This is me trying on an awesome leather jacket.  I was under the impression that leather in Florence was lower in price, and higher in quality than US leather.  After trying on this jacket and falling madly in love with it, I had Mick start the negotiating.

The price tag said 40…already a steal, but we thought we’d try and get it cheaper.  Mick started at 30, the seller threw up his hands, yelled something in Italian, and angrily explained 40 was the size.  The price was 450 Euros.  He walked away mad for waisting his time. I walked away with no leather jacket.

Italy was wonderful.  After a long, delayed plane ride we made it into Rome…then went straight to the Coliseum and Forum.  We were looking little rough and were suffering from jet lag, but quickly got the energy when we walked out of the metro and saw this.  Quite powerful.

We’re off to Rome!

Remember my beautiful friend Tara?

Well her wedding was absolutly beautiful…one of the classiest and well-done I’ve seen.  Deep, rich navy blues contrasted with soft French blues, creams, and even a light pink.

As I mentioned earlier, Tara and I grew up together.  She’s always been someone I’ve looked up to…and I always will.  Early morning seminary rides, choir trips and performances, Raining Men, college rooms dedicated our huge shoe collection, Thailand scooter rides, Elephant Rides– way too many good times.  I’m so happy for her and for the quality guy she married.  This world will be a better place because of Jared and her.

Classic Children’s Book.  Although, I think the wild things are quite scary.  It amazes me how the little eight-year old isn’t phased at all by them.

I’m also excited for 500 Days of Summer I think it comes out this week.  Since this is a design blog, I thought it appropriate that I show you a clip from when they’re in IKEA.  The first part is brutally cheesy, but then gets better.

This is how I felt yesterday when Mick came home with our FOURTH computer.  Yes, there are only two of us.  But then he said I could have fun shopping in Italy.  I guess it evens out.

Just a beautiful Kitchen from Elle Decor.  Love the tile floor.

I. Love. Her.

Here’s a little secret: she does all the coordinating work for you! I think buying through her lines are great and easy way to get coordinate fabrics without the “matchy-matchy” look…something that designers are hired to do :)

But I’m all about helping my reader’s out.  I even might get some of these fabrics for my own home.  They have the perfect blend of modern with fun; faminine and masculine.  I just wish her fabrics were a little nicer than a simple cotton blend (for my drapes).  Mick and I have been having the hardest time agreeing on patterns we both like.  I think I’ve found a winner though:

or…

from her Daisy Chain line.  She also has beautiful bedding and stationary.  Dear sister Elizabeth, will you please sew me some of these puffs with your mad sewing skills?

Sweet little Hermione (Emma Watson) is growing up.  And quite classy, might I add.  I’d thought I’d give a shout-out to all you Harry Potter fans out there.

While getting my hair done and flipping through this month’s Vanity Fair, I noticed a familiar face in the Burberry adds.  It wasn’t until I did a little google-research to confirm that Emma Watson is the face for Burberry.  She’s gorgeous.  I can see why Mick has a crush on her. And I want that trench coat.

Maybe I’ll find an awesome necklace like this in Paris.  The Sartorialist has some great finds.

This shade dress looks ten times better on.  One of my youth girls wore it yesterday and it looked amazing on her.  Granted she’s a seventeen-year old. It’s only $17 right now…just bought me one for Europe!

A great way to spruce up your sticky-notes: with fruit!  From Japan this company.  If you can read Japanese, you can by them here.

They even come packaged with the little protective jacket that the Asains use with their fancy fruits.  So cute!

The hairstyles of the first ladies from Martha to Michelle.

Lovely stackable rings by JesseDanger.

This is what Mick and I’s Google Chats are like Friday Afternoons.  I literally copy and pasted.

Fun “SLEEP” pillow cases designed by Maeo Ilasco.

I love these two. And their dances. One day when I’m a retired interior designer, and Mick’s a retired techie, and we somehow wake up being great dancers/choreographers…we’re going to be like these two. Choreographic great dances on SYTYCD.

Posts will be slow…still no internet.  My sweet clients let me check email while I’m at their places.  Here’s some beautiful inspiration to keep you entertained.  By stylist Camille Soulayrol. I want a big “h” like that “e” does anyone know where I can find one?  Besides Anthropologie?  There’s are overpriced.  In my opinion.

…I wish I had more of right now.  Our internet has been down the past couple days.  I’m going crazy.

necklace from here.