Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share this adorable item I saw on swissmiss today - Throw & Grow confetti. The flower-shaped confetti from Niko Niko has flower seeds that grow into wildflowers. So cute and so fantastic. Happy Earth Day!

Foxes in the home

Jonathan Adler

I can't stop my fox craze. It's starting slowly, but I'm already looking for ways to incorporate the darling animals into our apartment decor without looking like a crazy person. I'm in love with the above fox by Jonathan Adler, but I'm not in love with the $138 price tag. So I researched some budget-friendly options and this is what I found.

Fox Forestry Hook from Anthropologie | $22

Baby Fox photograph by Sharon Montrose (The Animal Print Shop) | Price varies depending on size

Fox plate by kokokoshop on Etsy | $18

Hitch or ditch: Animal ear headbands

Cover of NYLON Magazine in September 2012

I had to bring back our Hitch or Ditch column for this latest trend I've seen pop up in a few places recently - animal ear headbands. I won't lie, I first spotted the cat ears in Taylor Swift's recent music video for her song "22." Then I saw a character on NBC's show "Deception" rocking bunny ears, followed by Lucy Hale (from "Pretty Little Liars") posting photos on her Instagram account wearing a cat ear headband. A quick Google search found the above cover photo from NYLON Magazine of "Glee" star Lea Michele with cat ears - is this what sparked the trend?

Taylor Swift in her "22" music video

ASOS seems to be the place to purchase animal ear headbands, namely cat ears, and prices them from $10 and up. What are your thoughts on rocking a headband with animal ears?

Thinking neon thoughts

Mossimo Neon Envelope Clutch from Target | $24.99

Hints of neon or full on neon pants or tops, the sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures has me looking twice at all the bright colors in stores. Here are a few of my top picks for adding neon to your spring and summer wardrobes:

Mossimo Vivian Pointy Heel from Target | $29.99

Petite Marisa Skinny Pants from Loft | $44.99 (on sale)

French Floral Print Cardigan from Loft | $25 (on sale)

Weekly Tune-Up: honeyhoney

If She & Him added a little country twang, it would sound a whole lot like honeyhoney. I cannot get enough of this indie-country duo - if that isn't a genre, it should be to accommodate this group. Their album "Billy Jack" quickly won a spot in my heart and in my CD player/on my iTunes. Suzanne Santo's voice has a rich, honest quality to it that cannot be ignored and when matched with Ben Jaffe's guitar work, it's an undeniably winning combination.

A couple standout tracks to me are "Don't Know How," "Old Friends" and "LA River." Their ability to switch from upbeat and happy to dark and somber between tracks and keep you listening the whole way through is incredible. Check out the track "Turn That Finger Around" below.

Party time nails

Since I'm on a clothing fast, I have been spending a lot of time perusing other outlets of style. I just got these two new Revlon nail polishes that have two applications.  

the new moon candy colors 

 

the neon colors

Weekly Tune-Up: The 20/20 Experience

I mean, I couldn't not post about this, guys. Justin Timberlake's highly-anticipated album "The 20/20 Experience" dropped on Tuesday and it is phenomenal. If you thought you liked "Suit & Tie," "Don't Hold The Wall" will be the next song you have on repeat. I can't pick a favorite track just yet, the whole album has been playing nonstop at work, in my car, etc. And it has me even more excited for his concert with Jay Z this summer.

I feel like I don't purchase physical CDs very often anymore, but this one is a purchase must and you should consider getting it at Target. Okay, maybe not just consider - you should buy it from Target. You get two bonus tracks with the Target edition and this week it's on sale for $10. I swooned over the liner notes photos, for a lot of reasons. So much goodness.

Also, our good friend Matt posted that word leaked JT will be releasing a second album this year. I don't even know how I'll handle that.

Investing in Chambray

Gap 1969 Chambray Two-Pocket Shirt

I'm all about pieces you can dress up for work and dress down for a night out with friends, which is why I finally bought myself a chambray shirt. It seemed like a closet essential, perfect for layering and on its own. I purchased the chambray shirt pictured above from Gap - normally a little out of my price range, but I had a gift card and I thought it was worth the investment for the amount of wear I plan to get out of it. Here are a few budget-friendly options as well:

Old Navy Chambray Shirt | $25

Apt. 9 Drop-Tail Hem Chambray Shirt (from Kohl's) | $18, on sale

Liz Claiborne Long-Sleeve Chambray Shirt (from JCPenney) | $25

Monday gadgets for all

Happy Monday, everyone. While looking for useful wedding gifts for some of my friends, I discovered some must haves for my own life. All can be found online at Quirky.

a power strip that will fit anywhere perfectly

a measuring scoop/knife

a mug stirrer 

http://www.quirky.com/shop

TGIF: Wine + Ohio = Love

o-HI-o wine glasses by Fizz Creative

I've been lusting after these wine glasses by Fizz Creative for quite a while - I mean it combines two of the things I enjoy, wine and Ohio. I don't think it gets much better than that. But then I noticed you can also get that wonderful o-HI-o logo on beer glasses as well . . .

o-HI-o beer glasses by Fizz Creative

Their Etsy shop says they will return tomorrow, so I'm hoping to place an order soon!

Weekly Tune-Up: Brand New She& Him

Get excited, guys - She & Him are releasing a new album on May 7, and they recently posted the first single from Volume 3. "Never Wanted Your Love" is everything that made me fall in love with She & Him the first time I heard them, which is precisely what I was hoping this third album would be. Chock full of sunshine and the adorable Zooey Deschanel, a springtime release is perfect for Volume 3. Until then, warm up your Wednesday with "Never Wanted Your Love."

From tip to toe

I have been on a three-month clothing fast that thankfully is almost up.  Needless to say, I find myself lusting after a variety of items online. My newest searched item is tipped shoes. I don't know what it is but they just seem so classy.
The following are some of my favorite finds:

from Forever 21

from J. Crew

from American Eagle

Kitten Wear

Burger and Friends Just Kitten Raglan, $36

I spotted this sweatshirt in a tweet from Fab.com - the awesome online store with a heavy focus on good design - and I immediately fell for it. Not surprisingly, it sold out rather quickly on Fab but I looked up the retailer and this shirt is back on my wish list, along with a few other items from Burger and Friends. 

Burger and Friends Galaxy Cat T-Shirt, $28

Burger and Friends Moon Cats Tank Top, $32

Pierogie Heaven

Last winter my friends and I made pierogies in my kitchen, and they were delicious. That's them above, pre-cooked, sorry for the bad phone photo. This year I cheated and bought some from Pierogies of Cleveland and let me tell you, they were divine.

I picked the potato with garlic herb white cheddar and the sausage with sauerkraut. Let's just say the potato with garlic herb white cheddar ones are completely gone and I'm already planning to visit them at the farmers' market this weekend just to buy more. My parents have tried the yam and walnut pierogies and rave about those, too.

Check them out, they're a fantastic local business and if you're not in the area they will ship your pierogies to you. Problem solved.

Headband haven

Can Downton Abbey classy be worn for everyday. Yes!

I loved the headband Lady Mary wore on Downton Abbey so here are some everyday options for your wardrobe.

from Etsy

from Modcloth

from Nordstrom

Weekly Tune-Up: Carried Away

I know Passion Pit's latest album "Gossamer" came out last July, but they released the music video for the song "Carried Away" on Valentine's Day and that reminded me of how much I enjoy that album. I listened to it on repeat at work today, and if you haven't listened to it you should. If you haven't watched the "Carried Away" music video (featuring one of my favorites, the always lovely Sophia Bush), you should. Right now. It's just a really well done music video for a really well done song.

Make It Happen

Created by Breanna Rose

I've really been loving the free wallpaper downloads from graphic designer Breanna Rose, they've been making regular appearances on my phone, my work computer and my laptop. The one shown above I've had as the lock screen on my phone for a while now and I absolutely love it. 

You can now purchase Breanna's design as a print, iPhone or iPod skin or case, stationery cards, tote bag and more from society6. Plus it all goes to raise money for cancer research through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (read more about it here).

Check out the society6 shop and definitely put Breanna Rose on your list of blogs to follow, she's always turning out spectacular and inspiring stuff!

New, free music

 So I just discovered this new music app called Freegal music.

You use your library card number to download free songs and play them from you ipod or smartphone.

Pretty great, right?

Lip Love for Less

Photo from Cover Girl

I previously posted about how much I was loving Clinique's Chubby Sticks - I still use my Curvy Candy regularly, but the one thing I didn't love about it was the price tag. At $16 a pop they can be a little expensive so I found a more wallet-friendly option.

Cover Girl recently came out with LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm. Super long name, but they look very similar to the Chubby Sticks and they only cost $8-9 each. I bought one in Scarlet Twist a couple weeks back and I've been using it quite a bit. It goes on a bit sheer so you can control the amount of color, which I really like. My only complaint is that it doesn't moisturize as well as Clinique's, but you can't beat the price. Check them out at your local drugstore, there are 16 shades to choose from!

So in love with this!

Went shopping this morning with my sister and found this Fossil Key-Per Mini Crossbody bag. Almost out of my price range but I'm going to save up and buy it. Comes in other cute spring colors too.

TGIF: Starbucks addict?

I drank my fair share of Starbucks in college - the combination of having it on campus and on the meal plan was too good to be true. Post-college, I go every once and a while, but I may be going a little more often now that I purchased a re-usable Starbucks cup.

They look just like the typical Starbucks cup, but made from plastic. These re-usable tumblers only cost $1, and each time you bring it in after that you get 10 cents off on whatever drink you're purchasing. And don't think it's just for straight coffee, you can get whatever type of beverage you want in the tumbler. Plus, they will clean it for you each time you bring it in. Really just a winning situation, so if you frequent Starbucks be sure to ask your barista about it the next time you're in.

Want S'more?

Microwave Smores Maker


I just found this little s'more maker that makes perfect summer treats in the microwave. Looks kind funky but I will take any excuse to eat s'mores more often.

Adding some green space

Drop Glass Terrarium by Terrain ($24)

Large Faceted Terrarium from Bird and Feather ($80)

We have a couple random ceiling hooks in our living room and bedroom, and I've been toying with the idea of buying one or two hanging terrariums to put on them. I think it would be the perfect way to add a little bit of green to our living space - and it would keep it out of the cats' mouths. 

Large Hanging Glass Globe Terrarium from Bird and Feather ($9)

Air Terrarium Kit Pyramid Top Glass Terrarium by ABJglassworks 

I'm really looking forward to putting together a terrarium - choosing the plants, soil, sand, etc. If anyone has any tips let me know!

Weekly Tune-Up: Grammy Style

I've been excited about this post for a while now because not only am I joined by my amazing blog partner Becky, but we also have the pleasure of being joined by our good friend and music authority Matt Liasse. Matt is my go-to guy when it comes to all things pop culture and I love his blog, Chaotic Tunage - he really knows his stuff and can always predict the next big thing in pop music.

When the three of us worked together at our college newspaper one of our favorite collaborative pieces were the picks for the weekly entertainment section. And with the Grammys right around the corner it was too good to resist doing again. So here you go, our picks for four of the award categories.

And when it comes to the performances Sunday night I know my pick, and possibly Matt's, will be JT with the comeback. Tune in to see if we picked 'em right!