Best Of 2012

As we say goodbye to one hell of a year, how about a looksie back? In no particular order, here are some of 2012's bests :)

Best Etsy Find:

Coriumi

These inexpensive clutches are just plain good. Why haven't I bought one yet?

Best Splurge:

Popham Design Tile

Easily one of my favorite details in our new house. 

Best Instagram:

Family Scene

This picture just gets me every time. It's my screen saver on my phone.

Best Fashion Trend:

Bold Prints

I've loved prints in 2012, and frankly, no one did it better than MSGM.

Best Recipe:

Chicken Soup Pho

Pho Sho. 

Best Celeb Moment:

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' Wedding

I mean, duh. They got married at the same place as Josh and me (Boone Hall), just miles from our house.

Best Read Blog Post:

Fletcher's Nursery

Fletcher's nursery post was Look Linger Love's most viewed blog post in 2012. 

Best New Blog Read:

Could I Have That

I've loved following along on Samantha's style and blog this past year. That girl is about to blow up really big.

Best Blogging Triumph:

Partnering up with Kate Spade New York & InStyle Magazine

I've had a lot of cool blog successes this year- my second Glitter Guide feature, curating a Look Linger Love collection on Joss & Main, features in Skirt! Magazine, Charleston City Paper, and Dabble Magazine, a feature on Home Depot, and the latest Anthropologie craft night, to name a few (just a few, y'all, ha!). But I think the most exciting honor was getting contacted by Kate Spade and InStyle Magazine to co-host KSNY's store opening here in Charleston.

* * * *

So all in all, I'd say 2012 rocked my socks off. I can't wait to see what 2013 brings. 

Happy NYE, Everyone! Stay safe with your bubbly and sparkles!

Merry

Gee wow that was my longest blogging break yet coming in at 6 whole days. I needed it, apparently. I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas holiday with my family. So much so that my pants are real tight and I don't want to wear them. I mean, even my underwear feels tight. Also, my house looks like it exploded. Toys everywhere. I don't even know where to begin.

But now, how to break this blogging silence? Shouldn't it be something very profound? Like a major announcement or something? How about... I'm pregnant! I'm not. We're moving! Again, not. But what I do have for you...

Exhibit A of why I think indulging isn't so bad.

Crystal Renn looks good. Just sayin'. Don't feel guilty, enjoy your weekends!

Merry Christmas

Popping in to announce some winners. Congrats to Jessie for winning the $150 Social Dress Shop
gift certificate. And congrats to Sam for winning the Bali Intimates giveaway! Congrats, Girls.

I'm taking a few days off to celebrate Christmas with my family. I hope you all enjoy the holiday, too. Maybe this playlist will help.

See you back here soon. 

xoxoxo,

Online Purchase Fail

So I impulsively ordered these cute shoes because, well, they were cute and inexpensive.

Sometimes you win some, sometimes you don't. These smell as cheap as they were. Seriously, I can't even keep them in my house the chemical smell is so bad. I've had them on our front porch for nearly a week and it's not much better. Bummer.

On the bright side did I tell you that Josh bid on two wreaths for me at the Festival of Wreaths and won 2?? Here's my super duper happy face.

Super duper happy. Wreath on the left is by Allison Abney and Elizabeth Norton. Wreath on the right is Lulie Wallace. You can see more pictures from the event here.

Are y'all done Christmas shopping? I'm not, at all. And I still have all the wrapping to do. I do this every year. I just like to take my time and enjoy the season. I hope you are too :) Life is precious and wonderful.

Still Looking For The Perfect NYE Dress? Giveaway!!

I tell you what, Social Dress Shop has gone and taken the web by freaking storm. They definitely caught my eye with their gorgeous line of dresses. So when the owner, Sarah Baucom, reached out to me about a partnership, I was fairly quick to nod in agreeance. And guess what, she wants to give one of you $150 toward a new dress.

The real dilemma is choosing the dress.

Oh you know, just 12 or so of my favorites. I need to pick a dress too, which one which one?!! So hard to choose. But I think Twiggy might be my favorite.

*    *    *    *    *

Alright, here's how you enter to win the $150 Social Dress Shop gift card.

Tell us which dress you would pick!

Easy and fun, yes? Want an extra entry??

Like Social Dress Shop on facebook and leave another comment here telling us so.

Alright, y'all are all over this, I know it. This giveaway will end this Sunday night. Good luck!

This post brought to you by Social Dress Shop. All opinions are, as always, my own. Man, wouldn't it be dumb if they weren't??

Heidi Merrick Dolls

I kinda think Lilly needs an army of these new Heidi Merrick dolls.

Stop What You're Doing - It's A Bra Giveaway

She's my favorite bra. I wear her nearly everyday. Because she's perfectly comfortable and suitable to wear out running errands. She is Bali Intimate's Comfort Revolution. And today we're giving one away for you to try.

Bali just expanded their Comfort Revolution Line by adding another wirefree bra with more Smart Sizes and Cool Comfort Design that features breathable fabric to keep women cool and comfortable. They sent me one to try and, of course, I love it! And I really think you will too. 

Here's how you enter to win the new Comfort Revolution bra:

Leave a comment telling us how awesome Bali is.

Want an extra chance?

Tell us which Bali bra you already own and why you love it.

That's it. This giveaway will end Sunday night. Good luck!!

This post brought to you by Hanesbrands. All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.

What Are You Wearing For NYE?

Well if there is one thing I love to do, it's dress up. And sparkles just add to the fun. 

What are you wearing for NYE?

Can I just add each and every single one of these items to my closet? Starting with that belt, the confetti sequin dress, and that slammin' embellished black dress. Just to start, of course.

Blessed

If you're like me then maybe you, too, spent the weekend fighting the lump in your throat while attempting to enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut on Friday morning is truly one of the most heart breaking ordeals that any family could go through. So senseless. So evil. I've just been staring at my children all weekend feeling beyond blessed and sad all at the same time. It is so scary to be a parent.

My Friday morning began with taking Lilly to get tubes in her ears. Poor girl just gets ear infection after ear infection. I saw the breaking news of the shooting on the TV in the waiting room. Of course information was very limited (and false!) at that time. Thankfully Lilly's surgery went well and after an emotional and groggy hour in recovery we were able to hit the road and get her some ice cream for a job well done. You never would have even known she had surgery, so later that afternoon I headed out to Novel for their holiday party and start some Christmas shopping on King. Yes, I'm a late holiday shopper...

I caught up on the news of the shootings on my walk to the store and was just floored and horrified at what I was reading in my news feeds. When I got upstairs to Novel the girls gave me a present that Jane Pope had sent along for me. One of her MOMMY necklaces.

As you can imagine, this timely and very unexpected gift made for a little roller coaster of emotion. The gesture. The sentiment. I'll cherish this necklace that so beautifully names my children forever and ever. Jane, you are incredible. Thank you. And how lucky and blessed I am to be their Momma. Thank you, God.

I think that's all for today. Maybe I'll be back this afternoon, if not then definitely tomorrow. 

Anthropologie Craft Night

Some might say, "Chassity, what do you know about craftin'?".

Well, turns out at least a little something. Because our Anthropologie Craft Night turned out to be killer! We transformed that gloomy, rainy Wednesday into a sparkly fun downtown night (complete with some bomb rain boots worn by multiple gals). But I didn't do it by myself. I had one of the coolest most creative crew of girls to work with - the Anthropologie girls!

(Bummer fuzzy picture of Sarah, Libby, Rachel, and Me) 

And the most amazing group of peeps craftin' up some stockings. Creative minds at work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm Wearing:

Parker Sequin Dress (similar here and here)

L.A.M.B Heels

Black Leggings

Such a great time. Thanks so much to everyone that came out!! What a blast we had. I have some super awesome readers that I want to hang out with every night. I want to give a little shout out to some local shops who helped me gather craft supplies - Mac & Murphy and Reed Brothers - you rock my world. Also a shout out to Sweet Emma Jean for the high quality felt we used. And most of all, thank you so much to Anthropologie - you will always be crazy cool to me.

Photos are a mix of my own and Margaret Crane of The Art Bus Project.

Sally King Benedict Small Works Sale Part 2 - Now Live

WELCOME TO SALLY KING BENEDICT'S 2ND BLOG SALE!

(Image via Matchbook Magazine, photography by Gately Williams)

Sally King Benedict needs no introduction. You've surely seen her here on my blog a dozen or so times, as well as in House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Coastal Living, Garden & Gun... the list goes on. And on and on. Her vibrant and much sought after artwork has turned Sally into America's sweetheart lady love artist.

(via Matchbook Magazine)

Well, today Sally is back with her 2nd ever exclusive LLL blog pop up sale. You've been dying to build your art collection - here's your chance to own a gorgeous, original piece by a much coveted artist. You may be asking why is Sally offering these works at a price point so much lower than she garners? In Sally's words...

"Just as a treat for art lovers this holiday season :)"

All of these small works are gouache, ink, oil pastel, charcoal, and colored pencil on paper. Each one is framed in a standing acrylic frame. $150 each. Shipping (UPS Ground) is an additional $10.

ALL SOLD OUT

(In just 45 minutes - hot damn y'all are fast!)

Available Pieces:

"Face 1" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 2" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

 "Face 3" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

 "Face 4" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 5" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 6" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 7" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 8" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 9" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 10" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 11" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 12" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 13" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Face 14" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 15" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 16" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 17" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 18" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Face 19" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

"Face 20" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Face 21" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Face 22" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Face 23" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Abstract 1" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Abstract 2" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Abstract 3" 8 x 10 SOLD

"Abstract 4" 8 1/2 x 11 SOLD

And just to give you an idea of how they look in their acrylic standing frame...

Here's how you make your purchase:

Email me at looklingerlove@yahoo.com with the exact name of the piece you would like to purchase. First come first serve. These are all originals so once a piece sells it's gone (but oh so lucky for the new owner!). Payments by Paypal or check only and should be made out directly to Sally King Benedict (I'll copy her in on my confirmation response to you so you can set up shipping and payment). Payment arrangements should be settled no later than Sunday, December 16th or Sally will re-list piece as available. Once payment is received your new paintings will ship on Monday, December 17th.

A big, huge thank you to you all and happy shopping!