what i want today: retro dolce vita heels

just goes to show, a little '80s style isn't always a bad thing. love these in the electric blue color, but even the black has that fabulous lizard-embossed detailing to make it just funky enough to liven up your most basic work ensemble. best of all, they're on sale for $79.

mother's day gift guide: delegation extraordinaire!

it's not often that i just completely throw up my hands when it comes to a gift guide, but i've had a rough time coming up with ideas for mother's day this year. so, in lieu of my expert advice, i thought i'd suggest a few gift guides from shops i love that were right on target.

first off, the thoughtfully comprised list at le train bleu is everything a mother's day gift should be: thoughtful, unique, and special. i think my mom would love just about any of the gifts on their list. and, if i'm not mistaken, that 25% off code should still be working.

second, the lovely people over at organic style have a huge range of ideas, everything from flowers to cookies to a cozy bathrobe.

last, but not least, i had to throw in jonathan adler's gift guide, for fun if nothing else. he's themed his guide according to what TV mom yours most embodies, and i must admit i found his picks pretty dead on.

here's hoping one of these fabulous sites has a perfect gift for your mom...and mine.

deal of the day: 30% off via neiman marcus private sale

(yves saint laurent rive gauche bag, $1,995 less 30%)

sigh...practical is so very overrated.

if you're feeling less practical than i am, don't miss the private sale event at neiman marcus, today only. take 30% off selected spring merchandise - just watch for those little green "private event 30% off" tags as you're looking around, or you're bound to disappoint yourself when you settle on something that isn't included in the sale.

oh, you can only access it through this link. and use code NMMAY for free shipping while you're at it.

can't talk now...off to find someone to whom i can sell my body in exchange for that lovely bit of leather above.

(ps...speaking of sales, new markdowns at eluxury start today, and they include free shipping at any price. not a bad way to start the week.)

what i want today: cheeky garden gnome

okay, i admit it - i have a weird fascination with kitschy garden decor. as in gnomes, flamingoes, large cement deer...well, maybe not that last one, but there's definitely a corner of my mind convinced that a pair of hot pink flamingoes on my front lawn is just what's missing from my life.

or, this fabulous little italian garden gnome. if i thought there was even a chance the hubs wouldn't cut off my mouse -clicking finger for buying this, it'd already be on its way to my front door.

(and ps...isn't this site just about the coolest thing you've ever seen? if only i could actually consider purchasing $2,600 sconces.)

weekend report: oh, how i love a sample sale...

i spent my sunday in berkeley, checking out the outstanding wares of three of my favorite potters, all of whom teamed up to throw the mother of all sales this weekend. i had so much fun, and actually got to meet all of the designers, which was possibly even more exciting than seeing their gorgeous work in person. they were every bit as delightful as i'd expected.

i picked up a stunning teapot by whitney smith, and a gorgeous bowl for my mom for mother's day. it was sheer torture to leave behind a diana fayt platter that captured my heart, and a beeeyooteefull rae dunn vase that i so couldn't afford, but adored nonetheless.

sigh...i do so love living in an area where there are so many fantastic independent artists everywhere i turn!

if you missed out on the event, check all of these amazing artists out on etsy - seller names are raedunn, oneblackbird and whitneysmith.

what i want today: cutesy tableware

i'm hosting a baby shower tomorrow, so i'm in full-fledged cutesy mode. over the last few days, i've been thanking my lucky stars i wasn't more organized for this fiesta, as i shudder to think of the amount of money i could have spent in preparations, if i'd really tried.


this table runner just screams girly get-together. i spied it at the lovely henry road, which is offering everyone 20% off this weekend only (with code STORE) in celebration of its new store opening. so, i could have had this lovely runner for $40. i'm also quite in love with these grid napkins and these "coffee, tea or me" tea towels.


i've kept meaning to share these, but finally have an appropriate topic. i adore matte stephens - his work is like the best possible combination of the jetsons and where the wild things are. if i had a wee one, i would nab these darling placemats in a heartbeat. but since our only wee one is a small (but vocal) beagle, i probably have a better shot at convincing the hubs of a different design.


these, however, no one would have been able to stop me from buying...if i'd seen them pre-shower. my credit cards thank me, i'm sure...


and really, can we have a cutesy tableware post without at least one anthropolgie option? this snowy owl teapot just brings such a smile to my face! he's even making me rethink my general discomfort when it comes to owls (long, traumatic story about dissecting something very unappealing in high school). and i'm counting the minutes until this gorgeous pitcher goes on sale - how perfect would this be for sangria or lemonade at a summer gathering?

what i want today: sample sale goodness

for the local san francisco readers, i'm thrilled that i can finally announce a sample sale in our 'hood. they're few and far between, but this one was definitely worth waiting for - and it's tonight!

melissa joy manning's jewelry (by far one of my faves) and give design's flawless handbags and travel goods are teaming up to offer you one night of pure bliss. 80% off some of my favorite designers' wares, and free champagne?? count me in! oh, and did i mention that 10% of all proceeds from the sale go to girls for a change? so, if you think about it, by shopping, you're doing good things...really, you have to spend more!

check it out for mom's day gift options galore, or just to find yourself a little something - either way, there are deals aplenty to be had.

WHAT: Sample Sale featuring Melissa Joy Manning jewelry and Give
travel accessories and handbags

WHEN: Thurs, May 1st, 5:00-9:00pm

WHERE: 300 Brannan St., Suite 504, San Francisco

WHY: - Enjoy fantastic deals - up to 80% off retail
- Shop for mom, stock up on gifts, splurge for yourself
- Support a great cause, 10% of proceeds will be donated to Girls for a Change

spring sale at basic boutique

oh, how i love sale season...truly my favorite time of year. today, i'm oohing and aahing over everything basic boutique has just marked down...it's a really lovely mix of spring-friendly items and a few pieces definitely worth storing away until next fall. a few of my faves:

i love the unique styling on this gorgeous silk blouse by twinkle - marked down to $138, this might just be the perfect spring blouse. use it as a shell during the day, dress it up with a pencil skirt at night, or jeans on the weekend.

something about this gorgeous dolman sleeve cashmere sweater by twig just sings to me. not sure if it's the dramatic cut, paired with the incredibly subtle, neutral color, or if it's the way they've made cashmere look light as a feather, and drape just beautifully - whatever it is, pick it up for $129, before someone else does!

if i worked in an office, i'd nab this crisp cotton lantern sleeve jacket by cynthia vincent, and i'd use it as my suit alternative all summer long. the styling has that perfect blend of classic polish and high fashion, and it's on sale for less than $200.

this swing dress by rachel pally doesn't seem like much at first glance, but give it a second look, and the potential really starts to unfold. that gorgeous neckline is perfect for girls with a smaller bust - it really gives you something different to show off, no wonderbra required. the pattern is subtle and chic, and the jersey fabric drapes like silk with none of the fuss. best of all, this baby is 70% off - for $112, you have all of your summer parties covered!

check out all of the finds at basic boutique's spring extravaganza - you're sure to find something you can't live without.

the perfect gift for mom

for some reason, i am completely and totally stumped about mother's day this year. i just can't get it together to locate The Perfect Gift for my oh-so-fabulous mother.

if only she were going to be in the san francisco area for the big day, my problems would all be solved. thanks to the amazing poppytalk, i stumbled on this truly fantastic gift idea. the lovely people at branch floral design and small stump are hand delivering the above. it's a gorgeous floral arrangement in a birch bark vase (how cool is that?), presented on a bed of wheatgrass set in a reuseable tray, and topped off with a lovely, scented pansy sachet...all for an incredibly reasonable $100.

i think it's the prettiest thing i've seen in a long time, and it literally hurts my heart that i can't find a way to get it chez maman.

what i want today: sigerson morrison shoes

man, 10 minutes on sigerson morrison's website, and i'm as smitten as i was when i first discovered the line years ago. i'm not saying there aren't some definite misses in the collection from time to time, but overall...yum.

honestly, these orange patent heels are just fabulous, though. my favorite thing about all of my sigerson shoes is that they're just a little bit eccentric, but in that timeless way that keeps me going back, no matter what's "in" that season. my green suede d'orsays are still among my all-time favorite purchases. and i can definitely see these beauties being next on the list.

of course, i'd probably get more wear from these lovely patent flats...as i live in flats 95% of the time. but the heels are just so fun and exciting. hmm.

check out all of the pretties here or here...happy spring!

deal of the day: sales, sales everywhere...

is it really time for spring sales already? must be...

* bloomingdales is taking an additional 40% discount off most of their sale items, but it only shows up once you add the item to your cart. check out this gorgeous silk minidress by laundry, marked down from $245 to $73. also love this gorgeous tunic by ella moss - it reminds me so much of the iconic tory burch tunics, but for under $40!

* saks just launched the first of its summer sale as well, so you can score this marc by MJ pleated sweaterdress for $214, down from $360. or this graphic DVF wrap top for $126, down from $210.

* the much-anticipated banana republic markdowns begin today, at 30% off. loving this geometric shift dress, down to $50 from $140. and i'm almost sold on the retro fab qualities of this bright green reverse pleat skirt, marked down to $40 - it could definitely be fabulous with the right accessories.

happy sale-ing!!

deal of the day: 30% off loeffler randall

i love my loefflers, and i love my sales...so when the planets align and i get both, i'm one happy blogger!

the kind folks over at barefoot tess are offering 30% off all of their loeffler randall stock, even these gorgeous new rose gold dorrit sandals that i'm coveting like mad for spring. they're the girliest take on gladiators i've ever seen, and that rose gold color just makes me happy. best of all, they're only $275 with this deal. granted, still not cheap for sandals, but these are so hot, they'll supercede trends - you're sure to have these at the top of your list for years to come.

or, if you missed out on those gorgeous matilde or olivia boots, now's your chance. i do love that olivia - it's the perfect spring boot, with just a pinch of gogo style!

so, head on over to barefoot tess and use code LRN30 to snag this deal - you won't see a sale this good again until it's too cold to wear those pretty sandals!

what i want today: joey top by le train bleu

this top just reminds me of everything fabulous about summer. the deep violet color and cheery floral pattern is a little bit bohemian and a little bit tropical, the drape is beautifully relaxed, and the breathable silk fabric is just what i'm looking for as a dressier option when the weather is miserably hot.

i'd pair it with a flared white cotton skirt, short-shorts, denim cutoffs...just about anything, really. it's that fantastic.

grab it for $138 at le train bleu, and use code luckybreaks1 to save 25% on any of the many gorgeous pieces you'll find sitewide!

what i want today: serious makeup brushes

i'll admit it: i spent the first 15 or so years of my makeup-wearing existence using those horrible, synthetic, mini brushes that come with whatever blush, eyeshadow or powder i may have picked up. to be honest, the idea of spending upwards of $100 just on brushes baffled me.

until i tried a set of truly fabulous, natural hair, solid wood-handled, top-of-the-line makeup brushes by therapy systems. now, i'm wondering how i ever got along without them. seriously, i never could figure out how all of those women were getting that perfectly smudged eyeshadow. now i know - it's by using a smudge brush. and powdered eyeliner baffled me, until i tried a flat liner brush - this one has seriously changed my cosmetic life. and the luxurious, decadent feel of pure pashmina (er, goat hair...) on my skin as i brush on my blush and powder...well, it feels a little like something out of a harlequin romance novel: sort of ridiculously, over-the-top decadent. but in a good way.

it's hard to take the plunge, i know - i had major heartache over spending money on something i'd normally expect to come along with a fun product or two. but just trust me - you won't regret it. grab a few, or a whole set, at therapy systems - of all of the lines i tried, these were my hands-down favorites.

what i want today: eco-friendly glass jewelry

two eco posts in one day...you'd think it was earth day or something!

i noticed these gorgeous glass necklaces ($60) in the uncommon goods catalog that hit my mailbox a few days ago, and loved them. made by designer kathleen plate, they are the perfect blend of understated but still notable. and the colors are just right to make this piece truly unique.

so, when i found out they were made of recycled glass, i naturally thought to myself "well great! now i have an excuse to spend, and we know how i love those!".

pick one up at uncommon goods, but not before you check out the rest of their lovely recycled jewelry. who knew saving the planet could be this pretty?