Melissa Loves

Monday Inspiration

Hello my darlings, 

                    I hope you had a wonderful weekend...we had a lovely dinner with friends last night( a fire & a glass of wine? and I'm in. ) :) Some not so great news about someone I love this weekend, so keep good thoughts in your head for him for me, will you? Lots of playing with cousins, and one period of playing a dancing game on the xbox at my brother in laws house that was so much fun we wanted to run out and buy one. But, we didn't....My inspiration is a little all over the map today but, I think I have so much to do today that it is reflected here. Sorry! I saw Shanna's image over the weekend and it really moved me. I never cease to be impressed with & fall for everything she does. Such a warm, gentle & lovely touch she has....so, I thought I would share this image of hers with you. The best part? You can download it onto your desktop right here, a collaboration with Nikole from Herriot Grace.

"One kind word can warm three winter months" - japanese proverb

~ and then seemingly completely unrelated ( because they are) these tops & sandals. I am a little obsessed with these sandals since I saw them yesterday and I don't think I will ever get tired of the ethnic and tribal influences that are everywhere in fashion and interiors these days. ( yippee)  And if a shirt could sum up a person....I would say these sum me up pretty well. I don't know why, but they are me, to a tee. ( har har) And I know, if I had them, I would wear them into. the. ground. 

Happy Valentines day , my friends! I didn't want you to think I had forgotten. If you are celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful day. I guess I kind of celebrate all year long so.....:) Have a wonderful day and I will see you back here tomorrow, hopefully less scattered. Until then, be well. okay? 

xo

Melis

ps you'd be amazed at how difficult it is to type when there is a floppy puppy ear lounging on your keyboard. :) 

Closer to home: essential things

 

Hello sweethearts,

                         It's friday, it's friday! Sing it with me! "Thank god it's friday, friday, friiiiii-daaaay!" :)  Lovely & sweet Jeska ( from the beautiful lobster & swan) tagged me in a "5 daily essentials" post she did. So, as I would never turn Jeska down I am sharing my 5 dailies here with you. The given, of course, is that my 5 living essentials are; my hubby, my beautiful daughters and our two doggies. Now, for the 5 non living ones! ;) 

 

~ tea ( the one I adore is "Paris" by Harney & sons but, twinings earl grey is my mainstay because I love the flavor and it is affordable) However, when I am at Marichelle's house? Nothing compares to the mean cuppa she and her hubby can make. And that is PG tips. 

~ lip balm ( has to be Kiehls we have one in practically every room in the house cause I can't bear it when my lips are dry. I always think I would never last as a castaway or in some other dire circumstance cause I would be driven crazy by my dry lips and lack of balm! :) 

~ jewelry (ok, not just my own necklace which I wear every day with my girl's initials but, also this one that my hubby gave me, my wedding band and engagement ring, a ring I had made that is just a thick gold band with the words "treasure this day" on it, my charm bracelet Joel gave me when we found out we were pregnant with my oldest daughter and most recently a bracelet I got from Deb  & this ring Cassie gave me. Does that seem like a lot? It sounds like a lot! But, I don't think it looks like too much when you see it all in person. Oh, I forgot my studs that I wear every day too. My girls probably think I am boring but, I can't help it. My jewelry has sentimental value and I never take any of it off really. ( oh, and my watch too....but, I take that off now and again...can't sleep in it.) ;)

~ perfume ( Calyx...I have worn it for a really long time. I have taken breaks from it over the years....worn others that I love too ( Annick Goutal is a favorite and Jo Malone) but, I always come back to Calyx. Funny....I love it.)

~ books ( I actually have a nook & the photo above is the cover I have but, I love actual books too of course! :) I am happiest when I have a really good book by my side.) 

That's it! Wanna share your 5 daily essentials with me? I would love to hear about them & feel free to leave links! Thank you sweet Jeska for asking me to participate. Here are Jeska's 5 essentials. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend....we have some dinners out with family & friends, a sleepover party (for my eldest gal) and...that's it I think. How about you? I will see you back here on monday but, just before you go......

~ isn't this gorgeous and oh, so sweet! 

~ love this site, so hilarious ( especially this post) thank you Holly for reminding me! :) 

~ covet, like, covet 

Until then, be well. 

xo

Melis

Little things & Little moments

Hello sweethearts! 

                   You are gonna think I'm nuts....but, I changed my accessories again after walking into J.Crew with Joel yesterday ( on the hunt for a suit for him) . I put on some glitter ballet flats ( which seem to be a new item & cannot for the life of me find them online) and was sold! They are different from the glitter flats they have had before, so incredibly comfortable and a beautiful silver glitter on the body of the shoe & a golden glitter on the toe. I could not recommend them more. Then I found the best bag at Banana republic, just like the one below but, black leather. I love it because it is a clutch but, will hold all of our "stuff", super soft and not expensive. So, now I will wear some sparkly "diamond" bracelets, a sparkly multi-chained "diamond" necklace and my studs I wear every day. I figure I will let my shoes do most of the talking :) Thank you again for all of your sweet help, you guys are the best. I really wanted to show you photos of all of the items mentioned above & seriously couldn't find any of them online. Odd. However, those flats & that clutch are some little things that are making me very happy today & here are a few other things that are making me happy.

3 little things: 

~ aren't those gold lightning bolts so sweet? here 

~ in love with these Shane Powers for West Elm vessels! Love the matt gray & love the unique shapes here 

~ the limited edition version of my black clutch is beautiful, don't you think? here 

3 little moments: 

~ the spontaneous friendship started up between me and Nga via email 

~ my girls making "videos" together last night, with costume changes and everything! So sweet....

~ this morning our dog Maddie jumped up on the couch with me and snuggled under my arm. She never does that, preferring to lie on her own. It made me so happy. 

How about you my friends? Any little things or little moments that are making you happy today? I would love to hear about them, I always do. I will see you back here tomorrow ( friday, yay!). Until then, be well. 

xo

Melis

Pairs

Hello my dears! 

                   I want to apologize in advance for what I am about to show you.... I know it isn't fair to instill lust in your hearts. And I adore you all so, it pains me to think that I will set you upon a course of thinking about these things, I am about to show you, for the rest of the day....heck, month ( ok, year) . So, I hope you will forgive me.... ;) 

sigh. Nga Waiata is a New Zealand artist who fuses these gorgeous stones with different woods ( ie: Australian blackwood, New Zealand black maire..) and creates beautiful works of art to wear around with you all day long! Quite frankly, it is hard to choose which is my favorite. Nga includes the spiritual benefits of each ring in their descriptions & that makes me want every. single. one. One for each day! Depending on which healing properties you need that day. Right? To top it all off, Nga is absolutely the sweetest & warmest person. Her radiance is apparent in the brief but, lovely exchange we have had via email. I love that I can sit here in freezing New Jersey & hear Nga talk about how it is incredibly hot in New Zealand. Ah, the internet! :) 

Did you hear angels sing when you saw Nga's studio view up there? I did. And I think I can hear Karey exclaiming across the miles about that turquoise ring....hmm, Karey? :) Nga's work is available in the US at Barney's and at Castor & Pollux( online as well in the near future) . They retail for around $320.00 and you can also contact Nga directly, via email, and ask any questions or  place an order ( nga's email: ngawaiata@ngawaiata.com )

 Nga is first and foremost a painter, which you can see some of right here. Also, a lovely interview with her right here. Nga, thank you so much for your beautiful work & for being such a lovely soul. As I have said before, it always makes me love the work even more when the artist behind it is just as lovely. I hope you all have a wonderful day, my friends. I will see you back here tomorrow. Until then, be well. 

xo

Melis

Cheap & chic

 

* Update* 

        Okay, sweet things! I think I have figured it out a bit....with a bag and a necklace I found. Both under $80.00 (and I would just wear my diamonds studs, instead of the blue ones down below) Yippee! 

What do you think? :) 

~ necklace here 

~ bag here 

xo

Melis

Hello my sweets! 

                     Help! Help! Help! Okay, so here's the 411....Joel and I have to go to a premiere....but, wait! Before you get too excited you have to know that I don't usually get excited about these things. I get nervous and start to feel overwhelmed. I would rather just go out to dinner & a movie  with him. I end up feeling like a big ole dork.  Secondly, I don't want to buy things just for that night. Ya know what I mean? I am trying to work in things I need and will be additions to my wardrobe. So, keep that in mind...

~ the top( I already own ) here

~ the earrings ( I have something similar, think more Indian & more gold) - sorry, I can't seem to find the link for these anymore. 

~ flats ( ok, ok....I know what you are going to say. "Melissa, these are NOT dressy, even remotely!" "What are you thinking?" But, here is my arguement, I have always wanted pink ballet flats made by bloch (supposed to be very well made and very comfy) ,they will be comfortable ( I bought these and they hurt like a MoFo so, I am returning them) & I can wear the heck out of them when this one night is over. here

~ pants here ( needed pants like this in my life and they are tuxedos so, they have the grograin ribbon down the sides.) 

Now, how can I dress it up? What kind of bag should I carry? Help my darlins! I know you all will come up with some great ideas and please don't judge my need for comfort and practicality. :) 

I will see you back here tomorrow with an awesome "Pairs" "Awesome?" you say, yes, awesome. This jewelry designer will knock your socks off with the beauty of her pieces and with her lovely spirit. :) 

Until then...be well. 

xo

Melis

Monday Inspiration

Hello my darlings, 

                   Happy Monday! Did you have a lovely weekend? As promised we had a great time taking our girlies out for special "just you & me" days/nights. Went to a fun birthday party & most restorative of all....ate delicious homemade pumpkin bread &  crazy good cuban food,  laughed, caught up, saw the new sweet baby and watched our kids have so much fun together with some of our very best friends. SO good for the soul & laughter is always good for the soul, no? Over the weekend I saw this gorgeous painting by Jennifer Davis. Her work always surprises me; it's color and subject. This one I would love to take up a whole wall in my home though. Those purples and greens....the delicate roundness of the shapes keeping the horse company. Just beautiful....It inspired me today & so I thought I would gather some other earthy & delicate things to go along with it.

~ Jennifer's work here & this particular piece "Sweet Tooth" here & her shop here

~ quote via here  ( thanks sweet Brandi ) 

~ bag here 

~ pillow here 

~ lamp here 

~ necklace here 

I hope you have a wonderful start to your week, my friends! I will see you back here tomorrow. Until then, be well. 

xo

Melis

Closer to home

Hello my dears! 

                          Friday! Yippee! What are your plans for this weekend? Anything you are excited about? I am really excited to see some of our very best friends on sunday. We don't see each other nearly enough and whenever we do, I leave there feeling so good and so happy. We are also going to a party tomorrow night ( a friend's birthday) and today I am taking my littlest one out for a little "just us two" time. Joel & Elen are in the city having some "Just us two" time too. :)  When I saw this image via pinterest yesterday....my heart stopped beating for just a second. Is it possible for an image to make you want to marry it, move into it & wear it all at the same time? I think so. :) So, I thought I would leave you with it for the weekend.....seemed like a great way to end the week. 

~ I thought it was a chandelier at first but, it is actually an art piece by Korean artist Lee Bul. I wish there was more about her on her website ( here ) but, if you google her, a lot more comes up about her. The pinterest link led back to this beautiful blog. Perhaps you know Cake with Giants already? But, I didn't realize she had a blog...so happy to know about it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friends. I will see you back here on monday....but, just before you go...

~ have you seen this? love it.

~ isn't this beautiful? 

~ I have to go somewhere fancy with Joel in a week or so & am a bit nervous about what to wear....so far I have black tuxedo pants.....any suggestions? top? shoes? bag? ack.

~ how cute is this little guy? 

~ LOVE these and want them, pronto.

Be well & sending a big hug your way! 

xo

Melis

The little things & little moments

Hello sweet friends, 

                       Sorry I have been so late posting these past couple of days! That's what going out two nights in a row gets me! I am not used to it anymore...:) Fun, though! I thought  today I would share one other little thing that made me so happy at the gift fair. I always love when I admire someone's products or creations and they turn out to be just as lovely and sweet as you'd imagine. Just the case with the adorable couple behind Sugarboo Designs. Rebecca and Rick Puig are incredibly warm & sweet and I am madly in love with so many of their pieces. The huge dog painting below is my favorite. Printed on weathered wood and larger than life. The words around it say things like " keep your eyes and ears wide open. And be kind. love one another and take care of each other. Tell the truth. Always do your best. Listen to the big people and the little people. Explore new paths and have fun!" etc.  Meeting them and seeing their booth was a definite highlight. A little thing, that is making me very happy today. 

~ dog print here 

~ driftwood heart here 

* sorry Rebecca & Rick that my photo is a little less than stellar! :) 

~ adorable Rebecca & Rick in their booth at NYIGF

~ their "Life is Beautiful" pillow which I also am coveting! :) 

3 little moments: 

~ snuggling with my girls after missing putting them to bed 2 nights in a row 

~ spending time with Cassie & Marichelle last night ( Marichelle was our host practically all day yesterday & she made us a delicious breakfast, baked cookies and made one mean cup of tea after another! Also, I could not get enough kisses from her sweet & adorable little Emma....truly a delicious little love bug!)

~ feeling excited for another special day with our girls tomorrow. Joel is taking Elen to work with him & Talu and I will have a little special day here on the homefront. Adventures! Always a good thing....

What about you my friends? Any little things or little moments that are making your day today? I would really love to know. I will see you back here tomorrow...until then, be well. 

xo

Melis

Pairs ( friends & NYIGF )

Hi darlings! 

                  Whew! We had so much fun at NYIGF yesterday.... We met up with a bunch of our lovely & talented friends there ( & after for dinner) and I laughed so much my throat was sore by the end of the night. :) There were some great booths, lots of beautiful things to see as usual but, really we just go to show support, laugh and have an excuse to all gather for dinner, drinks and fun. :)  I always wish you could all come along so, I thought I would share some of it with you sweethearts. 

~ Sweetheart Cassie....I love it when she comes to town for our annual jaunts to NYIGF & then we have a sleepover :) I know I have posted about this ring before but, I just love it THAT much. :) 

~ It was lovely to meet Karen from Hammocks & High Tea and we were all lusting after several of her designs....one of each please! :) 

~ Always a treat to spend time with lovely Rebecca Haas and see the new pieces from her beautiful jewelry line ( there were some pieces that were silver & gold tubes mixed with silk cording in beautiful colors & they were gorgeous! Hopefully I can put some pics up of those in the near future) 

~ Darling Deb met us for dinner ( @ Snacky in Wiliamsburg...Sandy, the owner, is Deb's longtime friend and the food is soooo good.) I got a beautiful yellow & grey beaded bracelet from Deb & love it so much. 

~ fantastic Fay met us for dinner too & told me about this sweet "Date Kit" she is debuting today. Her gorgeous teardrop bracelets and her friend, Da Bruxa's, rose lip gloss. A special collaboration for Valentine's Day! 

~ SO happy to have lovely Lauren meet us for some of the show & then dinner. Always a treat to see her sweet face and I never get tired of looking at her beautiful shop. 

~ Sweet Laurel was there with THE cutest packaging in the world! Tiny little cork lidded apothecary vials holding sweet necklaces with tiny silver charms. I couldn't stop touching them....sorry Laurel! :) 

~ I also always love visiting my friend Mark Poulin, such a nice guy and THE sweetest, happiest booth on the block.  But, his new rings with vibrant & varied colors were so lovely and "winter blues" bashing in person! Thanks Mark for chatting & laughing with us for sooo long. 

~ And last but, definitely not least...beautiful RJ met up with us for part of the show and dinner. She let me know about her perfect "Cosy Kit", to go with her perfect mugs! I can attest to how delicious those teas & that vanilla sugar are! Not to mention she shared a photo of her pup Bailey ( when she was little) and it made my day with it's cuteness. Gah! 

~ And Jen, the first stop we made when we got there...sitting on the floor of Jen's booth, drinking coffee and tea & laughing were definitely a highlight for me. Not to mention Jen's outrageously beautiful new pieces like the one above! I mean....Jen just hits it every time, right? I always want one of everything when I see her booth. And she looked adorable as usual. :) Thanks for letting us hang in your booth Jen, it was a pleasure. 

~Susy So happy she could go around the show with us for a bit, though we missed you at dinner hun! :) Always a treat & Sus keeping us laughing :) 

Dearest P met us as well, for dinner and told us stories about her recent trek ( solo) to Timbuktu...where they lost her luggage and for 10 days she was without anything except for what she carried on the plane with her. That gorgeous gal is a trooper, an adventurer and always makes me giggle so hard I threaten to never recover. :) Thanks P! 

We missed Marichelle, she has a tiny little cutie pie at home counting on her, ya know! But, still..it wasn't the same without her. :) 

I would love to share some of the other booths with you, folks I didn't know but, I am happy I know about now. I will do that tomorrow...Have a wonderful day my friends! Until then...be well. 

xo

Melis

Cheap & chic

Hello my dear ones...

                        Today we are supposed to be having a snowy/ice storm but, I am headed into the city anyway to meet up with my gals at the NYIGF and then head out to dinner. It always proves to be a wonderful time filled with laughter, friendship and good food. But, before I head out today I wanted to leave you with a  little something I put together, embracing the gorgeous necklace down below. I just love it, love that shirt and...okay, I love the boots as well. :) 

 

~ shirt here ( in indigo)  $69.50

~ necklace here $59.00

~ clutch here $18.00

~ boots here $78.99

~ cords here ( in camel ) $16.98

~ bracelets here $6.80 

I also put this beautiful necklace into a treasury on etsy...if you'd like to check it out, it's right here. 

I hope you like it, my friends! Have a wonderful day and I will see you back here tomorrow. Until then, be well. 

xo

Melis