warby parker.

i've been looking for new prescription glasses frames for ages, but i've had a hard time finding a pair that is stylish and affordable.

enter warby parker... they offer classic, vintage-inspired frames with a modern twist at $95 a pop (including rx lenses). because they mostly sell online, they also have an awesome and totally free home try-on program. they send you your top five frames so you can try them out and get your friends' opinions... after five days you send them back and place an order for your fave.

the best part of all? for every pair they sell, warby parker makes sure a person in need gets their own pair of prescription glasses. that's what i call a win-win!

pugiversary.

one year ago today, my husband and i took home an absolutely adorable seven-week old pug puppy. now he's all grown up and brings us joy and laughter every single day.

happy pugiversary, elmer!

design crush: logos in black + white.

{a bit of crumpet by super_furry}

{old faithful shop by PTARMAK}

{sfgirlbybay logo by shanna murray}

{cast iron design company, via designspiration}

{cal's classic american tavern by taylor pemberton}

{allude by bibliothèque design}

april awakening.

etsy's taste test can be hit or miss, but they hit the nail on the head when they recommended i check out april awakening.

i am enamored with april's irreverent combinations of vintage and modern... from neon-painted lace doilies to geometric stamped victorian portraits, every single item in her shop is a winner. add it all to my wishlist!

paris patina.

paris is a beautiful place... no one can dispute that.

but one of my favorite things about the city is the layers of beauty that lie beyond the postcard-perfect churches, gardens, and monuments. i am captivated by the way the years have perfectly aged every surface. i (and my camera) adore all the faded, worn colors and textures of the city.

here are some shots of the grittier beauty of paris from my most recent trip...

love these images? check my etsy shop for prints.

cute spring jewelry on the cheap.

looking to update your look with on-trend jewelry for spring... but don't have a huge budget? look no further than forever 21, my go-to spot for inexpensive, super cute accessories.

i'm really digging their spring jewelry collection this year, and - ready for this? - none of these pieces are over $10. score!

clockwise from top left:

colorful pyramid bracelets, $5.80 each

geometric gem studs, $4.80

fringe statement necklace, $8.80

floral knuckle ring, $4.80

neon pink tribal choker, $5.80

painted bangles, $6.80

floral stud earring set, $4.80

geo crescent necklace, $5.80

lacquer triangle cuff, $7.80

our first date.

{our first date treasury on etsy}

my husband and i recently celebrated the eight year anniversary of our first date... it was such a sweet, perfect night that i'll remember forever. i can't believe it's been that long!

i was an undergrad and he was a grad student at the university of maryland. he brought flowers of course, and took me out to this cute little italian place in town (which sadly closed a few years ago!). he still jokes about what a cheap date i was... all i ordered was an $8 plate of ravioli!

after dinner we went back to my cozy studio apartment and watched amelie... which is still one of our favorite movies. it was a wonderful first date that led us to where we are today!

here is what we looked like back then... so young and in love :)

do you remember your first date with your significant other? tell me about it in the comments!

this is what i did last week.

what an incredible, challenging, surreal, transformative experience. mèsi, ayiti! i will be back.

habitat for haiti.

{"home sweet home" photo by jeremy cowart}

tomorrow i leave for haiti to help rebuild houses for 100 families who lost everything during the 2010 earthquake.

it's going to be lots of hard work and i know i'll miss my family and my puppy terribly... but it will all be worth it if i can help get just one family into a new, safe home!

see you in a week.

coco rocha x senhoa

i am blown away by coco rocha's new jewelry collection for senhoa. all the pieces are absolutely gorgeous... totally glamorous with just the right amount of punky edge.

if the pieces themselves aren't enough to make you fall in love, check this out... senhoa uses 100% of its profits to help victims of human trafficking by creating income-generating opportunities, social reintegration, and self-empowerment programs for women and children. read senhoa's mission statement here.

treat yourself to a beautiful new piece of jewelry and support a worthy cause... truly a win-win.