Time for Lunch!

I prepared a waste-free lunch today!

First, I've got my green theme lunchbox - no brown bagging for me!

Next, is my oh-so creative cakewich

Now this mini bread bag might make my cakewich topping smear, but it's too cute to resist

And I can't forget to "spice up" my apple for its appearance in the lunchbox

No need to worry about these utensils getting out of place, they're good at sticking together

I'm messy, but I like to be stylish, so these cloth napkins are perfect

And finally, feeling a bit nostalgic, so I decided to write myself a mini lunch note! Most likely, a "don't forget" note. :)

Progressive Meet & Greet

Happy Monday, friends! How does it feel to be part of a family, and not just any family, but a blogging family! I'm so excited to have met so many wonderful people through various blogs! I started Candidly, Red in hopes to meet people and share interests... and that I have accomplished. How about you? Why did you start your blog?

Today I am taking part in a Progressive Meet & Greet, started by the delightful Michelle at Studio Surface. Please go visit Michelle's blog and then make your way over to another favorite of mine, Beth of Hello, Splendor. These two ladies are fun and inspiring and I can't wait for you to "meet" them through visiting their blogs. Be sure to leave a comment and introduce yourself and spread the word!

Have a lovely day,

Kristen

Belted or Tied Up?

We've got cute below for the kiddos, and now cute for the adults. Pillows at Jonathan Adler.

Masque et queue

Carte Blanche is the darlingest French le kid's store. Look at the adorable raccoon and fox mask & tail and the santa cap & beard! I'd totally order one of these if I had a little one... as you know, we're not too far from Halloween!

The Blazer

It's almost blazer season and I couldn't be MORE excited!! I just purchased this super cute one on ideeli from Tart Collections. (By the way, ideeli has some great steals, check it out here!)

I found another example of the Ryan Blazer from Tart on this girl and I think she did a rad job of putting this outfit together!

Check out that orange watch! Yes, I am obsessed with watches and I'm getting off subject.

By the way, J. Crew's line of blazers is simply awesome.

Eletelephony

Eletelephony

Once there was an elephant,

Who tried to use the telephant—

No! no! I mean an elephone

Who tried to use the telephone—

(Dear me! I am not certain quite

That even now I've got it right.)

Howe'er it was, he got his trunk

Entangled in the telephunk;

The more he tried to get it free,

The louder buzzed the telephee—

(I fear I'd better drop the song

Of elephop and telephong!)

by: Laura E. Richards

[source: crowded teeth]

Rain, Rain Come Out and Play!

Yes, it's raining here in Dallas and just as the print suggests, I am grateful. It has been a peel-myself-from-the-leather-seats-in-my-car, too-hot-to-touch-steering wheel, no-interest-in-sitting-on-patio type of weather (100°F + everyday for the past 2 weeks!). Today it's 75° and rainy. A brief reprieve from the hot summer sun and a glimpse at fall.

What are you grateful for today?

Fabric Voices

Fabric necklaces are such a fun way to say whatcha wanna say with your personality for the day!

Here's what these necklaces are saying...

I am sweet, feminine and sophisticated ♥

I am sassy, flirty and ready to have fun!

I am intriguing.

I am hip, trendy and ready for an adventure!

And then there's my weekend craft necklace, what do you think it says?

[sources: cutecreationsbyzuemy, baboush, homako, necklush, me!]

Stuck!

This is too cute! I couldn't resist posting.

[Found via my friend's blog, Waverly World.]

Coffee and Tea Time

Which do you prefer: Coffee or Tea?

[sources: prints, cozy & pouch via wild olive]

A Weekend In A Picture Show

So I had a pretty good weekend starting with a lazy Friday night. And here it is in a picture show...

Saturday 10a - brunch with girlfriends at my friend Lindsay's condo. Complete with OJ, muffins, and the most delicious egg cupcakes — yep you heard right and here's the recipe (in layman's terms):

Grease muffin tin

Place in Canadian Bacon (in place of muffin holder)

Sprinkle in some cheese

Plop in an egg (like sunny side up)

Bake at 350 till the egg whites appear white and not clear

SO good! Thanks, Linds!

Next stop was Lula B's antique store in the Design District. I didn't really have anything in mind to get, but I sure had a fun time browsing and here are some interesting finds (not buys):

"egg speaker"

"alien tv"

"scary dog"

"lightbulb lamp"

Errands in between and then a quick glance at the toes and I knew my next destination... the nail place. And here's what I found there — little people in little chairs:

OK, so since that brunch at 10a, I decided not to do lunch so when my gal friend text asking about pizza and wine at a local favorite joint, my stomach did the talking for me. Here's what I indulged in:

And that was all Saturday. Sunday was filled with a great message at church, nap time, more errands, and a bedtime of 9:45p... it felt good.

Tell me about YOUR weekend!!

Domino Effect On DwD

Happy Saturday! Quick one to let you know about an organization I volunteer with. It's called Dwell with Dignity. And I'd love to tell you more, but for now, check out my past post.

I am guest blogging today at their site on these amazing tables... check it out HERE!! (Leave 'em a comment!)

Restaurant Week | Dallas 2010

Tuesday and Thursday I had the opportunity to indulge in fine dining for Restaurant Week in Dallas. Where the typical price range is $$$, this week allows those that are more, let's just say, tight on the budget, to experience a delicious 3-course meal at a finer restaurant in the area for $35. It's a fun week that brings out a great mix of people and the best in service from the various restaurant staff. Here's a peek at the two places I visited and a bit about my experience.

Al Biernat's

Normal price range: $50 and over

Overall rating by me: A

My two girlfriends and I enjoyed a fun feast of each of the three selections (one per gal) for appetizers including a Romaine and Rocket Lettuce salad, spicy Shrimp Tempura, and Gazpacho garnished with Jonah Crab Claw. After that we made sure to order a plate of their famous prime rib, while engaging in the best girl talk over a glass of their fine red wine. For dessert, our tongues were fancied with Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu, and Key Lime Pie — we couldn't resist stealing bites from each other's plates!

The best part besides the food? The service! It.was.excellent.

Ocean Prime

Normal price range: $31 to $50

Overall rating by me: B+

Now this place has a different vibe from Al Biernat's — more modern, I guess? The crowd was younger (or at least that's what I noticed from their busy bar and lounge). Four of my girlfriends were apart of this party. We were seated in a back room that kind of reminded me of a hotel ballroom, not quite like the rest of the dining room as seen in the picture above, but it was still very fine in design. From the start, our palates were delighted by the crisp House Salad— Romaine and Spinach lettuce with Granny Smith apples, goat cheese, roasted walnuts, and Sherry Mustard vinaigrette. While most of the girls ordered their Petite Filet, I was prompted by the name of the restaurant (Ocean Prime) to order the Ginger Salmon. And last, but certainly not least, I cheated. Instead of ordering from the Restaurant Week menu for dessert, I decided to order off the main menu and requested their famous Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie — this one was a treat!

So there you have it — my experience at Restaurant Week | Dallas 2010.

Have you been a part of Restaurant Week in your city? If so, what did you enjoy most?

Time to Play

... on other blogs, that is! Here's some fun happenings from today!!

[via: the colorful blog, from Jamaica Byles]

A fabulous giveaway from the delightful store, Shabby Apple on Happiness Is...

Paper Dolls from Dallas Shaw for Dace on Dilly Dallas (is that enough D's for you!)

Only the hippest necklace featured on hello, splendor (I think I need one!)

Another 'ba-dum-ch!' from Catalog Living

$4,000 a night Barbie Suite on Tiptoe Butterfly

Shrimp & Grits and a letter from Joy the Baker (yummy and funny!)

A glamorous photo shoot by Louis Vuitton on Design Addict Mom

Oh what fun it is to ride... on other people's sites!

I'm Possible!

WOW! Thank you SO much, friends! You guys are awesome. I so appreciate the supporting words, encouragement, and prayer! One day at a time, right?

[via: 3LambsGraphics]

More to come, but I wanted to send a quick THANK YOU!

Change

Alright, bear with me for a bit on this post. Just thought I'd share a bit of my human side with you, rather than my likes and dislikes in design :) This past few weeks has been tough. My sweet grandmother is in the hospital and continues to be up and down in her health. And while this is going on, I find out that my close friend (actually my former beau) is moving a good 2-hour time zone difference from me — from Texas to California. And then there's other life happenings that I'm having a hard time dealing with. I'm not a huge fan of change (in these cases). But I do know that this is a time for growth and trusting God.

... And I'm not just dealing with it personally, but I am seeing hard change in the life of my family and friends as well.

How do you deal with change, whether it be the sickness or loss of a loved one, a broken heart or dealing with the everyday trials of life?

[source: helveticaneue]

Postcarden

I love getting letters in the mail, don't you? Another Studio for Design (clever name, eh?!) based in London, came up with the clever concept of the "Postcarden." They felt that while the greeting card is the most universal gift, it "lacked surprise, bringing only a momentary enjoyment." So, they came up with a greeting card that's both creative and interactive. It includes the greeting from the sender, but once you open the card, the recipient has the opportunity to "grow the greeting" and enjoy it past the moment of the read. Who would you send a postcarden to?

[purchase them here!]