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Posts by Vanessa Allison and Molly

Oct 18

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Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 11 – 18

201009 SaddiPoole 500 web; Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 11 18

Photo by Jocelyn Mathewes via Style Me Pretty

1. Favorite Wedding of the Week: Maryland Wedding: This wedding from Style Me Pretty is so subtle and romantic. The bride’s dress is stunning–handmade with antique French lace. The location is perfect–I love the intimate feel of the pond.  Beautiful use of light gray. All-around breath-taking. -Allison

zac posen wedding; Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 11 18

Photography by Josie Miner via Once Wed

2. Bohemian Farm Wedding: Another gorgeous wedding, found via Once Wed, that I can’t stop sighing over. How Bohemian! How effortlessly cool! This wedding looks as though it would have been so much fun to attend. -Allison

chili5 2; Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 11 181. With the arrival of cold weather here, I find myself craving just one type of food: warm, comforting soups, stews, and chilis. I’m often overwhelmed with recipe lists for these though, so I end up never making them! This recipe for 5 Step Chili from How Sweet It Is is a total dream come true! 5 steps to deliciousness… can’t wait to try it out! -Vanessa

ed0c74381; Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 11 182. I am often amazed by the lack of food education that young children receive. There’s just no appreciation for all the incredible things that grow from the ground and what can be created with these items! When I came across this post from La Tartine Gourmande I was blown away. Apparently France has a Week of Taste to educate children about food. Who do I talk to to get this started here?!

Oct 15

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Why Don’t You… October 16 & 17

booktutorial308 1; Why Dont You... October 16 & 17

… create a mini jotter + book? When I first saw these little books on oh, hello friend I thought they were from an etsy shop because they’re so cute! As it turns out, they’re completely hand made and so easy to do for yourself! I think they would make a great and personal gift when covered in a special fabric and with a little note inside. -Vanessa

20090704170252 e1286478106385; Why Dont You... October 16 & 17

…host a design swap? I personally get bored with my wardrobe way too frequently. However, I just don’t have the funds to go out and buy all new things every time I want to! That’s why I love this design swap idea from design*sponge. Invite over your most stylish friends to swap clothes and items to add some freshness to your wardrobe at no cost! Paired with a little wine and cheese, I think this would make a fantastic event. -Vanessa

pumpkin cinnamon rolls; Why Dont You... October 16 & 17

. . .make these delicious looking pumpkin cinnamon rolls? I can’t be the only one around with a weakness for cinnamon rolls!  Coupled with my pumpkin obsession and incurable sweet tooth, I can’t imagine any better morning treat than this amazing recipe from Multiply Delicious. -Allison

Oct 11

Our Favorite Blog Posts: October 3 – 10

Allison:

1. When I came across this Simply Color post from design*sponge I was blown away. The hanging peach dress in the first picture immediately caught my attention, and all the romantic details that followed fit perfectly with my initial impression. These colors and rustic details have me swooning.

2. There’s nothing quite like looking at a picture-perfect wedding on Style Me Pretty. This Central Coast Wedding posted last week combined vintage, rustic, and down-home farm elements so well there isn’t a single thing that could be changed for the better. And those pictures on the hay stacks! Too sweet for words.

Vanessa:

1. With the coming of fall comes the rainy season. I’m a huge lover of the soft patter of rain, but I know some people absolutely hate it! Instead of using rain as an excuse to stay inside and waste a day, I think these Rain Check ideas from lox papers are fantastic! Some of the ideas are old stand by’s and others are new that I’m planning on doing the next time it’s gloomy outside.

Oct 8

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Why Don’t You. . . October 9 & 10

fall harvest brunch 580x414; Why Dont You. . . October 9 & 10

. . . throw a beginning of autumn brunch? I loved this Farmhouse Harvest Brunch shoot that I stumbled upon on at The Sweetest Occasion. Beautiful colors, and yummy food! I love fall foods–specifically anything apple and pumpkin themed. What a great way to usher in my favorite season! -Allison

; Why Dont You. . . October 9 & 10

. . .try out this yummy caramel apple muffin recipe? If you haven’t gathered this already, I’m all about seasonal fruit.  I love going out and picking whatever’s in season! I’m headed home next weekend to visit family, and I know one thing I’ll be doing for sure–visiting the apple orchards! Until then, though, I’ll just satisfy my apple cravings with this very tasty looking recipe from the NY Times. -Allison

5025542033 0b94e57c09 o; Why Dont You. . . October 9 & 10

… make your own bread? There’s no pride quite like cutting into a fresh loaf of bread you’ve just made, and nothing reminds me more of fall than fresh homemade bread. I’ve been seeing tons of talk about bread in various blogs, like this post on Eating is Art, but this recipe from David Lebovitz looks so incredible… I can’t wait to knead this weekend! -Vanessa

tape pumpkin 300; Why Dont You. . . October 9 & 10

… create no-carve pumpkins? I’ll be the first to admit I’m not even close to being the best pumpkin carver. I’ve been known to butcher a perfectly good idea, so I avoid it altogether. When I came across these No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas on Real Simple, I became newly confident! This year, I’m going to create a one of a kind pumpkin from these ideas that just doesn’t involve carving! I’m especially loving that chalkboard idea… who knew it could be used on pumpkins too?

Oct 6

What We’re Reading: September 30 – October 6

Allison:

1. How Not to Fight a Cold – Have a cold, again? I know I can’t be the only one! I’m on my second cold of the season, and this op piece from the NY Times has me feeling at least a tiny bit better about the state of my immune system!

2. Would Hemingway Cry? – This short, touching piece–one of the many from the NY Times Modern Love column–is a great read for anyone who loves either travel or Hemingway (or both, like me!).  Charming and immediately nostalgia-inducing.

Vanessa:

1. Spring 2011 Inspirations – I’m probably the farthest thing from a fashion designer, so their creativity truly inspires and amazes me. This fantastic slideshow has images of what has inspired designer for their spring collections for 2011, and they’re just incredible! Some are just so unexpected and out there; I can’t get over it!

Oct 4

Our Favorite Blog Posts of the Week: September 20- October 4

Vanessa:

1. Blogs frequently feature decadent and stunning dinner parties that are so overwhelming, I’d have no idea where to start to mimic them. When I stumbled upon this Dinner Party Beneath the Golden Gate on Oh Happy Day, I was blown away in a realistic way for once. Yes, the setting is out of this world and unbelievably picturesque, but the party details are so real! It’s just an intimate gathering with string lights, simple chairs, pretty flowers, and a coordinating table scape. For once, this is something I can do! As I live only 40 minutes away from San Francisco, maybe I’ll try to recreate the whole event! Here’s the DIY Post too if you’re interested!

2. I’ve been putting off fall and the beginning of any serious work for as long as possible. In my head, I’ve been reveling in the relaxation of summer, but it’s slowly coming to an end. This To Autumn post from Little Brown Pen has me realizing fall is here and it should just be embraced. The poem from Keats in the post is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the message about working a little harder to understand, instead of glossing over the difficult bits in life. Here’s to the beginning of a new season!

Allison:

1. Wedding of the Week: Library Themed Wedding – I’ve always loved libraries and dreamed of the perfect evening ceremony. Naturally, then, I absolutely loved this wedding from Style Me Pretty! Gorgeous setting and adorable Save the Date cards. Check it out!

Sep 29

What We’re Reading: September 23 – 29

Allison:

Experience: I spent 29 Years in Solitary Confinement: This harrowing portrait of a wrongfully-accused man’s time spent in solitary confinement from The Guardian is sure to make you reconsider what you consider cruel and unusual punishment. It certainly isn’t a light read, but it’s sure to make you think.

Vanessa:

On Distraction – This post by Alain de Botton is deceivingly short, yet full of fascinating points. I’m the first to admit how often I get distracted; with the media constantly throwing things in our faces and the expectation to be multi-tasking at all times, concentration is almost impossible to achieve. As this post points out though, there can be total overload. I think the author puts it best: “Our minds, no less than our bodies, require periods of fasting”.

Sep 27

Our Favorite Blog Posts of the Week: September 20 – 27

Vanessa:

1. I’ve got a real soft spot for chickens. Growing up with them I always professed to hating them because of their noise, but I secretly think they’re pretty darn cool. So, whenever I see a chicken in a post I know it’s going to be a good blog entry. When I found this Edible Gardens post from design*sponge, I loved the pictures and message. It’s never too late to think about planting a garden, and I think this post has some awesome reasons (and cute photos) for why everyone should consider planting their own gardens.

2. I rarely find a blog post that makes me laugh out loud but man oh man I just about died over this one. From Honeysuckle Life, this post is all about the hideousness that is jean cut off shorts for men. I can’t even describe her hatred over these… too funny! You’ll just have to read it yourself to get a good laugh too.

Allison:

1. Wedding Pick of the Week: Mammoth Wedding from Style Me Pretty. This gorgeous wedding has just the right amount of outdoorsy details to suit my tastes. The setting is drop-dead gorgeous, the styling is spot on, and  there’s even a deer! Love it.

2. I’m absolutely obsessed with this vintage-themed engagement shoot over at Ruffled.  Every picture is to die for! Apparently the bride-to-be is a vintage enthusiast; I love her taste!

Sep 24

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Why Don’t You. . . September 25 & 26

diy home decor cafe curtains full article vertical; Why Dont You. . . September 25 & 26

. . . create your own cafe curtains? I am in love with this idea from Woman’s Day to create your own cafe curtains! At first, I was a little wary of anything involving sewing, but as it’s for beginners, I checked out the directions and they’re surprisingly simple. The best part about the easiness is that multiple curtains can be made to let you transition through the seasons. A fall colored curtain now, winter one next, and it can just go on to help you decorate with the seasons! -Vanessa

psy1010 cos 02 p; Why Dont You. . . September 25 & 26

. . . get started on Halloween costumes? I know it’s a little early, but I just cannot wait for Halloween to get here already! I’m not much of a sewer (as I said above), so when I came across these 35 homemade costumes from Parenting that require NO SEWING, I had to check them out. As busy moms, there’s almost no time to create a really cute costume for the kids, but these ideas are so fast and adorable! How cute is that rubber ducky one above?? Do you have any Halloween costume tips to share? -Vanessa

catherine after; Why Dont You. . . September 25 & 26

. . .use a salvaged drawer to create a unique frame? I love this idea from Design*Sponge. It has such a nice rustic charm!

. . . start planning your Halloween party now? Now’s the time to pick a date and order your invitations!  I always seem to miss throwing the Halloween party of my dreams due to poor planning. It definitely isn’t going to happen this time! Check out which Halloween Invitations Cardstore has to offer.


Sep 22

What We’re Reading: September 20-24

Vanessa -

Online Magazines: I’ve been finding online magazines everywhere lately. It’s a new trend, and I must say I’m totally impressed by what is being put in these incredible magazines. To me, nothing beats flipping through some real pages, but these have been adding so much fun to my web-surfing lately! From home decor to fashion to art, these publications have a little bit of everything. My current favorites are Cellardoor Magazine, Rue Magazine,  Anthology, and my new favorite found today, Sweet Paul; do you know of any fantastic online reads?

How Does Your Online Persona Affect Your Dating Life?: In this age of facebook, twitter, google, and all the other social networking sites, it’s possible to find almost anyone online. We’re often told how important our online image is for jobs, schools, and professional opportunities, but what about for dating? This interesting article from Marie Claire explores how important that online image can be for dating, and how others judge based on what they find when searching your name. It’s just a little wake up call to once again be careful of what ends up going online!

Molly:

The Concrete Jungle: When I think of New York City, I think of a metropolis of a diverse group of people, of industry, of fashion, of food, a place that has almost everything.  Yet with the exception of Central Park, nature was never a word that really came to mind until I came across this article in New York Magazine.  Surprisingly, the city’s ever changing environment and diversity has become appealing to more than one animal, and a developing ecosystem is on its way.

“The Elegance of the Hedgehog”: Muriel Barbery’s second hit, I recently started reading this international bestseller and can’t put it down.  Written from the perspective of two narrators, the book starts with Renée, a widowed concierge who works in a beautiful home for a group of wealthy bourgeois families.  Alternating chapters, next writes the daughter of one of the families, Paloma, a 13 year old genius who plans to end her life because she finds the world pointless.  Renée and Paloma play off of each others thoughts and keep the reader on their toes while they watch the two help each other find meaning in their lives.  This book is emotional, comical, and philosophical and the New York Times gives an expert Sunday Book Review on the novel, full of praise.

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