A Package Deal

As I have said many times I am a sucker for marketing and good packaging. When Sephora puts together their sampler packages it is all I can do not to spend $100 on multiple trial sized beauty products. Here are some they have now.Above is the Get Pink'd Pink Lip Deluxe Sampler and below is the Skin Saviors Moisturizers Deluxe Sample Kit.


Above-Eau Girl Deluxe Fragrance Sampler Below (a great summer gift)- Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler

I think I love these because it brings me back to the days when I was young and would wait to buy my 3 step Clinique system when they were having a gift bag.

All the gift bags used to be Clinique green but it looks like now they have changed that....

Am I the only one with this Clinique memory as a young teen? Who do you think has the best gift sets?

It's Almost That Time...

Since the 4th is right around the corner I thought we could take a look at some red, white and blue rooms. Who better to help with this than Coastal Living?

How cool is this floor?

I am adding this striped chair my "should be mine" file....

What I wouldn't give for a beach house.

Want to add a little patriotic color to your casa without breaking the bank? Try one of these rugs from Shades of Light.

Even better, they are both indoor/outdoor rugs.

It's Monday, Let's Stay In Bed

Love all these bedrooms....
Although I am not sure about the desk at the end of the bed in this one, I don't think I would like that at all...
All images HERE.

Quiet Time- An Oldie But A Goodie

I know that it is probably not appropriate or correct to refer to a verse as "an oldie but a goodie". By this I just mean that the following verse is probably one the most familiar verses. I was going to post about something else today but this week has been very hard for several close people around me and I just felt it was appropriate.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD.

Psalm 23

Image HERE

ive found what ive been trying to get across for the past 9 or 10 years...

What is it that I wish to convey?...I wish to convey something immaterial and I have to use material means for it. I have to convey something which is inexpressible and I have to use expression. I have to convey, perhaps, something unconscious and I have to use conscious means. I know in advance that I shall not succeed and cannot succeed, and therefore all I can do is to get nearer and nearer in some asymptotic approach; I do my best, but it is an agonizing struggle in which, if I am…any kind of self-conscious thinker, I am engaged for the whole of my life.

- Isaiah Berlin. The Roots of Romanticism, (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1999).

A Bride, A Room, A Bloom

I pulled this picture out of J. Crew to put on my inspiration board. This bride is stunning to me. I think she is so gorgeous without being over the top. The dress, the jewelry, the hair, the flowers, perfection!Another room that could describe me in one picture. When I will I stop?!?! The picture is from Veranda July/August 2009, another F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S issue, get it now. Want a sneak peek? Visit Wanderings of a Wannabe for more pictures and wonderful design inspiration.
Okay I need your honest opinion. Do y'all like this dress? You won't hurt my feelings if you say NO. It is one of those things I can't decide if it is cool or if it is bad, bad. I need your opinion! Dress HERE.
I hope you have a great weekend!!!!

One More Thing! A big Thank You to Jolena at Black Ribbon Interiors for the One Lovely Blog Award, you are too sweet!!!

Dear Anthro, Do You See My Predicament?

Dearest Anthropologie,

It's me Marianne. What do you mean you don't know me? You should, I am in your stores all the time, I love you with all my heart. In my eyes you can do no wrong....Oh, I see, my name is not on any of the sold receipts in your stores. Well, it is because your prices have put me in a real bind..... You don't understand what I am trying to tell you? Oh okay, I will give you an example.

I would love the be the owner of this dress. I would wear it around town, swirling, twirling, doing my best to make you proud.....


So what is my predicament you ask? Well, I am girl on a tight budget and for the $218 you are asking for this dress I could get all, yes ALL of these dresses combined.




I know, it is unbelievable. I know, I know- you have your reasons, no need to go into detail. All I am saying is that if you could possibly drop your prices a little, you would make me one very happy shopper. At $218 for that dress I could save a few extra pennies and get a DVF (aka every woman's dream):
So my Love, will you see what you can do and get back to me?

XOXO,

Marianne (hopefully anonymous no more)

Dresses in order:
1. Anthropologie Grass Blade Dress $218
2.Urban Outfitters- Silence & Noise Twist Dress $24.99
3. Old Navy Cross Front Ruffle Dress (cute in black too) $29.50
4.Old Navy Cross Front Jersey Dress $15.00
5. Forever 21 Beaded Neck Maxi Dress $22.80
6. Forever21 Deliliah One Shoulder Dress $19.80
7. Forever21 China Pattern Dress $22.80
8. Urban Outfitters- Kimichi Blue Dobby Babydoll Dress $58.00
9. Urban Outfitters- Kimichi Blue Lace Cut Detail Cutout Dress $29.99
10. Diane Von Furstenberg Silk Jersey Wrap Dress $298

If I Were A Room-Let's Try This Again

I know many of us have tried to define ourselves in one picture before. The last time I tried I was unable to pick just one. This is no shocker since I make decisions for people all day but when it comes to myself I have perpetual indecisiveness.
But this room by Suzanne Kasler may be my new favorite. Here are the reasons why:
1. The diamond sisal rug
2. The pop of color on the heavy draperies
3. The wing chair in the foreground
4. The floating framed maps
5. The custom Walter Knabe paper on the ceiling-probably my favorite
6. The styling- the boots, umbrella stand, hat, blanket, books, berry stems, etc.

I could go on but I know you get the picture. The only thing missing for me is some more grey, haha. To see the rest of this house and the views, both of which are TO-DIE-FOR visit Veranda.

daily inspo...

Elle Decor-Have You Seen It?

The July/August issue of Elle Decor had a lot of features that made me drool. Here is a glimpse into some that grabbed my attention:

1. A very, very cool house by designer Martyn Lawerence-Bullard

2. Monelle Totah's apartment
3.Beautiful Flowers4. Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer's Dreamy escape
Sorry about the scanned images, I know they need some work. These are just some of the stories that I had marked. You must also check out the home of Scott Currie among several others.

A special thank you to Brooke for being a wonderful host last night!