(belated) weekly gems

Hello, everyone! How was your week? Mine was crazily busy - my last day of student teaching was Friday! So bittersweet. I'm going to miss it a lot, but I sure am excited to be done and graduating! My amazing boyfriend Dan sent roses to my school on my last day : ) a wonderful surprise, followed by dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, El Zarape. It was a great way to kick off this weekend, which is being spent working and relaxing. What are you doing this weekend?

• I adore the couches and coordinated throw pillows in this post!
• Inspired by Taylor's excellent attitude.
• Need to try this chocolate rum cake.
• Loving this assortment of ideas for a rainy day.
• I cannot read enough about the royal wedding, and People definitely has the best coverage. My favorite features? The official wedding photos, the photos of the two public kisses, the best hats slideshow, and the photos of the new Duchess's wedding look.
• I still need to try Sally Hansen's nail strips, and these new patterns only motivate me more!
• Enjoyed Refinery 29's interview with Matchbook Magazine's Katie Armour! And speaking of Katie Armour, love these bags she posted about!
• The Lord of the Rings trilogy is returning to theaters this summer - extended editions! Are you going? I will be!
• Some quick and cheap ways to chill out.

royal wedding

Hey, everyone! Sorry for my absence this week. It's my last week of student teaching and things have been craaaaaazy (as well as bittersweet). I am looking forward to returning to the blog full-force next week!

Are you excited for the royal wedding this Friday? I most certainly am! After all, it combines things I love - history, tradition, weddings, royalty, Britain, Kate Middleton's style, etc. I won't be watching live - I have that pesky last day of student teaching ; ) I will be making my family DVR it for me, though, and fully plan to watch it while drinking English breakfast tea & eating scones. In the spirit of the royal wedding, here's some fun memorabilia that's floating about:

Source: my-wedding-concierge.com via Phyllis on Pinterest

Wedgewood china and tin...

Source: 2sistersblog.com via Lisa on Pinterest

...a tea towel...

Source: people.com via Emily on Pinterest

...and my personal favorite, PEZ dispensers : )

For awesome royal wedding coverage, I recommend you check out People & Glamour, along with the official wedding website! Can't wait to see Kate's dress!

(belated) weekly gems

Source: orangeyoulucky.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Some advice you should ignore.
• Tina Fey, according to Tina Fey (via A CUP OF JO). And on a related note, animated online episodes of 30 Rock!
• I am totally on Team Natalie regarding this controversy.
• Photos of the final Harry Potter movie!
• Loving this post with a yummy looking meal and a mother's love.
• A collection of adorable teapots - my favorites are the polka dots and stripes.
• Excited to read through the 2011 TIME 100!

things you need for a perfect easter celebration

Source: easter.tipjunkie.com via Kelly on Pinterest

1. Family, of course!
2. The perfect Easter outfit.
3. The best Easter meal of paska, hrutda, ham, and kielbasa.
4. Deviled eggs made from the eggs we dyed.
5. A sunny, spring-ly warm Easter Sunday (An Easter miracle, perhaps?)
6. Awesome seasonal candy.

advice from audrey

Source: silverscreenoasis.com via Kelly on Pinterest

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."

- Audrey Hepburn

design dreams: laundry room envy

Source: sarahswhiteblossom.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Kelly on Pinterest

After four years of doing laundry in community laundry rooms, and even though I probably will be living in an apartment for a few years still, I am dreaming of having my own laundry room someday. I like the ones featured above, particularly how they are decorated in a beautiful and/or functional way. I really like the last one - I would hang out there a ton! Which room do you like best? How would you decorate a laundry room?

craving cupcakes

Source: allthingscupcake.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: cutestfood.com via Kelly on Pinterest

With my final semester of college nearly over, I'm swamped with lesson planning, grading, preparing for a couple final presentations, and applying for jobs, while also trying to enjoy time in favorite places around town and with my amazing friends. I have had such a strong urge to bake and really decorate cupcakes, but don't have the time as of now. Someday soon, I will! And someday in general, I'd really like to be able to decorate cupcakes like the ones in the photos above. I think the cupcakes in the first picture are my favorite. How about you?