grateful: week 51

inspired by my reading of the happiness project by gretchen rubin, i am instituting monday "gratitude" posts (read here for more detail), where i will list "3 things i'm grateful for" from the previous week.

the 3 things i'm grateful for this week are:

1)  two days with my dad in town for business!

 

2) a busy + productive work week

3)  a weekend in austin, texas (my first visit to the lone star state!) with the bf and his ut friends (more pictures to share soon!)

 {beautiful austin}

this week's blog love:

• dustjacket attic features an editorial with joy bryant set in paradise (that's  jasmine on parenthood)!
  
• besotted brand blog posted the most interesting and arresting picture, you must take a look!
• i love anne of the city sage's room + outfit pairings with the new tibi spring collection.
• alaina of live creating yourself bought herself an old wooden ladder - and shares lots of inspiration on how to display one.  someday?  i will have a functional one in a library so i can reach the top of my floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with ease...
• well of course i'm going to link to ashley nicole catherine's ballet-inspired wedding post!  duh!

here's to another grateful week.  

xo. di.

*images via my personal collection

 

the IT list.

Happy Friday ladies... I hope you have big plans for this weekend!  In the meantime, take some time to visit these inspiring posts from the blog world!

• shen dove style pairs a floral dress with a simple blazer for the perfect spring look.  We both agree that a blazer can pull an outfit together so easily.  (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} lays out her top restaurants in Chicago.  I always enjoy getting good recommendations for dining in my favorite cities!  (find walking around on twitter!)
• good clean fun whips up the ultimate summer cocktail... as she says that "conjures up warm summer nights, lightening bugs, and laughter" - I don't know how you can say no to that! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• thought and musing remixes one little black dress into three gorgeous outfits!  You have to pop over and see her styling work.
• strong sense of style has you covered (literally) for the rainy spring weather.  Check out her picks for rain jackets, wellies and umbrellas, oh my!
• a spot of whimsy recognizes that sometimes you just need a dash of inspiration in the form of Audrey Hepburn. And to that I say, 'Amen, my sister'.  (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• rose a la mode features the office she never uses (while looking fab, of course!) - do you have a room in your house you don't use? (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style always posts her recent inspirations on Monday mornings... it's the highlight of my post weekend slump.  The images she finds never disappoint! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• capital barbie gets ready to "lace up" for spring... but not like you may think! Check out her new favorite style of shoes! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a little dash of ash pulls together tons of interior inspiration featuring navy blue walls.  A look that I totally love, even more so after perusing all these gorgeous photos! (find a little dash of ash on twitter!)
• mama loves papa is posing pretty in a super fun bird print dress for spring... her post also features her husband's (aka 'papa') new vintage VW truck - so cool! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish manages to put together a fun blog post even when her internet is down - find out how she did it!  I love a resourceful gal!
• good life for less is color crushing on red + pink + khaki - check out her inspiration! (find good life for less on twitter!)
• good tots features a very chic nursery inspired by this gorgeous magenta dresser/changing table.  So fun for a sweet baby girl!

the IT list is compiled each week by Jill of good life for less - for more information, click here!

happy friday!

xo. di. 

spring clean

as i mentioned a few weeks ago, i made way for the spring decor on my mantel (and by mantel?  i mean top of tv stand), and this past weekend i switched it up a bit again for a little easter inspiration.  care to take a peek (this question is 100% rhetorical, hope that's ok!)?

and for the easter update:

my favorite part about my easter decorations?  they are a collection of memories from easters long past.  the cross-stitched easter bunny on the scooter?  i made that in third grade on the drive to nashville, tennessee for spring break.  the bunny with my name on it in the picture above?  i'm pretty sure my little sister was still in diapers when we each got one.  many holidays have to do with families of course, but there is an unidentifiable quality about easter that makes it ripe for nostalgia.

i have a few other easter "heirlooms" around my apartment (and many more in boxes at home at my parents'), perhaps i'll give you a little peek at them as the holiday gets closer!

i'll be linking up today's post to the stories of a to z's spring mantel party, so be sure to check out all the great inspiration over there!

xo. di.

*images from my personal collection

date night.

it may be april, but it's supposed to be rainy and gross most of the week in the windy city, so i thought i'd take the opportunity to post a cozy little date night the bf and i had a few weeks ago at pierrot gourmet, the peninsula's wine bar.  on thursday nights throughout the winter, this cute little spot hosted swiss chalet nights, with ski lodge decor and 3-cheese fondue + a shot of eau-de-vie brandy to finish.  i love discovering themed events like this, it makes for a very charming evening.

xo. di.

*images from my personal collection

tuesdays with audrey.

i need a little hepburn in my life today. 

that's better!

xo. di.

*image 1, 2, 3, 4

grateful: week 50

inspired by my reading of the happiness project by gretchen rubin, i am instituting monday "gratitude" posts (read here for more detail), where i will list "3 things i'm grateful for" from the previous week.

the 3 things i'm grateful for this week are:

1)  march went out like a lamb!

 

2)  a midweek dinner + a movie with a bff

3)  a lazy weekend (have decided to be grateful for it rather than being mad at myself for the lack of productivity!)

 {hydrangea!  yes, another new plant!}

{sunday brunch with 2 besties}

this week's blog love:

• alaina of live creating yourself really had me inspired this week.  first, with this tour of a berlin home, and then by her new book display.
• lanalou style also happens to be in love with kate spade's colorful spring collection!
• anne of the city sage introduced me to the new styled magazine (take a look).
• any other lord of the rings geeks out there (i'm not afraid to admit it!)?!  if so, you must check out this hobbit-inspired house over at a glimpse of glamour!
• i'm in love with these diy chalkboard tags over at one sydney road, and may just have to make them myself!

here's to another grateful week.  

xo. di.

*images via my personal collection

the IT list.

It's hard to believe that April is already here... That means that for many of you spring has arrived or is very, very close!  Take some time to be inspired by these amazing blogs today to celebrate!

• good clean fun whips up the yummy looking sweet potato and black bean empanadas.  These look like they would make a delicious spring meal with a fresh salad! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• mama loves papa looks spring chic with this gorgeous pink coat!  It's perfect to help you look and feel like spring is here even if it's a little chilly still! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• turn up the rad is crushing on melamine plates and platters and I am too - these once 'old school' style serving pieces are definitely trending right now! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
• rose a la mode rounds up her favorite spring and summer shoes from Target - the prices and styles are definitely right on here ladies! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} is blog-crushing.  And I can see why, pop on over to see who her inspiration is! (find walking around on twitter!)
• shen dove style is looking absolutely gorgeous in sequins and some snazzy shoes - I just adore this outfit! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
• strong sense of style is loving the tribal trend right now, ohhhh - so am I!  I love that she chose simple items that you can add to your current wardrobe! 
• thought and musing looks fabulous in this road-trip outfit!  I love that her simple floral top dressed the whole thing up (and what about that hat?!?! LOVE!).
• sweetie pie style is inspired by shopbop's recent 'road trip' lookbook.  See how she recreates the looks for less!  Score! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• keep collected seriously rocks daytime sequins and stripes.  I want/need a sequined skirt after seeing this outfit!
• a spot of whimsy has some fun with Pantone's colors - always a good time!  Pop on over to see oodles of color inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• capital barbie has an assortment of drawstring bags featured that I love. These are a little retro and I like that they are coming back! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish takes one simple black dress and dresses it up in four fun outfits - there is something for everyone here. I just love these outfits!
• good life for less brings you three stylish workout ensembles to freshen up your workout routine.  Be sure to check these out!  (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is put together by jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!

happy friday!

xo. di.