Where I Want to Be

image via A Life Well Lived

I want to be on a patio overlooking a lake, as the sun is setting, eating an amazing dinner, with people I love.

image via Off Beat and Inspired

I want be tucked away in an orchard, eating scones, drinking hot coffee, soaking in the nature around me.

image via Lexington Company

I want to be eating outside, drinking red wine, warmed under a blanket, and gabbing about how great life is.

image via Non Conspiracy Orchestra

I want to be snuggled in cabin, with a fire roaring, playing board games, thinking nothing could be better. 

Do you ever see pictures like these and imagine what your life would be if you were there? I love the inspiration that can come from one simple image. All of these photos make me warm and fuzzy inside when I envision what my life would be if I were in the picture. They all portray fall weather, family, good food, laughter, and happiness. With thanksgiving around the corner, I can't wait to be in a place like these. I'm anxious to be snuggled up at my parents house, with leftovers busting out of the fridge and having all the people I love around me. 

Annie

Witty & Delightful

Target has been rolling out an amazing collab this year. They partnered with some of their favorite pinners to create Pinterest party worthy products, and I am so on board. 

They first caught my attention when they partnered with Joy Cho of Oh Joy! She has continued to design whimsical party goods since her initial collection last spring. They also did work with Jan Halvarson of Poppytalk, and most recently released their witty & delightful collection with the wonderful Kate Arends from Wit & Delight.

Pictured above is the wonderful Kate. I had never read her blog until my sister helped me catch wind of her Target collection. I instantly found myself completely distracted in my capstone class and completely enthralled in her blog. 

These are a few snapshots from the rustic and whimsical launch party Kate threw for the September 14th launch of her collection. The Minneapolis based blogger filled this studio space with good food, better people and her great products as the focal point. I wish I could have been invited to the party so I could eat the luscious cheese board in front of Kate. 

Kate's collection is perfectly described by using the title of her blog, it is witty and delightful. She uses black, white and gold to create party goods and barware. My favorite pieces include the Oh Beer! bottle opener and her funny phrase pencils (click the link to see all the phrases enlarged). The "beerly beloved" one really gets me. Below are more of my favorites! 

beverage bucket/bottle opener/decks of cards/serving tray/pencils/chalkboard labels

Kate and Joy's party products are available on Target.com. Jan's Poppytalk products are sold out, but you can see all three of the pinner's collections on Target's Pinterest page. I'm now brainstorming different party ideas so that I have a reason to buy all of their goodies! 

I must say, everything is so well priced and so darn cute I'm just going to have to buy it all. This always seems to happen...darn it, Target strikes again.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Hello March! I love March. It finally starts to feel like spring, it is sort of the calm month before the end of semester tests start, we get a week off of school for spring break and it means February is over. For being the shortest month, February always seems to drag on. 

A last minute snow storm decided to blow through on Saturday, continuing all day Sunday, which means no school today! I love having the day off, but I am ready for the cold to be over and only have warm days ahead. Last week was a great week, but I don't have many pictures to show for it. It wasn't very busy so I had lot's of time for pinning. I'm giving you some bites of my life and bites from my Pinterest today!

-A visit to see Kathleen at work, meant I had to bring coffee. I had heard about these so called "Hanson Milk Teas," so I finally got around to trying it. It's half black tea, half black coffee with a little skim milk and a Sweet-N-Low. 

-I love this breakfast. An almost empty almond butter jar filled with strawberries and homemade granola.

-Who knew Forever 21 had such stylish workout clothes?

-How cute is this small living space? Perfect inspiration for my little house next year.

-All dolled up for our sorority semi-formal. 

-Got to dance the night away on Saturday with my cute momma.

-Fried egg tacos with fresh pico de gallo. So simple and look so good, I will for sure be making these.

-A vintage style swim suit is number one on my spring shopping list.

I am fully rested after laying in bed all day yesterday watching Oscar footage, but because it's a snow day I think I'll keep the laziness going. I have plans to watch The Great Gatsby to support Leo even though he didn't win an Oscar. Happy snow day and happy March!

xo annie

Shake It Up

My creativity and inspiration when it comes to my blog have been pretty non-existitant recently. I am struggling to come up with new posts that I think will be interesting to readers and myself. 

I need to shake things up a bit and get my creative juices flowing again. I turned to Pinterest, tumblrs, and other blogs to try and spur my inspiration. Here's to hoping this helps...

{Bites of Inspiration}

images via my pinterest

xo annie

Copy Cat

Olivia Palermo might have been known as the b-word on The City, but most could agree she has some killer style. I was always Team Whitney so it's hard to give Olivia credit. 

Anyways, I've been swooning over this outfit by OP for a while. It keeps popping up on Pinterest, so I'm obviously not alone. The skirt Olivia has on is originally from Zara, but is now sold out. I can almost guarantee that is the cheapest part of the outfit, so I re-created her look with some more affordable pieces. 

J.Crew Coat/ Zara booties / Joie Turtleneck Sweater / Free People Cheetah Skirt/ KSlademade Pouch

Ever since I saw this outfit I've been on the hunt for a chunky cable knit turtleneck to pair with skinny jeans and mini skirts for the fall! More inspiration here and here.

xo annie