Links I Love

1. The easiest way to make a beautiful cheese platter. (thekitchn.com)

2. A cool service to print customized maps. (mapiful.com)

3. 8 tricks to getting up earlier. (fastcompany.com)

4. The cutest romper to sleep in. (shopbop.com)

5. How to make the fluffiest pancakes. (sayyes.com)

6. DIYs to get you ready for Valentine's Day. (decor8blog.com)

7. Helpful diagrams for moms-to-be. (buzzfeed.com)

8. A sweet Valentine's Day cocktail. (honestlyyum.com)

9. The chicest hair knot. (loveshopshare.com)

Etsy Home Accessories

I’ve always had a soft spot for Etsy: the thrill of the hunt (and triumph of the find) is enough to keep me hooked, even though it can be intimidating to navigate. It’s the best place to buy those small yet impactful details that make a house a home.  (My tip: refine your search by looking through the stores that your favorite Etsy-ers follow.) The exorbitantly expensive coffee canister I'd been eyeing at a too-cool boutique was a steal on Etsy, as well as several other items I've included below. Here are some other beautiful little keepsakes I’d buy in a heartbeat.

1. Small Speckled Bowls, $24

2. Woven Wall Hanging, $200

3. Good Luck Porcelain Horseshoe, $32

4. Catch-All Ceramic Hand, $50

5. Geometric Planter, $30

6. Cement Bookend, $32

7. Brass Wall Hook, $14.29

8. Gold Zig Zag Tray, $108

9. Marble Paper Weight, $120

10. Porcelain Disk Chimes, $70

11. Hand Painted Coasters, $34

12. Versatile Basket, $101

P.S. More Etsy round-ups including Etsy Jewelry and Etsy Art.

My Worst Technological Snafu

I consider myself to be relatively technologically savvy. If there's a new app or a way to improve my site's SEO, chances are I've at least heard of it. But, that's not to say that I haven't made my fair share of mistakes over the years.

The other night, my friends and I were talking about social media and its impact on our lives. We all admitted it can play too big a role in our day-to-day existence. In the morning when I first wake up, I'm quickly brought up to speed on what everyone's having for breakfast and if I have to wait in line, it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll be passing the time on Instagram.

One friend revealed how she'd recently been put in charge of her company's Facebook account and inadvertently posted a personal update. Needless to say, she not only got in trouble but was also certifiably embarrassed. We all told some of our less-than-graceful social media snafus, so I thought it would be funny to share mine. It happened when Facebook required your status to have an "is" at the end of it, ie. "Stenice Taylor is..." I was trying to look up/casually stalk a friend with whom I'd lost contact, but instead of typing her name into the search bar, I accidentally entered it as my status, which read, "Stenice Taylor is Nikki Chang*." Luckily I caught it immediately, but not after I nearly swore off doing anything online ever again.

I'd love to know - what's your most embarrassing social media mishap?

*name has been changed to protect the innocent.

P.S. The battery pack my friends swear by for the iPhone.

Monthly Beauty Buys

I'm always curious about the beauty products my friends are into and this month I essentially raided one of their bathroom cabinets, (sorry, Julia!), during a recent visit. At first I was simply drawn to the packaging of this toner, but after removing my make-up and trying it out, I became an immediate convert. The same went for the eyebrow pencil, that has a unique feature, and a lip pencil that somehow looks good on nearly every skin tone. Read on for the reasoning behind this month's favorite beauty buys.

Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel. After I wash my face at night, there was always a little makeup left over, which I'd discover on my pillow case. I knew I should be incorporating a toner into my routine, to help with this issue, but I wanted to find one that was both natural and hydrating. This product is made with organic witch hazel and is alcohol-free, which doesn't strip my skin and makes it super soft.

Topshop Lip Bullet in Plastique. I'm drawn to pastel pinks that veer a bit purple and this one reminds me of my all-time favorite shade (MAC 'Snob'), but with a less retro finish. It's still matte and not at all frosty, which is key for not channeling Barbie, and I love that the pencil glides on easily and looks more like a stain than a lipstick.

Burberry 'Effortless' Brow Definer. I own a few eyebrow pencils, but none of them give me results like this one. The flat, angled tip glides on easily, depositing subtle color that doesn't look drawn on or fake. The best features are that it doesn't require any sharpening and the other end is a bristly comb, which are two shortcuts that go a long way.