Hi, friends! I’ve missed you so. How was your holiday season? I hope each and every one of you rested, relaxed, and ate much too much (but not so much that your jeans are tight today).

I’m running a little late today, but I can hardly be blamed. With new markdowns at Shopbop (additional 20% off sale items already 50% or 70% off with code EXTRA20), new markdowns at Net-a-Porter and a slew of new arrivals at The Outnet, not to mention a week’s worth of blog reading to catch up on, I burned my surfing hours this morning in a most irresponsible way. I’m also nursing a cold, which doesn’t help anyone move any faster. But I know you understand.

In any case, I’ve been thinking a lot about resolutions over the last couple of days…’tis the season, after all. To be honest, I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, in the traditional sense. Not at all. Take a picture a day, read a book a month, go to the gym three times a week – they’re all laudable goals, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that, in my opinion, anything that sets you up for failure and self-loathing is a bad way to start the year.

But I think there’s a way to craft a resolution that can bring you only joy and satisfaction, and those are the variety I heartily endorse. So, this week, I thought we’d talk a little about that.

Today’s suggestion? Do something better for yourself – make a beauty resolution.

{Because, really, what resolution could be better than one that leaves you with skin like this?}

Splurge on that amazing facial product you’ve been eyeing – your skin deserves its best year yet. Sure, maybe you can’t afford to revamp your entire system right now, but start with one really decadent product you’ll look forward to putting on every day. My latest obsession is Armani’s Regenessense, which works wonders for making my skin lighter, brighter and infinitely happier. It dissolves worries and redness, and gives you that glow you thought could only be achieved through pregnancy or airbrushing. Yes, it’s $140 a bottle. But it will last 3-4 months, which is critical to remember when gasping at the cash register as you invest in these things.

Resolve to exfoliate. Or to treat yourself to a monthly pedicure. Or a beautiful, bold red lipstick that will make you feel like the daring diva you secretly are. Or, take it a step further and resolve to get yourself quarterly facials. If you’re anything like me, facials get relegated to the bottom of the spa list (massages being just that wonderful). But if you find a wonderful aesthetician (my favorites, if you happen to be in Portland, are Brynndle at Portland Spa or Ginny at Blooming Moon), they’ll make the experience as relaxing as any massage, with the added benefit of making you look amazing for days afterward.

Whatever it is that will make your heart a little lighter when you look in the mirror, or make you a little more excited to head to the bathroom for your nighttime facial routine – resolve to treat yourself to it this year.

So, tell me – what beauty resolutions are you inspired to make? I’d love to hear! And tomorrow, we’ll talk fashion resolutions. As you might expect, I have a few.

{I know, not fashion-y at all. But how could anyone resist that face?}

Friends, I hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead, and are planning to relish those last few days of summer. Wear shorts, lounge in the sun (even if it’s just at your neighborhood Starbucks), and read a trashy novel…starting Tuesday, we’ll be in full-on fall mode at long last. I can hardly wait.

Enjoy every moment!

Good news – the portraits you all helped me with a few weeks ago are in! Though I normally hate any and all photos of me, and will do anything to avoid sharing them (I’ve been known to steal photos of me right out of friends’ albums), I actually love these. Conceited, I know. But, trust me – I give the credit entirely to whatever photogenic fairy dust Ms. Melissa Tomeoni sprinkled over her camera before our session. That girl can work some serious magic with a lens!

So, what do you think?

All images © Melissa Tomeoni Photography. Please don’t take them, that would just be weird.

Not bad, right? Now…what photo should I use on my trusty “About” page? I’m leaning slightly toward the one with that beautiful blue Equipment shirt and my House of Harlow necklace, but would love your input, friends.

How was your weekend, friends? I spent mine doing a couple of exciting things, which I’ve miraculously managed to combine for you. First, I saw Midnight in Paris, the new Woody Allen film. It was actually the first Woody Allen movie I’ve ever seen (I know, hold your gasps…I didn’t see Princess Bride until college either.), and I adored it. Combine the recent resurgence of my obsession with Paris, a longstanding girl crush on Rachel McAdams, the costume awesomeness of the roaring ’20s, and some of my favorite artistic geniuses (cameos from Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali), and really, there was no way I wasn’t going to love it.

The other thing I did this weekend is take a Photoshop class from the insanely talented Bri of Design Love Fest! Very exciting, I know. So, bear with me while I play around a bit with some images from that beautiful movie and do my best to try out my newfound skillz.

What do you think, friends? Anything was going to be an improvement, I suspect. While I was in the class, I was thinking that Bri’s fancy little writing tablet was overkill for little ol’ me. But now, I’m thinking of all the fun I could have had, say, drawing a little arrow to point out that yummy Chanel jacket Rachel McAdams is wearing in the first shot, or writing a little note about how much I adore Marion Cotillard’s wardrobe throughout. Hmm…maybe the husband will finally get to buy me a tech-y gift!

How was your weekend?

This week has gotten away from me in a huge way, friends.  I’m sorry I haven’t been around.  But I’ll be back next week, with bells on.  And in the meantime, allow me to suggest a few other places to kill time while you’re supposed to be working:

The royal wedding had me completely captivated this week – and This is Glamorous has the most beautiful recap post ever.

Alexander McQueen is on everyone’s mind this week, between Kate’s beautiful dress and the exhibit of his work opening at the Met.  If you, like me, are utterly sad you can’t attend, you should take a look at Racked NY’s coverage – completely with excellent photos.

I honestly can’t remember who steered me toward this new (to me, at least) site, but Tonic has captured my heart in a big way…and I think it will do the same for you.

And last, but not least – you know about The Coveteur, right?  Oh, it’s dangerously beautiful…especially the features on Louise Roe (a favorite of mine) and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who you’re going to love to hate. Make sure you click on the photos to get the detail and stories about the pieces in each picture.

I’ll be spending the weekend with family, as I hope you all are…and debuting my heart-stopping new Rachel Mara dress, which has me more excited than anything else.  Especially since I’m pairing it with my decadent python heels in butter yellow.  I’m swooning already!

Happy Mother’s Day weekend, everyone!

Happy Friday!  It’s been a long week here at SMC HQ, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to save our usual “finds” for next week.  But I did want to share a few pieces of fun news.

First up, the red trousers arrived – and they’re actually pretty fabulous (especially for $39).  They ran very true to size, and are a great color and cut, shockingly.  I wore them to a truly fantastic event last night here in Portland, and they made me feel extremely fashion-y, in the midst of a very fashionable crowd.  There was some drama regarding whether or not to tuck in my shirt, but I’ve officially decided the high waist pant with tucked-in shirt is too high-risk.  The leg-lengthening and waist-whittling properties are offset exponentially by the tummy-enhancing factor.  But, as long as you’re staying untucked (or have board-flat abs), I highly recommend them.

Second, and probably most exciting, check out my score from The Outnet‘s 2nd birthday sale!  It’s a beautiful Valentino tweed jacket, it retailed for $4,505, and I bought it for $2!!  I can hardly contain myself.  I’ve been wanting a Chanel tweed since…well, since birth, probably.  Sure, it isn’t Chanel, but it’s Valentino – not exactly a compromise.  And it was $2.  So, I can happily cross this one off my life list.

{Update: if you’re dying to know how I scored the deal, it’s a long story, but you can get the details here.}

And last but not least, I’d love to have you weigh in on my ramblings over at Shelterrific this morning – I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to decorate my house for Easter without it looking like a Dollar Store delivery truck exploded on my front step.  To be honest, it all started when I started thinking about my Nana’s vintage Steiff collection, and got an inexplicable urge to buy a vintage Steiff bunny for Easter.  Maybe I’ll wait until the week after…

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  I’m crossing my fingers that my world will be back to normal next week.

i married one of the good guys…maybe the best, in fact.  happy anniversary, sweetie…

…here’s to growing old together.

a few little pretties that followed me home this weekend…

i finally picked a new epice scarf to add to my fall wardrobe.  yes, an investment, to be sure, but i wear these daily when the weather’s cold, and get more compliments on them than maybe anything else i own.  this one (it’s hard to tell in the photo) is a beautiful geometric swirl pattern of black, eggplant and olive green…totally unexpected and totally gorgeous.  covet, my favorite portland boutique, has finally gone online, and they have exactly one of these beauties left.

my old LAmade grey and white striped cardigan has finally breathed its last breath, i’m afraid, and it needed to be retired in style.  i’ve put in an order for this version from madewell…i’m hoping desperately that it’s the first thing i order from them which won’t underwhelm me.  it has sold out online, but i got them to locate one and ship it to me (bonus: free shipping on store-located items!).

i tried my very best to make this a happy threesome by adding a set of wind chimes from pigeon toe ceramics when i headed over to their open studio on friday, but alas, there were none to be had.  they very sweetly offered to special order them, but i was in an instant gratification state of mind.  i do, however, have to confess that this miniature sugar and creamer set is maybe the cutest thing i’ve ever laid eyes on.

i also managed to finally polish off a couple of books that have been lurking on my “nearly done” reading pile…but more on those later.

how did you spend your weekend?

wow. honestly, i haven’t quite known what to do about shoppingsmycardio hitting the big oh-four.  i mean, how do you celebrate a virtual milestone?  but it’s true…well, technically, i started blogging on 06.06.06 (which is weird on so many levels), but celebrating on sunday would have been no fun, as most of you are weekday readers.

four years ago, my darling hubs told me (ever so sweetly) to stop prattling on and on to him about all of the things i bought, planned to buy, couldn’t believe i wasn’t buying when it was such a steal, and knew i could never afford but coveted from afar.  he suggested instead that i share my retail obsession with a wider (and more interested) audience.  and i listened.

to celebrate, i thought about organizing a big massive giveaway.  but then it turned out i had to move, which translated into every ounce of my energy being consumed by that.  i’m still planning a truly fabulous giveaway later this summer, though – you dear readers definitely deserve a birthday gift!

other than “holy hell, that’s a lot of retail therapy,” i honestly don’t know what to say, other than this:  thank you! yes, you.  a great big, bear hug thank you to you from the bottom of my shopaholic heart.  for reading, for sticking around, for telling your friends, for commenting to let me know you’re out there, and for letting me shop with you most every day.  it’s been a sweet four years, and i can’t wait to see what happens next!

xo,
becki

(ps…i searched for an hour to find the perfect photo for this post, but it was all worth it when this beautiful shot from claire bears on flickr popped up.  you should totally check out her entire flickr stream, as it’s utterly beautiful.)

…now i have to buy an apron.  i blame victoria, for pointing this out.  and jake, for being just too cute not to save.  i simply cannot resist a dog in distress (having had too much experience in this area)…especially when i get to feel all warm and fuzzy only $20 later.

you know you want one.