happy weekend!

definitely in need of remembering this at the end of this week. i hope you let your joy rise to the surface as you head into the weekend! here are a ton of links for you to enjoy:

- a very well-written + designed about how twitter works as explained to her mom by none other than jessica hische. hilarious and accurate – if your parents don't get it, this is worth a shot.

- this is easier said than done, but design*sponge's got it down with biz ladies: how to plan for this year.

- of course, an entertaining song mashup...jackson 5 + taylor swift 'never want you back'

- everyone {including me} has had the flu lately. here are some great tips on how to take a sick day – the right way.

- i am totes in love with style me pretty's best of weddings 2012 digital issue. every page is to swoon for – what a great recap of the weddings last year, and a great picture of the trends last year.

- for those getting ready to tie the knot this year, some great reprioritizing wedding planning tips from the ladies at events in the city!

- the new york times posted an article earlier this week about the dying world of dating. do you think it's the end of courtship? super interesting article for even you married folk.

- 8 things you didn't know about those zamboni machines {that i've always wanted to drive!} + a fun google doodle

- an awesome post by lara casey about creating boundaries in work

{attn: small biz owners + freelancers!}

- 22 unconventional gifts to show someone you love them from buzzfeed, sure to make you laugh

- and a take me back to paris moment! this makes me miss it so much. so jealous that mr. bazaar gets to go!

Betty In Paris from Olive Us on Vimeo.
have a lovely weekend!

let your joy rise image by pella hedeby / bride image by Teneil Kable via Ruffled

happy weekend + merry christmas!

christmas is almost here and i can hardly believe it!  i'll be taking a break for the week, but here are some great links to keep you occupied while i'm gone!

• it's amazing to see all the talented people in forbes' 30 under 30 this year, including musicians like taylor swift, designers like jessica hische and founders of companies like dropbox and reddit.  what ridiculous talent out there.

• if you're in need of some good humor, you should watch this fake commercial for averagé - America's most popular clothing line about guys fashion.  i think it's brilliant and quite humorous...

• finally, blake lively + ryan reynolds' wedding has been published in this month's issue of martha stewart weddings!  i'm so proud of them for not allowing any press at their wedding and not posting pictures of themselves to blow it all up.  it's definitely a challenge for any celebrity to keep things as intimate as possible, though i am dying to see her gown.

• camille styles + kate spade teamed up for a christmas morning brunch and it's to die for! one day i'll throw a party like that on christmas for sure!

• i loved this article from always a blogsmaid regarding the why the instagram policy “scare” should make you more aware – very well-written and insightful.

i wrote on the chalkboard in our kitchen for the first time the other day.  i usually use chalk pen whenever i do chalk writing, but i totally forgot how difficult it is to write in chalk.  anyway, here's to wishing you a very merry christmas!  i'll be back posting again the week after christmas.  hope y'all have a safe + warm one!

xoxo, megan

top image: style me pretty

weekend links!

i'll be writing a lot of Christmas cards + stringing lights and garlands this weekend, especially cause i got these blingin' babies from my friend, sarah, at trudy garland.  here are some links for your weekend!

• if you're running late on decorating your home for the holidays, head on over to bright bazaar and take some tips from will!

• DON'T FORGET!  until sunday, starbucks has BOGO holiday drinks from 2-5pm.

• i loved seeing nikki's colorful pad on the everygirl!  if you like having cupcakes for breakfast, you'll love this.

• need a laugh?  check out a year in culture as knock-knock jokes

• my buddies at tim be told just released "the little drummer boy" with jae jin!  check out the music video below {it's so entrancing} and download the track here.

my heart is breaking for everyone in newtown, CT and especially at sandy hook elementary.  many prayers to you guys today and this weekend – God bless y'all.
xoxo, megan

weekend round-up!

totally jamming to this song tonight because it has been one really long week {yes, in all it's bold italic underlined goodness}.  and if you haven't started yet, it's time to get ready for the holidays! like these pups.  here are some of my favorite links from the week:

- my favorite post this week is called starting somewhere written by my childhood friend, valerie of the blog maps and raps.  it's great to have things put back in perspective and sometimes it's wise to take the same advice we give to others.

- looking for ways to spruce up your home this season without the hefty price tag?  these affordable tips to bring the holidays into your home are perfect from the everygirl.

- if anyone lives in portland, you have got to go to the portland bazaar!  just looking at sf girl by bay's post makes me drool like cray cray – check out all that great stuff!

- anthropologie has a great couples shopping list for this season if you're buying for that special someone and are stuck on what to get them this year.

a video to get you in the christmas spirit from gawker – the kiddos are so cute.

and, finally...if you haven't gotten yourself a marshmallow dream bar from starbucks, go get one! {forget reading the nutrition facts on this one, guys} one of my managers introduced me {and i don't even like marshmallows} and it tastes like childhood.  yes, this is totally worth noting on a weekend post.

have a fantastic weekend!
xoxo

//french bulldogs

happy friday!

it's getting quite chilly here and a part of me is just ready for the snow already!  i often feel like bearing the cold isn't worth it unless there's some white flakes on the ground, but that rarely happens in texas so i'm excited to be seeing some this year!  winter means bundling up, toasty fireplaces, the smells + joys of Christmas and ice skating.  what are you looking forward to this winter?

 here are some links for your weekend:

- the national postal museum is doing a holiday card workshop this saturday!  what a great thing they're doing especially for the kids.  the paper biz is alive and kickin', y'all!

- i've been listening to carly rose sonenclar from the x-factor all day every day.  this 13-year-old knocks it out of the park and gives me chills {the good kind, of course} every time i hear her sing.

- if you're already getting ready for christmas shopping like me, check out design work life's holiday gift guide for some sure stunners {thanks for including fig. 2 design, y'all!} and lindsay from mstetson has been posting some great gift guides by color!

- i'm obsessed with these two-tone balloons from brooklyn bride's pop-up shop.

 

- if you're getting Christmas-ready in your kitchen like will of bright.bazaar you should head on over and check out his post full of holiday cheer.

- looking for some new glasses?  rivet & sway and warby parker are online shops that send you free trial glasses so you can try them on before you buy.  the best thing about them is they're affordable and warby parker gives a pair to another in need.

- for all the brides to be...i'm totally excited that the girls at events in the city are doing a wedding education workshop with holly chapple on december 9 in leesburg!  if you're newly engaged, get on it!

...and there's no way to open the season that this amazing kinfolk video for their sixth volume.
this magazine is one of my favorites for lifestyle + entertaining.

Kinfolk Volume Six from Kinfolk on Vimeo.


happy weekend, everyone!
xoxo, meg

photos: 1) all the beautiful christmas 2) stefan oancea

happy friday!

next week looks a lot like this for me:

 

 i'll be traveling back to texas for a quick week to see lots of friends + family and stuff my face.  i can't wait for good bbq, big texas skies, familiar faces and places...good 'ol southern comfort.  i'll be back + working hard black friday night at anthropologie while everyone gets in on the sales.

snag me a little something, would'ya?  (;  here's the weekend round-up!

- i love this post about how to become a morning person since i am definitely not.  i'm the girl that sets 4 alarms, and especially when it's cold i never want to get up.  i definitely took a few good tips from this article.  what helps you get up in the morning?

- looking for a mail order pie for your thanksgiving? here are the top picks across the country.

- everyone seems to be gearing up for Christmas quite a bit early this year.  i love these blue Christmas details on bright.bazaar and these curated trees from jordan of oh happy day on the anthropologie magazine

- what's your hostess style?  i'd say i lean most naturally towards the nouveau prep or the naturalist.

- the girls at my house have begun our secret santa wishlists!  maybe i'll just copy/paste this creature comforts holiday gift guide: for her...i love it all!

have a fabulous friday, y'all!

xoxo, m

jayma mays for ELIZA magazine / pies by Ditte Isager for bon appétit

happy friday!

i hope you guys are excited for the weekend!  i will be working, but spent yesterday in a weekend-ish mode and visited this cute + tiny bookstore called hole in the wall books that i just have to share!  it's got the cutest facade, but beware there is very little walking space.  only one person can fit in the "aisle" at the time, but it's basically house repurposed for a bookstore.  they have a great selection of comics and batman does advertising with them {so does superman}.

 when i took high school french, i read my first + only full book called 'le petit prince' {the little prince}.  i was in the store for a good hour or two perusing the shelves, and i remembered i had never read the english version {don't ask me why}.  i asked the kind owner if they had any french books and lo and behold i found it!  he helped me find and identical cover copy of it in the literature section and i promise i was the happiest girl leaving the store that day.  i can't wait to read it en anglais!

 i can't wait to sit down and just read a few books!  i hope you will too.

but for now, here are some links for your weekend:

- okay, seriously subscribe to this kid's channel if you haven't because i will keep posting his videos in these link roundups.  sungha jung's rendition of one more night - maroon 5 is incredible.  {can you tell yet that i love maroon 5?}

- hello, dc coffee shops!  what a fantastic list that includes a few of my favorites: northside social, tryst, and baked and wired.  i can't wait to check these out since the temperature has finally dropped a bit.

- love to cook or wish you were a good one?  check out this foodie community chock full of recipes and an online shop – food52!  i just want to eat up the whole website!

- for those who are always loving new etsy finds, this refinery29 round-up of the best of etsy is a great mix of jewelry + accessories {and it features my internet friend, minna of minco!}

- oh, and this justin bieber song is so easy to get stuck in your head, but i like this slower version of it from sam tsui - as long as you love me {cover of j.biebs}

have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo, m

weekend fun!

what's going on for this weekend, y'all?  chances are i will probably be on my couch with a few redbox movies (the five year engagement, katy perry movie, the lorax, blue like jazz – you know, easy watches), but not before paying a visit to a winery + having brunch with my roommates in the city!  here are some weekend links for you:

- if you are a paper freak like me, olive box is just for you.  it's a monthly subscription where you get a ridiculously cute curated box of paper goods delivered right to your doorstep!  not so much into paper? julep maven is all about the nail polish! curate your style board and get great nail colors!

- way back when, i was in yearbook.  i loved yearbook & had some talented friends in there who i knew would just stunning work in the future.  one of them is my friend sean berry, who does amazing portrait photography & collaborated to make a guy & a girl weddings.  recently, they were on style me pretty: texas for this beautiful arboretum wedding in dallas.

- DC friends: looking for fun + free stuff to do this month?  refinery29 posted a great round-up of free DC events!  i'm definitely interested in happenings at the harmen and a trip to the corcoran gallery of art!  also, here are some fun things to do at national harbor if you're planning for this weekend!

- here's a little behind-the-scenes look into what i do at fig. 2 design studio!

- today makes it one year since steve jobs has passed.  if you haven't checked out the apple website, they made a sweet video in memory of him.  yes, i'm an apple girl – just got my iPhone 5 and love it!

have a fantastic weekend!
image by olive box

it's friday, y'all!

it's friday!  and how cool is this write a bike design by juri zaech?!  what a way to start the weekend.

what are your plans this weekend?  i'll be doing lots of cleaning + getting organized this weekend, working a bit, and playing with my new iPhone 5!  {i'm moving up from the bronze age y'all – where are my AOE friends? *nerd moment*} anyway...here are 5 must-see's for the weekend!

• this 'are you at a hipster wedding?' graphic created by ammiel mendoza for refinery 29 is to die for – so true + funny.

• if you liked andrew chae's acoustic fingerstyle to 'call me maybe', you will love the brilliance of sungha jung. a few of my favorites include his renditions of payphone - maroon 5 and isn't she lovely - stevie wonder.

• if you love jennifer aniston {who doesn't?!}, you have got to watch this ad she did for smartwater.  it is absolutely hilarious.  our generation will remember her forever!  and, of course, seacrest is in everything.

• i love issue #23 of utterly engaged.  i think the beach elopement is so fun + chill, and the he said / she said interview was so precious!

• the combined talents of rebecca beach + michelle edgemont + a subtle revelry made for a beautiful blogger bash in nyc this past week.  check out this video from moose herd creative recap of the event or read about it and flip through the pics at camille styles.

Blogger Bash NYC 2012 from Moose Herd Creative on Vimeo.

oh, and don't forget...yesterday was google's 14th birthday!

have a great weekend!

five for friday!

who's ready for the weekend?!  i'm hoping that mine will look something like this...

here are 5 things i want to share with you this friday:

(1) i'm ready for fall!  check out anthropologie's employee must-haves list.  ally's board is my favorite!

(2) here's a great resource for any of you who have (or inspire to have) a blog, business, or brand.  alt summit is having some of their online classes for free thanks to bing!  i've taken a number of their classes and have loved the insight each speaker brings.  if you see a class that isn't free, the cost is very reasonable and it's a great little investment for those just starting out.

(3) okay, so i tweeted this the other day, but it is so good i cannot not share it.  apparently honda does this #hondalovesyouback program and they surprised monsters calling home with a slot on jimmy kimmel live!  this one's definitely a tear-jereker, guys.

(4) so sad to hear that Jess LC is closing her shop November 2, but glad to hear that she's still in the business of helping young entrepreneurs at Jess Lively.  she's offering 25% off everything in her shop if you use the code FINALFINALSALE – take advantage!

(5) i've always enjoyed watching competitive auditions of things like the voice, so you think you can dance, and the x factor (how does britney still look so good!).  there are way too many good dances from this season's SYTYCD, but this is one of my favorite x factor auditions.  the talent these kids have is incredible!

have a great weekend, y'all!

breakfast image by clementine online

happy friday!

happy labor day weekend!  i'll be laboring {weddings galore!}, catching up with friends, and spending some of those last summer days pool-side.  what about you?  it's been a busy week at work, but we've been planning ahead and it feels great!  not to mention, i've developed a mild case of insomnia – my mind has recently been buzzing with lots of new, exciting ideas...but you'll just have to wait and see (;

here are your weekend links!

- planning a trip?  if you're flying virgin america, gilt city has upgrade offers till september 10th.  i've personally never flown on virgin america, but have heard many raves about their planes and service.  maybe this is the perfect time to take that trip you've been thinking about!

- for the foodies: shauna niequist just launched the amazon pre-order of her third book bread & wine!  i love the cover lettering, done by the incredible hand of lindsay letters {she also does some calligraphy for fig. 2 design – would'ya fancy that!}.  check out shauna's other books and read what she has to say about the new book here.

- abby larson's style me pretty weddings book is also up for pre-order along with joy cho's blog inc.  joy's also going on tour – so get 'em while they're hot! {i snagged both already!}

- my friend recently wrote about what it's like to be in our social media-infested generation.  it's so beautifully written and speaks a million truths about who we are – i couldn't not share it with y'all.  take a read: i hope you 'like' this post

- we know h&m for their affordable, fashionable clothes, but h&m europe has had a home line that's finally coming to the US in 2013!  check out will's peek at the h&m home autumn/winter collection – it's sure to get you excited!

- this thursday, september 6 marks the 4th annual fashion's night out!  even if you're not in new york, other cities host the event too – check them out here.  i'll be heading out to georgetown with some girl friends for a fun night!

hope y'all have a great weekend!
xoxo, m

OH, and i can't forget my favorite new video {feel again - onerepublic}!


pool image via the cherry blossom girl / book covers via amazon

happy weekend!

 

I celebrated the weekend a little early and snagged some last minute tickets to the sold out Joshua Radin + Tristan Prettyman + My Name Is You concert last night and it was incredible!  they're a great bunch to watch perform, and Prettyman's cover of 'wide awake' blew the original out of the water.  I hope everyone's ready for the weekend!  {psst.  stay tuned for a special post tomorrow}  here's a little hint as to what I'll be doing this weekend
{well, really on Monday...but we'll count that, right?}.

*image via modern hepburn

here's some weekend links:

- watch some amazing inside J.Crew videos
- DC's most valuable restaurants if you live in the area

- take script school with k.barteski
- simplesong's offering 20% off some envelopes, wax seals, or gift tags at her online shop

- 21 secrets for your 20's (sent over by my girl friend, val)

- a conversation website spending one minute with...
- branch+cotton is celebrating the olympics!  take 15% off their GOLD foil products

xoxo, megan

happy friday!

I've been skimming through the June/July 2012 issue of Lonny Mag and love this Sheridan French feature (especially those pillows and napkin ring!).  They have a summer worldwide getaways section that's sure to get you daydreaming.  My pick is Sorrento, Italy - blue ocean water and a breathtaking view!

 

I'm not a biker (but I wish I was!), but I love this "Exhilarating Ride + Riveting Read = Dreamy Summer Day" column they did.  If I were one, I'd probably be "boisterous belle" (love that bike) or "preppy pacesetter" (love the tote + throw).

Here are a few more links for your weekend:

- "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" :: A very insightful article by Anne-Marie Slaughter about work-life balance and American society.  It's a lengthy read, but an eye-opener.

- Be amazed at Aaron Savage's CD cover creations out of LEGO.  Recognize these?

 

- A great etiquette post from Southern Weddings on how to tip wedding vendors for your big day.

- Traveling this summer?  My friend introduced me to Hipmunk and I've been hooked!  It's essentially a graphed/charted version of Kayak or Orbitz, finding you flights through various air carriers, but they have an "agony" scale organizing flights from shortest commute time, airport, etc.

- As I'm in the process of getting settled at my new place, I'm thankful that places like Container Store and West Elm are currently having sales!

- Looking to spice up your work space?  Order some poppin' office supplies from Poppin' (like these tape dispensers or variety of colored pens).  They're sure to brighten your day - a little extra to look forward to in your day.

 Have a fantastic weekend, y'all!

Instagram photo by FECastleberry

happy mother's day! weekend

*original image by vicki grafton | bouquet by holly chapple | digitally altered by me

first off, happy mother's day to all the mom's (and mom's to be) out there!  words cannot express how much i love my mom.  she's the best i could've ever asked for and she's been so supportive of me through everything i do.  it's such a stinker that i'm so far away this weekend, but i hope that all of you who are near your mom's will take time to appreciate them in a unique way.

this weekend my church (just got a new website in the works!) is having a car wash to raise money for our mission trip to ecuador!  i won't be going this time around, but i'll definitely be there to support and make a splash.  otherwise, it's been a very crazy few weeks for me (check out the highlights below), but here are some links for your weekend!

+ loving this free desktop wallpaper for may by kelly ashworth

+ have you heard of trashing the dress?  basically it's the idea of taking a beautiful dress and "destroying" the masterpiece that it is in a cool way.  this session's worth the look shot by rebekah hoyt involving paint and confetti from the bride's cafe.

+ i found out about love you daily through green wedding shoes.  graphic designer, zach, created different images and illustrations with the words "love you" each day and texted them to his girlfriend.  of course, they got married!

+ also, these wind maps are the coolest.  they have real-time maps and shots from specific days.

+ may's edition of lonny mag is out!  though i prefer hard copies of magazines, this digital one is definitely worth looking at.  i especially love all the moroccan features in this one!

+ and here are my instagrams of the past few weeks!

next week i'll be headed to new york for the national stationery show and i'm so excited stay with my friend valerie (the "raps" of maps and raps)!  lots of eye-candy to come.

happy friday!

photo from what katie ate

burgers are up for tonight's dinner with the youth kids.  thinking about unique toppings to bring for everyone besides the regular suspects.  perhaps some salsa, mushrooms, eggs, or peanut butter?  what do you put on your burger?

 

earlier this week I went to a Kina Grannis concert at the 9:30 Club in DC.  it's been a while since my last concert, and I forgot how much I love them!  I saw Kina last year in Houston and loved it, but even back then she played a solo act and this time around she had a cellist with her and it was phenomenal. cello's are my favorite.

anyway, here are some big music festivals coming up this summer!  what are your picks?

+ Sweet Green's Sweetlife Food & Music Festival :: Saturday, April 28 :: Merriweather Post Pavilion :: Columbia, MD

featuring kid cudi, the shins, explosions in the sky, fun., delta spirit, and more

+ Pitchfork Music Festival :: July 13-15 :: Union Park :: Chicago, IL

featuring feist, vampire weekend, tim hecker, and more

+ Lollapalooza :: August 3-5 :: Grant Park :: Chicago, IL

featuring red hot chili peppers, the temper trap, passion pit, delta spirit, florence + the machine, and more

+ Outside Lands :: August 10-12 :: Golden Gate Park :: San Francisco, CA

featuring stevie wonder, foo fighters, norah jones, regina spektor, fun., metallica, andrew bird, and more

+ Mixtape Festival :: August 17-18 :: Hersheypark Stadium :: Hershey, PA

featuring kelly clarkson, backstreet boys + new kids on the block, the fray, carly rae jepsen, and more

have a happy weekend!

happy friday, y'all!

what a week!  here's mine in instagrams in a somewhat jumbled order with lots of surprises.  i spent last weekend somewhat miserably sick at home for 48 hours, i only left the house once in these comfy slip on flats.  woke up for work monday morning with a praline croissant on my desk and was later surprised with a little gift in the mail from my bestf who went to india with EMI.  and i've found myself wearing lots of bright colors this week and making shiny sparkly things for photoshoots and such.  click "read more" for your weekend links!

it's a good friday.

*original photo by glaser via surfermag

i've been introduced to ben howard.  vicki introduced me at work the other day and we watched this ridiculously awesome music video of keep your head up (lyrics quoted in the image) which is our new favorite song, and discussed how we could replicate that water slide in a less complicated way.  if you have any ideas, shoot them my way!  i loved it so much, i went home and bought the album.  here's the vid, your weekend links & my week in instagrams!

+ got a bad case of the allergies?  read health.com's ultimate allergy guide for some tips and buy some effective allergy remedies suggested by real simple.  luckily mine haven't been too bad this time around, especially with living in a new area and all.

+ i love the work of jen gotch (she has an awesome, refreshingly simple website).  her new store, oh snap, recently went live where she sells primarily polaroid scanned prints.

+ love them baubles?  i just heard of jewelmint, a website where you can buy jewelry for $29.99 each.  you create a style profile by taking a quiz (basically clicking images/brands that you like) and they select suggested accessories for you to purchase.

+ i'm looking to fly to houston in june from either dc or nyc (it's cheaper to fly from there, and all i have to do is take a bus).  any tips or favorite sites to search for deals?  right now i'm using priceline and hotwire.

this past week has been a jumble of the great and not-so-great, but mostly great.  here are the highlights!

happy weekend & happy easter!

a belated weekend

 

*images from Sarah Gee

Apparently I got caught up in all my weekend festivities I didn't even post on Friday!  My friends have been in town two weekends in a row and I've been showing them around town.  Last week was Sarah (pictured above), this week is Cathy and her friend Mai.  Anyhow, here are some belated links for your weekend!  Caution: lots of Texas pride in this post!

+ If you're throwing a party and not sure how to set it up and style it, check out EveryGirl's how-to on the matter here.  I think it's a great guide!

+ I'm a proud Texan.  And a proud Wildcat.  I worked my butt off in high school, probably harder than I ever worked in college.  That's because our school district ranks #2 in the nation of Most Posh Public School Systems in America.  Following us is a school district in Bethesda, near where I work now, and Houston, the city of my alma mater.

+ For all the typography nuts out there (or if you're just bored this Monday), play this web game called I Shot the Serif.  Haha, so much fun!

+ Who are you following on Pinterest?  Most likely not too many males, but there are actually quite a few out there.  Here's Mashable's Top 10 Men on Pinterest list - 2 of them are from Texas (Dallas and Austin), and of course my favorite Will of Bright Bazaar.

+ Love this super slow motion video of ballet dancers in 1000 frames per second called Le Vent.