it was bound to happen…a reader question that had me completely and totally stumped.

Is there such a thing as a “cool” fanny pack? Something that can be worn for a runner/jogger or traveling?  I was thinking about this the other day and of course, you came to mind.  A friend of mine has a cute LeSportsac one, but I don’t really know how “cool” it really is and who can really pull something like that off.  ~ A

hmm. 

well…i said i’d answer any and all reader questions, and i meant it, darn it.  

so, before we get into the fashion faux-pas issue, i don’t think a fanny pack when used for running has to be “cool” - i think it’s pretty much all about function at that point, and i’d hit up my local REI - you only want the necessities with you, and anything too heavy is going to cause chafing, which is definitely a fashion don’t.  though, for me, i think this arm band pocket by nike would be much less annoying than a waist pack if i was actually running…no jostling, and no risk of the aforementioned chafing.

for travel, that’s another matter entirely.  i’ve never been an advocate of “travel wear”, unless you’re wading through a jungle.  when i travel, one of my favorite pasttimes is pointing out the tourists - white tennis shoes, hawaiian shirt (regardless of climate), pockets stuffed with maps, cameras, and brochures from various museums…and a fanny pack (or one of those travel neck wallet things, possibly even worse than the fanny pack!).  so, i’d start by saying i think a fanny pack puts you at greater risk of being mugged, etc. than a regular purse, because it effectively plants a big “i’m a tourist” sign on your back.

besides the goofy tourist factor, i don’t know about you, but i’m not looking to add bulk to my midsection…and nothing accomplishes that like strapping a bag full of your daily necessities around your waist.

soapbox aside, i did manage to find a few non-heinous options, if you’re willing to suffer through the aforementioned challenges.  first off is the now-famous gucci belt bag, whose resurgence in popularity a few years back is due to an appearance on sex and the city, being sported by the lovely sarah jessica parker.  at $495, you need to love it - but at least you’re on trend while wearing the fanny pack, which is tough to manage.  and that silver is actually sort of cool, i must admit.  then, there’s also this posh turnlock belt bag from marc by marc jacobs, but it’s also pricey at $228 - and i’d much rather see you spend $250 on a handbag you’ll love than a waist pack you’ll constantly question. 

in terms of bang for your proverbial buck, the lovely writers of bunnyshop reminded me that there was one option i found long ago that i think is the closest to “cool” i’ve ever seen for a waist pack.  etsy seller bonspiel creations is a longtime favorite of mine, and they make several cute-as-a-button options, in two different sizes ($64 and $32), that i think one could actually manage to pull off without slapping that “tourist” sign between your shoulderblades.

does anyone have any other ideas for our darling reader?

that’s right - starting today, bay area locals have access to one of only four CB2 stores in the country.  time to rejoice! 

for those who aren’t familiar, CB2 is crate & barrel’s younger, hipper little sister.  it’s one of my favorite stops for chic, modern home goods - usually at astoundingly good prices.  seriously, where else can you get dishes designed by andy warhol for $1.50 each, stark industrial lighting for $80, or that lovely striped highback loveseat pictured above for $900? 

so, for those of you lucky enough to be in the ‘hood, check out the new CB2 store at stockton & ellis, so you can finally check out the goods in person before you buy.  and be sure to let me know what fab goods you bring home!

these sample sale websites are going to be the death of me…or at least, the death of my american express card!

this week, it’s the new rue la la, and they’re offering up a sale on natori, one of my all-time favorites for decdadent sleepwear, bedding and, ahem, intimates.  i’m absolutely dying for that entire “black diamond oatmeal jersey” tank, pant and robe set, and am frantically trying to figure out how to justify spending $150 on new sleepwear to my other half.  perhaps the fact that my hubs is such a cover hog will do the trick…

as always, if you need an invite, just drop me a line - editor[@]shoppingsmycardio[.]com - and i’ll get you set up!

one of my favorite things about summer is that i get to break out my favorite bright nail colors (toes only, thank you!).  since i spend more time than is at all rational debating the merits of various shades, i thought the least i could do is share the fruits of my labor by letting you in on my favorite classic colors for summer.

when it comes to fingers, i’m all about neutrals - and i’ve been wearing opi’s “samoan sand” since the day it arrived.  i love that it’s sheer and goes with everything, but the hint of brown makes it more subtle and sophisticated than my usual sheer pinks.

this summer, everyone’s been talking about chanel’s “facets d’or” gold polish.  and it’s lovely, no doubt.  but i’ve been completely sucked in by “splendeur”, a fantastic shade that goes on fuschia, and dries to the perfect raspberry pink/red hybrid.  plus, there’s just something lovely and girly about wearing chanel - even when it’s nail color.  splendeur has been my go-to all summer. 

for a more fun, girly hot pink shade, i’ve been loving “i’m indi-a mood for love” from opi’s fantastic new india collection.  to be honest, i love just about every shade in this line - it’s well worth spending some time with. 

if you’re more into reds, chanel’s “dazzling” is that rarer-than-rare flattering orange-red.  what they lack in quantity of color choices, chanel always makes up for in quality.  literally every shade i’ve tried is gorgeous, and i’ve never used polish that’s stayed on my nails longer, which makes it well worth the $20 pricetag in my book.

last but not least, metallics are always tricky for me, but chanel’s new “kaleidoscope” (not yet available online) is the best shade i’ve found, hands down (no pun intended).  it varies from a warm green gold to deep grey to liquid silver, depending on the light.  it’s surprisingly neutral, and is a warm enough tone that it won’t keep you from wearing gold jewelry.  opi’s “charmed by a snake” is a very close second…the shade is this amazing bronzy brown/pink shade that’s so beautiful, i might even give it a try on my fingers when the weather cools down.

what about you?  what’s your go-to shade for summer? 

some people love a parade, but i love a sale.  so when the lovely folks over at doie designs emailed to let me know they were offering a coupon code for 50% off their entire site (yes, even sale prices) in an effort to clean house, i was first in line to check it out.

for those of you that are into the eco-fashion trend, doie is definitely the place to be.  we’ve talked about doie before, but as a refresher, pieces are made from either earth-friendly bamboo jersey or pure silk.  for me, the silk/jersey combo just means each piece is light, comfy, and amazingly soft…i know, my commitment to the environment is astounding.

the site is organized by season, which means no direct links, i’m afraid.  but i’ll be picking up the kimono robe from spring ‘07 (left pic) in chocolate brown, which has that perfect blend of sexy and comfy and is now under $50.  i’ve been coveting the all-silk pulau top (center pic) from her spring ‘08 collection since i first spied it - and now that it’s down to $55, i may just have to take the plunge. 

and, for my newly pregnant friend M, i feel duty-bound to point out the pesar and ubud dresses from spring ‘08, as well as that lovely nagameru dress (right pic), all of which would be perfect belly-camouflage options.  ooh, and the gaucho pants from spring ‘07 - the length is great for lounging, and the tie at the belly will keep these working perfectly until the weather cools off.

use code DAILY08 to score this deal.  and as always, get there early before the best goods are gone!

i know, it sounds a little frightening.  but the new incarnations of tie dye are so much cooler than the original 80s version i remember concocting in my back yard with a pack of hanes undershirts, some rubber bands and a tub of rit dye.  the colors are much more muted, the pattern is more subtle, and the result is this sort of soft, ethereal quality that’s just perfect for summer.

i love these fab jersey dress options by shopbarbara, and the prices can’t be beat.  this v-neck style ($35) is great for those of us that don’t like to show quite as much skin, and i can’t get enough of that deep purple hue. 

it’s a little pricey for a trendy piece, but i was still taken in by this suede tie dye tote by stephane verdino ($695).  i love the idea of tie dyed suede - it feels so over-the-top decadent.  this might just be the perfect summer tote:  the structure and suede keep it sophisticated, but the dye keeps it fun.

and you know i can’t get enough of scarves these days, so this hand dyed scarf from sunshine & shadow ($82-115) just hits me in all the right places.  it’s the perfect size and shape to just throw on - even a tank top and shorts will be so much more chic with this colorful topper.   plus, if you’re not quite ready to embrace this 80s reincarnation, it comes in a super-subtle grey and white version that’s the perfect touch of the trend.

so, what do you think?  are you ready to give tie dye another chance?

okay!  so the winner this week is Melissa W., who won that amazing elizabethW eau de parfum with the bonus entry she got for posting the contest on facebook!  here’s what she had to say:

I took this “assignment” as an excuse to post about your blog to my Facebook page, inviting my friends to see why I laugh in their faces when they accuse me of being into fashion. Hopefully they will come check out the guru.

i love how we always end up with winners whose quotes are so nice!  thanks for the lovely words, melissa - and enjoy that fab new perfume!  just don’t forget to email me by monday morning with your mailing info, so we can get that sent out to you (assuming i don’t swipe it for myself!  kidding, kidding…)

if you didn’t win, i still strongly encourage you to check out a fragrance or two from elizabethW.  if you need help narrowing the field, drop me a line at editor[@]shoppingsmycardio.com…i’m a total addict, so i know their fragrances pretty well by now!

huge thanks to everyone who entered, especially those of you who tried something new and spread the word about shoppingsmycardio to score that extra entry in the contest!  what did you guys think of that twist to the giveaway, by the way…should we keep it up?

remember the gorgeous alexis bittar jewelry i mentioned a month or so ago?  well, gilt groupe has gotten hold of a whole slew of the designer’s wares, most priced well over 50% off.   

run, don’t walk.  and as always, feel free to email me at editor[@]shoppingsmycardio.com for an invite!  

i know, we don’t do a lot of book reviews here.  but i’ve been stumbling across all of these great new reads lately, and thought i might not be the only one always in search of a new book - especially during the summer, when some of us actually have time for leisure reading.

most of you will remember lauren weisberger from the devil wears prada, the famous and oh-so-thinly-veiled account of her time working for anna wintour at vogue.  but in her new book, chasing harry winston, the fashion industry is definitely in the back seat - despite some truly fabulous harry winston earrings that make a cameo, there’s really only one fashionista in the group.  without going into too many details (oh, how i hate book review spoilers…are you listening, new york times?), three friends make a pact that within one year, they’ll each have accomplished a different goal.  as we watch them work to make their plans come together, there are the usual men, exotic travels, faux pas and missteps, together with the antics of that one friend whose life is so fabulous, you love to hate her.

this book, unlike weisberger’s previous novels, makes no pretense about being anything other than chick lit - it’s definitely standard formula fare.  but you know, that’s fine with me…i get a little tired of authors being terrified of being lumped in with chick lit.  i have no idea why - chick lit sells better than most other genres, it’s light, fun, enjoyable…yeah, makes total sense you wouldn’t want to be in that group.

digression aside, weisberger’s book is definitely worth picking up for your next poolside weekend.  it’s a little on the predictable side, but very well written, with characters you root for and a plot you’re anxious to see resolved.  and really, that’s all i’m looking for this summer.

this is your last chance to score that faaaabulous eau de parfum from elizabethw - entries close at midnight tonight!  but right now, your odds are through the roof.  don’t blow it…enter now!