As my wedding is fast approaching, I figured I would put together a little collage of all things wedding. The wedding dress is by Reem Acra. I have loved this dress ever since I saw Olivia Wilde wearing it on the red carpet.

Blend your worries away...

Like most people these days, I am always a sucker for bargains. That's why I was so excited when I came across this new group on my facebook called Likeacoupon. They give you amazing coupon deals and bargains when you like their page. Simply put, I'm obsessed. A couple weeks ago, likeacoupon presented me with a coupon stacking opportunity that I just could not resist. Stacking the coupons allowed me to get 50% off at Macys! Now, I've had my eyes on this blender for years, but I couldn't seem to pull myself to spend such an exorbitant amount of money on a blender. It's the vita-mix 1710. This beast is normally priced at $699! eek!

However, it was on sell for $599, and then I had my 50% off coupons that brought it down to $300, which was better, but still a little high for my taste. Luckily, I remembered I had a gift card for $125 to macys. This put the grand total below $200, so I took the plunge.

My vita-mix arrived yesterday and I'm so eager to start making soups, sorbets and smoothies. LOVE IT!

**The main reason I wanted this blender is it is supposed to be the queen bee for making green smoothies, which I'm hoping to drink daily :)

Do any of you have one of these?

Breakfast in bed made easy

Say adios to those cumbersome trays that we all use for breakfast in bed. Of course, the notion of breakfast in bed is quite alluring, but as soon as you set that tray over your legs you are plagued with the stress-inducing task of not moving the lower half of your body. Nevertheless, you are set on this being an experience, so you try to relax and enjoy it. You embrace this relaxation full heartedly until the unavoidable moment occurs when you have a little scratch on your leg and you unconsciously reach towards your knee. Before you're able to remember the precarious nature of your lower torso, you see your coffee leap over the mug's rim. Alas, you can't really relax. I mean, come on...Is that really as good as it gets? Well, we can all thank Maria Cichy for a stellar design that will make having breakfast in bed as blissful as we imagine it to be. Check out this design -a table and nightstand in one. How are we all living without this?

Chalkboards Galore!

Doesn't it seem like everywhere you turn something is being repurposed into a chalkboard?? Here are some of my favorite chalkboard ideas.

1. THE CHALKBOARD WALL: I love the idea of doing this in a craft room or play room.




2. CHALKBOARD MUG: These mugs are an adorable gift idea. You can customize prior to giving them or leave them blank. Either way, your special someone is going to have a really fun cup of coffee. You can buy these cutesties here.




3. CHALKBOARD ORGANIZERS: I'm always looking for creative and aesthetically pleasing ways to get organized. Here are some mason jar organizers that you can proudly display. Buy these here.

 

space saving rack

I find myself endlessly fascinated by smart designs that work in small spaces. Our current home, is the perfect size for us, but incorporating items such as this would definitely help make our home feel larger. In this design, the wall tiles can hold everything from keys to coats.

 
We all need shelves to hold all of our stuff, but isn't it exciting to think about being able to have the shelves disappear when they are not being used.



For pricing and design information, click here.

Seating of the future??

As we all know the economy has seen better days. There is a great deal of talk surrounding the notion that more people will begin to live with one another to cut costs. This pod is ideal for those needing privacy in a small space. The cocoon like design gives a nurturing, natural feel that might help combat some of the claustrophobia I would inevitably experience being in such a small enclosure. Can you imagine life in a pod? 

To read the full article, click here.

Artist Profile: Carrie Willingham

Etsy Artist, Carrie Willingham, is a dallas-based artist that specializes in watercolor. Here is some of her beautiful work. You can purchase her work from her etsy shop.

Chocolate Espresso Snowcap Cookies

Over the holidays, I go overboard with baking.  It's out of control. I always try out a couple of recipes each year in hopes of finding new, favorite cookies. This year, I tried a recipe from Martha Stewart. I absolutely loved how these cookies turned out and they were a huge hit at the holiday party.

Here are the cookies all bundled up...

Get the recipe after the jump.

An Obsession

So I'm sure it's not surprising that I suffer from an addiction that many struggle with... It's like a drug for me and I can't seem to get enough. There are so many different brands, styles, colors, hardware. It's just too much for me to take. Hopefully, posting some of these on my blog will help me quench my insatiable appetite.

Singer 22: House of Harlow Lace Pump $198
Blue Fly: Fendi Sued and Lace Platform $565
DSW: Zigi Soho Lace Pump $59.95

Endless.com: Olsen Haus Charm Oxford $125
Endless.com: Stuart Weitzman Fausto Oxford $236
Barneys: Givenchy Tassel Oxford $989

Net-a-porter: Alexander Wang Noemi Leather Boots $685
Zappos.com: Burberry Suede Platform Boot $995
Endless.com: Matisse Legion Ankle Boot $136

Opposite Day

My boyfriend will be the first to admit that I'm a complex being full of contradictions. I'll drive in the car listening to NPR, but then snuggle on the couch watching Housewives. What can I say?

 I find that this contradictory nature extends into my personal style as well.

Gorgeous southwestern ikat bowls versus a stunning Ulrica Hydman-Valien bowl.  

Start with a bang

At the start of each year, I think it's of the upmost importance to begin the year with a great outift, a bottle of champagne and a list of goals that you'd like to achieve in the coming year.

1. Modcloth: Confetti Celebration Dress $90
2. White House Black Market: Champagne Crystal Earring $24
3.  Bluefly: Yves Saint Laurent Violet Pump $736
4. Nordstrom: Nars Lipstick Shrinigar $24

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to leave some cookies and milk for Santa tonight. He has tons of work to do tonight and will need some sustenance. Wishing you an amazing Christmas with lots of love and happiness...

xx Ms Callback

Sweet Bundles

During the holidays, I always try to show love to the people most important to me. In order to avoid spending my entire life savings, I try to make special treats for those people that I want to send a little love.

Espresso Cookies for co-workers and friends

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug for family

Cookie Bags for my dance students

Christmas through the ages...

I love collecting new and meaningful ornaments each year to decorate my tree, but these ornaments can't hold a candle to my grandmother's antique ornaments. A couple of years ago, my grandma told all of the grandkids that we could go into her basement and take anything we want. One of my favorite "basement pics" was an antique ballerina ornament. It holds much significance to me because my grandma and my mom were both dancers as well.  Here's my favorite ornament next to one of my new ballerina ornaments...I don't think the new one holds a candle.

Style Profile: Natalie Portman

In honor of Black Swan, I figured I should do a style profile of Natalie Portman. Natalie always looks impeccable on the red carpet. She embodies femininity and class. Recently, Natalie has been sporting soft hues and strapless cuts that only further accentuate her femininity.

1. Shop Planet Blue: Rebecca Taylor Strapless Dress $495

2. Neiman Marcus: Round Toe Mary Jane Pump $645

3. Bottega Veneta: Lagoon Intrecciato Ayers Knot $1,220

4. Essie.com: Merino Wool $8

Christmas Card

I feel like the idea of sending Christmas cards is becoming more and more obsolete. While there are various online companies that allow you to send digital cards, it just feels so impersonal to me. I love these companies for party invites, etc., but I'm sticking to my guns with mailing Christmas cards. There's just something special about getting a letter in the mail. Here's the Christmas card that I designed for this year.

William Rast coming to Target

On December 19th, Target will be premiering a line from William Rast. Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala, owners of William Rast, describe their clothing as tomboy meets sexy.  Target just released the look book for the line and I must say that I'm really loving the tan leather jacket.  It's priced at $200, which seems high for anything at Target, but I guess we'll have to see how that baby fits. Overall, I like most of the individual pieces, but the styling of the models is definitely not appealing to my aesthetic.

What do you think of these looks?

A Solar Christmas

So, I'm always eager to jump on any "green" trends. It makes me feel good to know I'm making a choice that helps the planet. As much as I'd like to make my entire home solar powered, it's not a possibility at this point, as we are just wee-little renters. In the meantime, I figured why not at the very least buy solar paneled Christmas lights. So, I talked to my bf and we decided I should order 8 boxes so that we could adequately cover the house. I ordered these lights from Home Depot.

The lights arrived a couple of days ago and now it seems that my boyfriend has all together lost interest in decorating the outside of the house. I am crossing my fingers that he'll change his mind because I know I would do a dismal job. I'll keep you all posted and in the meantime, here's a couple of inspiration photos.

Lit House on the Water from
wallpaperstock.net

Twinkle Lights from
SGRWebster.com

Black Swan

Ok, so on Sunday I finally was able to convince my boyfriend to go with me to see the movie Black Swan.  I don't really have words for this movie. It was dark, visually stunning and full of complexity...all the things that I love in a movie.

On top of it, I respect Natalie Portman to the 10th degree for putting so much time and energy into training for this role. There is nothing more annoying than watching a dance movie and seeing an actress play the role of a dancer when she clearly has little to no dance experience. Natalie Portman was incredibly believable and felt completely authentic. I read that she trained for over a year for this role, dancing six days a week for five or more hours a day.

So, amongst all of the many positive things I can say about Black Swan, I was completely blown away by the costuming. From streetwear to dancewear, her fashions were out of this world perfection. In an article by Sandra Colton, Black Swan costume designer, Amy Westcott describes her challenge in creating the fashions in this film. “You have these people who watch the film that know their stuff. They know the intricacies and they know what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s a very strict following in that way. I knew that ballerinas would watch it. So for that kind of thing, you have to really walk the line of making sure it looks great on film but that it stays realistic. That’s always a challenge to make it look really interesting but to stay true to the world. You have to get the details right.”

I love how throughout the film, they dressed Natalie in soft, pale hues and angelic whites. This color palette beautifully contrasted the blacks and reds in her final Black Swan piece. 

Isn't this final costume just stunning? I would die to wear a tutu like this. As a dancer, this movie appealed to me on so many levels. If you haven't seen it yet, this is a MUST SEE.

Giving and Giving

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could give to a charity and buy a loved one a special gift at the same time?

So many charities need our help this year. Our current economic state is undoubtedly inhibiting their ability to raise money. This year, I encourage everyone to explore buying just one gift that is associated with a charity.  There are so many fabulous finds out there that are perfect gifts, while still supporting charities in need.

1. Alex Woo: Net proceeds of the tree of life necklace benefit the Right Action for Women charity founded by Christina Applegate
2. Macys: Heart for Haiti was developed to allow Haitians to produce and sell homemade crafts through macys.com
3.  Tom's Shoes: For every pair purchased, Tom's donates a pair to a child in need with the One for One program.
4.  Project Red: This organization partners up with some of the most well known companies including apple, gap, etc. to create (RED) products. These companies then contribute up to 50% of their profits back to the Global Fund, supporting HIV and AIDS programs in Africa.