5 Lovely Things {Latte Lisa}

Hello lovelies! Today I'm delighted to introduce you to the lovely Lisa, from Latte Lisa, who is sharing her 5 Lovely Things with us. Lisa's blog is one of my daily reads; her beautiful photography and adventures in Antwerp always leave me longing for a European escape + her Friday Fashion posts are always such a fabulous round up of stylish inspiration!

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{one} Coffee. Because of the name of my blog, the coffee thing shouldn't come as a surprise. For me coffee is so much more than just coffee. Coffee is that moment I share with my husband in the morning before waking up the kids. Either we enjoy wonderful conversations or we stay silent with a book or a magazine or reading something online. Coffee is that moment with friends at cafés or that take-away cup which I dip my home-made biscotti into when walking the streets of Antwerp. Coffee is that moment where I enjoy a quality time with myself, with my laptop and notebooks, putting down ideas and searching for anything design or fashion related to put on my blog. By the way, I love that print.

{two} Kitchen & Kitchenware. I'm a food lover, I especially enjoy baking and I simply adore everything kitchen related: beautifully designed kitchens, fresh flowers in kitchens, Le Creuset cookware in various colours, glassware on display, food styling photos, you name it. These are the things that make my knees go weak. I like creating my own recipes with healthier ingredients, preferably organic, and I've already shared a few on my food blog kitchen & aroma, which I'm building slowly.

{three} Spring blossoms. I rediscovered spring after moving to Antwerp. The blossoms of the cherry trees and magnolias simply touched something at the core of my being and transformed me. This may sound a bit strange but here is the thing: I was born and raised in Iceland and the autumn was always my season. We don't really have spring in Iceland, at least not the kind of spring we have on the European Continent. Now I'm hooked. Come spring and you'll find me in the Nightingale Park in Antwerp photographing the beautiful blossoms, like this magnolia.

{four} Books & Films. I cannot really separate these two. Mostly novels and films are there as pure entertainment but sometimes they can be an escape when life has knocked too hard on the door. Sometimes it's just the masterful play with words in a book or the creativity behind a film that draws me to it. As much as I enjoy reading books and watching films, I also love reading about authors and actors/directors and how they approach their work (I love the Inside the Actors Studio series). On my coffee table I like having books on interior design and fashion and a few cookbooks as well. I enjoy going to the local library and I can spend hours in a bookshop. I'm currently reading Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice again so I snapped a photo of it to go with this post. 

{five} Sushi. I started eating sushi late in life and now I'm simply making up for it. That moment with my favourite sushi pieces on a plate in front of me, chopsticks in hand and a glass of white wine, is simply a moment of pure bliss. I'm a peaceful person but I mean it, the person who tries to get in the way of me and my sushi is in serious physical danger!  

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Thank you Lisa! Hop on over to Lisa's blog to see more of her exquisite photography + style inspiration!

Rachel xo

5 Lovely Things {Pretty Fluffy}

Hi lovelies! Today, sharing her 5 Lovely Things is Serena, from one of my favourite blogs, Pretty Fluffy. Serena and I instantly bonded over our love of our 4-legged friends, and I always love visiting her blog as I know I'm guaranteed to leave with a big smile on my face, given she writes about my 2 of my favourite topics: pretty things + adorable dogs!

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{one} Sparkle. You have to have something in your life that makes you sparkle - your Joi de vivre. For me, it’s pretty things, fluffy dogs and writing – the 3 things I combined when I created Pretty Fluffy. Without the sparkle, I get worn out, so I try to bring a bit of it into my life on a daily basis. I also don’t mind the odd bit of sparkle in my wardrobe as well!

{two} Sweet Treats. Whether it’s home made cupcakes, decadent desserts or those ridiculously oversized hot fudge brownie sundaes in Gold Class cinemas, as soon as I see a sweet treat I’m smitten. This could explain why I can barely cook a hot meal to save my life, yet I somehow know the Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cupcake recipe by heart.

{three} My Dog. My Border Collie, Soda, has been by my side for nearly 11 years now. She’s seen me through my entire adult life - relationships, careers, highs and lows – and still manages to make me smile every day. She’s my inspiration and my best friend rolled into one.

{four} Stella McCartney. For me Stella represents the best in cruelty free beauty and fashion. I love that so many brands like her have embraced animal friendly design and style. I wear the Stella Nude Fragrance nearly every day.

{five} My Cheersquad. For so many years of my life I was fiercely independent. But in the last 5 years or so, I’ve really learned to embrace the beautiful people in my life. My husband is my rock – he believes in me more than I sometimes believe in myself. My friends (in real life and online) inspire me on a daily basis. I love how each and every one of them is so unique and enjoy watching them live their lives to the fullest. You can do it on your own, but having people that love you by your side makes things so much sweeter.

Thank you so much for having me today, Rachel xx

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Thank you Serena! How adorable is her pup Soda? Make sure you hop on over to Serena's blog to discover more pretty fluffy goodness!


Rachel xo

5 lovely things {the peak of tres chic}

Hello lovelies! I'm thrilled to introduce you to Sam from The Peak of Tres Chic, who is sharing her 5 Lovely Things today! Sam's blog is always an inspiring read + I love her Boudoir of the Day series where she features the most glamorous bedrooms - do stop by + say hello!

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Bonjour, Little Bits of Lovely readers!  It's Sam, editor of The Peak of Tres Chic.  I am thrilled to be here posting on Rachel's blog.  She has the best taste and I can't help but love that she is an Aussie- just like my boyfriend!  There are so many things in life that inspire me, so choosing just 5 is quite a challenge.  But here is my best attempt...

1 | 2 | 3 |4 | 5

{one} Travel -- Travel is such an important part of my life and the woman I have become.  I was fortunate enough to travel internationally with my family growing up.  Seeing the world has helped broaden my perspective and generally made me a more passionate person.  

{two} Music -- Music is a large part of my life as well.  I love discovering new bands and going to concerts and music festivals.  It's amazing how a particular song can remind you of a time in your life, a person, or an event.  There is such strong emotion tied to music.

{three} Fresh Blooms -- Nothing brightens up my day like flowers.  I like to pick up a fresh bouquet for my kitchen once a week.  It gives life to my whole house!  Although I do not have a backyard or a space for a garden at my current home, I would love to have a little garden some day!

{four} / {five} Pretty Shelves + Vanities -- Well-designed shelves and vanities are one of my favorite elements in a home.  It can be hard to combine just the right amount of color, texture, and shape to make them look pretty rather than disorganized or busy.  I also love that they can provide a vignette that tells a story about the decorator.  Often times there are framed pictures, trinkets picked up along vacations or discovered at flea markets.

I hope you enjoyed my 5 lovely things!  Rachel, thank you so much for having me over. I hope you will stop by the The Peak of Tres Chic and say "Hi!"

5 Lovely Things {Classiq}

Hello lovelies! Today I'm excited to relaunch the 5 Lovely Things series on the blog and who better to start it off than one of my favourite bloggers and long time friend in the blogosphere, Ada, who pens the beautiful Classiq. 


Ada's blog is one of my daily reads and I'm always inspired by her supremely classic + chic perspective on all things fashion and of course, film + cinema.  Thank you Ada!

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{one} Books and magazines :: My blog is mainly about fashion and classic movies, but reading was my first passion. And still is. Reading broadens your horizons and enriches your knowledge and culture. I deeply cherish every book I own, be it fiction, biography, history, fashion or film book. As for my fashion magazines, I've been collecting them for years and they have proven to be a constant source of inspiration.


{two} My classic film DVD collection :: The story telling, the black and white cinematography, the style icons, the Hollywood glamour, the Italian neo-realism, the French poetic realism, the German expressionism, a form of art. Just like reading, films open up your mind.


{three} My watch :: I don't leave the house without it. Simple, classic design, masculine style. A symbol of elegance and dependability.


{four} Summer :: It is by far my favourite season, every sun-drenched day is a joy. I feel reborn or like a fish in the ocean in the summer, a time when I truly believe that everything is possible.


{five} Camera :: It's always in my bag. A photograph speaks volumes and I love capturing as many beautiful moments as I can.


Thank you for having me over, Rachel.

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Thank you Ada! 

If you haven't yet visited Ada's beautiful blog, do head on over now.

Rachel xo

5 lovely things I can't live without {Lavender & Lilies}

Hello lovelies, happy Monday. Thank goodness this is a short week,  I'm really looking forward to a break. The weekends seem to fly by these days and before I know it, its back to work again!

Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to Jessica from Lavender and Lilies sharing her 5 lovely things. Jessica's blog was one of my very first blogging discoveries so I am honoured to have her guest posting today. Whether its decor, stationery or pretty things I never fail to be inspired when I visit Jessica's blog!

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{one} My husband the the people I love - Whether it's the love of my life or the little one on the way, I couldn't make it without the people I love most. 

{two} Ballet Flats - The single best invention for women.  I live in flats. 

{three} Lists - I love lists.  I make lists for everything.  Packing lists, to do lists, grocery lists, bucket lists...

{four} A Creative Outlet - My blog is a huge creative outlet for me and let's me focus on all things pretty and inspiring.  I also love to bake and cook. 

{five} Sushi - It's my favorite food by far!

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Thank you Jessica!

5 lovely things I can't live without {Strong Sense of Style}

Hello lovelies, happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I've had a super productive couple of days, almost finishing the gallery wall and the Ikea rast makeover - I will be sharing these with you soon!


But today I'd like to introduce you to Melissa from Strong Sense of Style who is sharing her 5 lovely things. Melissa is from New York so her style is of course, fabulous - I was very excited to make this new blog discovery! I'm sure you will love Melissa's style too, so please pop on over and visit her gorgeous blog! 

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{one} Husband, family & friends - I am grouping together a lot here but my husband is my family and my very best friend, and together with my actual friends and family, I’m set. These relationships truly are the only lovely things I couldn’t live without, but life is a whole lot easier and a lot more fun with;


{two} Running & working out - Running and cross-training do so much for me. There is no better feeling than accomplishing a great work-out! I need them for peace of mind, staying fit and being healthy.


{three} Soy chai latte from starbucks - I rarely skip this morning slice of heaven. My days are infinitely better when they start with a Starbucks soy chai.


{four} Gadgets - iPhone, MacBook, iPad and camera - All lovely luxuries of convenience. The mac products to stay connected and the camera(s) to capture those moments I always want to remember.


{five} Travel - While I love the comfort of home, I need the sense of adventure that traveling provides. The change of scenery, be it an undiscovered locale or a familiar destination, I always feel renewed after some time away.

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Thank you Melissa!

5 lovely things I can't live without {Lona de Anna}

Hello lovelies, welcome to a brand new week. Autumn has definitely arrived here; turning our clocks back on the weekend meant that it is now official and with it getting dark by 5pm, we can no longer deny that summer has ended. 


Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to fellow Sydney-sider Anna, who writes the inspirational Lona de Anna. Anna's blog is one of my daily reads; her taste in decor is very similar to mine so it is always a pleasure to read her inspirational posts. Please do take a peek if you haven't already!

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I really love that fact that the lovely Rachel put this question to me...as it really got me thinking about what I really could and couldn't live without.

Of course the obvious always comes to mind first...being Family and Friends.

But when I had a really good think about what  "Things" I tried to think of 5 things that would stimulate all of my five senses.

See , Smell, Hear, Taste , Touch

And came up with the following -

{one} Books - I am a serious book worm and would happily spend a whole day sitting in a library or book store, I love to read almost any kind of literature fiction being more my preference..whether its a great biography or  the latest issue of InStyle Magazine... Reading is knowledge... it opens your heart and your mind to dream, discover, learn, reflect, escape, be inspired.

{two} Tea - It wasn't till I met my husband that I truly grew an appreciation for Tea as he lived in Japan for over 4 years and showed me that there is an actual art form to drinking and appreciating tea...seriously! I love the fact that there are hundreds of different blends and aromatic fragrances that are available and those gorgeous little tea pots and cups you can drink out of...so super adorable.. I love the fact that you can easily choose a blend to suite your mood or change it, Chamomile to calm, Peppermint to Pep Up..and so on. To me there is nothing better than having a lovely cup of my favourite tea in one hand and a new magazine to read in the other.


{three} Music - Or I like to call it Sound for the soul. 
From the music, to the lyrics, to the soulful voice of the artist....music to me truly is a universal language....if we fail to understand each other...we can almost always understand each other and convey our message through song.

{four} Perfume - This is a little luxury item pick....but I just adore this fragrance...not only because its a Chanel product ( I LOVE CHANEL) but because it is a very sentimental smell to me...this fragrance was the first perfume my husband ever bought me as a gift and has since become my signature smell that I am always sure to be spoilt with by him come birthdays or Christmas....I don't think I will ever tire of this fragrance....and when I'm not wearing it I feel very naked and unsexy.

I could walk out of the house without a hint of makeup ..but if I wearing my Mademoiselle...then I am all prettied up.

{five} Bed - Of course we can't all live without sleep...but for me having a soft, comfy, crisp and clean and quiet place to sleep  is HEAVEN.

I love my bed, I love my sleep, I love my nanna naps...(when I can get them) and so having a gorgeous place and space to lay my head and unload the days stresses is really important to me.

And so there you have it...5 of my favourite things I couldn't live without....of course I could have easily added another 5 or more ; )

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Thank you Anna; I'm definitely with you on the comfy bed and I always love a nanna nap!

Have a wonderful Monday.

5 lovely things I can't live without {a little dash of ash}

Hello lovelies, how was your weekend? I ended up having a super productive 2 days and made great progress with the IKEA rast draws; they're going to look so great! I've also been planning the decor for our living and dining rooms so I will be able to share these with you soon!

But today, I'm excited to introduce you to Ashley, from a {little} dash of ash. Ashley is new to the blogging world but her fabulous sense of style has already made her gorgeous blog a daily read of mine!

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Hello! I am Ashley from a {little} dash of ash where I blog about my favorite things including photography and inspirations of home decor and fashion!  I have been a follower of Rachel's blog for awhile now and I was so excited when we became blogger friends! :) Little Bits of Lovely is actually one of the many inspirations I had to start my own blog, so I am so excited to be able to post about my 5 lovely things I could not live without!  Thank you, Rachel! 

{one} the women in my life - I have the most amazing, courageous and inspiring women in my life. I absolutely could not live without my mom, my sister, my mama, my aunts, my cousins and all of my girlfriends! *I also could not live without my dad and some of my great guy friends, but the chances of them seeing this post are slim to none - so I'll stick with the ladies ;) 

{two} technology - Yes, it's true - I could not live without technology!  I have my iPhone in hand at all times and my lap top and Mac are used at all hours of the day! Also, since I love photography, I definitely could not live without my camera!

{three} my little & big louie - The little guy is my life during the week when I don't carry a handbag (gasp!) - I stuff everything I need into the little pouch and attach my keys and run!  But... the big louie is my weekend must have (a classic must have)... it fits everything I need to run my errands, go to the gym, or pack for one night away!

{four} to do lists - love, love, love lists!  I am always writing out lists of things I need to do, want to buy, blog ideas, etc!  They make me really happy -- especially when I get to cross things off complete! 

{five} travel - I absolutely could not live without traveling!  From weekend road trips to flying across the country in a minutes notice - I am up for anything!  I always take at least 2 big trips a year and in the summer I head down to our place on the beach in South Carolina!  My dream is to go to Paris and Australia! 

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Thank you Ashley!

Have a lovely Monday my dears!

5 lovely things I can't live without {Lemon & Lavender}

Hello lovelies, happy Monday! It has been raining non stop in Sydney, so we spent most of the weekend indoors trying to stay dry. Although we did make a trip to IKEA & Bunnings to get supplies for a little DIY project.

I was completely inspired by the project over at Aubrey and Lindsay's blog to turn an ordinary set of pine draws into a fabulous set of side tables so decided to give it a try.

I even managed to source brass handles that look exactly the same; I can't wait to see how they turn out!


But today, I am very excited to introduce to you Ashley from the lovely Lemon and Lavender. For those who don't know Ashley, she is an extremely talented designer who has recently launched her own design studio, Lemon & Lavender Design, specialising in beautiful custom wedding invitations and paper goods. Ashley always shares her gorgeous designs on her blog and never fails to inspire. Thank you Ashley!

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{one} Family -  I have been blessed with a pretty amazing family and they truly inspire me.  I couldn't imagine life without them :)

{two} Friends - There isn't anything better than sushi and wine with a girlfriend.  They are always there to make you laugh or be a shoulder to lean on when you need it.

{three} Espresso - My little Delonghi is my best friend when I am trying to meet a deadline or stay up late blogging :)  To say I love espresso is an understatement!  

{four} Macarons - I heart macs.  I have tried many times to make them but failed miserably.  Nothing beats macs + coffee :)

{five} My camera - I have to catch all those fleeting moments in life.

Thanks for having me Rachel!  Have a good Monday!   

***

Thank you Ashley!

Hope your week is off to a good start lovelies!

Images via Aubrey & Lindsay's blog; Pinterest

5 lovely things I can't live without {Natalie Merrillyn}

Hello my dears, welcome to a brand new week! Autumn is definitely in the air here in Sydney; the mornings have a chill in the air and the evenings are getting cooler. Before we know it winter will be here so I'm making the most of the weather while it lasts, taking Charlie for long runs and savouring the last few weeks of day light savings.

Today sharing her five lovely things is Natalie Merrillyn who has the most gorgeous blog where she is sharing the process of decorating her first home. The transformation of these dining chairs is amazing! Natalie recently married her sweetheart and her beautiful wedding featured on Style Me Pretty - definitely worth a peek!

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{one} Friends - The ones that make you laugh so hard you can't breathe, the ones you can talk for hours on end with and never get bored, the ones that know you inside and out. 

{two} Chocolate - Probably my primary indulgence and the one food I will never get tired of! 

{three} The girliest of accessories - Nothing makes me feel more feminine than when I put on pearls or gold or a scarf. Lately, I'm loving bright bags for spring and shoes with just a hint of metallic.

{four} My perfume collection - I don't think that I will ever be one of those girls who has a signature scent, there are too many that I adore! Miss Dior Cherie is my current favorite.

{five} Creating - A recipe, an outfit, a hairstyle, an herb garden, a room. I feel like my head is constantly swirling with ideas of things I want to create! 

Thank you, Rachel, for having me! 

***

Thank you Natalie!

5 lovely things I can't live without {elle oh}

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? Mine was incredibly busy, but in a good way. One of our family friends has trusted me with decorating their brand new apartment, which is terribly exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time! Much of the weekend was spent taking the brief and researching for the project. 

But today, I'm very excited to introduce you to Leigha, who is sharing her 5 Lovely Things. Leigha writes the blog elle oh (how cool is that name?), which is always filled with a whole lot of inspirational goodness. The way she crafts her posts is so lovely, it's almost poetic. If you haven't visited her blog, I insist you take a peek!

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Hello lovelies.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Leigha from elle oh {my humble little design blog full of self indulgent glamour and inspiration}.  Without further adieu, here are five lovely things I cannot live without.

{One} Lip Gloss - I love the sweet sheen of gloss on my lips.  I have a bucket {a generous bucket} brimming with gloss and balm of every sheen, color, and flavor.  I feel naked without an unassuming layer of shine coating my pucker.

{two} Ambiguity - I love the palpable allure of ambiguity. I thrive on the idea of a boundless future full of unknown potential and gentle mystery.  I am in love with the notion of living on a whim and the idea of traveling, living, working, laughing, and loving around the world with nothing set in stone - except of course my charming husband.

{three} A Beautiful Mess - It’s true.  I need a mess to feel complete.  I compulsively organize my life into tidy little compartments of precision - but having just one mess seems to offer a delicious balance. Mary Randolph Carter once wrote, “A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life.” I agree.

{four} Micron 05 -  I admit, I am a high maintenance scribbler.  When my fingers are wrapped around the delicate tip of my favorite pen, everything just feels right.  Creativity is endless.  I can sketch with freedom. I can string words together with ease; there’s nothing I savor more than creating a composition of alliteration and adjectives.

{five} Coffee - I prefer my coffee strong, embellished with a generous dribble of cream.  I relish coffee so extensively - my love knows no bounds.  I’ll take a latte, espresso, Americano, or any form of my precious beans. 

Rachel, my dear, thank you for sharing your place of loveliness with me.

***

Thank you Leigha!

I Hope your week is off to a brilliant start lovelies!

5 lovely things I can't live without {Bijou & Boheme}

Hello my dears, welcome to a brand new week. I can't believe the first month of 2011 is almost over, how time flies! Sydney has been enjoying some blissful summer weather lately, it was a struggle to go back to work today when the sun was shining and thoughts of escaping to the beach kept popping up in my mind...

Guest posting on 5 lovely things today, is the super talented Christine from Bijou and Boheme. Christine has taken the blogging world by storm, showcasing her beautifully decorated home and sharing her keen eye for fabrics and wallpaper. She is also one of the friendliest people I have met while blogging, so its a pleasure to introduce you to her today!

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Obviously the only thing I truly can't live without is my family but here are a few pretty things that I quite adore as well.

 

{one} Coffee and Wine - I start my day with a mug of hot java and celebrate the end of each day with a glass of vino.  I enjoy one of each and it's a part of my day to day that I definitely love.

{two} Mini Laptop - I could not survive without this computer. I do all of my blogging on my little laptop and I love that it can go everywhere with me.

{three} YSL Tine Majeur - I really could not live without this.  It's a concealer/foundation that goes on and feels like you're wearing nothing.  After I had kids, my skin turned a permanent pinky colour and this cream brings it back to a nice natural shade.  It was expensive but worth every penny- liquid gold.

{four}iPhone - This is a new addition to my list.  I've had a regular phone until very recently and I'm loving the amazing things I can do on this little beauty.  And the case, just makes me heart sing- how can you not love a little snakeskin and gold?

{five} Mor Marshmallow Hand Cream - This cream makes me want to like my own hands.  It smells so good and makes my skin feel like butter.  Plus, the packaging totally had me at hello.  

Thank you so much for having me Rachel and I hope you all enjoyed seeing a few of my favourite lovely things.

***

Thank you Christine for visiting today. If you haven't checked out Christine's blog you must take a look!

5 lovely things I can't live without {Belle Maison}

Hello lovelies! How was your weekend? The sun was shining in Sydney, so it was a perfect weekend for taking my little nieces to the zoo - they had a ball!

Today I'm kicking off the first 5 lovely things post for 2011 and excited to introduce you to Julie who pens the fabulous interior design blog, Belle Maison. Julie also runs online homewares shop, Modern Chic Home, which is filled with the loveliest decor items and accessories - a few that I actually have my eye on, like this, this and this!

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{one} Coffee – I love starting my morning off with a fresh pot of coffee. I work from home and enjoy sipping a hot cup of homemade coffee while scrolling through emails and starting off my work day.

{two} Design Magazines – I basically live, eat and breath interior design! I keep a stack of design magazines on my coffee table at all times and enjoy flipping through them, often tearing out pages that inspire me. I have a whole drawer full of magazine tear sheets that I dig through when I need inspiration for a new project.

{three} MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink – I have to have lip gloss or chapstick on at all times (otherwise I’ll lick my lips until their chapped to death). This little jar of lip conditioner soothes your lips while adding a hint of color. 

{four} Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque – Seriously, this is hands-down the best mud masque I’ve ever used. It’s super inexpensive (around $5!) but works wonders on tired skin that needs a quick pick-me-up. I apply this mud masque once a week, especially before an evening out or an important event where I need my skin to look refreshed. 

{five} Jessica Simpson Black Suede Bravo Pump – I just purchased a pair of these sexy slingback pumps with a wrapped platform and skinny stiletto heel. What I love most is their versatility – they look great with a little black dress at night or pencil skirt and blouse by day. Oh, and they’re comfortable too!

 ***

Thank you Julie!