{100 views}

This may seem like a small celebration to some, but I happy to say that my blog has finally had over 100 views. {pause for applause} I wanted to build up my content before heavily marketing my space and I feel like I am almost at the point where I can finally say, "hey, come look at what I do." Hopefully, within the next week, my blog will be able to make it's official debut.

no longer an etsy virgin

I have a confession to make. I don't shop online....ever. I don't know why but it just feels like I'm cheating on my favorite stores. {Banana Republic, oh I just can't afford not seeing you monthly.}

But, I feel like I want to make a change. I keep stumbling across links of beautiful finds online. So, I am making it my goal to purchase at least one thing online once a month. {To some of you that's nothing, but I have to take baby steps.}

Not only will I buy one thing a month online, but I will only purchase things from Etsy. These are such tough times right now and I really want to be supportive of people who are trying to make their own businesses work.{ I mean I have to support my fellow entrepreneurs.}  With all of that in mind this is my first purchase.

 

It's a beautiful piece of milk glass on a silver 17" chain.  Something very simple but completely my style. You can find more pieces here. This piece was only $11.50 {that includes shipping!} so you know I had to snatch it up. 

And the thing that I also thought was neat is that it's from Puerto Rico. So, you can be a total fashion snob, when someone asks, "Where did you get that?" You can smile sweetly and say, "Puerto Rico."

daily inspiration

Every woman needs a black dress and fantastic heels, and this setup to make it feel even more fabulous...

photo by Sarah Kaye 

this is my inspiration today

So, I had my first real dose of recession reality yesterday when two of my dear co-workers were laid off. It's such a scary thing, something that I've never experienced before. I know this seems like such an out of place post, but the truth is, life will often throw us curve balls and they only thing we can do is react. This is my inspiration today...

lovely paper {am I cheap addition}

Sometimes, it seems like I am the last to know about everything, especially when it comes to the amazing things out in blogland. Anyway in case you haven't heard about the Etsy store Orange Beautiful, they have some, "seriously awesome paper goods." I'm currently eyeing their 2010 calendar.

I'm already completely obsessed with typography and I love how you get to change the dates everyday, almost like opening a new package. (yes, that's how much I love fonts and such.)

But, at $28 a calendar, I can't decide if I'm being cheap or if this is actually a nice little early Christmas present to myself. I'm normally the type of person to wait to the absolute last minute and buy the 75% calendars from Barnes & Nobel. I never come out with exactly what I want but I justify it by saying that it's "just a calendar.'

So, anyway dear readers, I need some help. Should I buy the lovely calendar and spend a little extra or wait and get a bargain calendar in December...

a lovely celebration

Good Monday to you!

Well, I have to tell you that my birthday party/coco lovely Launch party went wonderfully!

There was everything from a flavored popcorn bar, to a wish jar, and the champagne flowed all evening. I really can't wait to show you all the lovely pictures and go into more detail about the little projects that I did but for now I will share with you  my lovely business cards designed by my super talented colleague and friend Kristi Dunlap. 

Sigh, isn't it just fantastic..... 

 

one sick lady

Hello lovelies. I am one sick lady these days. I have bronchitis. {Sigh} Somehow I manage to get it every year. Hopefully, I will be feeling 100% by Saturday. I mean it's the Big day! My birthday party and the official launch party of Coco Lovely. Trust me the details are coming and I will be more than happy to share them with you once I can breath better, and I stop sounding like a man. Until then....It's bed rest for me.

Happy {autumn} weekend!

Oh, it's going to be a rainy weekend over here in Virginia, but that will not stop me from my enoromous to do list or from going to the Virginia Wine Festival in Town Point Park. {Oh no you don't rain, I want to taste all of my delicious Virginia Wines!}

What are you doing this weekend? Hopefully, I can find time to do a little shopping for a lovely little jacket like this one.

By the way, loving the tie. JCrew

pom pom's anyone?

I'm sure you have all seen these lovely pom poms over at Martha Stewart. I am thinking about making a few over the weekend to for my 25th Birthday Party/ Coco Lovely launch party. {I will fill you all in on the details starting Monday. Can't wait to share}

Have any of you ever tried making them before? They seem pretty easy so we'll see how it goes!

love

I love graphic designers...

Period.

am I cheap?

Ok, this is a serious question that I've been thinkin about for some time now. 

Am I cheap?

This will more than likely become a regular posting series, because I often find myself shocked at some of the lovely things that I see and can't afford, or rather choose not to spend my money on. 

I rarely buy things unless they are on sale. I buy store brand foods, drink house wine, and scour clearance racks like nobodies business. And the thing is that I don't feel less, stylish or less satisfied at all. In fact, I feel better because while I could have paid full price for a coveted piece of clothing, or item for my home while it was still, "IN," I waited a few extra weeks until it went on sale and could afford to buy that item and something else. 

So, this week I found these incredible pair of ballet flats on shopbop. I love flats because I'm a little bit taller, 5'7 and sometimes there's just nothing better than the perfect flat shoe to complete an outfit.

They're lovely, no? Well, as beautiful as they might be I just cant imagine paying $195 for them. I mean, I get feisty when I pay $50 for shoes but this? I don't know. Someone help me. Am I being cheap?

Daily Inspiration: purple passion

I'm loving purple these days. Not soft lavender colors but deep, intense, and saturated purples. Don't let the delicious looking food in the pictures below distract you. I'm looking at those fabulous napkins...

Photos courtesy of marthastewart.com

Daily Inspiration: Neutral Love

Ok, I must admit it. I'm a neutrals girl. I like white and beige, and cream, and black and pale greens. I know, I know, it sounds so boring but it's what I like. Especially in bedrooms. I would love to wake up in this room everyday. It's so serene and calming and neutral! In my opinion at least if you have a neutral color palette you could easily add touches of color, patterns and textures with ease. Check out that Zebra print pillow. Talk about fantastic... 

Picture courtesy of West Elm. 

monday mail & gifts

Good Monday to you. (I'm sure some you have today off seeing as how it's Columbus day and all. Sadly, I do not.)

Nevertheless,  I wanted to show you what I opened in my inbox this morning. 

Dear Lisa:

We got you a gorgeous gift for your birthday: Our SEPHORA Brand Super Shimmer Lip Gloss Trio in deliciously glam colors (Precious Pink! Rosy Glow! Bronzed Beauty!).

We know it's still 2 weeks till the party, but we'll give you your gift now! Pick it up at your fave Sephora store or visit sephora.com. See details below.*

Yay to Sephora for giving me free birthday loot; especially lip gloss! And I love the, "Shop now, Gorgeous" link. Gorgeous?! oh you're too kind Sephora!

If you have a Sephora store near you, sign up to be an insider and you could get lovely freebies like these! {Also, they have great makeup remover towelettes that work wonderfully; especially if you're feeling extra lazy at night and can't imagine getting up to wash your face. I keep mine in my bedside table for nights like those.}

*Disclaimer: I do not work at Sephora or have any affiliation with the company.... I just love free stuff!

Purple lust

Can we just pause for a moment and talk about the paring of these delicious purple tights and fantastic gray and black boots...

Photo found here.

Sigh...I NEED these.  

Daily Inspiration: classic black & white

My mother always taught me that you can never go wrong with black and white. And while I love to throw in a splash of color every now and then, I will always remain faithful to my first love.

Loving this black and white wedding held at the Gramercy Park Hotel, in New York. (a must visit on my next trip.) I love how the bride and groom did a twist on the black and white theme by adding just a touch of Gothic flair. If you check out the hotel web page you'll see what I mean. {did you notice the table number had an outline of the city at the top?! love the details!}

To see more lovely pics from this wedding look here:

100layercake.com/blog
(one of my favorite blogs by the way!)

Here's some news...

So, just wanted to give all of you lovely readers an update on Coco Lovely the business. Things were on pause for quite some time. Mainly due to the fact that I took on two part time jobs to get more experience in event planning and design. I am really loving my job(s) and wanted to take Coco Lovely to the next step.

I wanted to somehow incorporate event planning, management and design into the ultimate creative outlet for myself. Therefore I bring you...

Coco Lovely

lovely style, events + design

Yay! Super excited about my business venture. I already have one potential client and I am looking for more each day. To kick things off I am throwing a birthday bash (for myself, ha!) I'm actually calling it my birthday soiree and Coco Lovely launch party. While everyone is sipping on their champagne I am going to give a brief, yet informative bio on coco lovely to introduce my company to all of those near and dear to me. Few of them know all the details, so feel special. You are getting the inside scoop! More lovely details coming soon...

Manicures Make me Feel like a Rock Star

I love Manicures. Love, love, love them. But, for whatever reason I wasn't spending the $10 on myself to have them done. One of my co-workers Mia, always has her nails done and I finally thought to myself, 'what am I waiting for?' If I can spend $10 on going out to lunch during the week, sometimes twice a week, then why can't I spend $10 to get my nails done? Um..hello?!

So, this past Sunday I went to the nail salon and got a mani and pedi for a mere $30. (This is a great deal because a friend of mine spent $30 just for a pedicure last week.)

I am loving the delicious fall color that I picked out. Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. Pretty fantastic, no?

Ladies spend the $10-$30 on getting your nails done. You'll feel like a rock star.

A Note of Absence

To whom it may concern:

Please excuse Lisa from irregular posting. She has been swamped lately and has taken on two additional part time jobs. She however will begin regular posting as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and sorry for any inconvenience.

Thank you,

My little note to apologize for my lack of posting lately. I’ve been swamped but can’t wait to get back to regular posting.

Xo Lisa

P.S. *I wish I had a note from Barack Obama!