I wouldn’t call it cat and mouse: we’ve had a mutual adoration for about a year.  I wouldn’t call it a fling, it’s lasted a bit longer than that.  But I think I can finally say we have crossed the threshold and are ready to become full-on plan-our-future, Facebook-official, happily-ever-after with each other.

Beautiful, right?

After almost a year of sporadically pinning, re-pinning, and half-heatedly following along, I’ve tossed my hat in the ring and gotten serious.  I sit at my computer for hours just sifting through trying to find that little corner of magic.

And wow.  Speechless.

Not only have I gotten so many outfit ideas, decorating tips, and DIY crafts that I don’t know what to do with myself, but I’ve discovered blogs, online stores, and artists I never would have without Pinterest.  And I’ve been able to share those finds with my sweet friends. 

Ya’ll?  This one is for the ages.

For more pinterest fun, including these images, follow me here!

Darn that Blair Eadie.  She’s done it again.  Another day, another perfect outfit:

 

But let’s go ahead and get around to what really steals the show: the Miu Miu heels (shown below in blue).  They add pizzazz to just about any outfit, immediately drawing the eye in.

I seriously almost cried when I saw the price: $595 (and sold out to boot).  I may love the shoes, but I also love gas for my car and food, so alas, I’m leaving them behind. 

But enter these:



Ya’ll.  Can we talk for a minute?  They aren’t as pointy and the bow isn’t as big, but they’re canvas as opposed to the Miu Miu’s taffeta, and oh did I mention the price?  $13.99!  For shoes.  I spent more than that on lunch the other day!  

Will be scooping these babies up immediately to update my summer wardrobe, and let’s be real, for $13.99?  You should too.

I almost gave up.  I almost decided to throw in the towel on this little blog that has brought me so much happiness.  I was going to leave Happy Fabulousbehind and start anew, even going so far as to brainstorm some fun, new names.  I’ve done it plenty of times before, leaving being countless sprinkles of half-started blogs, long abandoned for something new.

But I couldn’t.  Not this one.

I’ve been reading old blogs, falling in love with new ones, and generally trying to figure out what I want Happy Fabulous to become.  This break has given me a new perspective on blogging, and I’m so happy to be back in the saddle.  

So thank you, for hanging on, reading, and if you’re new, stumbling upon my little corner of the internet.  I hope you’ll stay awhile, because I promise you: the best is yet to come.

Stay tuned…

Yikes.  So, this is awkward.  Another month and a half with not a post in sight.  So what is it that brought me out of my blog-esta (Get it?  Like a nap)?  What else?  Something leopard.  At this point in the F/W season, it looks like a leopard lost a fight in my closet.  Scarves, shoes, gloves, a cold weather hat, a shirt.  All evidence of a battle lost.  So, under the self-imposed orders to ignore all flashes of leopard (and believe me, they are everywhere) I nearly cried when I stumbled upon these beauties:

The Steve Madden Wiicked wedge in leopard.  If I could design my end-all-be-all statement shoe for Fall 2011, these would be them. Fortunately, for my leopard-ban, they were a single pair of size 5.5 at Marhall’s. Still on my leopard high, I quickly checked off multiple nearby locations before deciding that it was fate (and the ban, of course).  I was not meant to own these shoes.

But, you see, I’m really not one to stick to a no shopping rule give up, for my readers I have found them on the Steve Madden website for $99!

And I mean, of course, if I should arise Christmas morning to these darlings under my tree, I would try not to be too outwardly disappointed with more leopard.  After all, there is never an excuse for rudeness.

Santa, I’m a 9!

Zara, my favorite, trendy go-to store for a little wardrobe pick-me-up (still love ya, J.Crew) has stolen my heart and wallet this fall.  A must visit for every shopping trip, I decided to take a little gander at their website the other day to review their F/W lookbook.  Well, color me out of the loop, but as of September 2, Zara now offers online shopping.  ONLINE SHOPPING. 

Now, at first glance, this may not seem like that huge of a deal.  Everyone offers online shopping, right?  But with Zara, their lines are so huge and so popular, it can be tough to experience everything they have to offer by taking a trip to the store.  Case in point:

Mama love.  But Mama was also not able to find these at my local shop, so online I go where, Voila!, my size is in!  They even have a sale section (“Special Prices”) that had this little gem:

At $19.99!  Pair this with a pair of skinny jeans, a cute scarf, and the new leopard boots you  just bought, and you are ready to go.

So whether you are seeking out a special item, don’t have a Zara location near you, don’t want to head to the mall, or are just surfing, check it out!  You will surely find something amazing for fall that is trendy and fits your budget.

It is a gorgeous fall day down in the South, and my heart is dancing to a happy little tune.  Could not ask for a more perfect fall day. 

As I raved about in an earlier post, I could not love Pinterest more.  It has given me so many wonderful ideas that I am busy storing away for days when the weather is not so perfect and I’m itching to break out the glue gun. 

Today, I turn my attention to burlap, the ultimate in high-low decorating chic.  I have yet to see something that makes me think “hm, probably would have skipped the burlap.”  It’s versatile and works just about anywhere.

Loving on these gorgeous burlap Christmas pillows.  These could be so easily created with some stencils and acrylic paint.  I’m thinking “Give” “Thanks” pillows could work for Thanksgiving too.

I absolutely adore all of the burlap wedding ideas out there right now.  This and other amazing ideas can be found at this sweet little blog.

Fall is officially here, which means falling temperatures, (in theory, in the South we are holding steady at a crisp 85) sweaters, boots, and, my personal favorite, holiday decorations.  While it’s still early to be contemplating the perfect tree or the swag of a garland, I attack harvest time and Halloween as though possessed.  After all, it is a warm-up to the greatest holiday of them all.

Made this fall wreathwith Mom for the front of the house.  It was shockingly easy, and only required covering a regular, twig wreath with a bag of moss, staking on the pumpkins, and buying a yard of twine to make the bow (just a tip: Walmart fabric department is back.  $2.98 a yard!)

Gourd lanterns.  Perfect way to use some of those summer/back porch lanterns you might have hanging aound, or a good excuse to go get a few more.  Love the various gourds as filling.

Fall party motif.  I will throw the BEST Halloween/fall parties on the block someday.  Love the outdoor party decorations.  In this case so much of it comes from mother nature, that pulling this together would be cake!

Proof that you any room can be transformed into a harvest wonderland with some small additions.  In the case of this blue room, all it took besides the classic pumpkin/gourd display was some black and white patterned plates arranged on the wall.  Many of them aren’t even of the spooky/Halloween variety, and yet the simply damask pattern still works just fabulously!

So what are you waiting for?  October is just around the corner waiting for you!  Take inventory of what you can turn into fall decor, grab some gourds, and get to work!

Cannot believe it has been almost 3 months since my last post.  Would love to say I’ve been doing something incredibly exciting like backpacking through Europe, or living off the grid, but it’s actually just been a few really great months of life.

I started working in visuals and merchandising at J.Crew and oh my stars, I have found my calling.  Spending my days floating through the store, styling mannequins, studying layouts, reading maps, and generally just having the time of my life, has been a dream.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

But all of this creative energy I’ve been expelling at work has left me without a thought regarding this blog I love so much. 

Enter Pinterest.

Pinterest has completely and totally brought all of those creative thoughts back and kicking.  Obsession would be a good word to use here (Click on the “Pin Me” link on the left to follow my boards!).  It has re-awakened my need to craft, hot glue, bake, and generally just style my closet.  If you haven’t signed up yet, please, go request an invite.  Once you see it for yourself, you will understand. 

So, I’m back, dear bloggers, and am looking forward to sharing all of the adventures, recipes, DIYs, and fashions that are my life in this perfect little moment. 

Thanks for reading,

Happy Fabulous

Down in the deep South, we are currently trapped in the summer heat-wave otherwise known as July and August (and let’s face it, most of September).  By this point in the season, the allure of bathing suits, sun hats, and pretty sundresses has all but worn off, and it’s time to look ahead for those mild, crisp days in October, November, and December (our wonderful reward for making it through July, August, and September).  I’ve decidedly labeled the upcoming Fall season as “boy-meets-girl,” as we are seeing lot of trousers and masculine shapes mixed with a feminine kick: a ruffle here, a hem there. 

Will definitely be scooping up a pair-or-two-or-ten of these beauties.  Can’t you just see them with a paper-thin, fitted cashmere turtleneck? 

Bring on the Booties!  These Sam Edelman stunners get me beyond excited to break out the black Wolfords.  I usually prefer the chunkier heel (I see you, J.Crew Britten Platform Booties) but the shape of these shoes are oh-so-right to jazz up a basic. 

And because I am not only an Essie fanatic, but have also been sporting Turquoise and Caicos like it’s my job, my go-to color for fading into A/W ‘11.  As I’ve reorganized my closet for the 14th time this month, I’ve noticed the color absolutely owning my navy and burgundy pieces, a couple of the great hues of Fall.

Ready for the leaves to change, the boots to come out, college football to kick-off, and to be sipping cider curled up in front of one of these:

Here’s falling for you, Fall.