Cupcakes and Cashmere

Five Things

February 8th, 2013

{I made little hearts using white nail polish + toothpicks}

There were good lessons to be learned this week. We had our fair share of disappointment – with some unfortunate house-hunting news (turns out, if you’re self-employed, it’s very difficult to get a loan) and a major business deal that fell through. I felt like curling up in a ball and not leaving the couch, but instead I focused on being grateful for what I do have. It was a conscious (and somewhat challenging) decision to change my perspective, but I’m so glad that I did. Have a great weekend.

{Dinner party place cards for tonight with each person’s favorite alcohol}

{Layering necklaces from my dad – the top was a gift he gave to my mom on their wedding day}

{Rainy day weekend activity: making pretty cupcakes topped with these edible flowers}

{I love these geode candlesticks that I purchased at SummerHouse in Mill Valley}

http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/ Cassidy Short
Those necklaces are gorgeous, how sweet! And the candlesticks are AMAZING!
xoxo
Cassidy
http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/
http://iamturquoise.wordpress.com I AM TURQUOISE
hope everything turns out well! Good luck!
http://iamturquoise.wordpress.com
Azu
WOW! Those candles are awesome! I like your cute little hearts on your nails Also…those flowers are so pretty. For that reason, I’d feel bad eating them lol.
xo Azu
http://www.raven-locks.blogspot.com
http://pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com Michelle Lee
lovely list!
http://pinklemonincrystal.blogspot.com
http://kjandersen.wordpress.com/ Kajsa
Admire that you are so positive! I cross my fingers that the house hunting is going well.
xoxo KJ
http://kjandersen.wordpress.com/
http://lestylorouge.com Ashley
I’m so sorry to hear about the (temporary!) setbacks. Chin up- much easier said that done- and better things are coming your way.
Have a brilliant weekend!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
http://julieblakeblog.blogspot.com Julie Blake
Oh no, I hope things turn out better next week Emily! Have the best weekend!
http://www.withmybitchguns.blogspot.com wmbg
love the placecards. and love that you’ve changed your perspective when sh*t hit the fan. hugs.
http://akabailey.blogspot.com Bailey
Those candlesticks are incredible!!! My geologist boyfriend would go nuts for those Sorry to hear about the trouble with the house loan, and best wishes for it to work out quickly for you!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
http://gbofashion.com Shannon
So darling and crafty!
Be sure to check out my final day of giveaways at GBOfashion.com
julie
love anything geode. just bought a piece off etsy for my console table. sorry the deal and the house fell through. we bid on 5 houses in LA before we got one. it’s all these ultra rich people wiht $1m cash offers that make it tough for the normal people to find a place. AND i can’t believe you have a friend who’s favorite liquor is fernet branca b/c that stuff tastes like a– water … he must have been a bartender / mixologist at one point.
http://www.not-going-out-like-that.com
Amanda
Such a cute heart mani–could you do a tutorial sometime? Love your tutorials! The necklaces are candle sticks gorgeous!
Sheila Pauls
everything is so pretty and fresh. i live in vancouver so i can relate to the ridiculous housing market situation.
http://bintheknow.wordpress.com B. in the Know
I love these five things! The little heart on your nail is fabulous!
Much love,
B
http://cropandprim.blogspot.com/ Jane
Those candle holders are ridiculous! In the best way possible.
Best,
Jane
http://vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com Agi
I”m sorry things didn’t work out like you had hoped but good for you for changing your perspective. Remember from great failure comes great success. I recently had the great honor of hearing Oprah talk and she said the only way to success is through failure. I know that to be true. I hope that things work out for you. Love your heart nail polish.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
http://seaandswank.com/ Susie
I hate weeks like those where nothing goes right, but kudos to you for powering through and focusing on the positive. And I think sweet little things – like those featured in this post – are a great way to find the beauty in unexpected places.
Sea and Swank
http://www.micheleng.com Michele Ng
Thank you for sharing! I’m in a similar situation with house hunting and self-employed loan issues so it’s definitely encouraging to hear about your positivity and making a conscious decision to change your perspective. Hope things start to get better for you.. Stay strong!
http://www.carascliche.com Cara Northcutt
I am sorry to hear that about the house, everything will work out in the end I am sure! Love those candlestick holders.
http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com/ Naomi A
Your mom’s necklace is so beautiful. I love the sentiment of passing down jewelry~
The Occasional Indulgence
http://www.hannamarielei.com hanna
Your nails look adorable My Blog
http://www.vintagedanielle.blogspot.com Vintage Danielle
The candlesticks are gorgeous, I’ve never seen anything like them before.
http://demureindiamonds.com Jenna @ Demure in Diamonds
Those geode candlestick holders are killlerrr!!! I”m so in love with them. Your mani is perfect
XO Jenna
Demureindiamonds.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/magentadevi Kim
i love those candle holders.
http://lolaandleopold.com Christina
those candlesticks are amazing!!!!
http://dcinstyle.com Elena
I faced the same problem with the loan, being a freelancer is a blast but it also has negative sides.
Great photos, the edible flowers are adorable!!!!
Elena
http://dcinstyle.com/
tryingtomakefetchhappen
Oh my gosh I love those candle stick holders!!
http://candyandtreats.net Liesbeth (candyandtreats)
Oh, I know the feeling! Being self-employed sure does have its downsides unfortunately, and most certainly if you’re both self-employed!
jennifer
love the place setting idea – very cute and original.
champagne & passports
http://www.sincerelyval.com valerie yvonne
Love the little heart on the nail polish!
http://www.sincerelyval.com
http://www.winksmilestyle.com Josie
I’m so glad you’re doing a little better. I love your cheery nails, and the placecard idea is BRILLIANT.
xo Josie
http://www.winksmilestyle.com
http://primandpeachy.blogspot.com/ Caroline S
I’m glad you were able to change your perspective this week, even if it was challenging. You are an inspiration to many, which is something to be proud of.
Also I love those candle holders!
~ Caroline
http://peachykeencaroline.blogspot.com/
http://champagnelifestyles.blogspot.com Hannah
Love the little hearts! Adorable!
Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget
http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/ Kareena
love the place card idea!
xoxo
Kareena
http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/
http://laminlouboutins.blogspot.com Stephanie
Love your little manicure!! Especially dying over those candles!!!
-Stephanie
@LaminLouboutins.blogspot.com
http://www.RavingFashionista.com Sarah {Raving Fashionista}
My boyfriend and I are currently in the exact same boat. We spent nearly a year trying to close on a house where we also needed a special renovation loan to purchase.. we’ve learned the hard way what a headache the process is when you’re self-employed.
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com Caroline L.
I hope things get better for you! There’s gotta be a certain darkness so you can see all the stars better, right? Loving this week’s Five Things!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
Makeup
Sometimes life sucks. A lot of people are having a hard time. Love the candlesticks though.
http://www.chroniclesofhimandher.com Valerie {chronicles of him and her}
I’m dying over those place cards. So creative and fun! Need to do this for my next dinner party. Have a great weekend!
Traci
Good for you for being thankful during disappointment! I really love that attitude…thanks for sharing.
http://LD7078@aol.com Linda Data
You need to be a little less naive and more mature–life is not fair–ask my son who has a great education, but is a struggling attorney. In my opinion, California people are in another world.
- kakie
  She’s NOT being immature. She had a difficult and unfair life setback (not being able to buy a house when she has the means to do so, because the problems caused by the subprime loan crisis made banks wary, which is not her fault). She’s saying that although she was upset (understandably!), she chose to focus on the positive. Nothing about her post shows that she was being naive. It takes hard work, bravery, and determination to be self-employed, and this girl has had a lot of success (published a book, her appearances are well attended, she’s been on news shows). The fact that she can’t get a loan despite her success is surprising. You sound like the one who is immature, actually…just because your son is struggling, it doesn’t minimize the struggles of those who have been more successful. Not being able to buy a house after working hard IS something to rightfully be upset about…owning a home is an important part of starting a family. It’s not like she’s upset about not being able to get the latest Celine bag.
  - Kasey
    LOL @linda’s link
http://www.delicious-knowledge.com Alexandra @ Delicious Knowledge
What a great perspective to have. It’s sometimes hard to see the glass half-full, but essential for keeping your head up.
I love those candlesticks! Heading to SF this weekend for some shopping, maybe I’ll head north too
http://namesnotashley.com Natalie
GORGEOUS pictures this week, Emily! I’m so sorry to hear about your disappointments – I know getting bad news like that can be so mentally and physically crippling. Good for you for choosing to stay positive – that attitude is so inspiring! I hope you have a wonderful dinner party tonight
Natalie
Name’s Not Ashley
http://www.marthainthecity.blogspot.com Krissy
Sorry to hear about your rough week…being self employed can really be hard at times, but in the end, the freedom we have can be work those down moments.
And on the bright side, those candlesticks are FABULOUS! lol
http://www.vicariousLA.com i.s.
all gorgeous shots xx
http://www.vicariousLA.com
http://www.TheSkinnyConfidential.com Lauryn
I am OBSESSED with those candle holders! Dying!
http://www.TheSkinnyConfidential.com
http://www.daily-outfitting.com Beth
Oh, I love those candlesticks too! I’ve been obsessed with all things quartz as of late. So beautiful!
http://www.bakingincouture.com Inna
I know that feeling, but I’m sure it will all turn around soon
Xo Inna
Baking in Couture
http://www.lovelucygirl.com Kayla Gilbert
Those candlesticks are the best!!
Kayla
http://www.lovelucygirl.com
meg
Oh, man. Sorry to hear about the house hunting. My husband and I have started looking ourselves. I can relate.
On the positive side, the heart on your nail looks great!
http://happinessiscreating.com/