Mother's Day Gift Guide

 

 (Image: 1, 2 found via pinterest)

Happy Monday, everyone!

With Mother's Day fast approaching (May 13th!), I thought a little gift-giving inspiration was in order. We all want to give the perfect gift to our mamas on her special day. This year my mom has made it pretty simple and asked for a strand of silver beads. However, in the past I've racked my brain for days (sometimes weeks) to come up with a gift. And when my dad and I are doing a joint gift, it can make it even harder. Sound familiar to anyone?

Below are some of my favorite Mother's Day picks this year for every price range. Happy shopping!

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Earrings // Necklace // Book // Candle // Bouquet // Pillow // Clutch


(Don't forget, today's the last day to enter the custom blog design giveaway! Remember, there's going to be 2 winners! I'll announce them tomorrow!)

Happy Anniversary, Will & Kate

(Images via 1, 2)

It's hard to believe it's been a year since the photos above were snapped, and I still don't get tired of looking at them!

Happy one year anniversary, Will and Kate!

Friday Favorites

(Images via 1, 2 via pinterest, 3)

Happy Friday, friends!

It may just be me, but this week has flown by (and was quite productive to boot!). This weekend is going to be spent indulging in some of my favorite little things - coffee and sweets for breakfast, rearranging some pretty vignettes around my house, and working on blog posts (including a new series!) for next week. I was inspired by the images above to relax and relish in all the little things that we often overlook or don't stop to enjoy enough. I hope your weekend is just as beautiful! Enjoy my weekly favorites!

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Obsessing over this gorgeous DKNY jumpsuit

This article on the oh-so charming Bill Cunningham

P'Trique cracks me up - if you aren't familiar click here!

Still drooling over this J. Crew blouse - I've never loved a shirt this much

Skyla's gorgeous tiny space in D.C.

Miss Golightly's House Sold

(Image via)

How we all love Breakfast at Tiffany's! It's a staple in every girl's movie library. From the lovely wardrobe, to the charm of Tiffany's, to the beautiful Manhattan townhouse - what's not to love? Well, this week that Upper East Side townhouse sold for $6M. While the building served as the backdrop for the movie, most of the scenes were actually shot on a sound stage - confirming the reason why Mr. Yunioshi's artist's atelier is nonexistent! While the photos below are stunning, I think I would much prefer the half bathtub couch and bull head on the wall.

Enjoy!

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(Image 1 via; Images 2-6 via)

Currently Crushing

(Images via J. Crew)

The Odette Blouse from the Altuzarra for J. Crew collection is flirty gingham perfection. With a French-preppy twist, each Altuzarra piece couples classic silhouettes with the French charm we adore. I love the versatility of this blouse - the best of both worlds, if you will. I tie up every button-down I own in the summer, it's one of my favorite looks, and this blouse confirms that even more! ( In pink, of course!)

Happy Wednesday, sweet friends!

(Custom blog design giveaway from Sarah Ann - click here to enter!)

Pinterest-ers to Love

 (Images via 1, 2, 3)

Yesterday, IFB released a list of their top twenty pinterest accounts to follow. The funny thing is, this little post was already sitting in my drafts ready to go for today. Love when that happens! So between my list and their list, you're sure to find some amazing pinners to love and follow. Hop on over and get inspired!

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Fallon Elizabeth

Katie Armour

The Stylish One

The Wild Fleur

Jessica Nell Graves 

Madeleine Roberts

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You can follow my pinterest here or click the link at the top of the blog.

And don't forget to enter the custom blog design giveaway from Sarah Ann!

Giveaway: Custom Blog Design by Sarah Ann!

(Image via Martha Stewart found on pinterest)

I'm starting the week off with a very special giveaway for you all! Get excited!

My blog designer, Sarah Ann, is offering two (yes, two!) custom blog designs to Brown Eyed Belle readers! How fabulous is that?!

Sarah has been designing and redesigning my blog for a little over a year, and I absolutely adore her. See those pretty new buttons to the right? She just finished those last night :) Rest assured, she will work with you until your blog is exactly as you want it - down to the tiniest detail. There's no other way to say it - she's awesome.

She just reopened her blog designing business after a short hiatus to welcome and take care of her new baby boy, Liam. Sarah is also going to be offering custom stationery and invitations via her new Etsy shop very soon. Look out for a giveaway and review!

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How to Enter:

1. Follow Brown Eyed Belle blog

2. Follow Sarah Ann on twitter

3. Follow me on twitter

(tweet about the giveaway, too!)

Three chances for entries, leave a separate comment for each, please!

Giveaway will be open until next Monday, April 30.

Good luck, everyone!

Happy Birthday, Pretty Lady

(Image via Telegraph UK, found via Pinterest)

Happy birthday to Queen Elizabeth who turns 86 today!

How beautiful does she look in this white lace dress on her tour of Australia and New Zealand in the early 50s? Tres chic. Much like her granddaughter-in-law, no?

Friday Favorites

(Images via 1, 2, 3)

I was feeling especially inspired by the gorgeous hints of orange in these images as I put together today's Friday Favorites. Tangerine, after all, is the color of the year! Orange (and it's variations) is a color that I simply don't wear enough, but I'm always drawn to images and products in the bright hue. Summer fashion resolution? More orange!

Enjoy my favorites from this week - happy weekend, friends!

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This gorgeous photo shoot of Blair in NYC by Bess Friday - perfectly named "Stopping Traffic"

Is the Duchess a style icon? The Kate Debate on Huff Post - in my opinion, there's no debate ;)

Religiously following this lady's blog

Merritt's fabulous interview with Mr. Brad Goreski - how adorable is he in that pink blazer?!

This beautiful sneak peek of an upcoming Matchbook feature!

xoxo

Pink Outdoor Inspiration

 (Image via)

It's no secret that I love pink, and lately I've been figuring out how I can use it in unexpected ways and places around my home. Upon a recent trip to Home Depot I picked up lots of pink paint swatches as inspiration for an outdoor revamp - starting with my front door. The color I've finally decided on is Glidden's Pink Flamingo, not too bright but still packs a beautiful pink punch! I'm hoping with just a few purchases and a little time, my front entrance will resemble the mock-up I've put together below.

Isn't it just lovely?!

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(Set via my polyvore)

Have you ever done any adventurous outdoor decorating?

Currently Crushing

(Images via Lilly Pulitzer)

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The Maybell by Lilly Pulitzer is everything I could ever want in a dress - bright pink hue, exposed gold zipper, intricate embroidery detail, and in case that's not enough, peplum! I'm thinking this dress would be perfect all summer - paired with this clutch and these shoes. Lilly head to toe?! Don't mind if I do!

Life Lately According to Instagram: D.C. Weekend

(First row: Tulips in DC, prints purchased at the National Gallery, playing tourists

Second row: Celebrating baby girl, lovely purchases from here & here, lunch at Rugby Cafe

Third row: Beautiful shower decorations, Grilled cheese at Clyde's, pink ruffly layers)

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My weekend in D.C. and northern Virginia was just what the doctor ordered. My two besties and I had the greatest time (as usual) laughing, shopping, celebrating, and loving on each other all weekend. Lauren is from D.C. and under usual circumstances refuses all things "tourist-y", but I managed to twist her arm into a visit to the National Mall and a hop through the National Gallery of Art. Her dad also did a nighttime driving tour of the monuments for us, complete with commentary and history about each one. If you've never seen that part of D.C. at night, you don't know what you're missing - it's breathtaking.

We spent Saturday celebrating Kelsey and her new baby girl with lots of pink and green decorations and the prettiest, ruffly, pink-layered cake a girl could ask for! Thrown into the mix was lots of good food and shopping, and pausing for just a few minutes to snap the photos above :)

Quoted: Dr. Seuss

(Image via)

"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!"

-Dr. Seuss

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Happy Monday, friends! Here's to a great week!

xo

D.C. Weekend & Friday Favorites

(Image 1 saved last year from pinterest, if you have a cite please send it over; Image 2 via )

Happy Friday, friends!

As you know, I'm up in D.C. this weekend enjoying some time with my two besties. D.C. is one of my favorite cities to visit- so much charm and culture, but still has the hustle and bustle that I love at times, not to mention how beautiful the city is in springtime. Since the temperatures aren't going to be incredibly warm I've packed up skinny jeans, light sweaters, silk blouses, and colorful flats- perfect for hopping around the District!

(Sweater // Jeans // Bag // Shoes // Earrings // Sunnies)

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Thank you all for a fantastic week! Enjoy my Friday Favorites!

Stripes & Dots by Sarah

This darling Easter recap at Rockstar Diaries - E is cutest little girl ever.

Discovering blogs like this that make me laugh so hard

These videos for the Kate Spade summer campaign - so fun!

Happy weekend, friends!

Tulip Bedroom

(Images via Brian Park Photography, found via Luxe & Lillies)

Be still my heart. What's a pink and green-loving girl to do when she comes across these images other than stop, stare, and wipe the drool off her chin. I don't believe I've ever seen a bedroom I love more than this. The beautiful tulip-printed fabric, the fringe on the bed skirt, the stripe on the bench, the all-white bedding- "obsessed" is simply not adequate.

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I'm heading to DC today for a weekend with my besties- museums, cafés, cupcakes, jewelry shops, and ending with a baby shower celebrating my bff Kelsey and her baby girl. Can't wait to share photos!

XoXo

Currently Crushing

(Images via K. Slademade)

I am completely smitten with this K. Slademade floral jewel clutch! The pretty watercolor and tassel zipper are such fantastic details. I first became acquainted with Kelsea's company from an exclusive design she did for Design Darling, and after clicking over to her site I found too many pretties to mention. I'm thinking I would carry this pretty little gem everywhere this summer!

Happy Wednesday, loves, and welcome to all the new followers!

Top It Off

(Image 1; Images 2, 3, 4; Images 5, 6)

I love summer hats. I picked up my first over-sized floppy hat last spring and couldn't get enough of it. There's something quite classic and fun about topping off your outfit with a variety of structures and details - pastels, bows, flowers, stripes. All the ones I've featured today are under $50 and the perfect addition to your spring and summer accessories. Heck, at those prices why not add two?!

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(1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6)

(Set via my polyvore)
 

Happy Birthday, Pretty Lady

(Image via)

Happy Gossip Girl Monday!

And a special Happy Birthday to GG's leading lady, Miss Leighton Meester!

(Isn't she absolutely stunning in that photo?!)

xo