what's in the bag, part II

Speaking of makeup bags, my current one could use replacing.

 Here are a few beauties I've seen around and liked...

1. Posy Patch Cosmetics Clutch
2. Vanessa Cosmetic Case
3. Citrus Polka Dot Make-up Bag
4. Makeup bag, bouquet

what's in the bag?

I finally went through my bursting-at-the-seams makeup bag the other night and purged a ton of stuff. I'm not really a hoarder of makeup but I can't seem to get rid of stuff thinking that I'll need to use it sometime. I usually never do and it just sits there, and sits there, and well you get the idea.

I was thinking about how I have really pared down my makeup routine and product use since getting married and especially since becoming a mom. I also realized that I'm lacking a few good things in my bag: Mascara that I love, blush that looks natural, and a great everyday eyeshadow.

So...help a girl out! I want to know...what are your tried and true products? I only have one and that is bare minerals foundation. Love that stuff!

I feel like I'm baring my soul but here is what I ended up with after the purge.

currently loving...

the bi-monthly webazine, Laura Day Living from interior designer Laura Day.

elle apparel giveaway winner

congrats to Kirsten Krason...our lucky winner of the elle apparel giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Elle Apparel who sponsored the giveaway!

blush

Canadian House & Home

House Beautiful (above and below)

Country Living

Southern Accents

p.s. last day to enter the elle apparel giveaway

A while back, I mentioned that I had made pickles. I've had a few inquiries so I thought I'd share how they turned out.

Never having made nor eaten homemade pickles before I'll be honest in saying that I'm not quite sure how exactly they are supposed to turn out (besides tasting like a pickle). That being said I thought they turned out pretty good! I only wish they had a bit more crunch to them but I'm sure that can be achieved with a little more practice/research. 

The dill pickle recipe I used came from tasty kitchen and found it to be really user friendly. We received a grocery sack of garden fresh cucumbers this weekend so I'm thinking of trying a different recipe. Here are a few I've found if you are interested...

Bread and Butter Pickles

Almost Hands-Free Dill Pickles

Slightly Sweet Dill Refrigerator Pickles

On a related note...How perfect is this printed pickle jar from terrain? I might need it!

giveaway : elle apparel

shop : blog

I'm really excited about today's giveaway. I was directed to Leann's darling blog, Elle Apparel (thanks Shan!) and from there found my way to her adorable etsy shop. Leann is one crafty and stylish girl, check out her tutorials, they deserve a post on their own. She is also very generous because she's offering to give a winner their choice of either a medium felt flower or fabric bow from her shop. Go check out what she has to offer and then come back and enter! 

classic bow

felt flowers

To enter the giveaway, simply do one or both of the following. Please make sure to leave separate comments for each entry.

1. Leave a comment telling me what you'd choose from the shop if you won for the first entry.

2. Visit the Elle Apparel blog and become a follower. Come back and leave another comment stating that you are a follower for a second entry.

Giveaway ends at midnight (cst) on Tuesday, July 27th. I will randomly select a winner the next day. Good Luck!

Last week I set out to find some fabric to cover the cradle pad we will use for baby brother. I didn't have any specific ideas of what I wanted in regards to fabric except simple + clean. I ended up choosing a blue seersucker and I'm in love. (Please ignore the fact that it needs ironed and that my images are paltry.) Can I also say I never thought I'd be a cradle person but we used this one with Livi and loved it. It was actually the cradle that my husband used when he was a baby so it has a bit of meaning for us.

I am still trying to get used to 'boy things' having had 'girl things' in my mind for the last couple of years. When we were shopping for the fabric, my sweet shopping companion, Livi kept commenting on all the pretty fabric, "ooh pretty!' Thank you my dear but that is not very helpful when looking for boyish/manly fabric. :)

Oh! and see that cute blanket? A couple months ago I won a giveaway on Shelter from Pixie Dust Decor, a textile and decor design shop. It was right after I found out I was pregnant and wasn't sure what I was having. I had a hard time deciding on a fabric choice but ended up with the aqua lattice blanket. I love it! I like that you can use their fabrics to mix + match and create a custom nursery or give a great gift.

i can't deny it...

I'm having a love affair. with dresses!

They are all I want to wear lately. Here are some of my current faves...

1. J.Crew Lena isle dress

2. Modcloth Rainy Day dress

3. J.Crew Olivia shift dress

Okay...these aren't maternity dresses but i'd wear them in a second if  a. i wasn't pregnant or b. they were maternity.

Have a love affair you want to share?

baby booties

How darling/cool are these Frye Harness Booties from peek...aren't you curious? Not your typical baby booties huh?

An Upholstered Sofa

This sofa from Wisteria is pretty cool. I love the big, bold diamond pattern!

interior tuesday

Feeling a little green, coastal style.

{photos via coastal living}

currently loving...

Cavallini Paper

Can you believe that this beautiful thing is actually decorative wrapping paper? Such pretty art that will only set you back about $4.00! When I have a place for it, I'd like to have these butterflies framed. So pretty! You can find Cavallini Paper online through retailers like Kate's Paperie and Paper Source but also in select brick and mortar stores. Here are a few more that I wouldn't mind having...

Wouldn't this be fun in a boys bedroom with the blue and green color tones? Ooh...I think I just found the color scheme for baby brothers future room.

mashup & giveaway winner

Hi friends! The week is almost over. Can you believe it? Today I'm off to explore some new (to me) shops around the city. I've lived here for too long and haven't explored enough. Hopefully my junior exploring companion will be as into it as I am.  :)

I wanted to share a few links of things I've loved around the web. I hope that you have a great day!

:: Super creative Disney shares the how-to on making this pretty headband. (I'm sad she is not going to post anymore.)

:: I love this lemonade themed wedding workshop. Check out the link for the candied lemon peels at the bottom of the post. I so want to try those!

:: What a sweet tiny birthday party.

:: A very stylish girls room for under $250!

:: Such a great dining room! Could that window hung on barn door tracks be any cooler?

Seen anything amazing/pretty/inspiring that you want to share? Please do!

-----------------------------

And the winner of the CSN Stores giveaway is... J. Henderson. Congrats!  Thanks to everyone who entered.

shop talk : hooray design shop

I was really excited to see that Alli re-opened her design shop - hooray. Alli's blog is one of my daily must-read's as she always shares such pretty and inspiring things and her shop is no different.

site : shop : blog

yes, please!

I'd really like one of these...

coastal living

canadian house & home

cottage living

decorpad

decorpad

This weekend I was able to do a couple things on my "want to-do" list. One of those items was hitting up a local farmer's market for some fresh goods. I love, love going to the farmer's market to see and smell all the great fruits, veggies and (if you're lucky) flowers. I took home some great produce.

While on the subject, I thought these farmer's market photos from abby trys again were so pretty.

Oh! and I also tried my hand at making pickles. I found a really easy recipe and made two jars. However, I have to let the pickles cure for a week so I'm not even sure if they'll be good or not. Let's hope so because I'm craving some pickles! If they are good, I'll share the recipe if anyone is interested. Have you ever made pickles before?

giveaway : CSN Stores

*closed*

Want a little something new for your house? The fine people over at CSN Stores want to help by giving an olive & a reader a $40 gift certificate! With 200+ stores, you can shop for everything from platform beds to mirrors to cookware all in just one click...literally a one stop shop!

I browsed around CSN Stores and found a lot of goodies that I wouldn't mind having. Here is just a sampling...

To enter for the CSN Stores $40 gift certificate, simply do any or all of the following leaving separate comments for each entry (oh, and you don't have to be a blogger to enter! but make sure to leave an email address.)

1. Leave a comment. Perhaps telling me what you'd buy using the gift card (first entry).

2. Become a follower of olive & a (second entry).

3. Blog, tweet or facebook about this giveaway and be sure to leave a link in your comment (third entry).

Giveaway ends at midnight (cst) on Wednesday, July 14th. I will randomly select a winner the next day.  Good Luck!

one of these days...

I'm going to have a closet stocked to the max with party supplies. Just for fun! I'd love to have these stripey straws in my supplies.

Speaking of parties...I was excited to see that Suann from Simplesong launch her new adventure Hip Hip Hooray! a daily resource for all things kid’s entertaining. I love the mantra of sorts, "We believe kids’ parties can be stylish, creative but still approachable and even better – affordable!" Can't wait to see what they share.

Oh and tell me, what are your go-to party supplies?

currently loving...

Thomas Paul pillows.

I came across this horse pillow and can't help but think that my Dad, a horseman, would love this in his office.

 A little dose of maritime for the living room perhaps?

I don't think I'll ever have a real birdcage in the house but I don't mind this pretty pillow.