Style Crush: Rachel Bilson

Well, who doesn't love Rachel Bilson's style? What I love about her is that she doesn't try to accomplish just one type of look. You can tell she wears whatever she feels good in at the time. And she has such good style that she can pull off ANYTHING! She's girly yet edgy, bohemian yet sophisticated, glamourous yet effortless and OMG HER HAIR! She is definitely one that I've brought pictures of to my sister wanting her exact do. I also love reading her style tips in her column, "Ask Rachel" in my favorite magazine, InStyle. She always has original and inspiring ideas. That reminds me, I need to go buy the new issue!

No Regrets

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I've come across so many young girls lately who are just about to graduate college and it's so fun to listen to them talk. They've made me realize how much I have changed and grown over the last 4 years. It seems like yesterday my outlook was just like theirs. I couldn't wait to finally graduate and get out into the world and just see where it would take me. My main focus was moving to a big city and getting an exciting job. I spent my first 2 years after graduation scratching and clawing through life trying to make my dreams come true. And, in many ways I did. I always wanted to live in New York and working for Conde Nast was one of those dreams that I always thought was unreachable. Somehow, I made it all happen for myself. But eventually I grew tired of the constant struggle for excitement and found myself gradually starting to desire calm contentment.  That is when things got a little easier. 

Since Ed and I started dating, I never thought I would end up moving to Scottsdale, but it seems to be one of the best moves I have made so far. The feeling of having an actual partner to help me out in life feels so good and secure and makes everything else not matter as much. I also have a really fun job where my main responsibility is to make things look pretty. I think I just needed to get all of that other stuff out of my system before I could settle down and I'm glad I did. I can honestly say that I have no regrets and have accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish by age 26! That is a feeling that makes surviving this quarter-life crisis a little easier. However, I have always wanted to be married or at least engaged at age 27.......... Just sayin.

The Girls of Free People

Right now on the Free People home page you get the option to shop by "girl". I love how they break down the Free People style by 5 different girls: Ginger - the flirt, Meadow - the bohemian, Sandy - the beach girl, Candy - the romantic and Lou - the tomboy. I think I'm a combination of Candy and Meadow. I'm definitely girly and romantic, but I also have a lot of Meadow's ethnic boho vibe in my wardrobe. And, although I never go for body-con clothes, I do love Ginger's touch of glam! So, which girl are you? You can take the poll by going to Free People's blog!!

Decorating!

My apartment is coming along slowly but surely and I'm having so much fun decorating! Here are some updates:

I've made some changes to my entry table... Audrey is still leaning because Ed apparently likes to drive me crazy by always forgetting to bring his tools over to hang my things! But, yesterday I had to run some errands for work and while I was out I bought the clear vases and succulents. I got the idea for this from a concept we did right before I left Anthropologie. I think they turned out really well and add a little life to the place.

Here is a close up of the succulents. Ed gave them 2 weeks to live. These days I'm especially loving my British flag frame that my old work friends from Anthro gave me :)

My mom gave me this frame I'm in LOVE with for Easter. Now I just need to find the right photo to put in it!

Yep! That's the bar cart I found at the Antique Trove. Ed's family got it for me for Easter :) It's so random, but I love it. I really think I'm going to get into this antique collecting idea.

I bought this panel from Pier 1 yesterday for $25!!! I just wanted to see how it looked and I'm really liking it. Now, I just need 3 more panels to cover both windows in the dining room.

Close-up

I still want to get these for the living room... They're just more of a spurge so they will have to wait. 

This mirror would be perfect above my sofa. Horizontally of course. Recognize the pattern?

I'm kinda feeling these throw pillows for my bed.

And, I'm OBSESSED with this desk. It wants to be my make-up table, BAD!

That's all so far. Thoughts?

A Glimpse into Leah Land: Castles

I showed Ed these pictures I collected while getting lost on We Heart It (one of my favorite websites) and he said "Those look like Leah Land." And, so inspired a new series of posts. Castles seem like a good place to start. Enjoy!

The Royal Wedding

Here are a few of my favorite images from "The Wedding":

Like a Princess

 That little girl is too cute!

 This makes me want to go back to London!

 Like mother like son

Just the average newlyweds

Words of Wisdom

I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day.
And I believe in miracles.
-Audrey Hepburn