Anyone home?

Hi, there... if you're even there...

I thought I'd drop in for a little visit...

Guess what? I miss Swoonworthy.

A lot.

Like a lot alot.

I miss styling,

and writing,

and the whole combination of it all that results in,

that's right,

blogging.

I've been thinking about it for a couple of months now. I've just been so busy and overwhelmed with my job (which I luckily love!) for so long now and it's now all bubbling to the surface. I knew I wouldn't be able to continue blogging with everything else I have going on...

...but I can't deny it any longer. I miss it so much.

I also have lots of exciting news to share. Well, maybe not "lots," but two things, technically.

First, today is officially the end of my first quarter-century on this Earth, and the start of my second. That's right, my 25th birthday. You know when you're little and people ask you if you feel older and you say yes even though you really don't? Well, to be 100% honest, I sort of do this time around. I feel like I've been an "adult" for awhile now, but just the words TWENTY. FIVE. sound so much older. But in a good way.

Second, the Boyfriend and I got engaged back in February and are planning our wedding for late August 2011! I guess I should get used to calling him the Fiancé on here, huh? Anyhow, we're paying for the wedding ourselves, so we've gotten creative and have a ton of DIY projects coming up... which is one of the reasons I'm writing:

I'd love to come back to Swoonworthy—maybe not everyday like I used to—but at least to drop by every once in awhile and share some of my wedding planning projects and to simply document the entire process for myself. My heart is fluttering just thinking about it all (blogging+DIY+wedding)!

Alright, here I go again. Blabbing on and on and on...

For the time being, I'll leave you with one of my favorite engagement photos (what am I talking about, they're all my favorites!) of the Fiancé and I taken back in late July by the lovely Jen Huang of Jen Huang Photography (who just so happens to be a college friend of mine!). She gets to fly all over the country and take amazing photos. Lucky duck.

*swoon*

Paige

LookBook

Have you checked out LOOKBOOK? My friend, Sarah, of love all this (the one who recently got engaged!) reminded me of it when she posted a photo from its great archives.

It's a fantastic source to see what real people are doing with their clothing and style (the site's slogan is "collective fashion consciousness"). Some of it is very emo/hipster/look-at-me/MySpace-ish, but most of it is very, very cool. I could spend hours on this site looking at the various outfits people have put together. One of the coolest aspects about the site is that LookBook users are from all over the world and are all different ages. It's interesting to see various trends and how they're carried out in different countries. Most are in the teens-to-twenty-something range, and I find it funny how some of the youngest people on the site look the oldest, and the oldest look the youngest. I'm also amazed by how hip some of these middle schoolers are! I know I definitely didn't look that mature when I was twelve. (Ahem, I still look seventeen...)

I'm going to share some of my favorite looks here, but you really have to check out the site on your own because there are so many to look at! It really goes to show that clothing is just wearable art. Seriously, take a look.

in the highest

Oh dear! (I love the contrast of the preppy look and the massive ear gauges!)

Blue Jeans Tuesday

sweet love & fur

You never made it to the moon

dance, dance, dance (some of these girls are just so adorable!)

Nov. 3rd

blue. (this girl is absolutely adorable - she makes little sketches to match each of her outfits!)

I love a lot of aspects of street style (the color, texture, and pattern combinations), but don't generally carry it out in my day-to-day look. Unfortunately, it's not always so professional for the office...

I'm rarely insecure, but oh how I wish I were cool (or brave) enough to post on this site! Maybe if I were a little more judgmental... :)

*swoon*
Paige

Oh so self-involved - The Grace Edition

Reader & friend, Grace, posted a comment the other day about not being able to find anything named after her. I guess it all depends on where you look... and it's all about persistence! I'm always up for a good challenge.

Let's see...


See, Grace? Plenty of adorable options! Granted, numbers 3, 6, and 7 are by designer Grace & Hart (I think I've found my new favorite collection - beautiful things!), but I think they still count! And that white dress - my ideal wedding dress for the party/reception half! Ultra-swoonworthy in my book!

*swoon*
Paige

1. Grace knit top (via Forever21)
2. Grace Kelly wrap by Francesca's Collections
3. Manila Grace mauve dress (via Yoox)
4. Metallic kitten heels by Aftershock London
5. Grace body wash, body butter, and fragrance by Philosophy (via Sephora)
6. Grey bustier drop hem cocktail dress by Grace & Hart
7. Creme cocktail dress with tulle and flowers by Grace & Hart

Oh so self-involved - The Celeste Edition

After my post about items that share my name, my friend, Celeste, told me she did some searching and there was absolutely nothing cute named after her. Well, I was determined to prove her wrong, so I did some searching on my own...

Look what I found!

Even though each item could be considered bland because of their coloring, what makes them all great is how each item has some sort of texture, pattern, or shine. I love combining otherwise untextured, "plain" outfits with accessories high in texture or other unique quality. It's a really nice contrast and makes your accessories pop even more than usual. (Oh, and just in case you missed them, those ankle boots are to-die-for, not to mention affordable at $80. That alligator bag, on the other hand? $6,500. *gulp* That's okay, though. Real reptile skin accessories sort of give me the willies.)

Post a comment with your name and I'll track down some items for you! Come on, don't be shy!

*swoon*
Paige

1. Jimmy Choo Celeste Metallic Watersnake handbag
2. Derek Lam Celeste tassel clutch
3. B. Romanek "The Celeste" feathered clutch
4. Report Celeste ankle boot
5. Cole Haan Air Celeste ballet flat
6. April in Paris Celeste alligator bag

Oh so self-involved

This post is all about narcissism, and I invite you to be a little self-centered, too.

I did some searching for clothing and accessories with my name, Paige, and discovered some really cute items.


Do the same with your own name, send me your findings, and I'll post them here!

*swoon*
Paige

1. Frye Paige Ankle Boot
2. Kate Spade Savona Paige Handbag
3. Scala Paige Cloche (via Hats In the Belfry)
4. Isabella Fiore “Frill Ride” Paige Tote
5. Diane von Furstenberg Paige Cocktail Dress
6. Juicy Couture Houndstooth Paige Bag
7. Kooba “Paige” Handbag
8. J.Crew Paige Metallic Braided Sandal Flats