friday's fancies #14.

After a week-long work trip in Pittsburgh {made much easier by Jillian, Carly, and Kristen...thanks again ladies!}, I'm anticipating a low-key date night with {cv} tonight. Though this outfit is on the glam side, it would bring the perfect purple power pop {say that three times fast!} to whatever activity we end up choosing. 

{all images are screenshots from the links listed below}

1) The second this top popped up on netaporter.com, I knew immediately it would be weaved into my Friday's Fancies. Vivienne Westwood rocked it with this Anglomania Hop 'n' Skirt belted crepe top. The color, the shape, the bow. Let's just say I'm in love...
2) J.Crew did it again. I loved my Minnie pants from last season, and this new cropped pant-- the café capri pant--needs to make its way into my wardrobe pronto. Though they look grey, they're actually black...and I think the weight of these pants plays perfectly to the spring weather I'm dreaming of too ;)
3) The texture on this Miu Miu Matelassé leather clutch jumped out at me from the get-go. It's small, it's manageable, and it would fit the basics...which would be all I need for a low-key date night.
4) I had a pair of J.Crew flats in 2009 which looked a lot like these Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Metallic Leather Ballet Flats and I completely wore them into the ground. These would definitely be an upgrade {hello, they're 'gamo!}, but they also carry through the bow from the purple Vivienne Westwood masterpiece. If I had some extra $$$ lying around, these would be on my feet.
5) I wanted a little bling--and I think I could get just that with this Kenneth Jay Lane Crystal Ring. I'd also feel like a rockstar wearing it. KJL had a matching Crystal Necklace, but I thought it might be a bit too much for a low-key date night. {cv} didn't need to be blinded by my {fictitious} bling!

How do you like my purple power pop?! 

I'm so happy to be back from a crazy week--and cannot wait to catch up on all I've missed! An enormous thank you {in advance!} to all of my lovely readers joining in for Friday's Fancies this week...I always look forward to seeing what you create. 

New to Friday's Fancies?! It's easy to link up...just create an outfit that you'd love to wear for your Friday night activities if money were no object! It's helped me spend much less in the last three months and still feel connected to fashion. {You don't need fancy graphics--just the desire to create an outfit you'd love to wear! I use Adobe Illustrator now, but I started using Picasa {via Google}...but most Friday's Fancies are created via Polyvore, a super easy and super addictive fashion site.}

Enjoy your Friday--you deserve it! Much love, {av}

the heart of the home.

 If Tuesday and Wednesday's posts weren't enough, you're in for yet another treat today--this time from Kristen at A Kapple A Day. Kristen isn't just a fellow Rhody, she's a real life friend! We met through blogging and she has certainly enriched my life in ways I never dreamed possible. Get ready to take a journey into her dream kitchen...which looks a great deal like my dream kitchen too ;) Have a great Thursday! 
Can't wait for Friday's Fancies tomorrow! xoxo {av}
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Hello there {long distance loving} readers! I'm so happy to be here guest posting today for Miss {AV} while she is away in my old stomping grounds of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When I asked my friend here what she would like me to talk about, she gave me free reign but did mention the words "home guru." While I'm not sure how much truth there is to this title, I am certainly excited about my new home and in the last few months have become slightly obsessed with all things home decor related.

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter what, it always seems to be the place that people congregate. Our current kitchen is pretty small. Good enough for just the two of us for now, but I've always had dreams of a large, open kitchen with a center island. I'd like a space where I can cook away for hours and friends and family can gather around. Eat, drink, and be merry. So without further ado, I give you some eye candy in the form of my dream kitchen. I hope someday to have that large open space with wooden floors, white cabinets {some with glass doors}, an island, and some shelves for my cookbook collection!

{I love how this kitchen has a little attached breakfast nook. I think that's another requirement for mine as well, or an island bar with some seating!}

{via}

{I will take that hutch with the glass doors, those pendant lights, and the wrap-around shelf right below the ceiling, perfect for displaying some treasures!}

{via}

{I kinda love everything about this kitchen. 

The hutch, the pendants, the floor the pops of blue!}

{via}

{Did I mention I have a thing for glass door cabinetry? 

And those dark wood floors are just beautiful.}

{via}

{Love the French-awning style hood, the subway tile, and the island sink!}

{via}

{With the exception of the range hood here, this one is my fave. Perfection.}

{via}

What does your dream kitchen look like?

the georgetown bubble.

Whether you've been in the blogging world for a week or a few years, you are sure to know about College Prep. Carly, the brains behind this blockbuster blog, is a fellow Hoya {aka Georgetown student}...though I can't claim to still be in college. I  now live vicariously through  Carly and her college days. I love all her perfectly preptastic posts! I'm so grateful she took time out of her crazy schedule to write this guest post :)

Here are a few pictures from the place I once called home...and the place she gets to enjoy on an everyday basis. Aren't you jealous?! ;) You're sure to enjoy her post! 

Happy Wednesday, everyone! xoxo {av}

Without further ado, here's Carly...

Georgetown. Nestled on a hilltop just outside of the hustle and bustle of the District of Columbia.  A place very much a city, and at the same time, very much a home. It must have something to do with the nostalgic brick roads, the quaint storefronts, and the immaculate townhouses all lined up in a row.

Alison and I both share the love for Georgetown as she graduated from the university and I attend now. There's a running joke on campus about what is referred to as "the Georgetown bubble."  Basically, once on the Hilltop, students don't leave. We dine, shop, study, and live within the borders of the town. Travel into DC? No way!!!

The other day, I had a meeting at GWU. I couldn't fathom leaving Georgetown. What I found, however, was that the great distance between Georgetown and GW really is not as far as I had thought. The walk was short, and rather enjoyable.

But again, why leave Georgetown? Great restaurants and plenty of shopping is right at my fingertips.  Within a 15 minute walking distance, I have my choice of food and clothes, and really no need to leave. The bubble? It exists and it is quite comfortable and cozy.

If you're ever in DC, you should map out a day to spend in Georgetown.

Here's a sample itinerary:

Start the morning with breakfast at the Peacock Cafe. I recommend the french toast!!!

Then, swing by Georgetown University's campus. I love visiting colleges in cities that I visit!  Walk around a bit (ignore the hideous library though). If you're feeling adventurous, find the business school- it's new and awesome.

Spend the remainder of the morning walking up and down the streets right off Georgetown's campus.  The houses are so cute. N Street has the best ones, in my opinion.

For lunch, check out The Tombs. You will thank me later. I will admit, I am quite partial to it because of the rowing theme, being a coxswain and all. Get anything off the menu and you can't go wrong... but the Southwest Chicken Salad is my personal fave!!!

After you're nice and full, you could spend hours shopping on M Street. (But don't forget about Wisconsin, too!) Be prepared to find a lot of things that you won't just want... you need.

Dinner could be spent a number of restaurants.  Really, there are options looming everywhere. This is why I a) worry about weight gain and b) worry about my bank account. Too much good food! One of my favorite places is definitely J. Pauls.

xoxo, Carly

P.S. Don't wait in line for Georgetown cupcakes!!! Go to Baked & Wired instead! (If you absolutely need a picture with the pink box of cupcakes, order them ahead of time and have them shipped to your hotel!)

everything india.

Happy Tuesday, all! You have a special treat awaiting you today from my dear friend, Jillian--the mastermind behind cornflake dreams. Through the last three months, she has come to be one of my best blogging friends, but I know she's so much more than that ;) 

I could keep going on an on about this lovely lady, but I'll let her post do the talking...enjoy! Thanks again to jcd for this inspiring {and creative!} post!  

Have a fantastic day! xoxo {av}

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hello there! it's jillian from cornflake dreams. i am thrilled to be guest posting for {av} while she is traveling. i love hearing {av}'s stories about her long distance relationship (which proved quite successful!) and her travels abroad (we both were lucky enough to study abroad in France!)

lately i have been loving from afar in a slightly different way...i am madly in love with everything India. i adore the bright colors, bold patterns and intricate architecture. and every time i see an elephant, my heart swells a little bit. 

my obsession with India is not a huge surprise if you have seen my apartment... my boyfriend and i like to decorate with vintage pieces and things from all around the world. we have a Persian rug from his family in Iran, Moroccan-inspired print pillows, and i've started collecting India inspired pieces. we have a hand printed table cloth, a set of photography prints (#3 below), a ceramic elephant planter and elephant bookends, as well as a hand-sewn Indian quilt (#7 below) that i won from one of my favorite blogs--cup of jo! 

all of the pieces are v special to me and add a little personality to our somewhat minimalistic apartment. here are a few other inspired by India picks that i adore:: 

[1] india map print $20-$50, [2] johnmurphy elephant print $35, [3] india prints by jane heller $30/each, [4] jaipur city print $25-$65, [5] voluspa japonica candle tin $18, [6] classic crimson cushion cover $19.99, [7] amethyst bohemian handmade quilt $169.99

please stop by for more fashion, travel and design inspiration on my blog cornflake dreams, and thank you again to the lovely {av}!

xoxo, jillian