Road Trippin'

{Me & my road trip partner}

Road trip season is officially under way! My friend Erin and I decided to start off the season by taking a day trip to Chico. Our friends Rosemary and Sarah were already in Chico, spending the weekend with Sarah's parents, Alex and Terry - so we decided to join them for a day.

After a two-hour drive, we met up with the lovely ladies in downtown Chico for some shopping and a light lunch. Then, we headed into the scenic Butte Creek Canyon for some photo ops at the Honey Run Covered Bridge. After that, we landed at Alex and Terry's amazing home in the canyon - where we lounged around reading gossip magazines, eating fabulous food and simply enjoying the beauty surrounding us.

Terry and Alex were amazing hosts, whipping up a mouth-watering dinner of mango-avocado salsa, roasted potatoes (from the garden), barbecued saffron chicken and grilled onions (also from the garden). After dinner, we sat and watched as the local wildlife (deer and quail) roamed the canyon. It was a wonderful close to an amazing day.

Finally, Erin and I said our goodbyes and, after a round of hugs, got into the car and headed back home. All-in-all, it was the perfect way to start road-trip season. Can't wait for our next trip!

{Honey Run Covered Bridge :: Chico, CA}

{View of the river from inside the bridge}

{Sarah, me & Rosemary}

{Just some of the delicious food we snacked on}

{View of the canyon from Alex and Terry's porch}

The New Workout Plan

{Image from Chanel}

Maybe if I bought a set of these 2.2 lb metal hand weights with quilted calfskin covers by Chanel if I'd be more inspired to work out - then again, maybe I'd just have some really expensive paper weights. Hard to say.

The Great Outdoors

{Image from Cost Plus World Market}

Stopped in at Cost Plus World Market today and discovered their Adirondack collection - available in an assortment of spectacular summer colors, including the most perfect shade of aqua (the above photo doesn't do the color justice). I may just have to break down and buy a pair. After all, I need something to lounge on while drinking sangria this summer - and I never drink alone.

Life's a Beach

{Images from Marc Jacobs}

The Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2010 Swim Collection somehow found its way into my inbox this morning making me wish two things:

1) That I had an endless source of money.

2) That I was lounging on a beach in Maui.

If you can make either of wishes come to be, please contact me ASAP. Thanks.

Fashion Files :: Lulu's

{Image from Lulu's}

If you're looking for a new source for fashionable and affordable finds, check out Lulu's. The Chico-based boutique has some adorable looks for next to nothing - I like to think of it as guilt-free shopping. Of course, there are so many cute pieces that the $$$ can certainly add up. First thing going in my shopping cart is this tree frog dress. I just have to choose between tangerine or lime - thoughts?

I Got 1st Dibs!

{Image from 1stdibs}

You think $8,000 is too much to pay for a pair of reupholstered vintage Gio Ponti chairs? I'm guessing it is, but damn if these aren't some drool worthy chairs! Find more covetable goods at 1stdibs, an online marketplace for antiques, mid-century modern designs, fashion, estate jewelry and more!

Hamer Time

{Image from Minted}

This might be the most adorable save-the-date card I've seen in a while. Designed by Leslie Hamer (of Unless Someone Like You), the cards were inspired by vintage maps and symbols. The cards are available at minted, and the design can be converted into an entire wedding suite should you desire. Hamer also has a line of scratch-off save the dates, which are pretty awesome, too. Oh, and if you're an Etsy seller, be sure to check out her free customizable Etsy banners!

Jump Around

{Image from Loeffler Randall}

I love everything about this bustier jumper by Loeffler Randall - that is, everything except the steep price tag. Fashioned from linen and lined with silk, the jumper is available in two color: black and the above color, dubbed "harvest." So cute!

Stop Talk Talk Talkin' That Blah Blah Blah

{Image from Donna Wilson}

My friend Sarah has a 3-year-old daughter named Maggie who is obsessed (and I mean obsessed) with Ke$ha - you know, the pop star who sings "Tik Tok." As a result, select Ke$ha tracks are on constant repeat when in the presence of little Maggers. One such track is "Blah Blah Blah" and, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I now know that song almost word for word. That said, it wasn't surprising that when I first spotted this awesome blah blah cushion by Donna Wilson, I immediately began mentally singing the Ke$ha song. For that reason alone I can never own this pillow, which is really too bad because it's rather adorable. Luckily, Donna has created a slew of other covetable items that don't make me recall Ke$ha lyrics. Whew.

It's a Bling Thing

{Images from Love Illuminati}

I'm really far too conservative in dress to pull off something as flashy as this vintage rhinestone bow necklace - but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate its sparkling beauty. Can someone please buy it so I can live vicariously through you? Thanks! It's available over at Love Illuminati for $78. If you get it, send me photos!!

Stool Academy :: DIY Puff Stool

{Image from Pickles}

This rainy, cold weather will not seem to move along...and so I find myself inspired to pick up my knitting needles well past the close of my typical knitting season. Lucky for me, there's Pickles, a site chock-full of knitting, crocheting and sewing how-to's. The site has one pattern that is particularly appealing to me - the puff daddy knitted stool, which is very similar to Christien Meindertsma's totally covetable (and completely unaffordable) urchin pouf. The best part? The Pickles pattern appears to be super easy - essentially you cast on 35, garter stitch until all your skeins are gone, sew and stuff...and voila, you're done!

Flower Power :: Emersonmade.

{flower chain necklace}

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{flower clutches}

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{something blue rose ring pillow}

{The adorable husband-and-wife duo behind Emersonmade.}

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I am official in love with these hand-stitched, hand-dyed flowers by Emersonmade. They seem to make everything more fabulous...and don't even get me started on the super cute couple behind the covetable flowers and swoon-worthy photos. I kind of wish they would adopt me. Check out even more fabulousness over on the Emersonmade blog.

Let Them Eat Cake!

{Images from La Cerise Sur Le Gateau}

I want it all. That's right, I want every single item created by the French textile company La Cerise Sur Le Gateau (which, from what I can tell, translates into "the cherry on the cake"). Anne Hubert, the brains and creative talent behind the company, has a wonderful way of creating simple kitchen and household items that convey a childlike whimsy - Martha Stewart meets Tinkerbell, if you will. Hubert has even penned a DIY book called The Left Bank Look: Easy Parisian-Chic Projects for Your Home and Clothes, which I just ordered online - SO exciting!

Takara Gallery Art Tee Winners!

The results for the Takara Gallery giveaway are in!

Winners were selected using a very scientific means - i.e. having Rosemary

pull names out of two cups, one for each shirt. And the winners are...

Nikki Corbett, who won The Hooties T-shirt and Mary Van Note, who won the alphabet art tee. Congratulations to both of you! I'll be contacting each of you to work out the mailing details. Thanks so much to everyone who participated — and, again, a special thanks to Maho Kamimura of the online boutique Takara Gallery.

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

{Robot Quad 01 from Spur Stor}

For anyone curious as to what I gifted to Veronica & Jeff's little bundle of joy, here it is! A limited-edition giclee print of four vintage-inspired robots. Oh, and it's signed by the artist, David Plunkert. I hope the family likes it!

Celebrating Baby Benicio

Today I went to my dear friend Veronica's co-ed baby shower. Everything was perfect: the weather, the scene, the food and, of course, the amazing group of friends and family who gathered together. Baby Benicio Xavier isn't due to make his debut until early July, but we had a blast celebrating his upcoming appearance. Special thanks to Veronica & Jeff for inviting me to be a part of such a memorable occasion. I can't wait to me the little guy!

{Veronica's sister Marie did an amazing job organizing the shower}

{The adorable parents-to-be: Veronica & Jeff}

{A banner for baby Benicio Xavier}

{One of the gorgeous flower center pieces}

{Darcey, Erin & me - I love these ladies!}

{Tasty sangria mixed up by Jeff - they were delicious, and yes, I "sampled" both}

{Ruben, Mom, Veronica & Marie}

{Such an awesome family!}

{My ladies (left to right): Rosemary, Darcey, Veronica, Erin & yours truly}

Takara Gallery Art Tee Giveaway!

{I love my "the hooties" art tee!}

{Walter got a little wild in this shot}

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{Takara translates to "treasures" in English - love it!}

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{Giveaway items: alphabet shirt in medium & the hooties in large}

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I was super excited when Maho Kamimura, the adorable owner of the Japanese shop Takara Gallery, offered to send me a couple shirts from her art tee collection. A quick glance at the collection, which features work by artists around the globe, and I was immediately smitten with two designs in particular: "The Hooties" by Mariah Piesse and the untitled alphabet tee by Mari Doigawa. Lucky for my readers, Maho was kind enough to send one shirt for yours truly and two for a giveaway! Yay!

So, without further adieu, here's what you need to do to enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me which art tee you'd like to win and what you like about the design. For the record, the Hooties shirt is a large, while the alphabet tee is a medium. If you tweet about the giveaway you'll receive another entry - just be sure to leave an additional comment that includes your Twitter handle.
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All entries must be submitted by Sunday at 12am PST. The giveaway is limited to United States residents - sorry international readers, but since I'm footing the bill on the shipping I've got to keep my out-of-pocket costs down.

Come Monday, I'll pick & announce the two winners, who will be selected using a random number generator. Good luck! Oh, and a big thanks to Maho for donating two shirts for Bows & Sparrow's very first giveaway! So exciting!

Oh, My Darlin'

{Image from jack&marjorie}

Hi. My name is Erin, and I'm a purse addict. I have so many bags (clutches, totes, hobos) that I often forget what purses I actually own - and it's always a happy moment when I rediscover an old favorite. While my clothes and shoes come and go, I almost never get rid of purses. I guess that's why I'm willing to fork over big bucks for them - I look at them as investments, and I think it might be time to buy more stock. Enter the Clementine by jack & marjorie. This totally covetable clutch is fashioned from reclaimed leather and vintage ticking fabric, and features a removable parachute strap handle. Mark my words: it will be mine!

Go Ahead, Take it Personal

{Images from JHill Design}

My brother and sister-in-law's wedding anniversary is right around the corner and I've been trying to decide what to gift to the love birds. They got hitched in Hawaii back in July of 2007, so I'm thinking one of these personalized "A Toast to..." prints by JHill Design would be the perfect anniversary gift. Each print can be tailored to mark a special moment in time. Simply provide the geographic location, year, a brief sentence and three key words about your special memory or event. Then, select one of JHill Design's bright and cheery patterns and let Jennifer Hill (the brains and talent behind the Boston-based design company) work her magic. Brilliant!

Je Regarde L'Art

{Image by Christina Vantzou}

I'm hoping the only rain I see today is on this lovely screen print by Brussels-based artist Christina Vantzou. I don't speak French (parlo poco italiano), but a quick run through Google translate tells me "je regarde" means "I look." Tres magnifique.