our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter.

— Harold Kushner (via Zen Habits: Becoming Minimalist)

This week’s episode of How I Met Your Mother (best show ever) featured my other favorite thing, a baby animal! I think piggies may have just made my Top 5 Baby Animals List.

And believe it or not, I like the show for other reasons besides the fact that it is hilarious and sometimes features baby animals. I also really love the wardrobe for the two main female characters, Lily and Robin. They always have on the cutest outfits! Carrie Underwood who guest-starred last night was also looking cute in her red dress (above). Here is another example of an outfit from last night’s episode:

I’m loving her patterned top with cardigan, skinnies and boots (not shown). I can’t find who makes the top, but I did find this websitewhich details some of the clothing that they wear. It seems to be mostly more expensive labels such as Nanette Lepore, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenberg, but occasionally you will find them in Anthropologie, J Crew and Urban Outfitters. But you don’t have to have the exact pieces to replicate the feel of the outfit. I love getting inspiration from everywhere!

**UPDATE – The top is by Joie and can be purchased here. (via)**

PS Does anyone else even watch this show or I am alone on this one??

Check out Katie Kirk on flickr. I love her illustration style. This one in particular seems so ‘me’. I love bunnies, 2 is my favorite number and I have a dresser just like this which I painted myself. Wha??

She also has an etsy shop with her husband where you can pick up some other cute prints.

I’m not sure if the American Idol contestants have a stylist or they dress themselves, but I have found myself really drawn to Lacey Brown’s style. In the latest episode she was doing the ‘mixing patterns’ trend with floral patterned dress topped with a bold striped cardigan. I’m not a fan of the gold belt, but overall, I think its a cute look. I hope she stays on for a while so I can keep tracking her style!

image from americanidol.com

Happy Weekend! Sometimes its almost harder for me to put together stylish casual looks that outfits for work or dressier occasions. The key is to look good without looking like you tried or even care. I thought I would put together some looks that are easy to just grab and go. Here is my first one, let me know what you think!!

This = An oversized tee

&

That = Black skinny jeans

“As long as the world is turning and spinning, we’re gonna be dizzy and we’re gonna make mistakes.” – Mel Brooks 

animation via dvdp

Even though the temp here is in the teens today (UGH!) all I can seem to think about is spring, summer, bikinis and being poolside! So naturally I want to shop for those kinds of outfits. But if I truly want to save some money, I should still be in winter mode.

Coat and boot prices are slashed despite the fact it is definitey STILL winter and you will still be able to get decent wear out of items this season. Not to mention you will have some relatively new-to-you items to pull out or your closet next time winter comes rolling in.

Where to shop:

Check out Victoria’s Secret, Alloy, Express, New York & Company and Nordstrom for some great deals on coats.

For boots, check out Aldo, Piperlime, DSW and Steve Madden.

My picks:

This amazing looking coat from NY&C for only $19.99?? (Note: large fur thing is removeable and it also comes in black)

More coat picks – all under $100!!

And my picks for boots – all under $50!!!

Word to the wise – sizes will be limited but don’t get discouraged, a great deal is out there for you!!

Here are the paintings I did recently for our living room. We have another one planned for the new bedroom which will be revealed when I finally have before and afters (We had a slight wallpaper miscalculation which I will share with you as well!).

Overall, I’m pretty happy with how they turned out, although looking at the photos now, the scale is probably a little too small for the room. I didn’t start out with any sort of plan, I just knew I wanted to do a continuous painting across three canvases and then spread them out on the wall.

We bought the canvas and acrylic paint from Hobby Lobby and I used sponge brushes, bristle brushes and a cup dipped in paint for the circles. At one point I thought I had ruined them, but if you just keep experimenting it will turn into something you like!

And some close-ups:

The color turned out too bright on the last one, it is more of a light greyish blue.

What are your thoughts?? I have since had some friends ask me to do paintings for them and it makes me super nervous. I don’ t see myself as any sort of artist, I think I viewed it more as a craft project that anyone could do. But I’m kind of excited to do more, it is a super fun process and really releases stress, its fun to just be in the moment and actually transfer thoughts from your mind into something visual.

Check out these totally attainable stylish looks I found while perusing H&M’s website (told you I was obsessed). Loving the easy, breezy layers with light wash or white jeans and pops of color in shoes, belts and tops. These looks don’t really win any ‘fashion forward’ awards, but that’s ok because I’m not super adventerous when it comes to my wardrobe (you won’t see me in shoulder pads anytime soon).  

Went shopping this past Saturday and picked up the following:

This adorable little ring from Charlotte Russe. I’ve been wearing it everyday since! I’m totally not a jewelry person, but I like having ‘go to’ pieces that are simple and go with everything. (You can click the picture if you want to purchase or browse their other cute rings, there are tons for only $4!)

This light and airy top from H&M works for the office tucked into a pencil skirt or for the weekends layered with a blazer until it warms up.

And can I just say I’m pretty obsessed with H&M? What about you?