Monthly Archives: July 2012

compulsive design: decorative desks

That mega house-redesign project I’m working on (the series starts next week!!) has really brought out the compulsive shopper in me. Give me a retail task, and I’m like a frantic, obsessive beagle tracking a scent….no way am I giving up until I find that thing! So, I shop and shop (and shop), looking for every.possible.option, until I’m so sick of whatever I’m looking for that I can’t stand the thought of seeing one more, ever.

Then, inevitably, just as I’m ready to move so that I don’t have to find a console table at all, the right option materializes.

So, I was thinking….I might as well put some of that obsessive hunting to good use and share it. What do you say? Are you up for a little more chatter about design?

With that, a few of my favorite desks from the latest compulsive hunting project:

desks compulsive design: decorative desks

Left to right, from top: Josephine desk in light blue (also in black), World Market, $140 / Parsons desk in diamond-weave grasscloth, West Elm, $499 / Beckett desk, Serena & Lily, $899 / Besta-Burs desk in white (also in black and red), Ikea $269 / Ava desk in nickel (also with wood base), Pottery Barn, $499 / Go-cart desk in chartreuse (also in orange and carbon), CB2, $149

I was looking for something feminine, but not girly. Something I could put in an office that my hubs wouldn’t be embarrassed to use occasionally. And, most important of all, something with a very light footprint that would sort of disappear into the room. My office/guest room/library has become a furniture graveyard – currently, it boasts four bookcases, a queen bed, a giant upholstered chair, filing cabinets and a cedar chest. Adding a desk to the mix almost seems cruel, but I’ve got work to do!

What did I end up with? It’s all in the reveal, friends. I know, such a tease. Mark your calendars – my home redesign series starts next week!

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help wanted!

IMG 0170 help wanted!

{The glamorous life of a blogger}

Friends, I’m looking for a few new contributors to lend a hand here at SMC. Don’t fret, I’m not going anywhere. But I have an exciting (but busy) fall coming up, and I want to make sure I still have plenty of stylish goodness to share with you all. Plus, I thought after six years (!), you might be ready for a new face or two around here.

Rather than head out into Blogland and nab a few transitory guest posters, I said to myself: Self, who better than my wonderfully talented and stylish readers to join the SMC team?

If you’re wild about the idea (or you have a wildly talented friend to refer), just send me an email {editor at shoppingsmycardio dot com} with three things:

  1. A little about you. Who you are, why you’re awesome, and what makes you want to blog? Bonus points if you know Photoshop or a bit of HTML, but neither are a must.
  2. Your pitch. Your fantastic idea (or ideas) for a recurring guest column. As you know, we cast a pretty wide net here at SMC HQ, so be creative!
  3. A way I can see your writing. I don’t care if it’s your blog or your 8th grade term paper, I just want to make sure you know the difference between your and you’re. If you don’t have a sample, email me…we’ll figure something out.

Will you get rich? No. But you’ll get a pretty wonderful readership to talk to, a place to build an online writing portfolio, and a seriously grateful editor determined to help you out in any way I can. Also, occasional swag.

Please, please do not pitch in the comments – I’m nowhere near organized enough to keep track of that. But love and praise are, as always, more than welcome. And heck, if you have ideas for a column someone else should write, definitely share – sometimes ideas and writers just need to meet.

I’d like all of your ideas by Monday, August 6. Can’t wait to hear from you, friends!

xox,
B

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friday finds

Is there anything better than a summer Friday? I’m awfully excited about this week’s list of finds, so let’s get right to it, shall we?

I spent some time at Tiffany & Co last week checking out some top-secret goods you’re going to love…and managed to fall head over heels for these sunnies. The truth is that I’ve been coveting a pair of their sunglasses since they launched, but they were maybe a smidge too blingy. But these? Perfection…right down to the Tiffany blue flecks in the tortoiseshell.

tiffany locks friday finds

Tiffany Locks sunglasses, $430

Too soon for fall? Never! For the first time since she branched into apparel, I find myself coveting a look from Rebecca Minkoff. Check out the drape on this shearling-lined trench…so, so versatile. And the dress (which, I’ll admit, I’d wear as a tunic) has one of those prints I’ll dream about.

RM Henry coat friday finds

Henry coat ($798) and Wednesday Dress ($368); both, Rebecca Minkoff

After those splurges, I owe you some steals, don’t you think? Spotted this spotted tunic (surely they aren’t serious about it being a dress) at Forever 21, of all places. Sure, it’s polyester, but it’s $20, and looks a lot like my Tucker tunics. Worth the gamble, I think.

polka dot dress friday finds

Polka-dot dress/tunic, Forever 21, $20

I got the loveliest-smelling hand soap in the mail yesterday! It’s Neroli & Clementine by Mor, and it is heaven. The packaging is a little ’80s Asian, but I’m willing to call it kitschy and forgive them if it means I get to have this light, sweet/tart citrus fragrance in my life.

mor neroli friday finds

Neroli & Clementine body products, Mor, starting at $10

And last, of course, my Pinterest pick for the week. My new favorite way to save magazine clips is to use the Pinterest app to snap a quick pic of them. Be gone, cluttery inspiration board which I have nowhere to hang! Maybe this amazeballs Miu Miu jacquard jacket will materialize in its place.

pinterest friday finds

via Elle, June 2012

Oh, and! While we’re talking Pinterest, you must check out Picnic, a genius new Pinterest tool that launched this week. Picnic lets you shop pins or find similar images. Things it’s great at: tracking down that polka dot tee someone pinned from a dead link; tracking down a decent substitute for that vintage YSL necklace your style icon pinned; finding more wedding bouquets like the one your BFF pinned. It’s also perfect for tracking down the source of a photo online, so you can credit things properly. Hallelujah! Install it, use it, love it.

That’s it for me, friends. If you’re in Portland this weekend, you might want to stop by Mercantile and check out their Lafayette 148 trunk show, by the way. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction they’ve taken this season. Very mod-chic, with loads of staples you’ll wear to threads.

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

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introducing: marisota

{Editor’s Note: This article was brought to you by the lovely folks at Marisota.}

I’m so thrilled to have partnered with Marisota, another fantastic UK-based superstore, to show off some fashion-forward options for my buxom, curvy friends. They have loads of gorgeous options, to be sure, but what I’m most excited about is their collection of wide-calf boots! You can’t imagine how many emails I’ll be getting in September from readers utterly fed up with the lack of boot options for shapely calves.

A few of my favorites (and some pieces that would pair perfectly):

marisota july 20121 introducing: marisota

Good boots, no? I’m so impressed. And as always, I’m in love with that tweed jacket – the cut is just the thing to let this go from work to weekend seamlessly! But really, it’s that red sheath dress I just can’t get over. Total date night perfection!

As of now, Marisota is only shipping to those of you in the UK (London has all the luck), but I’m hearing whispers that US shipping is on the horizon. So, for us Yankees, keep your eyes peeled, and come fall, you just might have a permanent solution to that boot crisis!

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all in the details: margaret elizabeth cocktail ring


{Editor’s Note: The always-lovely Kate is back with a pick I’m going to be scooping up the second I hit publish. This ring is too pretty for words…the only thing it’s missing is my finger. But the real question: why oh why don’t those fab ankle boots come in my size? Tragic.}

Thus far the details have ranged from handbags to shoes, necklaces to earrings and bracelets…but where are the rings! Clearly we’re due for something with a touch of sparkle to don on our digits. Rough cut stones are always great, as they look equally lovely with a button down and sleek pencil skirt, as they do with a flirty summer dress. This particular choice from Margaret Elizabeth features a stack of seafoam chalcedony, green onyx, and clear quartz stones set in gold.

mestackring 7 all in the details: margaret elizabeth cocktail ringBezel Set Stackable Ring, Margaret Elizabeth, $154

Summer mornings call for as little thought as possible, and the solution can always be found in a dress. This striped option from Club Monaco picks up on the cool tones of the ring appearing inspired as opposed too dangerously matchy. For a cooler evening, or even just a little added style, I’d reach for a dusky army green safari-esque jacket to keep with the colour palette and not compete with the stripes of the dress.

foundations 7 all in the details: margaret elizabeth cocktail ring

Canvas Military Jacket, Gap, $80 / Nora Silk Dress, Club Monaco, $160 / Belted Safari Jacket, Vince Camuto, $69

As for the other details, my thoughts were utterly preoccupied with gold and sea-glass tones. A broken arrow belt adds unique interest to the dress, and wearing a single bold bangle on the opposite wrist will help to balance the ring. Opting to coordinate the earrings with the ring, I’d suggest some basic teardrops in either seafoam (if your hair runs on the lighter side) or green onyx (if your hair is a darker tone) that are simple and subtle. A deep green flat, and a funky but functional transitional tote rounds things out and keeps with the rustic oceanic palette for summer. Feeling a little autumnal already? Swap the flats for worn-in ankle boots, picking up on the rougher nature of the jacket.

details 7 all in the details: margaret elizabeth cocktail ring

Twinset Bangle, Henri Bendel, $118 / Green Onyx Teardrops, Margaret Elizabeth, $98 / Racing Green Henriettas, London Sole, $245 / Steel Bedford Kit, MZ Wallace, $395 / Seafoam Teardrops, Margaret Elizabeth, $98 / Broken Arrow Belt, Madewell, $25 / Horrigan Wrap Strap Booties, H by Hudson, $312

This week was inspired by something as small and simple as a stack of unassuming rings. Letting the green tones guide your intuition in setting the colour palette reminds one never to underestimate that it’s all in the details.  ~ Kate

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sneak peek: loeffler randall fall ’12

It’s a good day, friends…time to check out what’s new with Loeffler Randall for fall! Longtime readers know what a devoted fan I am of the brand, so I’m always giddy to see what they’ve cooked up for a new season.

Ready for a little coveting?

LR shoes fall 2012 sneak peek: loeffler randall fall 12

So, so good, right? I love that they’ve taken their infamous Matilde boot and added a bit of a heel. And all of that cap-toe action? Spectacular. My big decision in life right now is whether I can justify that Nanette bootie (the caramel with the black cap toe) and the Nadine cap-toe flat.

But I haven’t told you the best news yet. Designer Jessie Randall is back to bags! You might remember her handbag styles from several years back (the Hattie?), but she hasn’t designed a line of bags in ages. I’m thrilled to see her back at it, especially at some seriously remarkable price points (starting at $395!). A few of my favorites:

LR bags fall 2012 sneak peek: loeffler randall fall 12

I’m completely torn between the three…how’s a girl to decide? Fortunately, she’s priced them so well, I suspect I could talk myself into at least two. If you’re in love too, these babies go on sale tomorrow, friends. Mark your calendars!

What do you think? Are you getting excited about fall yet?

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summer’s must reads

First, let me say that summer reading is my kryptonite. I shouldn’t even be allowed into a bookstore this time of year. It’s the literary equivalent of Oscar season…positively the best time of year for fiction-lovers like me. To wit, an actual photo of my nightstand at present:

IMG 0143 summers must reads

And that’s not even the half of it, friends! But it is a good sampling of what I’m most excited about reading this season. Some I’m halfway into, others I’m still anxiously waiting to start, but I thought I’d share my thoughts on a few of the books that are keeping me up nights.

Bring Up the Bodies (Hilary Mantel): You know how I love a good period drama, especially when the Tudors are involved! Hilary Mantel tackles the legendary story with so much authority and detail (and from such a unique point of view), it’s hard to believe she wasn’t there. This is the follow-up to her Wolf Hall, which won accolades from every direction. Not being a huge fan of Thomas Cromwell (the subject of Wolf Hall), I skipped that one…but Bring Up the Bodies is all about Anne Boelyn’s fall from grace, and I’m riveted. Give this one 15 pages to get going, and you won’t be able to put it down.

Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy): I’ve never been a lover of Russian literature (I know it’s cold, but must we be so dreary and serious all the time?), so although I was supposed to read this back in one of my undergrad lit classes, I (predictably) faked my way through. With Keira Knightley’s movie version coming out later this year, I thought I’d finally tackle this tome, but halfway in, I’m giving up. I know this is the digital age and my attention span is only slightly larger than Keira’s tiny little waist, but things are moving at a snail’s pace, and Anna is frankly starting to annoy me. Anyone want to make a case for Mr. Tolstoy before I throw in the towel?

Gold (Chris Cleave): This is the third novel from Cleave, who you’ll remember from Little Bee. The novel centers around two young women competing in the Olympics, so if you have a serious case of Olympic fever, this is a title you shouldn’t miss! I’m woefully un-Olympic, but I’m still finding this utterly riveting from page one. It’s about sports, sure, but mostly it’s about competition and friendship, and how the two intertwine. I couldn’t put Little Bee down, and I see I’m up for more of the same from Gold.

The Sense of an Ending (Julian Barnes): I picked this up solely on Nichole’s recommendation…she posted a photo of the first page, and she’s right, it’s enough of a start to get me really excited about the rest of the book. Take a peek, and see what you think.

The Newlyweds (Nell Freudenberger): I’m only a chapter in, but Nell Freudenberger can do no wrong in my eyes (see eg, Lucky Girls). This tells the story of a mail-order bride’s life in Suburbia, and I’m expecting great things.

What are you reading this summer?

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this just in: eileen fisher tee on sale!

Ordinarily, I share my retail finds over on Instagram (you’re following me, right?), so that you can share in my frequent bouts of instant gratification. But this one was worth making a fuss over.

Remember those fantastic linen tees from Eileen Fisher that I’m completely obsessed with? I stopped by their store over the weekend, and summer colors are down to $69! If you have a store nearby, now’s the time.

IMG 0141 this just in: eileen fisher tee on sale!

Yes, I nabbed a little something for myself…and trust me, if the white had been on sale, I’d have cleaned out their stock. There were some lovely pinks and pale blues, but I decided to branch out. What do you think?

Now I’m just crossing my fingers they come out with one in black for fall, and I’ll never have to buy a tee again.

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