C'est si bon

The Things We Keep {A. Liz Adventures Guest Post}

Hi ladies, and thank you to sweet Kristen for inviting me to guest post with you today. I am April of A. Liz Adventures. My blog chronicles daily lifestyle pretties -- tasty recipes, DIY projects, adventures with girlfriends, married life, you get the gist.

Like Kristen, I am a newlywed. My husband Ian and I were married at the end of May in 2011.

We have fairly different personalities, which I consider a total life-enricher. Someone to contribute to this crazy life we are all so fortunate to be a part of.

We also have different (ahem) viewpoints on the things we keep.

I am highly sentimental. I love memories. Tangible objects to me are fun ways of relating to a special memory and bringing back a flood of happy emotion.

My husband? The "toss it" mentality.

We've learned to compromise. His biggest fear is our home ending up on an episode of Hoarders. I assure you, I assure you ... we are FAR from this. Anyone who has been over to our home would laugh uncontrollably about his irrational fear.

But gah, I do love to keep sentimental chotchkies.

Last weekend I took a trip with girlfriends to New York. I've been posting on my blog about our fun adventures this week. After mentioning that we lunched one day at the Boathouse in Central Park, a blogging friend asked if Tavern On The Green was still open.

Nope, sadly, they closed in 2009. But there they are, still in my phone from when my girlfriends and I brunched there in 2005. Yes, seven years (and at least five phones) later, I still refuse to delete that contact. Spotting it as I scroll through my phone searching for a friend's number just gives me such a thrill.

And in my desk drawer? Tucked in between a calculator, business cards, and meeting notes, you'll find a simple unframed photo of Ian and I. It didn't make the cut to be a framed photo on top of my desk, but this one has a special meaning. It's the first time that Ian met my parents at our family lakehouse. We took the boat out and I remember feeling filled with joy at the fact that my new boyfriend was getting along swimmingly well with my parents. And making them laugh.

I like to keep a pretty clean wallet, but I just couldn't bring myself to trash two receipts. They are both faded and obviously well-loved. The top receipt is from a fantastic birthday dinner at Harvest that my friend Kerry and I enjoyed in the Hamptons several years back. And the receipt from Pink Sorbet is for a gorgeous floor-length Lilly Pulitzer gown that I purchased for our first engagement party in the mountains.

When I clean out my wallet, it brings me joy to see these two receipts. I fold them again and put them right back where they belong.

I see countless warnings about not letting yourself confuse a memory with a tangible item, but you know what I have to say about that? Fooey! I'm a highly visual person, and these items act as memory cues for me.

Please tell me I'm not alone here -- what is something tangible you've kept that has a special significance?

a novel idea.

one of my fave things about my lovie is that he is

a sweet, little bookworm.

he loves to read. he collects books.

and i happen to think it is quite endearing.

in one of my many attempts to impress him,

i, too, have worked to cultivate a richer love for books.

i now love finding off-beat books about fashion. travel. cooking.

{anthro is my go-to place to find a darling page turner}

but i think that most of all,

i love the idea of a book as an accessory a la kate spade.

a clutch disguised as a literary masterpiece.

now, this is a novel idea.

i am just dying over all of these witty, little clutches.

i am quite certain my lovie would fall in love with me all over again

if he were to see me carrying one.

& that gives me great reason to start a new book collection.

pve giveaway winner.

i am beyond thrilled to announce that the pve designs giveaway winner is...

the adorable ashley cortese of smitten design.

ashley is one of the most darling girls ever.

with a great eye for design & a killer sense of style,

this girl has got it going on.

not to mention,

she happens to be the cutest preggo i have ever laid eyes on.

she is expecting baby boy number one in just a few weeks.

how stinkin cute is this?!

ashley says she would love for patricia of pve designs

to illustrate her dog, buster.

what a cute little addition it will be for her baby boy nursery.

happy, happy day to you, sweet ashley.

and for all you other friends, make sure you jump on over to her blog.

smitten design will surely become your new daily read.

Spring's most colorful accents

Well, hello! My name is Johanna of 101 things i love... I'm thrilled that Kristen asked me to partake in a guest post about my favorite Spring accessories. This is a topic I can get behind because if fashion were a religion, then bright accessories would be my cathedral. Dramatic? Perhaps...but I am all about color in 2012!

I've pulled together my top 5 must-have items for Spring. I hope it brings some sunshine to your day!

the statement necklace: Gotta get one, ladies. It's a game changer even on your most blah days. I just purchased this Stella & Dot gem and I couldn't be more excited to rock it with jeans, maxis, tees...you name it!

the bright bowler: If color-blocking and neon skinnies aren't your thing; it's OK...that's what accessories are for. I love this coral version from Aldo. They make the best handbags with some serious shelf life to keep you on trend.

the espadrille wedge: Every Spring I order 3 pair of inexpensive sandals and wedges from Go Jane. They last the season and bring an unexpected pop to my wardrobe. You can't go wrong and they are the kind of purchase you won't need to hide from the hubs!

the staple scarf: A pretty scarf can make the grayest days a little brighter and are handy when Spring weather is on the fritz of warm/cold. I like this mint version from Modcloth! And we all know that mint and tangerine are the colors of 2012.

matte coral lipstick: Revlon changed my life this winter. I landed on the perfect shade of coral, Hot Coral to be exact. People always ask me if I've gone somewhere when I wear it. It takes my pasty complexion to a more sun kissed look. Magical, I tell you.

Whatdyathink? What are your favorite Spring accessories...do tell?!

Thanks for having me Kristen! Keep up with me on Twitter, too!

this is glamorous.

michelle williams has always been point on when it comes

to exuding femininity. sweetness. and class.

for years i have drooled over her ultra-girlie red carpet gowns & her effortless street style.

but most of all, i have coveted her gorgeous shaggy pixie cut.

i mean, really?

does it get any cuter than that?!

every bone in my bod wishes i were brave enough.

but i am most certain you need a flawless face like hers to pull it off.

maybe one day...

i have been waiting. and waiting. and waiting for michelle's movie

my week with marilyn

to become available on demand. and it finally is.

i can hardly wait to watch her transform so perfectly into the iconic muse,

the one and only, marilyn monroe.

annie leibovitz captured michelle's inner-marilyn with these photos.

i happen to think they are stunningly beautiful.

have you seen this glamorous film?

i am watching it tonight!

a culinary passport.

my lovie & i are always looking for ways to make each weekend exciting.

and since we both love to eat. a lot.

we figured what better way to create new fun than by

taking mini-trips simply just to, well, eat.

we are taking the next two months to go on a tour of eateries.

we want more stamps in our culinary passport.

we have created a little adventure of an idea that will take us

on tiny road trips to all of the great restaurants around us.

every weekend for the next two months we are going to try new eateries.

sarasota. tampa. clearwater. maybe even as far as orlando.

so, here is where we need your help.

please tell me, what are your top three all-time fave restaurants?

they can be little hole-in-the-walls. they can be five star rated.

it can be for breakfast. lunch. or dinner.

italian. french. american. thai. any type you fancy.

we just want to hear from you.

where should we go to fill up our culinary passport?

coloring outside the lines.

colorblocking is one of the biggest trends right now.

and i do love throwing together deeply contrasting colors to create that geometric look...

but i am really, really loving the idea of a more subtle color blocking,

or even more so... a bold, monochromatic look.

anyone can pair orange pants & a yellow top together with ease.

it is safe. it is effortless. and it works.

but it takes a little more edge & confidence to pull off a monochromatic look.

one might be afraid they will look like a tall column of color, but it just isn't so.

dressing head to toe with the same color, varying hues, is really quite chic.

check out some of my fave monochromatic street styles.

go green.

i am loving this green get-up.

the variation in texture & design is what truly makes it work.

the subtle hint of yellow in the pants totally dissipates

the fear of looking like a walking string bean.

love. monochromatic. green.

c'est si bon.

this is the epitome of chic.

i am just dying over the varying hues of nude & cream.

oh, and how about that exaggerated peplum blouse?

love. love. love.

minty fresh.

again, i am loving this all green look.

these skinny minnie pants pair effortlessly with the chunky knit sweater.

texture variation is the deal maker in this little number.

a blushing beauty.

this palette is ultra-feminine & sweet.

she makes is work by pairing an oversized boyfriend sweater with the flirty skirt.

this combo makes sure the outfit has edge, not too prim & proper.

this just screams happiness.

i adore the coral sweater & pants.

the bright yellow collar & cuffs are the perfect little accents.

this fashionista even included her purse in the monochromatic scheme.

i love it.

pink party.

this is a bold & daring look.

shocking pink is so in trend right now,

and i totally endorse dressing head to toe in this popping hue.

accessories included.

i just love this look of single coloring your outfit.

but i think it would look so great with slight variations of hues, too.

say a minty green skinny pant. kelly green blouse. & emerald green accessories.

shocking orange cuffed shorts. a tangerine tank. & a coral orange scarf.

that would be a great way to rock monochromatic, but have fun with some variation.

would you wear this coloring-outside-the-lines-look?

and if so, what would be your ideal color palette?

{images courtesy of vogue.com}

bloom.

you may recall that one of my new goals

is to blossom into a little garden gal.

i get much inspiration from one of my dear friends, debbie, & her fab garden.

{read more about the little miss garden goddess here}

i took my first little baby step & potted some pretties for the front steps.

i know, i know. this is so simple. anyone can do it.

but i wanted to gain some confidence before i

hit the ground ~~running~~ planting.

so, i visited my most fave little garden shop, bloom, to pick out my goods.

i decided that a monochromatic yellow assortment would be perfect.

it would pop against our black & white bungalow of a home.

and not to mention, yellow is the it color right now.

i picked out several different variations of ivy.

i love the combo of green hues & leaf shapes.

picked a few begonias & marigolds.

along with some bright, vibrant snapdragons.

dad gave me some old pots. and he gave me the really good ones with lots of love & age.

i got my gloves on. oh, and a cute yellow gardening outfit.

and got to work potting my new little plants.

i always love working with the number three.

so three pots is was.

{can you overcrowd a pot?!}

don't the snapdragons look glorious next to that ivy?

and i just adore the sweet baby petals of a begonia bud.

this was a quick and easy little project that has brought much happiness to our little home.

i just love driving home everyday and pulling up to this view.

i can hardly wait to get my hands dirty tomorrow.

i have two studly men that have promised to help me build a raised herb garden.

start a few veggies. and plant my very first rose bush.

yahoo!

a happy, happy home.

{oh, and please excuse the dirty, dirty awnings.

the pollen has taken a huge toll on my at-one-time-white stripes.

i am counting down the minutes till spring cleaning week in t minus 9 days}

so, i need some tips from all my gardener girls out there.

what veggies, flowers, herbs are your fave to grow?

it's finally friday.

happy, happy friday friends.

i don't know about you,

but i am beyond ready for the work week to come to a snappy close.

hope that your day is filled with lots of colorful fun in anticipation of the weekend.

tick tock.

i have always coveted the

classic hermes wrap around watch.

the h face. the iconic orange. love it all.

this beauty of a wrap-around will forever be on the short list of things i ~~want~~ need,

but truthfully, i probably will never really indulge myself with it.

as it is an overflowing pocketful of pretty pennies.

however, that being said, it surely is an investment piece.

and my lovie is all about good investments.

but in the meantime,

i can drool over all the other wrap-arounds that are sprinkling the stores these days.

i have been seeing all styles. all color. and all sizes. of wrap-around watches.

and i could not be any happier.

being a girl who loves to rock an armful, or two,

of bangles. baubles. bracelets. and the like.

a wrap-around watch is the perfect acoutrement to my accessories.

camel. black. neon. animal print.

skinny. chunky. embellished.

the choices are endless.

which wrap-around wonder watch do you like best of all?

{images courtesy of pinterest}