SMC beauty buys: darphin redness relief serum

i always just hate trying things from darphin. they're fantastic to use, work exactly as promised, and it feels like such an indulgence every time i put on a darphin product. so, i get all addicted. and truth in advertising generally comes at a high price, i'm sorry to say.

so now, just in time for summer (aka, my face's nightmare season), darphin has introduced this amazing redness relief soothing serum. which, honestly and truly, does just that. i was seriously skeptical - my face is fairer than fair, with only its borderline rosacea to add a splash of color. but this serum is going a long way toward delivering that milky, luminous complexion i dream of one day possessing. it's totally soothing to apply, and has a lovely fragrance as well.

sigh...guess i'm stuck with another can't-live-without product from darphin. the world is so unfair.

if you're in the market for a new serum, or if redness on your face plagues you during warm weather like it does me, this is one of those times i think it's worth it to give in and splurge. and one thing i'll say about darphin is the products do last for months. so, you can use my trusty "cost per wear" justification here. handy little tool, isn't it?

deal of the day: yellow ruffle blouse

again with the juicy couture...i'm scaring myself a little. but gah, this top is so cute! and marked down 40% in the net-a-porter summer sale. it'll be darling with shorts this summer, and i can totally see this dressed up for work with a contrasting cardi and trouser jeans. nab it for $106 while you can. fab.u.lous.

deal of the day: gustto sample sale

i know at least one of you lovely readers was looking for "the perfect orange bag" for summer. i think this gustto just might be it - great summer size (holds your summer reading, your huge sunglass case, etc), the color is fantastic, and the price ($258) is definitely right if you snag it (or any of its lovely siblings) during the gilt groupe sample sale. it started this morning, so snap to it!

as always, if you need an invite, just email me - shoppingsmycardio at gmail.com - and i'll take care of you!

site of the day: whimsy press

there is literally nothing i don't adore about whimsy press. from their completely gorgeous wrapping paper and notebooks to their tongue-in-cheek greeting cards, it was love at first sight.


honestly, there aren't enough places in the world where you can buy a card that says "sorry i fucked up." or, the fabulously punny "you crack me up", illustrated with a soft-boiled egg (yes, i realize that my sense of humor is right up there with your average second-grader). ah, so many goodies to choose from - i want one of each for my ever-growing card collection.


i've raved about their darling tote bags before, but now i'm on to something to put inside them. these gorgeous matchbook notepads ($8) are absolutely perfect for toting around - they have a surround cover that opens and closes like a giant matchbook, so no crumpled pages when it's shoved down at the bottom of your purse. and the prints are adorably retro and fun. my fave is palm beach, but paper invaders runs a very close second.


oh, and then there's the gift wrap - i get a little freaky-freaky with my gift wrapping (i secretly dream of a whole "gift wrapping station" in my house). whimsy's collection indulges every last one of my perfectionist impulses. the designs are so hip, the colors are so cheerful, and the quality is so exceptional that it's all i can do not to buy up their entire stock. i love all of them, but i have to admit that the 'best friends' set is my favorite - how could i resist those doggie silhouettes?

best of all, the fabulous people over at whimsy want all of you to get a chance to check out their goods, so they're offering a 20% sitewide discount to shoppingsmycardio readers! just use code CARDIO at checkout - but it's only good for 30 days, so stock up now!

head on over to whimsy press's website, which i guarantee will suck you in before you've even realized what's happened. happy shopping!

etsy search of the day: "anemone"

since i love both the flower and the spiny sea creatures, i decided to see what would happen if i just searched for "anemone" on etsy...


anemone photo pendant, $35, adornjewelry


"an enemy or an anemone?" original photograph, $40, janeofalltrades.


not exactly an anemone, but so cool nonetheless. "charming creatures 12", $100, by lisa congdon.


and now i'm just completely digressing...because these are sea urchins, of course. this is what etsy does to you. sea urchin stationery, $9, by pixelimpress.


i sort of can't believe this amazingly detailed piece of glass is only 2" across. anemone gazing orb II, $95, by zenartglass

what i want today: r&y augousti clutch

i am just in love with this bag. i think it's because the designer started with a style that was so popular it's now almost overdone (the foldover clutch), and took it to a new level with the exotic skin and that fabulous deco zipper pull (trimmed in stingray, incidentally).

or maybe i love it because, yet again, augousti has the market cornered on affordable exotics. you can score this beauty for less than $500 - which is downright amazing, if you ask me.

if you're in the market, this clutch will make a fantastic addition to your bag stash - the styling is casual enough for jeans, but the exotic skin dresses it up for evening. pick it up at barneys, and make all of your friends jealous.

or, if you're looking for something a little more classic, barneys just restocked that gorgeous park clutch i've mentioned before. it's a much more traditional clutch option, but stunning nonetheless. and only $395...i honestly have no idea how r&y does it.

what i want today: studded bangles

aren't these just lovely?? bangles really are all the rage this year, as are punk-inspired studs. but, in both cases, most of the styles out there are a little too predictably trendy for me.

so i was thrilled to find these lovely bangles from gorjana. they manage to incorporate both trends seamlessly...and tastefully. naturally, i couldn't resist - and it's all worked out beautifully. these have been a near-perfect addition to my jewelry wardrobe this season - i've worn them constantly since they arrived. individually, the style is delicate enough for everyday. but combined, the differing size and shape of the stud accents make these the perfect statement piece.

pick them up (separately, here and here) at gorjana's website - i love the yellow gold vermeil, but they're also available in silver. you're sure to get a lot of mileage out of either.

deal of the day: kate boutique

i'm losing steam on sale posts this week, but i couldn't resist sharing this one. kate boutique has just finished some serious spring markdowns that are well, well worth your browsing time. kate really emphasizes drape in absolutely everything she buys, and the results are exceptional - i can visualize myself wearing every piece in her store.


this cashmere turtleneck by inhabit retails for $350, but is marked down to $150.


or this delectable grey leather tote by abaco, marked down from $600 to $180. yes, really.


nearly every piece in the "sweater bin" has me swooning...i know it's not sweater weather yet, but i'll be so glad when it is, because i'll be cuddling up in this gorgeous cardigan by souchi and keeping toasty warm.

and if you're in the market for a fabulous leather jacket, well, i don't even know where to begin.

enjoy!

and one more....

because the sigerson sale has me obsessed, and because these amazing flats are just too pretty not to share. if i didn't have literally the exact same shade of gold in a tory burch reva flat, i'd snap these up in a new york minute. in fact, it's particularly distressing because...i like these better (shhh....).

deal(s) of the day: sale shoes - designer edition

i was spending a little too much time over at notcouture last night, and found there a number of deals much too lovely to keep to myself.

juicy couture continues to surprise me. if they keep this up, i'm going to have to stop mocking them entirely.

these sandals ($101) are a great way to bring a little ombre to your summer...and on sale, too. i love the yellow, but if you're feeling extra girly, pink is the perfect choice. nab either at bergdorf goodman, where you'll also get out tax-free (unless you live in NYC).



for a more understated style, i love these t-strap beca sandals from gryson. yellow and grey IS definitely the hottest color combo du jour, and these little flats make it clear why. nab them for $225 at funky lala.


and last, but certainly not least, more sigerson morrison love. these beauties ($145) are absolutely everything i've been looking for in a casual black flat - love the modern mary jane styling, the intricate detail on the strap, and that thick elastic around the top is going to keep these comfy in any weather. they're lovely in black, but that fabulous bright gold would be oh-so-fun too. decisions, decisions.

what i want today: bloom tote by jessica jensen

lately, i'm really into bags that aren't from the big design houses - i'm craving style a little different from those that everyone else is carrying, and i love the attention to detail that you get from most of the smaller designers that comes without the hefty pricetag.

this ivory appliqued tote by jessica jensen is just what i'm after - the craftsmanship is amazing, i love the pink suede lining, and the lambskin exterior is stunning. this might just be the perfect warm-weather handbag. after all, how excited would you be to bring this out of the closet every spring?

pick it up for $758 from jessica jensen, but through the end of july, there's a lucky magazine code for 25% off. so, with code "luckybreaks7", you can take this beauty home for just under $570, putting it in the price range of a kooba or botkier - but i like this one so much more.

deal of the day: the elusive shopbop code

today only, kids, so jump to it - 20% off at shopbop.com. some rules, of course - only on tops, bottoms and dresses (no shoes or bags, sadly), and not good on sale items.

but still, if you've been waiting for a little break to justify picking up a really fabulous tank or a lovely new summer dress, now's your chance. or, you could think of it as a sign that you're supposed to update that denim collection with something truly exceptional.

the code is HEATWAVE08, and i don't think they're kidding about it expiring at midnight (PST). post and let us know what you buy...i'm still trying to figure out how to maximize the benefit!

deal of the day: barneys spring sale

how could i have forgotten this most fabulous of spring occasions? so much to show, i'm just going to get right to business.


this pleated shell is an absolute must for the coming fall trends you'll be seeing. trust me: structure, sculptural detail...this piece has it all, and for under $200 (one of the challenges of an "impeccable tailoring" trend is the high pricetag of perfection). the neutral tone keeps it seasonless and really sets off the detail.


this tunic ($199) is the ultimate universally flattering piece. that raspberry color is fantastic on all skin tones, the belt creates a waist, and those wide kimono sleeves disguise any arm pudge. all in all, it's just about perfect.


true, this tee by splendid doesn't look exciting. but it's one of those rare and coveted closet staples you'll turn to time and again...and it's $39. so, you can afford to trust me on this one.


i absolutely loved this dress when it came out this spring - and i love it still. by vince, an old favorite of mine. love the ombre, love the twig print - this is just a gorgeous, effortless summer look...especially for $119.


and i had to include this silk daisy print dress ($279) just because i love the print so. that grey color is right on trend, and the pattern keeps it from fading into the background. darling for work or weekend.


last but not least, don't miss the denim. seven's classic "ginger" cut is on sale for $119, along with all sorts of other lovely denim options.

i could go on and on....but this is a sale worth exploring yourself. happy hunting!

fashion quandary: so near, and yet...

...so far.

these fabienne boots had my eye the instant i saw them in j.crew's new pieces for fall. i had such high hopes that these were, in fact, the perfect fall boot - that elusive cool-weather staple.

alas, that black trim that was all set to make these the perfect fall boot has instead turned them into something sad...for that trim is not regular leather, but patent. i don't think that pulls these squarely into the realm of streetwalker...but it's not a positive thing.

what do you think? can you overlook the shine for the overall chic?

SMC gift guide: babies and the parents who love them

if you, like me, have several friends getting ready to spawn this year, you'll probably appreciate the fact that i've at least managed to do all of the baby shower-shopping for you.

check out the guide over at the daily obsession. (oh, and that pic above is a print by matte stephens called yaaka hula hickey dula...how perfect is that for a little boy? it's like where the wild things are meets the jetsons)

ooh, and while you're there - i keep forgetting to point out the fantastic contest going on there now! if you're in the market for a truly gorgeous handbag, the daily obsession has it up for grabs, gratis! don't forget to enter while you're there...the contest ends sunday!