The Positive Power of Giant Sunglasses

Right now I am so in the mood for a MAJOR pair of sunglasses.
I was flipping through the June issue of Vogue and I saw pair after pair of awesome shades. Some were more subdued than others (and some were the opposite of subdued.)
At first I was going to write about how a giant pair of sunglasses can be an excellent way to block out the world around you. Then I realized that most of these pairs are exuberant and colorful and really don't fit that description. For me, they bring back fond memories--my high school graduation (sunglasses were a must because we were in Boca and it was summer in Florida), beach drives, and hanging out or going to brunch/lunch/dinner with my best friends.
As I move toward my wedding, I would be lying if I said there weren't challenges. The two most prominent of these are my health, which is still iffy, and doing my best to make sure that all of my wedding guests are happy while maintaining my own sanity. If pulling pictures out of a magazine makes me happy and brings back really good thoughts, I am all for it.
So with that little intro, here are the aforementioned ads and pictures. I hope you have a great weekend and that they do the same for you!

All photos originally published in the June 2013 issue of Vogue magazine.

Little Escapes and One Big One

My apologies for posting less now and in the next several weeks! I definitely will try to post as much as I can, though.
The main culprit is this:

Dude and I have had some really fun adventures (for quasi old folks) recently. We spent part of Memorial Day at the Southwest Waterfront, which was awesome and provided me with ample opportunities to take pictures of Dude (I realize that I have now posted that his name is Jon and no one actually cares, but clearly I have issues letting go) posed next to seafood trucks.

We saw a screening of The Heat, with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, at Tyson's Corner last night. It was hilarious and I was reminded of how absurdly nice that mall is. 

Hope everyone stays cool today!

Lilly Pulitzer Gifts on Rue La La

When this boutique pops up, I can't control myself from scrolling through it. It is very emblematic of my attitude towards Lilly Pulitzer: No matter how much I try to be Miss Edgy Girl Who Lives in the City With Her Black Nail Polish, there will always be a part of me that is a sorority girl who loves her some pink and green and flowers and sea creatures, all gloriously thrown together. Here are a couple of my favorite items:

See You Later, May Flowers

These magnetic frames are so perfect for the kitchen--so perfect, in fact, that they make me want to actually want be in mine. (For a limited quantity of time.) There are actually 6 magnets in each package,  which my friend J and I discovered when we ordered the magnets the last time this boutique was happening. On her advice, we pulled an elementary/middle school move and gave each other 3 magnets. Now we each have 6 different magnets to brighten up our fridges/kitchens with!

Skip On It Market Bags

I've mentioned this bags in a previous post, so I'll be brief. 3 for $15 is an awesome deal. The handles are really strong, actually comfortable, and make awkward trips to Trader Joe's and CVS so much more tolerable. Plus, if you are like me and live in a city that taxes plastic bags, you'll save a little money. And to be honest, avoid judgment from people like these:

Chum Bucket, Fallin' In Love

So good for organizing. I have a weird little closet in my bedroom and I think these bins would store things quite nicely on its not-very-reachable top shelves. 

Happy Thursday...and happy shopping!

Basics For The Boss, Etc.

I wanted to keep my outfit simple and appropriate for a big dinner we attended for Dude's boss' birthday. We had an awesome time and excessive amounts of meat were consumed by all. 

This outfit also features Alexis Bittar earrings that 

were unsurprisingly obscured by my hair. 

Moving on, I love these Kate Spade totes. All these graduation ceremonies happened over the weekend and I overheard/was totally jealous of GW students in the elevator talking about getting books for summer classes, so I guess summer is officially here. I think they're pretty fantastic for all kinds of summer adventures.

Nordstrom

For spiky bracelet fans who do not want to pay over $200 for the bracelets I posted about yesterday, Dude pointed out last night that I'd already bought these J. Crew bracelets for myself and my sister. In my wedding colors (although my coral is more subdued.) Vomit/oh well. I had trouble finding them on the J. Crew website, but they were kept with a bunch of other similar friendship-y bracelets in the store (not in a case.) I got four of the bracelets and with a store promotion they came out to a little less than $20 each. 

My apologies for the tags!

It's a little gloomy here, but I hope everyone has a good and easy Monday! 

Studded Balenciaga Bracelets

This weekend, I got to go to dinner with some very fashionable and fun company. Dude cracked up as I successfully identified the designer of someone's cat slippers (Charlotte Olympia) and my eyes were continually drawn to the giant Balenciaga bag lurking on the chair of one of our dinner companions. I adore a killer handbag but as I admitted to him, the bag I was admiring actually costs slightly more than our monthly rent and parking.
Upon our return home, I found these bracelets. They're still not cheap, but at $225 (for the classic size) to $245 (for the giant size) they are way less of a sucker punch to the wallet. And the idea of mixing different colors and metals is absurdly fun. And who couldn't use some playful pops of color (balanced out with some rounded yet aggressive studs) on a Sunday night?

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

Balenciaga

Couches and Chokers and Shells, Oh My.

I really love a lot of C. Wonder's jewelry right now. They have some really fun summer pieces. Here are some of my favorites that would be great worked into different outfits.

I am not allowed to buy this chevron futon because there are too many patterns already playing in my living room. But it still makes me smile.

(Target)

There are few times I love more than Saturday morning--the feeling of having the whole weekend ahead of me is terrific. Dude and I are planning on having a Nice Little Saturday featuring errands, bagels, and a DVR-ed episode of HBO's Vice. Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!!

Tory Burch Travel

To put it bluntly, I've been moving around a lot lately. I traveled home, unfortunately got to visit the hospital several times, and stayed in a hotel with my mom for several days following a medical procedure.

I realized that since buying a Tory Burch cosmetic case a couple of years ago, it has stood up really  well to my admittedly not-so-gentle treatment of my purses and pouches. It is quilted gold and has double-tasked as clutch more times than I can count. It was definitely a splurge for me but the quality ended up making it a great and ultimately practical purchase. 

Sadly, my quilted pattern is not around anymore but here are some of my favorite pouches that are currently available. Using one as a small clutch for casual travel outfits helps me take one less purse and organize a carry-on bag. Pictured from top to bottom:  Viva Small Slouchy Cosmetic, Printed Robinson Makeup Bag, Mix Print Brigitte Cosmetic Case.

I also really, really love the Bow Small Cosmetic Case and think it would be a terrific bridesmaid's gift.

Wishing everyone safe and easy future travels and a great start to the week!

South Moon Under--Rebecca Minkoff Trunk Show

The Mosaic store location of my former work stomping grounds, South Moon Under, is having a Rebecca Minkoff trunk show on May 16!! 

(image © South Moon Under)

I won't be able to make it but I hope as many people as possible check it out. South Moon Under throws awesome parties and the ones I worked at were always fun--plus 20% of everything (they have a really eclectic and on-trend merchandise selection) is pretty hard to resist!

This is not a sponsored post--I just thought I'd let everyone know about this great event!! 

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. 

Zolie Designs

I was checking out Design Darling and one of the suggested posts I saw was about Zolie Designs. I meandered over to the company's Etsy page and really liked what I saw.

My favorite pieces were the bracelets--very stackable, reasonably priced, and fun. They have a great South Florida vibe going, so how could I not love them? I'm definitely going to think of them as a future gift idea!

The Pulitzer 

The Wellington

The Caicos Bracelet

A Throwback. And How.

When I was a senior in high school, I fancied myself quite the traveler. I bounced from Model UN to Harvard Model Congress to Junior State of America, all the while thinking I was literally too cool for school. (Hey, I got to miss class for those conferences sometimes!)

The mainstays of my rockin' travel ensembles were Juicy Couture sweatpants, a vintage t-shirt, and THESE. Oh my holy goodness, THESE. In multiple. Neon. Colors. 

Amazon

Now that I have 9 years on my high school self, thinking of my sassy slippers still makes me smile--not to mention the self confidence with which I strode through multiple airports! I was often accompanied by a Puma or Pony bag that was on the verge of exploding but I still thought I could conquer the world. Sometimes, it's hard to feel like that now with everything I have going on. 

So as my quasi-grown up self, I would pair my Chinese slippers (which, let's not lie, I'm totally ordering a pair of) with some slightly more basic and sophisticated clothes. I would love to walk around the city in this outfit--and this time, I won't even need a gavel.

I Love Lamp(s)

Shockingly, we were running around Target yesterday and I couldn't resist a fairly quick trip around the home section. Between taking pictures at the store and checking out its website, I saw some great cream and white bases and shades in some terrific hues and textures that are getting me excited for summer--not to mention the possibility of decorating a new abode for me and Dude in the quasi-near future.

Shades: Light Blue Faux Leather/Teal Overlay/Threshold Green Stripe

Bases: Nate Berkus Cream Table/Threshold Honeycomb/Threshold Ridged Ceramic

Red, White, Blue, Black.

I'm loving these colors...sometimes paired together, sometimes with unexpectedly sweet and/or creative accents.

Falling Petals

Dooney and Bourke, $198

Foggy Bottom 

Flowers, flowers everywhere. And I couldn't be happier. And I wish I had an excuse to get one of these bags.

(Purse) Party Like It's 1999

Coveted in seventh/eighth grade (1999.)

Purchased at consignment store for $10 and store credit in 2012.

Happily using it in 2013.

Nothing like a classic.