Happy Friday, friends! I'm so glad the weekend is finally upon us. Maybe we'll all get a chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
My social media presentation at the University of Arkansas yesterday could not have gone better. It was so much fun to spend the morning talking about blogging, Facebook and Twitter with the students and getting to play "teacher" for the day, haha. I felt nervous at first, but as soon as I started speaking, the nerves went away and it was smooth sailing. I hope to have more opportunities like this in the future! Big thanks to Mr. Lawless and the Walton College of Business for being great hosts!
Today, I'm participating in "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner and the topic is collections. Kelly has asked participants to talk about things they collect, which I think is such a fun topic. (Note: Kelly has decided to postpone this edition until next week, but I'm going to go ahead and keep this up, since she'll be talking about it soon anyway!)
I'm not a hardcore collector of any one thing really, mostly because my space is very limited in my apartment and I don't want to end up on that show Hoarders, haha. But there are a few things of which I own a WHOLE LOT:
Scarves
Anyone who reads this blog knows about my love of scarves. They are fashion's most perfect accessory and have the ability to change the entire look of an outfit. Plus, they are usually pretty inexpensive, which is always appreciated by a fashionista on a budget! I probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30+ scarves and my collection is ever-growing.
Cocktail Jewelry
I'm a sucker for a big, baubbly cocktail ring or chunky bracelet. I have a great-aunt who has the most amazing collection of costume/cocktail jewelry and I think I've inherited her love for it. Costume jewelry is also usually pretty cheap and can be found at most vintage stores, if you love to shop second-hand, like moi.
Throw pillows
My couch and bed are overrun with toss pillows. In fact, I'd say I'm on the verge of having too many. Throw pillows are definitely a quick way to update a room or the look of a piece of furniture though, so this is usually the first item I buy when I'm trying to freshen up a space. My stores of choice for fabulous throw pillows: Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, Kirkland's and Hobby Lobby.
Fun sunglasses
This is probably one of the most random things I collect, but I love fun sunglasses. In the summer, I can't wait to bust out my Elton John-inspired shades to wear to the pool. I also like the fact that the huge 60's style sunglasses are in style again, as well. Channel your inner Bridget Bardot and sport some huge specs this spring!
Shoes
Call me Carrie Bradshaw. I've never met a pair of stillettos or sleek pair of ballet flats I didn't love. I think a good pair of shoes is one of the wiser wardrobe investments, so I try to always purchase classic styles and colors that will be wearable for many seasons. If I'm buying a super-trendy shoe, I look for sales or less-expensive brands. Zappos and Baker's are two of my favorite stores for of-the-moment shoes that don't break the bank. I don't own crazy amounts of shoes, but I am pretty proud of my tight little collection!
So what do you collect? I'd love to hear about the things that you can't seem to get enough of!
Have a fantastic weekend and hopefully I'll get a chance to visit some of your lovely blogs over the next two days! Blowing air kisses your way--
Photo credits: {this is glamorous}, {a glamorous little side project}, Coco + Kelley
1. Derek Lam bag
During her diplomatic tenure, Madeleine Albright found that brooches not only added a feminine touch to her male-dominated world of politico, but could also send strong messages. So much so, that her brooches--or pins as she prefers to call them--became a communication device, a visual element that offered some insight into her mood or reflection on the day's events.
