splurge vs. save: metallic cap toe flats

splurge version: $79 from Nine West // save version: $8.74 on clearance from Target

$79 for a pair of flats may not be a "splurge" for some people, but if you're as hard on your shoes as I am, replacing a $79 pair every couple of months can get to be expensive. While the Target version is clearly not as well-made as the Nine West version, you're still getting the metallic cap toe on a neutral base.

Or try this DIY, posted by Glamour last month. I tried my own version back in August (except heels rather than toes).

women who inspire me: Rhi of Hey Gorgeous

image and logo via

Rhiannon is an event planner with great style- her house is decorated in a way that makes me want to jump right into the photos (see what I mean here- I have been hunting for a bar cart for a while, and I love the vintage look of hers). Her blog is covered with gorgeous photos and fun couples, and it is also sprinkled with FAQs in regards to being a small business owner/event planner, delish recipes, and more.

Hey Gorgeous (the blog) has become one of my go-tos for pretty inspiration. One of my favorite things about it is that it seems so accessible, style-wise. Definitely check it out if you haven't seen it yet!

hurricane prep

The Northeast is getting ready for Hurricane Sandy, and while the extent of my hurricane preparations was putting working batteries in our flashlights and buying an extra case of water bottles (which we needed anyway), we're planning what to do tomorrow if we lose power. Our office is closed, so it's a day at home for us! Hoping that everyone stays safe in this crazy weather.

hunker down:

Scrabble is one of my favorite board games // Hunter rain boots for taking Mr. Sprout outside // Sprout's favorite puzzle toy to keep him busy

cozy up:

glitter candles bring some extra sparkle // the book I'm currently reading // a cozy Pottery Barn throw

not-so-Halloween

image via

Creatively named wines are about as spooky as I get for Halloween. It's never been my favorite of the "holidays".

This list of chic Halloween costume ideas is right up my alley. I usually come up with some sort of easy-ish idea, look around the house and in my closet, buy a few accessories, and I'm out the door.

Hope you all have a great pre-Halloween weekend!

if furniture came from movies

images via here and here

Yesterday Joss & Main had this amazing table for sale (with matching chairs). It reminded me of this little guy from Beauty and the Beast.

I'm often reminded at home that not everything comes from a Disney movie. But let's be honest, when the neighborhood dogs start barking at the same time, some little piece of you reaches back to the "Twilight Bark" (I promise I had to look that up) and Scotland Yard, thanks to 101 Dalmatians.

image via

...or maybe I watched way too much Disney as a kid. Either way, that table is fabulous.

dressing for a fall wedding

Option 1: dress // necklace // faux fur wrap // black heels

Option 2: dress // necklace // bow ring // nude heels

We have two weddings this Fall, both in mid-November. All of the weddings I have been to thus far have been in the summer, so I've been seeking out appropriate outfits for these two Saturdays. 

With option 1 I'd wear opaque black tights and a classic bun. With option 2 I'd go for a sassy teased ponytail to offset the ladylike details of the bow ring and pearls.

weekend recap

It doesn't seem like life has slowed down at all from the summer. Even with the outdoor chores - pool maintenance seamlessly rolled into leaf-raking. T planted a hefty 25 mums in the front yard, all in BC colors. Sprout appreciates the extra sticks the trees are dropping in the backyard, as well as the many turkey feathers that are left behind from our feathered friends who make their way through our yard twice a day, just like clockwork.

As much as I love what summertime brings, Fall is by far my favorite season. The crisp air, the apple-themed desserts, and the cozy sweaters... what more could a girl want?

(Above: I found these awesome cookies at the grocery store the other day. How could I not buy them?)

into the weekend

Unfortunately, this weekend includes 8 hours of class, but I still have high hopes for doing some awesome things.

In the meantime...
Links I bookmarked from this week:

• Pumpkin spice latte made in a slow-cooker
• Using Coca-Cola to clean the toilet!
• Fashion-themed costumes - how many Honey Boo Boos do you think we'll see this year? (Also check out the Chanel costume this mom created- so cute!)
• Sad to hear that the McDonald's in Milan is closing! Here's why:

bridal in color

I made a comment the other day that I'm not sure I would ever wear a white bridal gown because of how fair my skin is (and, therefore, how horrible I look in white). I got a few incredulous looks, but then this week I started seeing colorful gowns, like this plum Vera Wang creation. Apparently I'm not the only one who shies away from white.

Vera isn't the only one plunging into color. Enzoani also has quite a few dresses in pastel hues, like these two below, as well as some ornate black versions and more traditional white gowns with embroidered blue and black overlays that look less like prom dresses and more like modified bridal.

And then there's this stunner, also from Enzoani, which has that "love to watch you leave" effect and is unlike anything I've seen before. I wonder if the red skirt is detachable.

As more of my friends start (and get farther into) wedding planning, I'm excited to see what other trends in bridal pop up.

100th post!

I can't believe that this is my 100th post! With how busy life is, I'm amazed that I've kept this up. But I have to say, I do find a lot of value in writing here and sharing images while I try to makeover my closet and finally feel like I've finished decorating our house, alongside gift-buying for friends and family throughout the year.

Recent posts on some of my favorite blogs, like this one from Mackenzie, make me appreciate more and more the blogger, the small-business owner, and the creative person. 

Thanks for reading, and happy 100 posts to my little ruffle and curl!

splurge vs. save: black stone necklaces

This Adia Kibur stone necklace (1) is available at ShopBop for $72, or you could head over to Forever21 for their rhinestone ribbon chain $8.80 version (2) or teardrop fringe version for $12.80 (3).

pet favorites

I've written about my little guy before, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I love having a dog. I tend to put a fair amount of my budget on the fuzzy face that greets me every morning because he deserves it.

Aside from the obvious food, vet care, and bags upon bags of treats, there are things I splurge on so my little guy is always comfortable, whether we're in the living room or away for a weekend.

a bowl for on-the-go (this one from Wildebeest, available on Gilt Groupe)  // stylish neckwear, like this recycled-material collar from Found My Animal // a snuggly bed (or one for each room) // his favorite toy - these Martha Stewart guys are basically indestructible // a cozy throw for naps on the couch

women who inspire me: Alex of Things That Sparkle

Alex of Things That Sparkle and Alexandra Berlin Design has a gorgeous style, which she shows in her work in interior design as well as in her clothes (please tell me you read her blog and have seen the dress she recently chose for her rehearsal dinner!). 

She's able to speak (through her blog) in a very relate-able way. Her features are practical but stylish, like her home decor gift guide under $100. And anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for a really great before and after interiors post. Alex, you're welcome to redo my entire house anytime. 

images via The Glitter Guide's feature on Alex

Pinterest etiquette

In general, Pinterest makes for a great virtual cookbook, craft book, and DIY library. You can conveniently access, share, and "store" ideas to come back to later without increasing the clutter in your home. Keeping your boards organized like you would tangible folders will make it easier for you to go back and find the fabulous squash soup recipe or the outfit you want to recreate sometime in the near future.

But here's your friendly reminder that what you Facebook, tweet, pin, etc. is a reflection of you. As with all social media outlets, just because you can put something out there doesn't mean you should. 

Lately, I've seen some pins pop up that will (hopefully) never find their way onto any of my boards. Sharing lingerie you're buying for your honeymoon, gifts you're about to give, or how to squeeze money out of your closest friends and family are on my "please don't share" list.

If you're a bride, consider this:

- do you want your wedding guests to know details of your event before they get there? If you don't care that people may know what your signature drink is, what your centerpieces will look like, or what items you DIY'd, there's no harm in pinning away. (But please, save your friends and guests the knowledge of what you'll be wearing the night of your honeymoon.)

- on the same note, do you want your guests to know that you're trying to as much cash out of them as possible? (see image above)

- traditionally, the wedding dress has been a big surprise to everyone except close family members (like mom) and very close friends. Pinning your favorite styles or designers will give people an idea of what you're going for. Though no one will really know what your dress is exactly, or what you look like in it, as long as you don't pin your dress (from your latest fitting) with the caption "the dress I 'said yes' to!"

- I often see bridal party gifts pinned - everything from monogrammed menswear shirts for the day of the wedding to jewelry to gift cards. What's the fun in giving a gift if the giftee already knows what they are getting?

- Pinning a board of entirely navy and gray, including three near-identical versions of a short, navy bridesmaid dress from J.Crew may mean you have fewer guests showing up in that color - or, on the other hand, if you have crazy people in your life, you may end up with guests who felt they should have been in your bridal party showing up in that exact dress

Do yourself a favor and think before you pin

on my to do list

get in my home: zara home

My home must-haves from Zara Home:

a cozy throw // gorgeous curtains with decorative tassel tie-backs // pretty napkin rings

a statement side table // sleek and functional trays // an interesting rug

Zara Home launches tomorrow online in the US! I've posted about the store before, and I'm so excited to be able to purchase items without having to fly across the Atlantic.

Great timing, too, because I just started my Christmas shopping last week! (Don't think I'm too organized- normally I start my shopping early and then manage to forget to do all of my wrapping until the night before.)

weekend recap

It seems that my weekends haven't had the chance to calm down since the beginning of the summer - but that's okay- YOLO, right? 

Aside from having 8 hours of class on Saturday, the weekend included a half-marathon that T ran for Dana Farber (Sprout and I were spectators and hung out at Mile 11, cheering on the runners taking on their last hill), a really rainy Pats game with some after-game time on the field (that's me in the front row with the bright blue jacket), and my best friend is engaged! 

Of my closest friends from high school (pictured above a few years ago at a girls' weekend on the Cape), Miss Molly is the first with a ring on her finger. I'm so, so excited - her fiance is a great guy (and a friend from college), and I'm sure their wedding will be a ton of fun.

There's so much excitement this Fall. This coming weekend will include a belated birthday celebration for me and wedding dress shopping for Britt, my big sister by 18 months, who is going to say "I Do" next September to a guy I love and already call my brother.

rust and navy

Banana Republic navy sweater with jeweled neckline // Banana Republic cheetah print scarf

Seychelles "Romance" military-inspired boots // ASOS colored skinny jeans

I bought these booties last year and could not wait to get them back on, so as soon as the temperature dropped a bit here in New England, I broke them out. Luckily, my work environment is pretty casual, so I can wear outfits like this to work without feeling like I'm too dressed down. (Anywhere that men can show up in a short-sleeve button down and ride a scooter around the hallways is a perfectly fine place to wear colored skinny jeans in my book.)

style inspired: rustic glamour

via

1. glitter TOMS // 2. gold glitter tapers // 3. Topshop faux fur vest

4. aerie Juliet bra // 5. crystal ring // 6. Zara Home "Emily" coasters

7. initial ring // 8. Z. Gallerie deer set

on turning 27

quote via

ring

Yesterday I turned 27, which feels scarily close to 30. A local Boston newspaper recently published an article about being 27 - apparently there are quite a few famous names who did some pretty cool things when they were 27. I am looking forward to a year of family, friendship, love, and fun. And I really need to take Mark Twain's advice and do some awesome things.

quick NYC trip

(my off-center photo- I need to learn some photography skills)

I was in NYC early this week for a quick business trip. That also meant I got to spend some time with my younger sister, since she lives there, which is always fun!

This adorable Italian restaurant has sayings all over the walls in different fonts. I recognized quite a few of them, and it's always fun for me to read Italian. Sabon, a dangerous store because of its fab body scrubs and lotions, had these glycerin soaps with a loofah inside- how clever!

Thanks, Hyatt 48 Lex, for having me for the night. Sidenote: I'm obsessed with your latte machine.

birthday wish list

Today is my birthday, and here's what's on my (unrealistic for this year) wish list:

a gorgeous bedroom with high ceilings and a lot of space (plus a lot of natural light)

a to-die-for master closet

a girly vanity

and one of these cozy rugs for each room