The Toys are back; bring a kleenex

Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of Toy Story gang are back, as of 10 days ago. I should have made this post right after viewing the movie, but time got away from me and thus the belated post. But it does not stop me from singing the praises of this movie! You have to get out and see it! Whether, Imax, Disney 3D, regular 2D style in the last row of your local movie house on a Wednesday night so you avoid all the children chattering through the movie, (you can guess which option I went with) it doesn't matter it's too cute to pass up.

But I have to say bring your Kleenex. My girlfriend saw it before I did and said to beware it's really sad. Well off I went ready to see what lay in store for my Pixar friends, thinking "how bad could it be?" and she was right, total tear jerker! I was a complete mess by the time the movie was over. It was so touching and sweet. It was a good thing I was in the last row so no one could see me sniffling through the last 20 minutes.

But I think I know why I got so worked up, and still get worked up when I talk about the movie to anyone else, is that as a kid I really loved my toys, just like Andy. I played with my toys long after I outgrew the average play age. Don't even get me started on Barbie playing and Middle School! I would take turns sleeping with my stuffed animals, making sure they all got equal time with me and I would go to great lengths to keep them clean and organized. Any girl growing up in the early 90's will know all about the American Girl Doll craze and how lifelike they were. I loved mine like she was a real person and played with her all the time. I had a great imagination and I'd create all sorts of adventures and stories to re-enact together. When I watched Toy Story 2 and Jessie tells her sad story of how her Emily forgot about her, it made me want to get out my Molly doll and hug her one more time. So that's why I think I cried, and so many others did too, you realized that all those times when you were sad, or scared, bored or sick as a child, your toy was there for you.

Okay I've got to stop or I'll get myself worked up again! :) Go see it, you'll love it!

July J Crew

Trust me, if you want to have a little smile today mixed with some fashion inspiration go to jcrew's homepage and hit play. You will be shopping for nautical striped boat neck tees, orange nail polish, and lace up wedges before you know it. Enjoy!

Lula magazine

Let me tell you about a wonderful new discovery I have found, Lula magazine. I was strolling along the magazine isle at Borders when this charming cover jumped out on me and I just had to have it. Lula, Girl of My Dreams (more like magazine of my dreams!) is the perfect fashion magazine for the girl looking for something different. Lula is a British magazine that is like a scrapbook of fashion, whimsy, designers, photographers and dares to inspire any fashion rut.



Set up with chapters entitled: As From a Dream, Woken, To Your Heart From Mine, and Polka Dots and Moonbeams take you into a world of images of models styled to fit the theme. It truly is like a book with touching interviews with designers sprinkled through gorgeous, lovely photos.

This particular issue was their 10th issue and the main theme of the issue was Strawberry Shortcake, and they had 7 different covers shoots depicting the main characters of the beloved cartoon. I mean on that fact alone how could you not be a fan of this magazine?
It does has an expensive American retail price, but I might just splurge for fashion inspiration once a month!

Pop of red

My post today is inspired by a co-worker of mine; she jokingly put me up to the challenge of blogging about her today and, surprise surprise, I did! On the days we work together I am awe of her sense of style. She can dress in such a fun, colorful, funky, music scene kind of girl that I could never pull off. Adorable rompers with colorful tights, maxi dresses with cowboy boots, or like today just a simple red scarf over a navy and white striped shirt.

So that got me thinking of red, with a simple pop of color as an accessory, or a piece of clothing can really catch your eye. So when I can't see my sweet and funny co-worker on a daily basis, I have these other great images of inspiration to help get me out of my box.


image: the glamourai


image: cupcakes and cashmere

(Or if working some red pieces into your wardrobe just isn't enough, just top off every look with some vibrant red locks instead, maybe that's why I really love my stylish co-worker's looks so much!)

Surrey with the fringe on top

Friday I was in the heart of my fair city, Indianapolis, just driving home from a trip to the downtown library when what do I see crossing the street, but a 2 seat er surrey bicycle! You know those funny little pedal bikes you can rent on boardwalks and in tourist-y beach towns, there it was just crossing the street like it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.





Though what struck me as odd was not that we are no where near a tourist-y little beach city, I wish!, but is how on earth they got it here and if the cute young couple I saw pedaling it lives downtown where are they keeping it during the off season? I mean can you imagine pedaling that from a cute little neighborhood 30 minutes away just to jet set around Monument Circle? It was so ridiculous but so cheerful to see it go by on a hot summer Friday.
It made me want to shell out 20 bucks, grab a Popsicle and get my honey pedaling!

Bouquets of a different kind

Recently a friend of mine shared a picture of a bouquet that a student made for her, made completely out of buttons!

After a quick trip to google typing in button bouquets I realized that this is no new thing. People are crafting these super cute looking bouquets for weddings and centerpieces. And how easy would it be to make? Grab up a few handful of colorful and different shaped buttons, some floral wire and ribbon and viola instant forever lasting flowers. It would be the perfect centerpiece for a DIY wedding or if you were going for a whole button theme? The possibilities are endless.









Seeing the button ones made me instantly think of this wedding bouquet that was featured on Simply Bloom Photography's blog a few months ago made out of Anthropologie door handles.

This totally has me inspired for a summer craft project of my own. I just have to decide on buttons or door knobs!