walking on sunshine!

The doom and gloom has passed, the clouds have parted and the sun is shining through.  Wow, life can take some quick turns, and at times toss you about like a rag doll.  But I am back on my feet and filled with sunshine & cheer!  Have a beautiful weekend friends, and thank you for your sweet emails and kind words over this past week, they were very encouraging.

image from Once Wed

wise words

The day of my high school graduation I cut ALL my hair off.  I thought it would be "fun" to do something different for graduation.  HA!  I left the salon in tears and cried and whined like a baby.  I will never forget the car ride home and my mother telling me, "Get it together!  Put on some lipstick and you will be fine." She was right, lipstick made all the difference.

In high school, just a swipe of lipstick could do the trick.  But now, fifteen years later, lipstick alone ain't enough.  Well...I've poured the drink, I swiped on the lipstick, and I think I see the light.

image via

On the edge

I am checking out for a bit friends.  Life is a little overwhelming right now.  I hope to be back soon, and filled with enough sunshine & cheer that I can share some joy and inspiration

image: the eiffel tower / 1939 via claireoclaire.tumblr

Phewww!

(insert huge sigh) I made it to Friday.  I became a little overwhelmed with projects and deadlines this week and I knew if I could just make it to Friday I would survive. Yay, I survived!  And...I am excited to announce a new retailer in the San Diego area.  If you live near Little Italy, you must pop into Vocabulary Boutique, a vibrant and well edited collection of women's and men's fashion and accessories, home goods, art, and even a little something for baby. 

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend filled with sunshine & cheer!
image via absolutely beautiful things

Cheers!

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via Design Sponge

via miles of style blog

What inspired a Monday morning post about bar set ups?  These two.

I found them (napkins) at an estate sale and couldn't leave them behind.  They got me thinking... I could swear I heard a recipe once for a southern punch that included bourbon + sweetened condensed milk?  Is anyone familiar with that drink?  I am no fan of bourbon, but mix it with scm, and I just might toss that one back--sounds like a yummy fall concoction.  As for vodka, I recently tried Absolute Vodka Wild Tea.  Friends, I must tell you, it's "ABSOLUTE(LY)" fabulous.  I like it simple with a splash of soda and twist of lemon. 

So raise your mugs/tea cups, and let's toast to a week filled with sunshine & cheer!

the morning after

Were you affected by the power outage yesterday?  How did you spend your afternoon/night?  We had a wonderful dinner (grilled pizza) with our neighbors, and chatted it up with strangers as they walked down our path curious to see what other folks were up to.
 I fell asleep chatting with the hubs about how beautiful the night is when there is no light except the stars and moon.  The night sky was a bluish purple tint that blanketed our neighborhood and the hills behind us.  It was all very nostalgic, reminded me of when I was younger and we lived in the country in Northern California.  It was fun meeting new neighbors, feeding people as they walked by and just being surrounded by all the positive energy that seemed to keep everyone buzzing last night and making the most of a "dark" situation.

Cheers to the weekend...and having power back. 

Wishing you sunshine & cheer!
Bianca

image via Paris Hotel Boutique Blog

'nough said

image from pinterest via welcome to the good life

Fall Fix

Lately I have been rethinking my professional goals, trying to focus on the long term--not my strong suit, I am a live in the moment kind of gal.  I have been toying with the idea of going back to school for textile design.  After stumbling across Affinita' Moderne's blog over the weekend I have been inspired.  Looks like I'll be hitting the books again...and soon.

I love the simplicity of their designs.  The rich and warm colors give me my Fall fix, and I appreciate the element of pop in their sweet prints.  I am not so sure I would be willing to spend this kind of money on my child's bedding (actually I wouldn't...I don't spend that much on myself), but it inspires me to maybe create a more affordable collection.  What do you think?

I am not sure when I would find the time to knit, but these blankets make we want to find the time.

images via Affinita' Moderne

Orange you glad...?

It's FRIDAY! Here's a little eye candy to take you into the weekend.  The pops of turquoise, that orange ring, and the tiny touch of bling all make me drool and my eyes sing.  And the orange heels with the beautiful details on the sole are just delicious.  This duo joins the ranks of one of my all time favorite photos.

Cheers chicas!  Have a beautiful {long} weekend, I hope it's filled with sunshine & cheer!
ring image via tumbler
heels via curated sytle

Vignettes

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This vignette is oozing with sunshine & cheer.  In general I am not one for oodles of floral images/patterns that have an antique feel to them, but there is something about this arrangement that makes me smile and delivers a punch of inspiration.  Here are a few other favorites of mine.

 via little green notebook

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