Happy Weekend + Happy 101

Yay, it's Friday! Andy and I are looking forward to heading to Madison tomorrow to visit our good friends Katie and Dan for the weekend. What are about you? Anything fun planned?

Before I leave you for the weekend I wanted share my Happy 101 with you. Have you heard of this award? I had not until Meghan of The Perfect Compilation Tape honored me with it last week. Be sure to click through and check her out -- she's a down-to-earth girl that writes about life and living in Chicago (it is so well-written). Following suit of all the other past honorees I am to list 10 things that make me happy. So here it goes...

Red Vine Licorice-yum!

A glass of red wine (cab/shiraz preferred).

Candles, they make everything cozier.

Saturday morning breakfast + coffee with Andy! (why are guys so good at making eggs and bacon?)

New nail polish! Anyone have any recommendations for me?

Clothes that make me feel sexy.

Vampire Weekend -- great road trip music!

Burrowing into Andy's chest while laying on the couch, watching a good movie.

Warm weather (the hotter the better!). Midwest winters suck.

My friends and family :) -- from the people I see everyday to the ones I see once a year and all my virtual blogger friends; it always puts a smile on my face when I hear from you!
And now for my "must read" blogs. Some of these I recently stumbled upon and some I have been following for a long time. Either way I am so happy to pass their links onto you -- be sure to check them out! (I know this award has gotten around, so I apologize if you have already received it)

Rachel + Jennifer of fric and frac

Brian of Brian in Mpls

Nikki of Lovely Scribbles

Dagny of Beautiful Living

Emily of A Nutritionist Eats

Jennifer of I'm Just A Girl

Abigail of Gus & Other Things

Bohns of Oh, Bohns

Candice of Walking in Memphis

Monica of Homemade by Monica

Happy weekend!

{photo source: Joshua Scott}

How do I take my cupcake?

...not with coffee, tea or an ice cold glass of milk, but with an adorable liner like these!!

Vena Cava Spring 2010

Do these get you excited for Spring, or what? I love the use of bright color against the muted black and green fabrics. And how great are those hat-like visors? Click here to see more.

{photo source: Vena Cava}

Even though I don't know how to play tennis...

...I still want to dress like I do. Adidas by Stella McCartney.

{photo source: Stella McCartney}

DIY Heart Garland

What is it with me and garland? I love it and cannot get enough of!! I came across this ridiculously easy and adorable heart garland over at Oh So Crafty. Tricia created this using a paper punch, magazines and a sewing machine. She pulled pink and red pages from left over magazines, cut out the hearts and sewed them together.

If you don't have a sewing machine, you can string the hearts together with ribbon. 1. Using a hole punch; punch two holes at the top-center part of each heart
2. Weave the ribbon, in an over-under pattern stringing the hearts together.

Click here for Tricia's step-by-step instruction.

{photo source: Oh So Crafty}

Updated Blogroll

I did it. I finally took the time to edit my "Favorites" list over the right. It now consists of my favorite blogs out there (or at least the ones that were top of mind while composing the list). I am in awe of all the creative, talented, inspiring bloggers out there -- you keep me writing. Be sure to check out the links and please offer up any "must reads" you cannot get enough of.

{photo source: design crush}

Lovely Paper

Je t'aime card {Paper Source}

We Belong Together {Rasilisk}

12 Things {Cori Kindred}

I Heart You Print {Art School Girl via LPP}

Love Bites {Minted}

Be Mine {Dingbat Press}

Grow Old With Me Print {Lisa Congdon}

Photography = Haiti Donation

I cannot believe it is already Friday -- where did the week go? Although the days go by fast the constant coverage on Haiti has kept the tragedy very present in my mind. Every day there is new company, organization or blogger actively getting involved to help make a difference. SwitchCities is currently conducting a photography auction. Proceeds go to Global Giving for their Haiti Emergency Water Relief. Click here to start bidding for some new art!

{photo by Bonnie Tsang}

Wedding: The Registry - Top 10

Finally, it's here! I've been waiting to register for the past two years. I think it was right after Andy and I talked about moving in together that I started dreaming up my ideal home goods collection. Then when we did move in together my dreams came to a crashing halt; realizing that we had a long way to go with all of our miss-matched dinnerware, half broken Ikea kitchen gadgets and a slew of pint glasses (do I really need to drink juice out of the same glass I slurp beer from?).

In preparation for creating my (i mean "our") ideal registry I started out with some research. Lucky for me, Project Wedding had already defined the Top 10 Bridal Registry Items to get me started. Following their list, here's what I have my eye on:

1) Kitchen Appliances
KitchenAid Stand Mixer, although the Cuisinart Food Processor is up there too

2) Gourmet Coffee Maker
Nespresso Citiz & Milk Espresso Machine for at home lattes

3) Designer Luggage
I won't misplace this bright colored luggage by J.Crew

4) Table Setting
I love the earthy look of Heath Ceramics -- these would be great for everyday

OR a patterned set like these from Royal Copenhagen -- it would be fun to mix and match with the white plates I currently have

5) Cookware
A new set of pots and pans like these from Crate and Barrel would be nice

6) His/Hers Gifts

Not really sure what they mean by this one? Monogrammed bath towels? I think these coffee mugs are adorable! Wouldn't they make a sweet Valentine's Day gift?

7) Bedding
I heart this Draper Striped Ash Duvet Set from Dwell Studio

8) Vacuum
Really, a vacuum? What if we buy a house with hardwood floors? Then I will need a Swiffer Sweep Vac

9) Electronics
There is no doubt that some of our wedding money will be going towards electronics, my vote is for a desktop Mac

10) Wine Refrigerator
No complaints about this one -- The Wine Enthusiast 16-bottle Refrigerator via Target

Just some ideas to get me started on my registry. I'm curious, what are you must-have kitchen/home accessories?

Geordie Wood

Great hand painted photos taken by Geordie Wood for Susan Woo.

{via Fancy Frills}

Emersonmade

Where have I been? I just discovered EmersonMade!! It's too bad I already have my wedding flowers squared away otherwise I would have considered using these beautiful blooms. At least I'm in time for Spring. As soon as the snow melts I hope to be sporting The Big Poppy on my lapel. Click here to check more of Emerson's great handmade items.

{photo source}

Anthro Spring Windows

Okay, Spring windows are starting to go up, so we can officially start thinking about flowy skirts, Spring coats and warmer weather! I love these windows by Anthro -- do they ever fail us? Have you seen any other Spring windows you like? (Remember I'm trying to be recession friendly and am steering clear of the mall)

{photo source}

Just Adorable

Photo taken by Molly Balint of her adorable daughter. Molly is a photographer, writer and blogger out of Maryland. Her blog MommyCoddle sheds light on her life as a wife, mother, cook and creative explorer. Thanks to Molly I now want a farm house in the country with a bunch of animals and little rug rats chasing after them! (I promise next week I will cool it on the animals)

Before I leave you for the weekend I want to take a moment to mention Haiti and the devastation that has hit the country. Just watching the news this morning it is easy to see the effects it has had on the people of Haiti. My thoughts go out to all of you who have friends or families in Haiti. I sincerely hope for the best possible outcome. If you have not yet donated to the cause via the Red Cross you can by texting "HAITI" to 90999 (the you phone bill will be charged $10). Our contributions will help bring food, water and medical supplies to the Haitian people.

{images via Molly Balint of MommyCoddle}

Site of the Week: The Catorialist

After coming across this site via Refinery29 (??), immediately made note of it and went back later to check out the most gorgeous street loving kitties out there! As a cat owner in waiting I am easily smitten for kittens and can not get enough of this fabulous site.

(Anna and Amanda, you were top of mind when writing this post!)

{images via The Catorialist}