Local Etsy Shop: Eclectic Orchid

Oui - I Do Vintage Locket Necklace

Blossoms of Summer - Set of Ruffled Flower Pins

In a Kingdom Far Away - earrings

I love the whimsical jewelry and pins created by local jewelry designer Marcy (follow her on twitter @EclecticOrchid). She uses a combination of vintage, new, and re-purposed parts to create unique pieces. Check out her Etsy store, Eclectic Orchid, you won't be disappointed with what you see!

(Marcy also blogs @ Ramblings of an Eclectic Orchid).


All photos via Eclectic Orchid.

I Left My Heart in... Charleston

Charleston, SC is one of my favorite cities to visit. The food is amazing and so is the shopping. There's history on every corner. It's charming, it's Southern, it's unique.

I was there for work this week (off-site meeting) and decided to take a day off after all was said and done. I'm glad I did! I walked around the historical downtown in 90+ degree weather with even high levels of humidity. There's so much to discover!

Pictures and amazing discoveries will be posted in the next couple of days/weeks. For now I leave you with a picture of myself from three years ago walking down the street on the way to an amazing dinner at Cypress.

Sunday Suppers: Lavender Lemonade

(photo via sunday suppers)

Gorgeous and amazingly simple! Recipe can be found here.

I'm off to Charleston for (almost) a week for a business trip and will try to post if time allows.

Russian Comedian Yakov Smirnoff

As I have mentioned before, I'm fascinated by "my people." Yakov Smirnoff is no different. Ok, so technically he's not from Russia but this Ukrainian-American comedian is hilarious! Today he is performing year round in Branson, Missouri, sometimes teaching at local universities, and is a featured writer for the AARP Magazine.

The video above is from 1985 when he performed on the Johnny Carson show. What a country!

Wishing you a weeked full of laughter. My bff, and the girl behind Sunday Stories, is in town this weekend. Can't wait to see her tonight! :)

Farmer's Market Loot: July 3, 2010

(photo by me)

Above is a picture of my local "loot" from the following:

• Pickles Farmer's Market - (NoDa)
• Atherton Mills Farmer's Market - also on Twitter (SouthEnd)
• King Street Farmer's Market (Myers Park)
• Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe - also on Twitter (NoDa)

All the veggies came from the first three locations listed above while the French bread (fresh out of the oven and better seen under the greens in the picture taken with my Blackberry) and French macaroons are from Amelie's.

Catbird: Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands

Bittersweets NY

Twig Ring with Aquamarine

Bittersweets NY

Twig Ring with Marquise Diamond

Katrina Lapenne
Old World Ring - white diamond

Bittersweets NY
Twig Ring with Black Diamond

Yayoi Forest
Twist Band (unisex)

Love love LOVE these rings from Catbird. They're inexpensive but still precious, simple but unique. The rest of the collection is just as unique and beatiful as the rings above.

As featured on Refinery29, all pictures via Catbird.

Happy Fourth of July!

(photo by me)

Wishing all of you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Thankful Thursday: TOMS

I'm thankful for companies that choose to give back, like TOMS.




The boyfriend helped me decide on a pair of ash canvas classics:

Can't wait to try them on!

All pictures via TOMS.