La vie...J'aime

Friday Faves

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Barbie tributes to famous works of art @ because I'm addicted

Genius! Click the link for more.

DIY birthday invitations @ The Short and Sweet of It

These are just so fun...is it wrong for a 27th birthday?

Wears to Weddings: Golden Globes @ Bow Tie & Bustle

These are so dead on! Click the link for more.

Bloomington ice storm @ A Hasty Life

Makes ice seem pretty...

"Skinny Love" explained @ English Muse

Amazing song...

DIY: teacups candles @ Everything Fabulous

Such a cute idea!

Happy weekend!

Black & White - Two Ways

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Black & white is always a go-to outfit for me, whether for day or night. When I think of the combo, I immediately picture 1960's polka dot, full-skirted dresses. Modern ladies are wearing black & white in fresh geometric and classic-meets-modern lace patterns. Here are a few ways to get each look...

Jessica Alba & Diane Kruger

BCBG dress | LnA top | White House Black Market earrings | House of Harlow clutch

Marion Cotillard & Catherine Middleton

French Connection dress | Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt | Ann Taylor top | Charlotte Russe rainboots

Are you more geometric or lace?

Inspired by: The Hunger Games

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

My newest obsession is The Hunger Games trilogy (thanks, Emily for forcing me to read!) and I cannot get enough--Googling images and watching the trailer. I just finished the second book, Catching Fire, and quickly getting into the finale, Mockingjay. I am definitely going to be trying a few of the China Glaze "Colours from the Capitol" collection. My favorites are Harvest Moon, Dress Me Up, Stone Cold, and Fast Track.

Who else is sharing my Hunger Games obsession?

And, are you Team Gale or Team Peeta?

Images via All Lacquered Up blog, IMDB.com, Amazon.com The Hunger Games

Mini Makeup Maven

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

I am a self-proclaimed "product whore". I love makeup, hair products, hair accessories, nail polish, etc. etc. and typically have an abundance of all piling up in my bathroom.

The past few months, my mom has been working on a project of scanning old photographs. She stumbled upon these two gems. I started young but have changed my blush application strategies along the way. :)

PS: Don't you just love what seems to be pins with hanging ribbons stuck all over my bubblegum pink sweatshirt? Girl's got style.

Friday Faves

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Flowered Edges @ Cupcakes & Cashmere

Love this springy look.

How to: Throw Yourself a Pity Party @ Wit + Delight

Clever, because every now and then it's ok to...right?

Iconic style: Bouvier Sisters @ Escapade

Photos of chic sisters, lots of inspiration.

Wanderlust @ A Dash of GLAM

Take me there now...

Happy weekend and go Pats!

PS: Check out my new CBSBoston posts: Best Bachelorette Party Spots (knew my year of bridesmaid duties would come in handy!), Style Icon: Victoria Beckham, and Best Winter Date Combos.

Essentials: Taylor Swift for Vogue

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

I love the Vogue February issue cover starring Taylor Swift. The styling and colors are spot-on and eye catching. After perusing all the photos on Vogue's website, I kept coming back to the cover. While I'm no longer blonde and hippie doesn't really describe my style, that doesn't mean that I can't take a few of the essentials to create this look.

Top Shop floppy hat + rosey pink Rimmel lipstick + Bed Head straightening spray

What do you think of Taylor's first cover for Vogue?

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday was a particularly frigid day in Boston, but my brother & I braved the chill, heading to the ICA to check out their new exhibitions. I wore:

image

Marc New York by Andrew Marc puffer jacket- purchased majorly on sale at Macy's
Snood by Simple Knit Shop- this Etsy shop is by a friend at work.
Lululemon leggings
Tory Burch black bag
Echo gray touch screen gloves
Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses
Guess boots

I always love perusing the museum shop and almost picked up a few of these clever cards- the Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber ones were so spot on!

Two-tone Toes

2012-01-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

If color blocking and brights like this scare you, I stumbled upon these adorable Seychelles sandals at Piperlime.com that embody the trend but just on your feet! At just $90, I can't decide which pair I like more, pink + yellow or blue + emerald. Which would you choose?

top image: Pinterest via Seesaw

Golden Globes Loves

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I loved...

bold earrings that make the dress.

headbands that channel the inner mod girl & ballerina.

tuxedo nails- and the funny lady who wore them (but sadly not her dress or hair :/).

non-nudes.

What Golden Globes fashions did you love?

images via people.com & fabsugar.com

Friday Faves

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday (the 13th! eek!)! I love these records with painted on lyrics featured on Design*Sponge this week by Etsy shop Quiet Boy Studio. This line is so amazing, but you can do custom ones too....hard to say what I would choose...how about you?

Here are some other faves this week; enjoy the long weekend!

Some really creative & clever ideas- I like the shoes in shower cap tip @ Style'N
Amazing "Polaroids" @ A Perfect Kind of Day
Another Italian wedding to swoon over...the dress, the shoes too! @ A Cup of Jo
Fun, easy, cheap, and unique way to display your fave mags...need I say more? @ Creature Comforts
Cute posters @ Bow Tie and Bustle
I'm thinking I need to wear more bold brights on these dreary days @ Sequins & Stripes

Collage: & | Ampersand

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I discovered I had an obsession with &'s when I started to Pin nearly all of these images...

Top L: John Derian plate

Top middle: pillow

Top R: image via A Southern Accent

Middle top: Catbird earrings

Middle bottom: & rubber stamp via Paper Source

Middle middle: bookend via Barnes & Noble

Bottom L: necklace via Bon Voyage Jewelry on Etsy

Bottom R: bedroom via Pinterest

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

I got this J.Crew tunic this weekend after spotting it in their most recent catalog last week. I initially thought I wouldn't wear it until my Florida trip in March as a bathing suit cover up or with shorts, but I proved myself wrong when trying it on in the store with leggings. The length is perfect and I love the gradiant stripes. Yesterday, I wore it to work layered under a green cashmere sweater; I switched up the sweater for this Forever 21 vest for night-time trivia at a local bar.

I am wearing:

J.Crew tunic
Ann Taylor knit leggings
Guess leather boots
Forever 21 vest
Juicy Couture necklace- $20 at TJ Maxx!
CND Shellac 'Fedora' gel nail polish

Thanks to Emily for being my photographer!

Home Made dog biscuits

2012-01-10T10:00:00.017-05:00

Over my holiday break, I made home-made dog biscuits from my new cookbook Home Made(blog and you shall receive!). The recipe was really easy, and they were puppy approved!

All the ingredients & tools (tools were an Xmas gift too, from my For the Foodie Gift Guide)

Mix dry ingredients & egg

I meant to get a cute, small cookie cutter, but had to settle for a shot glass instead. (lol)

Before going into the oven...

After all packaged up!

Barkley & Molly loved them!

Create this look: Pippa

2012-01-09T10:00:00.004-05:00

Create this look: Pippa by laviejaime featuring wool fedora hats
I adore Pippa Middleton's casual, chic look spotted on InStyle.com last week. It's the perfect mix of preppy Brit & downtown chick. Each piece is versatile enough that I can picture with various other outfits too. Guess I need to get myself a red peacoat!

Friday Faves

2012-01-06T10:00:00.031-05:00

Happy first Friday of 2012! Despite loving the fact that it's been "warm" in Boston with no snow, part of me wants to curl up in a comfy sweater & Uggs with a good book and hot chocolate in a snowy cabin. Check out these faves and my new CBSBoston.com posts: A Shopping Pro's Guide to After Christmas Sales and Winter Bar Review: The Four's.

I want to recreate this simple look of all black base + colorful scarf @ Vanessa Jackman
cool, modern photographs based off famous paintings @ A Cup of Jo
a snowball ice cream float? yum! @ The Sweetest Occasion
a collection of not-just-blue-&-2hite nautical stripes that make me excited for spring @ Sequins & Stripes
love the juxtaposition of this cow skull & flowers @ Love Maegan

You've Got Mail

2012-01-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

How cute is this Kate Spade pouch? It's been a long time since I've heard the AOL tune "you've got mail" (oh middle school chat room memories), but I certainly wouldn't mind receiving this baby from the postman.

Inspired by: Jason Wu for Target

2012-01-04T10:00:00.025-05:00

Just from these two ads, I think we have some more Missoni for Target-like madness coming our way this February when Jason Wu for Target hits stores. I want to see more!

Jan 9 update: more looks on Lucky.com!

Top images: ship shape Etsy print via Pinterest | Luckymag.com | boat via Pinterest

Bottom images: Lonny room via Pinterest | Luckymag.com | bouquet via Pinterest

Fresh Florals

2012-01-03T10:00:00.023-05:00

Now that 2012 is in full swing, I am ready to start anew. I am not doing any real "resolutions" this year but rather want to have fun--with no regrets. The unseasonably warm and snow-free weather in Boston makes it easy to forget it's winter & want to see flowers sprout from the ground. For now, I'll settle with purchasing a spring floral top or dress with holiday gift cards; this J.Crew one fits the bill perfectly.

Pics: 1 & 2 via Honestly WTF | 3 via Pinterest | 4 via J.Crew

Have a sparkle-y New Year's Eve...!

2011-12-31T10:00:00.008-05:00

Happy New Year's Eve! Celebrate the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 with some sparkles this year...

Wear this with minimal accessories:

or these with your favorite LBD:

Serve these to cheers with your bff's:

And have some photo fun with these:

See you in 2012!

Dress | Shoes | Jello shots via Pinterest | Props

2011 in review

2011-12-30T10:00:00.074-05:00

In January, I started 2011 off by celebrating the New Year and Syracuse's football win in the Pinstripe Bowl in NYC. Also, my childhood dog Cody passed away.

In February, I went to Florida and came back in March to a new puppy- Barkley!

In April, I tried on Threadware clothes at Holiday boutique, started my blog for bridesmaids, 27 & 1 Dresses, and watched the royal wedding.

In May, I turned 26, helped throw a bridal shower for Mrs. R, and went to Nashville for Memorial Day weekend.

In June, La vie...J'aime turned 2, I brought out my inner 14-year old at the NKOTBSB concert, my friends and I threw a bachelorette party for Mrs. R, and I helped host a bridal shower for Mrs. L.

In July, I celebrated the 4th in the Cape, was in the wedding of the R's, and threw Mrs. A a bachelorette party.

In August, my mom and I threw a small bridal shower for Mrs. A, saw Britney's concert, went to Mrs. L's bachelorette in MV, and got drenched at Kenny Chesney's Countryfest.

In September, my first CBSBoston.com article was posted, the A's got hitched, I jetted to a DC wedding, and the L's tied the knot.

In October, I went to Sonoma, CA for work, enjoyed my fave fall past time: apple picking, and celebrated Halloween in NYC.

In November, I got promoted and started my new job and celebrated Thanksgiving with the girls and family.

In December, my mom and I created DIY Anthropologie snow globes, celebrated the holidays, and said goodbye to my grandpa.

Hipstamatic snapshots

2011-12-26T10:00:00.014-05:00

Getting drinks at Trade.

Holiday cards this year.

My bookshelf area with newly hung additions.

Puppy love.

Xmas Eve eve cheers.

A new home for Barkley's hat.

Christmas day drive.

Wreath duo.

Cooking home-made sausage in honor of my grandpa.

December 25th

2011-12-25T10:00:00.006-05:00

Paper Source wrapping paper: Christmas | Birthday

My My Stocking

2011-12-24T10:00:00.028-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you have enjoyed this year's My Stocking series (relive it all here). Here are my picks and hope your Santa or Hanukkah Harry brings all that you wished for!

Stocking

1. Crate & Barrel magnets: perfect for quick reference.

2. Amazon Kindle gift card: to purchase books on my wish list.

3.One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book:a new project with Mrs. A.

4. Panasonic Lumix camera: for taking some really good blog pics.

My Stocking: Dawn from The Alternative Wife

2011-12-23T10:00:00.019-05:00

Thank you for your nice words yesterday about my grandpa and happy Christmas Eve eve. Dawn from The Alternative Wife is our last guest My Stocking. Thank you all for participating, and hope you liked this series! Stay tuned for my picks tomorrow. :)

My Stocking
By: Dawn - The Alternative Wife
Stocking

1. Mulberry Polly Push Lock cashmere-lined leather gloves: I always need new gloves and I've been looking for warm leather ones. These are perfect. An the color, the closure, Mulberry. Need I say more? :)

2. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange: I've admired Ines de la Fressange for quite some time now and I'm always looking for ways to hone my inner French girl.

3. Zara Printed Toiletry Clutch: Love the color of this snake clutch. I have plenty of dark color clutches but often look for something lighter when I'm in a warmer climate. This would definitely do the trick!

4. Hermes bangle: I've been lusting after this for some time now. Hopefully I'll be lucky this holiday {finger's crossed!}

5. Mulberry Postman's Lock Continental Wallet: I've been on the hunt for a new wallet and I've finally found THE ONE! And yeah you can say that I'm on a bit of a Mulberry kick lately. Again love the color and the lock closure!

My Stocking: Megan & Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls

2011-12-22T10:35:00.000-05:00

Just a few days left until Christmas...here is the stocking by the ladies behind BonBon Rose Girls.

My Stocking

By: Megan & Kristin - BonBon Rose Girls

This Pottery Barn stocking has a touch of glam that appeals to both of us BonBon Rose Girls!

1. We would love to see everyone be a little kinder this holiday season. A kind word goes a long way!

2. This "Manhattan" Kate Spade cocktail ring is right up these NYC lovin' gals' alleys!

3. Even though we're rockin' out in our thirties, we're still just kids at heart and we would have a blast playing this tic tac toe game together! A couple glasses of bubbly wouldn't hurt either. Haha

4. If you know us, you know we each have a BIG sweet tooth and if we don't have time to make some bark, Williams Sonoma's Peppermint Bark would save the day!

5. We're both total accessories addicts and would love to receive another scarf to add to our collections! We love this bright, cheery number from Shop Frankie's!

Thanks, ladies!