goin' to the chapel

do you remember dina manzo from real housewives of new jersey? don't lie. well she has a new show on hgtv called dina's party, and here's a sneak peek. thoughts? feelings? i'm kind of excited - i really liked her. i feel like i want to be a manzo, second only to wanting to be a kardashian. (do i watch too much reality tv?)

okay, so here's a really pink wedding she did...here is the "before" of the living room...

  
and then here's an "after" where it became a chapel!

not what i would have done, per se, but a pretty amazing transformation and it certainly makes you look at your living room differently. here are some other pictures from the same event. i'm a fan of the alternating place settings like these.

again, not really my style, but i think it's clear that dina knows what she's doing and she does it in a big way, so i'm looking forward to it and seeing her on my screen again!

and raise your hand if you're ready for HGTV's forthcoming magazine!

i want to go to there, novogratz edition

were you a fan of 9 by design on bravo last year? i was. i loved it and was so heartbroken when a second season wasn't ordered. luckily, the novogratz family will be back in an HGTV show soon (possibly this summer). here are some images of the house they lived in while the show was being shot, and i find them inspiring. nothing in the novogratz home is too perfect or precious - and with seven kids, that's probably wise.





i feel like their home conveys the same things their lifestyle does - unpredictable, stylish, funny and ever-changing. i love pretty much everything they do - here is a link to their site which has great and extensive pictures of all their projects. i want to go to there.




all images

links and thoughts

sometimes i have so much to share with you that i need to go stream of consciousness-style, so here we go...

first, on weddings:

i had the pleasure of visiting the wedding dress shop lovely in the west village. it really was lovely, and i highly advise you visit if you are a bride, or you know one who loves pretty and girly and low key. the sign in their bathroom says "employees must look fabulous before returning to work." and they have a blog.

this royal wedding-themed wedding invitation on the wedding chicks is kind of royally awesome.

and while we're on the topic of kate middleton, BRIDEfinds has rounded up some ways to channel her.

bwed has such a sweet, charming post on the origin of the whole something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue thing...read it here, and look forward to a post coming soon about these very customs, cause i want to hear all about your somethings...

lauren from every last detail posted thoughtful, tactful tips for dealing with wedding vendors, and i think they actually apply to anyone you work with, wedding or no wedding. it's so true, and i think such a helpful thing for anyone to read...bride or no bride, just person functioning in the world.

WOW. the broke-ass-bride has done it again. check out these knockout wedding dresses, all for under a thousand dollars.

and on other topics...

i am reassured over and over again that mrs. meyer's lavender countertop spray is among my favorite things in the world. it makes cleaning like a spa experience. i'm continually obsessed. it's my ultimate, forever tiny treasure.

if you feel like you need a real spa vacation, feast your eyes on the standard hotel in miami beach.

i'm obsessed with the nate berkus show. every day. i've developed a DVR problem because i can't erase ones that don't appeal to me, because they all appeal to me. in addition to being so charming and normal and coolly uncool, it's little, simple, beautiful ideas like this and this that make me love him. it's like martha for dummies.

why do i love gwyneth paltrow so much? she's another one...cool but not cool. and by that i mean unbearably cool. have you seen her on glee? at the grammys? do you get GOOP? love. her. so. much.

apparently, there are fashionable medical id bracelets...who knew? i need to wear one because i had gastric bypass surgery. because of said surgery, i can't drink for a while, but if i could i would totes be mixing up some of this pomegranate liqueur with some bubbly. yum.

while on the jewelry train, i want one of these, in rose or yellow gold. maybe on pearls like this. really want one. like really really.

do you coupon? you really should. every once in a while, i get off the couponing boat, and then i wonder to myself how much money you really save couponing when i'm pondering getting back on. and then i remember...you save a BOATLOAD of money on the couponing boat. this site is a good place to start. the best deals are on household and beauty items, i find. and speaking of those items...

this one's for the ladies only (as if anyone but ladies reads honey living)...if you've ever felt like some nights you need a diaper rather than a maxi-pad for coverage, i found it for you. it's these. they're even bigger than they look. but i tell you, this is nighttime only material. they're so...protective...that they will change the way your pants fit. and you can read about my pants situation here.

and on that note, i'll sign off. i hope you trust that if i talk to you about feminine hygiene products, they're pretty remarkable. i tell you, these suckers are ridiculous.

gwyneth image

you know the drill

what did you do over the weekend, my friends?

on friday, we had dinner here with one of my good friends from high school and her new husband, and their newlywed love and enjoyment was palpable - so sweet. we talked and laughed about lots of things, including saved by the bell and how miss bliss was so screwed after the first couple years, and the impenetrably cool dylan mckay, especially his much-imitated voicemail message..."you know the drill." it's always so fun to be with people who have the exact same memories you do, isn't it?

want to walk down memory lane? enjoy. and what about this one? it's like a parody! ah, they just don't make 'em like they used to. though let's be real, i die for pretty little liars and gossip girl, and those opening themes are pretty well-executed too. take a look.

then on saturday, my eyes flew open with the thought that i needed a haircut, and within moments i was out the door, on my way to get one - no appointment! i went to a really nice little place on main street in port washington and it was a great experience. they tended to all the little details (you know how i feel about that) and i really enjoyed it. the man washing my hair had his own special technique rather than just phoning it in. he did a whole vigorous head grabbing situation while using conditioner, and he gave me a temple massage. when he dried my hair, he tied it all up in a tight little cloth - so neat and tidy. and then he even dried out my ears - total bonus, right?

by the time i got to the chair where they cut, there was a stack of current magazines and two men worked on the hair at once, while of course only one did the cutting. when i needed something from my coat and got up to get it, they sat me back down and went and brought my coat over to me, rather than just reaching into the pocket of it like i suggested. then when they blew it out, they both worked together and i had a backstage model moment. it was just a really nice morning, overall. i love when something turns from an errand into an experience.

so between the haircut and my home life, i read a ton of magazines this weekend, wrote a bunch and we ran lots of errands. i discovered a few deals along the way you should know about...really cheap frames at walmart that made me able to frame three pieces that required large (read: expensive) frames. well unfortunately, they're not online, but they're simple black box frames (like the black is only on the sides and the glass pops out and back in) and in all sizes they were $4 each. definitely worth a trip to walmart if you can bear it.

also, homegoods is rocking a serious collection of stuff from africa right now. you should probably go there immediately. like, now. you'll thank me.


and then yesterday i got a manicure and i had her try six different colors before i made a decision. i ended up with midnight in moscow, but it wasn't an easy road. i'm a little obsessed with cuckoo for this color - but it just didn't feel right on me. it's like i want everything in the world to be that color, except my nails.

so pretty, isn't it? other strong contenders were opi ink and good old russian navy.


most importantly of all, it was sunny for several hours this weekend and the snow began to melt while the birds began to sing. you can almost believe spring is coming, can't you? treat yourself to a glimpse into a warmer, brighter moment by picking up a bunch of colorful flowers just for you. i did, and i'm already feeling springier.

flowers, african baskets, midnight in moscow, cuckoo for this color, russian navy, dylan mckay,magazines

island blues

i spent a good part of this past weekend watching house hunters international. for some reason, every time i turned on the tv, there it was. in the past, i've always been depressed by the often tiny, cramped, not-pretty-at-all flats they've shown on hh international, but these editions were about vacation homes, and they were just beautiful, especially the ones in bali.

i've had these pictures in my files for a little while now and not surprisingly, they all happen to be from brilliant blue blogger erin from house of turquoise. her marvelous curation of all things lovely and blue is just always such a treat. if you're not already a fan, become one.

so i realized this morning as i looked through these images that they really all belong together. the only two that actually are from the same place are the outdoor ones.


i love the punches of islandy turquoise they all share, and the feel was right in sync with what i loved so much on HH.

isn't the painting of the window frames here ingenious? i feel the same way about the shutters above. i just love the vibrancy.

thoughts?

all images courtesy of house of turquoise

all in the wrist, part 2

whatever you think of jill zarin's behavior on this season of RHONYC, i think we could probably all agree on one thing - her bracelets on the reunion show were freaking awesome. apparently, they generated lots of chatter, and she shared the wealth.

the large cuff in the center is by rodrigo otazu, and was also seen in sex and the city 2. i'm dying.

this total dream of a cuff is accompanied by four roberta chiarella sparle 24/7 bangles (only $28 each!) in the emerald/gold color combo, and then also by a perfectly chunky, sparkly swarovski bracelet that is from india, and apparently can't be gotten here.

it seems to be true about the large gold one, sadly, because i can't find it and i've devoted all the time i'm willing to devote. i did find some other options that would work. the best prices (under 20 GBP!) are from the uk company called what's about town, and they make a devilishly sparkly one and a really great looking hammered matte gold option as well.

i also found these other options, all from nordstrom, that could be used to a similar affect as both the rodrigo otazu cuff and the unfindable gold sparkly bangle. the roberta chiarella bangles are the best price around, considering how great they look for under $30 each.

is it weird that i could look at jewelry all day? the fun part is not just shopping for new, but also thinking about what you already have (or what your mom or grandmother or sister already has) and considering new ways to mix and match with other items you've never paired them with before. and if you are in the market to buy something new, it's fun to see how it works in different combinations with your existing collection.

for some honey living you might have missed:

so many bracelets, so little time
do you love stacking rings like i do?
some particularly beautiful watches
a conversation with jen rosenthal, jewelry concierge
see my SheFinds post on the perfect "diamond" studs

all photos from linked sites - email me for direct shopping links

happy weekend!

oh readers, it's the weekend!

before it begins, or whenever you like to do your clicking around, here are some goodies.

first, what do you make of tiger's newest nike commerical? so intense! and brave and brilliant of nike, in my opinion.

and while you're on youtube, have you been watching jamie oliver's food revolution? you must. watch this to see how right i am. and if you want, you can watch full episodes here.

now, i know easter is over, but i have to show you this. leave it to eddie ross...the prettiest, sparkliest, glitteriest easter eggs ever, all in a blue and white color story. i love his inspirations and the way he executes. true talent, that eddie.

check out this fun, not terribly difficult project from hilar blog i suwanee. you might remember jamie from my conversation with her a while back.

i wanted to share a lovely, lovely post on the art of doing nothing from naturally nina...perfect for a weekend. hope yours is filled with moments just like this!

flower photos from www.houseofturquoise.com, eggs from www.eddieross.com, project photo from www.isuwanee.com

from jersey to helsinki

there is exactly one thing (count it, ONE) that i like about jersey shore, the most massive train-wreck reality show this side of the turnpike, and it's the big square dining table the house has, which i can't find any photos of. not to worry though, as i've long-admired these photos i found on the improvised life a few months ago, from an inn and restaurant 45 minutes southwest of helsinki. (thank god for the internet, right?)

i love the idea of a big square, as opposed to long banquet tables. i even love the idea of square tables at weddings instead of round. they do take up more space, but to my mind, if you have the space, it's an unexpected modern take on a large table. an easy way to do it is to combine a four rectangular tables as they do it in helsinki. me linki!

for a party, rather than using two bridge tables by themselves, why not experiment with this idea and push them together? granted it doesn't maximize seating, but everyone can look at each other amd there are no bad seats. it's so much more intimate, and nicely unexpected.

do i love it so much i'd punch someone in the face at a bar? yes, especially if their name was snooki. (if you know not my references here, update yourself here, and then congratulate yourself on staying out of the jersey shore fray) -- you're "much more classier" than you know.

photos from the improvised life

news team assemble: man shops globe

somehow i've missed this news up until this very moment.

as reported on isuwanee today (blog of honey living interviewee jamie meares) and anthropologie addict earlier this summer, the sundance channel will be premiering an eight episode series called "man shops globe," following keith johnson, antique buyer for anthropologie as he travels the world searching for amazing and fabulous pieces for all 115 of their locations.

the photo above is keith and his partner glen senk, the president of urban outfitters inc, parent company of anthropologie.

i want to go to there.

btw, it's from the same production company as tori and dean, so there's that too.

set your calendar reminders now...it's scheduled to premiere october 7th.

photo from http://www.anthropologieaddict.blogspot.com/

gleeful about glee

one of the reasons i'm looking forward to fall is the long-awaited (at least for me) arrival of the fox series glee, premiering on wednesday september 9th. it's about a high school in ohio where a teacher looking for meaning, who was once a sports star at that same high school, takes on the oversight of the high school's underachieving and socially-awkward glee club.

i think this show will particularly resonate for anyone with experience with really any type of theatrical group, whether you were a part of one, watched from the sidelines, or mercilessly made fun of one. either way, it's just so charming and feelgood. at the risk of sounding like a newspaper review, i have to say this is a show full of heart. and while it manages to be sweet and nostaligic, it avoids entering into cloying territory, and has a modern and sharp edge. it maintains a sense of humor about itself, but doesn't lose the earnestness that makes it so watchable.

when i watched the pilot which aired in may, i was smiling the whole time, happily amazed that the full series would be on in only a few months. and now it's almost here!

watch the trailer here (after the commercial)

now, i highly recommend you watch the whole pilot here, but if you don't have the time, you HAVE to see the showstopping number at the end. to do that, click here and fast forward until it's at 39:52 using the sliding timeline at the bottom of the screen.

if you aren't smiling through the whole thing, then i don't think this show is for you. but i KNOW it's for me.

photos from www.fox.com