Happy Friday + happy hour

I've been enjoying delicious cocktails while on vacation here in Scottsdale, AZ. I will be back on Monday with fresh posts, but for now...here's to the end of the week and happy hour. Where would we be without them both? Cheers!

Recipe for Grapefruit margarita (above).

{Photo source: LA Times}

Wedding: honeymoon

Yes we have begun to plan our honeymoon. From the second we were engaged my mind started spilling with my top "go to" destinations like Croatia, Australia and Hawaii. However after some consideration we have decided to stay within the US given time and budget constraints. Now most of you know that I am not a camper but when I came across The Resort at Paws Up in Montana I could not help but fall in love with the idea of Glamping. Beautiful sights, fire and fondue for two, couples massage and these beautiful luxury tents! But at $5,000+ for a 5-night package I think this one will have to wait.

More realistic honeymoon ideas for a 6-day trip include: Napa/San Fransisco, Key West and Costa Rica. However, we are questioning the later two as we will be there during their hurricane seasons. Any ideas for a laid back honeymoon with a warm climate, leisure activities and good food/drinks in September?

{Photo source: The Resort at Paws Up}

The wild west

Well I am off to Arizona for a long weekend and thought I would leave you with some western inspired fashions. I have some great posts lined up for the rest of the week, including a look into our wedding save the dates! Stay tuned.

{Photo source: Lookbook.nu}

Thomas Paul tech cases

I was contacted by the promo team at CSN Stores about doing a product review on these wonderful Thomas Paul Tech Cases. CNS Stores carries a variety of products such as track lighting, home decor, tools, furniture and much more. I am so excited for one of these adorable cases to show up on my door step. It will definitely come in handy on trips to the beach this summer. No more sand and oil on my phone and iPod!

Wedding: Cake

I am a huge fan of cakes, well any baked good that is frost-able actually. My love for sugary goodness that is icing dates back to elementary school, when I used to sneak spoonfuls of powdered sugar for breakfast. I know what you're thinking...does she have any teeth left? Luckily for me my mom caught my closet craving before I did any serious damage. But to this day I still hold a special place in my heart for well frosted desserts like these beautiful cakes created by celebrity chefs in celebration of O Magazine turning 10. Aren't they delectable?! Who wouldn't want one at their birthday, wedding or any other day of the week? I especially love the stack of magazines - so creative! Any wedding cake suggestions for me?

Stay tuned for another Wedding post coming up later this week!

{Photo source: Oprah.com}

Happy Weekend + A Small Collection

Limited edition pieces for spring/summer via A Small Collection. This weekend I am planning to go through all of my belongings (well at least a good selection of them) and organize. I'm excited to see what small collections I have going on within my own drawers and closets. Happy weekend to all.

Earth Day: The History

I am a firm believer that celebrating, sustaining and rebuilding the Earth should not be reserved for just one day of the year but for all 365 days. My hope is that the more educated and aware people become that one day a year will turn into Earth Day everyday. For now I'll keep up my end of the bargain and remember the principles for what Earth Day was founded on...

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Environment was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.

On April 22, 1970 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

{Photo source: Life}

Martha Stewart Paint @ Home Depot

Martha Stewart debuted her new paint colors on her Color Show yesterday. The new colors along with other outdoor, decor and organizational products are exclusively sold at The Home Depot. With a move on the horizon I couldn't help but log onto Martha Stewart Living for some added paint/decor inspiration. There I found wonderful image galleries organized in Sophisticated Neutrals, Rich Shades, Bright and Bold and Natural Palettes. With over 250 paint colors available at The Home Depot I have no doubt that I will find the perfect color for me -- now I just need to find the perfect apartment!

{Photo source: Marthastewart.com}

Elizabeth and James Fall 2010

I am loving these first looks of Elizabeth and James new fall collection, especially the mustard dress. Click here to view the entire sneak peak.

{Photo source: InStyle}

Matador Prints

Vibrant, beautiful matador prints via Happy Monecal. The colors in these ink paintings completely won me over. So much so that I have a new found love of bull fighting - dangerous, romantic and exciting. What more could you ask for in a sport? The limited edition includes 50 9 1/2" x 14" matador prints, unframed, signed and numbered by the artist. Available for $35 + shipping. I'm not really sure what I would do with 50 prints, but I'm sure I could find some place for them being a newly acclaimed bull fighting enthusiast and all. (He, he.) Oh, and if you haven't seen Happy Monecal's pet portraits be sure to do so here!

Color Inspiration

A little color inspiration for your Friday from Random Got Beautiful. With a busy week coming to an end, I look forward to sleeping in, making dinner and hanging outside. What do you have planned?

Soap & Water

THE PUBLICIST

Kelly Cutrone

Signature look: Goth-meets-yogi wardrobe, shaggy hair, devil-may-care attitude.

How she compensates for going bare: By screaming at an employee, then hugging, firing and rehiring her (as a form of empowerment).

Why we love her: What you see is (literally) what you get.

THE SOCIALITE

Marina Rust Connor

Signature look: An interesting neckline, to frame her John Singer Sargent face.

How she compensates for going bare: A slouch worthy of a vintage Irving Penn.

Why we love her: She’s not blond.

THE EDITOR

Tonne Goodman

Signature look: Northern California meets the Big Apple — white jeans, flats, crisp shirt.

How she compensates for going bare: A whippet-thin figure that would make any model feel like a Panzer.

Why we love her: Vogue fans adore Grace Coddington, but Goodman just won the CFDA’s Eleanor Lambert Award.

THE DESIGNER

Phoebe Philo

Signature look: Church’s oxfords for men, slacks, dark jackets.

How she compensates for going bare: By enveloping her face in a cloud of cigarette smoke.

Why we love her: Since taking over Céline, she’s become the new Helmut Lang.

THE BUYER

Julie Gilhart

Signature look: Supershort skirts, major heels.

How she compensates for going bare: A tan and legs that go all the way up to there (the better to trek through
Namibia).

Why we love her: You know all those cool eco-minded designers at Barneys? They wouldn’t be there without her.

I love this. T Magazine featured 5 women of fashion who's daily beauty regime mainly consists of soap and water in No Makeup Required. Considering these powerful, trend-setting women give good face sans makeup, why can't I? Not that I wear a ton of makeup but a bare face - yikes! What about you? Could you go back to basics?

{Photo source: T Magazine}