Hello Boudreau

The first official day of spring is March 20th and this warmer weather has me really anxious for it. I'm also really excited to get some color...on my skin...and my nails! I love fun spring nail polish colors and OPI is coming out with a new spring 2012 collection. 

It's called the OPI Holland Collection and it's available Feb 8, 2012!

Let's take a peak:

1: Wooden Shoes Like To Know It

2: Vampsterdam

3: Kiss Me On My Tulips

4: A Roll In The Hague

5: I Don't Give A Rotterdam

6: Gouda Gouda Two Shoes

7: Dutch Ya Just Love OPI

8: Did You Hear About Van Gogh?

9: Red Lights Ahead...Where?

10: Petal Faster Suzi

11: I Have A Herring Problem

12: Thanks A WindMillion

My favorites are #4, #8, & #12!
Tell me yours!

Sitting here at my laptop I mulled over the past content of my blog.
Sure, there are a lot of nice items we would all love to get our hands on... but most of these items cost top dollar. We either have to save for these nice things or just drool over them.
For me this past month it has been the little things that are the "nice items." I felt it necessary to write today & remind myself how much the little things in life matter. 

Lately i've been enjoying:
-Fresh cut flowers on the table

-A hot cup of decaf green tea before bed

-A hot cup of jo in the morning

-Long walks with my friend Amy, almost daily!

-My dog Mason, who every time he see's me acts like its been years.

-Receiving hand written 'just because' notes in the mail [not email, the real mail]

images found via
flowers | Rifle Paper Co. Stationary Paper | decaf green tea | West Elm Mugs

So you see nice things can be expensive...but really nice things can be pretty affordable, too.

-"Ain't no party like a Liz Lemon party" Watch this video clip to get rid of the Monday blues

-It's not a bar cart, it's an entire bar table

-Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday (dips on dips on dips)

-This may be it...the perfect bag.

-Things we forget #799

I hope everyone's Monday went well!
What are some of your favorite *little things?

The Chinese New Year began on January 23, 2012. THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON! However, no one in my family is a dragon in Chinese Zodiac signs [find yours here] it goes by birth year. I am a snake and the year of the snake is next year, oh well. 

If you are a dragon though this is your year! If you were born in any of these years then you are a dragon 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1978, 1988, 2000, 2012. People who are born in the various years of the dragon are innovative, brave, and passionate. The year of the dragon only comes around every 12 years.

OK blah blah everyone knows that but the interesting thing about this year is the dragon can be either five Chinese elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. 

This year is the year of the Water Dragon and that only happens EVERY 60 YEARS! Once in a lifetime.

I wish I was in China for the 2012 Lantern Festival that's happening on February 6th. Chinese lanterns are so beautiful, especially when lit at night and floating in the sky. During the day it's all about bright colors, love, and ritualistic activities but at night the sky becomes an ocean of lit lanterns that people wish on and focus on the new year ahead.

The official lantern festival is in China of course but other countries have their own festivals too:

Thailand

Taiwan

Hawaii

images via pinterest

We get so excited for American holidays but pardon me if this blows St. Patricks Day out of the water.


Going to China's Lantern Festival is officially on my Bucket List. 
However, until that happens I'm buying my own lantern to light, wish on, & send off 
on Feb 6th here in my back yard. They come in 10 packs and they're huge! 
Have friends and family over for your own festival at night and light up the sky. 
Click here to buy ---> 10 White Sky Lanterns

-Five ways to wear stripes

-Michael Kiwanuka, I'm totally digging his music!

-Some amazing pinterest picks

-I love all of these Spring '12 Heidi Merrick pieces

-It doesn't get better than this Sagaponack Beach House

-This is so cool! "Before I Die I Want To....."

Having a happy workspace is so important. I could not handle walking into an uninviting, cold room I hated for work. I admire this Lonny Mag workspace. Having two desks back-to-back already makes it more inviting and less lonely!

[1.]ASOS Punchout Backpack [2.]Ladies Wintermint Electra Bike [3.]Mint To Be Scarf [4.]Voluspa 'Classic Maison - Laguna' 2-Wick Candle [5.]Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Polish [6.]Kate Spade Karolina Pumps

images via Elle Decor + Rue Mag + pinterest

-Super cool USB sticks
-How to throw yourself a pity party
-Digital Polaroid Frames
-How perfect, Camille Styles at home
-Nautical engagement photo shoot
-Loving this Tumblr lately, I've made lots of new subscriptions this week

Genuinely,