Obsessions

Happy Tuesday Loves. I can't believe it is April already! Today I am back to kick off the month of April with my current Obsessions.

1) White Cow Hide Rugs
I love this look. Especially the cowhide in the neutral color. I really, really want one for my den or bedroom. I even like the idea of it layered over another rug.








Photos via Material Girls, Southern Accents, Kim Christie, Unknown, Decorpad and Suzanne- Kasler

2) Bravo


A whole new slew of reality TV shows are starting this week on Bravo. Including The Real Housewives of New York, Pregnant in Heels, and Million Dollar Decorators. God Bless Bravo, it is honestly my favorite channel hands down. Where else can you watch so many crazies all in one place?





3) Missoni's Swimwear Line
I heart Missoni. I would love to have a whole closet filled with their signature zig-zag prints. The colors are so bright and happy. I adore these cover-ups and bikinis.







All can be found at SAKS

4) Reese Witherspoon's Wedding
I think Reese is the sweetest Southern Girl. I am so happy she has found love again. Jim seems like such a catch and he is easy on the eyes too. How gorgeous does she look? Loving that she chose pale pink for her wedding dress and wore her hair down. I can't wait to see more wedding pictures (yes, I can be a celebrity stalker sometimes).



5) My Baby Boy
Last but certainly not least, this sweet face. I can't get enough of him, seriously! He is 13 months now and has developed such a sweet and loving personality. He is all boy, into everything and never stops to sit down (ever!) but I love him so much. He is the light of my day and to say I am obsessed is quite the understatement!

Banana Who?

I keep coming across images of Banana Republic's Spring 2011 Line in all my fashion magazines. First InStyle featured a maxi dress and then I noticed a blurb in Bazaar too. I was pleasantly surprised. I am usually not a huge Banana Republic fan. I have bought some shoes and jewelry there but for the most part their clothes are just not my style and never really fit me right.

Their new Spring line has me rethinking things. It is feminine and slightly edgy. I am digging the florals and 70's vibe. I totally agree with Bazaar's statement, "Banana Republic's new collection of flowerly summer frocks gives new meaning to the term Garden Party."

The best part is the prices only range from $70 to $300. The blue floral Maxi dress, shown in the third picture (online now Here) is only $140 and I consider that a real steal for a fabulous maxi dress. I for one am thinking about giving Banana Republic another try, starting with one of the maxi dresses. What are your thoughts? Here are a few pics from the BR Runway.










All photos via

April Fools Birthday Girl + Headed My Way

First of all Happy Birthday to my sweet sister Taylor.



April Fools holds a special meaning for our family since it's her birthday. When she was born my dad actually called and told everyone she was a boy as an April Fools joke. Happy Birthday Taylor, I hope you have a wonderful day! Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice! Miss you!

Although my Birthday was over a week ago (I might still be celebrating a little bit), I have two gifts headed my way that I am super excited about.

1) IPAD2
I have been wanting one of these babies forever and they came out with the new version just in time for my Birthday. Sadly, of course all the stores are sold out, an elaborate ploy by Apple no doubt. But my parents have ordered me one and it should get here in a week. To say I am excited is an understatement.


2) TWELFTH STREET BY CYNTHIA VINCENT DRESS
I tried this dress on at Copper Penny last week but all they had was an extra-small and medium. I fit right in the middle of the two. I scoured online and found it in a small and Bloomingdales and bonus they are having an extra 20% off for friends and family right now through Sunday. The promo code is SPRINGFF. Go check out the website, they have tons of cute stuff right!



Have a wonderful weekend. Check back next week as I am going to do an outfits post. I had so many comments about my outfits from my birthday I am going to do a post devoted to that! xoxo

Bargain Shopper

Since I am no longer working we are on a tight budget in the Mason Household. But I am a shopper at heart, it's in my blood. There is nothing that thrills me more than finding a good bargain. Even back when I was working and money wasn't so tight, I still loved scouring consignment stores, TJMAXX, and HomeGoods looking for deals. I thought I would share a few of my recent finds I scored at great prices!

GARDEN STOOL
I have been wanting one of these forever. My mom found this beauty at HomeGoods for $59.99. Can you believe it? We saw the same one in the Horchow catalog for $350.



ZEBRA SERVING TRAY
You all know I love me some Zebra (well, really I love all animal prints). So when I saw this tray at TJMAXX for $14.99, I knew I had to have it.



VINTAGE BOTANICAL SERVING BOWL AND PLATTER
I found these two beauties at Goodwill. $9 a piece. The gold detailing is amazing. I have an obsession with old Botanical Serving pieces, which is funny because I am pretty modern in my tastes otherwise.




LAMP
Another TJMAXX find. I saw a lamp identical to this at GDC Home for $400.



VINTAGE ANIMAL PRINTS
Another treat my mom found at a consignment store. There are 12 prints and she paid like $12. I am going to frame 6 of them to hang in a group in Sterling's nursery. I am envisioning them with a white mat and skinny simple frame. I think they will look great on his Chocolate walls. They came enclosed in this cute binder too.





Do ya'll love finding a bargain as much as me? What have you found lately?

Hit Me Baby One More Time

Lets dish. Did anyone catch Britney on Good Morning America yesterday morning? My girlfriends and I have been emailing back and forth all day discussing. I so wanted Britney to kill it with her performance, but sadly she didn't. She did Look AMAZING. I mean seriously her body was fierce and her legs were so toned. I am glad she is back to blond too. She looked gorgeous. Her performance however was awkward. It looked like she was moving in slow motion and she hardly did any dance moves. I am wondering if she was on some sort of medication because she just seemed out of it. She just sat in her chair and hardly danced. I am longing for the "Slave For You Days." That was the peak of her career.



I am still a huge Britney fan and I totally support her comeback. Lets just hope she has some better moves up her sleeve for her tour with Enrique. Team Britney all the way. Has anyone bought her new CD? Is it worth buying? I do love her music to workout to.

Salmon Cakes

This is my cheap and healthy version of Crab Cakes. My grandmother used to make these all the time for us when I was growing up. They are a tried and true family favorite. Normally Matt hates Salmon but he will eat my Salmon Cakes and Sterling loves them too. Salmon is so good for you; I cook these frequently so my men get some fish in their lives. These would be off the hook with fresh Salmon, but I normally just use the canned kind because it is more convenient (and cheap). I tweak this recipe whenever I make it based on what I have in the house. They are great with fresh parsley, bell pepper or corn added in.






SALMON CAKES
-1 CAN PINK ALASKAN SALMON (THIS WILL MAKE 4 SMALL CAKES,DOUBLE IF YOU WANT MORE)
-1 HALF A WHITE ONION FINELY DICED
-2 STALKS CELERY FINELY DICED
-1 EGG
-1/4 CUP PANKO BREADCRUMBS
-SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
-CANOLA OR OIL OLIVE FOR FRYING

DRAIN THE CAN OF SALMON. SEASON SALMON WITH SALT AND PEPPER. ADD IN ONIONS AND CELERY AND TOSS. LIGHTLY BEAT AN EGG AND ADD TO THE MIXTURE. MIX WITH PANKO BREADCRUMBS, ADD MORE IF NEEDED. MOLD INTO 4 SMALL CAKES AND PLACE ON A PLATE. REFRIGERATE FOR 30MINS TO AN HOUR. THIS HELPS BIND THE CAKES SO THEY DON'T FALL APART WHEN YOU COOK THEM. IN A SKILLET HEAT A FEW TABLESPOONS OF CANOLA OR OLIVE OIL ON MEDIUM HEAT. ONCE HOT ADD THE SALMON CAKES. COOK ABOUT 4 MINUTES PER SIDE OR UNTIL NICELY BROWNED.

**IF YOUR SALMON CAKES SEEM DRY WHEN MIXING THEM, ADD ABOUT A TABLESPOON OF MILK, IT WILL HELP BIND THEM. WE USUALLY SERVE OUR SALMON CAKES WITH FRESH BEANS AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS. THIS WOULD ALSO BE GREAT WITH A REMOULADE SAUCE FOR DIPPING**

Obsessions- Things That Sparkle

I am thrilled to have Alex from Things that Sparkle guest posting today for my Obsessions Series.

Alex has some seriously fabulous style and her house is beyond gorgeous (it was just featured on Made By Girl). Her blog is always filled such inspirational decor and fashion ideas. I look forward to reading it daily! Thanks for participating Alex, I love your list and agree on all your Obsessions! xoxo

Thank you so much Natalie for including me in your obsessions series! Here are the five things I am obsessed with right now:

1. Wallpaper. Is there anything better? It has the ability to completely transform a space. Sadly the boyfriend doesnt love it, so I've been limited to the entry and guest bathroom. Better than nothing though right? (image via)

2. In love with this perfectly styled vignette from Furbish, my home decor OBSESSION.

3. The perfect pop of pink. The waterfall island and unexpected wood shelving doesn't hurt either. (image via)

4. Can you tell I like pink? All the shades of pink purses are killing me for spring. Love every single one!! All from Net-a-Porter

5. My last obsession is SPRING. I live in Chicago where spring usually comes pretty late, (aka we don't have it at all: winter one day, summer the next) but the past couple days its been amazingly warm! It is getting me very very excited.