DownEast Basics at Walmart?!...

I went to Walmart on Wednesday to do some grocery shopping.  When I walked in I saw a whole display of cute clothes with tags like this...

Never heard of Bella Bird.  Hmm.

But the clothes were just so cute.  There were layering tees, knit tops, skirts, cardigans and dresses that looked like they came from DownEast or Modbe or something like that.  At WALMART?!  Then I turned one of the tags over...

THAT looks just like a DownEast Basics tag to me.

So I tried on a dress. It was super cute, long enough for me (!!!) and only $22.

Normally DownEast/Modbe dresses are like $30-45.  

(And most of the knee length styles are still too short for tall people...)

So I got it. 

(It looks WAY better on.  Trust me.)

When I got home, I googled Bella Bird, but didn't come up with much.

So I got on the DownEast facebook page and asked them if they are behind this whole Bella Bird line.

And it's TRUE!!

I'd say the line isn't quite as nice as the regular DownEast/Modbe stuff, but for a lower price point that's to be expected.  Anyway, Walmart clothes just got a whole lot cuter--in Utah at least.

my latest obsession...

Have you heard of Pinterest?

It is basically a virtual pinboard where you can "pin" images you love from around the internet all in one place.  I am such a visual person, so I think this concept is genius!  Previously, I had been saving images to my computer, but then I would forget where they came from.  Or, I would book mark sites and tutorials, but then forget all about them because I wasn't seeing the images...just a list of pages.

When I heard about Pinterest, I immediately applied and was accepted last week.  I went through all of my bookmarks, Etsy favorites, StumbleUpon likes, etc. and started pinning like crazy! You can organize your images into categories like "DIY + Crafts" or "Home + Furniture" and then name them whatever you want. My boards look like this...

 (click to enlarge)

Another cool feature is the ability to follow other pinners that you think have great style, "like" their pins, or repin their images to your own boards.  Your homepage ends up being a virtual bulletin board teeming with gorgeous-ness...

 (click to enlarge)

If you are interested in joining, go HERE.

(Once you're accepted, you can invite a few friends as well!)

And you can check out my pins and follow me by going HERE.

for all who love color...

have you checked out design seeds?

jessica (the genius behind it all) purchases photos, then creates these jaw-droppingly gorgeous color palettes/mood boards.

here are a couple of examples...

maybe everybody else already knows about this drool-worthy site and i'm just (fashionably) late to the party?

i dunno.

but i do know you should check. it. out.

seriously. go.

now.

you'll feel so inspired!

zippidee-do-dah...

i love blogging.  bloggers are fun and funny and creative and generous...giveaways all over the place!  and my lucky streak is still alive. :)

thanks to ashley of make it and love it, a sweet little charcoal/yellow zippered pouch is headed my way...

 she has as tutorial on her blog, if you want to make one of your own.

 thanks ashley!

what we're wearing...

for the SMS! giveaway...go HERE.

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 if you're looking for some last minute gift ideas (or just sick of what's in your closet), here are some recent purchases that i think are worth sharing.  i'm not getting compensated to write this either...i just like this stuff!

you know modbe is back, right?  they went out of business a few years ago, but downeast bought them and brought them back.  and i couldn't be happier.  i bought this dress about a month or two ago...

if you are tall, buy this dress.  NOW.  it's called the long & lean dress for a reason.  i'm 5'10" and it's the perfect length.  plus, it's cute (...at least that's what the husband tells me).  and the fabric rocks...not too thin, great drape.

speaking of husbands, mine gets a lot of free tees and polos from vendors at work.  which is fine...if you like a company logo on everything you ever wear.  i, however, feel there are some occasions which an actual shirt that doesn't involve business promotion is in order.  so i took matters into my own hands.

i picked up these bad boys at old navy for 8 bucks each....yesssss. they look great on their own or under a graphic tee...and my husband likes them!  in fact, complimented me on my outfit constructing abilities.

it's nice to know i'm good at what i do. :)

more DIY holiday ideas...

for the SMS! giveaway...go HERE.

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i didn't get around to making 3/4 of the holiday decor i had planned on this year.  oh well.  i'm loving all of these christmas-y tutorials scattered throughout blogland, though.   i HAVE to share at least a few...

check out this red-nosed wreath tutorial by megan at in words in pictures.

i love how she started with entirely different wreath-making intentions, but allowed it to turn into something else.  so fabulous.

this magazine christmas tree is so simple, but totally genius.

get the lowdown on how to make it over at green eyed monster.

big box detox was inspired by how about orange to make these felt gift bows.

creativity inspires creativity.  LOVE. IT.

these marshmallow snowmen at cute food for kids would be a great family craft...too cute.

and last, but certainly not least, we head to the creative chicks archives circa. 2008...

if i had seen this darling gift garland last week, i definitely would have been all over it.

i am SO making this next year!

more pretty books...

i posted about these lovely books about a year ago.  so gorgeous.

then yesterday, i stumbled upon these little lovelies...

how beautiful would these be all in a row on a little white bookshelf?

 the only one i'm not thrilled about is anne of green gables...

pink with frou frou cupcakes???

that is so NOT anne to me.

anne is violet vale and lovers lane and wood nymphs and poetry...

am i right?  (please tell me i'm right.)

all i want for christmas...

i have only asked for one thing this christmas...pearl earrings.

dangly earrings are NOT my thing.  they are often heavy and get tangled in my hair.  plus, i'd rather wear a flashy necklace then big ol' earrings.  i normally stick to sterling silver/round cz studs in varying sizes.  but, i've been thinking i'd branch out a little bit and rock some pearls--not pricey ones, just everyday wear kind of pearls.

i found some cute pearl sets (some on major sale!) and added them to my wishlist to help "santa" out. :)  i thought i would share them with you...you know, in case you've been wanting some darling pearls, too...

this set might be my favorite...


i like that it has a good mix of neutrals and fun colors.  plus, as of right this minute they are on sale for $19. how is that even possible?!

here's another cute set of various colors...


but i'd also be perfectly happy with one little pair of white pearls.  they'd go with anything and everything.

hopefully, i've made the nice list this year...we'll see!

february...

my favorite month.

i despise the generally frigid weather.
groundhog's day is so weird. if you think about it.
i'm not particularly fond of valentine's day.
it's quite short, even when that extra day rolls around.
president's day is nice...i guess.

but it's my birthday month.

so it's my favorite.

doesn't this look like a place i would love?

color makes me happy.
(thanks for the eye candy design*sponge.)

everybody's doing it...

make a wordle. you know you want to. it gives a whole new meaning to the term "word art," don't you think? here are a few made from this very blog...

art + literature = love at first sight!

so...i know i just posted, but the world must know about this!

every now and then i like to take a peek at Design*Sponge...it's a treat for the eyes, for sure.

normally, i just check out some sweet designs and then go my merry way, but as a lover of art and books i couldn't help but drool over these cloth-bound penguin classics. seriously. you should click the d*s link above to see more pics and read the interview with the designer. i'm in love.




p.s. if i was still teaching...i would TOTALLY use this for a lesson. choosing an icon representative of the literature and turning it into a high contrast, repeating pattern to create a contemporary motif for the cover? talk about perfection!

if only i were on tv...

...then i would be GLEE guidance counselor emma pillsbury just so i could have her amazingly adorable wardrobe.

she has the cutest necklaces, floral brooches, embellished cardigans, perfect skirts, colorful shoes, and blouses with feminine details. ever.

when i'm watching the show, all i do is admire each new ensemble. brandon probably gets sick of me exclaiming, "LOOK at her outfit! i want all of her clothes!" at the start of every scene she's in. but i can't help it.

(i know i'm not the only one. you love her and everything she wears, too. admit it.)

sigh.

if only i were on tv...

the devil's in the details...

i've been trying to be even more economical/thrifty/budget-minded since my decision not to teach full-time anymore. but sometimes colorful home decor...or an artsy necklace...or a trendy accessory...causes me to become distracted. :)

as queen of the solid colored top (no seriously. nearly every shirt i own is a plain, solid knit.), lately i've been drawn to the feminine detailing that has made it's way into casual fashions. that way i can still rock the solid colored comfy fabrics, but with a little more flair than a boring old tee.

i recently ordered this little number at a bargain price...


and i NEED this to go on sale NOW....

it comes in so many colors. if it does go on sale, i don't know how i'll ever decide. although that deep teal is right up my alley...

who knew the a frill here or a floral there could make a plain ol' shirt so much more desirable.

and speaking of frills, one of you ladies out there needs to purchase these...
i generally stick to flats these days because a) they are more comfortable and b) sometimes i tire of being gawked at like i'm freakishly tall. so i keep the heel purchases to a minimum.

but seriously. a purple, ruffled, peep-toe pump? they make my artist's heart quiver.

someone needs to rock these. asap.

can't contain my excitement...

first of all, the next harry potter movie is almost here!!!

secondly, some new movie stills are out. i had heard rumors about this movie months ago, and i was excited then. but now i've seen some imagery, and as a result i am all giddy...and thrilled about march 5, 2010. i know it's over 9 months away, but how is a girl supposed to curb her excitement when she sees images like this...

snatched from here.

#1 favorite movie--tim burton's big fish
another movie on the favorite list--tim burton's charlie and the chocolate factory
next movie i can't wait to see (after harry potter)--tim burton's alice in wonderland

plus, it stars the likes of johnny depp, anne hathaway, and helena bohnam carter just to name a few.

good thing i just read lewis carroll's alice in wonderland & through the looking glass. i'm ready for march!!!