Love Me Love Me Say That You Love Me.

Dress: Steve Madden (similar); Shoes: Bakers (similar); Sweater: Nordstrom; Necklace c/o: My Name Necklace (similar); Photos by: Tim Wong

The Cardigans - LoveFool

There's nothing I love more than a day that celebrates love. So, in honor of the Hallmark-created holiday, Tim and I did a special Valentine's Day themed shoot for you all! I am making a conscious effort to wear more color, but maybe it's indicative of just how happy I have been because the blacks and blues in my wardrobe have started to noticeably dissipate. I now rejoice in powdery pinks and light pastels, and this dress that has been sitting in my closet for a year finally got another day in the sun. Who knew that Steve Madden made more than just pretty pumps? On a more personal note, I'm a really big hopeless-romantic-type, but this year, more than anything, I just want to spend quality time with my lovebug. Forget the fancy-shmancy dinners and red roses, but I will still take the chocolate. So what are me and the mister doing tomorrow tonight? Well, he thinks it's funny, but I just want tacos. Taco Tuesday, anyone? Happy (early) Valentine's Day to all the lovers out there!

Birthday Wishes

The countdown continues, so today I thought I'd post up some pretty pictures of some things I'm currently coveting. In the meantime, feel free to keep posting questions you would like me to answer for my upcoming FAQ post! I'm looking forward to working on the post, especially since it will include a fun photo shoot that Tim & I worked on,  so make 'em good!!

(1) I've recently become obsessed with BaubleBar. I'll take the Cable Duo Necklace, the Monogram Necklace in Rose Gold, the Sea-Foam Cable Necklace, or better yet, all of the above ;)
(2) The perfect birthday dress? Nasty Gal's "Disco Queen Dress" in Emerald.
(3) I'm on the hunt for the perfect wedge, and while these might be old, I'm still in love with the Joe's Jeans "Brenda V" Wedge...Size 7, please!
(4) I'm been in the market for a cute leather pouch for ages. Two-toned or plain and simple - either/or, I'll be a happy camper.
(5) I'm pretty sure this is a men's chambray shirt, but you know me, so this is not surprising. This "Faded Cotton Chambray" by J.Crew might be number five, but that doesn't mean it's last on my wishlist.

And, since I didn't want to make this post just all about me, I thought I'd announce the winners of my Benefit Beauty giveaway!! Hooray! Winners were randomly selected and the three lucky ladies are: Stefanie Gladden (light),  Kristen Kubiak (medium), and SimplyChic (dark)! Congrats, beauties! Thank you ALL for entering! There are many, many more giveaways headed your away, so definitely come back soon! Current giveaways are posted at the top-right corner of my page for easy access :)

pancakeLEFTOVERS: January

BEHIND THE SCENES...



pancakeLEFTOVERS! Yes, they are back, so get ready to feast. This one is a little different than my usual leftover stack, but I hope they'll still leave your tummies full. January has been phenomenal. It's so exciting to look back at such a wonderful start to the new year. The month began on a high note, when I was involved in a very special project. Remember my earlier posts, when I hinted that I had some amazing news to share? Well, the time to officially announce my news hasn't arrived just yet, but I hope these behind the scenes shots will provide you with enough to tide you over. I promise that it is something very exciting and I am dying to spill the beans. In retrospect, I just don't know how I could have had a better month.  Aside from my project, I attended some fun events, scored some great deals while shopping, explored the city more with my lovebug, and started working with my friend and amazing photographer, Tim Wong. As you're reading this, I'm actually in LA for a few more blog projects, but I've made sure to leave some room for a little R&R, as well. February is my absolute favorite month ever and next week I turn another year older! I have so many fun posts to share with you this month, including the final result from this behind-the-scenes teaser post. I hope you're looking forward to them as much as I am! Happy Friday, and have a beautiful first weekend of the new month!

Wisdom Wednesday

"How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now, and there will never be a time when it is not now."  --Gerald Jampolsky

Arlenis Sosa by Camilla Akrans for New York Times Style, Nov 2009

By now, you're all probably tired of how happy I say I am in every single one of my posts. Well, if you are, bad news bears: you're going to hear it again RIGHT NOW. Truth is, I wasn't always this happy. Don't get me wrong, I like to think of myself as a very positive and optimistic gal, however, the last couple of months of 2011 weren't all that great. I hit some rough patches that really but a damper on my spirits. While I'm not yet comfortable enough to go into greater detail, I will say that I am so thankful and joyous that the rough patch is over. When you find that something in your life isn't working, sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is realize that if you've tried your best to find a way to make it work, and it doesn't, removing yourself from a situation doesn't mean you've failed. In the end, you win because you've done something that has put you on track for things to be right again. I remember telling myself how much I wish I could just be happy again because I was so frustrated and depressed with how things were. Then I realized, "Hey, wait.. I AM a happy person." The minute I removed myself from a toxic environment, things changed instantly. Of course, I don't look back at these rough patches with bitterness. I like to think that because they occurred, I'm able to completely appreciate how amazing everything in my life is right now. I have no idea if any of what I just said makes any sense at all, but long story short, if you want to be happy, be. If you wait to be happy, you'll be waiting forever. And I don't know about you, but forever seems like a long time to be waiting. I learned that sometimes the answer really is as simple as it should be. We're the ones who complicate things, but really, happiness is one of those things that is as easy as we allow it to be. 

Two friendly reminders: (1) my giveaway ends this Friday, so get those entries in! and (2) I'm working on a special FAQ/birthday post which will feature some fun photos from a shoot with Tim! So make sure to keep commenting with any burning questions you have for me :) 

And I Was Your Silver Lining As The Story Goes I Was Your Silver Lining But Now I'm Gold

The combination of chunky knits over flannels and plaids has quickly become one of my favorite go-to outfits. The right amount of comfort mixed in with the right amount of style is all I need in San Francisco. While my ever-growing collection of sky high heels has yet to find its way on to the concrete sidewalks of the city, my favorite Nine West kitten heels walk with me everywhere (one of the best shoe investments I've ever made). I also have them in a higher version and they are equally as comfortable, as they are fashionable. Take them to the cobbler every now and then and your feet are set. You've seen this men's flannel before, but I can't stop wearing it. It warm and has pockets -- why are guy flannels so much better?? Seriously, ladies, don't be afraid to shop in the men's department...I maybe do it more than I should. The grey purse is pretty old but I recently dug it up in my bin of bags and now I reach for it whenever I run out the door. These are the second set of photos from last week's shoot with Tim. Aren't they pretty?? I am so excited to continue working with him -- he is an AWESOME photographer (like you couldn't already tell).

Pants: Guess; Sweater (c/o) & purse: Forever 21; Flannel Plaid: Ezekiel via Nordstrom; Necklace: H&M; Heels: Nine West; Photos by: Tim Wong

Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining

In other news, my birthday is next week! By now I usually already know how I want to celebrate, but this year I'm stumped. I thought it would be kind of fun to do a special Q&A post in honor of the day, so please feel free to comment below with some burning questions you've always wanted to know about me. I realized that I've never done a post addressing my most frequently asked questions, so this will be fun! Looking forward to reading what you've got for me! :) ALSO, don't forget that my Benefit Cosmetics giveaway ends this Friday! So get those entries in!