things i'm into...

loving :: this super pretty (and inexpensive!) northward bound necklace
reading :: mudbound, a family drama set in the Jim Crow South
watching :: broadchurch on bbc.  david tennant's scottish brogue = love.
wanting ::  steve madden troopa boots
listening ::  rilo kiley rkives

affordable gifts | for your dude

next up on the holiday gift list - some classy gifts for the dudes, all less than $50. 

beer print :: felt & wire / sound station :: restoration hardware / timex watch :: amazon / cardigan :: urban outfitters / scratch-off map :: uncommon goods / moccasins :: urban outfitters / polka dot tie :: the tie bar / laptop bag :: z-attache / navy bowtie :: april look

affordable gifts | for your bestie

the hubs and i are on a pretty tight budget this year, so i've been scouring the internet to find quality, stylish gifts that won't break the bank.  i was surprised to find a lot of great options!  over the next couple of weeks, i'll share what i find here with you.

first up, some modern, colorful options for your best gals:

 
dip-dye pendant :: snug studio / mossimo satchel :: target / owl mug :: west elm / striped cowl :: fournier /  foldover clutch :: this loves that / dipped wood box :: urban outfitters / pyramid studs :: stella & dot / monogram pendant :: anthropologie / kitty wallet :: alison rose

cute suits

if swimsuits weren't so expensive, i would probably have 10 of them.  here are a few i'm drooling over right now -


net-a-porter $350



anthropologie $168




net-a-porter $350



anthropologie $148



jcrew $118



jcrew $125



loving | west elm

i don't know why it's taken me so long to get on board with the west elm brand.  it was only once we bought our new place that i started to see the joy that is the west elm catalog.  our move coincided with a big bath sale, which coincidently needed the most updating.  so, we splurged and decorated with these items:

clockwise from top:  stripe shower curtain, fez bath mat, hammam stripe handtowel, modern stripe tumbler, menswear trays, variegated stripe tassel hand towel  

 the only problem with west elm is the cost associated with it - especially for a public school teacher & a corporate drudge.  i will say that the quality of many of their items is actually worth the high price, but we just don't have the type of budget that allows for splurging there all the time.  of course, this doesn't stop me from fantasizing about redecorating my home with $900 rugs and $400 nightstands.  just look at some of the to-die-for items:

clockwise from top: perch glass lamp, mini pebble wool jute rug, hand blocked pillow cover, wooden ombre vases, hand blocked quilt, kite kilim floor pouf

 in our most recent trip to the store, i fell in love with one particular kantha quilted throw.  they are supposedly one of a kind and handmade so, if you fall in love with one, you can't exactly order that specific one online. earlier this week and i came home to an amazing surprise from my husband.

 i think he's discovered it's always a win when he buys presents from west elm. :)

friday favorites | from pinterest

here are some of my favorite pins from this week!

to make:

t-shirt headband










rope welcome mat


























heart cozy




























to wear:

Bottega Veneta shoes



wool coat from FM



Land's End Scarf (also in red)



























To eat:

French Onion Grilled Cheese








Zucchini Fritters (via smitten kitchen)



Arugula Sandwich (via eat-drink-garden)

















to buy:

geometrical throw



modern credenza





















susyjack 2012 calendar



loving | olive manna

sporting homey textiles and supplies with a vintage bent, olive manna provides pretty things that serve a purpose.  and you can feel good about shopping there - a percent of the sales goes to Samaritan's Purse. i can't wait to order some things for crafting.


vintage fabric ribbon spool $22 - 30


















vintage office accessories $28 - 74



wooden buttons 10 for $8



hand-dyed jute twine $6 (on sale)

















wire basket $24


















gray quilted throw $119

















vintage calico fabric $12-20



loving | quicksilver

a few weeks ago, my husband and i heartily teased a friend of ours for wearing a quicksilver t-shirt.  we asked if the next time we saw him he'd be wearing a hypercolor t-shirt or a no fear t-shirt.  he insisted that we were missing the boat and we insisted that he was stuck in the 80s.  and then i saw these and realized that i am, in fact, a jerk:

pop-out jewelry | melissa borrell

check out this neat jewelry option from melissa borrell design!  pop-out pendants and earrings - i think they'd make a fun gift.  perfect for valentine's day!

rosettes from lovestitched

if you like statement jewelry, you should definitely check out the sweet, feminine (and affordable!) options from lovestitched on etsy.  her rosette rings would be a great addition to any outfit!

loving | spartan

so much jewelry that i need!  all from spartan.  if you're not into jewelry (and we'll table the millions of reasons why that's crazy for later) check them out anyway for their cool home decor.

holiday swag

i hope everyone has been making rather merry this holiday!  between parties, good food, and gift giving, we at the twirling round household have been feeling very blessed.  and while the holidays aren't just about materialistic goods...it doesn't mean we can't obsess over the fun stuff we got, right?  so without further adieu, these were my favorite gifts from Christmas 2010!

philosophy state of grace mini fragrance set

have we talked about how much i love philosophy?  because i do.  i love their skincare products (the vitamin c peel is amazing) and i love their fragrances.  i prefer amazing grace to the rest, but each of the graces has something to be said for it.  i even like the baby grace and i usually despise "baby" scented items for grownups. 


essie sew psyched nail polish

okay.  so this was technically a gift for myself.  i picked it up while buying some philosophy products for my mom (she's a big fan, too).  but i have coveted this polish color for many moons and it was just sitting there at my local ulta waiting to be taken home.  i l-o-v-e this color.  i'm contemplating buying another 4 or 5 bottles so that i'll always have it once it's phased out.


verabel color study locket

















perhaps you remember this locket?  i featured it a month ago along with every other style blog in the country.  little did i know that just a few days after i posted it here, my future mr. was ordering it for under the tree.  what a swell guy.  just reason 28349729 why i'm marrying him next year.


anthropologie monogram mug

i don't have much in the way of monogrammed things, but i sure do have a lot in the way of anthropologie.  now i have a pretty little mug that's mine all mine for sipping tea.  even better that the mug came with an anthro gift card inside!


simple times : crafts for poor people

this was a complete surprise because i didn't even know amy sedaris had a new book out.  a perfect mix of cute, humorous and a little bit disturbing.  but what else would you expect of amy sedaris?

there were lots of other great gifts i was fortunate enough to receive from friends and family, but these were my favorites.  what was your favorite gift this holiday season?