a garden party

Here's what I should have done today: laundry, study.

Here's what I did today: laundry, play in the yard, attend adorable garden party at one of my favorite vintage shops, sit outside on a patio with bbf/beer/guacamole, go for a loooong walk with my puppy... and then study. a little bit.

It was 78 degrees here today. Seventy eight. So obviously this excuses the reduced study time, right?

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Photos snapped at Donna's Dress Shop Garden Party (her cute shop was filled with fresh flowers and happy shoppers with lemonade umbrella-worthy drinks in-hand.)

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I fell in love with the most amazing purple sequins top. Walked away from it... now wondering if I should call Donna and ask her to pull that beauty behind the counter for me (if it's still there! yikes!)

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ahhh Blue Moon. You little lover.

I hope you had an equally Spring-y day!

yes please

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I feel like I've been searching for a great bag for a while

and really haven't seen anything.

Until this little lover. So basic, so perfect.

(and I'm loving the shape of these shoes)

From Anthropologie

kenneth cole wishlist + giveaway

So I don't know about the rest of you but I may or may not have just started my holiday shopping - anyone else? It's not too last minute - we still have a little over a week to go! I have to admit that as I'm shopping for others I'm finding a thing or two to ask Santa for myself.
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These are a few items I'm loving from Kenneth Cole that I've added to my Kenneth Cole wishlist. Creating this list was too much fun - in addition to their products you can add anything from events (hello Lady Gaga concert!) to giving to your favorite charity.

As a holiday treat to you, Kenneth Cole has given me one $50 gift card to pass along lucky reader! All you have to do is create your own Kenneth Cole wishlist and comment below with a link to your list! The contest will end Wednesday, December 22 at 8pm when I will randomly pick a name and announce the winner just in time for Christmas!

Happy wishing!

whooga

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I was recently contacted by Whooga to try a pair of their sheepskin ugg boots from Australia. Until checking out their company I hadn't realized that 'ugg' is actually a style of boot, not just one brand. To be totally honest I've never jumped on the ugg train because of the aesthetic - seeing them out in public at restaurants etc they can seem sloppy. BUT its getting cold here and their website made them sound rather tempting and toasty, so I decided to try the tall gray boots.
They arrived in a charming box wrapped in a bow (customs had apparently played soccer with the box though because it was beat up - luckily the boots inside were ship-shape!)

They definitely deliver on the cozy and warm. I was absolutely surprised just how warm they are - and I have a feeling they're going to get a lot of wear this winter in our old (aka drafty) house. My feet are relieved to have a break from my typical four-inch heels. They seem very well made - each pair is hand-crafted with double stitched seams and reinforced heels.

I still don't love the aesthetic and therefore will probably wear these mostly around the house but this weekend I did wear them out on my first run to the paint store for supplies (before starting the project of doom) and can definitely see this being my winter weekend uniform.
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All in all, I give Whooga boots a toasty thumbs-up. I think they'd make a cozy gift for anyone and should definitely be considered a great option if you're looking for this style of boots!
Plus, Whooga is fun to say.

asos bags

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I think these little lovers would like to come move in with me.

Asos left and right

its beginning

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...to look a lot like fall!

On Saturday afternoon I stopped by my favorite vintage spot. Sometimes I go in and walk out empty handed - and sometimes I end up with a biiiig pile that I have to prioritize and pick from to stick in budget! This was one of those visits - and I managed to find quite a few pieces to refresh my wardrobe for fall. Tweed, corduroy, velvet and knits - all in autumn-worthy golds, grays, blacks and blues. Can't wait to start wearing them! Of course it was still 90 degrees today so I might have to wait a little.

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I hope you had a wonderful (and hopefully long!) weekend!

hemline

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I've been searching for a new cross-body purse (my current favorite is black and wintery, needs to be packed away for next year). I came across this cute number from Hemline - dare I say, I like a colored bag? It would stand out among my black/brown/tan/gray lineup and would add a little pep to my wardrobe. While I'm in there, better check out these heels (again-color!-who knew?) and cute summer dress.

ruche

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I'm ready for early summer days - sunny and hot - but not too hot. These little ditties from Ruche would be the perfect ensemble.

And the ring would be fabulous year round!

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spring

It feels like you can just about see the light at the end of the tunnel and Spring is almost, almost here. At the top of my Spring wardrobe wishlist is a classic trench coat. I have certain criteria and I'm not stopping till I find it!

1. tan

2. double breasted

3. vintage (obviously would be amazing if its Burberry...probably dreaming)

4. knee length/just below (shorter isn't as classic, longer gets frumpy)

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How about you - top items you're on the lookout for this Spring?

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Image via Door to my Wardrobe

like onions

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JCrew is the master of layering.
Filling my inspiration book...
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Its almost the weekend! dun dun dun

platypi

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These pieces from Platypi Vintage are amazing.

Equally amazing is the way they're photographed.

It's all in the presentation!

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May be sans internet for a day or two as we're moooooving...

the little black book

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So this is kind of dorky, but I'm going to share anyway.

Many of my fashion bloggers have mentioned over the last few years that one of their best shopping tips is to make a collection of all of your inspiration looks and a list of items you'll need to make them happen. It's well known that when you make a list before you go in the grocery store you'll buy less, buy healthier and not take home any random impulse pieces you'll regret later. This is basically what the fashion chicas were saying. When you know what you're looking for, shopping becomes more of a treasure hunt for those perfect items that you've already planned to add to your wardrobe. You won't waste money on items that you'll later wish you hadn't impulse-bought.

SOOO for my fall wardrobe I started printing/clipping/taping little bits and pieces here and there - from catalogs like JCrew and Anthro and some of my favorite blogger's looks. Once they were all together in the book it was pretty easy to see what aesthetic I'm going after this season and what common items I need to start looking for.

It's amazing how disciplined I've been shopping over the last month or two as a result. Amazing sale at Banana... I walk out empty handed (unheard of). I just kept my eyes out for the items I knew I really wanted and when I couldn't find them, it just wasn't meant to be. BUT when I do find one of those items it makes it extra exciting!

Sorry for the long explanation - but I definitely encourage you to create your own look book and let it guide you in your fall shopping! Here are a few images from mine...

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owls

Just ordered this little guy from Forever 21.

Must order their rings online because my hands are apparently giant

and my size is never left in the store.

a love letter to cardigans

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Cardigans are one of my favorite cold weather staples and my inspiration folder is full of fabulous ways to wear them as the temps go down. Now I just need to find the right ones! You know when you start shopping for a certain item...and they've all disappeared?

Great looks from JCrew.

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Some perfect cardigan looks from one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Jessica via Weardrobe.

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Ok gotta get to the tv, Hills and City are starting tonight...

fly boutique

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I should probably post photos of the beach and lovely sunsets - but you guys basically get the drift on that kind of thing. It can wait, right? Because here is the thing I'm still obsessing over from South Beach (besides missing my chicas) - Fly Boutique. There we are, innocently roaming down the street after dinner on our way to a club when it appeared. Fly Boutique. (and by 'appeared' I mean it was just there on the street between two other stores. but yea drama!) Cue angels singing and streams of glorious light.

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After a quick glance around we decided we'd need to come back the next day for some quality shopping time. I could have spent hours in that store! It was a great mix of thrift/vintage - everything from a random Express bag to vintage Prada shoes and Chanel sunglasses. Huge range of clothing and accessories (and prices).

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I had to talk myself out of a hot-pink tutu. A tutu is, for the record, on my fall shopping list -but I want black....although now I'm kind of regretting leaving the pink behind. Also had to rip myself away from an awesome (faux) fur cape. Fortunately, both my shopping buddy and I left happy with vintage purses - hers gray w/colored snakeskin accents and mine a black military-esque number.

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If you happen to live in Florida (lucky dog) or get a chance to visit South Beach, Fly Boutique is definitely worth checking out.

ps- thanks to the friendly staff for letting me take pictures!

plum pretty sugar

To every bride-to-be in my life, you can no longer expect the standard lacy number from Victorias Secret at your shower/bachelorette party! I'm absolutely loving the beautiful creations at Plum Pretty Sugar! How cool would it be to give a unique, handmade robe made of yummy fabric?

Little more about Plum Pretty Sugar...

"Loungewear, bedding and accessories borne from the idea of bringing breezy happiness, cozy comfort and easy-living chic to lounge wear, home and accessories. Dreamily imagined, the designs features giftable, gorgeous silhouettes in whisper-soft fabric in enchanting garden of eden-inspired palettes."

I've been chatting with Plum Pretty Sugar's creator, Charlotte and she did a little one-word-answer interview with me- short and sweet way to learn a little more about her! You can also check out her blog to see more of her inspiration.

How long you've been designing and creating: always

Biggest inspiration: heart

Piece you're most proud of: you

Favorite flavor of popsicle: orange

The girl who wears your robes is: chic

You could live in any city in the world: Santorini
Your bedding is: comfy

Superhero name: Plum

Glitter-yes or no: no

Favorite word to describe your line: breathless

Guess what - Charlotte is offering Grace's Birdcage readers 10% off etsy orders! Send her a convo after your purchase telling her you saw the line here and you'll be refunded 10%.

street style

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Someones been reading their Sartorialist. Anthro's new catalog arrived and you can definitely tell they've been influenced by all of the street style blogs, don't you think? Just the way the photos are captured. In a way I think its pretty cool - and in other ways I don't want that to be taken away from the blogs. Either way its interesting.

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Totally in love with this interior - and this haircut (for someday when I get my mom-cut).

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smash

A lot of my friends from Iowa have been sporting tshirts from Smash, tag line: the greatest store on earth. Some of the ts are hilarious only if you're from Iowa and understand some of the random humor (for instance, "Idawaho - so big you would've thought its three states." For whatever reason, some people don't realize that Ohio, Idaho and Iowa are actually three entirely different states. Potatoes are only grown in one).

Two of my friends happened to show up in matching "you had me at mustache" tshirts this weekend. Much to my surprise, I just saw Beefy's post about them - they're getting some street cred around the country. woohoo for Iowa :)

So booyah for Smash and their funny ts.

comfy cool

The warm, sticky weather is setting in and I'm determined to spend a big part of this summer in comfy, bright colored dresses. Perfect example from The Sartorialist.

Currently admiring this one (and its on sale) amongst a great selection at PrettyLittleWorld Vintage.

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and this ditty from Market Publique.

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weekends are for fun

I hope you're having a magical weekend. Full of unicorns and glitter. mmm glitter.

So far I've been to:

1. A Baby Shower. The mother to be is one of my first friends to have a baby, so I'm still getting used to the idea. Seeing her today looking adorably pregnant and opening all of the baby's goodies I was like whoa- you're really going to have a baby! Very fun.

2. Forever 21. I bought these pants, which could have been a giant mistake...especially looking at this photo. I promise they look better on...at least in my head they do. To balance the nutty purchase out, I revived my ohsoblackandgray wardrobe with a lot of color - and comfiness.

3. My bed. I've started to become a weekend napper. booyah

4. The internet. Ferociously shopping for a straw fedora. I'm obsessed - but apparently so is everyone else on the planet because unless I'm willing to spend $200+ they're all sold out! Currently bidding on one on ebay... so we'll see. Tease photo.

Up next a backyard bbq tonight and spending tomorrow sitting in the sun with a few friends and some select beverages. What are you up to?