This has nothing to do with anything, but it plopped its way into my inbox this week, and I thought it was so charming, I couldn’t resist sharing.
If only you could figure out how to keep your apples suspended in air like that! Ah, well. I still think it would be pretty perfect on a picnic table, packed with popcorn balls, or wedges of watermelon, or…just about anything (except potato salad).
Everyone talks about Memorial Day sales, but not me…I wait until the day after, when the fun really starts. Today: Net-a-Porter and Shopbop. Tomorrow: Barney’s. Let the games begin!
A few ideas to get you started at Net-a-Porter…remember, they only hold sales twice a year, so this is an event! Anything that doesn’t sell now will head over to The Outnet, but the best pieces are definitely snagged this week.
Rag & Bone blazer, $225 / Day Birger et Mikkelsen linen dress, $100 / Etoilé Isabel Marant jacket, $247 / Alice by Temperley dress, $182
MiH Marrakesh shorts, $56 / Tory Burch Camelia espadrilles, $129 / 10 Crosby Derek Lam printed pants, $167 / Equipment silk blouse, $145
On the other hand, can we all collectively agree that no one will ever buy these frightening pants? Terrifying, even on a model!
Happy long weekend!!! I wish I could say rest and relaxation were in store, but sadly, I have a project on my plate that has other plans. So, I thought I’d use our Friday Finds this week to show you all the goodies I wish I were putting to good use this weekend.
I think Coclico is the absolute best when it comes to sandals. So stylish, original…and comfortable! They just always seem to hit the perfect summer note between chic and relaxed. A little birdie told me they’re taking 20% off all Chie Mihara for the holiday weekend (starting tomorrow). Sadly, they almost never have my size, but I’m already making my shopping list just in case.
Verve, $360 (before discount) / Wilona Menta, $355 (before discount)
I haven’t braved an H&M in years, but it might be time just to score this wispy pleated skirt in the hottest color of the season: mint. I wouldn’t splurge on a piece, but for $50, I’ll happily take a steal. Bonus: the length is actually appropriate for grown-ups. I’m picturing it with a bright coral or raspberry tee and a denim jacket. Summer perfection!
Obscenely expensive? Of course. But I spotted this zebra beach towel from Maslin ($240) a few weeks ago, and can not rid myself the image of being the envy of every girl on the beach. Maybe some of the boys too. I venture to the beach about once every two years, so it’s not a worthy splurge for me. But if you’re an LA girl, it just might be!
One of my favorite lines, Graf+Lantz, has a new collection of boat bags, and I’m predictably obsessed. Bright colors, crazy functional, and stylish without being feminine (translation: your significant other will actually carry it to the pool for you). It also happens to be the perfect size to pack a picnic – a bottle of wine fits very nicely in that front pocket.
And if you’re not headed somewhere exotic this weekend, you’re probably sorely in need of a virtual vacation (I know I am). This series of photos by Christian Chaize should fit the bill: he shoots the same beach in Portugal every year when he goes to visit. The results are somehow both nostalgic and hopeful…and just plain beautiful.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend in store, friends! Get those Eileen Fisher entries in, and one of you will be getting a “lucky winner” email from me before you know it!
Friends, my nightstand is positively swimming in books just now…I’m so far behind, I don’t even know where to begin! But for now, I thought I’d fill you in on where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m heading, so you can get your beach bag stocked for the long weekend ahead.
No Cheating, No Dying: I must be going through a nonfiction phase. This sort-of-marriage-improvement book by Elizabeth Weil chronicles her decision to pre-emptively work on her marriage, before things got bad. It’s fantastic not just for its frankness and its lack of expertise (she’s just a regular person, going through the motions as best she can), but as a little voyeuristic peek into the imperfections and challenges of another happily married couple. Sometimes it’s just nice to know you’re not the only one.
The Power of Habit: I actually had the pleasure of chatting with the author of The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg – and, five minutes in, a topic I’d normally walk far, far away from suddenly became kind of fascinating. After trying to kick an afternoon chocolate chip cookie habit, Duhigg (a reporter at the NY Times) started to dig into the world of habits – what creates them, how to change them, and (most interestingly) how brands use that information to talk to you. It’s not exactly a beach read, but it’s not for the nightstand either – I found myself prodding my snoring hubs every five minutes to read portions to him. This book will give you cocktail party conversation to last all summer.
The House of Velvet and Glass: While that last one isn’t a beach read, this definitely is. I’m only about 80 pages in, and so far, it’s narrowly escaping “romance” territory. But, I’m still reading….so it has my attention. Katherine Howe tells the story of a wealthy enclave in Boston coping with the losses of various family members on the Titanic, with more than a few heaving bosoms and steamy glances thrown in for good measure. It’s well-written, I’m always a sucker for a period drama, and really, we all need a book to transport us every now and then, which this is doing beautifully.
Wild: Cheryl Strayed has been getting loads of press for this one, and I’m thinking it might be the perfect “clear your head, start fresh” summer read. Cheryl was a non-athletic 26-year-old in need of a major life change, so she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. All 1,770 kilometers of it. From what I’ve read so far, she was staggeringly unprepared, so I’m expecting moments of hilarity, cringing, and the occasional breakthrough of self-reflection. Couldn’t we all use a little inspiration?
What’s on your reading list so far this summer?
Post-Portlandia, the very, very last thing I want to do is put a bird on it. And yet, I’m finding myself inexplicably drawn to a few feathered finds lately. Particularly those of the tropical variety…which I’m telling myself is an entirely different (and infinitely more stylish) option than, say, slapping a sparrow silhouette on every tote bag in sight (cough, cough).
While Mother’s Day shopping a few weeks ago, I nabbed a small brass feather tray a few weeks ago from one of my favorite shops in town (one for Mom, one for me), and honestly, that mini-splurge has paid massive dividends in organizational bliss. Finally all of those necklaces and earplugs rolling around on my nightstand have a home! Then I stopped by Anthropologie and couldn’t tear my eyes from that fantastic flamingo tee…so it came home with me as well. And those parrot boyshorts? I was $8 away from free shipping at Topshop, so I basically had no choice but to buy them.
Parrot bangle, $118 / Athena feather tray, $32 / Elnoris top, $78 /
Feather pouch, $68 / Parrot cheeky boyshorts, $8 /Isabel Marant feather tee, $198
What can I say? They put a smile on my face. It’s the little things, friends.
{ENTRIES CLOSED – Thanks for playing, everyone!}
It’s not quite a four-day week, but with Memorial Day on the horizon, I suspect most of us are counting down to the three-day weekend (and already planning to cut out early on Friday). In celebration, I have to tell you about my latest, just-in-time-for-summer find – maybe the best new find in my closet. It’s the perfect – the absolutely, undeniably perfect – white tee.
Oh, and how about if I set it up so that you can have one too?
I’m not one of those girls with a closet full of white tees – in fact, I almost never buy them, because I’m ridiculously picky in this department. Fitted white tees just aren’t always that flattering. Tight white tees are a terrible idea, and the looser versions always seem to have that light, drapey fabric that skims the body in all the wrong places.
But then, one day, I saw a Lucky editor mention that her hands-down favorite white tee was from Eileen Fisher. Now, I’ll admit, I was a skeptic. Eileen Fisher? You mean those super flowy styles you usually see on, well, the more mature set? It couldn’t be. And yet, the tee looked beautiful. So, I had to investigate – and the folks at Eileen Fisher were kind enough to make it happen.
Turns out if you go down a size, Eileen Fisher’s pieces take on a whole new life. Friends, this tee – it’s called the U-Neck Tee in linen jersey – truly is perfect.
The color is just the tiniest bit softer than a pure white, so it’s infinitely more flattering. It’s made of linen jersey that somehow magically drapes like linen without wrinkling. It has a shirt-tail hem and a barely A-line cut, so it grazes skin and creates a waist, but covers backsides and tummies. The neckline dips low enough to suggest without making you panic about your bra choice. And the sleeve is this flattering cut somewhere between a cap sleeve and a full short sleeve, which makes your arm instantly slimmer.
Now that I have my holy grail white tee, I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the best ways to wear it. A few things that come to mind:
You know, just a few ideas to get you started. The only downside, if there is one? It’s only available in-store at Eileen Fisher, and…well, it’s $128. So, how about if I fix all that by giving one of you your very own?
To enter, it’s the usual drill. Just leave a comment on this post, telling me how much you love this tee. For a bonus entry, share the love! Tweet about the contest (mention @shoppingscardio and @EileenFisher so we can keep track), share on Facebook (find Eileen Fisher’s Facebook page right here), blog it, Pin it…whatever form of social media makes you happy (just be sure to link to the contest and Eileen Fisher). Then just come back and leave another comment, letting me know how you shared. I’ll close entries Friday night, and announce a winner. Max of 3 total entries per person, US/Canada winners only.
Good luck!
* This fantastic giveaway is sponsored by Eileen Fisher, and hand-picked by me. All opinions are 100% my own. As always.
{Editor’s Note: The following content is sponsored by Kohl’s, and you can read all about the gory details at the end. That said, the content is 100% my opinion, which I’m never shy about sharing.}
To wrap up our Kohl’s fashion series, they asked me to tackle the trickiest spring trend of all: white.
Confession time, friends: until this spring, I didn’t own a single white piece of clothing aside from my wedding veil and a few white tees, neither of which see the light of day on any regular basis. I find white to be terrifyingly unflattering, particularly for those of us with pale skin and non-model physiques. But every year, as the weather warms up, I wish I was that girl that could parade around in skinny white jeans, or a sweet little spaghetti-strap white eyelet dress. I even go so far as to try them on. And every year, I leave the store defeated…and depressed.
But it’s occurred to me that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are solutions! First things first: the appropriate underpinnings are key, friends. Remember: nude, not white – and either wear a seamless boy short or a thong to avoid the dreaded VPL.
Next, instead of white skinny jeans (impossible with even a hint of cellulite), try a crisp white trouser. It works in casual or business settings, and you can seek out a pair that’s either (a) lined or (b) cut wide enough to save you from…shall we say “overexposure”. I tracked down a perfect version from Apt. 9 at Kohl’s at a price so low, you won’t even be scared to wear them (nothing like leaning up against your car to rummage through your bag while wearing brand new white pants). The cut is flattering, the fabric is sturdy, and they even come with a silver skinny belt you’ll wear with a dozen other things.
To make it work, pair the pants with a light top (anything too dark can be jarring against white) – think pastels, but nothing too saccharine sweet. I love the pleats on this pale yellow tank from LC Lauren Conrad – they’re right on trend, and the forgiving cut will help you gloss over any less desirable areas, while bringing out the best in a smaller bust. Top with a dark denim jacket like this one from Lee, a stack of bangles and a wedge espadrille to add the perfect dose of casual chic.
And, once again, we’re well under the $100 mark…which means you’ll have plenty left over to nab this adorable little Simply Vera Vera Wang cardigan I spotted while I was at Kohl’s. If I could in any way pull off chartreuse (sadly, it’s not for the pale girls of the world), it’d have been mine in a flash!
Disclosure: Bloggers received a gift card on behalf of Kohl’s via Glam Media to complete the trend look. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kohl’s. All trademarks and service marks are owned or licensed by Kohl’s Illinois, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc.
With Memorial Day on the horizon, it’s time to talk sun. Being a girl with a pasty white complexion, not-inexpensive highlights, and a tendency to break out into a rash in the sun (no, really), I dread summer. The moment the sun first peeks out for the season, I bust out the highest SPF I can find, and huddle under any café umbrella in sight. Besides the fact that it causes wrinkles, freckles and melanoma (not necessarily in that order), a lot of time spent in the sun bodes for dry, unhappy hair and skin – not exactly that youthful, dewy look we’re all going for.
But this year, I’m feeling a bit less scared of those sun rays – because I have some excellent ammunition.
Clarins is always be my go-to for sun protection (and, well, most everything else too). For my skin, at least, they offer the best sunscreens around. Not too oily, not chalky in the least, and my skin doesn’t even put up a fuss when I make my seasonal switch from Multi-Active Day SPF 15 to UV Plus SPF 40 Day Screen. This year, they’ve released it in a tinted formula – excellent news if you happen to match one of the three shades. As for me, I’m still layering my Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer on top, but that SPF 40 leaves me much less tense about an alfresco lunch. Best of all? When I whipped out the Clarins for the first time this year (and skipped the Clinique), the husband asked if I was wearing makeup. When I said no, he said – I kid you not – “Wow, you look really nice – all glow-y.” Um, I’ll take a case, please.
For the rest of your bod, I recently got hold of Target’s new up & up continuous-spray sunscreen. Between the Sport SPF 30 and the Kids’ SPF 50, I think you know which I chose. The kids’ version applies seamlessly, isn’t greasy (as so many spray-ons are), and did a fantastic job of protecting me on that charity walk I did last weekend. There is a faint chemical quality to the smell, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a spray sunscreen without it. Oh, and it’s $5. Win!
Then, of course, there’s the matter of your mane. It’s no surprise that summer does awful things to hair – all that sun exposure, a few more trips to the salon for a few more highlights, and those “beachy waves” that turn into impossible-to-remove tangles. I’m kind of in love with Sachajuan, a line I was introduced to by the geniuses over at Woodley & Bunny (go ahead, just try to visit their awesome new online apothecary without being sucked in). They personally test each and every item on the shelves, so I knew I was in good hands. Sachajuan’s products are incredibly gentle and nourishing, with the goal of making you do as little heat-styling as possible (volume powders, repair balms) with as little product as possible, so your hair gets loaded down with moisture and not much else. Love the philosophy, and absolutely love the products.
And I can’t wrap up without dishing on my latest favorite lip balm (SPF 15, naturally). Bobbi Brown Lip Balm comes in this sleek silver tin, and is packed with goodies like wheat germ and olive oil. It feels absolutely amazing on (and can also work wonders with your cuticles in a pinch), and somehow lends just the palest of tints without having any color at all. Plus, it’ll save your lips from that super attractive sunburned-slash-scaly-and-peeling look. As always, I don’t know how Bobbi does it, but I’m sure glad she does.
What are your go-to summer products? Come on, fellow sun-phobes…dish!