90% of what I know about design, I learned from my mom.

Last weekend, I had the privilege of working with my mom on a photo shoot for The Everygirl. Danielle and I wanted to create a handbook for everygirls on properly setting a table. Growing up with regular "fancy" meals on birthdays, holidays, and pretty much every Sunday, I immediately knew who to turn to for this project. It's no secret my mom knows a thing or two about setting a lovely table and throwing a charming party...

from baby showers...

to bridal showers...

to backyard weddings.

She's done it all. So styling three places settings - one for brunch, one for an informal dinner, and one for a traditional formal meal - was a cinch. I love them all, especially the color from the brunch place settings.

Today we are featuring a Get the Look follow-up to yesterday's feature, detailing prices and sources for recreating the place settings in your home!

Oh, and if you're wondering about the post title, the other 10% I learned from Bailey McCarthy and Erin Gates.

Hipster Branding

Absolutely love the graphics and concepts behind HipsterBranding tumblr. The designer, Dave Spengeler, has recreated popular brands' logos with a more "artsy" vibe. These were just a few that I actually like more than the companies' current logos. Check out the rest here and tell me which one  your favorite is!

Five Vegetarian Recipes (10 Meal Portions) for Less Than $50

Today on The Everygirl!

We were so thrilled with how well our first Ten Meals for Less Than $50 feature went, we thought we'd do again! The twist this week is that all of the recipes are vegetarian. I styled the shoot, which meant I got to taste test all of our contributing food editor Lara Matos' tasty concoctions after they were photographed. My favorite was definitely the goat cheese crostini! No... the black bean burger. No... the zucchini fritters. Shoot. I can't decide. Click on over to print of your shopping list and recipes for to make cooking this week easy-peasy.

photography by Danielle Moss for The Everygirl

Hanging with Jayson

Yesterday, my other lady half and I ventured into one of our favorite Chicago shops to pick up some accessories for a shoot we are working on for The Everygirl. Every time I set foot in Jayson Home and Garden, I feel like I'm on a mini-vacation. Where all is beautiful and right in the world.

voluspa candles. 

smells like unicorns and a minty-colored dream.

kicking back - hey, i told you this was my mini-vacation.

Kate Spade earrings / Zara pants / Ted Baker sandals

i want to keep her.

pillow / sofia chair

beautiful / honeycomb

single / feathers / wildflowers

gold feather / dots / my love / white feather

Yet the only things in the store I can put on my credit card without shedding actual tears are the plants, books, and trays. And boy do they have some LOVERLY trays. Perfect for your entryway, coffee table, or corralling jewelry. Which would you get? I love the honeycomb. It's super thin pottery and kind of perfect in person. The gold feather tray is grand, as well. But that's on back order.

The color I dream in.

bather | books | logo | chairs | skirt | nails

I feel a project coming on.

Browline Sunnies

Saw this lovely photo of SFGirlByBay's Victoria Smith taken by the talented Kimberly Genevieve (an Everygirl photographer!) and it reaffirmed my desire for a pair of sunglasses I spotted at Anthropologie on my last visit.

The browline sunnies are reasonably priced at $42, so the question is not whether to get them but which color do I get?

Holy Mother of All That is Good and Neon

I don't know if there's something in the water cooler over at Kate Spade's Manhattan headquarters, but they are SERIOUSLY hitting it out of the park this season. I had to run in to the Oak Street store yesterday to grab something for a photo shoot and spent twenty minutes longer than I should have. Behold.

First I walk in and see this dangly, saturated delight greeting me.

Gold Coast Meadow Bag in Flo

One part clutch. One part shoulder bag. All parts tufted and delicious.

Picked up a lil' somethin' somethin' for myself. I didn't think $38 was outrageous considering I'll probably wear them every day.

Finally, I'd like you all to meet Shelly. Who I've decided is the most perfect colored patent pump. And the 2.75" stacked heel makes walking eons easier versus my usual teetering shuffle on a stiletto. I love.

• • • • • • •

Ok, ok, one last thing. I know there are an awful lot of small business owners and entrepreneurs who read LCY, and if that's you (or really anyone for that matter), we've started an amazing new column on The Everygirl today with advice on how to grow your business and further your career. Today's piece details the importance of social networking WITHOUT a computer. I have to admit, I've actually seen this advice play out in person and it's brilliant. And does work. And is much easier than you'd think. So go check it out!

Sick and Headed to San Francisco

Well folks, I'm off! Heading to San Francisco for a whirlwind 30-hour trip. And of course, 40 hours before I leave, a head cold from hell sets in. This won't be a fun flight. On top of that, I'll be filmed, on camera, for five straight hours... oh boy. Nerves setting in. I was told to wear bright colors. Wish I had something like this lovely darling is sporting. Alas, it will likely be my pink Tippi.

p.s. Sorry for the sporadic posting. Will hopefully get more on top of balancing things as time goes on...

On the Cover of a Magazine

You may know her better as Things That Sparkle, but my talented friend Alex Berlin made it to the cover of this month's Chicago Home and Garden magazine! And yours truly has the styling credit for this cover shoot (recognize that lovable grey pouf?). It was such a fun day and so surreal seeing Alex's beautiful home in the pages of our beloved city publication. Make sure to pick up this month's Chicago Magazine - you'll find CHG as a special insert into this edition!

Here are a couple behind-the-scenes shots from the day. I told you before, it's never as picture-perfect off-camera. Yes, you are seeing a couch in the kitchen.

Life in Instagram

I went to my favorite art supplies store in the city, Blick, to pick up some items for styling projects. I thought this paper would make a beautiful wallpaper.

Did you see yesterday's Everygirl feature on cooking with seasonal blood oranges? Hands down one of the most beautiful features to date. Danielle's photography is gorgeous, and I am quite proud of the simple graphics if I do say so myself. Not to mention I was there to style this shoot so I got to taste everything. Delish. Our contributing food editor Lara Matos knows what she's doing in the kitchen.

Attended a baby boy shower so I thought this navy Tippi sweater and my favorite Zara pants in teal were apropos.

Spotted this bright geometric rug while in Land of Nod. It would definitely work in any space - living room, office, dining room - not just a child's bedroom. I've found similar things at surprising resources, like PB Teen and Restoration Baby and Child.

I officially need glasses. When I drive around at night, the lights are all fuzzy and I can barely read street signs. Not good. Thoughts on these frames by Lookmatic? They're called The Apprentice and are very reasonably priced. Please excuse the hair.

While I stared at a computer nonstop last week, I'd receive lovely little texts from the boy who was enjoying a much prettier view in Colorado. Not fair.

Fortunately this beauuuuteous bouquet arrived at my doorstep from a good friend as a belated congratulations on launching The Everygirl. Made my desktop view worth looking at!

This weekend I also enjoyed my favorite new beverage, Jarritos.

Hung out with Petunia.

And on Sunday night, my friend and I attended celebrity chef Curtis Stone's party at my favorite restaurant, Paris Club. Curtis was in town for the International Home and Housewares Show promoting his new line of kitchenware, and his group rented out the restaurant, offering guests... and I quote from the invite...
"20 gallons of champagne
50 black truffles
150 pork bellies
50 lbs slowly braised beef
300 oysters
40 lbs king crab
1 dash of dj."

There was also plenty of wine and mojitos. Sign me up.

Mmm... oysters on the half shell. Slurp.

Curtis Stone shaving Italian truffles over a risotto. Holy hell that was tasty.

Fun times. My friend and I with the man of the hour. Curtis always seemed really nice onscreen, and it was refreshing to see that he was just as genuine in person.

So that's that. How was your weekend?!

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Shorts season is upon us, ladies! Cannot wait to sport the 3" Chinos in sea mist that I just picked up from J.Crew's warehouse sale, currently available for $34.50 (usually $45). I also grabbed the slightly fancier Carson short in black; paired with some bright colored heels, they're perfect for a summer night out on the town with my girlfriends.

I know some people are anti-shorts, with the way they can frame (read: suction) the top, meatier parts of our thighs. Tell me, are you a shorts girl when warmer weather strikes? Or do you prefer capris and dresses? If you are a shorts girl, do you plan on sporting the ongoing trend of bright-colored bottoms? Which color would you get?

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And, I have to share because I am so excited about this new concept Danielle and I thought up. We know so many of our Everygirl readers have great taste and regularly shop on a budget, so we want YOU to be the editors for our upcoming feature and submit your top pick for spring flats under $100. If your selection is chosen, your name and link will be included in the feature on Tuesday. Read more about how to submit your fashion pick here!

Happy Weekend, all!

photo sources: 1, 2, 3

Happy International Women's Day!

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I always knew the woman I wanted to be.”

- Diane von Furstenburg

Be that woman. Starting today. 

Happy Our Day, ladies.

photo source