lovely summer prints

Well, it's officially wedding season. I don't know if it's just the time range of my life, but there are SO many weddings coming up! Last weekend I went to a friend's gorgeous wedding at a ranch up in San Marcos, CA and have my little cousins coming up this summer in MN. Needless to say, I need some new wedding guest garb. I love everything bright and bold this year (this is a long ways from where I was a few years ago- black, grey and white EVERYTHING). These dresses are getting me excited to dive into summer and wedding season.

1. ikat maxi dress (even comes in long, woot), old navy
2. chevron dress, taylor dresses, nordstrom
3. polka dot and lace, net-a-porter
4. dotty dress, madwell
5. red stripes, gap (actually do own this one and love it)
6. color strokes, thread sense

Easter With My Peeps (+ 5 tips for hosting in a small space)

 

Well, it's safe to say that I survived hosting my first Easter brunch last week. Not only did I survive, but we had such a fun and relaxing day. The beautiful weather didn't hurt either. By keeping the day semi-simple I was able to have 12 people in my studio apartment, feed everyone and even sit down for some ham and mimosas myself. I'm in no way a rock star hostess, in fact I don't even know that I know how to correctly set a table (oops) but I figured I'd share some tips that seemed to have worked. Here are five hopefully helpful tips on hosting in a small space. And for the record, by small I mean less than 500 square feet of an apartment. Southern California living at its finest.  

1. Keep the guest list small. While I would have liked to invite everyone and anyone that I know, I chose to keep the list smallish. A lot of my friends in San Diego are not from here so Easter and Thanksgiving always seem to be big friend holidays.

2. Move out non-functional items/clear out the room: My entire living area is in one room, everything from my couch and TV to my desk and dresser. By pushing everything out of the center of the room and turning my desk and dresser into serving tables, I made use of every inch my tiny place has to offer. When everything was moved to the outskirts of the room it felt surprisingly roomy!

3.Let the neighbors know: Having always lived in apartments since my college days, I realize that noise travels quickly to your neighbors apartments. I made sure to leave a little note on each of my neighbors doors letting them know we would be having a little gathering and that they were welcome to join. Who can fight with that? If you can't fight them, join them right?

4. Keep the menu simple & prep: With all the cute ideas and recipes flooding our brains on blogs and Pinterest, it's hard not to get carried away and make every egg and bird shaped food out there, but remember to KEEP IT SIMPLE. I made the staple foods- ham, potatoes, salad and desserts and asked everyone else to help with appetizers and drinks. This way I was able to focus on the bigger picture and not get carried away in all the details (ok, maybe I got a little carried away). Also, prep as much as you can the night before, this includes setting out all the dishes, making the desserts (it is ok, nobody will know you didn't make those cupcakes fresh that morning!) and setting up the room. Once Sunday morning came I was able to pull everything together and enjoy myself.

5. Rent! I know I may have an unfair advantage here because my boyfriend works for an event rental company, but holy cow, renting saved the day! By renting our chairs, plates and silverware I was able to throw everything in a box at the end of the day and not worry about washing dishes (no dishwasher here, of course). You may be surprised how reasonable renting really is. Definitely worth the extra few bucks.

Note: Framed subway art is from Eighteen25 and dress is from Forever21.

Friday's Fab $15: West Elm Edition

West Elm is one of my favorite stores. It also happens to collect half my paycheck every time I walk in...

Although I try to restrain myself, I couldn't any longer. Here are four of my favorite West Elm picks right now, all for under $15! I love all the fun little things that West Elm now carries.

I'm also head over heels in love with this beautiful ikat rug.

1. Blocked Pillow
2. Bathroom Tumbler
3. Cosmetic Bag
4. Various Tea Towels

Check out all my other fab $15 posts here!

pretty me pinterest. hello yellow!

Not a whole lot says spring to me more than the color yellow (okay and maybe coral this year!). Here are some pretty Pinterest finds as of recent that represent that sunny, spring color. That maxi dress just might need to be mine. What says spring to you? 

Follow me here on Pinterest.

1. Hammock, Jonathan Adler Tumblr 

2. Maxi Dress, La Posh Style

3. Guest Decanter, Anthropologie

4. Removable Wallpaper, Wall Candy Arts

5. Bucket Backpack, Urban Outfitters

6. Frozen Lemon Mousse, Real Simple

7. Yellow Crib, Kalon

8. Coral & Yellow Flats, Gilt

snack of the moment: chocolate stuffed raspberries

The perfect mixture of sweets..

easter-spiration

Hoppy {early} Easter everyone! So excited another holiday is here to celebrate. I've taken on the task of hosting 12 {list keeps growing..} friends at my STUDIO apartment tomorrow to celebrate. This will also mark the making of my first ham. I will be sure to post photos of the day later in the week but here are some easter-infused things that have inspired me to do all this. Eek. Enjoy the day and don't forget to eat lots of peeps.

sources:

• bunny jars by torie jayne
• felt easter basket, the purl bee 
• gold & pink dipped easter eggs, fabulous k
• sushi peeps, memo's closet 
• confetti sprinkled linen napkins, design mom
• carrot soup recipe, martha stewart
• dipped easter eggs, oh joy!
• easter card, broadway stationery
• lemon tart, sacramento street

friday's fab $15

Presenting the first official post and first Fab $15 post on Lovely Struck. I hope you all had a wonderful week. I'm in the midst of craziness- from work to company to hosting Easter this Sunday. I promise many more posts will be coming and that this new site will be completely up and running in the weeks to come. Enjoy this budget-friendly eye candy in the meantime...

1. natural healing lip balm by winsomegreen 2. put & pull diy pencil case by elenushka 3. colorful chevron beach towel from old navy 4. white bud vases to hold all your spring blooms from west elm