TOMS TOMORROW

TOMS Ballet Flats drop tomorrow.  I am so excited about these!  

I am sure they will maintain the comfort and ease {not to mention global impact} of the originals but they're a little less casual.  

Is this up your alley? -Sarah

CRAZY ABOUT CHEVRON

So, I sort of like chevron if you couldn't tell {ah-hem, see the background}.

M and I have been registering for our apartment and I have been dying to get some chevron in there past him {he's not very modern in his decor}.  There are so many adorable pieces out there, especially in home dec:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Notes: 

2.  I have been dying to get my hands on some Washi tape.  I have no idea what to do with it though.

5.  This adorable crochet necklace looks very casual and summery to me.

9.  Crewcuts hits again...mentally add these to this post.

13.  This rug comes in a ton of great colors!

How do you do chevron? -Sarah

COLORSCOPE

I recently placed an order with Paper Source {details to come on that} and clicked over to their blog while I was there.  They have a chart showing all of their paper colors along with a little blurb as to what that says about your personality!  I don't really believe in that sort of astrological/horoscope stuff but I still think it is fun to look at.  {go here for the original if you can't read it}

My order last week included "paper bag", "pool" and "persimmon".  

What colors would you pick?  What does that say about you? -Sarah

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

I don't know about you all, but whenever awards season starts I automatically assume I am both a connoisseur of red carpet fashion and an award-winning film credit.  The nominees for The 2012 Oscars were announced yesterday morning...and the nominees go to:

For Best Picture

The Artist

The Descendants

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

The Help

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

The Tree of Life

War Horse

{list from Oscars website}

I have seen four of these {Help, Hugo, Midnight.., War Horse} and they were all amazing!  I don't know how they are going to choose. 

What's your prediction? -Sarah

JEWELRY SHELF SPRUCE UP

Last week, I looked down at my jewelry shelf {we have no storage in our bathroom so I've stacked this and this to give us more space}, and noticed it was a mess!  I just wasn't utilizing the height in the space.

I looked around and stumbled upon MUJI's understated, convenient acrylic drawers.  I've always seen drawers like these on shows like The Kardashians and didn't see a need for them until now.

{note:  this is not all of my jewelry, just my most used pieces}

*Nerd Alert:  I hate making returns so I measured and sketched out all of my options before deciding on my final purchase.

I ended up ordering:

• 2: Acrylic Case 2 Drawers - Large
• 2: Velour Jewelry Trays - 2
• 1:  Velour Inner Accessories Tray - Grid
• 1:  Velour Inner Accessories Tray
• 1:  Velour Inner Accessories Tray - Divide

They came in a thoughtfully packed package!

I was really excited to see how perfectly the velour inserts fit into the drawers.  You can put two small trays in side-by-side and there is no room for slipping.  

So here's how I filled the drawers:

Standby statement necklaces and rings: {there's my wedding band on the left!}

Most worn simple necklaces

Bangles, bracelets and watches

Go to earrings, Tiffany's necklace in pouch, Crest whitestrips

Here's a view from the top and then the set snuggled back in its shelf

Isn't that ring dish adorable?  One of my amaze bridesmaids sent it from Anthropologie to keep my engagement ring handy.   She's the best!

Sorry for the long post - I am just obsessed with this new organization!  I'll post more about where I store the rest of my jewelry soon.

Happy organizing -Sarah

TWITTER CHANGE

FYI - I am separating my personal and blog lives on Twitter.  My personal account @swoody86 will soon be closing to the public.  I will begin using a new name @sarahschampagne to tweet blog updates and other blog-related information.  

The twitter link in the sidebar has been updated.  Check it out ----->

Tweet, tweet -Sarah

FRIDAY FAVORITES 6

My goal is to get up at least 2 favorites in a month....  Here goes:


Favorite New Song

Ghost by Ingrid Michaelson

When spring rolls around, I always get a hankering to lay in a field at Cherokee Park and listen to girly music {It's how I spent every spring in college with my bff J}.  Now that I have a big girl job, the laying the park is less realistic but music, I can do.  This weird weather {50s in January} has kicked in that craving early this year.  I can't wait for Ingrid's new album to come out January 24th.  

*note:  M has introduced me to buying cds on amazon - they're usually cheaper than iTunes and you have the hard copy to share back up purchases


Favorite Lunch Hobby
As mentioned here, I have been addicted to discovering and reading new blogs.  Being a teacher, my lunch is approximately 20-25 minutes long a.k.a. not long enough to go out.  I have gotten into a fabulous rhythm of watching Ellen and catching up on my bookmarked blogs.  Its phenomenal and makes me not want to pick up my kids from lunch.  :)


Favorite Upcoming Project
I'll tease you with one picture and you'll have to wait for the post to see the rest.

Favorite Classic Reality
Over Christmas, I netflixed and watched the entire series of Felicity.  Now I'm onto another classic:

Look how terrible Olivia looks in this picture...serves her right for the way she treated Whitney.  Am I right ladies?


Favorite Pick Me Up
Handsome Dogs is amazing.  The pictures are beautiful and you can search by breed.  I looked at the German Shepherds and was in love...they can be so majestic and demanding at times.  These pics just make you feel happy and fuzzy and wonderful!


Any fun Friday finds? -Sarah

JONESIN' FOR JASON WU

Somehow I've been living under a rock and just found out that Target's newest designer collection drops within a month!  The lovely designer is.....Jason Wu!  There's great info at Refinery29, The Cut, and even Target's website.  I'm seeing some fabulous, feminine dresses and skirt outfits.  I will definitely have to try a few of these for upcoming wedding events/honeymoon! :)  

I must say..I surely miss the days when Target's designer collections were not so highly publicized.  I remember I just stumbled upon Proenza Schouler's collection on an ordinary Target run.  Back then, you didn't have to fight for an item.  

Anyways...here are my favorites:

Notes:  That blue skirt would be perfect for school.

If you know me at all, you know I am swooning over the navy dress...up my alley!

All images from The Cut.

Good luck getting your hands on this one -Sarah

THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN

Found this amazing info from The Budget Babe on The Shops at Target via Cirque du Sweet.  Check it out here.  I'm going to need to check out each of those retailers separately!

Target for Life -Sarah

p.s. if you watch SNL, they nailed it on Weekend Update a few weeks ago.  Something about the recession for upper class families is just the difference between Target and WalMart.

PINSPIRATION two

This past weekend, M and I went out to dinner with friends and I was just in a mood to dress up more than usual.  I didn't have time {or money} to go shopping for something new so I went to my Pinterest Fashion board for inspiration to wear something old in a new way.

The Inspiration:

Originally pinned from the amazing Bee of Atlantic-Pacific

My version:

I had to include that terribly dark picture because of Maxman; apologies for my drab posture/uneven blazer cuffs, not sure what that's about.

{blazer - Banana Republic 2009, shirt - Gap 2011, skirt - J.Crew 2009, scarf - Banana Republic 2011, tights - Smartwool, boots - Frye}

I loved this look with the LC inspired top knot, but M had a different opinion.  He much prefers a preppy, classic look and asked me why I looked like a Kardashian (which I took as a top notch compliment) and called my hair "the librarian".

Find anything inspiring on Pinterest lately? -Sarah

HAIR RAISING HAIR PRODUCTS

Lauren Conrad's blog The Beauty Department recently posted an article about cutting hair.  According to the post, I should get my hair cut every 6-8 weeks.  I'm gonna admit...I haven't cut my hair since the end of September - that's about 14 weeks.  Eek!  {don't panic, I have an appt. February 6th}

Because I go so far between my trims, I try to keep my hair healthy!  I try not to wash it every day {I usually forgo water for dry shampoo 1-2 days per week} and at least once a week I try to let it air dry without subjecting it to any heat.  I also try to use decent products {decent...not $50 a bottle but not the cheapest stuff either}.  

Lately, this winter heat and the long, hot showers I am addicted to have really dried out my hair.  I've been paying a lot more attention to what I put on my hair, here are my favorite products:

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special

This stuff is amazingly invigorating!  It has a fabulous minty fragrance that gives your scalp a tingling feeling and almost clears your senses.  Sadly, this is not for moisturizing so it has been put on the shelf until the weather warms up...I do go back to it maybe once a week because I can't stay away.

Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo

A lovely lady at Therapy Systems in Green Hills, Nashville pointed me to this product last week.  First let me say that the smell is fabulous, very spa like.  The product itself is also wonderful!  It really has moisturized my poor, dry locks.  I'm not sure where to find it in Knoxville so I'm trying to use it sparingly for now {I've told M to keep his paws off and stick to the Pantene}.  

p.s. That chick also recommended their finishing oil and this wonderful hair demo (found on Pinterest) also mentions a Moroccan Oil hairspray.  I'd like to look more into this brand.

Redken All Soft 

This is usually my go-to!  When I was young, I was a diver and spent 3-4 nights a week in the pool.  My mom used to get this product for me during diving season to keep my hair protected from the chlorine.  It really is so luxurious on your hair and makes it so soft.  It makes a daily drying routine feel like a salon blow out.  

After shampooing/conditioning, I always apply this product:

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

It keeps hair soft, protects it from heat, minimizes fly aways and also helps hair air dry quicker so you spend less time under the blow dryer!  It's a Woody women family favorite.

What makes your locks lovely? -Sarah

BLOG BINGE

I have gotten on a blog binge lately!  I've been finding other blogs like crazy and bookmarking them to come back to.  This is also part of my New Year's goal to grow my blog!  {btw...you can help by becoming a follower!}

Today, I sadly found out that a fellow blogger somehow lost her blog in cyberspace.  In her search to get it back, another blog-ess stepped up to start a twitter campaign to @Blogger to get her help.  Long story short, I was led to a new blog where there was an amazing giveaway I could not pass up:

3 Month Birchbox Subscription

1 Year Subscription to People Style Watch

$10 Starbucks Card

And more unannounced goodies...

Go to The Vintage Apple to check it out and sign up for yourself.  How could you possibly resist?

-Sarah

HAUTE HYDRATION

As part of a New Year's {goal} to stay healthy, a big part of that is drinking more water (i.e. less Diet Coke).  I have found that I am more likely to drink the water from a fun bottle than just the normal type sold at the grocery store.  And this is earth and wallet-friendly!  Here are some great bottles to keep you hydrated:

Camelback Better Bottle Insulated | $20

I hate when my bottle sweats all over the desk.  This one is double-walled so it does not.  And it's got a great straw!

Brita Bottle Green | $9.99

This one is uh-mazing!  It filters water as it is filled.  This would be great for me at school {I don't trust the school water fountains...}

Nalgene On the Fly | $12.99

One click to get to the straw and this baby is leak-proof!

Tervis 24 oz. Tumbler | $17

I saved my favorite for last.  If you don't know Tervis, get introduced immediately!  Like the Camelbak, this is double walled so it doesn't sweat.  And it keeps your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.  And it comes in a thousand different designs {this is my favorite for obvious reasons}.

Don't forget the fabulous travel lid {$4}.  It makes all the difference.  {M calls it my sippy cup}

Stay thirsty my friends -Sarah

ON THE RUN

I'm sure that many of you have exercising/losing weight/being healthy on your list of New Years resolutions.  I myself have signed up for the St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville on April 28th.  I know that when I need a little extra motivation to get out the door, new running gear is a great pick-me-up!  Here are some of my staples:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Notes:

1, 2, 4, 5 - I love this outfit and it's great for all seasons.  Shorts and a tank for warm weather, add the jacket and leggings as needed for cool weather.

7, 10 - If I didn't already own 4 apple electronics {iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook}, I'd get the shuffle.  The size is just perfect!  And the controls on the cord of these head phones make picking the right energetic song super easy.

8 - Target!  Their sports bras are a perfect fit. 

11 - Don't forget to hydrate on those long runs!

12 - Arm warmers are the best for transition clothing.

13 - These are the best for long runs!  I have to admit I've eaten them as a snack {not running}, it's like candy.  Great for those who gross out at Gu.

Sign up for any races lately? -Sarah
p.s. watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsMw10KVVCk&sns=em

NEW CREW

In the last week or so, two of my favorite bloggers {long distance loving and spike the punch} have mentioned pieces from J.Crew's kids collection, Crew Cuts.  As obsessed with J.Crew as I am, I can't believe that I never thought of perusing the children's line.  Here are a few pieces that an adult could definitely pull off and they come at pretty decent prices.

canvas overnight bag | $36.50

{see Spike the Punch's monogrammed item here}

glitter bow clip | $9.50

{super cute in your hair for a holiday party}

The Cambridge Satchel Co. fluorescent satchel | $170

magic mirror necklace | $9.99 (was $14.50)

{Crewcuts jewelry like long distance loving}

superskinny glitter belt | $22

{length is not listed on the website but i'd say a large would work}

sneaker laces | $4

{how cute with some converse or keds}

Find you inner {stylish} child -Sarah

FRIDAY FAVORITES 5

This is not a fun Friday for me...I had to go back to school from Winter Break.  Boo!  Nonetheless, it's been awhile since my last Friday Favorites so here goes:

Favorite Premier

Project Runway All-Stars!  I am so excited to see some of my past favs back.

 

I'll be rooting for Mondo and Kenley.

I'm also excited to see Austin in action as I wasn't a PR fan during his season.

*NOTE* I wrote this post before I watched the episode - WHERE ARE HEIDI, TIM, MICHAEL AND NINA!?!?!?  Is anyone else blindsided and totally crushed by this!?

Favorite New Baubles

I got two fabulous statement necklaces at Francesca's winter sale for a total of $16 {originally $62 total}

Favorite New Lunch

Homemade Pita Pit:  Whole wheat pita, turkey, {1 slice of} cheese, lettuce and some sliced green olives.  Its a great alternative to a regular sandwich and fits nicely with my new {healthy} eating habits.

Favorite Blog

This isn't a new favorite, but if you haven't read it - go here now!  This is a blog {supposedly} written by Suri Cruise; she shares her disdain for Kate and Tom, passion for fashion, and fear of other A-List celeb babies from Beyonce or Kate Middleton.

Favorite Scents

Candles.  I just can't get enough.  I put away my Christmas-y smelling candles and have been looking for their replacements.  Voluspa has become my go-to brand.  The packaging is gorgeous, the plethora of scents gives a great range to choose from, and they burn very well. Go here to find a retailer near you or shop at Anthropologie online.

My current faves are Crisp Champagne and Suede Blanc.  I want to try the diffusers next!

What are your latest finds? -Sarah