29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 29

Sweater, Skirt 

I'm thoroughly convinced that I would be exponentially more creative at work if sequins, glitter, and tulle skirts were acceptable attire. *Please note that if you're imagining anything scandalous by that description, you have it all wrong. For me, "pushing the envelope" with my wardrobe is wearing green shoe laces on Friday and chunky necklaces on a regular basis. There is just something about wearing white button downs, grey sweaters, and black pants that sucks the creativity right out of me. Who's with me?! 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 28

Available here 

If you give a mouse a cookie...

We're still waiting on both of our sofas to arrive, but I've been searching for pillows in the meantime. Luca wants us to get new pillows too apparently; she's chewed up two in the last month. Truth be told I was tiring of our old pillows as well, but eating them to justify buying new ones never crossed my mind. Luca is one smart cookie. I'm going to chew some of my clothes up later- and maybe a few shoes- in hopes that I can replace those as well. :) 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 27

Available here

The last thing I need (after pens, necklaces, and cavities) is another watch, but goodness, do I want one of these!!! 

I've had a tortoise watch on my wish list for quite some time now, but the nude color watch above is causing me to rethink the tortoise. The coral one is all sorts of gorgeous as well. 

Do you have any watches on your must-have list? 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 26

Eyewear found here 

Until two years ago I'd never needed glasses. The ONLY benefit of my eyes getting worse is that there are a lot of great frames to choose from right now! Yesterday I tried on this pair and LOVED them!! You can't tell from the photo, but these frames are of the oversized variety. I've tried on countless pairs of large frames and have yet to find a pair I like. Because the frame is so thin on these, I don't look like a little kid running around in her grandpa's glasses. My appointment is in two weeks; I just have to convince Mr. Frankel (Budget Keeper Extraordinaire) that no other pair of frames will do. 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 24

[images via here]

Most of you know that I just can't help myself when it comes to big necklaces. The more over-the-top the better as far as I'm concerned. I LOVE these necklaces on History + Industry on etsy. If we hadn't just purchased two sofas I'd be trying to convince Mr. Frankel that these necklaces are really a necessity. 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 22

Do we even need words? Look at the lamps, people. Just look at them. Ok, now that you've had a chance to REALLY look at them, are you seeing what I'm seeing... ? 

Lamp  Ring Pop

Maybe that explains my complete obsession with this lamp- the fact that I have a TERRIBLE sweet tooth (and lots of childhood memories  involving Ring Pops). 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 21

1  2  3  4

I'm a hair product junkie. It's not as bad as my pen problem, but suffice it to say, I've tested many hair products! These are a few of my current favorites! 

What are your favorite hair products?! 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 20

1 2 3 4

I know most of my blog-friends are familiar with Society 6, but for the rest of you, this is a site you definitely need to visit. Society 6 is a site that allows artists to sell prints of their work at whatever price they choose.  I've had a few of these pieces in my shopping cart for some time now. Depending on what size you're looking for, you can get a print for under $30. Amazing! A wonderful option if you're building a gallery wall. I personally would love to create a layered look on my mantel with a few of these pieces!

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 19

Pitcher; Tumbler

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 18

Sabre image via here (Other images are mine)

I've blogged about Sabre a few times before, but these spoons are a DEFINITE must-have. Again, they provide no additional benefit from a normal spoon. Pragmatically, they're not a must-have. BUT THEY ARE GORGEOUS, and they make me SO happy! I purchased mine here. 

here

*Is it weird that I want to frame this photo for my kitchen?! 

Do you have any Sabre items? 

Time to go. Mr. Frankel and I are headed to the gym, COSTCO, and then to purchase our sofa!!! It's going to be a good day! 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 17

This week was strange; it was essentially completely stress-free for me, but it FLEW by. Contrast that with last week (which was busy and stressful) but dragged on FOREVER, and we have ourselves a strange situation. Nonetheless, it's Friday, so I'm not asking any questions. 

I've got to keep it real with you guys. I thought this 29 Must-Haves for 29 Days things would be a piece of cake. I LOVE products and am always creating wish lists, but I think maybe I should have called this series "29 things I sort of like". THAT would have been easy- and not very interesting. I'm still not sure if this series is interesting to you as a reader or not, but once again it's Friday (so I'm not asking any questions). 

Last night I was working on the layout for our family room. *We're ordering our new sofa this weekend!! I snapped a photo of our bar cart as I was moving things around- because I'm random like that. When I looked at the photo (below), I realized I had just snapped a shot of another must-have. Astier de Villatte. 

I've mentioned Astier before on my blog (in the early years)

I have two bowls from the Adelaide collection. This is the smaller of the two. These are must-haves for one reason and one reason only. They're gorgeous- works of art, really. Back when I lived in Columbus (sniff, sniff), there was an amazing shop less than five miles from my house that carried the Astier line. 

Christopher and I have been talking about heading back to Columbus to shop, eat, and visit friends. *Said friends don't yet know that we may be coming to visit in a few weeks, but if you're reading you've been forewarned.* IF we make the trip, I may just have to add to my Astier collection....

This is one serious, jaw dropping Astier collection: 

here

*Is there a way to just time-machine myself to into the beautiful place where this photo was taken? Oh, wait, it's Friday. I'm not asking any questions. 

Have a lovely weekend! 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 16

bag via here

I've been on the hunt for a big work tote that can double as a travel bag for some time. I already have the Le Pilage tote by Longchamp and love it. I think having a slightly bigger one, with heftier straps, and the ability to expand is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I'm thinking I might just treat myself to this bag in the near future. Do you have any other suggestions before I bite the bullet?

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 15 + a Winner!!!

In the spring of 2010 I purchased the Stila jewel eye palette. As I do with all sold-out or discontinued products that I love, I have managed to save it for two years! I only use the eyeshadow for special occasions because I couldn't stand the thought of running out. *I do understand that this is faulty logic; I'm a faulty kind of girl. 

Anyhow, I periodically check Stila's new arrivals to see if they'll bring back my beloved jewel palette. I checked the site last night (after consuming unhealthy amounts of tikka masala), and to my uncontainable excitement, the Jewel eye colors are back!  If you like sparkle- that doesn't fall off eye onto your cheek- this is your product. I've searched for two years for an equivalent product with no luck. *THIS is without a doubt a must-have product for me. 

I also want to say congrats to Jess for winning the Linnea's Lights giveaway! Be sure to send me your address, so I can get this amazing candle on its way to you! 

ONE LAST THING: Check back at 9 AM EST if you'd like to witness the resurgence of What's in your bag Wednesday. That's right. It's back. WITH A VENGEANCE. Oh dear. 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 14

Happy Valentine's day! Are you doing anything fun to celebrate? Mr. Frankel's class is cancelled tonight, so we'll be *trying* to go out to dinner. Our back-up plan is to get Indian take-out. I may or may not be secretly hoping that we have to resort to our back-up plan...

I mentioned yesterday that we're really close to purchasing a new sofa for our family room. We've been shuffling things around a bit in our home; this house is nearly exactly the same size as our previous house, but the furniture fits SO differently! 

You can see our current family room here. The table we currently have in our family room takes up a LOT of space. We're planning to move it to the basement as a card/craft table and desk. I'm still not sure that we even have room for a smaller table in the room once the new sofa moves in, but if we do have room, I'm definitely opting for either the Ikea or the CB2 white pedestal table. 

Here's what I'm thinking for our family room. 

Sofa 

Media Console (we already have this)

Flame Stitch Pillows 

Seagrass Chairs (we already have these)

Brass Bowl

Boxwood Ball (we already have this)

Coffee Table

Lamp (we have one very similar to this)

Mirror (We have one very similar to this)

Rothko Print

Tray table

Here is the Ikea version in action: 

1.  2.   3.  4. 

That's all I've got today. I'm off to smooch my valentine. 

**Today is the last day to enter the Linnea's Lights giveaway!!

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 13

I have not yet found a florist that I like in Indianapolis; in all honesty that's because I haven't yet looked. If I were to actually start looking for a florist, though, I would ask them to make me this type of arrangement. Add some kale or cabbage flowers and I would be one very happy girl!!!! 

*All of these arrangements are from Olive and Cocoa!

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 12

If there is one piece of men's clothing of which I am envious, it is for sure ties! I have a husband who loves to wear them, which is good because I LOVE to buy them! My favorite source for ties is The Tie Bar. *All ties shown are from there. 

The Tie Bar has a HUGE selection of really affordable (as in $15 usually) ties, bow ties, etc. I admire Mr. Frankel's ties so much, I often imagine myself borrowing them....

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 11

pillows via here

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 10

This week has been of the extra-stressful variety. I could use a day of pampering. I've been thinking of having my own in-home spa day this weekend. If I do attempt this, one item I will most certainly use is Philosophy's Microdelivery in-home peel. 

I love this product because you can FEEL it working- and it feels good. The crystals aren't too harsh for my (very) sensitive skin, and the whole process takes less than five minutes. 

Do you have any favorite face masques?

 **Do you have any good recommendations for hair treatments? I'm really strongly considering this in-home spa day.... or at least an in-home spa hour. 

Happy Friday. Hallelujah. Holy shit*. 

*Sorry for the bad word, Mom and Dad. It was necessary; I promise. 

29 must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 9

Happy Thursday, everyone! Did you have a chance to check out the awesome giveaway I announced yesterday? If not, please do; I arranged this myself specifically for you all. I hope you're excited! 

Moving on to today's must have: 

Another must-have that I currently don't have. Like many of you, I'm a neon lover. Remember this post? I LOVE PureEssentia on etsy. If you're looking for hand-painted neon rhinestone jewelry (because, really, isn't everyone looking for this?), this is the place to go. 

I've been envisioning one of these necklaces with a dress I love from BCBG: 

To me, this looks like a perfect outfit for our Vegas trip. I think this needs to happen. 

29 Must-Haves for 29 Days: Day 8 + a Shop Talk Interview + a GIVEAWAY!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a triple threat today! Not only are we continuing my top Must-haves for February, but I also reached out to co-founder of Linnea's Lights (today's must have), Laura Cler, for a few reasons: 1. to express my love for her amazing candles, 2. to ask her if she'd be interested in giving one of her delicious candles away to a lucky reader (she said yes!), and 3. to ask her a few questions about her business and revive my long-lost Shop Talk series. 

I hope you've had your coffee this morning. Here we go: 

I consider myself to be a bit of a candle connoisseur, and Linnea's Lights have quickly become favorite candle. Period- end of discussion. OK, OK, I'll elaborate. The packaging is adorable (and environmentally friendly), the scents are amazing (they fill a room- but aren't too strong), and the larger double wick candle lasts up to 60 hours. I'm hooked. *Can I enter my own giveaway??? Joking... sort of. 

Moving right along.. to the "Shop Talk Interview": 

Three words to describe yourself:

  thoughtful,  vivacious, creative

Where do you find inspiration? 

traveling, life experiences, books and magazines, family and friends, and my children

What's the best business advice you've ever been given?

 Be creative, work hard, and never give up. 

What would your dream project be? 

  I would love to create a non-profit arm of Linnea's Lights that would give back to society on a local and national level. 

What businesswomen do you look up to?

  Oprah, Estee Lauder, Coco Chanel

What advice do you have to entrepreneurs-to-be? 

Do what you love the most, do it with passion &  with a sense of humor and always, always treat others with respect.

If you could splurge on any one item for yourself, what would it be?  

A really beautiful vintage timepiece. 

*Doesn't Laura just sound lovely!? I couldn't agree more with her advice to entrepreneurs-to-be. Spot on. Good advice in general, really. 

And now for the third and final part of today's post. The Giveaway. One lucky reader will win one of the larger, double-wick candles, in one of her new spring fragrances: Violet. 

Contest winner will be announced Wednesday, February 15. 

*To enter please be a follower of my blog.*

-Please leave a comment (as usual, saying whatever you like). 

-For an additional entry: tweet about the giveaway with a link back to this post. Leave a comment to let me know you've done so. 

-For an additional entry: blog about the giveaway with a link back to this post. Leave a comment to let me know you've done so. 

PHEW! Excitement overload today. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted! 

Have a lovely Wednesday!!