WEDDING WEDNESDAY

It's the second round of WEDDING WEEK over at The Everygirl, and they've got great features for the soon-to-be-married (or the plan-it-way-way-WAY-in-advance person like me).  There's everything from how to DIY the Mason jar chandelier you see above to how to build a smart marriage - that's marriage, not just a wedding.  Definitely worth a look!

via the everygirl

CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC

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If you didn't have a chance to make it to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic yesterday, don't worry - neither did I.  Though champagne, sundresses, men-who-ride-horses are right up my alley. (Not to mention host Matthew McConaughey). Unfortunately, tickets to polo matches and overflowing glasses of Veuve aren't in the budget, so even though the event was so close I would taste the bubbly, I too am content to stare at pictures online.

What I should have done instead was host my own little Clicquot Classic - with a lot less polo and a whole lot more champagne.  Next time, I'm making these: champagne (or prosecco) with popsicles - perfect for a hot summer's day.  (Giant sunhat optional).

  

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GETTING KRAFTY

Some fabulous little party ideas using the oh-so-humble brown kraft paper (or it's other form - the brown paper bag). Throw a waffle bar (or a taco bar, or an ice cream, or any kind of bar, really), whip up some cute take-home party favors, create a simple menu, or draw out your dream place settings.  It's simple and easy - perfect for outdoor summer entertaining!

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OUTDOOR LIVING

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This weekend was our yacht club's opening day, which, despite being slightly cloudy this year, always marks the beginning of summer for me.  It's got me already dreaming of outdoor barbecues and dinner parties, of cocktails and lunch by the pool, and of sitting around a firepit roasting marshmallows and drinking wine.  

What's your favorite summertime entertaining?

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO

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Ah, the Oscar's.  The red carpet's Super Bowl, if you will.  While I didn't get to watch it live (#abroad problems), there were more than enough blog posts, tweets, etc. about it the next morning to satisfy.  While I wasn't super impressed this year (does it seem like slim pickings to y'all?) there were some lovely ladies who I thought looked muy guapa!

one. JENNIFER ANISTON (valentino).  I'm Team Aniston all the way, so on the real I'm just super excited she was there and looking hot.  Also, considering Jen always seems to be wearing something black and simple, this showstopper is a step out for her and I love it. Plus, the hair.

two. CHARLIZE THERON. (dior).  She looks kind of like a sexy robot/ice queen type thing.  Whatever - it works for her.  Also working for her? The short hair. If only we all had the bone structure to pull that off.

three. STACY KEIBLER (naeem kahn). Personally, not that much of a Stacy fan - she's pretty much only famous for dating George Clooney, and that kind of rubs me the wrong way.  No matter what, however, she definitely looked fantastic on his arm - that dress (and her bod) is bangin'.

four. NAOMI WATTS (armani).  So much sparkle, so little time!  The neckline makes it so interesting, and her hair looks perfect with it.

five. ZOE SALDANA (alexis mabille). I have such a girl crush on Zoe, and she always looks fabulous on the red carpet.  For me, the hem is a throwback to her killer purple dress at the 2010 Oscars.  While this skirt is more understated, the top has got fabulous detail and she pulls it all off like only Zoe can. I only wish she had lost the belt in the limo on the way there...

six. AMY ADAMS (oscar de la renta).  Ruffles, train, pretty color, pretty hair. A true princess dress. If I were going to the Oscars, I'd go all out like this.  YOLO, Amy Adams. YOLO.

seven. JENNIFER LAWRENCE (dior).  Current biggest girl crush ever.  Also, again - if I were going to the Oscars, especially with the chance to win, I'd totally want to look like a princess. This fits the bill.

eight. JESSICA CHASTAIN (armani). As a fellow fair-skinned, light-haired person, props to J.Chas to pulling off this color.  I think the metallic totally makes it, the cut is beautiful, and that the hair and lipstick are the icing on the cake. She looks totally old school Hollywood glamorous.

nine. SAMANTHA BARKS (valentino).  Apparently she plays Epoine in Les Mis?  (Sorry Samantha - I still haven't seen it).  But she looks awesome enough for me to look her up.  A simple black dress with the low v-neck and the stunning necklace is a recipe for success.  Flat-chested girls (like me): take note.

ten. SALLY FIELD (valentino).  That train. BOOM, enough said.

PLUS:

further proof that J.Lawrence is the coolest thing since sliced bread:

+ more j.law oscars weirdness via

WINE 101

Do y'all read the Everygirl?  I absolutely love it - it's full of great features on real women and they have all sorts of practical advice for us twentysomethings, such as how to stock a pantry and what kitchen tools every girl should have.  If you don't already subscribe, I highly recommend it!

One of their latest features is on Wine Education 101, and I have to say that they've done it again.  They break down each type of wine one by one, give you a glossary so you know what all those people at snooty restaurants are talking about, and they also include a little guide for how to throw your own wine tasting! As someone who loves both wine and cheese, this little soiree is right up my alley!

all photos from The Everygirl.

BE MINE, VALENTINE

all images via my pinterest

THE BEST IMPULSE BUY EVER

You know how sometimes you buy things on impulse - just a spur-of-the-moment, I-have-to-have-this, toss-it-in-the-cart kind of thing?  Usually, that thing that you couldn't live without at the time ends up sitting in the back of your closet for a few years before finally being donated to a thrift shop.  For a while there, I thought that was the fate for these puppies.

They're from Target, which gets me every time with the impulse buys.  Everything is just so cute and colorful and cheap!  I was shopping for things for my apartment last fall when these called my name from the sale rack.  They are absolutely not my style at all - I hardly wear heels, and when I do they're plain and black and tall.  So leopard print wedges? Really?

Well, I fell in love and threw them in my cart and spend the extra $10.  My mom about cried when I showed them to her because she thought they were so hideous, and I've worn them a grand total of two times in the year and a half I've owned them.  Maybe they just weren't meant to be. 

BUT THEN! 

But then I went to Europe. And threw them in my suitcase.  And have literally worn them at least two times a week since I've been here.  When we go out at night here in Barcelona, we wear heels.  And sometimes the black dress + black tights + black coat + black booties thing can become more than a little monotonous.  Solution?  Throw these babies on.  They're comfortable enough to dance in all night, and the leopard adds that little something-something your outfit has been missing.  I've more than gotten my money's worth.

So my advice? Next time you see something cheap and cute and ohmgodyouhavetohaveit? 

Buy it - you'll thank me later.

via target.

SUPER SUNDAY

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Today, I am homesick. While I love being in Barcelona, today, there is no where I'd rather be than on a couch at home or at school, with a cold beer in one hand and a chip loaded with guacamole in the other.  It's Superbowl Sunday, and unlike those who just like beer and 7-layer dip, I really enjoy football and always love watching the championship game.

Anyway, being 6 hours ahead of the East Coast means that kickoff in BCN will be at approximately 12:30 tonight. Stellar. So instead of sitting on a couch and munching on treats and yelling at the TV, I will be in a bar filled with American students, elbowing my way to get a view of the TV and paying 5 euros for a beer I don't really want.  But I will do it because I love football and the Superbowl and America, and even being in Spain isn't going to stop me from watching.  

(Though probably just the first half.  12:30 on a Sunday is L-A-T-E people!!)

But lucky you - y'all still have the chance to whip up some snacks and get your spot on the couch all worn in before the game begins this evening.  If you're looking for some good suggestions, here's what I wish I was snacking on today.  

Enjoy watching the Superbowl at a reasonable hour, and have a beer and some onion dip for me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's to a spectacular 2013!

Wishing y'all a happy new year - go out and celebrate!

images (clockwise from top left): 

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SEVEN / EIGHT / NINE / TEN / ELEVEN / TWELVE

THINGS I PINNED AND LIKED

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DESIGN*SPONGE THANKSGIVING TABLES

Continuing with the Thanksgiving-themed posts for the week, I bring you a little tablescape inspiration, courtesy of Design*Sponge.  They tapped some of their favorite artists, designers, and shop owners to style tables for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a great idea, and cool to see each individual put their own twist on things.  Above are some of my favorites to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow!

clockwise from top left: spartan / furbish / jayson home / eddie ross / john derian / matt armendariz

THINGS I PINNED AND LIKED

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WEDDING WEDNESDAY

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"Happiness is only real when it's shared"

JOHN KRAKAUER

T-minus 3 days until my friend gets married!

WEDDING WEDNESDAY

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One of my friends is getting married this October.

One of my best friends, actually, who I've known since 2nd grade.  Her family is like my family; we've done Christmas Eve and Easter Brunch and ski trips together forever. We've gone to the same school our entire lives - elementary school, middle, high school, and now college.  Once we got to college, we kind of went our separate ways.  It's a big school, and we got involved in different things.  We would meet up every once and awhile on Grounds to catch up, and we always hung out when we were at home, but things become different.  We weren't as close as before. And now she's getting married.

I'm a junior in college.  She's a junior in college.  Twenty.  Two-zero.  As in, technically not legally allowed to drink champagne at her own wedding reception.  Kind of crazy, huh?  For me, it's less of the fact that she's getting married (the guy is great, and she's always been kind of a homebody), but more of the fact that someone my age is mature and adult and responsible enough to A) make the decision about who they're going to spend the rest of their life with and B) settle down.

Really, it just makes me look at my own life and realize how much I don't have my shit together. As in, I wouldn't even want to marry myself right now.  So it's definitely a weird idea to reconcile.  I will say this: my friend might have her life in order, but when it came down to the actual wedding itself, she had no idea what to do.  I like to think I'm the completely opposite.  The thought of me getting married at this point in my life is absolutely laughable, but if, for some strange reason, the situation were to arise, I would be able to plan my wedding in a heartbeat. (Thank you, Pinterest).

She's getting married on a farm here in Virginia, which I'm sure will be absolutely beautiful.  I can only hope that she'll wear cowboy boots with her dress like this cute couple did.  And even though I'm a hot mess now, hopefully one day (far in the future) I'll pull myself together enough that someone will want to marry me.  And when that happens, I'll already have the whole thing planned out.