If it fits amazing, caught my eye, is delicious, improves my well-being, saves me money, is useful or I just love and obsess over it I want you to know about it and reap the benefits, too. My musings may just help improve your quality of life!
I recently signed up to received Daily Candy Deals. It's like Groupon but online. Basically, you receive a daily email with a deal such as $50 for $100 credit at some fashion site.
Today's email really caught my attention: $32 for $80 worth of credit on anything. amykathryn is a line of designer eco and animal-friendly handbags, messenger bags and clutches. When you think vegan clothing and accessories you may not think prints, textures, and colors. Think again. These bags have it all. Style, quality, and then some. My particular favorite is the Gladiola Apricot Carry-All Shoulder Bag for $99. Sign up with Daily Candy Deals right now, buy the amykathryn deal and get this bag for only $51!
Oh, and for all you moms and moms to be, these also make great diaper bags. In fact, amykathryn also carries vegan changing pads for only $19. So hip and functional!
This past weekend really got me thinking about layering, and my new maxi dress was the perfect excuse to do so...plus I got to wear my beloved Three Dots http://www.shopthreedots.com/new-arrivals-at-ThreeDots-CID180.aspx?gclid=CKjCvtmJzasCFSoCQAod7UsY1Q jean shirt-esque jacket-ish blazer. The problem with the denim top is that I don't own anything other than jeans in the way of bottoms. No skirts. No trousers. Only jeans, and only blue jeans. I'm the last person you're going to catch trying to pull off the Detroit Tuxedo look...even if it IS do-able. The solution, feminine blazers. I've been scouring the pages of my catalogs and favorite sites in search of the perfect fitting, priced, wearable colored blazer. Today, Sundance Catalog http://www.sundancecatalog.com/home.do has me longing for a few but geez I wish they were on sale.
If you've come across any great blazers lately, please, please, please let me know!
I'm sitting here watching the Bears Game featuring yet another un-stellar performance by Jay Cutler that is unfortunately not going to end in a win regardless of how his team members try to carry him. Kris and I have both detached from the disappointment on the screen and begun playing with our cell phones. I'm answering emails and Kris is, believe it or not, checking out my latest blog. Then he asks me "what are you going to blog about today" and I reply I don't know and ask for a suggestion. His reply...shoes. In the words of TLC, "what a man, what a man, what a really good man!"
Great idea. Problematic idea as well. See, this is the time of year I try to extend my flip flop/sandal wearing as long as possible...like literally until the first snow fall. Then, until the snow disappears, I wear my Uggs religiously. Although these forms of footwear are fashionable and popular, they tend to limit my outfit choices. I don't own any "regular" shoes. I have great dress shoes and functional gym shoes but nothing I can just wear with a nice casual outfit (jeans, t-shirt, sweater) and feel regular and not too dressy.
The shoe department is where I fall flat on my face. I see tons of shoes in magazines and catalogs that look amazing with the outfits on the models but they have 3" heels or chunky wedges or just go with whatever the model is wearing for wherever it is she's supposed to be going...which is not anywhere I'll find myself going to anytime soon, if ever. I know I should go to a department store or DSW in my favorite jeans and a mid-weight jacket and try and try and try on shoes but that's not the way I work. To me, shopping is stressful. I get overwhelmed. I see it, I like it, I buy it (or obsess over it). My Dad has proclaimed me the best power shopper ever and I have to agree. I can get myself and others in and out of a mall with everything we intended to get within an hour. BUT I CAN'T FIND REGULAR SHOES FOR FALL AND WINTER!
I NEED your help! Please, if you haven't joined as a member of my blog please, please, please do so. This is the only way you can comment on my blogs and I really need your comments and input right now as my toes are getting a bit nippy. For those of you who are following my blog via e-mail, that is great. I follow that way as well because I like to get my musings in my inbox in the morning. However, e-mail followers cannot add comments. To become a member, you need to have a Gmail account (or flicker or maybe yahoo). Just above the pictures of current members (followers) there is a box with a Google "g" followed by "Join this site". Please click this box and you will be asked for you Gmail/yahoo email and password. Once you've become a member follower you will be able to leave comments and hopefully have me in Fall and Winter appropriate shoes by mid-October.
Thank you for all your help. I'm so eager to read your comments and suggestions! Some ads will pop up in boxes on the right and left pertaining to shoes as well. I encourage you to click on them for additional suggestions.
So, tomorrow is the first day of Fall and although magazines and catalogs are preaching "layers, layers, layers" I find it's just a little too warm to start bundling up. Besides, even though the crisp air is nice and inviting, are you really ready to walk away from summer yet? This is the time of year I like to take a page out of the "hipster's" style guide. No, it's not skinny jeans on guys or shorts with slouchy socks and combat boots. I like scarves.
Scarves are an accessory that make both a statement and sense. Don't put away your tanks and short sleeves yet, wear a scarf with them. It's a great fall look and the right scarf gives you that happy medium of light and chunky, warm and cool. Not only that, many scarves can double as a light wrap for when the sun goes down and you're out enjoying a nice bonfire with friends.
So don't go reaching for your wool sweaters and thermal underwear just yet. Enjoy the invigorating cool temps for a while. There will be plenty of time to bundle up in a month or two...save it for winter.
It all started last month when I went to California with my parents and two sisters. They were both effortlessly carrying their Hobo wallets wherever they went. Yes, they both totally have it together, but it was the "look" that hooked me. I needed a wallet like theirs! I wanted to have that "I have it together" look. Plus, they both have them in fun, yet mature and stylish colors. Upon returning to work I began emailing my sister, Rachel (a wallet guru in my eyes) links to various wallets. Of course, I started narrowing it down to the Hobo International brand http://www.hobobags.com/ for it's colors, quality, construction, slots and spaces, and variety of sizes and styles. See, the idea was to be able to carry cards and cash but also be able to hold my chapstick, cell phone, and keys without looking bulky. One more email later and my choice was made. Rachel replied, "I LOVE THE MILLIE" and that was it. I went to Amazon and purchased mine for only $49 since it was one of last season's colors. Then I proceeded to purchase one for Rachel as a thank you for having me join her in Australia the month before. Turned out Rachel's love for the Millie was true as true can be because the day before the one I ordered her arrived she called to tell me all about the one she just got! And, when I told our sister, Jessica (new mother of beautiful twins) about this and Rachel now having two of them, she excitedly annouced that she "wants one. It would be so handy when running errands with the babies."
Mary Rose's Della and free coin purse.
Whether it's the Millie, the Della (chosen by my friend Mary Rose of Next Gen Green www.nextgengreen.blogspot.com after one of my "consultations"), or any of their other bags and wallets you will enjoy it's quality and timeless style for years. And you'll get a lot of "oooh, I love your wallet".
Right now, Hobo International http://www.hobobags.com/ is offering a free coin purse with purchases of $75 or more and as always, free shipping on orders of $150 or more.
You can also find the Hobo that's right for you at a variety of shops and sites, as well as, Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ where you are sure to find a style in your favorite color, for the right price and get free shipping on most orders of $25 or more.
Trying to get the perfect effortless looking bun is a trick many women and girls attempt on a regular basis. The scrunchy, elastic band, chopsticks, and a couple dozen bobby pins never seem to get the look right. So, the second I saw a commercial for these Spin Pins by Goody http://www.goody.com/#/grid/simple_styles/products/simple_styles_spin_pin I went straight to CVS to get a set. Unfortunately, they were not in stock yet. Bummer. But, as you should know by now, when I am on a mission and cannot be stopped until I succeed. I finally went to the Goody site and paid way to much shipping to have my Spin Pins and you know what, they are every bit worth it! They can now be found in your local drug stores and grocery stores. My friends are curious when they see the actual pin and then amazed when I show them how to do it and encourage them to give it a try. It works the first time every time!
Heading to the beach or the pool, twist your hair and wrap it around it's self and then simply "screw" the Spin Pin straight through the middle from side to side. Viola, you're good to go. The look is even perfect for when you don't have time to fuss with you hair for an evening out...it creates the perfect chic messy bun. Put it all up, put half of it up, for thicker hair use one in each side of the bun. They even come in two colors for light hair and dark hair. I have two sets now so I can have one in my purse, one at work, one in my car, and one at home...basically everywhere I have a tube of chapstick. There's really no reason not to have one if your hair is long enough to wear up.
