hello, dear readers! i’m back from my much-needed sabbatical and, while i suspect posting will be lighter this week as i ease my way back in (and continue to ignore summer fashion as much as possible), i just couldn’t stay away any longer.

lately, i’ve been feeling a bit “over” the big statement necklaces we’ve been wearing the last couple of years.  i’m ready for simple, thoughtful pieces that make a subtle statement, but are still big on style.  maybe with a little bit of color.  and if the designer figured out a way to make it look like i managed to perfectly coordinate a pair of pendants too, well, that would just be icing on the cake.

designer nicola yoon seems to have been reading my mind.  aren’t these just the most elegant necklaces?!  i can envision just about any of them becoming my new signature piece.  i love the touch of color that would be perfect year-round to accent my perpetually neutral wardrobe. and the pricing is absolutely perfect, with most piece in the $100-150 range…well, except for that moonstone and garnet necklace, but it was too stunning not to include.

with a birthday coming up next week, i can only hope that one of these stunners ends up in my jewelry box…the brighter, the better!

with the weather being as swelteringly hot as it’s been lately, i’m sorry, but heavy cuffs and statement necklaces just aren’t an option.  instead, i head for the lightest, sweetest pieces i can find…but i still want maximum impact to offset summer’s perma-casual style.  and nearly every day this summer, gorjana has been my go-to for those perfect light, high-impact pieces.

their wrap necklaces are especially perfect when the weather gets hot.  most are a generous 46″ long, which means the styling options are endless.  leave it long, and it’s just right to doll up a tank dress, or double (or even triple) it for a more casual look with a tee and shorts (the doubled version is also gorgeous under a buttoned blouse at work).  either way, it’s utterly weightless, but still makes a statement.  this shimmer wrap necklace is my personal favorite right now, but to be honest, gorjana’s wrap necklaces are an addiction of mine…i own more than i should!

ditto for these chic little leather wrap bracelets (best left for those of you with thin wrists, i have to admit).  i get all of that bold, bright color without the weight of my heavy enamel bangles.  plus, i love the barely-there stud detailing.  at $55 each, they’re an easy way to give yourself a little end-of-summer treat.

(can’t help but love this image, by the way…it’s so rainbow brite-slash-punky brewster!)

in other exciting news, the lovely people at gorjana emailed last week to let me know they’d redesigned their website, and i am thrilled with the results.  sometimes simple is better, and when it comes to online shopping, i’m a girl with simple needs. bigger photos, no flash, easy to link…i’m a happy blogger!

i’ve been cruising the “what’s new” section at shopbop a little too much this week, and there are more than a few accessories that i just can’t get out of my head.

starting at the top, from left:  loeffler randall meg booties ($575) that i still can’t figure out how i’d wear, but love nonetheless.  if there’s one thing on this list i’ll actually end up buying, it’s this vanessa mooney dagger necklace ($140), which would be absolutely beautiful layered with a longer pendant necklace – i think jewelry’s trending that way for fall.  gara danielle druzy ring ($144), just because it’s blingy and pretty.

as for the bottom row, from left: halston heritage stingray satchel ($495), an unbelievable steal for a style so luxe and unique, and i predict it’ll be gone in an instant.  tory burch eddie beaded flats ($175), which would look amazing peeking out from trouser jeans, or with a flippy black skirt right now. loeffler randall’s shearling lowe boots ($695) are a serious splurge, but they’re also a serious step up from uggs, with all the cozy warmth!

happy friday, everyone!

i first told you about the amazing gems by christine mighion back in november – i fell for her designs at first sight, and the love has been ongoing ever since.  (in fact, christine just recently became a very welcome sponsor here at shoppingsmycardio…can’t help but love someone more when they love you back!)

but i recently got a chance to see her designs in person, and since i don’t often get that chance with my worthy splurge picks, i had to tell you all about it.  after months of agonizing, i finally treated myself to one of her amazing chrysocolla druzy necklaces…and readers, it’s the most gratifying thing i’ve added to my closet in ages (and i’m including all of my new spring shoes in that statement!).

can you even believe the color of that stone?  i can’t stop staring at it (or wearing it).  i knew i loved christine’s designs, but in person…oh, my.  they’re so carefully crafted, so detailed, just utterly perfect.  taking the plunge to spend that much on a piece took a gulp, i won’t deny it.  but now that i’ve had the chance to see firsthand the quality of the stones she uses, the hand-worked details, and the sheer, one-of-a-kind beauty of it all, i know it was worth every last cent.

next up for me (fingers crossed, anyway) will be one of her beautiful rings – she makes seriously stunning cocktail rings.  but then, i might have to treat myself to these sweet little pebble earrings from her latest collection in the meantime.  at $120, they’re the perfect little non-guilt-inducing treat, i think, and they shouldn’t interfere with saving for my next splurge!  plus, i have a birthday on the horizon…

(a little tip:  keep an eye on christine’s twitter account…she often posts discounts on her collection, so it’s a great way to nab something for a steal!)

if you’re in the market for a new bag (and really, readers, when are we not in the market?), hayden-harnett’s sample sale starts this morning!  and believe me – these people know how to do a sample sale right, which means there are some serious bargains to be had.  plus, they’ve teamed up with few of their favorite accessory designers to add even more extreme-sale goodies to the pot.  the sale runs online from today through wednesday (july 13-15), but i’d suggest buying fast…hayden-harnett has some pretty devoted fans.

sigh.  so many pretties, so little time…

i’m not even going to pretend there’s rhyme or reason to this week’s list.  try to just sit back and enjoy the randomness of it all.

i came across some earrings by gabriela artigas in a magazine this month, became obsessed, tracked her down, and am now coveting at least half of her line.  she makes some of the most unique, edgy and wearable pieces i’ve seen in ages, but this vintage art deco sterling spheres necklace ($320) is by far my favorite. it has that perfect mix of hip and timeless, and i simply can’t think of an outfit this wouldn’t improve. time to start that birthday wish list, i think…

i’ve been dying to test out the latest from relastin, but had a weird fixation on finishing up my last moisturizer before i cracked this one open.  readers, i have no idea why i waited so long.  much like my obsession with their eye silk, the skin revitalizer has this texture that’s just indescribably luxe…kind of silky, and thoroughly indulgent.  if i were a millionaire, i’d use it head to toe.  it’s perfect for summer, as it’s not the least bit greasy or over-moisturizing.  and, looks like it’s on sale at amazon for $40! trust me…you so want to try this one.

stuart & wright is having a serious sale right now, if you’re into the hipster lines like a.p.c. and acne.  as i’m usually not, i was about ready to pass this one by until i spied these handmade sandals by ariana bohling, now marked down to the realm of the reasonable. decisions, decisions.  (incidentally, if you’re of the smaller foot set, check out the sale on ndc’s equally lovely summer sandals too.)

and last but not least, this tote from hayden-harnett is just singing my song this week.  the tie-dye-ish chevron print is so fresh next to everyone else’s same old stripes, and i love that this has just a bit more structure than your typical summer tote.  plus, it doesn’t hurt that the line’s designer is an absolutely lovely human being…but you’ll be hearing more on that later.

have a great weekend, all…see you back here next week!

for those of you that have been longtime admirers of tiffini dooris‘ beautiful jewelry designs, you’ll be sad to hear that she’s closing up shop.  i’ve been a fan of tiffini’s since the very beginning…in fact, her rough-cut sapphire necklace was my first fine jewelry purchase for myself.  she just has a talent for making pieces that are special, but still so classic and wearable…i really hate to see her leave the design sphere.

if there’s a silver lining to this cloud, it’s that tiffini has put her entire website on a crazy, super sale to get rid of her stock.  you have until july 12 to buy, and prices are up to 75% off, including my absolute favorites from her latest collection:

those mint leaf earrings, at left, are just so sweet and delicate…and now they’re only $20.  even the simple gold disc earrings at right (and yes, those are real diamonds) top out at $57.  all of her pieces are designed to become serious classics in your jewelry box – i have earrings almost identical to those little gold drops, and i can tell you i wear them at least three times a week.  they’re perfection!

she also has several pieces by other designers on the site (also heavily discounted), including catherine weitzman and pade vavra, but it’s tiffini’s pieces i’d be scrambling for.  whatever you choose, shop fast…i’m sure her stock is limited.  and of course, let me know what you pick up!!

i just saw a note that rosena sammi, the queen of exotic accessories, redesigned her website.  naturally, i had to take a look, and it wasn’t long before i fell hard for this beautiful swar bangle.

i love this piece for being substantial and statement-making, but still light and airy enough for even the hottest day (those big, heavy necklaces are just a bit too much for me when the mercury starts to climb).  i’d pair it with just about anything, but with this piece, i think the simpler, the better…which suits my summer style perfectly.  picture it with a burnout tank and military or cutoff denim shorts, and a simple flat gladiator. it’s the perfect touch of sparkle to lend to an otherwise ordinary ensemble.

best of all, it happens to be one of the best-priced items in the line – at $75, this one’s definitely a splurge worth making.

this week’s finds are as random as they come, but they’re all things i’ve fallen hard for in the last few days.  fortunately, there’s only one budget-busting splurge in the mix, and i’ve included a pretty serious steal to make up for it!

at first, i wasn’t enthralled with the fenton/fallon collection for j.crew…once again, i’m just not cool enough.  but the more i see of this bracelet (it’s been circling blogland something fierce this week), the more i want it.  i love the idea of pairing it with a grey burnout tank, the perfect cutoff shorts, and flip flops…a single decadent accent to the ultimate lazy summer outfit.

i spent the week debating exactly how many things i had to have from madewell’s new site.  their striped espadrilles didn’t make the cut…straw shoes fade and die so quickly, i couldn’t bear to spend $50. fortunately, anne at city sage and the stylish ladies at blue moss both noticed these chic stand-ins from target – for $16, thank you very much.  i snapped them up instantly.

(incidentally, speaking of cheap summer shoes, i’m digging these retro huraches too…and at $15, i may even be able to justify reliving that trend.)

of course, for every steal, there must be a contrasting splurge, or my superficial little shopping world would just implode.  smythe’s linen military jacket would blow my entire summer wardrobe budget at $650, but i also think i’d wear it just about every day, and well into fall, as this military trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

sigh.  heartbreakingly perfect, isn’t it?

with that, happy weekend everyone!

this year has been a little tricky for mother’s day gifts for me.  with my nana gone, i’ve been trying to come up with something extra special for my mom this year. and while i did come up with something i think she’ll love (can’t tell, of course…it would ruin the surprise!), i thought i’d share my runner-up ideas with all of you!

as i said, i’ve been a little bit more sentimental than usual about moms this year, so i loved the idea behind this book before i even saw it.  photographer jeannette montgomery barron decided to share her memories about her mom by photographing some of her most memorable outfits and using them to tell the story of her mom’s life, and the result is my mother’s clothes.  it’s incredibly touching, and the photos are beautiful.  i imagine giving this to my mom with a photo of her stylish self pasted into the front.

if your mom leans more heavily toward the martha stewart side of things, jo malone’s candle collaboration with farrow & ball is absolutely sure to be a hit.  they’ve paired their five most popular fragrances with limited edition containers from the famed paint company, and the result is a candle that looks utterly perfect and smells divine.  my favorite is the lime basil & mandarin, but pomegranate noir is also pretty wonderful.

alexis bittar is offering to personally sign a piece of jewelry for your mom this year, if you buy from their website by may 4 (include code ‘LOVEMOM’ and her name in the comments when you check out).  their signature lucite bangles are so perfectly timeless and chic, they’ll be the perfect update to her wardrobe, no matter what her style. and prices start at $55, so you should be able to grab something on most any budget.  the styles i’ve pictured above are my personal favorites for mom…clockwise from left, buy them here, here and here.

while i was out shopping with my dear friend jocelyn when she was in town last weekend, i came across this moleskine recipe journal ($20), and my heart skipped a beat.  it would be perfect for anyone that loves to cook and experiment, but what a perfect gift for your culinarily-inclined mom!  now she can write down all of her “top secret” recipes for you, and tape all of those recipes she’s torn from magazines and newspapers to the pages.

if you’re set on sending flowers (and really, what mom doesn’t love flowers?), i happened on these stunning sugar cookies from miette, one of my favorite pastry shops in san francisco.  they’ll ship anywhere, and i think they might be even prettier than actual flowers.