(Photo by Elle is Oneirataxic via Flickr)

My dear readers, today is a special day. Not only is it the kick off to Labor Day weekend, it’s also my birthday! To toast the occasion, as you know, I’m hanging with my little sister on the West coast. Not sure what we have planned to celebrate, but I do know this: the two of us haven’t spent our actual birthdays together in almost 10 years. Above is a shot of us as kids, taken one September long ago. Don’t you just love our stylish outfits for fall? And of course, for you, a few happy posts from around the Web to get your weekend started right.

My very favorite type of birthday cake, here, in cupcake form!

A bottle of wine I know my mom (and a few friends) would adore. 

Gorgeous shots of Santa Catalina.

An epic commercial for Chanel, directed by the one, the only Martin Scorcese.

A noteworthy rendition of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.

Here it is, one of my first big purchases for fall! Don’t you just love the layers on this skirt from Banana Republic? They are cut just right so the skirt is slimming, not voluminous, if you know what I mean. I picked out this top to go with it. What do you think?

One of my favorite songs begins, “When you’re worried, and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep…” It’s sung by Bing Crosby to Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas, a holiday movie I adore. But here’s something I know: If Bing had seen the sheep decals above from tweetheartwallart, I guarantee he would have been singing a different tune.

Today, I’m off! California-bound to visit my little sister Alyssa, who just moved there last year. I’m starting the week off in Irvine where she lives, then meeting Matt for a weekend wedding in Northern California (San Francisco to be exact). Alyssa and I don’t have a ton of things planned, but one thing’s for sure: she’s taking me to Santa Catalina, 26 miles across the sea. As I’ve mentioned before, the Wheatones signature song pays tribute to this tiny island, a place I still have never been. So stay tuned for updates about my trip…they will be coming soon!

(Photo of Santa Catalina by butterfly1172 via Flickr)