My oh my what a week it’s been. To say that I was overwhelmed by all of your support after Monday’s announcement is an understatement. You guys. I can’t tell you how much your comments, emails and tweets mean to me. Truly, I am so humbled by your words of encouragement. And I feel honored too. I told Joe that the part about all of this that means the most to me is that I am inadvertently inspiring so many of you to keep chasing after your goals. I am promising you now that I will continue to do everything I can to inspire and encourage you. Let’s start with this: Don’t settle. KEEP GOING. Have faith in yourself and in your future. Okay?

Now, on to a few other notes and ramblings (including the winner of the Refinery 29 + Herringbone giveaway, and why the above photo references Friday when it’s Thursday…):

+ Beginning tomorrow and over the weekend, vmac+cheese will be doing a little housekeeping. Nothing major — the site is migrating to a new platform, and the layout will be changing slightly, but you should still be able to stop by and check back on posts from the week. However, because of the behind the scenes updates, I won’t be posting anything tomorrow, hence me sharing my usual random Friday thoughts (and the link of the week!) today. I’ll share more details about the new layout on Monday, once it’s all up and running and I can explain it better!

+ Oh, so, you’re probably wondering who won that ridiculously gorgeous bag from Herringbone and Refinery 29, aren’t you? Well, mosey right on over here to find out!!

+ Today I’m over on Cupcakes for Breakfast sharing a simple vanilla-almond raspberry tart recipe I put together as a potential Valentine’s Day (and beyond) dessert. Go take a look! It’s all so very Vivaleur…

+ So, this weekend. Good LORD I am excited to have my first full weekend off in months. Like, probably at least 6 months. And we have no plans, which kind of makes it even better. I’m going to try really hard to sleep in (though these days, with so much happening, it’s next to impossible), do laundry, clean the house, run errands…basically all the things I’ve let go over the last…well, it’s too embarrassing to tell you how long.

+ Link of the week time! I hear from new bloggers a lot, so the minute I read it, I knew this post on Shop Sweet Things just had to be my link today. Jeanne put together her top 10 tips for first year bloggers, and I agree with every last one of them. Don’t miss it! And if you still want to bounce some ideas around, shoot me an email! My blog consultation services are more affordable than you think. ;)

{Image Credit: Gary Pepper Vintage}

Are you following Hanneli Mustaparta’s self-titled blog? I wasn’t. In fact, I didn’t even know who she was until I spotted her fresh face on WHO WHAT WEAR last week. “Who IS that girl?” I thought to myself. A quick Google search, and I had stumbled upon one of the most gorgeous street style and inspiration blogs I’ve come across in a while. But apparently, I’m waaaay behind the times (like, embarrassingly so), because Hanneli is hot. In more ways than one!

Hanneli is a blogger, photographer, and of course, model. She contributes to Vogue every now and again. And she has style. Oodles of it. And it’s attainable. I’m loving seeing how she mixes fairly basic pieces throughout the seasons:

Click through to see even more Hanneli fabulousness…and a familiar surprise I came across on her blog (Austin friends, this may interest you):

This last photo is definitely not Hanneli. No, this is a girl I went to high school with. I almost fell over when I was scrolling through her blog and saw it. Hanneli takes amazing street style photos, and I couldn’t believe what a small world it was that she would be roaming Manhattan and just happen to take a photo of the girl who sat across from me in junior year AP English. When blog life and real life collides!

ANYWAY. Aren’t you so hooked? It was basically an immediate ‘subscribe’ for me.

{Image Creditts: Hanneli Mustaparta}

Viceroy; Adirondacks; Giraffe Manor

1. 
The Viceroy Palm Springs – My inner glamour girl is dying to lounge poolside.
2. Adirondacks in the fall … just look at those colors.
3. 
Amalfi Coast – The colors and culture are so inviting.
4. Champagne, France (wine region) to celebrate life.
5. I’ve said this before, but it’s my number one pick! Giraffe Manor in Kenya. I would go tomorrow if I could.

1. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – A book on writing.
2. Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.(again) – This one really needs no introduction. This is the classic style guide for writers.
3. The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake – A book about a postmistress during WWII in Franklin, Massachusetts who believes she is delivering secrets.
4. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen – A story about a young girl living with her wealthy aunt and uncle.

House; Shoes; Tub

1. Reading … writing … doing exactly what I want to be doing.
2. Still happily in love with my husband
3. Tackling the outside of our humble abode. Right now, the inside looks so pretty, but the outside could use some TLC.

Office; Kate Spade

I love goals! Right now, I am making some changes to my business. I started out wanting to write and help other businesses with their social media. Well, I am sure you can guess which end of that took off before the other. I heard a quote at Alt that rocked my world: “I would rather see you fail at something you love than succeed at something you don’t.” I knew the minute I got home that I had to make the decision to start seriously decorating and writing for a living. So, I added interior design to my resume and signed my first client last week. As for writing, I started reading all of my books on writing and a few more. Every day I wake up and refocus. I have to make decisions that make those goals a priority. If it means saying no to something else … I have to do it.

INTERIOR DESIGN. I have been emailing designers, reading books, and working my little tail off to learn everything I can about the business. It’s my favorite thing to look at and dream of.

I get obsessed with things — a chair, a painting, a color, anything — and then I find out everything I possibly can about this one little thing. I have always done it, but I never noticed until my husband looked at me one day and said, “I love your crazy, Shannon.” Done. A blog was born!

Women entrepreneurs such as Rachel Shingleton (Pencil Shavings), Cassandra Lavalle (Coco + Kelley), Sara Kate Huff (Sara Kate Studios) and Tobi Fairley inspire me. I will always credit David Hicks with my love of interior design. He was the first designer I ever looked up to and I have adored tablescapes and geometric prints since. Slim Aarons gets credit for my love of color and prep style. Everything he shot is a burst of happiness.

This is tough because I am still starting out and learning. I am so proud of myself for taking on (surviving) a lot of huge life transitions in a small amount of time. I got married, moved across the country, bought a puppy, and started a business in three months.

Baldhead Island

I must be active. Yes, I know the question said, “rest,” but that just doesn’t exist to me. I go to Baldhead Island to ride bikes, play croquet, and go to the beach with my husband. There are no cars, just golf carts. It’s pure bliss.

I’ve kept a journal since I was 12. There is a box of them in our attic as proof. One day I just decided it was time to take it online … if you go way back (I mean way back) in my archives you can see that it started as something therapeutic — a place for all my interests. I keep doing it because (list time!):

1. It keeps me organized, creative, and energized.
2. It showcases my interior design projects.
3. I have met so many new people in NC because of it — My very first friend was a Matchbook Magazine fan who found me.
4. I love all the other bloggers I meet. I have never felt so much encouragement and motivation.

It’s no secret that I love soup. What’s not to like about it? Easy to make, you can use scraps from your kitchen, they’re usually healthy, and make great leftovers. Win, win, win, WIN in my opinion.

Two weekends ago it was cold here in SF, and I was craving an Italian-style soup, but one without any pasta (I’ve been continuing to lay off the refined carbs). This Minestrone inspired soup, thick with shredded chicken, lots of vegetables, and a light garnish of salty parmesan cheese did the trick. To amp up the flavors, I roasted some fresh tomatoes and garlic — each tossed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar — and beyond the extra richness it added to the soup, the smell alone made this step worth it. While they were roasting, Joe kept drifting in and out of the kitchen, until he finally came in and asked, “Why does it smell so GOOD in here?”

Need I say more?

Get the recipe (and more food pics!), after the jump!

Roasted Tomato and Chicken Stew with White Beans
Serves 6

14 oz vine tomatoes, halved, cored (I used the Campari variety. To core the tomatoes, just use a spoon to gently scoop out the seeds and innards)
4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
–kosher salt and pepper
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 28 oz can tomato puree
1 quart chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 pinch crushed red pepper flake
1 can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
parmesan cheese rind (buy a small wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano, then cut off the rind. Yes, it’s edible!)
1/2 bunch rainbow or red chard, chopped into bite sized pieces

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a small baking dish, arrange the tomatoes so that they’re all core side up. Nestle the garlic cloves in the baking dish as well. Drizzle 2 tbsp of the olive oil over the tomatoes, as well as the balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the tomatoes are very soft, and the garlic is tender and fragrant. The balsamic vinegar may caramelize on the bottom of the dish a little too. Remove from oven and set aside.

In a large soup pot, heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium high heat. Once hot, season the chicken thighs, then brown in the oil, flipping to brown the second side (each side should take about 2 minutes). Remove the meat from the pot and set on a plate. Add in the carrots and onions, and stir. Remove the garlic (it should be cool enough by now) from their papers and add to the pot as well. Season with salt and pepper.

Once the onion has softened, add in the tomato puree, the chicken stock, the bay leaf, and the crushed red pepper flakes. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Carefully add the chicken back to the soup, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer on medium low heat for 1 hour. The chicken should be fall-apart tender. Taste the soup and adjust for salt.

Remove the chicken thighs from the soup, and using two forks, shred the meat. Add it, the beans and the parmesan cheese rind back to the soup, and simmer covered for another 15 minutes. Add in the chard, simmer for five minutes more, remove the cheese rind and the bay leaf, then serve immediately. Garnish with a little grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

It’s been waaaay too long since we took a proper vacation. There have been the weekend getaways, even the short road trip we did last October through California, but not a REAL vacation. I’m talking passport packed, gone for two weeks, thousands of miles away from home vacation.

We’ve decided we are going to make this type of trip happen this year, perhaps in the very late spring or early summer. But here’s where we get tripped up — every time we start trying to plan what we want to do and where we want to go, we can’t decide if we’d rather visit the gorgeous coastal cliffs of the Amalfi Coast in Italy, or if we’d rather do a tour of Southern France, hitting up the lovely countryside in Provence and ending by the sea on the Cote d’Azur.

If we did Italy, we’d likely fly into Rome, train it down to Naples, then make our way from town to town along the coast. Capri is an option too, though I hear it can be touristy. If we did France, we’d fly into Paris and spend a few days (and yeah, that gives this itinerary bonus points, because hello, it’s Paris), then train down to the south. We’d tour the countryside for a week or so, then spend several more days in Nice, Antibes, Cannes, the works.

So if you had two weeks off and had to choose between the two…where would you go? And if you’ve been to one or both, share your thoughts in the comments for sure. I have a feeling Italy might be a hit with many of you, so Francophiles, put in your two cents!!

PS — My column ‘Double Take’ is up over at Young Sophisticates! Check it out here.

{Image Credits: Amalfi Coast 1 2 3; Provence 1 2 3}

I loved this color post so much, I was inspired to do another one! I’ve never really gravitated towards purple, even though I’m often told it looks good on me. Lately though, for whatever reason, I just can’t seem to get enough! Isn’t it funny how we go through color phases like that? My favorite purple piece as of late has been this silk shirt I was gifted for Christmas. I’ve been mixing it up with turquoise and even red accessories. Perfection!

Cardi, Target | Snood, InterMix | Earrings, Banana Republic |  Gloves, Target | PS1, Barneys | Dress, TopShop | Cami, Rebecca Taylor | Ring, Stephen Dweck |  Denim, Yoox

And if you’re here to read about my big news…just scroll down a bit! The announcement went up earlier today! (Squee!) I’ll go into a bit more later this week, but let me just say: thank you ALL for the overwhelming support this morning. I won’t even lie — I got a little emotional at work reading through everything. Big hugs!

{Image Credits: Stockholm Street Style; The Sartorialist; Furnishism}

Private cooking lessons/// Tailored to your skill level, your interests, your kitchen equipment. I can work with the complete novice on basics like knife skills, or with the more experienced cook who’s looking to try new things! Lessons can be skill or recipe/menu based. Also available: grocery shopping classes! Learn how to select foods, buy the right amount, and navigate your way through the market.

Group cooking lessons and parties/// Get a group of friends together and take a cooking class with me! Based out of the San Francisco culinary event space Cookhouse, I can do demos, or a hands on lesson.

Custom recipe creation/// Already a popular service, this is great for those of you who don’t live in the SF Bay Area. If you’re hosting a dinner party, attending one, or just want to surprise your significant other with a special dinner, I can write a recipe tailored to your skill level, budget, kitchen equipment, etc. I’ll work with you to consider every different angle: other dishes that might be served, dietary restrictions, and more!

Menu planning and design/// Full menu planning available for parties and for weekly meals alike. I’m also happy to work with you on food styling and set up, so that your guests will walk in and be WOWed.

Small event planning/styling/// When it comes to hosting a party that impresses, it’s all about the little unexpected details. Let’s talk about how we can make your guests feel like you went above and beyond (even when you didn’t).

Custom invitations and cards/// Paper-based and digital invitation and greeting card services available. Paper cards are all hand crafted with meticulous care.

Hand lettering/// Not quite calligraphy, but definitely not your everyday scribble. I love working with brides who want that hand lettered touch on their invites and placecards, but don’t want to blow the budget on a traditional calligrapher. This service is also great for thank you notes, holiday cards, etc. Ask me about my rates and for lettering samples!

Basic graphic design services/// Especially geared towards new bloggers, I can help you design a new header or about page graphic to give your blog a little oomph.

Blog/social media consultation/// New to blogging? Want some advice on how to treat it like a business? Need tips on how to grow your readership? Let’s connect.

And on that note, thank you. Yes, you. I wouldn’t and couldn’t be doing all this without the support of the community here on vmac+cheese. You guys inspire me in ways you can’t even imagine. Thanks for making it so fun to write here everyday, and helping me have the courage to do all this! Cheers to the future…so far 2012 is off to a rollicking start!

PS — Will be back later today with a fun little color post, though I completely acknowledge, that’s not quite as exciting as this!

Today I’m also going to try switching up Friday Link Love a little bit, and instead of featuring a longer list of things to check out, I’m going to share my favorite blogger, blog post, article, whatever. Less to sift through, and you’ll know I mean business — each Friday’s link is definitely a fave!

This week, I was blown away by this DIY ‘melting heart’ tutorial from Erin. How pretty (and easy) is this? And can you believe it’s actually made out of crayons? So neat.

A little announcement that’s leading up to a big one: be sure to check back in here on Monday. I have some very exciting news to share with you! That’s right…the project I’ve been alluding to for months is about to be revealed! Get excited. I know I am.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and enjoy the Super Bowl!!

{Image Credits: Project Foodie, The Galley Gourmet, Daily Mail, Jose Villa, Greg Considine Flickr, Jamie Beck} 

Which one would you choose? And PS, are you going to be shopping the Jason Wu for Target capsule collection, which hits stores February 5? I’m loving sooo many of the looks (this one, this one, and definitely this one)…but after the Missoni for Target madness, I’m a bit leery. You?

{Image Credits: Nordstrom, Fashionologie}

The clutch is a powerful thing. There you are, standing in front of the mirror, ready to walk out the door with your regular handbag. But wait, you think to yourself, how would this look with a clutch? Put together, that’s how. Polished. Clutches can really be the icing on the cake, that last little statement that elevates an outfit. So you can imagine my delight when Refinery 29′s Reserve contacted me, wanting to giveaway one of Herringbone’s beautiful clutches to one of my fabulous readers.

That’s right. Valentine’s Day just came a little early.

Reserve is Refinery29′s destination for the style-savvy shopper. From fashion to beauty to décor, the R29 editors handpick the most coveted designers, stores, and websites and curate exclusive offers that you’ll truly love. The Herringbone clutches are no exception, am I right? R29 Reserve currently offers two exclusive versions, one with gold leather trim and the other a more subtle red-trimmed version, which we’re giving away today. Both clutches feature gorgeous fuchsia suede and Herringbone’s signature rose gold zipper.

Here are the deets: one lucky vmac+cheese reader will win an exclusive R29 Reserve fuchsia clutch with red trim from Herringbone, valued at $105. To enter, all you need to do is enter a comment below. No need to like or follow or do anything else. Just one comment! The giveaway will close on Wednesday, February 8 at 11:59pm Pacific time, and I’ll choose and announce a winner the next day, on February 9. Open only to US residents. See below for complete giveaway details.

Good luck! And cheers to pink and red. As we all know, it’s not just for Valentine’s Day anymore…

{Image Credits: Herringbone Bags}

No purchase or payment necessary. Limit one entry per person. Open only to legal residents of the USA. Sweepstakes prize is valued at $105. Chances of winning do not increase by purchasing this product, or by entering multiple comments below. By entering this sweepstakes, the entrant acknowledges that they are eligible for this sweepstakes according to all laws set forth by their home state or country. Winner is liable for any taxes associated with the prize. The promotion period for this giveaway will close on February 8, 2012 at 11:59pm PST and a winner will be chosen via random.org on February 9, 2012. A list of winner(s) will be available within 2 business days of the close of the sweepstakes, by request, and available for 6 months thereafter. For running this sweepstakes, I received compensation from Refinery 29 and Herringbone in the form of a clutch similar to the one the giveaway winner will receive. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes sponsored by Refinery 29. For official giveaway/sweepstakes rules, please click here.

sources: one | two | three | four | five

1. Almafi Coast to see the colorful houses along the shore
2. Greek Islands to sail around beautiful clear blue water
3. Barcelona to shop and study architecture
4. Napa to sip wine all day long
5. Surkhet, Nepal to visit the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School

1. A Moveable Feast – a classic, set in Paris, stories of food and glamour
2. In Defense of Food – contemporary thoughts on food and sustainability
3. Spoon Fed – a memoir about women cooking
4. The Lucky One – guilty pleasure!

sources: one | two | three

1. be in love, having a blast and traveling the world with my best friend;
2. happy at work, surrounded by inspiration and continuously working on creative projects;
3. constantly entertaining and sharing meals with family and friends

1. Getting my studio apartment camera-ready. There are just a few more things I’m looking for before shooting my home tour. I can’t wait to share it!

2. Cooking my food wish list. I’ve bookmarked so many recipes that I haven’t gotten to yet. And why not? No more excuses. I’m trying to cross one thing off this list every week. It’s time to make those chocolate hazelnut macarons already!

source: one | two | three | four

Oh I have too many of these! But one in particular is to open a neighborhood Italian market. A one-stop, family-owned, full-of-love shop where you can get all your favorite things: prosciutto, burrata, perfect by-the-slice pizza, cannoli, sfogliatelle and tri-color cookies. (OK, these are my favorite things!) I’d spend half of my time baking, half of my time marketing the store, and every day eating and enjoying life with our customers.

My senior year of college I wrote the beginnings of a food memoir as a final project for my Journalism major, which I named Cupcakes for Breakfast. One of the stories I told was about when “cupcakeries” began opening in DC in 2008. I would wake up early on Saturday mornings and bring a half-dozen cupcakes back to my roommates before most of them even woke up. Much like how my mom used to go out and bring home bagels on weekend mornings, my friends and I had our own family tradition: eating cupcakes for breakfast. (And not the breakfast-y ones like lemon or carrot!) My blog title is a constant reminder that there is a story and meaning behind every food and meal.

So many people! But if I must name few…
My family – they surround me with love and have provided me with so many amazing food and color memories.
Martha Stewart – her attention to detail in entertaining is so enviable.
The editorial staff at House Beautiful – I interned with them one summer and I fell in love with the process of magazine styling and writing. Reading each issue is so much better because I know (and love) the personalities behind its pages. I wish I had this opportunity at all of my favorite publications and brands!
Bloggers – I am just head over heels with this community of creative and supportive writers. I love how we push each other because we all truly believe in what we’re doing.

It’s hard to define this one, but I think it has to do with independence and self-awareness. Post-college life has tested me in so many ways and I’ve been able to come out of it with a true sense of my character and purpose. I’m ready and excited for what comes next, like when I can answer this question with something more tangible.

source: all images by Nikki

I visit Nantucket Island almost every year with my family and my happy place looks a little like this: playing games in the water during low tide at Jetties Beach, late night walks to the Juice Bar for ice cream in a waffle cone, cobblestones, Madaket sunsets, seersucker, hydrangeas…

I started my blog in June of 2009, right after I graduated from college. Blogging is where I get to constantly bring together all of the things I love: writing, cooking, design, desserts, parties, style. Where else in your life do you get to experience so many great things at once?

Are you watching Downton Abbey? If not, you should be. If the fact that it picked up 6 Emmys last year, and was nominated for 4 Golden Globes (it took home best miniseries/television film) doesn’t sway you, then trust me, the gorgeous costumes, lush interiors, and compelling story line should.

The background is this: the series opens up in April of 1912, on the morning after the sinking of the Titanic. This sets in to motion a series of events that carries us through the whole of the season. In the second season, currently available to watch for free online, the story is set during World War I. Downton Abbey is a period drama, to be sure, but it also takes a look at how the elite and the help interacted, with their own class and with each other. I LOVE IT.

I was curious to learn more about the gorgeous house that has such a big roll in the series. Here’s what I learned.

Downton Abbey is actually ‘played’ by Highclere Castle, a large home situated in Hampshire, UK. Like in the series, it has belonged to one family for generations, and major building of the house began in the late 18 century. One fact that I thought was very interesting: the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, along with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of King Tut in 1922!

[spoiler alert] Similar to the series [seriously, if you don't want to know anything, just skip to the next paragraph], Highclere was converted into a hospital during the First World War, although the lady of the house, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, was a bit more willing than Cora to have wounded soldiers under her roof, and was well-remembered for her efforts in caring for these men.

Check out the mini-Highclere tour, after the jump!

This is the house saloon. According to the Highclere website, it was the physical and social heart of the home. The wall coverings in this room are made of leather, and date to 1631!

On the left is Catherine, the 6th Countess of Carnarvon. Funny that she looks a lot like Edith, but to me, appears to have some of Mary’s swagger. On the right is Parliament (aka the Palace of Westminster) and Big Ben in London. Sir Charles Berry, the architect of Highclere, was also building Parliament at the same time he built the Castle. Notice any similarities??

One of the upstairs bedrooms in the castle. I’m pretty sure this might be used as Sybil’s room for filming, but I can’t tell for sure.

The men’s smoking room. Don’t you love the paint color?

This smaller bedroom was used as an operating room during the First World War.

The library at Highclere contains thousands of (probably leatherbound) books. Looks just like it does in the show, doesn’t it??

This is the gallery above the saloon. The crests you see along the walls there are the Carnarvon family crests. I kind of wish we had family crests on this side of the pond. Sigh.

I thought this was really interesting. This is a photograph of some of the staff at Highclere, taken in the late Victorian era (you can tell by the dresses that this would’ve been pre-Downton Abbey). Is there a Mr. Bates among them?

Once electricity was installed throughout the house, no doubt the classic bellboard (with actual bells) was replaced with this one, which would light up and make a sound whenever the staff was being called for. Look at all those rooms to tend to!

Finally, some of the gorgeous grounds on the Highclere Estate. Well, are you intrigued yet? I’m not kidding, I’ve been obsessed with this show for the last couple weeks. My friend Susannah gave me the first season as a gift, and I don’t know why it took me so long to get into it. You guys will love it!

{Image Credits: Highclere Castle website. If you’re interested, there are tons more photos and lots of historical information on their site!}

“Do you know where this photo is from?”

I’ve read that (and typed that myself) so many times since starting a blog. Sometimes it feels like the battle to properly credit photographs (that is, not listing Pinterest, Tumblr, or some other photo sharing site) is never ending. It’s tough these days!

Last week Meg posted a great Alt Summit recap that included her own notes on image crediting. I am in complete agreement with her that it’s vital to pin and source from a permalink. Oh, the number of hours I’ve spent combing through someone’s Tumblr because an image credit listed just a Tumblr page versus a post URL…

Sarah turned me on to a great bookmarklet recently that can help you source images, because it integrates with Google Image Search! It’s not foolproof, but it’s worked better than any other photo searching resource I’ve tried, including TinEye. I was a little confused the first time I opened it, so here’s what you do. Once you open the page, drag the blue link that reads ?¿src-img to your bookmarks bar. Then, on any webpage (it can even be a Pinterest or Tumblr page), click on the bookmark whenever you want to try and source an image. Question marks will appear on every image on that page — click the one you want to source. A new window that contains a Google Image Search will open up! For some images, you’ll have to comb through pages and pages of re-pins and Tumblr posts, but if you’re sleuthy, you can often pick a couple blogs and odds are that one of them will mention where the photo is originally from. Give it a try!

PS — The response to Mini-Alt Week ‘n such was so good that I decided to keep the momentum going. So I’ll be popping in now and again with a blog tip of the day. Do you love it??

{Image Credit: Lonny Magazine, Nov/Dec 2011. Photograph by Patrick Cline}

I’ve been a little obsessed with Les Composantes ever since Erin blogged about it last summer. When I read that post? Immediate subscription to the LC blog. They don’t post too terribly often, but when they do…holy gorgeous photos.

Les Composantes is a French fashion label that makes classic handbags, pretty shoes, and I think clothes too (some parts of their website can’t be translated, and my French is definitely not good enough to tell!). I’ve had their Nola bag pinned for, like, ever, but as best I can tell, they make limited quantities of everything, announce it on their blog when new items are available, then once they’re sold, they’re sold. They also have a section called “Selections,” which includes a unique shop of 100 vintage and contemporary items, only available for 48 hours. You’ll know when new selections are coming, because the LC blog will announce their “prochaine selections” (or next selections). Way to build up demand!

Whether or not I ever get my hands on one of these gorgeous bags, I’m happy to drool over their photos in the meantime. Just lovely, right?

It’s becoming more and more apparent that I should’ve been born French.

Psst — get more Les Composantes goodness (who doesn’t need a little inspiration on a Tuesday?), right after the jump!

I would like that bag in gray, please and thank you.

{Image Credits: Les Composantes blog. Photographs taken by (I believe) Morgan, the founder of Les Composantes. But if my French is totally wrong, someone please correct me!}

…to the Duchess of Cambridge, named Hat Person of the Year by The Headwear Association last week. Whether colorful or fancy or demure, the Duchess always manages to look stunning in her toppers. Me? I personally have never thought I could pull off a hat. But this tidbit of news did inspire me to see what hats are currently out there. And it should come as no surprise that the Duchess’s accessory of choice seems to have made its way stateside:

1. The Hat Shop, NYC | 2. Jessica Simpson Bow Cloche, $30 | 3. The Hat Shop, NYC | 4. Cara ‘I Heart Flower’ Fascinator Headband, $58 | 5. French Connection Bow Net Fascinator, $40 | 6. Cara ‘Absolutely Fascinating’ Fascinator, $48 | 7. Glint ‘Double Band’ Cloche, $48 | 8. Nordstrom Wide Brim Floppy Wide Hat, $68 | 9. Nordstrom Side Bow Cloche, $28 | 10. & 11. The Hat Shop, NYC

Psst!! I’m also super stoked to be over on Mimi+Meg today, sharing my Valentine’s Day gift picks for me and for Joe. I met Meg at Alt, and she’s as adorable and awesome as you would imagine from her lovely blog. Hop on over and check it out!

{Image Credit: Reuters for International Business Times via William & Catherine Tumblr}

Business website | Business Twitter | Business Facebook | Business Tumblr | Personal blog

I run an online business called The Phone Unlockers – we unlock mobile phones (which is legal!) I started it 6 years ago at University. I also run a project called the Female Entrepreneur Association, where I published stories about the journeys of female entrepreneurs to help inspire and encourage others.

The opportunity to start a phone unlocking business was very random! I’ll try not to bore you… but basically there was some open source code available online and my friend was very techie and so we built the system and we each set up our own businesses using the system. I had no clue what I was doing when I started off! I was seriously winging it. I put a terrible website together and set up an Adwords account with a spending limit of £30 and that was the start of my business.

I made it work for me by systemizing everything! There is a process and system for everything – how people find us, how people buy from us, the follow up process, the support process etc. The business now runs itself without any help from me.

I started FEA because I felt so lonely running my online business. After I graduated from university, all of my friends moved to London and had cool jobs and I was stuck in Birmingham (where I went to university) working from home, by myself. I started to think that there must be other women out there who were in a similar situation to me. So, I went on a mission to find them!

There are so many inspiring stories, but one of my favourites is by Emma Reynolds. She built a successful business over three years – she had an office in London and lots of employees and then the financial crisis hit and she lost everything. Not only did she have to make everyone redundant, she also faced bankruptcy. After crying herself to sleep for 3 months, she went and got a job and started saving her money. At the same time she started to research business opportunities and spotted one in Hong Kong and so got on a plane, by herself, and started her business again over there from scratch. It’s going really well!

When I read her story I was amazed and inspired. She deserves every bit of success that she gets. I think her story goes to show what’s possible when you keep on going.

I love running my online business because it gives me so much freedom – in 2010 I went travelling around Australia for 3 months and worked from my laptop, it was amazing.

I would say the most challenging thing is feeling alone. Some days I wake up and wonder what on earth I’m doing! I also find it difficult to switch off, even when I’m on holiday, which can be annoying (especially for my friends!).

Believe in yourself, get clear on what you want to achieve, take action and never give up! And remember what Audrey Hepburn said, “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m Possible.”

Turning The Phone Unlockers from an idea into a global company, which reached 100,000 people each month and unlocked thousands of phones every month.

At the moment FEA keeps me inspired – not only the stories, which I publish, but also the possibility to create something that helps to inspire women all over the world. I love the internet and the what it enables people to do – the very fact that I’m based 6000 miles away from San Francisco, yet I’m writing this for you now amazes and inspires me. I stay creative by constantly thinking of new ideas and trying new things and reading lots of books!

Style to Inspire is a monthly column on vmac+cheese that let’s us get to know amazing women who are running their own small businesses. You can see previous Style to Inspire ladies here.

Happy Friday, friends! Before we dive in to this week’s links, I wanted to take a second to say hi and welcome to all the new vmac+cheese readers who are here because of referrals from Mini-Alt Week or Alt itself! Thanks for stopping by!

I have to be honest with you: this week was a total doozy. You come back from something like Alt and your mind is swirling with so many thoughts, ideas, and questions. I’ve also had lots going on in my personal life (engagement yes, and some other particularly juicy points of interest that I’ll discuss soon, promise) that have made things a little crazy around these parts. I’m so happy to see the weekend and hopefully sleep in as much as possible. Do you ever find that when you’re extra busy, you can’t sleep in because your mental to-do list wakes you up? Dear brain, let’s try and shut it down this weekend, mmkay?

If you’re new to vmac+cheese, each Friday I like to post a list of my favorite links from the week. Be sure to check these out if you find yourself with some quiet time and a cup of tea!

+ The food posts from the last few weeks were out of control good! First, check out Jaclyn’s homemade oreo cookies. So pretty and a million times less processed than the store bought version.
+ Similarly, Lara attempted my favorite Girl Scout cookie of all time, the caramel delite, also known as the Samoa in virtually every part of the country except for Texas.
+ Sarah shared her gorgeous photos from homemade chocolate and sea salt peanut butter cups. PS, they’re vegan!
+ So now that you’ve indulged in all the sweets, did you notice your skin flared up? Yeah, it’s not a coincidence. Dairy, refined carbs, and zinc deficiency are often the culprit, and I personally have noticed a difference when I cut these things out. I’m glad The Beauty Department is reporting on this too!
+ On to my first ever mentions of wedding planning. Or lack thereof. I really have done nothing, you guys. But I was happy to meet Sara at Alt, and to subscribe to her wedding blog Marry This! I need to balance all of the pretty, aspirational wedding goodness that’s out there with the more realistic yet equally as inspiring.
+ Similarly, if and when we ever put up a wedding website, I hope our guest book is 1/10th as hilarious as Bridget and Chris’s, friends of fellow Texan Jenn. I mean, a honey badger reference? These people are awesome.
+ I totally enjoyed Erica’s article on the value of LinkedIn. Not on it? Maybe think about it.
+ Rachel, from the blog Southern Exposure, is one of those people that always finds amazing fixer pieces, with final results that are nothing short of fantastic. Her latest is no exception!
+ Finally, wondering who else went to Alt Summit? Need a few new blogs to check out? Don’t miss Meg’s roundup of Alt-goers. Links for days, people. And if you look close in the photo, you might even see a little business card from yours truly. Enjoy!

{Image Credit: Nastia Vesna via Margaret Jacobson Pinterest}

We were in the car the other day and Joe was letting me ramble on about decorating ideas I have, including those that could be accomplished in a rented space. I mentioned how I wished it was easier to replace light fixtures in a rental, then wondered aloud whether a great light fixture had the biggest impact on taking a room from okay to WOW.

Joe patiently listened and said “Uh huh” in all the right places, but when I thought about it a little more (welcome to the inner wanderings of my mind), I realized that I should stop worrying about lighting because honestly? I think rugs have the biggest design impact.

Take the above. I adore the living room on the right. I mean, the floors are gorgeous. It feels fresh, clean, and oh-so-simple. But the room on the left has a similar aesthetic and color scheme, but with the use of (two!) rugs, the feel of the space is totally different. Cozy. Warm. Textured.

Then there are these two photos, which Naomi posted a while back but which illustrate the point perfectly:

Room on the top — no rug. Exact same room WITH rug below. Crazy, right?

Are you with me? Do you think rugs are the quickest way to impact the design of the room? Paint is obviously up there too — though it’s not so quick or easy! What are your tips for making a room feel totally different when you’re on a budget or in a rental?

{Image Credits: French by Design via Savvy Home, photograph by Jean Marc Palisse; Flourish Design + Style via This is Glamorous; Laura Resen Photography via Design Manifest}

…with a bit of yellow! I’ve always heard that listening to certain songs, smelling certain aromas, and seeing particular colors can help lift you up and brighten your mood. In case you’re stuck in the midst of the Thursday doldrums (and let’s assume with limited access to your favorite song, or a delicious smell — whatever leftovers your co-workers will microwave notwithstanding), here’s hoping this dash of yellow will cheer you up. It’s almost Friday, after all!

Satchel, Cambridge Satchel Co. | Sweater, J.Crew | Tote, Balenciaga | Shoes, Christian Louboutin | Trench, Old Navy | Tee, Anthropologie | Lamp, Jan Showers | Sweater, Anthropologie

{Image Credits: Lemon Bars created and photographed by Treats, Street Style via Easy Fashion, Bike ride via Olivia Compulsive Disorder (originally in Vogue China)}

Jess Constable, 27

Chicago

(photo credits, Paris,  Rome, London, Australia, and Thailand)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (again), Bossypants, The Four Hour Workweek, a portion of A Course in Miracles

(photo credits, ring, San Fran, kitchen)

I’d like to be married, living near San Francisco, and have a home with white marble in the kitchen.

The first intention I have is to spend more time reflecting and practicing my spirituality. To do this, my goal is to get out of bed each morning and spend time on the small loveseat in my bedroom (below) and reflect, read, or write each weekday morning.

The second intention is to read more after work. For this, I want to get Bossypants to start getting in the habit of reading with something that I think I’ll really enjoy.

(photo credit, Emily Anderson for Rue)

Having my own home with my husband – though that involves getting engaged, married, and saving for a house!

The blog got it’s name from the idea that in order to be the best version of ourselves, we don’t need to makeover our lives, but to makeunder them. By peeling back the layers of “stuff” that is hiding this best self, we can become who we’ve wanted to be all along.

I am inspired by Oprah Winfrey and her impact on women and people across the world. I’m also inspired by spiritual and business leaders like Joyce Meyer, Ben Franklin, and Gary Vaynerchuk. They all have done tremendous things while staying completely unique.

(photo credit, Danielle Moss)

I’m proud of the fact that I launched my business full-time right out of college and have made it not only succeed, but to use it to help others design a life with intention as well.

My bed! Other than that, “Fluffy Cloud Island,” which is my couch topped with a giant goose down feather comforter is pretty great too.

January 19th, 2009. It helps me fulfill my purpose: to help people design lives with intention.