Whenever I can insert the word ‘armadillo’ into a post I am much obliged to do so. When the kind folks at Kate Spade sent me an email that they would be offering a kissing armadillo belt, well I was just as inclined to write about it.  They do have a sweet elephant one as well, but the armadillo is so wrong it’s right and the duo make it a very balanced design.  I am all for hits of metallic in my wardrobe, although the ‘dillo’s aren’t classic enough for my repertoire, I can certainly appreciate the woman that will don this accessory with gusto.  A happy Monday to you!

I am a die-hard watercolor fan.  I love how a good watercolorist can create an image that looks so effortless. There’s just something about the sheer colors and the free form that make me wish I had a dash more painterly skill. Caitlin McGauley is high on my list of faves, her subjects are relevant to today’s fashion and interior obsessed (watercolor friendship bracelets anyone?).  She just launched a gorgeous new site where you can take a peek at her work + projects and become envious over the fact that not only is she talented but she’s real pretty to boot.

The title of the post was taken from the description of this photo (which made the Tumblr rounds like a gas station on fire). I would say this is the cutest thing I ever did see, or question whether it’s even a real animal as I have been bamboozled before but alas my G.G. was even cuter than this lovely when I got her Valentine’s morn a decade earlier.  This little guy/girl definitely ranks in the top ten of cute baby animals though-hands down.

I hope your Monday is sprinkled with fairy dust as all Monday’s should be, no?  Speaking of fairy dust, I was interviewed by Plum Pretty Sugar for their Dream Job series, I am deeply flattered to be in such great company and do hope you stop by here.

I know, I’m a little late on the J.Crew orange lipstick boat.  I wasn’t convinced I could pull it off, then I got the J.Crew June 2011 catalog in the mail (a.k.a. torture for individuals that don’t have a steady income) and I was convinced that I couldn’t not try it. I am a nude lip girl through and through but this color is the equivalent of happiness for your lips.  How can you not envy a girl wearing tangerine lipstick? So sweet + chic.  There was plenty of nude lip presence in the catalog, but I haven’t found out what the color is, yet–don’t worry I will.  So the rumors going around was that this orange lipstick nirvana was either Nars Heat Wave or Mac’s Lady Danger.  After Jules found the perfect lipgloss in the coveted shade it sold out immediately coast-to-coast as there was not a tube in sight. Fine.  I made the terrible trek to the,*cringe* mall.  I don’t like malls but I am nothing if not persistent (even for a chronic procrastinator). I went to Sephora tried Heat Wave and looked like Baby Jane if Baby Jane was crazy enough to wear a neon orange lipstick. I wondered if this was my guilty conscience steering me away from the $24 lipsticks?  I know myself too well, I may want the J.Crew lip look but will I really wear it enough to justify the purchase?  I don’t think so.  I found some excellent alternatives from Sephora’s brand, they have a matte-ish lipstick called ‘It Girl’ (they must have heard the cries of delight from the interwebs over this color) they describe it as ‘muted coral tangerine’ (it’s number 6 on the page). Sephora has an equally wonderful gloss called ‘Shimmery Orange Juice’ (for those that don’t want an opaque lip).  I bought them both because who knows how I will feel?  Will I want full color or just a sheer pop of it?  I wore my purchase home and the Fancy that usually hates my matte red lipstick commented on how pretty I looked. Nice. Have you caught the orangey-red lipstick fever as well? Any other suggestions of great colors?

It occurred to me today that I hadn’t created a free download in quite some time.  I was doing a little cyber Spring cleaning this afternoon and came across these vintage frames on my hard drive that I used to sell on Etsy many moons ago. The frames are great to add a little character to your blog photo’s, digi-scrapping, or who knows what creative goodness you can come up with?  I will leave the creativity up to you, I am sure you will find something fabulous to make with them. So without further ado, please feel free to download here.