Amber's {flower} Notebook: The Simple Things

I love jars. Seriously, love them. I save nearly every glass jar and bottle that comes into my kitchen. In my kitchen I fill them with quiona, lentils, rice and oatmeal. While In my craft room my jars are home to buttons, embellishments and sequins. For display and organization purposes I even fill jars with my collections of matchbooks, hotel pens, and sea glass. The possibilities of jars seem endless, they are so simple but so lovely. So when I stumbled across this vintage mason set of Ball blue jars and a carrier basket for $30 I was beyond excited. They look lovely whether they have flowers in them or not, but currently I am loving how they look with these lovely hot pink ranunculus spilling out of them.

Flowers and jars - two simple things that make me so happy.
What are two simple things that are making you happy right now?

How I Shop: Timeless Pieces

On Friday Annie and I made the trek out to The Paris Flea Market to look through vintage, antique and retro treasures. We spent a good portion of our time trying on vintage clothing, shoes, hats and jewelry. I just love that some things always hold their style and relevance for year, like cheetah, gold hoops and cocktail rings. Some of my favorite pieces that didn't make it home with me were a vintage Oscar De la Renta polka dot dress, and baby doll hot pink night gown from the 50's.

What did make it home with me was a mid calf pleated cheetah skirt (an $8 find), a vintage cocktail ring and hoop earrings.

An almost identical skirt here.
Gold hoops,
and a similar cocktail ring.

Look of the Day: Butterfly In the Sky

I spent the past two days poolside with my very best friends. Because of my hospital stays and trip it had been a while (for us) since we all hung out, so it was nice to spend some time together. However, we tend to get a bit silly when we all hang out and are immediately transformed into our sixteen year old selves. Yesterday was full of giggles, text messaging picture wars and some Facebook stalking. We ended our two day poolside extravaganza by going to a local restaurant for a glass of wine and Mediterranean happy hour platters. It's so nice to have friends you can free and silly with, because sometimes it seems like other people don't understand our funny ways. I love you girls!

Vintage dress from Ebay, Urban Outfitters cardigan, Cynthia Vincent For target sandals, and Forever 21 sunglasses.

Yay for giggling, butterflies and girl talk.

New Years Recap Part Two: A Low Key New Year in Style

Casey and I always have a low key New Years. We hate the crowds, the fuss and the overprice-ness of everything. But I still love the FUN so I just bring that home ;)

I started my night with a rocking 2000's playlist. Yes I am sucker for Pop music.
I tried out some hot rollers. Just trying to make my Texas friend Lindsey proud, she swears by them!
So proud of myself for doing my hair and makeup! Might have been the first time since my wedding that I put on lipstick!The "Crew" set up for the "shoot"...
My mini photoshoot. Yes I am a HUGE dork!!
Outfit pics! Work it!
And I'm Off...in Vintage DVF BTW. The Dress is Alice & Olivia.
Oh... Just off the Kitchen! I told you we like it Low key!
POP that Beezy!
Cheers!
Hope your New Year is Fabulous!!

Celebration: Four Christmases

Remember how I mentioned how much I could relate to the movie Four Christmases? Well Casey and I literally have four Christmases to attend. Tonight's was Christmas #2 at Casey's Mom's house. Sheila was so sweet and had her place decorated so cute! We had a great time playing with my nieces, eating GOURMET french food (French was the theme of the night in honor of my SIL Rebecca) and opening gifts. I received the most thoughtful gifts. Thank you so much Sheila!

Sheila's adorable decorations and gift wrapping... her secret is glue guns!!







Rebecca gave us all French themed gifts, everything was made in France =)
My girly gifts from Sheila. She may have raised two sons but she sure knows how to shop for the girls!
A new notebook!!! I have a notebook obsession, hence the blog name. How cute is Rebecca that she made these?? She needs to open an Etsy store!
And Sheila always remembers Pennie =)
And my favorite gifts of the night were both vintage AND things I have been on the hunt for!
Rebecca hunted down this totally awesome globe for me, I adore it! I can't wait to find the perfect place for it. I have always wanted to collect globes so this is my first one! =)
AND....... Sheila found me Vintage Champagne Coupes that I have been wanting FOREVER!!!!!
SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE! Just in time for New Years, I will feel so Marie Antoinette toasting with these. Unsure what to toast with this New Year's eve? Check out my friend LC's review of Sparkling wine and Champagne on her blog.
LOVE THESE!
Thank you so much to my wonderful family, I am so lucky to have gained such an amazing Family into my life. I love them all dearly. I only hope your holiday season is as wonderful as mine has been. I love Christmas excitement!

Look of the day: Crazy for Rodarte

Bloggers have been buzzing about this for months, and we have all been waiting for this day for awhile now....the launch of Rodarte for Target's Go International line. I ended up staying up to see the line launch online. I definitely over bought, but I figure returning items will be easier to do then trying to find items later. I was able to pick up the 2 dresses I wanted as well as many other pieces, I can't wait for the packages to arrive!! For a great review with pictures check out Nicole's review on her blog.

Since I no longer had to make it to Target I was able to check off some items off my Christmas to-do list. Along the way we stopped by my Mom's where I picked up some awesome Vintage clothes.
And I rocked a causal Sunday outfit.
Sauce Tee, COH Ava jeans, Frye boots
I really love these boots!
I realized my outfit pics have me looking like the camera head guys in Beyonce's Video phone Music Video. Let me know what you guys picked up from the collection =)

Thanksgiving Recap Part II: Turkey Free Works For me

This post is Honor of my Mom who worked so very hard to please everyone yesterday. THANK YOU!! I was dead set on a Turkey Free Thanksgiving celebration at my house but I started to get overwhelmed with my Thesis and all so my mom took over the planning and went above and beyond to provide a fabulous Turkey free Vegetarian dinner for me. I couldn't have been happier! I didn't miss turkey one bit and I was quite happy and full after my turkey free meal.

Asparagus no oil or butter needed, it was steamed to perfection!

Fabulous pear, walnut and avocado salad! Again no dressing needed!

Warm Iacopi brussels sprout salad with local chestnuts, roasted shallots, and Sparrow Lane cider vinegar. Ah-MAazing!

Apple and Celery vegan stuffing.

My veggie filled plate! With a side of potatoes and cranberry sauce which replaced my gravy.
Thank you Mom!!
Our wine accompaniment. Thank you Rena!

My wine with cranberry floaters, only used to distinguish my glass.
My sister made creme brulee, I didn't have any but it looked amazing! Go sis!
And I had to take a picture of some of my mom's vintage Pyrex for Linda!

Easter 2009 Recap

We had a fun and casual Easter celebration this past Easter. Some egg coloring, hunting and fresh veggie eating went down . I was pretty excited to put out my vintage egg holder, that I found antiquing. We went pretty basic with our eggs this year, nothing fancy. But something tells me I am a bit old to get this excited about hunting for eggs:

Hope your weekend was good too!