Did you all see last week's episode of Top Chef? It featured two amazing things: Muppets and this floral dress on Padma. I'm not sure where this dress is from (suggestions? help?), but I'm pretty sure it's out of my price range. However, let's talk for a second about how gorgeous Ms. Lakshmi is! She makes a simple pony tail look glam. Sigh and swoon. Here's my picks for similar Padma dresses; which would you wear?



Photo of Clara Bow via here.

Well, lovelies, we made it! Another week closer to Spring. Hallelujah! Is it me or has these last, and the next, few weeks seemed jam packed of things to do? I feel like my head is spinning in a thousand directions! Want a glimpse of what's on my mind? What's the top items on your mind lately? School? Weddings? Men? Finding the perfect bag? Do share!

Here's what's on my mind this Friday afternoon:
  • 121 days until the BIG DAY.
  • Which means I have 120 DIY favors to make (with help from my MOH), as well as a ceremony to write, a veil to pick out, programs/menus to design...and, for the sake of keeping this blog interesting, I'll stop there.
  • School play opens in less than a week.
  • I need to work out today.
  • I really should try on my wedding dress with the shoes I bought...but, I'm sort of lazy, and it's cold out? Ha.
  • I've been listening to John Prine a lot lately; there's nothing better than Angel from Montgomery.
  • I love Parenthood. It's my fave TV show, by far. They get how people fight!
  • Is it polite to put a sign on the gift table at a wedding which says, "gifts"? What about for cards?
  • I have the best MOH ever...when I saw Google came out with a whole wedding organizer, I honestly thought to myself, "I don't need that, I have Jenny!"
  • ...and I may take advantage of that sometimes.
  • But don't worry, she's getting good wedding swag.
  • Eric was published in two magazines this week; I am a proud fiancee!
  • I have a splinter in my hand; I don't know how it got there, but I'm a baby and won't let anyone touch it.
  • As much as I love my boots, I am ready for Spring: flats, cardigans, dresses...sigh!
So, spill it, lovelies, what's on your mind?!


  • because she comes in like a Lion
  • and goes out like a lamb.
  • and "lamb weather" is also "sun dress weather," and "sun dress weather" is my favorite.
  • Especially "sun dress with a jean jacket weather.
  • because Sister-partner's birthday is in March and she has been planning out the day for 11 months. Since the last birthday.
  • and she will be old, like really old, like 26. And then I'll laugh at her.
  • and I'll ignore the fact that I am only 2 years younger than her.
  • because Forever21 is coming out with a wedding accessories line.


  • because March 8 is International Women's Day, and on top of being a woman, I also think women sort of totally rock.
  • because Sister-bride-partner is finally letting me get my hair cut ("You're my Maid of Honor, don't cut your hair!").


February 23, 2011


Work, check out my inspiring lunch- does anyone else feel tortured by feeding themselves sometimes? Organizing my lunch every morning is a truly exhausting process. It just feels like a far off thing to think about while I'm stumbling around in the morning.



Ohh, I just love the new spring garden accessories from Pottery Barn! I know they are a) way out of my price range, and b) I'm lacking in a garden...but, I just love these images. They make me yearn for Springtime! The Bicycle Planter would add such a vintage, lovely feel to any garden (just think of the garden parties you could host around that bike planter!) The Metal Pushcart is a great gift for any gardener, and I just love the arrangements of flowers in it (does Pottery Barn sell floral arrangers, too? I'll keep dreaming!). Which is your fave?


While walking through the mall last weekend, I passed Coldwater Creek and the outfits in their window totally caught my eye. I fell in love with all the great jeans, blouses, and jackets/wrap looks that they were displaying for Spring. Everything looked so casual, comfortable, yet classic and sophisticated. These are my four favorite looks from their new Spring collection--which is your fave? (Click on each outfit for more info!)


QUICK, here we go!

1. Smile at a stranger-- a kid, a barista, the person in the car next to you at a stop light. If you're really feeling it, throw them a compliment.

2. Drink tea (or coffee, or Sprite) our of a fancy teacup with a saucer. Pinky up, ladies!




3. Wear whatever you deem lovely. For me this means a comfy dress in a fun pattern (something not too tight, with a slightly longer hemline). Pair it with shoes you adore (soul boots in this still-chilly-February-weather, or ballet flats for the spring, your favorite gold sandals for the summer. And cowboy boots whenever.) Don't have a favorite dress? What about a pair of earrings with a special memory? A cute headband or a scarf that just makes you feel like Grace Kelly and Jackie O wrapped into one adorable reader.lovely dresses

4. Get away from your desk, if you can. Eat lunch away from your desk- remove yourself. Take a break, go outside, sit in your car, with your work friends, anywhere but your desk.

5. Go listen to NPR's 24 music stream. Read through Hark! A Vagrant. Watch puppies on a live stream.



February 19, 2011

The Satchel: A very cute Stuart Weitzman handed down from Eric's Aunt Debbie to me. When I first saw this bag I wasn't in love, but once I studied it and then used it found myself hooked. It has the right weight and feel, and I love the detailing.

I wore it shopping- I picked up this great skirt from Macy's for $15! It was a fantastic shopping tote, I threw my purchases right in the bag.


February 18, 2011

The Satchel: I found it in my house. I imagine it was once Mother Lovely's, she seems to remember it. But I have no idea what the origins are!

I wore this cute bag to the city to spend time with my friend Austen and his great lady who was in town from the West Coast, Kelli. I love this bag because it's small and stays on you all night- this way if I end up dancing I don't have to worry about my bag! I love that! We didn't end up leaving the apartment, but the sentiment remained, and it was great to not have a big bag to carry around with me.



I think it's due time that we all stop working for a moment and check out these incredibly adorable babies-in-tutus from Layla Grayce. How amazing are these tutus? I can't stop saying "awwww!" What a great gift one of these would make for a new baby girl. Which one of these tutus would you put your fave little darlin' in? (My and Eric's nieces are definitely pink zebra print girls!). Click on each picture for more info on the tutu.



Happy Friday, lovelies! Well, guess where the fiance and I are headed this weekend? That's right, good ol' Boston, Massachusetts! We're going to be visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Peabody Museum, among other art institutions. I'm going to be collecting new and exciting information to teach all about the Ancient World. I'm really looking forward to staying in Cambridge (my parents lived there when they were first married!), going to museums, sight-seeing, and a mini road trip with Eric. Don't worry, I'll take lots of pictures! What are you all up to this weekend? Anyone going out with old friends? Tea date with your mom or grandmother? Shopping? Do share! In the meantime don't forget to enter the PK Jewelry Designs giveaway!





February 16, 2011

The Satchel: When I was still visiting my dad in the city every other weekend (back in ye olde high school days) the big excitement we-don't-have-this-on-Long-Island part of the weekend was heading to Ricky's. It was there that I first saw Loop NYC Transversion bags and fell in love. I thought they were just about the coolest thing I'd ever seen.

I wore this bag to work, lunch at Crumbs (by lunch I mean coffee) and errands.


Oh my goodness, do you all remember when Olivia and Eric got engaged? Right, how could you forget. Especially with such gorgeous engagement photos by Hart + Sol Photo. So, clearly you also remember Olivia and Eric's Autumn-riffic engagement party. The one our father hosted at Prime. You remember. I know you do.

Anyway, Olivia, Eric, Father Lovely and I recently headed all the way up New York Avenue to Prime for a late lunch/early dinner. And I need to tell you all, that place just keeps getting better and better (I hope I don't jinx it!). First of all, the view is amazing. As Father Lovely says "The whole Huntington Bay is private property or private clubs, I grew up in this town and I've never seen this view before." It's gorgeous- I cannot wait for the summer to go sit outside on those couches and sip on a glass of white wine and munch on a crab cake.

And speaking of crab cakes. The food. Oy, the food. Last time I had crab cakes, lobster "millennium style," (out of the shell, rubbed with Cajun spice on a bed of whipped mash) and a Dragon roll. Yes, that is a lot of food, I split the sushi with Olivia and I was very, very full. So there. Don't look at me like that, you try to pick just ONE or TWO things off their menu (PDF warning). Olivia, Father Lovely and Eric had the skirt steak. I switched plates with Olivia at the end, and I highly, highly recommend the steak (um, along with all the food I ate). We also ordered creamed spinach and mac and cheese for the table- both impressive, I wish I could have eaten more.
Also, the bathrooms are really cool. And have interesting posters on the wall.

Other bonuses: the decor is wonderful, it is very adult and understated. The chairs are comfortable, the silverware, glasses, plates and napkins all just feel right- Prime was clearly put together very carefully. The acoustics are great for an intimate family dinner bonding over food. The lights are set at the perfect level. Additionally, every employee I've encountered is fantastically professional and friendly. And a few of them are very adorable, I'm just saying (one looks like a Disney Prince, what's that about?).


Lovelies, remember PK Jewelry Designs? They kicked off the holiday season and were our first giveaway this year. Well, we loved PK Jewelry's designs so much that we asked if they would team up with Lovely again, and they have generously accepted our offer! One of the reasons I love PK Jewelry Designs is that the pieces are just so, so versatile. Wear a necklace to your rehearsal dinner, a night out with the girls, or all dressed up for a work function. I could even see these pieces being worn with a wrap, bathing suit, and sun hat on the beach this summer. The jewelry is not only beautifully made, but so affordable! Any piece from the PK Jewelry Designs' collection would make a perfect bridesmaid/mother's day/birthday gift for a lucky lady in your life...


...and speaking of lucky ladies: PK Jewelry Designs is giving away one pair of their Fire and Ice earrings! These are perfect day-to-night earrings; wear them to work, errands, dinner out, and drinks with your gals. Sounds lovely to me!

These delicate dangles are made with sparkling clear faceted clear crystal and rich, ruby glass beads. They're demure yet subtly flashy, as the faceted glass beads catch and reflect light as you move and the ruby red glass dangle elegantly from silver chain. These earring are very light and easy to wear. Each earring hangs about 1 ½ inches on silver ear wires.


How can you win these earrings? It's easy! Head over to PK Jewelry Designs and take a peek around. Then come back and comment on this post with your favorite item. You must leave a way to contact you in case you win! You may enter as many times as you like. The contest will end on February 24th at 12 PM EST.

For additional entries: Friend PK Jewelry on Facebook and comment again to let us know; friend Lovely at Your Side on Facebook and let us know. Good Luck!!



February 15, 2011

The Satchel: Coach leather and straw tote, a gift from my mother years and years ago? I found my high school ID in it, so that's got to say something.

Work. I was channeling spring with that springy bag. It was 30 degrees out-- so, I clearly need to channel spring better. Maybe tomorrow I'll carry a picnic basket. Not my worst idea yet...





I love the way Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation pairs fitted smart suits with feminine, flattering tops. Leslie always is perfectly dressed and put together, which is surprising, because Leslie can be a little bit of a mess. And a little overly excited. But Leslie (Amy Poehler, I know Leslie Knope isn't a "real" person) is always perfectly coiffed and always looks classy, comfortable and business ready in her suits with fun, silky tops.