Mother's Day

I had to write a post here that shows how much I love mothers since I'm bashing some of them on my other blog.  Don't hate me.  Instead, focus on the pretty brunch I threw for my mother.

(More pictures and all the details after the jump!)

The Last Winter Dance Party

Let's talk about A. how fast this week went, and B. how nutty it's been. I worked late every day. I scrambled to get Christmas shopping done (I'm finishing up Saturday, fingers crossed!). I had my guitar recital, which I wasn't going to go to, but I felt bad, so I stayed. I didn't make A.P. go, so there are no photos of me rocking John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)." Oh, well. And to top it all off, I'm terrified of my busy, busy pre-Christmas weekend. I think I'm going to have to work all night tomorrow evening in order to be able to even have a weekend. Suckety, suck, suck. Why must the weeks leading up to Christmas always be such a nutshow??

Speaking of Christmas, are you hoping for a white one? I almost always wake up Christmas morning wishing there is snow on the ground. This year, though, I think I will wish for warmer weather. I'm not wishing for Florida or anything, but we had our first official, stick-to-the-ground snow this week, and it was scary as HELL driving! I almost died...twice. The roads were just ice and I couldn't even break. Yeah...not looking forward to that at all.

But for all wedding intents and purposes, I'm digging this bit of wintry wedding inspiration photographed by Jenny Haas. You so rarely see real winter weddings. I guess people don't want to deal with the same stuff I don't want to deal with as a regular old citizen. Until more brave couples man up and throw some kickass winter weddings, we'll have to use our imaginations.

Wasn't that dreamy? I love that table setting the most. Imagine having a whole winter garden filled with tables like that? Le sigh.

This weekend will go like this: Friday night=work, work, work. Saturday day=shop, shop, shop. Saturday night=celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. Sunday morning=work, work, work. Sunday afternoon=decorate, decorate, decorate. Sunday night=collapse, collapse, collapse. What are you up to? Something more relaxing than me, I hope!

In the mean time, here are your dance moves for the week:

Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake, say what???!!!???

All the pretty hallways

Floppy disc portraiture

I imagine if I still wrote poetry, I'd like to write it here.

DIY Wedding/Party Favors I want to eat through my screen.

Would you stay in a tree hotel?

Thinking about making these for some of my coworkers. Aren't they too cute?

Art inspired tattoos

Totally weird and totally fascinating: Black Cat Auditions in Hollywood, 1961

Someone asked me the other day what would happen if a deadly disease hit Chicago. My response? Zombie apocalypse. Here's where I want to live when that happens.

(Friday Dance Photo via here; Winter Wedding Inspiration Photographed by Jenny Haas and styled by Ashley Krogman Designs via Green Wedding Shoes)

Thanksgiving Decor

Growing up, my family set a nice table, but we didn't decorate. We never had a cornucopia or anything crazy like that. However, as an adult who is setting her own traditions, I like to make everything a bit fancy. I use cloth napkins, put on a nice tablecloth, have a centerpiece, and since we do our Thanksgiving buffet style (for now anyway), I even make pretty place cards that tell people what each side dish is. Yes, I'm that fancy. This year, I think I'd also like to spruce up the place a little. We're not going all out with food, so I thought it might be nice to make the decor a bit fancy.

Do you decorate for Thanksgiving? Here's some inspiration either way! : )

Don't forget the Thanksgiving Recipe Series! With more coming this Thursday! Yum!

(All Photos via my Happy HOLLA-days Pinterest Board)

Home Envy

I'm envious of this beautiful home! I love the mix of modern/contemporary and antique/vintage. Plus, how cute is the owner??







(Photos via here)

Oh, Deer!

I don't know what my fascination with deer is, I really don't. Nevertheless, like birds, I love them. When I first moved in with A.P., I bought the cardboard deer head you see below, mounted it to the wall above our barrel. (Say what?!? It looks cool, and always gets compliments, so meh.)

And now, after reading yet another deer inspired design post on A Cup of Jo, I'm thinking I'm ready to buy the real thing, vintage of course, or a cool resin version.


Plus 10 more deer inspired decor items.

1. Quirky Deer Art

2. Metallic Deer Antler

3. Vintage Miniature Brass Deer Rocking Horse

4. Cute Deer Print for Baby's Room

5. Sophisticated Deer Print for Living Room

6. Adorable Deer Pony Tail Holders

7. Fawn Onesie

8. Two-headed Deer Necklace

9. Vintage Brass Deer Hook

10. Cardboard Deer Head

(Deer Bathroom Photo via A Cup of Jo; 1. Quirky Deer Art Photo via BeatUpCreations on etsy 2. Metallic Deer Antler via AustinModern on etsy 3. Vintage Miniature Brass Deer Rocking Horse Photo via filedaway on etsy 4. Cute Deer Print Photo for Baby's Room via leearthaus on etsy 5. Sophisticated Deer Print for Living Room Photo via RococcoCo on etsy 6. Adorable Deer Pony Tail Holders Photo via okeykaraoke on etsy 7. Fawn Onesie Photo via Msg1983 on etsy 8. Two-headed Deer Necklace Photo via Fable and Fury on etsy 9. Vintage Brass Deer Hook Photo via Portuguese Vintage on etsy 10. Cardboard Deer Head Photo via ModCloth)