i literally can. not. wait. for the liberty of london/target collaboration to hit stores this sunday (3/14).  as in, i start bouncing up and down in my chair if i think about it too much.  yep, my husband is about to be living in a sea of chic, kitschy floral…and you know, i have not a smidge of guilt!

for those that aren’t familiar, liberty of london is an amazing, iconic department store based in (surprise) london.  they’re best known for their stunning textiles, especially their signature bold florals.  for their collaboration with target, they’ve lent their signature patterns to everything from lingerie to teacups…and i’m thinking i’ll need (at least) one of nearly everything in the collection.

to tide me over until sunday, i thought i’d share a little sneak peek of my favorite pieces from the collection:

(all photos graciously provided by target corp)

yes, the shopping list is long, i realize…fortunately, nearly everything in the collection tops out at about $50, and most is much, much less than that.  so really, my hubs should be thrilled i’m saving him so much money.  right?

see you at target this sunday!

for those of you living near a nordstrom rack, i highly suggest a lunchtime or after-work visit…today, if possible.  i took a little time to check it out yesterday, and they have some pretty serious sales happening – a good chunk of the store is marked anywhere from 35-60% off the lowest marked price – i spotted nanette lepore, burberry, james perse, splendid…definitely above and beyond the usual suspects.

the rack is always my favorite super-secret source for designer denim (you do know about this, right?).  even the highest-end styles top out around $80 there, instead of the $150+ you’ll pay retail.  but yesterday, i may have nabbed my best deal ever:  a pair of paige denim’s “jimmy jimmy” boyfriend jeans marked down to $79, with an additional 60% off!!

yep, brand new paiges for $30…life is good.  i’m always the world’s biggest fan of paige denim (she and i just seem to have the same butt, what can i say?), but the cut on this jean is especially nice.  it’s a bit loose (try going down a size), but the backside is still super flattering and the rise isn’t too low.  plus, the distressing is subtle enough that even grown-up girls can wear them.  i’m especially loving this style because it’s not actually cropped, like so many of the boyfriend jeans.  it’s perfect rolled up, so you can have that ‘boyfriend jean’ look, but when it’s out of style, just unroll the cuffs, and they’ll be a great straight leg jean.

to nab this steal, just stroll on past the regular racks of denim and look for the clearance rack – there were a few rock & republic styles, and even a pair or two of joe’s jeans, all at some seriously amazing prices.

oh, and while you’re there…i spotted at least two pairs of jimmy choos (including these lovelies) for $229, plus an additional 35% off.  just sayin’.

it really doesn’t take much for me to feel like i’m being “edgy.”  a bit of oxidation on a silver ring, maybe tying a scarf in a new, hip way i’ve spied over at who what wear.  the reality is that, for as much as i appreciate the edge in others (and oh, i do!) i veer so much to the preppy most of the time, it can be annoyingly predictable.  so, today’s random friday finds are my way of adding just the tiniest dash of elizabeth and james to my normal j.crew routine.

snake rings, spike rings, skull rings…i just refuse to even try to pull off the punk thing.  but this alligator is another matter entirely.  i love this alligator!  so tongue-in-cheek, with maybe the tiniest dash of edge.  perfect for a hopeless preppy like me!  by gara danielle for $126.

here’s a sweet little bargain for you – one of my favorite graphic printers, lotta jansdotter, has marked down darn near everything on her beautiful site, including this cute (ahem, edgy) little bag, which you can score for just $12.  use it as a clutch all summer, and when winter comes, it’s the perfect thing to organize all the bits and bobs that wind up rolling around in the bottom of your bag.  (note: it also comes in pink floral, but by choosing the abstract grey pattern, i think i’ve chosen the edgier option here.)

don’t hit me when we talk about hoop earrings again next week (you’re going to die over how fabulous they are!)…but in the meantime, the lovely oh joy introduced me to these brass pyramid hoops from urban outfitters.  for $7, how can i be expected to resist at least sharing them with you?  and again, just a dash of edge…but not too much.  i think i could even rock these with a cardigan!

happy friday, everyone!

i admit to a bit of skepticism about these lovelies these because of the brand, which i associate more with beachy foot attire than thai silk pumps.  but that skepticism aside, these are one of the cutest “cheap thrill” shoes i’ve seen in a while.

i love the raw/duponi texturing on the silk, and that pleated knot on the vamp is a great way to embrace one of fall’s hot trends, not to mention embracing a very “sexy secretary” sort of look.  plus, i’m a sucker for a purple shoe…it’s this oddly unexpected neutral when it comes to footwear, and seems to match nearly everything.  if you’re looking for an inexpensive shoe, i cannot overstate my preference for purchasing them in a material other than leather.  it will either be gross, or it will be faux…and with very few exceptions, neither is good.

i especially love that they are $59.  if you can handle the 4″ heel height (i, much to my recurring chagrin, cannot), i’d call these perfect, and click “buy now“!

if you’ve been dying for a little jewelry indulgence but just can’t justify spending these days, i have some excellent news.  prismera design (one of my favorite indy lines) is doing a week-long sample sale of some of her gorgeous (and often one-of-a-kind) pieces.  prices start at $8, and most are under $35.  how can you possibly skip a sale that good?

my faves (from left): those fun, chain-accented clare earrings ($15), the beautiful druzy agate on the lilah necklace ($62), and the chunky copper accents on the leah necklace ($25!).

forgive the fuzzy pics (something tells me these were photographed hot off design table) and get shopping…the prettiest pieces will be gone in a flash!

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!

if you’re aching for a little spring splurge, and your bank account isn’t cooperating, the kier + j sample sale that just started over at ideeli may be just the thing.  nearly every piece is just $35, and some are $30.  considering most started out over $100, that’s a steal any way you slice it.

kier + j is notorious for sticking with one product – knits – and doing it very, very well.  i just nabbed this violet puff-sleeve cardigan – it will be great to add a little color to my life this summer.  and i very nearly picked up that fabulous little draped dress until i noticed the hem length.  i’m universally opposed to anything above-the-knee for my own closet, but if you can rock it, you won’t find a better summer basic.

shop quick – the best ideeli sales are over in moments.  and if you need an invite, head right over here.  have fun!

gah…spring sales started this morning at barneys, anthropologie, nordstrom and shopbop - i’ve been so overwhelmed, i almost forgot to post!  overall, i’m trying to be good, but this dress may be too perfect to pass up.

once you return from all of that orgasmic sale goodness, i thought i’d share a few bargain bracelet finds that have caught my eye this week.  

yesterday’s internet browsing led me to the new dana buchman collection for kohl’s, of all places.  to save you some time, most of it looks a little iffy, but this coral bracelet is actually pretty perfect for summer, especially for $20.  it reminds me of something you’d get at banana republic, but for a lot less. don’t you think it’s just the thing to dress up those breezy, neutral summer frocks?

and then, there was this gorgeous rainbow of enamel bracelets i spied online at target.  love!!  i’m dying to buy the lot of these (at $18 each, i actually could!) and mix and match colors to my heart’s content.  if nothing else, they’re a great opportunity to play around with color combinations that might scare you.  i very literally can’t pick a favorite…but i will say the black is a little blah for summer.  pile on a stack of these beauties, and your tee-and-shorts ensemble will suddenly be insta-chic.  promise.

* editor’s note:  last day to enter that amazing mother’s day giveaway!  don’t miss this one…i’m so loving hearing your mom stories (though i promise not to tell if you keep the prize for yourself!).

i’m tiptoeing through my bookmarks this morning, and lo and behold, i came up with a bargain-full ensemble that i’m pretty excited about.  

i’ve been searching high and low for a blazer i liked that (a) wasn’t too expensive, (b) was a little bit unexpected, and (c) was the right cut for my body type.  the reality is most boyfriend blazers are just not that flattering unless you’re very petite.  they eliminate any hint of a waist or hips, and bulk up your shoulders considerably – resulting in a look popular with linebackers the world over. but this three-button twill blazer from old navy is just $25, and i think it might be perfect.  the buttons are high enough that the lapel won’t bulge if you’re well-endowed up top.  the waist is nipped in, and the length is great for layering.  plus, it’s $25.  roll up the sleeves and leave it unbuttoned to get the boyfriend blazer look without the disfiguring side effects.

i’d pair it with a classic, liberty-style floral print top – this topshop version is a great option for $50.  the floral is a great balance against the more structured jacket, and the colors blend without being sickeningly matchy.  you could also try this top from forever 21, though i’d probably go with a floral that doesn’t include yellow if you pick the yellow blazer (the seersucker would be fun, though).  

pair it with one of these beautiful floral tin necklaces from the little black rabbit, which i’ve been coveting something fierce. the dogwood (right) is perfect if you’re nervous about the mix-and-match, but i love mixing florals, and this is a great, safe way to give it a try!

add all of this to your favorite denim, or an a-line or pencil skirt (royal blue would be great, as would black or white), or even a slouchy cuffed short that’s already in your closet, and you have a pretty fantastic outfit for right around $100.  not a bad shopping trip at all, i’d say!

we’re going to be talking a lot about florals in the next couple of weeks…after all, it’s spring, and florals are a perennial stand-by for the season.  but this year, the styling is a lot more hip and nontraditional…which i’m loving.  these bags are a great case in point.  i love the abstract leaf patterns, and they’re a great twist on a classic floral, which can get a little laura ashley.  (i do, however, love taking a really traditional floral pattern and mixing it with an ultra-mod design…something along the lines of this fab charlotte ronson dress, or that steven alan top we talked about.)

either of these bags would be a great way to bring a little of that hot spring floral into your life – i’d add one to a winter-friendly ensemble like slacks and a blouse to warm things up a bit.  your choice:  left is marni, $600 at net-a-porter; right is hayden-harnett, $49.99 at target.

so, which one would you choose:   luxe or less?