those lovely ladies over at the daily obsession asked me to help out with their “insider’s obsessions” series this month.  calling me an insider and giving me a chance to gab about cashmere and scarves?  there was really no way i was going to turn that down.  plus, i miss my days as a TDO editor, and couldn’t resist reliving the magic!  you simply have to check it out…it’s a pretty fab list, if i do say so myself.

a huge welcome to those of you who’ve strayed over here – i hope you’ll stick around!  (oh, and i swear, the TDO gals and i didn’t coordinate obsessing about liberty of london for target on the same day…just goes to show that sometimes we’re so alike, we share a brain.)

have a great weekend, everyone!

yeah, i can’t quite believe it either.  but as strange as it sounds, i’ve been excited about the launch of ll bean’s new venture since i first heard about it months ago.  they’re calling it their “signature” line, and i’m hoping it will be a better-tailored, slightly more hip reinterpretation of their best ideas.  it’s still top secret, but i have visions of cropped field jackets, fitted flannels and the perfect striped cashmere sweater dancing in my head.  that could all just be wishful thinking, of course, but they’ve released a couple of preview pieces that have left me optimistic:

this classic leather tote looks like something your favorite writer would carry, or maybe something you inherited from a very stylish dad.  it’s perfect for work, travel, magazines, knitting…anything, really…and you can just tell it will get even better with age.

ooh, and it looks like they just launched a slideshow on the new site that’s equally hope-inspiring.

check out that chambray shirtdress…definite potential, don’t you think?  (i can’t quite believe that chambray is back…am i the only one with serious chambray memories from junior high?)

anyway, until the full line launches, you can grab that luxe leather tote for $189 on the new ll bean signature website, and then hold your breath along with me for the launch of the full line in march.

{“kind intruder” by michelle arcila, one of my very favorite photogs!}

…to those of you who took a second to tell me what you love, hate and generally have opinions about for this little blog.  if you didn’t get a chance, perhaps you could do it now? leave a comment on this post, the original post, some random post anywhere on the blog…i’ll see it any way you send it.  or if you’re feeling especially chatty, getting emails from you positively makes my day:  editor {at} shoppingsmycardio {dot} com, if you’re so inclined.

and have a fabulous weekend, everyone!

wow, i certainly gave myself a nice long vacation, didn’t i?  good reasons, i promise.  the holidays, of course.  and then a trip to mexico, to escape the rain and gloom.  whereupon, mother nature promptly rained and gloomed all over my mexican holiday (well, at least as gloomy as cancun gets).

{the view from my hotel balcony.  life is hard, i know.}

see?  but still…sand, surf, all-inclusive room service.  hard to complain too much, really.

during all of that holiday-ing, i’ve been thinking quite a bit about this blog.  it’s hard to believe i’ve been writing it for three and a half years.  frightening, actually.  and lately, i’ve been wondering if it’s really still the blog i set out to write.

so, in the spirit of the new year, i’m going to try changing a few things.  i’m going to loosen up a little – posting perhaps less reliably but with better finds.  i’m also going to broaden my horizons a little when it comes to content, which may end up involving any or all of the following:  more snarky rants, less polish, more books, travel and/or food, and the occasional delve into my personal life (such as it is).  the goal is to just generally ease up a bit on my usually tight-as-a-drum blogging filter.  we’ll see how it goes.

in the midst of all of this, i’d like to very sweetly ask for your help.  i didn’t want to get all formal and serious with a poll (mostly because i hate blog polls), but could you consider taking 30 seconds to leave a comment right now, letting me know if there’s anything you especially love, hate, or miss about the blog?  want more designer interviews?  more reader questions (my personal favorites)?  more beauty coverage?  not another moisturizer review, ever?  more books?  do you prefer high fashion or low fashion?  if you’d rather, of course, feel free to send advice/input via email – editor {at} shoppingsmycardio {dot} com, day or night.

beyond today’s request, i’d love to have you keep on giving me input on what’s working for you and what’s not.  tell me when you love something.  tell me when you hate it.  if i post a photo of my dog, and you’d rather never see him again, tell me.  (though that would be weird…he’s freaking adorable.)  the point is that i’d rather know what interests you and what doesn’t.  just leave a comment, or even email me – i heart getting emails from you guys so very, very much!

i hope you’re all off to a fabulous start this new year, and can’t wait to kick things off with a bang!

~xo, becki

(photo by joseph o holmes, courtesy of 20×200.com – isn’t it gorgeous?)

dear readers, i’m off for some much-needed rest, relaxation and a big plate of holiday cookies.  i’ll be back with you in the new year, but until then, i hope your trees are trimmed, your stockings are stuffed, and your after-christmas sale shopping is a wild success!

thank you all for making this yet another wonderful year of blogging – really and truly.  have a wonderful holiday!

happy december, all!  now that we’re officially in the middle of the holiday madness (hanukkah starts in 10 days!), i just wanted to share a couple of details about some new things you’ll be seeing here at shoppingsmycardio.

first up, since gift guides give me panic attacks – there’s just so much pressure, and what if i find something even better later on? – i’ve decided to have a gift month.  instead of featuring things that i want to own, i’m planning to spend the next 25-ish days giving you ideas on gifting to your nearest and dearest.  they’ll be in no particular order, but i’ll be sure to tell you who they’d be perfect for (at least, in my mind).  don’t worry too much – i’m a selfish beast at heart, so i’m sure there will be plenty of “this would be a perfect gift for…someone exactly like me”.  i promise you’ll still have plenty of hint-worthy links to send off to family and friends for your own wish list.

now, for the extremely less interesting part.  as of today, the federal trade commission says i have to tell you if i review anything that i received a sample of (feel free to let your eyes glaze over now).  in case you didn’t know, sometimes i get samples of things.  in fact, when it comes to my reviews of beauty products, i always get samples – i won’t review a product i haven’t tried (really, can you imagine my recommending a face cream i’d never tested? what if it turned your skin green? i could never live with myself.).  that said, the number of samples i receive versus the number i write about?  math isn’t my strong suit, so i won’t even attempt a percentage, but let’s just say sending me a tube of lipstick in no way, shape or form guarantees you a spot on this blog.  i’m insanely picky about what i choose to share with you all (much to the dismay of PR firms everywhere) and that doesn’t change just because i got a free anything.

regardless, the feds scare me, so from now on, if a sample was involved, i’ll just put a little *sample provided* disclaimer on the post.  fair enough?  and of course, if you have any questions about any of this, feel free to drop me a line.

that’s it for housekeeping matters…now, back to your regularly scheduled retail therapy.

first things first, we have a new winner for that gorgeous necklace from two sisters jewelry!  entry number 5, “a” is our new lucky lady, and she won with her bonus entry for posting the contest on facebook!  a, you have until the end of the day to email me – or we’ll have to let some other lucky reader nab the prize!

next up, since i had to hold off on last week’s random friday finds post, i thought we’d just bump it to monday – i’ve had so many lovely random discoveries lately, i just can’t resist sharing.

on paper, these aren’t my style in the least, but i’ve been inexplicably fascinated by this croc-stamped t-strap sandal ever since it launched in the barneys co-op spring collection.  now that it’s marked down by 60% ($440 to $173), it’s hard to resist buying them for the fun factor alone.  that almost tie-dye pattern on the croc-print leather, the chunky, bohemian leather straps and chunky wood heel…sigh.  these are such a great wardrobe-update piece, because they’ll work with so many things, and will make just about any look fresh and edgy.  perfection!

how’s this for a cheap thrill?  if you’re in the market for a thrifty fashion fix, i’m a big fan of this floral halter tank from american eagle – especially for $20.  proof you actually can find some sweet style at the teeny-bopper shops.  pair it with a leather jacket and jeans, or keep it simple and casual with a cut-off short.

and this is neither here nor there, but i spied these on my latest anthropologie run, and i think i’m just going to have to buy them.  stacking matryoshka dolls that double as measuring cups.  how cute would they be on your kitchen counter?  you’ll have to check out the zoom photos if you’re tempted…it’ll be love at first sight!

thank you all SO much for entering our fab contest this week…i hope you loved that gorgeous kai necklace from two sisters jewelry as much as i did.  and i hope you take it as a sign of my undying love for each of you that i didn’t just stash it in a drawer and keep it all to myself (i mean, considering it isn’t the same thing…).

our winner this week is….

[deleted...our first winner sadly missed out, but check here for our new winner!]

for the rest of you, i’m so glad you loved two sisters jewelry so much – the ladies happen to be thoroughly fabulous, and i hope you’ll all show them some cardio love.  a huge thanks to two sisters, and happy friday to all!

this morning, i’ve taken my style scouting over to author a brand-spankin’ new “designer imposters” column for the oh-so-chic folks at luxaholics.   head over to check out my awesome $60 chloe (ish) find, and a few styling tips!

would love to see you over there today…and, of course, we’ll have more goodies here for you tomorrow!  xo

thank you all so much for taking a minute to enter this fun giveaway – it was so sweet to hear each of your stories about what makes your moms so special!  i was thoroughly verklempt by the end.  definitely my favorite giveaway so far – i just loved hearing a little more about you, dear readers!

much as i wish that i could send each and all of you a fabulous mom gift, here are our very, very lucky winners:

the absolutely gorgeous necklace from katharine sise belongs to entry #17, megan, who said “My mom is the best! She is always prepared and was such a great help for me planning my wedding. I just love her so much, she is my best friend. She is super funny too and doesn’t even know it. I would love to honor her this mother’s day with the beautiful necklace, I know she would be blown away. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!”

that lovely DL & Co candle is going to entry #26, jenny t, who said “I would love to give my mom the candle. My mom is always on the lookout for great smelling candles, and it would be the perfect way for me to thank her for passing along her love of SHOPPING to me! Plus, I owe her for all the times she nursed me through a breakup, helped me move and now, watches over her grandson.”

and the stunning set of paper goodies from linda & harriett belongs to entry #39, donna, who said “For my own mom, I’d love the notecards for her. She likes to send people personal notes and this would be perfect for her.  What makes my mom great: she’s always there to listen.”

congratulations to all of you, and an absolutely huge thank you to our sponsors.  now, just make sure you email me at editor at shoppingsmycardio dot com to claim your gift by monday morning, or i’ll have to draw a new winner for your prize!  

for those of you who fell in love with these gifts (and really, who wouldn’t?), they’re all wonderful ideas for mom – or just for yourself!  you can find the katharine sise necklace here (on sale, even!), those amazing DL & Co. candles here, and linda and harriett’s site is packed full of wonderful and affordable mom’s day indulgences.

as for me, i’m feeling a little under the weather today, so i’ll try to get back with a friday fashion fix a bit later today.  but if i just can’t drag my sorry self back to the computer, i hope you all have a wonderful weekend!