when i first heard about the new line of cosmetics from kat von d for sephora, i honestly wasn’t sure what to expect.  kat is a well known tattoo artist and, more recently, a reality tv star.  in other words, i’m not exactly her target demographic.  but i actually sort of loved it!

first, i’m a total packaging whore, and this line lured me in right away with the styling.  black boxes, printed with gorgeous tattoo-inspired florals, and gunmetal tissue paper sealed with a faux wax seal - very goth fab (if there is such a thing).

i’m not what you’d call adventurous when it comes to my beauty routine…i’ve been wearing the same pale pink eyeshadow for two years now.  but if anyone could make me branch out and try an actual new look, it’s kat.  her eyeshadows just beg to be smeared all over for that “i just rolled out of bed looking this fabulous” look - in fact, it happens almost without trying.  because they’re all a little bit irridescent, you’re left with this sort of inexplicable, sexy shimmer effect, but it’s definitely not your teen sister’s sparkle shadow.  

i also checked out the two things that most terrify me in the land of cosmetics:  liquid eyeliner and red lipstick.  but again, pretty impressed, actually.  the lipsticks have that rare combination of matte and moisture - for you girls that are really into the deep red lips, i think this is one of the best color palettes and formulations i’ve found for that.  as for the eyeliner, the brush was so well-designed that i actually managed to put it on without painting my cheeks - and the dark aubergine shade (i tried ‘turbo lover’ ) was gorgeous, and so much less harsh than black.

overall, it’s a line worth braving your neighborhood sephora to check out (seriously, couldn’t they make those aisles just a little wider?).  or, better yet, just buy online

it’s not often i agree 100% with anyone about fashion.  but when anthropologie’s new denim guide dropped into my email box this morning, i couldn’t help loving just about every look they put together, particularly their skinny denim look.  even that floral-print bag above, while it’s not something i’d normally pick up, is just the right balance of unique and subdued.  add to that the super functional dual-strap feature, the weather-friendly canvas, the right-on-trend grey/yellow combo, and the under-$100 pricetag (talk about a cheap thrill!), and it’s a wonder i haven’t clicked “complete this order” already.

whatever you do, don’t miss the late harvest wrap, the layered rugby, or that lovely american beauty blouse.  any or all would be perfect summer-to-fall additions to your wardrobe. 

more random than random, i know.  but i saw this picture from the owners of something’s hiding in here, courtesy of a sneak peek into their home over at design*sponge on monday, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.  there’s something so fun and unexpected about a porch swing in the middle of a room.  i have some huge bay windows i’m trying desperately to make more functional, and right now, a porch swing facing them is sounding really good.  ooh, or maybe a hammock!

what do you all think about using outdoor furniture indoors?  am i onto something, or slowly losing my mind?

we’re a day late on this week’s giveaway, but trust me when i tell you it was worth the wait!  this week, the fantastic owners of elizabethW would like one of you to have a full-size bottle of their eau de parfum in my favorite fragrance, sweet tea!  i have to admit - this one is taking some discipline to give away, rather than keep for myself.

you know i love just about everything over at elizabethW, but sweet tea is a hands-down favorite in my perfume drawer.  the scent is so mellow and familiar, but has just enough going on to keep it really interesting.  it stays delicate because of the honey and lemon notes, but then that earthy black tea scent comes in and keeps it from being too precious.  it’s a hard scent to explain, but i’ve never met anyone that didn’t love it. 

so, to enter, comment below!  we’ll draw a winner on friday, and you’ll have to email me by monday with your address - easy peasy. 

and just to keep things interesting, i’m going to let everyone earn an extra entry this week by trying out one of the super cool new features on the site (bribery is the ultimate encouragement)!  if you like it, maybe we’ll make it a permanent bonus feature :)  for your bonus entry:

1. pick your favorite post on shoppingsmycardio - it can be this contest, of course, but any post will do.
2. use that little purple heart at the bottom of the post (it says “share it” next to the heart) to send it out into the ether somewhere:  digg it, stumble it, facebook it…any of the options you see there. 
3. then, come back and comment to tell me what you sent out there and where you sent it!

presto, bonus entry!  just trying to share the love far and wide ;)  good luck, everyone!!

you know, i sometimes think basics are the unsung heroes of the fashion world. i mean, sure that couture dior dress is fantastically unique, over-the-top, and statement-making, to say the least. but honestly, is it a piece you can turn to whenever your wardrobe is letting you down? hardly.

this stunning sheath, on the other hand, is one of those dresses you grab when nothing in your closet feels right.  the tailoring is flawless, and the spandex-enhanced fabric ensures you’ll be gorgeous even when you think it’s impossible.  add on a scarf and a fabulous pump, and suddenly, you feel amazing.  and i’m telling you, those pleats at the neckline and the belted waist are just perfectly on-trend for fall.

nab it at nordstrom for a very reasonable $135 during the sale, but move quick. turns out classics still sell out after all.

i know, it’s just wrong…particularly given that it’s $158 for a cotton tote bag.  but seriously, this marc by MJ “miss marc goes green” tote bag is right in keeping with my pathetically simple, 3rd grade sense of humor, and i want it.  at least, today.

if you do too, grab it at saks…oddly, i’m willing to bet this sells out before you know it.

all i’ve wanted to wear this summer are cute, chic and cheap jersey separates…i admit, i get very fashion-lazy when the weather heats up. 

fortunately, i can stock up today at the tart sale going on at regent’s secret.  head over to check out the killer selection of skirts, tops and dresses, all in super comfy stretch jersey, and styled to be perfect for this summer heat wave.  my faves are above, and not one is over $100…now that’s a deal i can get behind.

as usual, i’ve scored invites for all of my dear readers - so just use the links here to get in on the goods.  but get there quick…one thing regent’s doesn’t have is a lot of stock.

…the lovely Meagan, entrant #13, who had such kind things to say:

Well, I love the idea of the bee tank, but I love the color of the peacock, so I’d go with that one.

I’m excited for the new site - I love checking here every day to see what you have on your radar, and it’s so user friendly

aww, thanks, meagan!  congrats on your win - just email me (editor [@] shoppingsmycardio [.] com) by monday morning with your address and size, and we’ll get that peacock tank right out to you!

and for the rest of you, well, don’t fret - your conscience is lovingly bestowing a 20% discount code on each and every one of you!  just enter code SHOPPING at checkout for your discount.  so, you can pick up the tank you loved best for $24 (or one of each!), which is a fantastic deal!  snap one up now!

that’s right, it’s time for my favorite holiday of the year:  the nordstrom anniversary sale!  ignore the half-yearly…this is the sale to watch for.  for those that aren’t familiar, this is the sale in which nordstrom orders in mass quantities of select pieces from the fall collections, and marks them down (usually 25-40%) for about two weeks - then, the prices go back up to regular retail.  here are a few of my faves that are well worth picking up while they’re a steal:

this taupey grey color is going to be the hit of the fall season - it’s a much warmer, more flattering shade of grey than we saw last year, and it will be everywhere.  normally i advocate bright colors for overcoats, but the tailoring on this was too pretty to pass up.  calvin klein wrap coat, $248 down to $159.90. 

if you want a look at the sculptural tailoring trend that’s going to be so hot this fall, check out this gorgeous boiled wool coat from alice+olivia ($365 down to $219) - zoom in and notice all of that stunning detail.

and another trend i’m looking forward to this fall is tonal texture - things like jacquard and lace overlays to give substance to traditional dark fall colors.  if you’re in the market for an evening coat, this jacquard version from milly ($675 down to $399) will round out your fall wardrobe beautifully. 

speaking of sculptural detail, this drape sleeve tee by 3.1 philip lim is about as on-trend as you can get for fall.  go classic with the black, or branch out a little with that gorgeous lagoon shade - but either way, less than $100 (down from $175) for a current-season philip lim tee is a deal not to be missed.

i’m also oddly excited about this puff-sleeve cardigan from a brand called fever (never heard of it, can’t vouch for it, but it’s $50).  it’s kind of odd in the black and “treetop” colors, but that sweet potato shade is just what the doctor ordered.  again with the sculptural detail, this is a piece i’ll be wearing all winter long.

i think i’ve just been sucked in by the fabulous electric blue color and that gorge pleating at the neckline on this classiques sweater ($158 down to $99.90).  but that’s enough - i have a feeling this will be on major closet rotation when the weather cools off.

can’t explain it, but i’m gaga for this daytripper bag from see by chloe (okay, and the matching wallet).  this is another one you should take a close look at - i love the edgy styling, and the bowler/satchel hybrid.  and that little detail on the front?  i was shocked, but it’s just zipper teeth of different colors.  i love it when designers surprise me, and chloe has done it…especially in lambskin and for $500.

as long as we’re talking handbags, the pic on the website would have had me totally passing by this nordstrom brand pleated tote.  fortunately, i got a sneak preview of this one in person, and i can tell you it’s well worth another look.  purple is oh-so-hot for fall, and the styling on this bag will keep it on-trend for years to come.  plus, it’s not often i suggest a bag under $250.

the shoe department has a tradition of lackluster options for the sale, and this year’s no exception.  but if you were in love with those flat loeffler randall matilde boots from last year (i’m still kicking myself for missing out!), but couldn’t stomach the $700 pricetag, never fear:  steve madden has actually managed two very similar versions, both under $150.  naturally, i’m going for the higher-end (a term i use loosely here), priced at $129.90 for the sale. 

last but not least, remember those extra-long scarves i was just talking about yesterday?  you won’t find another chance to scoop up an 8-foot piece of cashmere for $60…time to pounce!

so, what did you all end up buying??

if you haven’t done it yet, what are you waiting for??  enter now!