friday's fancies #144.

Happy Friday! There are few things better than heading to work on a Friday when you know a long weekend is on the horizon. This week for Friday's Fancies, we're all about our Labor Day ensembles. {cv} and I don't have any crazy plans for this holiday weekend, but I'm not complaining. If my budget were unlimited, I'd pull together a pretty get-up like this one...

Madewell Deckhouse Sweater in Transatlantic Blue {31% off!}
Ray-Ban Youngster Square Key Hole 54mm Sunglasses
Guerlain Maxi-Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Gloss in No. 421 Red Pow
Clare Vivier Studded Flat Clutch {30% off!}
Newton Vineyard Chardonnay {one of our all-time favorite vineyards}
Moon & Lola Metal Block Monogram Necklace (Large)
Fossil Tortoise Bangle   |   Jack Rogers Glenn Plaid Sandals in Navy
J.Crew Midrise Toothpick Jean in Ecru {22% off!}

If you blogged about fashion this week, your post is welcome for #FridaysFancies! Nearly three years running, Friday's Fancies includes the nicest {and most fashionable} bloggers around. We'd love to have you join in the fun. Click here to join the Friday's Fancies mailing list! 

Many thanks to those of you linking up today--I'm so lucky to have you :)
Have a very happy long weekend! xoxo {av}

An InLinkz Link-up

leopard love.

Happy Thursday! Here's a confession for you: I didn't invest in leopard last year. Why? Simply put, I didn't think it had staying power. I was wrong! Over the last year, I've fallen in love with looks with just a little touch of leopard. I especially love how chic an outfit becomes with a pair of leopard flats. With that in mind, I found 15 different pairs to fit all budgets. My research is your gain ;) take a peek!

1) Anne Klein Xandra in Leopard Haircalf $79

2) Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Bacara $198 {on sale for $132.66}

3) MICHAEL Michael Kors Bay View Flat in Natural $135

4) Aldo Setha in Brown Print $80

5) Schutz Igy in Leopard Print with Studs $165 {on sale for $89.99!}

6) Clarks Valley Lounge in Tan Leopard $100

7) Sperry Top-sider Bliss in Leopard Pony $90 {on sale for $60.99}

8) Steve Madden Vamp in Leopard Multi $75

9) Alice + Olivia Hilary d'Orsay $280

10) Sam Edelman Felicia in New New Leopard $110

11) BP. Moveover Pointy Flat $49.95

12) Sam Edelman Alvin in New Nude Leopard $150

13) Circus by Sam Edelman Ava in Leopard $69 {on sale for $62.99}

14) Kate Spade Catcher Flat $150

15) Lucky Brand Emmie in Luxe Leopard Calfhair $59

Have you added any touches of leopard to your fall wardrobe? If so, what did you choose?

See you all tomorrow for a fun round of Labor Day Friday's Fancies! xoxo {av}

14 funfetti recipes.

I'll admit: I've got a bit of a sweet tooth. {Pinterest proves it.} With our eighth dating anniversary coming later this week, I went on the hunt for a yummy way to celebrate. Though I'm not sure how, I always end up baking on August 31st. {cv} and I have a mutual love of funfetti goodness, so these fourteen recipes caught my eye. I shouldn't make all of them at once, but writing this post might persuade me otherwise. Take a peek at a few of the favorites from my hunt!

1) Funfetti Milkshakes | A Beautiful Mess

2) Double Funfetti Shortbread Cookies | The Cake Merchant

3) Funfetti Cake from Scratch | The Kitchn

4) Cake Batter Truffles | The Girl Who Ate Everything

5) Funfetti Oreo Stacks | Jen's Favorite Cookies

6) Funfetti Lemon Macarons with Blackberry Mascarpone Filling | Bakers Royale

7) Baked Funfetti Donuts | i heart eating

8) Oreo Stuffed Funfetti Cookies | Bakers Royale

9) Funfetti Waffles | Krissy's Creations

10) Birthday Cake Pancakes | Seeded at the Table

11) Funfetti Cake Batter Fudge | The Pursuit of Hippiness

12) Easy Homemade Funfetti Cake | Sally's Baking Addiction

13) Skinny Funfetti Dip | Sweet Treats and More

14) Soft Sprinkle Sugar Cookies | The Novice Chef

What one treat can you agree upon with your partner-in-crime? Do you have any fun traditions for your anniversary? My apologies if I made you hungry for sweets ;) Enjoy your day! xoxo {av}

life lately.

After two crazy months in June and July, {cv} and I were excited to have a few weeks to lay low in Providence. If you don't count the John Mayer or Kenny Chesney concerts, August was a relatively quiet month. We enjoyed fun date nights out and quiet nights in. We made some serious progress on decorating, though we certainly have more to do. I made a few purchases for fall {like these booties on super sale and this cozy nightgown with a tiny monogram}. All in all, it was just the month we needed before life resumes its hectic pace...

One thing I love about Instagram is that you can take virtual vacations through the people you follow. I know it sounds a little crazy, but go with me here. @wishfulnals took a phenomenal European adventure in August and I felt like I got to tag along. One of my Georgetown pals @vatmanhere just moved across the pond to France, so I'm already loving the daily dose of Paris through her iPhone lens. If safaris are more your thing, @sarahwlederman and @couldihavethat shared gorgeous photos from Africa this month. During our slow travel months, instagram makes my life so much more exciting!

Who are you loving on instagram these days?  xoxo {av}
P.S. To those of you who follow along with me on instagram, thank you!