Inspiration Friday!

This week was a wonderful beautiful week! Here is what's inspiring me right now.

1. The Circus



I've always been inspired by the circus. The amazing animals, the bright colors, and the unbelievable stunts are like make believe come to life. Everything about the circus is sparkling, huge, and overdone- such a departure from ho hum everyday life. How could you not be inspired?

2. Dance



So, I am not the world's greatest dancer, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating it. The first episode of So You Think You Can Dance was on last night, and I was so excited. I've been waiting for it for weeks! There is just something to otherworldly about watching a truly great dancer.

3. Braids




I'm probably jumping on the bandwagen a little bit with this one, but I can't help it. I really love braids. I think they are my favorite trend right now. They can be done so many different ways, and they're all gorgeous.

4. Stacia's Photography





This girl is part of the youth group my husband and I lead, and I've got to say, she's got some serious talent. Her photos are as good as any I've seen, and she hasn't even graduated high school yet!

5. Lighting




Lights are sort of a stange thing to be inspired by, I guess, but I always have been. I love the feeling that light creates in a room, morning sunlight, and driving into a brightly lit city at night.

-alison

[photos: weheartit; stacia's fb page; graham and green]

Classic Style

Throughout the years I've dabbled in different styles, and tried different looks, but time after time, I keep coming back to timeless classic style. Even in high school, I was drawn to simple time tested looks. There's just something about looking pulled together and like a lady, even when you are dressed down that I just love. The look isn't for everyone, I know, but I've decided it's definitely for me:)









The real reason for my love of classic clothing.


It looks great on men too...how great is that old guy? Love him!



-alison

[photos: weheartit; the sartorialist]

Hello Summer!

Its hot here. I mean seriously 92 degree, heat index off the charts, humidity at a billion percent, hot. Evidently, spring has decided to make a quick exit and let summer in early. That's certainly fine with me. Here are some pretty products that have got me in the mood for the sunny season....

I don't really like tea, but this cute set has me reconsidering.


Would this suit look good on me? Absolutely not- but its still fabulous.


Elementary school tray + pink bunnies = perfection
p.s. Use a bunch of random trays on your table instead of placemats. It's a fun and easier to clean option (thank you Better Homes & Gardens!)


I'm not gonna lie- most of my clothes are pretty boring- so I like to spice them up with fun accessories like this ring from Banana Republic. It's called the candy bowl ring. How can it not be great?
So the actual items of interest here are the colorful spoons and latte cups, but that shelf is pretty great too.


Colorful, stripey, shiny, frilly summer cardigan from Anthropologie. Ahhhh....



What gets you in the mood for summer?

-alison

[photos: tohaveandtohost; shabby apple; banana republic; graham and green; anthropologie]

Book Art

My friend Shannon is going to be an RA at school next year. We've been talking for weeks about how to decorate the hall and the other night we finally decided to decorate with books. This is one of my favorite thing to decorate with, so I'm glad she chose this, it's pretty cheap and there are so many thing you can do with them.

Yes, this is a bad picture, but a really cool idea. We talked about doing this with each girl's name and putting it up on her door.

She might do something like this and put cork board on one side for a bulletin board and let the girls decorate the other side themselves.

I'm really excited to be on her floor next year, its going to be so pretty and fun!

-Ana

[photo credits: Queen of Tarte, the other pics have been on my computer so long I don't remember where they came from, tell me if you know whose they are]

Book of the Week

I have been seriously slacking on my blogging duties lately because I got my wisdom teeth out and the moved to Ohio for the summer. As many of my book reviews have been, this one is fairly short, but is probably the best book I've chosen so far.

The Alchemist
For the longest time, I thought this book was ancient, but then I found out it was written in the 80s. I'm sure you're wondering why you might care about that...well you probably don't, but this book does have the feel of a classic. Its about a young Shepard from Spain named Santiago and his search for treasure. I would love to give a better summary, but it a hard book to narrow down. I highly recommend that everyone read this book, as it has become a modern classic (and its pretty short), you will not regret it.

-Ana

Inspiration Friday

Here's whats inspiring me on this cloudy Friday.........

1. Vintage Hats



Ever since I was little, I've had a collection of vintage hats. I used to dress up in them constantly. I don't wear them around so much anymore, but the lure of a great vintage hat still gets me. I sometimes wish I had been alive in the 40's where women wore hats and gloves everywhere they went.

2. Julie & Julia


Yes, I am the last person on earth to ahve seen this movie, but my sister and I watched it last night, and it became an instant favorite. It inspired me to cook, it inspired me to blog, it was just an all around inspiration. Plus, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, are two of my favorites.

3. Gardens


I've never had one before, but I'm taking the plunge this weekend. I'm so excited to buy and plant flowers. I think gardens are some of the most beautiful things on earth.

4. Swings



...I mean really, do the ever get old?

5. This Lady's House







I spotted it a few months ago on Apartment Therapy, and I just can't get over it. It's so whimisal and cute- wouldn't it just be fun to live here?


Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

-alison

[photos: teresa sheeley; chictopia; street peeper; weheartit; apartmenttherapy]