things to do this weekend

looking for something fun and different to do this weekend? check out these events happening in the philadelphia area!

image via visitphilly.com (logo credit of free library of philadelphia)
the philadelphia book festival culminates saturday april 16th with a festival street fair on the benjamin franklin parkway.


the phillies are home this weekend to take on the florida marlins. games are friday and saturday nights at 7:05 and sunday afternoon at 1:05. tickets are still available through the phillies box office for friday and saturday. you can get tickets for sunday's game through stub hub.


image via fairmountcdc.org

sunday from 2:00 - 6:00pm is the fairmount arts crawl in the fairmount neighborhood of philadelphia. the local businesses transform into art galleries and there is music and dancing on the sidewalks. best of all, the event is free.

a quote for your thursday

i would not describe myself as a bird person...at all. in fact most of my friends would be able to tell you all about my fear of seagulls, it is almost as bad as jessy's cat fear.  but i have always had a soft-spot for hummingbirds.  i think this is because i used to love watching the hummingbirds at the bird feeder on my grandparents' farm. my grandfather would tell me all sorts of facts about how awesome these birds are and i would sit in awe as they fluttered about.  when i read this quote on style me pretty, i was instantly reminded of being back on my grandparent's farm. 

photo via ella b photography

“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.”

painting by mai autumn

it is so poetic and touching. and so i thought i would share with you for your thursday.  have a great day and be happy that friday is just around the corner :)  

a true story

print via super swoon

bag love

i am loving everything i find at clare vivier the cutest bag and accessories store where all the products are made in la!  love anything that is made in the usa :) i thought i would share a few of my favorites.

this pompom is so adorable, i just might have to get it.  Recycling a bag in my closet would be that much more exciting if i could jazz it up with this cutie. 

this is a "shopping" tote and it is iridescent...two of my favorite things.  i think it's a sign. 

last but not least, this wallet might need to be added to my collection.  you should definitely check out the different color combos, they had so many cute ones that it was hard to pick.

april showers...

we all know the saying "april showers bring may flowers", and today is quite an april shower kind of day in the delaware area. so if you're stuck inside today and looking to get your online shopping fix, here are some cute rain gear options to help you avoid getting soaked this spring.

yellow rubber rain boots - so classic! wellie boot from lands' end


dirty laundry rescue rain boot in navy, from dsw.com

pelican tall boot - red anchor/navy dots from sperry top-sider

lime green is a great spring color to add to your wardrobe! and bright colors can always help brighten up a gloomy rainy day.
lime posh dot boots from chooka


alanna loves whales :) tiny whales rain boots from chooka

powerball

by now i am sure you've heard that someone won the $222 million powerball last night. awesome for that person, but a total bummer for everyone else, right? clearly, because a lot of people had been twitter day dreaming about what they would do with the money... and now #ifihitthepowerball is a trending topic...

#ifihitthepowerball im moving to california and never coming back

#ifihitthepowerball money is one less thing my mother will ever stress about.

#ifihitthepowerball im getting my own stylist cause i hate picking out outfits to wear

#ifihitthepowerball everyone gets a dollar :)

#ifihitthepowerball i'm creating my own man

#ifihitthepowerball ill still wait until the last minute to pay bills

#ifihitthepowerball ill still complain about gas prices


what would you do if you hit the powerball??

is this alanna in 70 years?

image via fitperez.com

92 year old gladys burrill is now the oldest person to ever complete a marathon. she completed the hawaii marathon in december, but was just recently confirmed by the guinness book of world records. get this - she was 86 in 2004 when she ran her first marathon.

i love this photo of her at the finish line because you can see how happy and fulfilled she is. how inspirational!

map prints

over the weekend jessy and i were walking down main street in our town and popped into a vintage goods store, i was immediately attracted to a pile of antique prints.  while looking through them, jessy commented on how i really like maps after i pointed out one i particularly liked.   i never really realized it before but it is true, i am a map-fanatic. and i did spell that with a ph- for the phillies before realizing my typo :)  i guess i have my mom to thank for this penchant because growing up she was always talking about how she loved antique maps (so thanks mom!!)

anyways when i was perusing etsy yesterday, I found the most adorable store that pairs two of my favorite things - maps and prints.  jason laferrera uses old maps to create these ridiculously awesome prints of animals.  i LOVE the bear one, but don't think i could justify spending that much money for a print right now. 

wouldn't these look awesome in a family room or even in a nursery?  it could inspire your baby to love traveling at an early age!

 all pictures via etsy

pretty spring date outfits

as the weather gets warmer, dating season also heats up. so here are some cute and affordable date outfit ideas.

disclosure: i am by no means a fashionista. these are just outfits i found and happened to think were pretty.

this nautical-inspired striped dress from zara is comfortable and cute with gold button detailing on the shoulders and at the waist. pair with bright colored flats and a tan bag for a daytime casual weekend date.

this hot pink double breasted blazer from zara is the perfect way to liven up staple items in your closet like jeans or white chinos.

for evening dates, i love dining al fresco. this feminine floral dress from modcloth paired with a cardigan and gladiator-style heels makes a perfect date night outfit.

this flirty, romantic (but casual) look will be great for the end of spring or early summer. all items are available at banana republic.

room lust - perfect living room

sweet home style is one of my favorite blogs - it posts reader-submitted pictures of their homes - both indoor and outdoor looks.  i love how simple it is and how it is a great source of inspiration.  this post is absolutely swoon-worthy.  everything about it is perfect, from the chandelier to table of picture frames (reminds me of the switch which you should definitely see!) to the anchor pillows (my favorite part).

because i loved it so much i thought i would share...happy monday!

picture via sweet home style