dear readers,

i’ve been gone a while…and i’m sorry for that.  it turned out to be a harder few weeks than i could ever have anticipated, and to be honest, retail therapy just wasn’t doing it for me.  shocking, i know.  but i think it’s time to get back into the saddle, and so here i am.  slowly but surely, i’m sure we’ll resume our regular levels of retail gluttony in no time.

but for now, i want to thank all of you that took the time to comment, or email me privately, to convey your condolences and good thoughts about my nana’s passing.  i know we’re all just strangers out in the internet ether, but it meant so very much to me to hear from you guys.  believe it or not, blogs are not usually the moneymaking machines you’d think (or hope).  i sit down to write every day not because there’s a paycheck at the end of the rainbow (trust me, there’s not), but because i honestly love having you around, readers.  i like to think some of you get a kick out of my ideas on fashion and style, and that you like seeing some of the things i come across that i think are worth sharing.  that’s it.  so having a few of you take a moment to let me know you were out there, and sending me good thoughts…well, it made a difference.

i’m going to go ahead and unpublish the previous post…it makes me sad, and i think we’re going for “happy and fun” here.  but i’ll still be able to read it, and i’ll be going back to those comments and words of encouragement whenever i’m feeling blue.

with much love from your grateful editor,

becki

i’ve been a fan of fashion blogger garance doré for so long, i can hardly remember not thinking she was the coolest person ever.  perhaps even more than her gorgeous photography and hysterical fashion insights (both of which stop me in my tracks), i love love love her sketches.  i actually emailed her once upon a time, asking if she’d ever start selling them – but the answer was no (sadly, i only heard back from her assistant…how cool would it have been to hear from garance herself?!).

now, be still my heart, she’s released two tees bearing her lovely sketches for the gap’s 40th anniversary extravaganza.  perfect, right?  but no…still, they elude me!  problem one: they’re only being released in london.  problem two:  there are only 69 of each tee available for sale.  it’s like the universe is conspiring to keep garance and me apart!

and so, i’m just going to say it.  dear gap:  surely you can do better!  what about us poor saps in the states who, i don’t know, have been loyal, devoted gap fans (mostly) for the last 40 years.  how about some love for us?

think my plea will work?  sigh. me neither. but if you do happen to be in london for this amazing event, check it out on my behalf, won’t you?

readers, i don’t think i’ve done enough shopping this week.  frightening, i realize…but i just don’t have any particularly exotic, “must haves” on this random friday.  so instead, i thought i’d share the ‘must haves’ that have actually made it into my house over the last week or two.  mind you, this is no small feat these days, as my shopping account is in serious lockdown mode.

it’s been a long while since i walked into the gap and actually fell for something on sight.  but these shoes are just so cute in person, and such a great color & pattern for summer, i couldn’t resist.  the $39 pricetag didn’t hurt, nor did the fact that they miraculously run a full size large, so they actually had my size in the store.  i was a little wary of the bow in back, but i’ve decided it gives some nice detail, and keeps them from being too generic.

i’m fairly confident i’ve mentioned how much i detest hot weather.  besides my massive discomfort whenever the mercury hits 80+, there’s also the matter of my cheeks, which insist on becoming a very radioactive shade of crimson at the slightest increase in my internal temp.  literally, i’ve had people stop me during a workout to “make sure i’m okay.”  yes, i’m fine – i’m always that color.  given the severity of the problem, when i decided to test clinique’s new “redness solutions” mineral powder, i was skeptical…i was pretty sure painting my face yellow was not the answer.  but this stuff actually works – and somehow doesn’t settle into wrinkles like most loose powders.  i highly recommend it for those of you with fair skin that rebels in heat, or for the post-workout makeup routine.

and last, i mentioned recently how much i loved a new piece by emily elizabeth jewelry, and the designer was sweet enough to send it over as a thank you (yes, i know, my life is very hard).  honestly, i’ve hardly taken it off since it arrived…i think it might just be the perfect summer necklace.  because the chain is just a bit thick, and the leaves are a bit bold, it dresses up my ultra-casual summer style beautifully, and gives me just a dash of grecian goddess chic (who couldn’t use a bit of that?).

happy weekend, everyone!  i’ll be off visiting family for a few days, but should be back bright and early tuesday for more retail therapy.

as usual, today’s finds are a collection of the random lovelies i’ve come across in my travels this week.  happy friday, everyone!

it’s going to be a while before a $400 box to hold very tiny things is on my actual shopping list.  but this is so beautiful, i just keep going back for another peek.  by r & y augousti (of course), and constructed from vintage penshell and bronze.

my dishware fetish continues unabated, as does my love for grey/yellow color combinations.  they seem to have collided in this collection from up in the air somewhere, and i’m heartily crushing on the results.  i’m thinking my world would become so much simpler and more sophisticated if i could serve my morning juice from this pitcher and these glasses.

going through my etsy favorites can be depressing business…since most things are one-of-a-kind, it’s basically just a way of browsing all of the things i loved and missed out on buying.  so, i’m grateful for the ones that stick around.  i recently happened on lirola’s beautiful, made-to-order clothing line, and am patiently biding my time until i can indulge in the closest thing i’ll ever get to couture.

so, did you happen across anything especially lovely this week?  have a great weekend, everyone!

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!

ugh, remember when your english teacher used “journaling” as a verb?  used to drive me absolutely crazy!  that said, i seem to be on a  journal kick of late…i just keep seeing examples that make me wish i were one of those people that carries a notebook everywhere i go.  i mean, as a writer, isn’t that de rigeur?  in the hopes that some of this intent will morph into action, i thought i’d share a few styles that i can’t resist.

first up is the keel’s simple diary, which literally just debuted over at taschen, one of my favorive publishers.  i’ve only had it for a couple of days, but i’m already smitten.  i love the bright colors, the totally portable size, the back pocket for stashing…whatever.  but mostly i love that it’s already filled out for you!  this is truly a diary for those who think they have nothing interesting to say – you’re virtually guaranteed to sound utterly witty and brilliant.  each page contains a few random questions – multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank…i even spotted a graph.  you pick a page – go in order or don’t, there’s no judge here – answer the questions, ponder the extremely random quote on your page, and move on with your life.  i love this because i know once i get started, i won’t be able to resist it on a daily basis.  check out a few sample pages here, and grab it in any lovely color (each one means something about your personality, so choose wisely!).  this is most definitely going to be my go-to gift this year…stylish, clever, and only $15!

of course, there’s also the classic moleskine.  if it was beloved by hemingway and matisse, who am i to argue?  i yearn to be one of those people furtively sketching away in my moleskine at the hippest coffee shop in town.  sadly, mine tend to mostly end up filled with names of websites i mean to visit, or brands i happen across while shopping.  but i’m thinking if i had one of these amazing engraved leather covers from engrave your book‘s new artist series for my moleskine, it would encourage all sorts of creativity.  each one’s designed by a well-known graphic artist, then laser-engraved onto untreated calfskin.  they’re a little pricier at $60, but you can refill them with a standard moleskine forever, and that lovely leather will turn the most beautiful shade of honey brown (or be covered with coffee stains…but doesn’t that just make you a true artist?).

all that said, something tells me these to-the-point little notebooks from orange beautiful are still the most appropriate for my typical state of mind.  don’t we all need to be reminded to stop whining every now and then?

so, what do you think of these sweet new journaling options? are you a journaler by nature, or are you inspired to give it a go?

happy friday, everyone!

i’m sort of enjoying the “random friday” thing…how about you?  hope you don’t mind the mental detours!

this week, i have to show off this new reusable bag i got from flip & tumble recently.  i know…another reusable bag.  but i have literally had people stop me on the street asking about this cutie, and now it’s the only one i’ll use!  they come in a rainbow of colors, only have a single strap (much more chic), and ball up perfectly in mere seconds into the itty-bitty, sewn-in stretchy ball cover. plus, they’re so cute!  i carry one in my purse religiously now, so – wonder of wonders – i actually have a reusable bag with me now when i want one for last-minute purchases (ahem, or protecting my pricier bags from the rain when i get caught in a summer shower. yes, i’m an environmental wonder, i know).

at $9 (less if you buy more), they’re less than you’re paying for those canvas totes you have lying all over the house, and these are so much cuter (not to mention easier to stash).  and have i mentioned how cute they are?  grab a stack at flip & tumble‘s website…definitely a fun friday indulgence.

i’m in a fantabulous mood this friday, dear readers – my parents are headed to town, and i have so many goodies planned!  wine tasting, loads of good food, and a couple of shopping stops i know my mom will adore.  should be a great weekend.

plus, it happens to be the birthday of one of my very dear friends and my first official shoppingsmycardio devotee.  that deserves some celebration, don’t you agree?  since this particular dear friend is the ultimate “eternal optimist” (and since her card is late), i thought i’d throw together a few of my favorite “happy” finds i’ve come across on the web this week in her honor.  i hope they bring a smile to your face…and to hers!

yep, that’s right, there’s a new man in town on the tea towel circuit, and since no one does graphics quite like the talented mr. adler, i’m all aflutter!  could i have one of each, please?  hey, at $12 each, they’re by far the most affordable JA splurge you’ll encounter.  wait…oh lordie, he has a new penguin too.  and a dachsund….oh my!

i know, socks in the summer seem a little off.  but these appropriately-dubbed “happy socks” just launched over at steven alan are just that. hey, we all need something to let the moisturizer soak into our tortured, flip-flop-wearin’ feet, right?  plus, in the evening, when my hubs turns the a/c up, i feel a little silly wearing uggs in july. 

and, how’s this for happy?  i got the most exciting note last night from the gals at the bright side project that i’d won that gorgeous initial necklace from designer ariel gordon!  the internet is so, so awesome.  seriously, if you haven’t entered any of the giveaways at the bright side, why on earth not?

have a wonderful, happy weekend, everyone!

happy monday, dear readers.  i hope you all had a fantastic weekend!  mine was actually pretty great, as weekends go, so i thought i’d try something new:  sharing a bit about how i actually spend my time.  you’ll have to let me know if it bores you to tears.  the hubs took friday off as a surprise, so there was plenty of much-needed lounging and loafing.  plus:

- major heat wave this weekend, which you’ll have heard me whining about if you follow me on twitter.  i am not a fan.  the only advantage is that heat = barbecue season!  so, good eats all weekend, courtesy of my hubs (aka, the grillmaster).  including, notably, an excellent version of bobby flay’s pork tenderloin.  yum!

- wandered around a local art festival, packed with too much tie dye, and some very pretty jewelry.  finally saw this artist‘s work in person (i wrote about her for daily candy once upon a time).  

- ordered a bevy of flip flops, now that i’m convinced summer may actually appear.  more on that later.

- saw the new star trek, and talked through the entire thing (apologies if you’re the person who was sitting in front of me).  afterward, went for late-night cherry pie…yum!

- hubs treated me to a tour around my favorite jewelry store of all time, where i found a new bauble to covet.  shocking, i know – but wasabi designer jill pearson just never fails to give me the happy feelings.  cannot find it anywhere online, but imagine a longer version of this, sans the ruby beads.  so summery!

- a last-minute trek out to suburbia to catch up on my fashion mag reading.  i’ve decided i don’t need to clog my mailbox with each and every one any more…so i just snuggle up to a mint tea at the bookstore and take copious notes.  discovered a new magazine, perfect for you crafty design types.

 - decided i need more loose, flowy dresses, and a light, oversized clutch if i’m going to avoid going completely insane this summer.  shopping shall ensue, have no doubt.

what about you?  how was your weekend?

neither here nor there, i realize…but if you’re looking for a little feel-good lift today (i know i am), head over and check out the bright side project.  

the concept is pretty simple:  

“The Bright Side Project is here to bring you a little metaphorical sunshine every day, to help you stop for a second and remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world.”

every single day, some wonderful designer or artist donates a prize.  to win, you answer the (usually) esoteric question posed by the person who donated the goodies.  the answer the donor likes best wins the prize, which is usually pretty awesome.  i’ve seen everything from stationery to art to shoes, and i won some fleur de sel caramels last week (!).

but mostly, i’m getting warm fuzzies from the bright side’s combination of possibility, generosity and ingenuity…i mean, what’s not to love?  so check out the site for all of the details.  and, for heaven’s sake, if you win something, share with me!