Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Everywhere

These little Hostess stud earrings are adorable! For under $10, how can you justify not buying them!

I also love these because they're mint green and sparkly!

This charm would look great on my charm bracelet!


These note cards would make cute valentines!



But nothing beats a homemade cupcake. These kits from Williams Sonoma allow you to whip up your very own Sprinkles cupcakes at home. My favorite flavor is red velvet (with cream cheese frosting of course)!

Enjoy your cupcakes, however you like them!
taylor

The Ultimate Ultra

I've had my eye on these rings from the Chanel Ultra collection for several years now. I love them because they're simple and elegant, but they make a serious statement. I think my favorite one is the white ceramic with diamonds. It's beautiful! Wouldn't they make cute his & hers presents? I don't even want to think about what they cost--I still love them. A girl can dream, right?!

What's on your Valentine's list?
taylor

Ahh Relaxation

I've already had a nice start to my weekend. I finished up at the office a little early and went out with M to one of our favorite spots for lunch, Cuban Revolution. They have yummy empanadas and freshly made guacamole that's always delicious. I love the decor, too. The walls are adorned with huge canvases with graffiti-style portraits of 60s icons like Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Fidel Castro. They're so bright and colorful. I wish I could have one for my apartment. Afterwards, M went to Friday night poker with the boys and I treated myself to a manicure. It's been a long week and I felt like I'd definitely earned some R&R. Plus, my new Chanel polish arrived in the mail on Tuesday and I was dying to see what it looked like. The verdict is in and I love it! It's such a unique color. I can't even explain the shade. It's in the taupe family, but from some angles it looks almost like an army green or grayish-olive.

I also browsed through Victoria's Secret and picked up this lip gloss heart ring. I couldn't resist! They had me at the colorful foil packaging. Yes, I'm a sucker. I picked the yellow ring, mostly because it's not the color I would typically choose. It's amazing how a little $5 trinket can make me so happy! I'm going to curl up with a blanket on the couch and catch up on some of my DVR'd shows from this week. I hope Grey's Anatomy was good last night!

How do you unwind after a long week?
taylor

Well Helloooo Weekend

This absolutely made my day! Seriously, I was so excited when I read this post. I even did I double-take. I highly recommend checking out my friend Tiane's blog because she finds some pretty neat things and goes on exciting adventures all over the globe. Plus, she just got cute new bangs (think Nicole Richie). On a side note, I am so happy it's finally Friday. This week has been a doozy. Do you have any fun weekend plans?

Thankyouthankyouthankyou Tiane!
Happy Friday!
taylor

Listen Up

Urbanears has some headphones that I would love to get my hands on. I love the bright colors and the fact that there's not a brand name written all over them. My favorite ones are the sea foam green (they've dubbed it ocean). I've never been a fan of the little earbuds that come with ipods because they always fall out. These are great because they have a wide headband and look like they'll stay put. They even have a special jack where someone else can plug a set of headphones into them and listen to music with you! A great idea if you ask me. I can remember many car rides as a kid where my sisters and I would fight over sharing headphones. Problem solved! They even fold up to the size of a fist for easy storage in your bag. I have to give credit to Sam at Post Grad Hair Cut. She brought these to my attention as part of her Valentine gift feature.

The headphones have just recently arrived here in the US and they might even be carrying them soon at Nordstrom. For now, you get get your very own pair at Karmaloop. When I first saw them, I thought for sure that they were made by Apple, with the bright, simple design and all. I guess other companies are trying to appeal to those of us who can appreciate the sleek simplicity of monochromatic electronics.

Which is your favorite color?
taylor

Spice Up Your Kitchen

This is my new favorite Etsy shop of the week. The artist designs giant pop art floor coverings. Don't you love the Cracker Jack rug?! It's so nostalgic and would make a nice kitchen accent. There are other designs too, like a tray of sushi, giant Hostess cupcake, or a waffle, complete with syrup and a pat of butter. These floor accessories are so much more fun that any ho-hum kitchen rug. They even have a vinyl coating so they're easy to clean (always a plus). I would use them as an art mat under a child's easel to prevent paint splatters from getting on the floor. I think a sunny side up egg would be a fun design too!

Which one is your favorite?
taylor

Bubbly

These champagne flutes are so pretty! I first saw them advertised in Spirit magazine on my Southwest flight home for the holidays. When I finally looked them up online, they had already sold out. I keep checking their website to see if they've gotten more in stock. Sadly, I think they are gone forever. I know there are other models of double-walled glasses out there but I really like these because they look like little test tubes. The science nerd inside of me yearns to sip some bubbly out of them. If you ever come across them, please scoop them up for me. I will be indebted to you forever and ever. Plus, they will be the most unique pieces in my champagne glass collection (which is constantly growing).

A side note--Spirit magazine is fantastic. I wish I could get a subscription to it at home or else travel on Southwest once a month just to have the chance to read it. One of my favorite columns is the travel feature. They have a spotlight on one city and four different approaches of what to do in that city. You take a little quiz and they tell you the best things to do in the city based on your interests. For example, they might highlight outdoor activities, shopping trips, historical excursions, or adventurous restaurants depending on your answers. It's so clever! The only problem is I'm usually interested in doing all of the suggested things in each city. Oh well!

Brrrrr

This picture made me smile today. We had decent weather in New England, but temps are supposed to take a nose dive tonight and tomorrow. It's going to be good hot chocolate weather this weekend! I'm not even a huge fan of marshmallows, but the fact that they're cloud-shaped make them more appealing. The weatherman is even calling for snow on Saturday. I'll be ready!

The Art of the Macaron

There has been a huge blogging trend recently about macarons (not to be confused with macaroons). These more traditional French cookies are extremely difficult to master at home. They are a meringue-based sandwich cookie that is filled with a thick buttercream frosting or sometimes a fruit compote. I love to bake, but even I'm skeptical about giving these a whirl. You have to do everything just right and have a very reliable oven to get the proper consistency and shape. There isn't any margin for error. It sounds a little frustrating if you ask me.

I've been reading a lot of articles about them and following certain blogs whose writers are attempting the task. I've even gone so far as to ask my family in Paris to send me some of the renowned macarons from the French teahouse Ladurée. I love all of the pretty pastel shades that they come in! So far, I think they best ones I've seen online are at Not So Humble Pie. Mrs. Humble has gone through literally dozens of trials and different recipes before her macarons came out right. Kudos to her--they look delicious! I love the endless flavor combinations that you could create with different cookies and fillings.

I've also seen this cute book that teaches recipes and techniques for making these finicky little goodies. I would love to add it to my kitchen collection. In fact, there's a giveaway that I entered over at the Post Grad Hair Cut blog. It's one of my new favorites to browse! Samantha does a great job sharing fun products and artsy finds that she enjoys. I highly recommend becoming a follower of hers. I have my fingers crossed that I may be lucky enough to get my hands on a macaron book of my very own. Until then, I'll just be scouting around Providence for these yummy treats!

Have you ever attempted the temperamental macaron? Do tell!
taylor

Googoo for Gaga

I would be lying if I said I liked Lady Gaga, mostly because I don't just like her, I LOVE her. Are her outfits over the top? Sure. Are her music videos a little obscure? Definitely. Is she entertaining? YES! I think her fashion sense and outlandish personality are all just a part of the package and persona that she has created. I really do enjoy her music. It's catchy & energizing and you don't have to read too far into it. I find myself humming her songs throughout the day and some of the catch phrases become lodged in my mind indefinitely (Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah, Roma Roma-ma, Gaga Oh la-la). You get the point.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lady Gaga was recently hired by Polaroid (the camera company) as a creative director. I think this is a great move on their part. Sales of instant cameras have been tanking ever since digital cameras hit the market and have become mainstream. What better way to revive your product than by collaborating with one of the hottest pop artists currently on the scene? I have a feeling they may have a big campaign in the works to launch some fun, affordable instant cameras that somehow incorporate Gaga's unique style into the mix. Having always loved the satisfaction of an instant camera, this totally excites me. I cannot wait to see what's in store for this line (due out late this year)! In the meantime, take a look at this photo from Lady Gaga's blog where she displays her new business card!

Any thoughts on what she could bring to the Polaroid brand?
taylor

Geaux Saints

I'm so pumped for today's playoff games! I am really pulling for the Saints, mainly because I'm a huge fan of Drew Brees. He definitely carried my fantasy team for the majority of the season. How can you not root for the team that has yet to make a Super Bowl appearance? Bill Simmons, one of my favorite sports writers, has a great column this week about the hype surrounding the matchup between the Saints and the Vikings. He makes a great argument for the Saints to come out on top. And, quite honestly, I flat out refuse to cheer for Favre. I'm just over it. It's time for Brees to shine. I really think the Saints have a better team dynamic going on than Favre's comeback story. I prefer watching Jeremy Shockey's intense antics (hopefully he plays) and the whole Reggie Bush/Kim Kardashian lovey-dovey subplot is pretty entertaining as well. Wouldn't it be great to hear the entire Superdome chanting "Bush and the Tush"?

Bottom line, I think the Saints and their fans really deserve this win and trip to the Super Bowl. This team really has heart. Besides, haven't they been through enough in Louisiana the past 5 years?

Who will you be cheering for?
taylor

Cake Gloss

Remember how I said I loved cupcakes? Well, this is my new obsession of the moment! It's a cute miniature cupcake that opens up to reveal a pot of shimmery strawberry-scented lip gloss. I found it at a children's shop (of course) on my ski trip in New Hampshire (which I still have to blog about). I love little novelty items like this, they just make me happy. I bought the strawberry cupcake with pink frosting filled with pale pink gloss but there were several other types to choose from. I've never seen these anywhere before! Looking back, I wish I had gotten one of every flavor because I know I'm going to use it up in the next couple of weeks.Luckily, I found four glosses that can be ordered as a set here.

Wouldn't they make great favors at a little girl's birthday party?
taylor

Hug Me

This is the cutest thing I have ever seen! It's a mug shaped like a cacao bean that's designed to keep your hands warm while you "hug" it and drink your hot chocolate or coffee! How fun is that?! Just looking at it makes me feel cozy! I'm adding it to my Valentine's wish list. It's designed by world-famous chocolatier Max Brenner. If you ever get the chance to visit one of his shops in NYC you can order up one of these babies filled with some rich, exotic cocoa! I know it's at the top of my to-do list next time I'm in the city. I've heard their Mexican hot chocolate has a really spicy kick to it! Mmm...perfect for the chilly January mornings we've been having here in New England. They have a ton of great gift sets all ready to be shipped out for that special someone next month. There's even a line of beauty products (think creams, sugar scrubs, etc.) made from cocoa butter for the true chocoholic!

Enjoy!
taylor

Bottoms Up

I received the best birthday surprise in the mail a few weeks ago! An unexpected package arrived a few days after my b-day and I immediately opened it to find the cutest, most colorful wine glass from my sweet cousin, Chrissy! I have already enjoyed a few glasses of wine out of it and I foresee many more in the future. I love the glass because it has a birthday theme with candles and sparkles on it (perfect for me) plus it's hand painted. There's even a recipe painted on the bottom for a white wine cocktail (that I have yet to try).

I like the glass so much that I checked out the company's website to see what other types of items they have to offer. Wow, was I surprised! They have everything from hand pained beer mugs to shot glasses to candles and even some odd ball trinkets in between. Looking for a celebratory divorce champagne flute, anyone? Yes, that's right. They really have every occasion covered. They make great gifts and the packaging is bright and eye catching.

Thanks Chrissy! I love my wine glass.
What's your favorite design?
taylor

Late-Night Laughs

I'm not a huge fan of late night talk shows. It's nothing personal against Letterman or Leno, I just don't usually stay up late enough during the week to catch these programs. That being said, I do have a certain affinity for Jimmy Fallon's show. I started watching it because I love the Roots and they're Jimmy's house band (side note-they do a fantastic job). I often set my DVR to record shows with celebrity guests who I like. I've grown to like Jimmy because he's not mean-spirited like those other guys. He actually comes off as a pretty nice, kinda nerdy guy who genuinely seems to be a fan of a lot of his guests. One of my favorite regular segments has to be the "Thank You Notes". It's hysterical! The music alone is enough to get me giggling. Jimmy will "write" brief thank you notes to groups of people, individuals, or even inanimate objects that have made the headlines during the week. Below is a clip from the most recent episode. There is a brief commercial in the beginning, but I promise, the Fallon clip comes right after.

If you like it, you can check out past segments here. Let me know what you think!
taylor

Spring Fever

I know we're in the absolute dead of winter, especially here in New England, but I can't help but look forward to spring. It's been so cold! I have my eyes on these nude Christian Louboutin peep-toed pumps and this Caribbean blue multi-strand necklace for when the warmer weather finally arrives.

I can't resist this pretty sea green sun dress either! I love the textured cotton fabric.


Looking at all of these spring clothes leaves me longing for a beach vacation...

What are you looking forward to this spring?
taylor

Be My Valentine

Lately, I find myself getting lost while browsing Etsy. It is seriously one of my favorite sites to explore. I love all of the handmade goods and I'm so glad that such a forum exists where people can showcase their talents. My favorite shop right now (it changes daily) is joojooland. The artist is a web designer who left the world of technology to follow her dream of crafting handmade goods. Her shop features critter magnets and jewelry made from polymer clay. Each piece is unique and the colors that she uses are so pretty! Penguins have always been one of my favorite animals, so it's easy to see why I think this pair is so cute! I especially love the miniature fish they're sharing. Take a minute to browse some of her prints and other goodies. There are some great ideas for not-so-traditional valentines. I promise, you will not be disappointed!

Do you have a favorite Etsy shop?
taylor

Mmm...Cupcakes

Cupcakes are one of my favorite sweet treats! They're bite-sized morsels of deliciousness that come in endless flavor combinations. They conjure up memories of my childhood, especially when my mom would whip up huge batches of orange-glazed cupcakes for me to take to Montessori school as a snack. One of my go-to choices these days are funfetti cupcakes. They're so cute and colorful. I had them a few weeks ago for my birthday. The frosting is tasty, but what I really love is taking that first bite and seeing the little bits of sprinkle confetti waiting inside. Definitely a guaranteed way to put a smile on anyone's face!

What's your favorite cupcake flavor?
taylor

Throw Back Snacks

I've been way up here in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for the past few days. It's absolutely beautiful and everyone is so friendly. I've also rediscovered one of my all-time favorite snacks from youth: Jiffy Pop! Some of you may not even remember this tasty treat. It's basically microwave popcorn for before there were microwaves. It looks kinda like a pie tin filled with popcorn kernels & oil with a wire coat hanger handle. You remove the cardboard circle (where the directions are printed) and place it over your burner (or campfire), wait for the oil to sizzle, and shake, shake, shake until the aluminum foil dome inflates with fresh, buttery popcorn.

I'm not sure why this got me so excited, but it was like Christmas all over again. You just don't see Jiffy Pop in stores like you used to. It's much more exciting-and dangerous-than the plain old microwave stuff. Looking back, I can't believe my parents let me shake the boiling hot oil over an open flame. It was really an accident waiting to happen. I remember when Jiffy Pop had a promotion (circa 1986-7) where there were baseball cards included on the back of the cardboard Jiffy Pop discs. My dad probably bought a minimum of 25 of them and left them unopened. Do you know how hard it is for a 4 year old to understand why we can't actually pop and eat the case of Jiffy Pop sitting in the kitchen? I can still hear my dad saying, "They're going to be worth a lot of money some day!" Well, they're probably sitting in a box in the attic.

I'm on a mission to bring Jiffy Pop back. Do you remember this snack?
taylor

Rubber Duckie, You're the One...

I have a mild obsession with stationery. I was the kid who loved going shopping for school supplies in mid-August. I would happily walk up and down every aisle, checking items off the list. Over the years, this infatuation has evolved into a love of all things writing oriented-bright markers, cute note cards, funky stickers-anything related to sending things snail mail or organizing my desk. One of my favorite new finds are these adorable paperclips from the MOMA store. Aren't they great?! I ordered the little ducks but they also have mini elephants. I think it's a great way to add some personality (and individuality) to the cookie cutter world of cubicles.

MOMA has lots of great finds. Do you have any favorite writing materials?
taylor

Elementary, My Dear

I have extreme movie ADD. In fact, I think movie theaters should have a mandatory intermission for any film that lasts longer than two hours. I just need to get up, stretch my legs, move around, and take a break from paying attention at that time. Plus, I usually have something to say to the person I'm seeing the movie with by then. I need to ask a question about the plot or comment on main character's wardrobe. Three hours is a ludicrous amount of time to be sitting in a theater without moving and talking! I've heard some great things about Avatar but I refuse to go because a. it's 162 minutes long (not counting previews) and b. if I chose to take a 5 minute break, I would most certainly miss the best or most important part. People think I'm silly because I love kiddie movies, but have you noticed that they have an average running time of 92 minutes? Perfect--bring on Disney's animated classics!

Well, I finally found a movie that kept me not only in my seat, but at the very edge of it for 128 full minutes! I saw Sherlock Holmes last week and it was amazing! It was the perfect mix of humor, suspense, and mystery. I highly recommend it to all of you. Robert Downey Jr. was hysterical and brought to life Arthur Conan Doyle's character just as I imagined him. He was witty and crude and absolutely brilliant! Jude Law complemented him very well as Watson, his brainy sidekick. I liked the movie so much that I immediately downloaded the classic stories on my Kindle app. They are all so clever and have subtle clues that you become more aware of as you read. If you're looking for something to do this upcoming holiday weekend, check out Sherlock Holmes. Just don't take a bathroom break!

Have you seen it already? Let me know what you think!
taylor

Just Call Me Picabo

I've been feverishly packing and and mentally preparing myself for the upcoming weekend of skiing and relaxing at Attitash in New Hampshire. The only problem is I've never skied before. Ever. I've only been to a ski resort once (as an observer) and my cousin ended up breaking his wrist. Not exactly an encouraging experience. Nonetheless, I've decided to go into this trip with an open mind and loads of anticipation. I keep having crazy visions where I get stuck on the lift or one of my skis falls off and hits someone below. That stuff doesn't actually happen, right?!

Most experienced skiers I've spoken to have suggested taking a lesson right off the bat. This way I won't even have the chance to develop any bad habits. I can ice skate and rollerblade so that has to count for something. I feel like the right skis could make all the difference. I wonder if these Chanel beauties will be available to rent:

At least I know there will be plenty of hot cocoa waiting for me at the bottom of the mountain (or bunny slope). Do you have any secret tips that would make my experience more successful & enjoyable? Please share them! I'll be sure to take lots of photos and absolutely zero videos!

Wish me luck.
taylor

iLove

I never thought I would be one of those people. We all have one: the friend who constantly has their phone glued to his hand. Well, it's official, I have become that person. I blame it on the iPhone. It's just too amazing & convenient to leave sitting there on the coffee table. Or on your desk. Or buried in your purse. It deserves a front-row seat to all social engagements, partially due to the fact that it's responsible for getting you to those engagements! It recommends restaurants, finds movie times, and serves as a mini macbook right at your fingertips. I feel like I've been cheating on my laptop for the past two weeks!

Don't even get me started on the apps. If you can imagine it, there is an app for it. I have yet to be disappointed with the selections. I can manage accounts with the Bank of America app and look up a recipe for dinner on the Food Network app. I can customize radio stations with the Pandora app and keep track of Big East scores with the ESPN app. The possibilities are endless. I'm pretty sure I'm only using my phone to about 40% of its full potential and, honestly, that's okay right now! I discover a new feature or shortcut every single day. It's helpful in streamlining my calendar and makes keeping up with e-mails practically painless. In short, I don't know how I navigated through my day without it. A big thank you to my hip younger sisters for surprising me with my very own iPhone at Christmas. I would still be in the dark ages without them!

Do you have a favorite app?
taylor

Lego My Timer

I love this little guy! He brightens up my counter space and makes me smile every time I twist his yellow head around. Yes, it's a Lego kitchen timer! He has 3 different faces that match up as time ticks away. I've had it for over a year now and I even gave one to my mom! It's a unique little conversation starter and seems to bring out the kid in everyone.

Lego makes a variety of kitchen items like ice cube trays, magnets, and even cake molds that look like the iconic building blocks we all played with as kids. I love browsing through the store and I especially love how they have the different bricks separated by color! You can purchase a container and fill it with any combination of pieces from the wall of Legos! How cool is that?! If you don't have a Lego store nearby, I recommend surfing on over to their website and checking out all of their neat stuff.

Happy Monday!
taylor

Chanel Nail Polish

I love Chanel. I mean, what girl doesn't? It's such an iconic brand that represents timeless class and elegance. I've recently starting paying more attention to their beauty products and not just the fantastic handbags and jewelry. One of my favorites is their line of nail polishes. I received a couple new shades in my stocking at Christmas (thanks Santa!) but I made the huge mistake of passing up the limited edition Jade color that was all the rage in their fall runway show. The color sold out worldwide in under an hour on their website! It can still be found on e-bay for over $100! Well, I am not going to miss the boat this time around for their spring collection! Behold Particulière:

It's the coveted color for spring (featured in Paris' Gala mag Au Courant pour 2010) and I just happened to stumble upon it on Nordstrom's website! It was released just last week and is already sold out on most websites I searched. I was able to pre-order 2 bottles so if anyone is interested let me know! It's a taupe hue with the faintest hint of purple. I cannot wait to try it on! It's supposed to ship out on the 20th of this month so I will keep you posted when it arrives.

taylor

Welcome!

I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog for a while now and after some encouragement from family & friends, here it is! There are a handful of blogs that I follow and it seems like a fun way to share updates about travel, likes & dislikes, fashion, and just everyday adventures. Plus, I'm hoping that managing this site will help me become a little more technologically savvy in 2010. I can't promise a cohesive theme but I hope to share pictures, articles, products, reviews, and tons of other fun things with my readers.

For those of you who are curious about the title of my blog, it's a reference to the movie Beautiful Girls. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend making a trip to your local Blockbuster and checking it out. It's a little on the cheesy side (like many movies from the mid-90s), but it has a great cast and a sweet message. There's a character that everyone can relate to on some level. Let me know if you've seen it!

Enjoy the blog!
taylor