Dream Home do or don't: Oversized photos

FREE IMAGES

So, what's the verdict on oversized photos? We have the above two framed prints adorning the ends of our hallway. It's sort of funny because I don't even remember when or where we got them; I just remember them always being a part of our home decor, and they make me smile every time I roll past them. Here are a few more that are making me fall in love with the trend...

Kitchen photos...

Living room photos...

Vacation photos...

Well, friends, what do you think? Is this a home decor do or don't for you? Do you have many photos in your home? How do you display them? What's your favorite type of photo to take? Do you take a lot of personal photos? xoxo

Fashion Friday: Denim on denim

FREE IMAGES

I had a bit of a fashion realization this morning: I rocked denim back in the day! Denim jeans were my go-to staple of the '80s, as you can see from the above photo, and I wore them proudly. Well, The New York Times recently featured a street style round-up of people sporting their best denim-clad looks from around the world. And luckily, the denim-on-denim trend isn't hard to master. "The trick is to mix fabric weights and washes," says Patrick Robinson, Gap's executive vice president of design. Here are my six favorite picks for styling the look...

*Liz Claiborne long-sleeve chambray shirt, $29.99
*Boyfriend jeans in dark vintage wash, $64.49
*Classic espadrille flats, $16.95
*Stripe sweater, $75
*Roll-up jean shorts, $178
*Jean jacket in storm cloud wash, $118

What do you think, friends? Would you rock the denim on denim look? Is it a fashion do or don't? What's your favorite piece of denim attire? Let's chat... xoxo

[Bottom photo via Madewell's Pinterest]

Love Lounge: Is it ever OK to Google potential dates?

FREE IMAGES

It used to be that the love-struck, hoping to get a sneak peek into their romantic future, consulted ancient oracles, fortune tellers and Tarot card readers.

Well, modern daters, meet your new oracle: Google.

This idea of using Google as a not-so-secret weapon is nothing new. It swept the nation years ago, much like fire must have spread among cave people when that little novelty was discovered. In fact, I've ever written about it -- Google, here, not fire. After all, it's so easy to unlock a person's life with just a few clicks of a mouse. Yesterday, xoJane posed the "to-Google-or-not-to-Google" question on Twitter.

"Google is the new background check," I tweeted back. And I was serious.

Googling is like double-dipping at a party. Everyone does it, whether they admit to it or not. It’s not obsessive. It’s just human nature to want to know every piece of information about a person that you can possibly get your hands on.

Consider the Googleability Factor -- and yes, I coined that original term all by myself. It measures a guy’s (or girl's...) popularity on Google. Now, this popularity can be good or bad, but what’s more important is why there is so much digital dirt on this dude. For example, you’ll probably be relieved to find that he has a (legal) job (always a plus; bonus points if he’s been recently promoted or received some other sort of recognition for his outstanding performance), a photo album devoted to his family on Facebook or pictures in a newspaper from the weekend he ran for charity.

Don’t be shocked, though, if you develop a debilitating stomach ache if you discover: Photos of him at party after party (and FYI, it’s even less attractive if he’s over 30. Remember, boys, the number of parties you attend should NOT be in direct proportion to your age), a lengthy blog entry in which he basically describes Pamela Anderson as the perfect woman on earth or his profile scattered across every dating or social media site.

Some say Google-stalking (I prefer the term pre-screening) squelches any possibility for the excitement of discovering the many things one usually discovers about the other person on a first date: The fact that you both love Shakespeare revival festivals, the fact that you both get cravings for peanut butter and chocolate ice cream every time you go to the movies or the fact that you both loathe the sight of a dirty kitchen.

You still have those roller coaster, explosive “me too” moments. The only difference is that you’ll likely know they’re coming and won't have to hold on tight to said roller coaster and brace yourself for that big dive.

In the end, wouldn't you rather be in the know? Really, really in the know? When do you Google potential beaus? Is anything off limits? What sort of info are red flags for you? And, who else do you Google?  Exes? Crushes? Bosses? Estranged friends? I'd love to know, friends! xoxo

[Photos via We Heart It]

Do or Don't: The disability edition

FREE IMAGES

My mom is well into her last week of school before summer vacation, and this week, her students are reading a book about a girl with cerebral palsy. To teach them about disabilities in the real world, she made an awesome PowerPoint and was so excited to show it to me. It was the first PowerPoint she ever made, and she was quite proud of herself -- and so was I. She included everything from why inclusion is so important in schools to some facts about Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome and how I've dealt with my disability over the years. My favorite slide, though, was this one, on what to do and what not to do when interacting with someone with a physical disability...

I'm a big fan of speaking directly to the person. I can't tell you how many times I've been out with someone, especially at a restaurant, and people will come up to us and ask questions as if I'm not even there. It's all about squashing those stereotypes, friends! Way to go, Mom!

P.S. Disability bingo and common disability misconceptions.

Man Candy Monday: The Do or Don't Edition

FREE IMAGES Breaking news on this Monday morning, friends: Scruff is the new buff, at least according to recent research from Australia's University of New South Wales. In the study, 177 men and 351 women rated photos of 10 smiling men in various states of beardliness (yes, I just invented a new word...): Clean-shaven, with five days of beard growth (light stubble), 10 days of growth (heavy stubble) and with a full beard. The men and women were asked to rate the men in the photos according to attractiveness, masculinity, health and parenting ability. The winning look? Heavy stubble.

"Our findings confirm that beardedness affects judgments of male socio-sexual attributes and suggest that an intermediate level of beardedness is most attractive while full-bearded men may be perceived as better fathers who could protect and invest in offspring," the researchers concluded in the abstract of their study. Translation: Facial hair, according to the researchers, makes men seem more mature and masculine.

So, in the spirit of this facial-hair breakthrough, I thought we'd explore our own preferences with some of our favorite gents...

JAKE GYLLENHAAL...

RYAN GOSLING...

JON HAMM...

BRADLEY COOPER...

CHRIS EVANS...

GEORGE CLOONEY...

There you have the evidence, friends. Do you agree with the results of the study? Are you a fan of stubble or not so much? Look for my pick in the comments! xoxo

P.S. Remember the Man Candy: Boy Band round-up?

Wedding do or don't: Colorful engagement rings

FREE IMAGES

My mom didn't save her engagement ring, but from what she tells me, it was pretty simple. Nothing too flashy, and most definitely not colorful. Well, it looks like times have certainly changed, at least when it comes to 2013 engagement ring trends. It's all about abandoning the traditional in favor of the unique. "The newest crop of brides-to-be want a ring that showcases their individual personality," says McQueen Jewelry CEO Yosi Elison in an interview with Yahoo! Shine. Just in time for spring, here's a fun round-up of my six favorite colorful gems from Etsy... 

*14K ruby gemstone, $475

*Sky blue sapphire in white gold, $480
*Cognac diamond in white gold, $400
*Marquis diamond ring, $500
*Green rose cut diamond in yellow gold, $810
*Purple sapphire in yellow gold, $380

Your turn, friends: Would you choose a colorful engagement ring over a traditional one? Did you? Did your parents? What color would you choose? Any favorites -- or least favorites? Let's chat! xoxo

P.S. Wouldn't this rainbow engagement ring be fun too? Talk about a POP of color!

[Top photo by Braedon Photography]

Wedding do or don't: Tandem bikes

FREE IMAGES

Do you have a dream "getaway car" for your wedding day? When their big moment came, Jaimie and Ruben decided they wanted to go out in style. So, instead of a car decorated with assorted tin cans, they chose the playful bicycle-built-for-two option.

"We also wanted for things to suit our style and characters -- the type of flowers we chose -- hydrangeas, garden roses, freesias -- the colour theme, the cake, the music," says Jaimie. "We thought about what we liked, what our combined style was, and how we wanted that to come through in our choices..."

"...and of course Ruben doing his bicycle tricks!" she said.

 

Don't they look like they're having so much fun? I love how relaxed they look on those bikes -- like they're just hanging out and don't have a care in the world. Would you choose tandem bikes, friends? Did you? How'd it go? xoxo

P.S. Those flowers on the handle bars are such a pretty touch, too! :)

[Photos by Click Photography]

Would You Rather: Throw your wedding bouquet or keep it?

FREE IMAGES

Here's an interesting wedding tidbit for your Thursday: Apparently, throwing the bouquet isn't as popular as it once was. Some think it's a silly, superstitious tradition that is just awkward -- and potentially dangerous for those overzealous single ladies.

Would you rather throw your bouquet or keep it? Or maybe have a different tradition altogether? If you're married, did you toss your bouquet? Was there a mad dash among your female guests to catch it? xoxo

P.S. Am I the only one who thinks there should be a similar tradition for the groom and single men at weddings?

P.P.S. More pretty wedding bouquets.

[Photos via Wedding Chicks]