Heart to Haiti

First, I have to say I've been HORRIBLE about posting! This past week was insane, so updates are coming. And I haven't even had time to visit all of the wonderful blogs that I usually frequent. My deepest apologies!

Secondly, my beautiful friend Stephanie is over in Haiti helping piece back together the broken hearts there. I deeply respect her and wish I had the gumption to drop my life and do something bigger than my day to day selfish existence.

But alas, there are fabulous people in this world who DO do that, and to them I am eternally grateful.

I religiously read her fascinating blog, Heart to Haiti . There was this picture that inspired the artist in me and I had to share.

These are packages of scented candles on the store shelves - a huge luxury over there. Aren't they just lovely?

Egg and Nest Shower

I love love birds and my best girlfriend used my "big pink nest" invitation for a egg and nest themed shower. I was so very jealous, because I am BURSTING with ideas for hosting an egg and nest shower!

Anywho. If I were the one hosting - I'd use one of these two invites:

And my party would look like this:

Somebody get engaged or knocked up ASAP!

{ Tart Paperie invite, nest and almond dessert with instructions from Save the Date for Cupcakes, place cards from Timeless Paper via etsy, glitter birds from Paper Source, branch arrangement via Bridal Cheek, birdcage flower arrangement from bhg?, wall decals from Art Wall Project via etsy, bird garland via greenunion.co.uk, robin's egg soaps from Gianna Rose Atelier }

Monsieur Boudin

I stumbled across this adorable little weinie dog illustration collection on Daisy Pink Cupcake's blog and I love this dog!!!

The illustrations are so whimsical and fun. You can buy all the cards here , but I don't have any idea if there's a place in the US or not.

And his name is Mr. Sausage. I mean...how cute is that!?!

{designs by Lab Partners}

Annie Kyle

I am seriously obsessed with this artist. My lovely friend Jamie did her fantastic site and while perusing her work, I seriously started to hyperventilate with inspirational fever.

I love her stuff. LOVE.

Ring, Ring!

I love rings. Diamond rings, Ring of Fire, my Journey ringtone...

But I'm a design nut, and my favorite rings are the ones used as a design element.

Well, maybe second to diamond rings...=)

Rings are a very OLD design element, being used in celtic designs and medieval chain mail, and probably appearing before that. It's classic, gorgeous, and goes with anything. It looks old and new at the same time. Here are my favorite examples:

{this barstool comes in white and is only $89 from Target!}

{buffet from Layla Grace, Kraftmaid Kitchen courtesy of blog All That Inspires , Pianagonda circles ring at Neimans, Circles barstool and circles fireplace screen from Target, Demby and Soloman personalized labels, watch from Target, David Meister dress, mirror from Lamps Plus, Roberto Coin bracelet and circles sheet sets from Neimans, gold table from Layla Grace, invitations from Crane, unsure of console table and mirror, R & Y Augousti Brownclips tray, Mallory Marks hoop earrings at Barneys, Iomoi personalized coasters}

Petals falling everywhere

I love natural shapes, and I've started see the shape of petals and leaves everywhere. It's so beautiful and organic and way feminine.

Latticework has taken over our lives and I'll be the first to admit that I'm still gaga over trellis wallpaper. But there's something about natural shapes that really eases my heart rate and pleases the hippie inside.

{ Heidi Klum and Michael Kors Key to the Cure shirt at Saks, earrings and perfume and shirt at Anthropologie, earrings from Neiman Marcus, Romo wallcoverings, rug from Layla Grace, hydrangea necklace from etsy - Patrick Irla Jewelry , daily candy header illustrated by Sujean Rim }

Christian Lacroix Papier

While I aimlessly dawdled through my daily dose of inspirational fashion and design sites, I was suddenly aghast when I saw this post of Christian Lacroix's new line of paper goods on vogue.com.

It's so stunning. Very Papaya-esque but with a fashion edge that borders genius. There's collage, paintings, fabric, beauty, sketch, charcoal, vintage drawings. The number of mediums is fantastic.

It really stuck me. It looks so effortless, though I know each masterpiece was probably a painstaking exercise in adding and subtracting.

Gorgeous:

Color Picks - 2010

I love color. Every color. As a child I would have a panic attack every time the teacher would ask, "What's your favorite color?"

What kind of question is that? I like certain colors for certain things. Right?

So here are my favorite inspirations for this year.

Green:

Horse from ZGallerie, still from Atonement, green and gold bracelet from i forget!, Kate Spade wallet, house beautiful home, greek key candles from ZGallerie, Crane Apple Green cards

Gray:

homes from house beautiful, lamp from Zara Home

Red-orange:

look by Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta red necklace, red thank you from William Arthur, trench from Kate Spade

Gold:

bangle from Alexis Bittar, silk top and knob from Anthropologie, circles side table from Layla Grace, Moulinette Soeurs Eau de Parfum, room from house beautiful, calling card from Martha Stewart

Orange:

Agraria Luxury bath bar at Barneys, interior photographed by Dan Duchars, Halston Heritage Pleated gown from Neiman Marcus, Prada loafer, screen from Layla Grace, bedding from ZGallerie, stationery from Crane

Pink:

room from house beautiful, Vera Wang Truly Pink, invitation from Martha Stewart, child's ghost chair from Layla Grace, room from house beautiful, Nana de Bary Pink Eau de Parfum, John Derian coaster

Turquoise:

chest from Layla Grace, ring from Kate Spade, floral necklace from Lee Angel, barrettes from Anthropologie, room from house beautiful