Abazias diamond earring giveaway!

I'm so excited to announce a fab giveaway sponsored by Abazias. Win these gorgeous, white gold, chandelier earrings! (valued at $445)




To enter for a chance to win these antique style diamond earrings, please:
1. Visit Abazias.

2. Leave a comment below telling me where you'd wear these beautiful earrings. If you don't have a blog where I can easily contact you, please also leave your email address.

3. Keep your fingers crossed until next week (Saturday, Feb 19), when I'll announce the lucky winner!


/Giveaway is open until Friday, February 18, 2011 at 12:00 midnight CST. Open to U.S. readers only. /


UPDATE:
Bonnie C. is our lucky winner!




Bonnie C.-- Congratulations! Look for an email from me today so I can get your address to mail you these sparkly beauties! :)

"And now here is my secret,

a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

it's all happening: the texas style council

About a week ago, I blogged about how our little photography bizness is now a platinum sponsor of the 2011 Texas Style Council Conference, coming up here in Austin during SXSW! I figured I wouldn't have to tell you guys about it, since you all already know all about it. Then I thought, wait just a second.... What if there's still some fabulous blogger out there who hasn't yet heard about it? Well, this one's for you.

Go right this minute and find out about the first ever Texas Style Council Conference and how you can be a part of the fabulosity!

P.S. ooh, and stop by our photobooth during the dance party Saturday night and say hello!

Monday Dose of Cuteness, vol. 20

Kinda cute. Kinda gross. Totally hilarious.

Trend or End: furry vests

What is to be made of these furry vests that are popping up everywhere like groundhogs? Are they really a valid trend-- or do they need to just go back to the minks and foxes from whence they came?

[Comment below and/or place your vote on the right.]

Friday Favorites, vol. 44

1. flannel pajamas
They may not be sexy, but in the winter months, they are like a warm hug. A warm hug of cocoa. With marshmallows.





2. things that look like other things

This iPhone cover which masquerades as a cassette tape.


These bacon bandaids.


This mighty wallet, which looks exactly like an international airmail envelope. My cousin-in-law has this wallet and I swear I thought it was an envelope! So cool.


3. pintucks





4. classic picture books





5. cider




Especially J.K. Scrumpy's Hard Cider, which tastes like candy and can be enjoyed with slices at House Pizzeria.

Yes.

--created by spectacular artist Beverly Ealdama


*******
Thanks to sweetheart Anna, who posted it here.

Jewelry giveaway? Yes, please.

I'm so excited to announce a giveaway coming soon from Abazias, a fabulous online jewelry store!



Abazias has everything from beautifully simple pearl earrings to simply beautiful diamond necklaces. Seriously. Enough goodness to fill up any girl's jewelry box and then some. If you're in the market for an engagement ring, they have a super easy-to-use tool for building your perfect engagement ring-- which is totally customizable. And because they have a ridiculous amount of loose diamonds (150,000 to be exact) it's not like shopping out of a display case. You can find a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind diamond and design your own unique ring. How cool is that? Abazias even posts a Deal of the Day, so you can always find amazing jewelry at prices that don't break the bank. I also love that you can browse by price so that no matter what your budget or what you're looking for, you can find the perfect piece.



One thing that sets Abazias apart from other jewelers is that they have a blog! Pretty jewelry AND something smart to say? I know the blogosphere is feeling the love on this one. Some of my favorite posts are the ones about famous diamonds in history (which are completely swoon-worthy) and thoughtful, informative posts on the diamond industry. A jewelry company that is committed to raising awareness is certainly a rare thing these days. So whether you're browsing engagement rings or looking for a fab new watch to spruce up your work wardrobe, Abazias will have it. Because as we all know, love is all you need. And a little gorgeous jewelry along the way is just a bonus!



Stay tuned until week, when I'll launch a giveaway for these white gold, chandelier earrings!

Friday Favorites, vol. 43

1. cableknit sweaters





2. teapots





3. washlines (Despite my dislike of laundry!)





4. bookstores As much as I love Bookpeople, there's just something wonderful about an old, dusty, used bookstore.





5. sticky toffee pudding





My favorite sticky toffee pudding is made right here in Austin! You can buy it direct from the company or at Central Market.

I love you so much.

Back in November, we were planning an engagement shoot with Diana + Steven. Nathan asked if I had any good ideas for locations, and I mentioned that I'd seen a lovely message written on the side wall at Jo's.
"Well, that's perfect," he said, "Because that was the very first place Diana mentioned!"

So we started at Jo's that day on South Congress.





Last July, that beautiful message was spontaneously written on the wall at Austin favorite, Jo's on South Congress. But, today at 4:00, the wall looked like this:



Why? Because some d-bag vandalized the message. Can you believe that?! It makes me FURIOUS. Our city is so full of compassionate, sensitive people that when something this atrocious happens, I just get so pissed. I say we de-d-bag the city immediately. What do you say?

In the meantime, Jo's has asked its patrons to share any lovely photos they have as a tribute to the wall. You can see them on Jo's FB wall. If you happen to have a photo of the "I love you so much" wall, please consider posting it.

Monday Dose of Cuteness, vol. 19

It's been a little while since we've had a Monday Dose of Cuteness. But all the more reason to have one today. After all, it's a dreary Monday-- so let's give a listen to Tucker sing the blues.

Friday Favorites, vol. 42

1. tomato soup (especially from La Madeleine)


(especially with grilled cheese sammies)

La Mad's basil tomato soup may or may not have had a buy-two-jars-get-one-free soup sale this past week. I may or may not have taken advantage of it.

2. technicolor bookcases




These bookshelves make me feel as happy as when you look at paint sample cards and you see all the gradients... The first person I saw who organized her bookshelves this way is my friend Sandhya. She didn't mind that I copied.
Ta da!


I need to set up a proper light if I want to take a decent shot. Maybe this weekend....

3. songs about snow





Especially Sarah McLachlan's In the Bleak Midwinter.

4. kelly green





5. car dancing





BONUS: A Cheeky Lemon.
A drink I accidentally invented when I threw together a few ingredients we had on hand: Simply Lemonade, Splash of vanilla-infused vodka, handful of tart red raspberries.



Voila! Cheeky Lemons for everybody!