{Make} Mini Paper Planes.

Creating clever little favors for parties and get-togethers is one of my favorite indulgences.  This is how, when inspiration strikes, Galentine's Day Champagne Cans for a February brunch come about, or Mini Champagne Bottles (I see a theme here!) for the 2011 Oscars (see last picture) with each guest's Facebook profile page serving as the label (it was Social Network's Oscar year!).  My wallet got lucky for this year's Oscars watch when I realized my love of the now Oscar-winning animated short Paperman could make for a cute little gift at no cost to yours truly.

Supplies

Paper cutter/scissors

Lipstick

Small pieces of tape 

Scraps of paper*

*Since our leading man in the film used work papers to make his paper planes, I grabbed a few sheets out of my work recycling bin for the project.  

I cut my scraps of paper into 3 x 3.5" rectangles for maximum cuteness.  

And now for the smooch!

A bowl of paper plane kisses.  Beyond my Oscars celebration, I like the idea of hiding these in places for your significant other (or anyone who could use a kiss!): inside a desk drawer, a shoe, a book, an empty coffee mug, on a computer keyboard, or even send a kiss by paper plane through the mail.  The cuteness is hard to resist!  

And if you still haven't seen Paperman and are interested, the 6.5 minute film is still available online here.

xo. di.

*images property of Diane Crary

{The Oscars} Diane's Picks.

A quick little rundown from me on this year's Oscar bests:

 {clockwise from top left}

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Jennifer Garner in Gucci

Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture

Naomi Watts in Armani Privé

Look at Charlize up there.  She's like a beautiful sculpture.  That color looks smashing on Jennifer.  The ruffles could have been toned down in the back there, but I just really responded to this.  JLaw.  I think I want to be her.  I wasn't sold on this look on the Red Carpet, but on stage and in photographs it is just so OSCAR WINNER and it hugs in all the right places.  Plus her hair + make-up are knock-outs.  And finally, I know I said last week that I'd go black & white if I ever had occasion to attend the Oscars myself, but then I saw Naomi.  Ohhh my the head-to-toe sequins in a new and interesting way.  Yes yes yes.

But my favorite of the night goes to Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé.  Her hair and make-up were so ridiculously perfect, that might have won it right there.  Then look at that gown up close!  

As for the worst, well I think we all know what Former Oscar Host and Current Best Supporting Actress Winner screwed the pooch on her Oscars ensemble...

Who were your best and worst this year? 

xo. di.

*image 1,2,3,4,5-7

{mlm} feb. 25, 2013.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

I'm pretty over winter right now, so I'm grateful that this is the last week of February!  

pictures worth a thousand words:

 {i'm going through a real hyacinth-phase.  they just smell so good!}

 {my Oscar night bar}

{making it interesting}

{a final shot of the beauty of northern Michigan last weekend}

this week's blog love:

• A mini history on the Chanel No. 5 bottle was a delightful read on design*sponge. 
• Doesn't PaperFashion's Illustrating Runway Fashion online class sound like fun?  Even with my lack of artistic ability, I'm thinking about signing up, just for the new experience.
• Learn to make your own cupcake liner flowers (how great are they in GOLD?!) on The Sweetest Occasion.
• If you are at all interesting in learning calligraphy, head over to Besotted Brand for all her exceptional tips, including this post on her detailed experiences with different nibs.
• Jess Lively knows how to tame your inbox.
• Did you see The Everygirl's One-Year Anniversary Feature on the co-creators, Alaina and Danielle?  It was a beautiful read.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.    

*images belong to Diane Crary

winter beauty: dancing shoes.

We went to see the Joffrey Ballet's winter performance last night (now thru Sunday!), which has reignited my mini-obsession for all things dance.  I haven't taken a class in about 2 years now, and that needs to be fixed.  After training for the half marathon for 3+ months, I have felt super unmotivated about working out.  I've run once in the last month, and find any razor-thin excuse to get out of strength training (my most hated activity).  To counter that, I recently signed up for a package of pilates sessions (surprisingly fun!), and dance classes are now back on my radar.  What do you do to combat exercise fatigue and disinterest?  

And as I mentioned yesterday, I'll be having some friends over on Sunday for the Oscars.  If you'll be hosting or attending a viewing party, here's a few pieces of inspiration:

- Oscar Bingo and Ballot via How About Orange
- Oscar Ballot via DIY Studio
- Oscar Viewing Party Inspiration via The Glitter Guide

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo. di.

*image via Clever Nettle

{Recipe} The Oscar.

An easy to sip and serve cocktail for an Academy Awards Viewing Party:

The Oscar

Prosecco

A Splash or 2 of St. Germain

Confetti Swizzle Sticks

We're having a few friends over on Sunday to watch the red carpet and the show with us (it's always more fun to snark and make "ohhhs and ahhhs" in a crowd!), and will naturally have these on hand.

xo. di.

*images property of Diane Crary

{The Oscars} Black & White.

If I were to the attend the Oscars...

...I would wear something like Emmy Rossum's black & white stunner by Andrew Gn.  What a gorgeous silhouette.  And oh that back.  And the perfectly-coiffed hair.  The Bride of Frankenstein-esque makeup, on the other hand, eh.  Just a small quibble.  

What would you wear to the Academy Awards?  And if you had your pick, for what would you be nominated?  

xo. di.

*images via Tom & Lorenzo

{mlm} feb. 18, 2013.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

Weekends at our cottage in Northern Michigan.  With family.  With friends.  Winter or summer, it's my happy place.

pictures worth a thousand words:

{cannot. resist. ranunculus.}

{C's Valentine card to me - it's perfect}

{and my Valentine flowers :)}

{Burt Lake's annual polar plunge benefiting Special Olympics}

 {C taking the plunge!}

 {winter can be so beautiful}

 {after the festivities of the day, a quiet Saturday night with my parents watching Skyfall}

{snowshoe hike on the frozen lake before heading back to Chicago}

this week's blog love:

• This artwork inspired by The Lumineers is perfect - does anyone know the original source?
• Saving this one for later: The Everygirl's Bridal Registry Guide.
• A pink, gold & glitter party from 100 Layer Cake.  Need I say more?!
• I want to hole up in this Norwegian cabin for a weekend or forever - via dustjacket.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.    

*images belong to Diane Crary

winter beauty: another year.

So.  Today is my 29th birthday.  Mixed emotions about that age.  One year til 30.  All that good stuff.  But I am heading to northern Michigan this evening with C and get to spend the weekend with my family, so I'm pretty darn happy today.  

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo. di.

*image via

{Love} Paperman.

Have you taken the 6 minutes and 35 seconds and watched Disney's Oscar-nominated animated short Paperman yet?  If not, just scroll down to the end of this post and hit play (or view on YouTube here).  It's the perfect little video to watch on this day of lovvvve.  Seriously.  Watch it.  It's adorable.  Read more about the making of this lovely little short here.    

Happy Valentine's Day!

xo. di.

*image 1,2,3-5,6,7; video screenshots © DISNEY

{holiday} Galentine's Day.

At my girlfriends' brunch this past Sunday, I wanted to bring a little something for each of the ladies, seeing as it's Valentine week and all - and of equal import, Galentine's Day!  I settled on little cans of Sofia sparkling wine cause PINK cans of champagne, duh! 

Just a little something festive.

Have any Valentine plans, romantic or otherwise, cooking this week?

xo. di.

*images property of Diane Crary
*I received no compensation in exchange for this post.  I discovered Sofia myself.

{mlm} feb. 11, 2013.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

what a nice weekend!  fun, relaxing, saw 2 Oscar movies (Django and Les Mis) and caught up with my girlfriends :)

pictures worth a thousand words:

{i cannot resist purchasing ranunculus whenever i come across them}

{mimosa brunch with some lovely ladies at LM Bistro}

{French brunch followed by Les Mis (and tears!)}

{our "dinosaurs + plants" collection is growing}

this week's blog love:

As you might imagine, there's a bit of a love/Valentine's theme:

• I don't care if I'm not, I want an invite to Design Love Fest's Single Ladies' Valentine's Day Brunch!
• Yup, I'd also love to attend The Everygirl's Valentine's Day Soiree.
• Such great simple, classic DIY Valentine ideas from Design*Sponge.
• Liz of Sequins & Stripes put together 2 seriously adorable ensembles for Heart Day. 
• Finally, this is actually from a couple of weeks ago, but I just discovered Jessica Hische's wedding on 100 Layer Cake and it needed to be shared! 

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.    

*images belong to Diane Crary

winter beauty: snowed in.

The photos of February's New York Fashion Week are starting to trickle in, which means that I am once again jealous I'm not there.  I shall just have to root through the beautiful images from my laptop, as the snow falls off and on outside here in Chicagp.  I will also finally be seeing Les Mis this week (still can't believe it's taken this long!) after a brunch with some very lovely ladies in my life.  

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo. di.

*image via

Defying Gravity.

From the article:

"As part of a summer-long ritual, students in the Washington School of Ballet's summer intensive program cool off at the pool at McLean Gardens at the end of their eight-hour day in the Ballet's stifling second and third floor studios.  These are photos of temporary, passionate, burden-shedding."

Speaking of dance (kinda), tonight is the Joffrey Ballet Auxiliary Board's annual Pointe of Departure Art Exhibition, which I have helped to plan for the 3rd year running.  If you're in Chicago and looking for something to do tonight, think about supporting the beautiful Joffrey Ballet from 6-9 p.m. at Block 37!  Tickets are available at the door; more information here.

xo. di.

p.s. lots of love to my dearest friend E, who sent me the link to these gorgeous swimming dancers months ago and happens to be boarding a plane today for Germany, where she is moving for the foreseeable future to be with her fiancé.  America (ok, me) misses her already, but I'm so excited for this next chapter of her life.  Bon Voyage, E!  

*images 1-8 via Washington Post