Deux Lux-- Handbag love.

Have you heard of Deux Lux? I'm sure you have. Even though I can't afford pretty much anything they make, I am in love with their line of handbags! Everything they make is gorgeous!

I first fell in love with their line a few years ago, when they were all about the ruffles and pastels:

I wish this sea foam one was still being made!

And now I am loving the bold sparkles, glitter, and bright colors. Along with their structure and added details, they are perfect! Some of my current favorites:

Resort Stripe Beach Tote, $102 found here. LOVE how summery it is!

Cosmic Love Duffle, $85 found here

Twinkle Star Tote, $196 found here

Resort Woven Hand Tote, $137 found here

Felix Satchel, $71 found here (LOVE!)

Love Drops Saddle Bag, $56 found here

Every style comes in an array of colors. They also carry wallets, cosmetic cases, key rings, etc. I simply adore how they are elegant and chic, but also fun. The glitter and bows and bright colors make them so girly and look like a party on your shoulder ;) You should definitely check them out if you can afford the price tag!

DIY sparkly velvet headband

Not a great picture, but you get the idea.

Velvet and sparkles... Could there be any better combination? I think not.

In the March issue of InStyle magazine there was a great How-To for making a studded velvet ribbon belt. However, seeing as how I don't wear belts very often and didn't want to buy that many supplies, I went with a smaller (and cheaper) version-- the headband.

The inspiration

Despite my best effort to buy studs, the local Joann's did not carry them :( Luckily for me, I browsed the button section and instead came up with a somewhat good replacement-- some sparkly findings in black and silver. (Even better, they were buy one bag, get one free!) 

The bling

As you can see, the findings have holes in them for sewing on, but I didn't have the patience for that and instead turned to my trusty glue gun :-) 

The supplies: 

About 1 1/2 feet of velvet ribbon (I chose black, but any color would work)

Sparkly metallic findings (or studs if you can find them!)

Glue gun

About an inch of black, basic elastic (not pictured) 

The instructions are pretty straight forward: Glue findings on ribbon in any pattern you like, and glue elastic to ends of ribbon. Done and done! 

A close-up view.

Simple. Cheap. Sparkly. Love.

Turkey-Chipotle Chili

This evening I decided to try out another new recipe-- Turkey-Chipotle Chili from Self Magazine. You can find the original recipe here.

However, I must admit, my "chipotle" chili actually contained no chipotle! I thought I had some in the cupboard, but alas I did not. Therefore I substituted some Mexican-style chili powder and some crushed red pepper-- and it was delicious! I also think it was rather healthy-- I used low-fat ground turkey, and the other ingredients were simply veggies and beans. Also, it calls for 1/2 teaspoon salt-- I used half that amount. (Why not cut out some salt whenever possible?)

All in all, the recipe took about half an hour (but 15 minutes of that was simmering on the stove). It was very simple and the hubby approved, which makes it A+ in my book! I hope you try it and let me know what you think.

14 Days of Valentines

I'm not sure what it is about Valentine's Day, but I simply love it. And I'm not just saying that because I have a sweet husband ;) There's just something so lovely and happy in all of the pink and red decorations, cards and treats... And the thought that everyone is spreading love all on the same day just seems magical.

However, because I love my husband so much, I decided instead of showing love on one day... why not fourteen? Yes, I spent the last fourteen days giving Valentines to my husband each night-- he's so spoiled. ;)

Here are a few of the Valentines he received:

 Chinese take-out container filled with homemade fortune "cookies". 

Idea via Martha Stewart, found here. 

A "Sweets for my Sweetie" canister. Obviously, this was one of his favorites. 

 A simple homemade Valentine using an old map. 

 Coupon book with things like "Ice cream date!" and 

"Home-cooked meal of your choice". 

Idea/printable via Mommy by Day, found here. 

 Handwritten note inside of a cute air mail card... 

Printable via Wonder Forest, found here.

A picture of us turned into a puzzle. 

Simply printed the picture, glued to card stock and cut into puzzle-shaped pieces. 

I hope you had a cheerful, love-filled day and wore lots of pink and red! ♥

Spicy Red Lentil Soup w/ Lemon

A while ago I tried this new soup recipe, and let me tell you-- it was love at first bite. (Although, I had already assumed it must be good considering it was published in the New York Times...)

It's healthy, spicy, super easy to make, and delicious; it's also vegetarian if you use veggie broth instead of chicken. I even gave some to my parents to try, and my dad has now requested I make it every time I come to visit!

The picture doesn't nearly do it justice!

You can find the original recipe here. I follow all of the original steps, except I don't puree or blend half of the soup-- I think the consistency of the soup is fine, and really, why make the process any longer? I also add more cilantro and chili powder than it calls for, but that's personal choice. 

Try it-- I promise you'll love it! 

Dickens.

image via here.

In honor of Charles Dickens 200th Birthday, I give you a few favorite quotes:

"The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists."


"Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely; in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest."


"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other."

Happy Birthday, Dickens.

On my mind.

Hello friends.

It's been a long time. Too long. I'm not even completely sure why I haven't written in such a long time. Many days I've thought about writing; about sitting down and starting the blog up again. But every time I went to do so, I hesitated-- and then held back altogether. And of course, the more time that passes, the harder it is to go back to something.

I want to write-- I LOVE to write-- but I guess I just don't have anything specific to write about. I need a direction, but instead my mind wanders all over the place. The problem isn't a lack of inspiration-- in fact, quite the opposite. EVERYTHING inspires me. But I feel like if I talk about everything, my blog will just become a muddled, disorienting place.

I know I'm not a fashion blog. Or a photography blog. Or a book blog, craft blog, home and garden blog... I started out wanting this to be a place of inspiration-- things that inspire me, get me excited, make me want to celebrate life and dance in the rain. But since I find inspiration everywhere-- literally, everywhere-- it gets a little overwhelming.

Sometimes I want to write about a DIY project I completed, or a recipe I tried and loved. Other times I want to discuss how the wind blowing on my face made me spend twenty minutes reminiscing of summers past. Sometimes I want to share articles I've found encouraging, or pictures of outfits I enjoy. Once in a while I like to discuss the books I'm reading, my plans for the future, or how a crack in the sidewalk looks like a heart and makes me happy. Truly happy. Does that make sense?

Image via here

Anyway, I digress. Although I haven't quite found a flow for this blog, a reoccurring theme or what-have-you, I shall continue. Even as I lay here in bed writing this, I'm still not sure what suddenly inspired me to jump right back in. Why today, February 6th? Why not a few months ago? What's taken me so long?

If you are still around after all of this time-- thank you. And hello again.