I'm Packing.

Well, I'm supposed to be packing right now. I must be seriously desperate not to since I'm blogging about it. Yikes that sounds and looks a bit ridiculous. But not really, because I'm excited to be heading to Pawley's Island, South Carolina. YAYYAH! It's so off the hook because I get to spend almost a full week with JP and my family. Now that we- meaning me and my siblings are all grown up and have our own lives, it's difficult to get everyone together at the same time. I have a nephew that I'll meet for the first time and he's at least 8 months old.

No, my luggage does not look anything like this. I've got the luggage that expands. :) Two parts of packing 1. trying to figure out what you'll need and 2. then trying to get everything to fit. My problem is that I overpack with too many, 'I may need this' items. The goal is to see if I can't do just carry-on luggage, you know without having to check a bag.... BUT I'm still not sure saving a little time and money is really worth damaging myself in the process. I somehow seem to strap every possible thing that would have fit in the check-on onto my body. Ridiculous I know. I'm sure it looks like I went through a small battle by the time I get to my final destination. Especially since I'll be stopping in Atlanta aka a small country. No bueno.

Sunday really early in the AM can't come soon enough!!

On another note:

Thankful and humbled by so many who have sacrificed their lives to protect and serve our Country. I believe we will have a chance to thank them personally someday.

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Buy me, I'm cute!

AMAZON

I like the way you work it.

All White.

With a Splash of Color.

Trouser Denim

dressed up with a little black jacket-

LOVE.

and a statement necklace.

The nude bag

is a really nice choice to finish off this look.

(this girl is maximizing her closet!)

Stripes

on this fabulous military jacket and

a skinny belt- note the way she knotted it.

Again, more great stripes.

(both of these striped items can be dressed up as well)

Amazing leather jacket.

Great rich color.

Could have gone with a necklace but instead she chose a

scarf.

Great blazer in a fabulous color.

(transforms a pair of jeans and white t)

perfect amount of gold accessories- note how she rolled her jeans.

Do you ever look in the closet and go, 'I have nothing to wear!' It's amazing how vast your options could be when you invest in a few pieces that can turn a closet of clothes into a wardrobe. Here are just a few inexpensive options minus the leather jacket.

Scarves- You can find cute scarves at forever 21 for 8 bucks. That's less than you spend when you go out to lunch. There are a million different ways you can tie them so be creative. Scarves are no longer just for warmth.

Leather Jacket- A great fitting leather jacket can go over a dress, you can wear it with jeans, shorts, crops and on and on. It gives a really cool vibe to just about any outfit. If you want to make it super casual or warmer, throw a hoodie under it and it's like your leather jacket got an instant liner. In fact you can do this with a lot of jackets. Make sure and pop the hood out- it's the best part.

Statement Jewelry- A cool necklace or fun bracelets can bring your outfit out of the dust. I'm amazed at the really cool and surprisingly inexpensive jewelry that's out there. I've seen a ton of bp jewelry on t.v. stars. Bp is a department at Nordstrom. Forever 21 is another good one. A great add on that won't break the bank.

Belts- Belt a blouse, belt a dress, belt everything. Well maybe not everything, but a belt in your wardrobe wouldn't hurt.

Sometimes in my most desperate, 'trying to find what to wear' situations, I come up with something new that I end up loving. It's a force to get creative and to adjust your eye.

I challenge you to go in your closet and shop for a new outfit.

BK

images via Pinterest.

Backyard Bliss

nicety

Movie outside anyone? Beyond words love this. Looking forward to summer nights.

I can't forget Paris.

Who could, really?

Sometimes I stop and envision myself here. Serious.

Next time I visit I want to be with the one I love, wouldn't you agree that this city is for lovers?

Until then.

XOXO

Attention Shoe Lovers!

theredbungalow

Sigh...

It's like a shoe department.

AND

a dedicated wall for shoes with shelves made specifically for your footwear,

I like it a lot.

I Want Grey Walls

(thenester.com)

Martha Stewart Flagstone Gray

(marthastewart.com)

Dreaming of a White Kitchen

Photo by Laurey W. Glenn

I envision a lovely living space just off this room with a great big archway to frame this perfectly symmetrical dream kitchen. Love the barstools, love the backsplash, love that they chose a dark countertop to break from all the white, love all the cabinetry (space), love EVERYTHING. Very functional and beautiful.

For all you modern folk out there this kitchen is totally all that and a bag of chips. Modern and industrial is what this kitchen is. The legs on the island are very unique, it looks as if they could have come from a construction site. The cabinetry is sleek and simple. I love the hardware selected, it works well in this kitchen. The best part for me is the Silestone countertop, it warms everything up.

Photo: Annie Schlechter

You can barely see this kitchen in the picture but from what I see it's charming. I LOVE the curtains. It feels like a cottage and how nice to have a great big window over the sink. Equally as nice are the oversized globe lights and tongue-and-groove wood-plank ceiling. Who has that?! I love all the texture and uniqueness of this cozy 'cottage' kitchen. And one can't help but look on to the next room. Who said wallpaper was out! I love the look going on in the next room. Did I say 'love' too much?

Photo: Alexandra Rowley

Talk about your cozy kitchen. Nice sink. Well there's a lot of nice elements to this space like the subway tile and marble countertops. While this kitchen maybe small, it's anything but out-dated.

I love real green plants in the kitchen. The plants add color and life. It's the perfect accessory for each and every kitchen if you ask me.

side-note: I wish I was organized enough to have open cabinetry. It's nice to have a few open shelves for something you'd like to display whether its a great set of dishes, a collection of your treasured cookbooks or a neat serving platter you picked up while traveling. Whatever it is make it yours.

(Thanks to Southern Living for great inspiration)

Nicole Richie in the House.

(Signature Sunburst piece)

Look who stopped by today, none other than Nicole Richie. I couldn't believe how ity she is. Love this girl's style. She looked amazing.

I was one of the first ones to meet her. Lucky me (I guess) because apparently after 10 or so photos she didn't want anyone behind the desk next to her, from then on everyone stood like 4 feet away. Kinda funny since the reason for being there was to promote her line- meet her customers, sign autographs and take pictures, but they can barely fit in the same camera frame as you? PR? Just sayin'.

Nicole is quite the business woman. Who knew? Winter Kate is her very own fabulous full line of apparel and accessories. All of her stuff is cool and hip but also classic at the same time. I feel like every age group could wear Winter Kate. Her prints are timeless with a vintage feel. I especially love her floral print blouses, dresses and shear flyaways. Super sassy. House of Harlow 1960 is NR's jewelry line. Her first born is named, Harlow Winter Kate just in case you were wondering where the names come from.

This ring is a part of her fine jewelry collection. A spin off of her well-known sunburst design. Can you believe that's a grey diamond slice in the middle? I didn't know that they had grey diamonds. Pretty amazing. I love the asymmetrical micro pave setting. Super cool and super chic but probably not super cheap.

Excited to see how her collections evolve and grow.

I hope everybody has a real nice weekend!

BK

Word Art.

(Cellar Designs)

(Cellar Designs)

I found these on etsy @ Cellar Designs. How great, right?! Wall art doesn't have to be expensive. This would be something fun to make yourself. That way you can choose something meaningful to you whether it's a reminder, a favorite quote, a family saying or even something that just makes you smile.

I would love this in a kid's room or bathroom...

(Etsy-LoveSugar's shop)

What would you write?

Al Fresco STYLE

Dining al fresco is just one of the many reasons I love summer. Relaxing with friends and family, eating delicious food, enjoying this beautiful earth. What could be better?! I hope everybody gets in their backyards this summer and bbqs. Here's a little inspiration. . .

Lighting

(www.unpggd.com)

Decor

(pinterest.com)

Refreshment

A spoonful of Lime Sherbet and Sprite- easy.

(you may prefer to mix together)

Courtesy of: Cassidy Tuttle

Dessert

Courtesy of: www.familyfun.go.com

Ingredients

• White and yellow jelly beans (we used Jelly Belly brand)
• White-frosted cupcakes
• White decorating sugar

• Yellow Starburst candies
• Corn holders
• Corn plates

Instructions

1. For each ear, press rows of jelly bean kernels onto three frosted cupcakes. Line up the cupcakes and sprinkle decorating sugar across the tops.

2. To make a candy butter pat, microwave a Starburst for about eight seconds, stretch it into a melted-butter shape, then set it on top of the center cupcake.

3. Add a corn holder to each end of the cob, and serve on a corn plate.

   BK

'Something Blue' Christian Dior

LOVE.

Bugaboo meets Missoni

Look at this fabulous stroller. I want one and I don't even have a baby! Missoni and Bugaboo teamed up to create this stroller line - The Bugaboo Cameleon accessory ($269) and the Bugaboo Bee ($199). LOVE these canopies. I'm thinking this does not include the stroller because from what I understand Bugaboo is like the Cadillac, no the Rolls Royce of strollers. But don't worry you get a luxury knitted blanket if you can afford this sweet ride for your baby. I feel better. Available July 2011 at Neiman Marcus.

BK