The Bigger the Bow, the Bigger the Heart

So I guess today I was inspired by Minnie Mouse. Just kidding...but after looking at these photos I thought I kind of resembled her. You'd be surprise how many random people over the years have come up to me and have told me I remind them of Minnie. Silly as it sounds, this I am not kidding about.

Perhaps it's my avid love for oversized hair bows. Blame it on my mother (though I consider this a good thing). As a child, my mom made gorgeous ornate hair bows for a nearby children's boutique. They had lovely things on them: buttons, tulle, lace, grosgrain ribbon. I wish I still hung on to a few of them, as I would likely wear them today. She was way ahead of her time with those beauties. I don't think my little sis and I ever left the house without one in our hair. Thus continues my love for bows to this very day. And we all lived happily ever after.

The End.

Outfit Details:

Jacket (on sale) & Tights: Urban Outfitters

Heart Print Dress: Dahlia (discounted)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Bow: random red head scarf

As a HUGE thank you to all my Darling Followers, I will be doing a giveaway in a couple weeks for reaching 100. Stay tuned. Have a lovely day!

Love,

Airplanes, Owls, and Breezy Afternoons

Thanksgiving was lovely indeed, as I spent quite a relaxing weekend in Philadelphia with my inlaws. Thanksgiving dinner was divine - Apricot glazed turkey and cranberry citrus relish with candied walnuts were amongst my faves at the dinner table. There truly is so much to be thankful for: family, faith, and food being at the top of my list.

Besides this, some of the best highlights of my break were:

1. Getting loads and loads of play time in with my son

2. Seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

3. Cooking thanksgiving dinner with my awesome mother in law

4. Watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and more Pushing Daisies

5. Dessert and sleep: Lots of it

As for today: It was chilly and extremely windy. I loathe wind. Have I mentioned that before?

Al and I went to one of our favorite spots near the airport (we used go here when we were first dating - way back in the day). It reminded me of lazy summers when we laid out on top his car and watched planes fly overhead. Life was much slower back then. As the wind blew relentlessly, my eyes teared, my dress flew, and we were chilled to the bone - but it was still a fun time - it was still our place:)

Outfit Details:

Dress & Tights: Target

Headband: Topshop

Shoes & Ring: Modcloth

Owl Necklace: Macy's

Pumpkin Bread & Four Post Beds

So this weekend was pretty much so wonderful as la famiglia and I had the opportunity to stay overnight at a quite darling Bed & Breakfast near Lancaster, PA courtesy of a local church pastor who is friends with my husband. It was everything I could have imagined a B & B to be and even more. Our room had a fire place, huge four post bed, and a crystal chandelier. Does it get any better? I woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and pumpkin bread. Needless to say, it was hard to leave this place the next day.

Outfit Details:

Blazer: Forever 21

Dress & Tights: Target

Headband: Miss Selfridge

Cameo Necklace: Etsy

Shoes: Topshop

Werewolves and Yellow Leaves

Hello, hello,

Aren't you delighted that the weekend has finally arrived? I know that I for sure am, merely for the sheer fact that I can actually get some rest. Can I tell you, this week has been beyond insane, to the point of intolerable. Work was so busy that I felt I couldn't even get my head above the body of paperwork and other demands that surrounded me. Argh! Sleep was at an all time low which meant everything in harm's way just seemed to irritate me. Freakishly enough, it almost felt as if some monster in me was emerging to the surface which felt eerily similar to Professor Lupin's werewolf transformation in Harry Potter...haha, well maybe not that dramatic, but do you ever feel like this?

Anyways, I am incredibly thankful that the weekend is here, the yellow leaves still lace the trees, and that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, accompanied with a nice, long, break! (I can hear the Hallelujah Chorus now.) Anything in particular that you are incredibly thankful for this weekend? Do tell:)

Have a beautiful Saturday!

Love, Marisa

Outfit Details:

Dress: 80's Purple

Shoes, Necklace: Modcloth

Scarf: Vintage

Tights: Target

Ring: Miss Selfridge

Behind the Lens on an Autumn Day

Good morning lovelies!

Nope, the lovely lady in these photos is not me...it's my little sister. On this day, I decided to take a break from posing for the camera and jump behind the lens instead. Now, I am by no means a photographer of any sort, this was just pure sisterly fun and a moment to give my hubby a rest:)

"There were never such devoted sisters..."

Outfit Details:

Dress & Shoes: Target

Cardigan: Steinmart

Headband: Forever 21

This is going to be another busy week ahead for me. I do hope to catch up on all your beautiful blogs when I get a spare moment. Until then, have a gorgeous day and splendiful week to come!

xx Marisa

The Sun Also Rises

It's so strange now that we have turned our clocks back, it gets dark at 5:00. It seems just too early for the lovely sun to set. After work yesterday, my hubby and I spent some time at the park we used to live near. It's nice to go back to old familiar places. However, in a matter of minutes the sun began to set and the rays of light hid from us, never to be seen again...until tomorrow. Until then, have a happy Friday and a beautiful weekend to follow!

xx Marisa

Outfit Details:

Dress: BB Dakota

Peacock Clip: Modcloth

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Dolce Vita

Birthday Wishes and Little Black Dresses

Thanks to all for your lovely Birthday wishes.

It was a beautiful weekend indeed celebrating with Al, Keane, my parents, and sister. I couldn't have asked for more. I feel so overwhelmingly blessed to have celebrated with those I love so dearly. Thanks Mom and Dad and Al for making it everything I hoped for and more.

Outfit Details:

Dress & Socks: Miss Selfridge

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Friday, Sparrows, and Birthday Dinners

TGIF!! I am so thrilled for the weekend to finally be here. This is gonna be a quick post because tonight I am off to start celebrating my birthday with my husband. My bday is actually Sunday - but I guess this is going to be more of a weekend celebration for me. I don't know much about the place we are going tonight (Al loves surprising me - which is hard to do), but I can't wait to get there. Until next time, I leave you with these photos from earlier today. I've had this dress for quite some time but it's one of my favs. I'll probably keep it for always:)

Have a beautiful evening!

Love, Marisa

Outfit Details:

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Blazer, Headband, Necklace: Modcloth

Bracelet: Lucky Brand

Ring: Miss Selfridge

Shoes: Seychelles