Closet Crush

After organizing my holiday decorations I have been wanting do more organizing and have just picked my next project... my closet!   I want to maximize the space of my closet while being able to hang and store my clothes in a way that is functional and well, pretty too! Lookie lookie!  I have found some amazing closet inspiration.

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PS. I think, after amassing a bunch of closet pics, I might have more than some wonderful closet inspiration, I may or may not have a chandelier crush :)

Passion. Courage. Strength.

"Be passionate.  Be courageous.  Be strong." 

These are the words Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords used in a 2009 Scripps College commencement speech as she impressed upon the graduating class the importance of "persuing their passion and maintaining personal integrity and honesty." While it is quite unfortunate that it took such a disturbing event to bring this speech to my attention, the conviction, bravery, and passion of my fellow Scrippsie is an inspiration to me, as I'm sure it is to countless others.

My thoughts and well wishes go out to Congresswoman Giffords and her family.

Bye-bye Christmas :(

Sadly, this weekend I had to bid adieu to Christmas... It definitely isn't easy (physically or emotionally) to pack up all the ornaments, wind up the lights, and box up all the other tchotchkes, but with some new storage bins (and label maker) in hand, the process was a little more bearable, and maybe even a little enjoyable.    

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When possible, I try to save the boxes that the ornaments come in, but because not all boxes can be salvaged, these ornament savers are amazing!

I think clear containers are a MUST! I want to look at the container while it is on the shelf and know exactly what is in it without having to lug it down and dig through it.

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I have a separate storage container to for my Christmas wrapping paper.  Segregating my Christmas paper from birthday and all other wrappings help to simply things.

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And since I spent so much time dressing my wreath, it is very important to me to have the perfect container to protect and store it until next year.

To anyone who is dreading putting the holiday decorations to rest, trust me, the proper storage containers (along with a venti coffee and a label maker) will make the process go much more smoothly and quickly (and hopefully enjoyable too). 

Azure, for sure!

Today I received an invitation to dine with a couple of great girlfriends at Azure in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  I have never been, but I have heard some wonderful things about it! It is a beautifully chic restaurant!

Now I just have to figure out what to wear! 

{Matthew Williamson via farfetch.com}

{3.1 Phillip Lim via barneys.com}

{Issa via net-a-porter.com}

Happy Birthday, SISTER!

Dear Sister, 

I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday! I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful sister that I have always been able to look up to and admire.  I wish I could be there with you to eat cupcakes and go shoe shopping! 

Happy Birthday!

XO

... and now for your "I wish I could get you" birthday gifts

{Dogeared Happy Birthday Star Necklace, $68}

{Christian Louboutin Pigalle Glittered Pump, $595}

{a day at Bliss Spa}

PS. I (we) hope you LOVE your actual birthday gift!  

1-2-3 Cheese!

Since Holiday Season began I have taken lots and lots of pictures, so I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was to find a couple of WONDERFUL deals (courtesy of The Krazy Coupon Lady) to print my joyful memories and moments of happiness :

Kodak is offering a FREE 5x7 14 page photo book (a $9.99 value, extra pages $0.29 each).  Use coupon code TGTFREEBOOK, and only pay $1.99 shipping. Coupon code valid through 1/9/11

And Snapfish is offering prints for a PENNY!

Happy New Year (and Happy Belated Bday Daddy)

Happy New Year! 

I hope everyone's 2011 has gotten off to a wonderful start.  I spent the first day of 2011, the best way I could think of: with family and friends.  

The Mister and I kicked off the new year by waking up pretty early to go to Ala Moana for FUKUBUKURO! 

Fukubukuro, which literally translates to "lucky bag,"is a tradition on January 1st.  Many merchants in the mall will participate by making grab-bags and selling them at 50% of the retail value, and shoppers rush to the mall to grab their "lucky bag"which can range from $20 to $5000 (@Gucci).  This was the first year I made it to fukubukuro, and with some help from the Mister, selected a bag ($100) from Vera Bradley.  

{the line of shoppers outside Vera Bradley, after selecting their lucky bag(s)}

{my lucky bag}

{what'd i get, what'd i get?!} 

{showing off my loot}

I had such a wonderful time checking out the fukubukuro around the mall and watching the other shoppers go crazy as they picked their bag(s), some using shake, squeeze, stare at, repeat.  -and I crossed off the first item from my "Thirty before 30" list (more to come in a future post).

After our Fukubukuro adventure we had a birthday lunch for my future FIL and then headed over to my parents' house where we celebrated my dad's birthday with family and friends.  (Yup that's right, both our dads have the SAME birthday!!!) 

I am confident 2011 will be a wonderful year to share with family and friends filled with lots of happiness, love and laughter!  Cheers to everyone and a splendid 2011!