Caffeine Love

Today is...

So go pick up a decaf latte or make yourself a cup of deliciousness...

Falling

Happy First Day of Fall!

Here are some Fall-inspired home decor items to get you in the mood for the new season:

pod candlelight :: west elm

autunno yellow platter :: crate & barrel

pintuck duvet :: west elm

windows vases :: cb2

suzani runner :: world market

What Fall-themed things do you plan to {or hope to} purchase?

Seasons

Ya know how I told you in March that I got a new job?

Well, guess what? I got a new job!

I know, I didn't last very long as Assistant Principal. What can I say? Management is not my cup of tea. Plus, the whole time I was at that job, I desperately just wanted to be in the classroom, teaching little ones!

So, after about a month of searching {and WOW it is difficult to interview for a new job while you still have another job! I felt like a double-agent or something}, I was able to find a Kindergarten Teaching position!

I get to be in the classroom every day, teaching precious little children. Yay!

That being said, they have a different dress code: collared shirts, which I typically despise, so wish me luck! To counter-act the collared shirts, I've been spicing up my look with cute skirts, fabulous cardis, skinny jeans {oh how I love "Donate $ to charity and Wear Jeans on Friday"}, and adorable flats.

Here are some work-appropriate items I'm currently loving:

Payless

Old Navy

J.Crew

Payless

Old Navy

Puma

Old Navy

The Puma flats are a little unusual for me, but they are sooooo comfortable! They also have them in a mushroom color which are not available online, but they do have them at the King of Prussia Puma store, which is just 20 minutes away.

Does your job have a dress code that makes you cringe?

Have you seen any other clothes or shoes in stores that you are dying to purchase?

{RUE}

Welcome, Rue...

I love you already!

Summer to Fall

I just love this image. It bridges Summer {pretty blue pillow & lots of light} with Fall {copper-colored pillow, fireplace, warm brown chair}.

This week, I'll be breaking out our Fall decor: pictures taken by me of the beautiful foliage in Annapolis, Maryland {taken a few years ago}, orange and brown candles, and lots of other pumpkiny goodness.

Oh, and I will also be watching my favorite "Fall" movies - Twilight and Eclipse! haha! They remind me of Fall because the husband gave me Twilight for my birthday last September, and New Moon came out last November. Don't judge me ;)

So, what is your sign that Fall is near?
{Mine is the crisp, evening air that gently brushes the leaves from the trees}

How will you be preparing for this new season?

Going Gray

Loving this article about using gray in decorating. It's my favorite neutral and I use it in every room in our home!

Some gray inspiration...

What is your go-to color?

Blog Love: 8.30

Just a few things I'm currently obsessed with...

 

There's a new kid on the block, thanks in part to this talented chica!

What a crafty, thrifty, idea for jewelry storage and display.

I have never loved J.Crew more...gosh I miss Seth Cohen!

Five Dollar Wedding Dress...'nuff said.

So inspired by this bold, black guest bath.

How cute is that sweater?

This print would look so cute in the bedroom of a little boy {or an adventurous little girl}.

A fab giveaway, just in time for my new camera! :)

Giveaway!

Be sure to stop by Style Your Life to enter the giveaway for any item from my etsy shop!

The giveaway ends on Friday evening, so you'd better hurry! :)

It is time!

While driving to the shore on Sunday, my dear, sweet husband surprised me with the news that he is buying me something I've wanted for over 4 years:

My very own SLR camera!!!

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 

I have been obsessed with taking pictures since I was a kid, and Ben {the hubs} was actually the one who bought me my very first digital camera in 2004. Since then, I have become even more fanatical about my picture-taking. As more and more of our friends began pursuing professional photography, Ben started pushing me, saying "You can do that, Natalie!" I resisted, partly because of the cost of an SLR camera, and partly because I was being a pansy. I didn't want to try something brave like starting a photography business {ME? A photographer??} and utterly fail.

But, with my sister's need for an Engagement Photos and my brand new camera just waiting to be purchased from Amazon, I am out of excuses.

My first challenge will be, of course, learning how to use the camera. I've heard that the Canon is more user-friendly than others, and I certainly hope that's the case. But even still, I have a feeling I'm going to need all the help I can get!

So please, all of you camera-savvy bloggers, HELP!

Suggestions, links, anything you can think of that would get me started on the right foot: spill!


{and FYI, the title of my post is a quote from "The Lion King" ~ so kudos to you if you caught the Disney reference}

Etsy Love: Alphabet

With the school year rapidly approaching {though my school runs all}, I thought I'd share some fun etsy prints that have an "Alphabet" theme:

Sale Studios

Sugarfresh

KZukowski


JavaJaneDesigns

janeymacpress

P.S. A huge Thank You to Bombshell Bettie for featuring my "Lean On Me" print in her latest treasury! :)

lovelylittlenest

Wanted: Font-Finders

Does anyone know what the main font is on this adorable invitation?

Source: Wedding Chicks

I love the simplicity of it and think it would be perfect for my sister's Wedding Invitations.

Any links to websites where you can purchase the font or download it to free ~ or even just the name of the font ~ would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, and have a great weekend! :)

By the way, weddingchicks.com is the most amazing wedding website EVER. I'll be posting more about it sometime next week!

Cubby

How adorable is this?

I always wanted a canopy bed {yes, even as a 9 year old, I dreamed of home decor}, but I certainly would have settled for that adorable little bed-cupboard!

My sister and I had bunkbeds, which could also be pretty fun, especially when we hung sheets and blankets around them to make a big fort. That was until the dog, becoming annoyed by our non-stop giggling, attempted to crawl out from where he was hiding under the bed, thereby scaring the crap out of us...because we never would have assumed that our 100lb red doberman could fit under there, which of course meant a monster was coming to get us.

What was something you always wanted when you were little?

Gray + Black

While on the hunt for clothes to bridge my Summer and Fall wardrobes, I stumbled upon Old Navy's online sale section and immediately fell in love...

hmm...how did I end up with all gray and black? I suppose it's because I always try to purchase neutral items that would be perfect for work but can also be worn for play. Plus, I would rather buy something that I can wear with several different outfits, rather than something colorful or with a bold pattern that I can only wear a few times. Don't hate me because I'm boring resourceful!

So, how do we feel about that gray, denim, distressed jacket? Discuss.

L.O.V.E. Bowls

My sister is having a private destination wedding in Miami, Florida. Two weeks later, she and her new hubby will have a big reception in our hometown in New York. She decided that, along with a small wedding cake, there will be a candy buffet.

Candy buffets have become increasingly popular over the past year, and I am so excited to help her put one together. One of our favorite components is this set of "Love" bowls:

Unfortunately, I have no idea where to buy them. :(

Have you seen them in stores or online? If so, please let me know where you saw them so we can grab them up!

They would be great for her Bridal Shower as well, which I also get to plan - yay!

Have I mentioned that I love planning? :)