(popping in with a quick sale note...)

remember these?? they're on sale for $79 now....enjoy!

out shopping....be back soon!

i know, i know...MIA again. but this time, it's for a good cause. i'm off on a critical shoppingsmycardio research expedition, trolling every boutique and fabulous department store in manhattan for goodies to share with you all. i'll be back next week, hopefully with lots of great new insight....or at least some new things to covet!

what i want today: designer collections by the gap

it looks like the gap has jumped back on the cheap-couture bandwagon. they've teamed up with a handful of high-fashion designers (think doo.ri and thakoon, among others) to see what the designers would do to renovate the classic white button-down shirt. and it turns out, they had some pretty fabulous ideas.

my favorites are the dresses - i scooped up this one by doo.ri ($88), and am looking forward to seeing how it fits. if you're not feeling the 50s vibe quite as thoroughly as i clearly was when i bought, thakoon designed one ($78) with a much narrower skirt that would be fabulous on its own, or under skinny black pants.


i'm not a fan of all of them, i have to admit. the petal skirt model by thakoon (at right) is darling on the bottom, but the huge puffed sleeves on top just make this one way too, well, puffy. now if they'd made it sleeveless, we'd have a winner for sure. and the bow blouse (by rodarte) just looks like it couldn't possibly flatter anyone...i mean, it didn't even flatter the model, for heaven's sake.

but, the good ones are good - and definitely worth a look. if you have killer arms and a small bust, the trapeze top ($68) would definitely be a winner - though since my stats are precisely the opposite, i'll be staying far, far away. the thing i'm loving about all of these is that they're still classic, just with a twist. and the color just screams 'blank canvas' to me...i can see these working with a gorgeous scarf, maybe a colorful belt...the possibilities are definitely there.

snap them up while you can - gap's last designer collection sold out so fast it never even made it to the website! this line has only been up since this morning, and the small sizes are going fast!

what i want today: big bag o' loot from the girls at TDO

okay, everyone, i considered keeping this to myself to up my chances, but hey - it's supposed to be a celebration, and the more, the merrier.

head over to visit one of my favorite blogs, the daily obsession, today, and leave a comment on this fabulous post about their one-year anniversary. by doing so, you'll line yourself up to win a pretty darn amazing goodie basket, including some products from tocca (love!) and a $60 gift certificate for jewelery by katherine sise (i'm pretty sure i could put that baby to good use).

now, in the end, i'm going to win....but it wouldn't hurt you all to take a stab at it. who knows...i might even share :)

what i want today: apple skirt by hannah

really, do i have to say anything else?? i think this cutie just speaks for itself. i want to wear it to work with a cardigan, and out for after-work cocktails (appletini, perhaps?) on a patio somewhere. all it needs is a cute little pair of white flipflops, and you're set! oh yeah, and did you notice that some of the apples have worms? so cute, i'm speechless. and, i'm on a quest for more skirts (less shorts) this spring, so i think this little cutie is coming to my house in the near future!

$68 at made with love by hannah, who actually does make these by hand, with love (and, apparently, with her grandmother, which is the cutest thing ever). and free shipping besides...we all know how i love that!

what you should want today: handbag hangers by simply sarah

i received an email today from designer sarah shaw, which remimded me that i had promised L once upon a time that i would blog about this fabulous little contraption i have hanging in my closet. it's called a handbag hanger, and it's simplicity at its finest. composed of a long strip of fabric, broken up by flaps that snap together to make holders, these darling little hangers will manage to contain and organize all of the bags you have lying around your house. and you only need about 12" of space to do it! i have mine hanging from the door of a coat closet, and it's a lifesaver (or at least a shelf-saver - i got a whole closet back when i bought this)!

they run $30, and come in a bevy of darling fabrics. my favorites are the paris noir and cherry blossom designs. pick yours up now, and you'll get free shipping if you order by friday (4/13) with code taxbreak. happy shopping!

PS - these are also the perfect fit for baseball caps, in case you have a significant other who can't seem to keep his hats all in one place. i think i might have to order one of these for my hubs...but i'm thinking x-nay on the cherry blossom pattern for this one :)

asked and answered: stylish shoes for travel

a dear friend emailed me recently, as she's traveling to paris this summer (i'm not jealous at all...really), and wanted some recommendations for stylish, comfortable shoes.

paris is the city of lights, but it's also the city of walking. everywhere. until you just can't take it any more, when you sit down at a cafe and spend 3 hours sipping an espresso, if only so you don't have to walk anywhere for a while! the catch, of course, to all of this walking, is that you have to remain chic at all times. no athletic shoes, no exceptions. so, how do you avoid making your feet bleed?

first a few general tips:

1, buy shoes that are 1/2 size larger than normal...for two reasons. first, your feet are going to swell like crazy as you walk, especially if it's during warm weather. and second, when your feet are really hurting, you may end up having to wear socks or an insole to help them out a little - and you want room in your shoes to do so.

2, a good insole is probably the best investment you can make. find one that fits your foot perfectly, gives you serious arch support, and is thin enough for a heel or a flat, and you're going to have very happy feet.

3, break your new shoes in. wear them around your house....a lot. wear them to work. try them out. do not - i repeat, do not - take them fresh from the box and put them into your suitcase. your feet will bleed.

4, take band-aids. just in case.

okay, on to the fun part...the shoes!

my first suggestion is this little 2" heel by arturo chiang. i've worn a lot of heels in my day, and i have to say that this designer does comfort better than just about anyone. the woven front will give you much-needed ventilation, a 2" heel will be chic but still walkable, and this gorgeous cognac color will go with anything, and be perfect in the summer. also, only $50 at smartbargains.com - can't really beat that!


on the other end of the spectrum are these heels by prada sport. i have these in a mary jane style and, while they did take a bit of breaking in (remember, italian shoes run narrow), they're as comfy as shoes get now. details to note include the rubber sole (for absorbing shock as you stroll over miles and miles of pavement and/or marble flooring), and the padded heel, which should make these just about blister-proof. and again, the 2" heel is going to keep these from making your calves sore, as a 3" or taller heel might do. much pricier than the first selection, at $325, but they're a shoe you'll reach for again and again. you can find them at neiman marcus (and get free shipping with code TRENDNM).

if we're being honest, though, a heel isn't going to work for the day you decide to trek out to versailles, or you insist on seeing every room in the louvre - for the serious walking days, you're going to need a flat.


i generally wouldn't suggest a ballet flat for this purpose, as they tend to have a very thin sole, which is a recipe for disaster in this scenario. but, i really like these ballet flats from cole haan's g series...the rubber sole is a must, and i think if you added a nice, cushy insole, you'd have a very serious walking shoe on your hands (or, on your feet, as it were). i also like the side ventilation, which will be really important for any serious amount of walking, particularly in the summer. $155 at cole haan.


last but not least, this is really neither a flat nor a heel....but it's by ecco, a brand that's known for comfort. and it's actually pretty darn stylish. at $135, this shoe falls comfortably (no pun intended) in the middle of the price spectrum, and i think it would be a great all-around choice for paris. pick them up at zappos and give them a try (they're also available in black).

what i want today: classic spring bag

if i were only going to buy one bag this spring, i think it just might be this one. i'm loving the clean lines, lack of hardware (nothing to snag delicate spring fabrics) and honestly, what says spring more than linen and white? but it's not completely demure - there's a little touch of fun here, as the linen has a metallic sheen to it. overall, i see this being a bag you'd reach for all spring, summer, and again next year (and perhaps even the year after that). in my new approach to fashion of looking for classics, this beauty definitely fits the bill.

by kate spade, $425 online and in boutiques.

what i'm reading today: entre nous by debra olliver

yes, i realize we don't talk about my literature of choice here very often (though watch for a post from me soon about the april vogue...not that we're calling it literature, exactly...), but my current read feels very appropriate to share here. on a recommendation from a group of friends, i recently picked up entre nous: a woman's guide to finding her inner french girl. the book is about, not surprisingly, learning some of the secrets of the french lifestyle. what makes french women so incredibly chic, carefree, and impossibly confident.

i actually picked the book up as part of a "less is more" exercise i'm trying to focus on. and, sure enough, i might be on the right track. this book makes the point that, for french women, it's much more about quality than quantity. if it fits you well, and makes you feel amazing, it doesn't matter if it's "trendy." french women tend to have staple wardrobes, with classic items that stay in style season after season. they spend more on what they buy, but they buy less. and, it turns out, the french girl always look amazing because she only has that one black skirt, but it's by dolce and gabbana, it fits her like a glove, and she looks absolutely amazing every time she wears it. you can't really put a price on that, now can you? (though i'm sure D&G have managed...)

i'm not saying i'm prepared to change my "i want it, and i want it now" lifestyle overnight. but i do think there are some good, sound lessons contained in this book for the shopaholics among us. it's okay to ignore a trend if it's not flattering. and it's okay to spend your spring clothing budget on one amazing, timeless item. if you do that every season for 5 years, you're going to have a pretty fabulous closet of items that all work together perfectly, and always make you feel chic, carefree and impossibly confident.

oh yeah, AND....

anyone recognize that font & color??? run fast....these things don't come often, and they sell out quickly!

deal of the day: free shipping at j.crew, no matter what!

it's true...i never thought i'd see the day, but jcrew has issued a free shipping code that's good for any purchase, large or small. that means you can finally take advantage of some of those killer sale prices online without feeling like your savings are completely ruined by the astronomical shipping rates.

use code SHIP-0402, but it's only good until tomorrow (wednesday, 4/4), so run, don't walk!

some of the things i'll buy that i wouldn't have otherwise:

white patent capri sandals for $9.99 (thanks, J!)

pink pineapple flip-flops for $4.99(!)

cashmere lightweight, long-sleeve sweater for $49.99 (comes in a crewneck style too)

happy hunting!

what i want today: cowboy weekender bag by cath kidston

whenever i'm feeling especially girly, my mind naturally wanders to the queen of all things feminine: cath kidston. based in the UK, cath makes girly her staple - seriously, you've never seen so many floral prints in one place since your grandmother's kitchen. but the thing is, she does it with funk and sass....and it's completely adorable! sigh...makes me miss living in london, only a hop, skip and a bus ride away from her shop.

while i love all of her bags and accessories, the one i'm coveting today (in a big, big way) is this completely darling weekender bag. made of indestructible teflon-coated oilcloth. with cute little cowboys, horses and yes, covered wagons running all over it. i just adore it!!

not all of the beautiful things on her UK site are available in the states (wow, this is the second day i've had to say this...must blog about something american tomorrow). but, if you fall in love with something and can't find it on their US site, they will ship to the US from the UK...for a hefty fee. fortunately, this darling is available on their US site (hurray!)...and you can pick it up for $110 right here.

PS - you can also find a few of cath kidston's homewares at amazon.com

what i got today: 'by the lake' cup & saucer sets

i came across these little darlings in an old daily candy deals, and ordered them, even with the exorbitant overseas shipping from the store in the UK that carries them (i decided they qualified as a "household" purchase). they finally arrived last night, and i'm completely in love with them. so unique, and they manage to be both sophisticated and fun at the same time. the saucer is silver-plated, and is meant to be the "lake"....the design on the cup is trees, and has either a tiny little bird in a tree or a tiny horse drinking from the lake - and i adore them both! you can also get a version with a beetle, but i'm not fond enough of bugs to have them with my morning cappucino.


anyway, they're so cute that i just had to go seek them out stateside so i could share them with you all (besides, the UK seller has sold out of the little bird cup, which is my favorite!). the designer (ChilliChilly) has a few other styles as well, including this little froggy version that i think is super cute. but the bird and horse designs just stole my heart. they're $20 each, but hey, if they inspire me to drink my cappucino at home instead of at crackbucks for even a week, they pay for themselves!

weekend report: red ostrich flats

look at the cuteness that followed me home this weekend! red ostrich ballet flats from london sole, a company that does nothing but ballets, and does them incredibly well. they're known for making several different fits, and zillions of different colors/leathers/styles - if you're looking for a ballet, and haven't been able to find it anywhere, you have to check here. they're not the cheapest out there (mine were just under $200), but they'll last for years, and mold to your foot, making them the most comfy thing under the sun. they've recently opened a boutique in san francisco (on maiden lane, if you're local), and i've been dying to get down there to try some of their gorgeous styles in person. one little caveat: most of their styles ran on the small side, so i'd likely go up a size if i were ordering online (also, most of their shoes have an actual drawstring, meaning they can be tightened up if necessary). as i said, they offer several different fits - i liked the henrietta best, as it has a very low vamp, but the pirouette was also very cute.

seriously, aren't they the most darling things you've ever seen?? i've been eyeing these for a while, so they may be next on the list...although, i tried these on at the shop, and they were incredibly fun too!

what i want today: personalized stationery by iomoi

i'm the first to admit that i'm a huge stationery snob. i love it. i love gorgeous, thick paper with a nice texture to it. i love the feeling that comes from sending out a card that has your name engraved on it. and, in this age of technology, i love sending an actual card to someone - i know receiving them makes my whole day!

i've had iomoi's stationery on my radar for a while, but i got an email from them this morning, and as i was browsing their site for the umpteenth time, i fell in love all over again. everything they sell is amazingly fun, but i especially love their personalized note cards. you get to choose not just name vs. initials, but a picture or decorative image that really sings to you. the only hard part is that there are about 14 that sing to me! the one above seems like it would be the most versatile, 'all purpose' option - i could use this one as a thank-you card, a "hi, how are you card", any number of things. and it wouldn't be too weird to send it to someone that wasn't a girlfriend.

but really, life isn't supposed to be all-purpose, now is it? how fun would the eiffel tower be? or the black stiletto - classic and sexy at the same time! or hey, you want something a bit more traditional? they have classic monogram styles too...and they've even managed to make those fun and different!

and we can't overlook the gift-giving opportunity here....i squealed just a little when i saw the darling mama-to-be cards. what a great present for a newly pregnant girlfriend! as would these , which would be so much more fun to send out than those regular boring baby thank you notes.

this wouldn't be a post from me if there weren't a discount code floating around. today through monday, use code springthing2007 to get 20% off any order over $100. hey, i never said their stuff was cheap...but most personalized stationery isn't. and this is much cuter than your run-of-the-mill monogram dreariness, don't you agree?