And the winner is....

neither! Not long after posting the final purse contenders for my Euro-trip, I noticed a Free People ad sitting in my inbox. I'm usually quick to delete my daily advertisements but I thought I might as well check it out, and when I did, this is what I found:

She meets all of my size/cross body/color/price requirements so I snatched her up right away and she was in my mailbox 4 days later! So quick! And in a very cute paisley patterned package to boot!

This word art was recently featured on the fp blog, and it could not be more perfect for my upcoming adventure.

Oh my goodness. I can't wait. 8 days :)

Battle Royale

I started mentally packing for my Euro-trip the day after baseball season ended. My mind had been so consumed with their travel plans that I really didn't have time to get excited about my trip until I could put all of that in the books. Now it's pretty much all I can think about. My pinterest addiction is no help.

It's really unfortunate that I "need" to buy a new purse for this vaca. I've been told by many a world-wide traveler that it is important to have a cross body purse so you can keep all of your valuables as close as possible. I've narrowed my choices down to these two beauties from Urban Outfitters, which also happens to be one of my favorite decorating resources.

{Option A}

I love this little guy because it is simple enough to look nice with anything I might wear. I've spotted top handle bags everywhere lately and I'm loving their vintage feel.(Side-note: My packing list is still in progress, but I'm thinking there will be a lot of sundresses considering space limitations in my carry-on...did I mention we're not checking any bags for a 2+ week vaca? I pack 2 weeks worth of clothes for a weekend trip. It's gonna be interesting.)

{Option B}

I like that this one is a little less structured and an inch or two shorter. I'll be toting it around everywhere we go so it can't be too bulky. It's a bit slouchy too. I'm not sure why that seems like a perk, but it does. It's also less expensive ($39!) and would probably work with most outfits as well. The only downside I see here is it's color, could get a bit dirty.

Either way, I need to make a decision today since we're leaving in 15 DAYS! Holy Moses, that's fun to say/type outloud.

Any travel/packing advice would be much appreciated!

Mantel Inspiration

Since slathering our fireplace wall in Dragon's Breath by Benjamin Moore, I've been dreaming up ways to further beautify the space. Here's what has been on my mind...

Would love to do something rustic like this for the mantel, and I'm loving the fresh flowers bunched together in simple little vases.

{milk & honey home}

I think the antique gold of this mirror against the new deep charcoal gray paint would look beeeautiful.

{anthropologie}

This guy would add a little personality, and he might add a masculine touch for the Mr. There's no way his real version is making an appearance in our living room. He's lucky to have found a spot in the garage.

{urban outfitters)

I like how the giant monogram is the same color as the wall behind it. Subtle. And I want this book. Real bad.

{amazon}

One or two of these throws would look super cozy draped across my new/old wooden ladder antique store find. It's currently leaning up against the fireplace wall, but it looks a little naked.

Pretty little jar.

{anthropologie}

I love lamp. I mean lanterns.

{pottery barn)

Pinning. Please do not disturb.

Currently scheming a way to make pinning my full-time job. I know I'm not the only one. Baseball season is over, and I have a lot more time on my hands. But there are few things I would rather do with my time these days...does that make me lazy? I don't care. Time for yoga? Sorry, I'm pinning. 10 minutes late for dinner? Well, it'll be at least 20 more. It's a half hour past happy hour? Yeah...that one might win.

Anyway, while I've been slacking on the blog front, I have been quite ambitious on the pin front. If you're not following me yet, what the heck are you waiting for? Check it. www.pinterest.com/mrslw

You'll find awesome pics like this that inspired me to surprise attack my fireplace with a gallon of paint 2 nights ago...



Request an invite today. You'll love/hate me forever.



3 things I love today...

This style blog is lovely - weddings, interiors, design. Erin is a girl after my own heart.

Love this look. And Rachel.

Kate does it right everytime. This would be a lovely anniversary gift...HINT, HINT.



And the winner is...

Sabah!

And the best part? It was a mutual decision by the Mr. and I. It was a truly shocking moment. I laid them all out in front of him, and he picked this as his fave before I even had a chance to force my opinion upon him. Now if I could only change his mind about an exposed brick wall...I'll take what I can get.

The only downside is Sabah is back-ordered until a yet-to-be-determined date. Kind of annoying.

On another note, I bought these shoes:

Aren't they amazing? Just wanted to share. They're Classiques Entier from Nordy's.

On yet another note, have you watched Design Star winner Emily Henderson's show, Secrets of a Stylist yet? Love. Her. And her show. It is really inspiring. I just watched all 5 of the DVR'd episodes and fell for some custom curtains {among other things} she did for one couple's living room using a ticking stripe fabric. I think I might copy her.

image via Pottery Barn
That's all I have for you; a random compilation of the things I'm loving right now. Have a lovely week!

You know it's baseball season when...

...you get one post a month out of me! That's right kids, baseball season is in full swing - lame pun intended - and I am a busy little bee. I haven't had a day off since sometime in early February, but I'm loving every minute of it! I'm traveling a ton and getting to know the state of California on a whole new level, speaking of, could you Californian's order some sun?! That's why we come to visit you! I'll be back again on Wednesday so go ahead and take care of it by then,  please and thank you.

Anyway, while the job is a blast, I have had some serious design cravings over the past few weeks. For example... it was a Thursday. We had returned home from a trip the previous Sunday, and I had been working furiously in the office preparing for the next go around. At approximately 1:30 p.m., I had this vision of our master bedroom in a darker paint color... and I could not shake it. Seriously. I wasn't getting any work done because I couldn't stop thinking about the perfect taupe-gray-with subtle hints of brown that needed to be on my wall right that instant. So I acted very professionally/rationally and waited to go home until my work was done...

OK fine, no I didn't. I packed up my things, strutted to the parking lot, headed straight to the paint store, made a bee line home and slapped 3 different shades up on my bedroom wall...and none of them were freaking right. I have been very upset about this since last Thursday. But I realized about an hour ago that I probably shouldn't pick a paint color before I pick fabric for the headboard anyway, so I ordered some swatches...about 15 minutes ago. This impulsive behavior is not normal for me! The cravings are taking over. Anyway, here's what I purchased:

bedazzle

carmen



kamala kilim

sabah

spicer hvy basket

villa medici

I can't wait for them to show up! All are from Lewis & Sharon Textile Co. I'll post some pics when they get here, but you might have to wait another month...fair warning ;)