did I come across luxe + lillies?

I honestly don't have some great or defined story - I knew I wanted something catchy but not super "cute". I have always adored the name Lilly, it means something to both myself and my boyfriend. Luxe, is because who doesn't love a little luxury, a little glamour. I wanted my blog name to reflect the aesthetic I wanted to portray... clean and beautiful which I also feel like lilies are. Somehow, its just what has stuck!

If I could trade with someone for a day, who would it be?

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. I have an unhealthy obsession with Paris and Versailles. The woman is not only beautiful, but lives in a gorgeous home that backs up to the east garden of Versailles. She has her pick from the most beautiful clothes, and travels to some truly exquisite places (this is about the extent to which I know about her, hehe!) Importantly, she also has a career she adores for herself!

What is the last thing you ate?

Panzanella! It's my new favorite thing! I am a true Italian foodie. I eat an almost strictly Mediterranean diet (just because I love it). This is super, super easy to make too!

To feed 3-4 people

2 french baguettes, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, 1 lemon, 4 tomatoes, baby arugula, salt and pepper.

cut the baguettes into 1/2-3/4 inch wide pieces, place the pieces on a pan ( doesn't matter if they are close together) pour some olive oil over each piece, then brush the olive oil sitting on the top piece of the bread.

Put the bread in the over on 350 degrees F for 7-10 minutes.

While the bread is in the oven, cut the tomatoes into semi-thin slices and cut each slice in half.

In a small bowl mix 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/8 cup balsamic vinaigrette, 1 squeezed lemon, and salt and pepper.

Whisk quickly with a fork until mixed well. Add in enough baby arugula to well cover all the pieces of bread.

Take the bread out of the over, place all the bread on a platter.

Put one half slice of tomato on each piece of bread, and cover with the mixed arugula.

Enjoy!

What is something most people don't know about me?

I'm a pretty open person, but one thing my blog friends don't know is that I can speak some German and am learning more everyday! I also can cook several authentic Swiss dishes. My boyfriend is Swiss, I'm doing my part to embrace that culture [ however, most people would never know he's not American ]

What is your favorite vacation spot?

I have yet to get to Capri which is at the top of my list - but, the south of France it is. I especially adore St. Tropez. Its an amazing little town set right on the water, the food is so super delicious, the architecture is a dream, the surroundings of vineyards and olive groves... its so delightful.

What 5 People would be in my circle for spin the bottle?

{via}

People are always surprised that there isn't one celebrity that I would just adore meeting, but, I'm not really someone who is intrigued by celebrities. That, and as sappy as it is, I really love my boyfriend!

What is your must have today?

[via] we heart it, home decorators

SOOO many. But I am gaga for faux fur and cheetah right now! Love it, any of it!

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life?

Definitely my little puppy Trinket. She's just so filled with love and happiness. A beautifully styled home, or tablescape. Blogs. I adore the blog world, the friends I have met, the opportunities I have been afforded.

Duffle Time

2010-10-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

I've always had a bit of an obsession with luggage. I mostly have a thing for duffles and carryalls though. I could never have enough even though they're usually not big enough for a weekend trip and kind of annoying to carry when they're really heavy. I guess this is yet another sacrifice we make for style. While thumbing through the new J Crew catalog last night, another one hooked me and got me thinking more about the perfect weekend luggage. Here's a few I'm currently coveting:

{via}

I actually got this really bright LeSportsac for Christmas last year and absolutely adore it! I use it everytime we take a trip, no matter how inconvenient it is!

How do you like to roll while traveling?

Midwestern Monologues: Haruki Murakami

2010-10-21T15:08:00.001-04:00

{Brian Kvidera}

I love books. I'll never own a Kindle or a Nook or download books to my iPhone. There is something so classic and comfortable about the glue-bound, dog-eared pages of a book.

{via}

As if the story weren't enough, I love a book that has personalized character. A book that says something about the person who read it before me. I love those underlined passages, a highlighted quote, a hand-written "!" or "??". I write in all my books and I'll also write in books that people lend me (I know, I know. I shouldn't do this). In most books I borrow from friends, I'll also leave a note in the cover for them. No one has ever found these notes (or those underlined sentences), but I like knowing that maybe one day, just by chance, someone else will see me in that book.

Which brings me to my current read. Last night, I started a new book that I had purchased used, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by one of my favorite Japanese writers, Haruki Murakami. In the cover, a note was scribbled from Christmas 2002: to Brian; Love, Matt & Mariam. Eight years later, this book fell asleep with me.

Here is one of my favorite Murakami short stories. Let's personalize this story, shall we? A boy sent me the story, "On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning." His note said, "This makes me think of you." This boy was a gentleman I dated for three years. We broke up over five years ago. He sent me the story one year ago.

"A sad story, don't you think?"

love, love,

cin

Puppy Love: Fleabag Beds

2010-10-21T07:42:00.000-04:00

Do you have a puppy as spoiled as mine? It's really insane how bad I've let it get. He's really more like my child at this point and yes, I'm a bad parent. I pretty much give him whatever he wants and right now, he wants to be on our bed. Our queen bed that's barely big enough me for and the hubby so it's time to take action. I think what Teddy actually wants is a beautiful bed from Fleabag Beds. How could you not want one? They're not only big and fluffy but made in gorgeous fabrics. A few of Teddy's favorites:

Must Have Today: Hey there Carson

2010-10-20T18:33:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted a Must Have Today so I decided to bring it back. This caught my eye in a major way today and I think I must have it... (in my dreams). Leave it to Tory Burch to tempt my wallet. Her Carson Satchel has caught my eye in both black and clay.

{via}

What's your Must Have Today?

Yes, I'm Junkie... Product Junkie that is

2010-10-19T08:23:00.001-04:00

I guess I would consider myself a bit of a product junkie. I didn't always used to be like this though. I started small with a mid-price shampoo and conditioner and then worked my way into face wash. My first time was with Bliss... then I found Murad and then... CLARINS. Eventually the blush got me. I suddenly needed NARS and then my lips started calling out. Chanel, Mac, and then Fresh lip tint seemed to be the only way to go. Gone were the days of simple chapstick. No more Cover Girl, Maybelline, or Revlon. Sephora had gotten the best of me.

I'm also one of those people that rarely gets my hair cut. Probably once or twice a year at best but everytime I do go, I manage to get suckered into buying a... product... or two. Last time it was Aveda but I have a new salon now and they are...wait for it... KERASTASE. I mean, nothing is better than Kerastase. Your hair feels like smooth like a baby's butt and is shiny like a new penny. I really didn't want to do it but I did. I managed to stay away from the shampoos and conditioners but walked out with

Kerastase Serum Nutri-Sculpt. This stuff if incredible. You just need a few drops and suddenly you have silky, soft luxurious hair, free of fly-aways. I had an encounter with this stuff back in high school but I definitely couldn't afford it... not that I can now but I've learned how to better convince myself.

The last thing I bought is probably my favorite. You see, I have thick, heavy, Asian hair that really does nothing. It's easy but it has no volume and because my hair is so dark, any product leaves me looking like I have dandruff (yes, eww). Alterna came to the rescue. Not only does this product give me the life I've been looking for but it makes my hair feel and smell amazing. Even my husband noticed!!

Blog Du Jour: The Daybook

2010-10-18T08:24:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday! I know without a doubt you all will love this week's Blog Du Jour. Sydney has style like nobody's business and quirky, hilarious stories to go with it. And the photography... wow the photography is AMAZING! If you're new here, hope you enjoy and please feel free to become a follower and leave a comment. Your comments truly make my day! Enjoy!

Who: Sydney Poulter

What: The Daybook

Where: Idaho

What made you start blogging?

My friends made me. Well not really made me but strongly encouraged me. :) And so I started one. And then I didn't post on it for like 8 months. And then I did. And then pretty much continued to post every day after that! I owe them a big one!

How did you come across the name for your blog?

My thesaurus. I'm not that creative when it comes to titles... So I just looked up another name for journal. And there it was! THE DAYBOOK. I knew it was right when I heard the chorus of angels singing in the background.

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?

{via}

Can I get a time machine for this? Um, I would pick Audrey Hepburn. #1 She's so beautiful on the inside and out. #2 Her eyebrows are seriously fantastic. I have some big-time envy of those suckers.

What is the last thing you ate?

{via}

Half a bar of frozen dark chocolate. And no, I haven't had dinner yet. This is what happens when husband works late and I only have myself to cook for. Terrible!

What is something most people don't know about you?

{via}

I can rhyme like nobody's business.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Paris. I can't wait to go back there with husband. Next time, in the summer!

What 5 people would be in your circle for spin the bottle (even if you're married... think of it like the "list" from friends)?

Ah, the list. Alright, you twisted my arm. 1. The hubster, of course. C'mon. He's hot! 2. Ryan Gosling 3. Josh Hartnett 4. Colin Farrell 5. Kellan Lutz

What is your "must have today" (your current obsession)?

{via}

A big, fat, Michael Kors boyfriend watch in gold. Ugh!...They kill me!! Too bad I'll probably only be able to afford one after they're considered vintage.

What is the Tiny Bit of Sparkle in your life? (person, thing, anything)

My sweet husband. He's all the sparkle I need for the rest of my life. Him and that ridiculous ring he put on it.

*all images via The Daybook author unless otherwise noted

Pillow Talk

2010-10-15T08:12:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I decided to stop by Cost Plus World Market to pick up a few bottles of wine because I had a gift card (from the wedding a year ago) lingering in my purse. I always manage to find something for the home though (besides wine) and it's one of those places you forget about that really does have some awesome pieces. This visit however, I was amazed at the cool decorative pillows they had and for AMAZING prices. You see, I've been on a pillow search lately and I've had trouble finding anything for less than $100-150 per pillow! That's a little out of my comfort zone so I was extremely happy to find these.

Ombre Ikat Toss Pillow, $14.99

Ikat Dot Toss Pillow, $19.99

Embellished Medallion Toss Pillow, $19.99

Tonal Tapestry Toss Pillow, $19.99

Blue and Spice Printed Ikat Toss Pillow, $19.99

Unfortunately, none of these really match any of my color schemes but I ended up buying that last one anyway, just because I loved it. I don't really have anywhere to put it so it's temporarily in my husband's office. This has made me want to buy a leather club chair for his office now so maybe this pillow is causing more damage than I thought! :)

Be sure to also check out the Faux Fur Throws (for only $59.99!) and the Provence Dining Collection (looks amazing in person, very Restoration Hardware).

Happy Friday lovelies!

Midwestern Monologues: Bucket Lists

2010-10-13T08:21:00.002-04:00

{Brian Kvidera}

Bucket lists may be cheesy, but I have one nonetheless. A few things on my list:

See the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City

See Alan Gilbert, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic

See Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Wear the traditional Vietnamese dress, Ao Dai

I recently was able to check something off of the list! First let me say that I love autumn for two major reasons: (1) scarves, boots, and cozy sweaters; and (2) ART!! I live for September when theatre seasons begin. This autumn is off to a good start as I just returned from a rendezvous in New York City. There are times in life when words do no justice to the feeling of actually experiencing your bucket list.

Those tickets would be our box seat tickets to see Itzhak Perlman perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. I know I'm about to sound dramatic, but Perlman’s entrance was heart-stopping; the performance sent chills up my arms and down my spine and stopped my breath. I always fear that when I put something on my bucket list, I am automatically over-hyping it. The New York Phil, however, was everything and more than I could have ever anticipated.

Back home in the Midwest, I was immediately off to see another bucket list item: Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen, at the Kansas City Lyric Opera. What a fantastic performance! Aside from ogling Carmen, I had to resist the urge to sing along with her in "L’amour est un oiseau rebelle" and to shout "Olé" after Escamillo finished his aria "Toreador". The show was magnifique!

I'm on high. I'm on a high. I'm on an artistic high.

What's on your bucket list??

Hi, I'm Cindy. I live in Kansas City and date ~~often~~ (eh..) ~~regularly~~ sometimes. I date. I dated a guy once that lived in the Northeast. He described Kansas City as utterly Midwestern. His description of the women here? Farm fresh and corn fed. I hate to admit it, but that sums me up in 4 words and an ampersand. Yes, yes, I am a personality girl whose verbosity and crazy antics sometimes gets the best of her. Yet, it always makes for a damn good time. (well…)

love, love,

cin

My Life is an Open Book

2010-10-12T07:00:00.011-04:00

I am so excited to be a part of Hello Splendor's blog crawl! Thanks to Ashley from Lemon and Lavender for sending you to Tiny Bit of Sparkle to learn more about the asian enigma we call Sarah. OK, maybe a bit dramatic but it's a story so I reserve the right for embellishment.

{via}

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm addicted to coffee and blogs... much like the rest of you reading this. I'm probably a lot like you but I'm double jointed and have a weird need to add splenda, ketchup or lemon juice to most drinks or meals (not all together, duh!). I'm adopted so I don't really resemble my parents at all and do not speak Korean or any other Asian languages contrary to popular belief. I also do not know Karate or Tae-Kwon Do even though I kinda wish I did now so I could karate chop the people that ask me. I have an unhealthy addiction to television but I'm working on it. I've discovered blogging a little late in the game but am clearly obsessed at this point. I love living in a bit of a fantasy world through blogging and have enjoyed all of your daily doses of inspiration. My love my husband, puppy, friends and family, tv & internet and of course all things food. I guess you could splash a little wine in there as well.

We start this story in the beautiful Bluegrass, my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky.

Then, we trek cross country to none other than Los Angeles, California

then we settle back East Coast in Atlanta, Georgia (home to NeNe and peaches)

Me and the Hubs

Our Mischevious Wheaten Terrier, Teddy "the Situation" Sapp

my amazing friends

I attended the University of Kentucky and during my sophomore year, I spotted a tall, preppy blond hair, blue eyed boy on campus I knew I had to be mine. Unfortunately, we were both attached at the time so we were nothing more than "study mates." A year passed and I had pretty much given up on "B;" however, on Halloween, (one of my favorite holidays) B called me and asked me to come hang out. After learning about his rock and roll alter ego, I was in love (he basically lives in the 80's with Slash from Guns N Roses). From that night on we were inseparable.

After we graduated, we moved to Los Angeles for a year and got grown up jobs. We did all the touristy LA stuff but managed to find some awesome hidden gems (Nikki's, Martha's, random eateries in K-Town) off the beaten path as well. Pretty soon, B's job moved him back to the East Coast where we now live, Atlanta, Georgia (actually Roswell). Two years later, B popped the big question and 10 months later we got hitched! Somewhere in between we managed to buy our first home and we're slowly but surely furnishing it. Five months later, we gave birth to a beautiful blonde, wheaten terrier. He looks more like his Dad than me... :)

After 3 years of working in sales for a Fortune 500 company, I decided to take a huge risk and quit to pursue something I thought would make me happier... still kinda working on that per say... Stay tuned to find out what happens next!

This Blog Crawl has been so much fun! I've loved learning about everyone else and really enjoyed working on my own post. Thank you so much Beth for putting this all together! Be sure and check out tomorrow post by Kristin at Candidly, Red!

Ballard: Movin' On Up

2010-10-11T18:04:00.000-04:00

I really think that Ballard has upped their game. First, they brought in Suzanne Kasler which earned them some points. Now, they just unveiled their Christmas catalogue with some new pieces and fabrics and I must say, I'm impressed. I've always liked their stuff but now they've got some really amazing pieces I actually would buy. Here's a few of my favorites..

Mariana Button Wreath

Ananda Serving Table

Rossmore Washed Jute Pillow

Maddox Beaded Chandelier

Scandicci Gray Fabric

Suzanne Kasler Set of 5 Atelier Antler

If you like these, be sure to check out the Celon Beaded Chandelier, Casbah fabric, and Atoll Mirror. Jen over at Made By Girl has made me quite obsessed with that mirror due to her frequent posts about it lately! :) Those chandeliers sure do bear a resemblance to Marjorie Skouras ones I've been coveting... I'm guessing the price is a little easier to swallow though.

One Year and One Day Ago...

2010-10-11T08:26:00.001-04:00

Instead of my usual Blog Du Jour, I decided to take today to honor my 1 year anniversary. One year and one day ago, I married my best friend and the man of my dreams. We spent the weekend celebrating and really, it was magical, as cheesy as that may sound.

The anniversary started with a much needed couples massage and then we checked into the Four Seasons (where we stayed on the night of our wedding). We were greeted by a wine and cheese cart, chocolate covered strawberries and the most beautiful flower arrangement, all courtesy of my wonderful hubby.

From there, we dined at one of my favorite restaurants, One Midtown Kitchen, where we had our rehearsal dinner. We recreated a picture we took a year ago as well. :)

The next day, we enjoyed a southern breakfast (mmm.. biscuits!) and just relaxed at home. We saved the best for last... our cake vendor actually makes you a cake topper for your 1st anniversary so that you don't have to freeze it. It was even decorated similarly to our real cake! Wow it was delicious. I could eat that for every meal! The cake was topped off by a bottle of champagne sent my very thoughtful friend/bridesmaid.

I also wanted to share a few of my favorites from our wedding. In case you're a huge sap like me, you can view them all here. Hope you enjoy and thanks for taking a part in my special day!

Tiny Bit of Sparkle: Boardwalk Empire

2010-10-08T08:11:00.000-04:00

I never realized how fascinated I am by the Prohibition period until I started watching Boardwalk Empire. Seeing the beginnings of Al Capone and other famous mobsters is so intriguing, I'm definitely thinking I need to find a good mobster book to read (any suggestions greatly appreciated!). Most importantly though, I am especially loving the clothes from this period. I think nothing is better than a sparkly headband so I think I would fit in quite well. Check out a few of the outfits below... I had a bit of trouble finding too many pictures so if you haven't been watching Boardwalk Empire, I suggest you order HBO immediately so you can begin to enjoy the decadence and deceit as well!

What time period would you like to live in?

Giveaway winner!

2010-10-08T08:10:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all of 5 that entered my first giveaway! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate each and every visit and comment to Tiny Bit of Sparkle. And the winner is...

Erika @ ~TiptoeButterfly~

I will be contacting you for your mailing address shortly!

Thanks again to everyone that entered!