i shopped and shopped, and then i shopped some more.  i got tees at H&M, mugs at jonathan adler, a tour of the new spring collection at michael kors, macarons (and way too much candy) at miette patisserie, made several trips to bloomingdales and barneys, neiman marcus and saks, and drank my weight in cappucinos at my favorite italian cafe.  and i topped it all off with lunch at neiman marcus’ rotunda restaurant, quite possibly my favorite lunch spot ever.  how can you not love a huge stained glass dome, birds-eye view of union square, all the popovers you can eat, and live models trailing couture past your table.

i also got to catch up with several of my dear friends that i left behind in san francisco (hi to A and J!), and spend some much-needed quality time with my sweet mom.  and i finally (finally!) got to meet the lovely connie, who’s been my e-friend for years, and is now a real live in-person friend.  love that!

sigh….i’m exhausted just reading that!  yes, i had missed my city.  and i worked very, very hard to hit all the spots i missed while i was gone.  i picked up so many new tips, brands and ideas that i can’t wait to share…but for now, i have to start with what i brought home, don’t you agree?

my big splurge was this amazing leather blazer by vince – on super markdown at barneys, i might add.  vince calls it their ‘paper leather,’ and it really is amazingly thin, light and matte – plus it has knit panels on the underside of the sleeve and along the sides, which makes it ultra-comfy and perfect for layering.  this is last fall’s style (which i prefer for being infinitely less trendy), but if you want to see the current incarnation with its asymmetrical lapels (also very cute), it’s right here.  i can hardly wait to start pairing it with cropped jeans and frilly spring dresses.  you know, something like…

…this ella moss version i picked up (also on the barneys supersale).  it’s not online any longer (the hazard of buying on sale…), but this one is awfully similar.  just imagine it with short sleeves and no black mesh detailing.  i’m already plotting to pair it with black tights and short boots now (and that fabulous new jacket!), and a chunky nude sandal come spring.  i love that there’s a bit of black in this print – it keeps it just shy of being girly overkill, and will make it so easy to layer with darker colors.

and last, i couldn’t resist these gorgeous bronze (really more of a coppery shade) mirrored cutout flats from belle by sigerson morrison – they were a last-minute treat from neiman marcus.  i love these as an alternative to sandals (especially when the pedicure’s looking a little less than perfect), and can’t wait to use them to dress up cutoff shorts or boyfriend jeans this summer.

other than that (ha!), i was pretty restrained.  i passed up oh so many luscious handbags, and managed to avert my eyes from the jewelry department every time i went to barneys.  but even with all that self-control (ha again), it was an ab fab trip, and i can’t wait to do it again.

how was your weekend?

if you’re lucky enough to live anywhere near a marc by marc store, it looks like it’s a pretty awesome time to stop in…all of these goodies are extremely cheap, extremely cute, and only available in store.  that marc, he’s such a tease.

ps…and if you wanted to send me that city tote while you’re there, that would be fine

that’s right – starting today, bay area locals have access to one of only four CB2 stores in the country.  time to rejoice! 

for those who aren’t familiar, CB2 is crate & barrel’s younger, hipper little sister.  it’s one of my favorite stops for chic, modern home goods – usually at astoundingly good prices.  seriously, where else can you get dishes designed by andy warhol for $1.50 each, stark industrial lighting for $80, or that lovely striped highback loveseat pictured above for $900? 

so, for those of you lucky enough to be in the ‘hood, check out the new CB2 store at stockton & ellis, so you can finally check out the goods in person before you buy.  and be sure to let me know what fab goods you bring home!

case in point: those rebecca ciccio bags i adore will be a crazy 50% off, if you don’t mind a color from last season. even my beloved benefit cosmetics will be there…undoubtedly touting fabulous discounted wares as well.

so, snag tix online for you and a friend for $15, or at the door for $10 each (don’t worry – it includes a cocktail!), and get there early – the first 300 people get a gift bag full of party favors. and who doesn’t love swag?

if you can’t juggle your busy social calendar that quickly, make up for it by hitting genart’s shop SF event on saturday instead. tickets must be purchased in advance (tip: use code “Designer” for discounted tix). the list of participating designers is equally impressive, and you can rest easy knowing that proceeds from the event go to help people who really need it. check out the genart website for all of the details and ticket info.

ladies, these SF sample sales don’t come along often – i strongly suggest taking advantage!

created by marla malcolm beck, the shop/apothecary section of the store consists of a large, but incredibly well-edited selection of skin, makeup and beauty products from lines like darphin, red flower, laura mercier, trish mcevoy, bumble & bumble…the list goes on and on (and on).

i have to admit that i’m a major beauty product snob at this point in my life, so it says something that i was jaw-droppingly impressed by the range of lines this relatively new shop has on offer. the reality is that a lot of these lines are really picky about what shops they’ll put their products into, so the fact that bluemercury has scored such amazing lines when it’s relatively new on the scene is incredibly impressive. i’m told that the company founder personally tests all products before letting them into the store – and that she still personally interviews every staff person. believe me, when you step into the store, it shows.

while i was visiting, i got the chance to try out their spa services with their “modern facial.” i’ve never been a person that goes for regular facials…the truth is that if i’m offered the chance to head to a spa, i’ll opt for a massage over a facial every time. but the esthetician at bluemercury literally worked magic – i walked out of the treatment room feeling more relaxed than i have after any massage, and my face was so soft that i literally couldn’t stop touching it all day. there’s no question i’ll be heading back to take advantage of her expertise (and the fabulously relaxing experience) in no time.

but my favorite thing about the experience at bluemercury was the staff. literally, from the moment i walked in the door, it was what i’ve been referring to since as the “anti-sephora” experience. everyone was incredibly friendly, but not obnoxious or forceful. i asked the store manager about eye cream recommendations, and the first thing she said was that we should talk after i had my facial, so that she could consult with the esthetician about my specific needs. and after my facial, as promised, she spent almost 20 minutes talking with me about the different ingredients in the various products, what she liked, why she liked it, what the company founder suggests, and why she suggests it, and ended up putting together a bag of samples that has me happier with my skin than i’ve ever been in my life.

honestly, i don’t think i’ll ever shop at sephora again.

most of their locations are east coast for now, though they do have a store in la and the new one in marin county. but they’re opening nearly 40 stores between now and the end of 2008. and, they have a website, so any of those products you get completely addicted to are just a click away.

to shop, peruse the spa offerings, or just check out all of the amazing products bluemercury has on offer, click on over to www.bluemercury.com.

now, we all know how i love those reader questions, and i’ll still be answering each and every one of those. but sometimes, you just need a little more help than i can provide in a semi-witty snippet on a blog.

so now, when you have a shopping, gifting, fashion, beauty, or semi-related-to-the-topics-covered-here dilemma, you’ll immediately know where to turn!

much as i hate to admit it, i do have a sort of weird knack for finding gifts for others. sure, i wish that maybe the talent was for quantum physics, or something slightly more lucrative, but what can you do.

times i’m thinking it would be ideal to drop me a line and get some assistance:

* you have to buy a christmas/hanukkah/winter solstice gift for your mom/brother/boss, who already owns everything on the planet, has no hobbies, and never gets excited about any gift they ever receive. or maybe you just hate holiday shopping altogether, and want to hand someone your list and be done with it already.

* you have this holiday party to go to, are sick to death of LBDs, but need to look completly amazing nonetheless.

* the new spring lines are coming out (not until january…everyone…stay calm), you can’t possibly buy everything, and you have no idea where to start.

* you just found this great suit, but you need the perfect blouse/necklace/shoes/handbag to top it off.

* you landed a fabulous new job, but have no idea where to begin when it comes to putting together the work wardrobe that will guarantee you that corner office with a view.

…okay, you get the idea.

so. when you find yourself in one of these situations, all you’d do is drop me an email at shoppingsmycardio@gmail.com. i’ll ask you a few questions, i’ll explain how it all works, and before you know it, your friends and coworkers are begging to borrow every outfit you wear, your closet is a masterpiece of coordination, and your mom/brother/significant other is unwrapping a gift on kwanzaa morning (do you open presents in the morning on kwanzaa?), and squealing “you are amazing! this is exactly what i’ve wanted my entire life, but no one ever knew until now. you are a dream come true!”

give it a shot. pricing is going to be really reasonable – maybe even downright cheap, especially for those trying out the service for the first time. plus, i’m thinking referral bonuses are in order for those of you that spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, total strangers on the street…what have you. so, in theory, you could just use and abuse me practically for free, if you play your cards right. how can you pass up an opportunity like that??

SMC: How did you get started designing jewelry? Tell us your story!

JT: After college I worked in an advertising agency. By the time three years passed, I realized I could no longer fight the urge to be more creative in my career. I gave my letter of resignation. What seemed like the biggest decision in my life (at the time), led me to a series of part time jobs. One of which was hand painting on barrettes (using toothpicks!). I called them ‘Jenniclips,’ and there my business was born. I designed every hair clip imaginable—sparkly bobby pins, hand painted barrettes, crystal wrapped clips and ornate ponytail holders. As my business began to unfold, I kept asking “what else can I make?” and that led me into jewelry making. At that time, I moved from Boston to San Francisco (1998) and my jewelry line really started to evolve and take shape. Soon thereafter I’d made a Crystal Cluster Ring that was featured in In Style Magazine. To this moment my business is constantly shifting and changing and unraveling…what will it be next?

SMC: I love the fact that your pieces are so unique – you aren’t afraid to play around with color and shape, which makes your designs really stand out. Can you talk a little bit about your design philosophy?

JT: I have always had a passion for color, every since I was a kid. I played a lot with watercolors and painted the most amazing trees! Reds and browns and greens and yellow! There were no rules! In my own work today, I create from the same type of chaos. I have all these supplies in front of me: beads, wire, tools, pens, sketches, and then I begin putting the parts together. What would this look like? Gems next to gems, different shades and shapes, jumbled or neat, asymmetrical or balanced…this evokes a feeling or nostalgia…and then VOILA! CREATION!

SMC: I’d love to hear about your creative process when you actually sit down to design a piece. Do you just start playing with stones, or do you get a mental picture of a piece before you even begin? Are most of your pieces filling a hole you see in the collection, or is it more a question of a design just sticking in your head and begging to be made?

JT: Sometimes I sit down and know exactly what “look” I’d like to create. In that moment I have a vision or an idea of what I’d like the piece to look like—and I make it quickly and effortlessly. Mostly I sit at my desk, surrounded by my gems and tools and wire, and in the silence I begin playing: placing beads next to beads and it’s almost like I’m in a trance. Anything is possible in that moment…and some of my most admired pieces emerge from that space. Ultimately, there is no form or structure of how the creative process takes place for me. It’s ever new and ever changing, and usually starts with a question, like “What would I like to create today?”

SMC: What piece from your collection is your favorite (we know you have one!)? And what one piece would you say is a “must have” for someone new to your designs?

JT: One of my favorites are my Gemstone Branch Earrings. They are quirky, intricate and organic—they take some time to actually make them—while still being very chic, unique and sparkly. I love sparkly. What woman doesn’t? As much as I love being up with the trends, I like that these particular earrings are timeless, which allows them to be “in style” every season.

SMC: Where do you find inspiration?

JT: Designers like Missoni that work a color palette like none other, that’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from. I love seeing what the big designers are creating. With that being said, I can also look at a country-side and it evokes something in me that ignites an idea. I was driving to Reno (of all places!) last November, and when I was going through Tahoe I couldn’t help but notice the incredible mass of trees, like stalks of asparagus tightly packaged, with pointy tops. I was bombarded by the hues of mocha, and emerald, hints of garnet and yellow. It’s all right there in front of us.

SMC: What jewelry are you wearing today?

JT: I have been really into “layering,” and can’t seem to get away from wearing more than one necklace. I keep it simple with a dainty gold necklace and then layer it with a longer one either with shimmery discs, or a locket, or one with gemstones that add a flicker of color. I love the subtlety of sparkle or color or design that pulls people in, and makes them wonder “What is she wearing? I want that!”

SMC: How would you describe your personal style? Tell us about your favorite, no-fail outfit.

JT: Like most women, I am drawn to beautiful shoes, great-fitting jeans, and a simple top. I always like to have one piece of my outfit STAND OUT from the rest. Whether it’s a top with a ruffle, or a gold sandal, or a great handbag or belt. If my clothing is the canvas, then my jewelry is the paint, bumping it up a notch. I’m into simple and chic.

SMC: What one style secret do you wish you could teach every woman out there?

JT: Ask YOUR BODY what IT wishes to wear, don’t just wear what everyone else is wearing. When I go into a store before I buy something I ask “Body, would you like to wear this? Would it feel good on your skin? Does it make you happy?” My personal style is conveyed when I feel comfortable in my own skin, that’s when I’m walking confidently and strutting my stuff. When I wear clothes and accessories that are personal favorites, it makes me smile and pleases my spirit, which is always, in my point of view, “in style.”

see? i told you she was fabulous! i was first introduced to her designs when i came across that gorgeous turquoise necklace i teased you all with over the weekend (which, by the way, you can find here). i’m still coveting it desperately, and i think i’ll be adding it to my jewelry box before long. the thing i love about all of her designs is that she manages to keep her pieces really unique, while making sure they’re still very wearable in a “real” woman’s everyday life. that’s something that is always a struggle for me: keeping my jewelry interesting and fashion-forward, without it being too trendy or over-the-top. but jennifer’s pieces are always a safe bet – they have the perfect amount of “wow” factor.

some of my favorites are pictured throughout this post: i absolutely love the multi-disc necklace ($165), which is impossibly versatile. the waterfall gem necklace ($170) is just the perfect thing to make any ensemble suddenly fabulous, especially on a day when you feel like your outfit just isn’t “popping” the way the you want it to. the 24K gold leaf charm necklace ($130) would be a fabulous “everyday” necklace – i’m pretty sure if i owned it, i’d never take it off. the aquamarine linked necklace ($170) is the ideal modern version of a strand of pearls – picture it with a classic white shirt and slacks, or a gorgeous little black dress! and i want a handful of her stunning stacking rings!

do your jewelry box a favor, and take a few minutes to drool over the goods on her website. if you find something (or several somethings) you can’t live without, email jennifer at sales@jennifertuton.com, let her know what struck your fancy, and she’ll be more than glad to send it right out to you! also, tobi has a few pieces that aren’t on jennifer’s website (including that gorgeous turquoise necklace i adore, as well as a red quartz necklace that’s just amazing), so you can check her work out there as well!

(PS…a great big thanks to jennifer for taking the time to tell all of the shoppingsmycardio readers about her gorgeous designs!)