And the Winner Is...

The blue dress. I loved it. I know a lot of people hated it (Twitter went berserk right about the time she came out wearing it), but it was just so different and...that color. Also loved Cate's dress (again, more haters) and Gwenyth looked statuesque in Calvin Klein. See a recap of RZ's styling skillz on Anne here.

Money Talks

...especially when it's blown up and hung on the wall. I love the AmEx, but the dollar bill is my favorite. Christina from Full House circled "In God We Trust" on the back of the bill with a red Sharpie and blew it up to four feet wide.

Top photo from Full House, bottom from Lonny spotted on Haven and Home

Have Your Cake and Breakfast, Too

I wish tomorrow were Saturday so I could make these devils and lie comatose on my couch.
Cake Batter Pancakes? Oh my. How fun for a birthday breakfast! Or any day breakfast, really.

From How Sweet It Is found via Good Good

Abe & Mary

Meet my new roommates. They used to live at my favorite antique store right near my house. Dan O knew I had my eye on them for awhile (mostly because Abe is his favorite pres and I was thinking about getting them for him), when lo and behold he gifted me with my first ever President's Day present last night. He mentioned the woman behind the counter said something like, "A President's Day present! Well that's a first. Isn't that somethin?" It most certainly is.

Odds and Ends

Behold, random bits all under $15. These are a few of my favorite purchases in the last month or two.

God bless Homegoods and Ikea, naturally. Also, an apprehensive applause to Michael's for adding some kind of odd Parisian decorating aisle.

Porcelain crown, Michael's; Pink globe, Homegoods; Glass jar, Ikea;

Crystal votive holder, Homegoods; Gray & white striped tray, Ikea

Lost in Bloglovin

An extraordinary way to spend this Friday would be getting lost in Bloglovin. An easy way to keep track of all your faves (and find hundreds of new reads) because "reading blogs can be a pain in the ass." Follow The Social Secretary on Bloglovin here. And just for the H of it, follow me on Twitter here. Happy Weekend!

I Love You Blogs and Coffee Print  by Jennifer Ramos seen on Just Say Maux

Chicago Knot Tying

Chicago, the Cubs, hand drawn illustrations, Lou's...how could I not be a fan of these charmers? Absolutely love this invitation suite, but my favorite might be the map. The maps get me every time.

Chicago Wedding Suite by Swiss Cottage Designs for Lacey & Flynn.

Dream Dance Floor

I love this umbrella installation above Erin's wedding dance floor.

With an "old world-circus-carnival-gypsy-carny-inspired theme" the umbrellas fit right in. All of the details were handmade which made the occasion specially sweet. Visit Erin's blog, Erin Pot Pie, to see more.

Live the Language

And now I'd like to learn French and holiday in Paris. After that, Barcelona.

Education First commercials by Niklas Johansson

Inspired Art

I'm having a particularly hard time committing to art for my bare, white, boring walls. I've recently taken to attempting some DIY pieces (that are failing quite miserably), so I'm always happy to find some successes in this department. I love this painting by Viv at ish & chi which was inspired by a Bob Collins fabric.Viv's entire home is so inspiring (she is currently an interior design student), her blog has been a great place to visit for creative motivation.

I'll let you know if I come up with anything remotely as good as this.

Photos from ish and chi. Thanks Viv!

A Little Something

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Be You, Be Loved

BHLDN (beholden), the highly anticipated wedding line from Anthropologie launches, quite fittingly, today.

We want to give a bride that edit she’s been searching for—with heirloom-quality wedding gowns, artisanal hair adornments, footwear, and lingerie. And we want happy bridesmaids—in mix-and-match frocks with rich hues and unexpected details.

Go here to see more of Anthro's twist on a time honored tradition.

Painting the Roses

BMine E-Valetines, Kate Spade; I Heart Umbrellas, ModCloth; Boucle Blazer, Forever 21; Red Lips Hinged Bangle, Betsey Johnson all Valentine's gifts on sale until the 14th!; Red Cheetah Tray, Furbish Online; Nebb Frames, Mascot; Dolce Vita Strappy Platform Wedge, Urban; Duck Bag, Baggu; Mini Cake Stand, A Fabulous Fete.

Chocolate Heart of Gold

The only thing better than a box of chocolates is an assemblage of mini cakes designed to look like a box of chocolates. The gold heart shaped wonders are a dream. Read here how Rosie from Sweetapolita (new favorite baking blog) put this confectionary masterpiece together!

Spotted on Sweet Tooth by way of  Twig and Thistle

A Coral Love Story

Adam Crepe Paper Skirt, The Outnet; Leafy Heart Rubber Stamp, Paper Source; Custom Floral Portrait Print, Rifle Paper Co.; Color Block Shoe Clips, Ban.do; Nude Feather Clutch, ASOS; Little Blouse, Emersonmade; Arrow Earrings, Curiousity Shoppe; Strawberry Cheesecake Necklace, Anthro

DIY Woven Bracelet

An updated style for your BFF.

Spotted on Little White Whale with instructions at Honestly...WTF

Pic from Little White Whale

Pick a Little

Recent tv addiction: American Pickers on the History Channel. Pickers, Mike and Frank, travel the country scouring people's junk for long lost American treasures. I'd love a job with these guys.

See more of their picked treasure here.

Corn Chowda

I don't take storm warnings lightly. So, I went to the store and stocked up with enough food to last the next month.  Best purchase: one rotisserie chicken. Used in: Chicken Corn Chowder.

It was easy enough for me to do which means my dog could probably pull it off. 

Also recommend mini saltines just because they're adorable.

Would be a great addition to your Superbowl Sunday spread (but I might double the recipe).

Excruciatingly Sweet Gumball Necklace

I want to walk right up to this project, say GET OUT and maybe push it.

 It's just enough to push me over the edge. You too?

Even past Feb. 14th they could stand as invitations or party favors.

Valentine Gumball Necklaces from One Charming Party

Found via Aesthetic Outburst 

Opening Ceremony

By the time you read this I'm either a) still in bed enjoying a snow day (!), b) trying to shovel myself out of my house or c) sledding down the street with friends. Enjoy some browser shopping on this blustery, snowy day at odd shop Opening Ceremony.

Read: High Gloss Magazine

High Gloss Magazine: Featuring inspiring interior design, fabulous fashion, fresh entertaining ideas and swoon worthy travel destinations. A guide to a well-lived life.

Full, and I mean full, of pictures. It reads like a blog exploded into a magazine (and I love that). Brought to you by Paloma of La Dolce Vita and her impeccable team, this mag is well put together and has plenty of details to last you a few days of virtual page flipping. A+.

All pictures from High Gloss Magazine

Coordinating With an Impending Blizzard

Dreaming of an iPad, Apple; Kate Spade playing cards, Crane & Co; All Around Fringe Scarf, Banana; Re-Tool Snap-T Pullover, Patagonia; Over the Taupe, OPI; Betsey Johnson Snow Bunny Earring, Nordstrom; On a Whim mug, Anthro.

Top photo from Chicago Tribune archives - Chicago blizzard of 1967