Three little birds

Yesterday's post on the cute pillow from GH made me realize how birds are a very popular decor item to have - of course, if you dig the birds.

With Spring(my new bf) upon us every morning I'm woken up to the birds chirping (no dog barking this morning, yah!). I think birds are definitely a spring staple in the decor department.

Here are a few favs I've run across.


Nice prints from Williams Sonoma Home.


Cute little wooden guys from Crate and Barrel.

Lovely rug from Ballard Design.

These cute little guys from Crate and Barrel would make a fun tablescape or the tall guys would look fun on my mantle.

Notice the theme of 3's?
Makes me think of a great song -"Three little birds, sit by my doorstep - singing sweet songs - a melody pure and true - singing, this is my message to you you you. Singing don't worry about a thing - cause every little thing, is gonna be alright."

Ahhh Bob. You, me, the hubs, and some tasty beverages are going to have a nice time this weekend.

I really need/want/have to have

This gorgeous thing.

Gone to live on the Farm

I have hate in my heart for the neighbor's dog. Every morning for the past week this monster starts barking around 5 am. I do not wake up until 7. ok 7:30.
That is at least 2 hours later than the dog. The neighbor's either sleep like rocks or the house is well insulated. From the looks of their recycling bin, I'm betting on the gin induced coma that keeps them from waking up.
The closeness of my 'hood is one of a kind, and what makes it truly special. But times like these at 5 am, makes me just want to go live somewhere with no neighbors at all.


Just something simple. But some ferns and colored something would be nice.


Easy peesy kitchen. heart the big sink.


lovely huge open rooms.


who doesn't love a hutch filled with blue and white goodness.

pics courtesy of Country Living Mag (is it obvious?)

ps. we have already priced out a privacy fence. Because they truly make the best neighbors.

Who knew?

Nothing really exciting to post today. I was sick ALL WEEKEND and slept through the entire time drugged up on cough / cold medicine. However, I am recovering and will be in tip-top shape for the weekend where it looks like this is what I will be enjoying:

Wed Mar 31 Sunny 73° 48° 0%

Thu Apr 1 Sunny 80° 53° 0%

Fri Apr 2 Sunny 84° 54° 0%

Sat Apr 3 Mostly Sunny 81° 54° 10%

Sun Apr 4 AM Clouds / PM Sun 79° 54° 10%

That is basically one big sunshine in your face.

courtesy of flickr.com

The man who saw it all

Jim Marshall passed away yesterday. He was THE rock and roll photographer in the 60's and captured legends of our time. Zepplin, Allman Bros, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Janis, The Beatles, Miles Davis, Jimi. Just to name a few.

Mercy is the new Grey's

This show is fantastic. I only pray to the TV Guide that it will not be cancelled like my previous NBC Favorite. RIP.

Do you hear me people? I mean this show rocks. And almost every episode has a guest appearance by someone you know (Michael Imperioli, Elizabeth Moss, Alison Sweeney, Mya, Ben Stiller's parents, Erika Christensen, NJ Housewives Teresa & Jacqueline). And it would probably be a fun show to start a drinking game to considering it's based on a raging Irish family in New Jersey. Need I say more?

I have a big crush on you Spring.

Can't you tell? This is only my 5th post on Spring in 5 weeks.

This weekend was so lovely. The weather was so nice this weekend when friends had us over for dinner they moved their dining room table onto their back deck. Literally took the leaves out and brought that biotch outside. I probably referenced Barefoot Contessa 8 times. Love you, Ina (& Jeffrey of course).

Southerners love a good outdoor space. A porch, a patio, a deck - some place to sit and enjoy the seasons and a cold beverage. The minute the weather turns for the best we are outdoors as much as possible. I'm obsessed with an outdoor space. These are a few of my favorites.


Ferns are my favorite. and the chairs.


Screens help to keep the bugs out. I could live in this room.


"vintage" furniture and bright pillows in ikat designs of different colors. I would just add a few lanterns and pillar candles for when the sun goes down. Put your feet up and have a rita.

Score one for me.

Rock on I just scored a sweet toiletry bag for my upcoming trip to Cabo. $6 on Garnet Hill. Go get you one! It rolls up and hangs and has all these fun places for your goodies. And since we have a billion connecting flights on our way there I will be carrying on as much as they will let me. I'm terrified my maxi dresses and bathing suits and and all other lovelies will end up in Montana or some other place not labeled CABO.

See cute huh? I got the Tangerine Flower, which is the wild red thing up there. So pumped. I am majorly lacking in the toiletry travel department, so this is a sweet find.

Sorry for the boring post - but at least go to Garnet Hill's website - they have some seriously cute stuff. {Like you didn't already know}

In other worlds, I am so excited for this weekend and plan to lay in the grass and spread some mulch and hopefully not think about anything related to this sad excuse of a human being.

What a Piece of SHITZNKFDO'ARU E9AFJASDKL;.

Domestic Diva's we are NOT

Conversation between my college bestie and myself recently...Our pet names are Peen. Don't ask, just deal with it.

me: peen i wish i could sew
Heather: haha
me: seriously
i could like make clothes and stuff and it would be so fantastic
i can’t do anything domestic except clean
i can barely cook. i can't sew i can't garden
Heather: that’s bc we weren’t born in 1920 dude
me: whatever peen, it should be things we know how to do
my mom didn't teach me squat
but she knows how to do all these things
Heather: I learned in home ec how to sue
but I don’t want to know
me: sew peen
it’s called sewing

Hello Spring!

Nothing makes me happier.

sorry for the blurriness, my phone is all i have at the moment for memory saving.

Can you tell the difference?

Both of these images make me sick. One makes me want to vomit because of its utter trashiness. The other makes me want to vomit because of its utter perfectness.

Can you tell which is which?





photo credits to GQ and Vogue

Happy St Patty's Day to ya!

I have to say St Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the idea of leprechaun's running around with their pots of gold and rainbows and green anything. In honor of this sacred holiday here are few of my favorite St. Patty's day inspired things.

Green Clover...


A lucky green cardigan - which I am rocking today. no pinches here.


A lovely green room.

Some fantastic Green Boots. They obviously need no introduction.

And of course, the yum in my tum.


And Last but not Least. This would be the most fabulous St. Patty's day accessory.

I declare.

Reason number 435 of how I'm turning into my mother. Growing up my mom was a huge fan of JCPenny. Good Old Jaque Penné . I loathed the store located in between the old mall and the new mall and dreaded when she wanted to stop and find the latest and greatest deal. All I wanted was my name brands - take me the GAP, Express, or at least Belk for crying out loud (Now I know. We had some slim pickings).
Reading the paper Sunday (i.e. clipping my coupons, hello mom?) I noticed their weekly ad and was impressed when I came across these lovely less expensive options:

Very similar to some I have seen for a more costly purchase. These beauts are a mear $15.99. Yes that is right ladies, line right up.

So I decided today to go and check online to see what else there was out there. And low and behold. I hit the motherload.

$19.99

$15.99

Seriously - this is hot people.
$14.99

$13.99

Just call me the frugal fashionista. I'm sold.

Nearly 30 realization

Just found this latest pic from SATC numero dos.


It comes out my birthday weekend. 11 weeks from today. 11 weeks from today and I am turning 30 years old. Suuurriously, I am going to be 30 years old. I think it might take me 11 weeks to wrap my brain around that crazy truth.

A few weeks after this glorious date arrives, my besties and I are going to Cabos San Lucas for a "holy crap we are turning 30" holiday. Coronas, Margaritas, Tequila, spa visits, and immeasurable amounts of guacamole will welcome us to our new age. The best thing about being 30 is knowing I have been friends with these girls for over half my life now. Can't get much better than that. Besos!

The Best Thing

All I wanna do today is go home and dance in the kitchen with my husband.
Having mad husband love today. Hope he realizes how much he means to me. Sometimes I don't think he realizes he's the best thing.



i know, that guy is rocking a sweet purple blazer.

Finally Friday

So glad the weekend is upon us. Enjoy!

License to Blah

This looks pretty good...and Tom Selleck plays her dad? That would be tough for me and my major crush on his hotness. He is truly the only man in mustache I can handle. And can we just say 3 men and a baby (the orginal, not when they go to London).

You know he's awesome if Ellen likes him.

The Old Spice Guy was on Ellen.

Happy birthday to Laila!

My last year in college I met Amy. We waited tables at a restaurant uptown and were friends instantly. Like Soul Sisters who waited all our lives to find each other. 5 years ago today she gave birth to a daughter and I fell in love with her the moment I held her.I went to visit them on Saturday and upon waking up from her nap the first thing Laila said to me was "Abby, on Wednesday I turn 5 years old!"-This is a monumental birthday and she knows it!

I came to see you as fast as I could!

your smile melts my heart!

Always up for a good time.

And not scared to try anything.

Blowing bubbles at your first visit to our house.

Don't forget to eat your sweets, sweet!

Happy birthday to my favorite 5 year old! Today you are 5 Laila!

breathe...

I have seen that preview for Edward's new movie about 100 times. I love the song that plays in the background. I am not a fan of the Pale One (sorry, I know) but I can't get enough of this song. Today has been one of those days and all I want is a bath, glass of vino and this playing on repeat.



Please forgive the cheesey screensaver images...but you have to admit, they are quiet soothing...namaste.

p.s. 90210 is the JAM. holy cow. i love me some teenage drama. seriously. jasper = emily valentine to the 500th power. dang!

Winner with the Marriage Ref.

Sometimes the truth is just funny. I am so happy to be married to the perfect husband :)

Coulda Shoulda Woulda

If I coulda done one thing over from my wedding (stylewise of course) -

I shoulda added these lovely sashes to my bridesmaid's attire.

They wore lovely chocolate jcrew dresses, and these Emersonmade floral accessories are absolutely fantastic and woulda added just the perfect touch to their simple ensemble.

But, regardless, they were still perfect to me...a cute sash can't compete with darling friends having a great time on my special day.

glitter, chiffon, ruffles, oh my.

Just a few of my Favs from the evening. I prefer not to speak of ones I didn't enjoy, they will hear enough from everyone else.

CAMERON: she can do no wrong with me. her hair was perfect and the dress is fantastic.
(Oscar De La Renta)

MILEY: I just wished she would stand up straight. Looks like she's been watching too much ANTM. Sometimes it's not good to listen to Tyra.
(Jenny Packham)

RACHEL: Good lord the colors and the earrings and omg I die. It looks like she was wrapped up in a watercolor canvas. Again, I die.
(Elie Saab Haute couture)

ZOE: Wow. Shades of Purple. Sparkles up top and Ruffles below. No words. I love it. And she has some serious eyelashes. Probably fake, but they rocked to me.
(Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci)

BEN: even better than last year as Joaquin. totally hilarious. I might be the only person left who hasn't seen this movie. And I really don't care to, I think James Cameron is a weirdo. There. I said it.

it was gooood

what a lovely weekend. full of some lovely hints of springtime, quality familytime, productive housetime, and sweet husbandtime. it ended Sunday evening with us in the kitchen preparing what was one fantastic meal. Barefoot Contessa's Baked Shrimp Scampi. We dressed it up with some broccoli and pasta and rosemary olive oil crusty bread. it was goood.
*the only thing harmed in the preparing of this meal was a lovely striped williams & sonoma dishtowel. poor guy got too close to the burner! almost experienced our first housefire. see:
as I am trying to become a better cook, the one thing that truly helps is music. i turn on some van morrison greatest hits and get in the zone. and it makes me think of when we have babes and cooking with them and having music playing in the background. makes me also think of my mom. she always had music on in the kitchen. lord, it's happening.
i'm turning into my mother.

Band Aid

In my former life I was a girl who traveled with the band. Not a Groupie, a band aid. As the great Penny Lane said "Groupies sleep with rockstars because they want to be near someone famous. We are here because of the music, we inspire the music."

Finally. Something to watch on Tuesdays.

I can't help it. I'm a sucker for sweet sappy family shows. Too bad there's no Steve Martin like in the movie, but who doesn't love Craig T. Nelson? And I love Peter Kraus. Plus the mom from Gilmore Girls (Sorry I never got into that one).

psssst, Spring....

whenever you are ready, i'm here for you... and don't worry, i'm prepared.

spring 02-2010 by abbyarcher featuring Banana Republic tops

as long as you come around...but please, hurry i'm loosing faith you will make it soon. winter of 2010 is never ending.