Obsessions- All Things Bright and Beautiful

Today I am excited to have Aubrey From All Things Bright and Beautiful sharing her current Obsessions. Her blog features such lovely things and she always keeps me laughing with her witty remarks! You must check out her BLOG if you never have! Thanks for sharing Aubrey, I totally agree with all of your Obsessions, especially 4 and 5! xoxo

I'm so very excited to be visiting on Designer Bags & Dirty Diapers today! As soon as I laid eyes on that blog title, I knew we were kindred spirits and have *loved* it ever since! I mean, doesn't it just say it all???  The good, the bad, and the diapers. (c:

I generally have a looooong list of obsessions, so I'm just giving you the short and sweet version! Okay, maybe not so short...and in no particular order. Yeah, that's how we roll.

Kate Spade . Pretty much just Kate in general. But right now, I'm totally obsessed over the new ad campaign with Bryce Dallas Howard: LOVE.

Tufting. On sofas, headboards, ottomans...you name it, I *LOVE* it. Is there really anything that tufting doesn't make more fabulous?

 Via Alice Lane

 Via Rue Magazine

Audrey Hepburn. It doesn't get any more fabulous than this woman. My Fair Lady is my favorite movie of all time.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

~Audrey Hepburn

This quote is from the fab Michaela's cute bloggy

Painted furniture. I know, who isn't, right? But I just love how you can breathe new life into something with a stunning color and really make a statement in a room.

 Via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Fabulous closets. I think I'm a completely nosey person...that is why I like blogging and other people's closets so much. I'm pretty sure it's because a fabulous closet combines two of my favorite things: great design and clothes.

 via Honey We're Home

Which brings me right along to the next obsession...wait for it...it's a shocker...

SHOES. 

I know, right?

And why not combine two obsessions?

Definitely not obsessed with Christina (I mean really, the National Anthem???)...but swooning over that shoe collection!!!

And really, can you end on a better note than shoes??? (c:

Thanks so much Natalie for having me!!!



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I will be guest posting today over at Julia's Blog Pawley's Island Posh. Please stop by and check out what my Traveling Essentials are! You all know I love me some Julia and her blog, it is fabulous.

Shopper's Remorse

I have been in Charlotte visiting my family since Thursday and one of my favorite things to do while home is shop! The shopping is just so much better in Charlotte. They actually have department stores- Note to Charleston you should have not closed Saks, it was our only half way decent department store. While I was browsing at Nordstorms I came across these Donald J Pilner Cork Sandals. I did not buy them and now I can't stop thinking about them. They are the perfect sandal for Spring. They would literally go with everything and made my legs look so long. Don't you just hate when you see something you love and are trying to be responsible by not buying them but then it just eats away at you until you end up buying them anyways? Well these shoes are permeating my brain. Here's to hoping these shoes are in my closet soon.




On another note today starts the first day of my Birthday week. Yes (Much to my husbands dismay), I still like to celebrate my Birthday all week long although I am no longer in College. My Birthday is Thursday and I can't wait! Lots of fun things are planned, including a visit from my mom and sister:)

Green With Envy

Happy St. Patty's Day friends. I hope you all are enjoying this holiday with some green beer or better yet green champagne. In honor of St. Patty's day I thought I would share some fabulous green interiors. All interiors are by my girl and design hero Kelly Wearstler. She obviously loves green.










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My heart goes out to all the people in Japan for the loss and devastation they are currently dealing with. I can't even begin to imagine how horrible the situation is there. I have been praying daily for them and hope that the worst is behind.
Tomorrow (Friday) I will be participating in a blogging day of silence as a small way to express that I am thinking of those in need in Japan, please join me.

Spicy Carrot Cake Cupcakes

This past weekend we celebrated my friend Alissa's birthday. I volunteered to make the dessert, because nobody should ever have to make their own birthday dessert! She had mentioned carrot cake was one of her favorite cakes, so I decided to make carrot cake cupcakes. I love cupcakes and think they are much easier than cutting cake. This recipe is from an Old Junior League Cookbook so you know it's good. I feel like every recipe I have ever made from a Junior League Cookbook is amazing! The recipe is actually for a cake but I just poured it into muffin trays instead of cake pans. It makes 24 muffins or a 3 layer cake. These are the same cupcakes we served at Sterling's birthday and they were a huge hit. They also freeze wonderfully if you have alot left over. Enjoy!






SPICY CARROT CAKE/CUPCAKES

2 CUPS SUGAR
2 CUPS FLOUR
2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA
2 TEASPOONS CINNAMON
1 TEASPOON SALT
4 EGGS
1 1/2 CUPS OIL
3 CUPS GRATED CARROTS

COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS AND MIX WELL. ADD EGGS AND OIL AND MIX WELL. NOW ADD THE CARROTS AND BEAT ON MEDIUM SPEED WITH ELECTRIC MIXER ABOUT 2 MINUTES. GREASE THREE 9 INCH CAKE PANS OR TWO 12 PIECE MUFFIN TRAYS. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES. POUR BATTER INTO TRAYS OR PANS AND BAKE 25-30 MINUTES. (THE CUPCAKES BAKED ABOUT 25 MINUTES). LET COOL ON WIRE RACKS.

CREAM CHEESE ICING

1 STICK BUTTER
1 8 OZ PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE
1 BOX CONFECTIONERS SUGAR
1 TEASPOON VANILLA
1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS (OPTIONAL)

CREAM BUTTER AND CHEESE UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN SUGAR GRADUALLY AND ADD VANILLA AND PECANS IF DESIRED.

Obsessions

I thought I would give my guest bloggers a break this week and share my Obsessions again. It's been awhile since I shared mine and I have a whole new slew of things I am loving right now!

1) TRACY ANDERSON MAT WORKOUT DVD


I finally ordered this video and it did not disappoint. I have been doing it several times a week and it is such a fab workout. You will be sore in places you didn't think you could be sore. The video is an hour and such a killer workout. I highly recommend it! Heres to hoping I look like Gwyneth Paltrow when its all said and done.

2) GREEK SALADS


I have been loving Greek Salads lately. I make a chopped Greek Salad probably 4-5 days a week for lunch. Just ordered one today for my girls lunch out with Caycee and Julia:) There is something about the combo of feta, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers that I can't resist. This salad is pure heaven to me.

3) BRIGHT DRESSES


Madison Marcus via

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent via

Shoshanna Via

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent via

Now that the weather is warm here, I am so ready to wear some brightly colored frocks. A good tan is probably in order first, but you will see me in bright colors all Summer long!

4) MOROCCAN OIL SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER


Thanks to my girl Lisa's guest blog, I have been hooked on this stuff ever since. I don't want to even use my other shampoo or conditioners anymore. This stuff makes my hair so silky and smooth minus the frizz- which is saying alot with all the humidity down here! And it smells delightful.

5) WALL STENCILS





I have been wanting to stencil my bathroom walls for awhile now. Problem is finding the time to do it with a very active one year and narrowing down what pattern I want. I just found out about Olive Leaf Stencils and they have some of the best wall stencils I have seen. I adore the Ikat one.

6) ZAC EFRON

Last but certainly not least Zac Efron. He has been looking so mature and handsome lately. The hubs calls me a cougar for liking him but I don't care. Look at those eyes, he is gorgeous.


I hope you all are having a fabulous Tuesday. What are you loving these days?

Wine You Can Feel Good About Drinking

The people at Flipflop Wines were gracious enough to send me a few bottles to sample. This is a brand new wine that just was released in January. Flipflop wines has partnered with Soles4Souls and for every bottle of flipflop wine purchased, Soles4Souls will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need. This is enough reason for me to drink this wine! I can enjoy my wine and feel good about drinking it, knowing I helped someone in need at the same time! The best part is this wine retails for about $7.99 so it won't break your bank either.

I served this wine to the ladies at playgroup and our favorite was the Pinot Grigio.

The gals enjoying their Flipflop Wine.

The Pinot Grigio was crisp and light without being too sweet. The wine was so delicious and we all agreed we would be drinking it again. I am anxious to try the Cabernet and Chardonnay next. So go on and enjoy your wine and help some people that desperately need shoes at the same time!

You learn more at the Flipflop Website Here

Mommy Talk

One of my dearest friends Melissa has started a group for new mothers in Charlotte. It is called Baby on Board and it is a group where you can go and discuss all the affects being a new mom has on your life! If you live in the Charlotte area and are a new Mommy you should def check out her group. Here are all the details:



Baby On Board

A Processing Group for New Mothers

Have you recently traded in your designer handbag for a diaper bag?
Your stilettos for some comfy socks? Your glass of Pinot for a bottle of milk?

This group addresses the ups and downs of being a new mom
Topics include:

- Sleep Deprivation
- Stress Relaxation Techniques
- How to Juggle Being a Mom and Having a Career
- Effects on Marriages/Partnerships
- Effects on Friendships
- Changes in Body and Self-Esteem
- New Emotions


This group is offered Every Tuesday from 10:00-11:30am
Uptown Psychology
1818 Euclid Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28203


Please contact Melissa Guarnaccia for group details and how to sign-up
(704) 904-4950
melissa@uptown-psychology.com