I don't know Stephanie Nielson and quite honestly, I've never read her blog. But the plane crash in which she and her husband were severely injured and their flight instructor, Doug Kinneard was killed, struck close to home for many reasons:

-Stephen is a pilot clocking hundreds of hours a year in the air. Any crash brings to light that his line of work has risks.
-Our family lost a cousin, Liz Johnson, this week in a plane crash in Guatemala while on a humanitarian mission.
-I have been to Falcoln Field where the Nielson's called home base for parking the plane. I've flown in those planes they flew. Arizona, where they call home, will always have my heart since it's where a large part of my family lives and where I grew up.

In an effort to help the Nielson family there are more than 300 silent auctions going on all over the web with proceeds going straight to the Christian and Stephanie Recovery Fund. For the most comprehensive list {and selfless, loving act of kindness} check out Design Mom. I'm sure you'll find something for yourself or your loved ones! I definitely did!

Lovely, retro-inspired, hand printed tea towels. Wouldn't they make a great hostess gift? {via More Ways to Waste Time}

These illustrated prints by Sarah Jane are so lovely. They remind me of the images I saw in the Winnie the Pooh books I used to read.

Ok, I'm seeing the theme today! It's not that I'm ready for them yet, it's that I'm surrounded by friends who are pregnant or have just given birth! I think this set of 12 baby grow onesis is absolutely adorable. With 12 onesis, it's certainly a gift that keeps on giving!! {image via culpepergenereal}

I'm loving this "Plant a Tree" silkscreen. It has such a great message, presented in a fun, whimsical way. I think it would look great in a child's room!

These are my two all time favorite rooms.I think the bookcase is fabulous. The natural light and use of pastel colors won me over.
Again, the color palate. And, the chairs. Oh so similar to the Van Dyke chair over at Crate & Barrel, I'm considering doing them in a custom white linen since I've now seen it here and also here. {By the way-it's their annual custom sale- 25% off!}
P.S. I can't remember where I found these images, if they're from you please let me know so I can give credit!

While at the airport last night I saw a taxi, but it wasn't just you're standard yellow Ford. Instead, it was a proper London taxi with a hired driver in tux and all! When I got home I looked up this company and found out you can customize pickups with a beverage of your choice, the red carpet, even fresh cut flowers. Wouldn't it be so nice to be taken home after a long trip in one of these?!

For as long as I've been using green cleaning products I've wondered why Target didn't carry Method dishwasher detergent. Now I know why- it wasn't created yet!! Introducing Smarty Dish, non-toxic and phosphate free! Way to go Method!! {image via Method}

Aren't these candlesticks lovely? I simply love the intricate details. {image via Rosanna}

These leather bound dictionaries seem so regal. They'd look beautiful on a desk with a lamp perched on top. {image via Graphic Image}

This past week my heart and mind have not been into blogging. I'm hoping for better next week. :) {image via aga_d}

I'm loving this fall outfit from Banana. Especially that sweater and the belt {show below up close}.

Being married to a pilot I sure got a kick out of this cartoon!

I think this is the perfect dress-up-a-casual-outfit necklace. {via Bliss; image via vandiva}

Are animal prints in style for fall? I sure hope so. {image via Nine West}

I'm really drawn to mustard yellow this fall. Especially these moccasins from Target. {image via Target}

I love this flowy "butterfly shirt." {via Bliss}

Is this not the most beautiful I-Pod sounds system? It's form and function at its peak.

Recently, I saw Recycled Home at Anthropologie and was really taken with the images. Then when I looked at Amazon I saw the authors have written another book, Restoration Home. Has anyone read these books? What do you think?

Meet Me at Mike's {I was tipped off over at Unruly Things} had a fun little project. Pick a year, type it into flickr and post your favorite image that comes up from that year.
1936: Abandoned swimming pool at the Olympic Village in Berlin. {image via urbtravel}

Lately I've been into vintage French inspired linens. Chelsea over at Frolic! found these three beautiful options for me, all very affordable.
These inexpensive ($0.49) Ikea dishtowels are so perfect! They'd look great hanging out in the open of a small kitchen and would add so much charm.
I'm picturing this on a farmhouse table with a gathering of close friends for some wonderful summer fare.
Another Ikea find, I love the gray-blue color and the nubby, linen texture. {images via Ikea & Farmhouse Wares}

I'm pretty sure these will become my go to fall flats. {image via Banana Republic}

If you look into the northeast part of the sky tonight around midnight and into the very early morning of the 12th, you'll be able to see the Perseid meteor shower with shooting stars streaming by nearly every minute. I love when things like this happen. It just reminds me how large the universe is and how I'm just a small part of something so much bigger. {image via science.NASA.gov}

Decorating the condo is still on my mind and lately it has been lamps. I came upon these two pendants while browsing stores recommended by fellow bloggers.
What a simple and beautiful design from Circa Lighting. {image via Circa Lighting}
Love these mid-century schoolhouse pendants- they are so much better than the fluorescents I grew up with. And well actually, I love pretty much everything else on the site too. {image via Victory Vintage Home}

I saw this blouse over the weekend and it's really cute. It's also different from things I usually wear {which is a good thing, since I'm trying to be more stylish}! What do you think? {image via Target}

Lately I've been really drawn to ethnic inspired textiles. Upon searching John Robshaw's Textile Shop {which has some really lovely textiles inspired from India} I came across these circus pillows. They'd look so perfect in a children's room or house with other eclectic finds from far-away countries. {image via John Robshaw}

One day when I have more than an urban patio, I want to start a small urban garden. Sometimes though, the task seems so huge and costly, it makes me worried that I'd put a lot of time and effort into it and nothing would grow! When the time comes and if we're still in Charlotte, I'm definitely going to be using this company to help me. {image via maomau}

What a lovely story about this old, amazing house on the sea and the love a family has for it.

I saw this bag featured in the most recent Marie Claire. I think it's perfect. The color, the strap, everything. The caption said it was from Gap but I've yet to see it online. Has anyone seen it in the stores? I would love to get my hands on one! {image via Marie Claire}

Currently loving this leopard print belt. {image via J. Crew}

I'd like to start a nice collection of coffee-table books. I'm so inspired by lovely decor so naturally it's what I tend toward. These are a few that have been recommended to me. What are your favorites?
Flea Market Style has fun, interesting pictures about how you can create a home with both old and new goods as well as some simple reupholstering. The rooms look so comfortable and lived in and the books provides loads of inspiration.

Inside the Not So Big House touches on a topic I believe many American's need to learn how to embody- how to live more simply and make a house a home. It means filling a house with treasures you love not just things to fill the space. The book offers simple solutions for owners of smaller homes on how to embody the philosophy but also make their house practical.

Discovering Home with Laurie Smith: Find Your Personal Syle is not the most visually interesting of the bunch as it only features Laurie Smith's home and many pictures of the same room from different angles. However, it does offer great strategies on how to arrange furniture, choose colors and play with patterns to reflect your taste. It also has advice on how to pick window treatments, lighting, fabrics and accessories.

Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style doesn't offer any step-by-step advice. Rather it's filled with beautiful rooms chalk full of different colors and textures. The rooms are visual masterpieces and certainly provide inspiration to the less daring.

Banana Republic just released a collection celebrating 30 years of classics. The pieces are so beautiful, timeless and affordable. They are the basics every wardrobe should have and it makes me wish I worked in a more formal office.
The classic trenchcoat is definitely a piece I could see myself purchasing as an investment.