Making the Cut

Lately my hair has been driving me crazy. I know I shouldn't complain. After all, I have it pretty easy in that department. My hair is fine and straight. But over the last few weeks even my simple bob has seemed to require a lot of maintenance in the morning. Maybe I'm in a rut. Maybe I'm a bit sick of my blow dryer and straightening iron. Or maybe it's the idea of spring that's making me want to feel unburdened and refreshed. 

Whatever it is, my hair woes -- like nearly all my hair woes in the past -- have me thinking about one of my all-time favorite hairstyles. It's the tousled short 'do Meg Ryan wore back in her romantic comedy days. I love that it's feminine and looks good a little messy. 

I think I'm ready to try the cut. I'm ready to lose some inches of hair. I'm ready to take a chance. And, more than anything, I'm ready for easy primping in the morning! 

Bird (on the) Brain

"Guess what I've gotten really into," my sister said to me a few springs ago. "Birds," she answered before I could guess. I didn't undertand it at the time. I do now.

Birds are absolutely intriguing to watch. They show such personality as they go about their day. I've enjoyed watching them find our yard over the past few days.

Inspired, I did a search for birds on Etsy. Here are a few wonderful items that I found:

A map painting by Rachel Austin.

A necklace by Tryst.

A tote by Rainbow Swirlz.

A pair of earrings by Iris Jewelry Design.

A T-shirt by B. Hive Designs.

Rainy Days

The weather forecast is calling for rain. I don't mind at all. As long as it's not more snow, bring on the precipitation! A few showers will be a nice opportunity to wear my bright blue wellies. Or I could spring for a new pair. A few I'd like to try: 

Lands' End

Target

J. Crew

Old Navy

L.L.Bean 

Super Sofas

Since we've been married, my husband and I have had two sofas. One, which we still have, use and love, is a deep blue. The other was a white sectional, but unfortunately that one didn't last.

Here are eight great white sofas from Domino.

Blue, white and brown are a great color palette for clean-lined furniture.

I like how the yellow and pink play off one another, and how the white keeps both bold hues in check.

Somehow, white seems quite masculine in this space.

A white sofa shakes off its minimalism when it's placed amid rich prints, wood, a shaggy carpet and a roaring fire.

A cool, clean, easy space -- and I'm digging the striped ottoman.

Creamy white upholstery provides a balance to the bold wallpaper and mirror.

White is so right, not just for the couch but also for the shelving that gives the room character.

And here -- because I just can't resist -- are three wonderful blue sofas.

I like the juxtaposition of this tailored sofa and the more wild printed pillows, tree and zebra rug.

This casual, comfly and clean-lined room, with just enough texture and color, is perfect to me.

I like how low these sofas are -- they play up the height of the room.

Photos from dominomag.com.

Now Read This!

Today I saw this simple sign tacked to a bulletin board. 

What a great message! Doesn't it make you want to do something good for someone else? 

Irish Beauty

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I was lucky to visit Ireland a few years ago. Dublin was incredible to explore, but I was particularly taken with the beauty of the countryside. Our group piled into a VW van and drove along the western coast for days. Here are a few of the fresh, green, gorgeous sights we saw along the way. 

Photos by me.

Craving Cool Kitchens

The kitchen is such an important room in a home, yet it can be hard to get right. I always think if I could just get my kitchen perfect, then I'd definitely cook more.

While this might be wishful thinking, these Domino kitchens and dining rooms are places I'd surely spend some serious time.

I love this combination of white, light wood and natural light.

Maybe it's all the black and white, but I'd like to sit down with a newspaper and cup of coffee.

Deep purple seems unusual -- but so right -- for a formal-ish dining room.

I like the variety of shapes going on here.

Black, white, blond wood and a vibrant green work in a clean, graphic way.

Why not show off a wildly ornate wallpaper in the kitchen?

I'm digging the layer upon layer of pattern here. And since most of it is blue, it works.

Who needs more than minimalistic furniture when your table overlooks this gorgous yard?

This dining room reminds me of a cheery, simple bistro.

Photos from dominomag.com.

Great Idea!

Blue skies with puffy white clouds -- doesn't that just make you happy no matter what? That's the case for me, at least, so I'm loving this collection of cloud photos posted on the fantastic blog Design*Sponge.

I might have to start my own!

Photo from Design*Sponge.

Spring Forward

Today was gorgeous -- sunny skies, warm weather, everyone out and about -- the kind of day that hints at the loveliness to come with spring.

Also encouraging were many of the looks shown in the spring 2009 ready-to-wear collections. Ballet-slipper pinks, sheer sherberts, watercolor blues and greens and lots of whites and creams -- these hues seem so right at the moment, and the perfect complements to flowy skirts, off-the-shoulder tops and girly embellishments.

Here are a few of my faves found on style.com's slideshows.

Erin Fetherston

Nanette Lepore

Malandrino

Chloe

Jason Wu

Halston

Rebecca Taylor

Giorgio Armani

3.1 Phillip Lim

Derek Lam

Photos from style.com.

Dream-Worthy Bedrooms

Like so many people, I'm saddened that the March issue of Domino is the magazine's last. I loved discovering new ideas each month and appreciated the young, upbeat, give-it-a-shot approach.

The following are a few of my favorite Domino bedrooms.

Soft, muted neutrals provide such a soothing color palette.

A piece of art as a headboard is such a good idea.

This dark purple is great -- and the lime lamps really pop against it.

More pops of color, this time as clever foot-of-the-bed seating.

I'm a sucker for natural light, so I don't know if I'd ever leave this room.

I love how different patterns of red and white look so good near one another.

Blue, blue and more blue look amazing, especially accented with doses of yellow.

The cripness of this room is so appealing to me.

The moodiness of the dark walls is nicely offset by the bed's white linens.

A bed surrounded in curtains is both romantic and cozy.

Photos from dominomag.com.