valentine’s day preview!

i have mixed feelings about valentine’s day…on the one hand, i think it’s a completely silly commercial holiday…but on the other hand, i am a cheesy love bug and i adore everything that comes with vday: chocolates, flowers, hearts and everything pink!  in honor of this pseudo-holiday, i am uber excited to announce that i will be hosting a fun game featuring some of my favorite bloggers on MONDAY!  you’ll probably recognize all of these fabulous ladies from their respective blogs, but here’s a little intro for each of them.  on monday, visit me again to match each blogger with the celebrity hunk that makes their heart flutter (aren’t you curious?)…i will help you with twitter hints along the way!

you might recognize VICTORIA from her wildly popular design blog, sfgirlbybay.  when it comes to blogging, victoria was doing it before everyone and their mom had a blog (she’s been at it since ’06!)…i call her my blogging idol.  i am also a big fan of her screen prints and photography.  i had the pleasure of meeting her at a party and she happens to be a sweetheart too (i even helped style a look for her here)!

 

you might also recognize BRI from sfgirlbybay where she writes the regular series entitled design love fest | spaces.  but you most likely know her from the ever inspiring rue magazine (she’s the art director!) or her blog, design love fest.  not to forget her regular closet & casa series on oh joy!  bri is super talented and i experience a bri love fest whenever i ooh and ahh over her graphic design porfolio.

 

i first stumbled upon LOUISE‘s colorful wares when i was on the hunt for pillows.  i was beyond excited when i found her shop, table tonic, which has the cutest decor items!  i couldn’t believe my luck when i found out she wrote a blog as well.  louise keeps me in the know about all things australian — i especially love following her personal home renovation.  her beach house (and adorable family) is to die for!

 

BLAIR authors one of my absolute favorite personal style blogs, atlantic-pacific.  i swear her outfits and styling get better and better with each post (i’m not even sure how its possible!).  and, she inspires me to try new things in my own wardrobe every day.  my prediction is that she’s going to be the next “it” girl in fashion blogging…you can quote me on that!

 

i fell in love with CHASSITY‘s blog, look linger love, because we share similar taste and i love her bubbly voice.  chassity started her blog because she’s always gets asked “where did you get that?” and i found out why when i saw her home tour in madebygirl this week.  amazing personal style and the ability to decorate too — what a package!  i hope i can be a stylish momma like chassity (and louise too) one day!

 

i met ALICIA at a blogger meet-up and i said THE dorkiest thing to introduce myself “hi alicia, aka cheetah is the new black!”  well alicia is a gem because she continued to chat with me despite my awkwardness.  alicia is another fab personal style blogger that i look to for style tips and soon you’ll see her on glitter guide too!.  and i am seriously envious because she scores the most amazing thrift finds!  so glad i met alicia — perhaps she’ll teach me some of her thrifting skills?!

 

MACKENZIE of design darling wows me with her sophisticated, classic sensibility all the time — it is no wonder the rue magazine team picked up on this college senior’s talent (yes, a college senior…i feel old and unaccomplished!) and brought her on board as an intern.  she just kicked off a brand new series called the design dialogues on her own blog which is sure to inspire; and she pens a weekly column at the rue blog.  this girl is going places…excited to see where she lands post-college!

 

the quote on GRACE‘s blog, stripes and sequins, perfectly describes her: “a little bit preppy, a little bit sparkly.”  i am awestruck by her incredible diy abilities — her designer jewelry replications are so close to the originals — and, she is always trying the newest beauty treatments and products so her blog is chock full of info for fashionistas everywhere.  i learn something new every time i visit!

 

last but certainly not least is my blogging doppelganger, ROXY!  as i first mentioned here, roxy and i met after we discovered that we basically lead parallel lives!  we both said bye bye to corporate retail for greener pastures, and have discovered blogging as a creative outlet.  roxy’s fun and friendly personality rings true in my cup of te, as she chronicles all things pretty.  she is also about to launch her very own business so stay tuned, i’m sure we’ll all be smitten!

*****

but WAIT, there’s more! a game wouldn’t be any fun without an enticing PRIZE!  you might remember this fabulous apartment i wrote about last year…

well, that apartment is inhabited by my good friend, menden.  menden’s talents don’t stop at decorating her apartment — she was inspired by her world travels to start a jewelry line (read about her jet-setting ways on her blog).  her new line, called ginger & jade, is up and running here and on etsy.  menden was generous enough to donate one of her pieces to the vday game (thanks, lady)! 

whoever matches all of the bloggers to their respective celeb crushes correctly receives the below lovely bracelet from ginger & jade valued at $120 (it can be worn as a necklace too)!  it is made of silver, aquamarine and blue topaz stones and is perfect for spring and summer (it’s so pretty, i wanted to keep it for myself!).

i’m curious…which of menden’s creations is your favorite? visit her shop and drop me a comment!

mark your calendar for monday when the crushes shall be revealed…

lotsa love,
joAnn
xoxo

ps. have you ever seen a better looking group of ladies?  just saying…