It’s Friday and it’s a holiday weekend…is there anything better? I’m off to spend a few days with my family, so forgive me if I take a little extra time off next week. For now, I’ll leave you with enough goodies to keep you sated until I’m back.

First up, a winner for that wildly popular kate spade new york contest! You ladies love your bedding, that’s for sure. I’m always so thrilled when one of our giveaways is a hit like this, so thanks for that. Our winner is lucky number 7, Emily, who won with her Twitter entry @emma621. Congratulations, Emily!

Now, on to more pressing business. Like jewelry. Pretty, delicate, utterly-perfect-for-spring jewelry, to be precise. Amy Wing’s spring collection has me in palpitations, and not just because she’s a dear friend (and because her stunning lookbook was styled by our inimitable Trends Columnist). Particularly this Tiny Blossom lariat, which I’m envisioning as the perfect finishing touch for everything I want to wear all summer.

You may very well fall over when I show you this next find. It’s from Payless Shoes (I nearly fell over just typing that). But hey, even the bargain bins get it right sometimes, and this sweet strappy sandal is spot-on for summer. I love the grosgrain detail, the color-blocking, the woven wicker edging on the wedge (and a very reasonable 2″ wedge it is, by the way). In short, a very excellent summer shoe…for $39.

Remember those Athena Procopiou scarves with which I’ve been utterly obsessed this spring? Well, guess who has two thumbs and found one for half off? Yep…this guy! Best of all, I didn’t snag the only one for myself…get thee to Anthropologie stat, and nab yourself this beautiful thing, which is even more bold, bright and statement-making in person.

I’ve been seriously tempted by these Tribeca pants at StyleMint for the last few weeks, but was convinced I couldn’t pull them off as anything other than sweats. Then, I went to the hairdresser yesterday, and my stylist was wearing the cutest version of sweats ever: a black version of these pants, a cropped, elbow-length sweatshirt, and black suede ankle booties. Her hair was in a perfectly messy side braid, and the whole thing was so fantastic, I was distracted into getting my hair chopped about 3 inches shorter than I was expecting. If you’re feeling brave, this just may be worth a try.

Last but not least, I thought I’d start showing you my favorite thing I’ve pinned on Pinterest each week. Are you pinning yet? I’m itching to bust out a certain perfect black pencil skirt I bought last month, but it’s been too cold. This look might just be the solution!

{via Models Off Duty}

Have a fantastic holiday weekend, friends…don’t forget to splurge on a frosted sugar cookie (or two)!

I’ll be traveling for Easter this year, but it’s a crying shame. Lately, I’ve been seeing so many ideas for an adult-friendly Easter fête that I’m wishing I had the chance to host a swanky brunch soirée.

It all started when I spied these fantastic egg-shaped placemats from Chilewich (who else?). They say Easter without screaming it from the rooftops, and  would be the perfect nod to seasonal décor without going overboard: elegant, easy and still right on message for the season. Plus, they’re subtle enough to be useful throughout the summer, instead of being relegated to the back of a drawer.

I’d add an oversized bunny – in deep dark Vosges chocolate studded with pink Himalayan sea salt – as a centerpiece (just be prepared with a tiny hammer when it’s time for dessert)…

And maybe a grown-up version of an Easter treat for your guests (sold out online, but still plentiful in stores)…

That’s it – a celebration that’s perfect for all of your childless friends. To make my life even easier, I’d pick up a spiral-sliced ham, soft-boil some eggs (leave them in the shell, and they’ll also look gorgeous on the table), whip up an easy hollandaise (I spilled all my secrets at Shelterrific last year), and have everyone make their own Eggs Benedict. Add a bit of roasted asparagus and some bakery-grade English muffins, and you have the world’s easiest party in the bag.

Of course, if you’re up for a lower-key version of the festivities, you might consider wrapping up one of Creature Comforts’ spot-on Easter basket ideas for grown-ups. They’re exactly what I’m hoping the Easter Bunny brings me!

{This giveaway is now closed…thanks for visiting!}

So, remember earlier this year when I told you all about that beautiful new bedding line from kate spade new york? Well…they offered to give you a complete collection of my favorite style! You are lucky, lucky ducks, and I am insanely jealous. But let’s put that aside for now. Look at this gorgeousness:

This is the Newport collection – isn’t it just the thing to give your bedroom a spring facelift? I love how clean and simple it is (and really, except for the bows, pretty man-acceptable) – it looks like it was torn right from the pages of a design magazine (probably that beach house you’re always envious of). And to think: that could be your bed!

The winner gets a complete set of bedding for the Queen size bed in their life – or, more specifically: 1 duvet cover, 2 Euro shams, 2 standard shams, 1 coverlet/throw, 2 coverlet shams, 1 16” square toss pillow, and 1 oblong toss pillow. I would be in heaven with all those pillows!! That’s a total retail of just under $730, friends. Add a set of white sheets (or mix it up with a stripe or contrasting color), and you’ll officially have the most stylish boudoir in town.

To enter, it’s the usual drill. Just leave a comment on this post, telling me how much you love the bedding. For a bonus entry, just share the love! Tweet about the contest (mention @shoppingscardio and @katespadeny so we can keep track), share on Facebook, blog it, Pin it (just be sure to link the contest and @shoppingscardio in your tag)…whatever form of social media makes you happy. Then just come back and leave another comment, letting me know how you shared. I’ll close entries Friday morning, and announce a winner. Max of 3 total entries per person, US/Canada winners only.

And promise me you’ll send a picture of your bed all decked out in kate spade new york gorgeousness, won’t you?

{Editor’s Note: Our intrepid Trends expert, Ms. Kim Brandt is back to talk about a trend I’m seriously feeling this season: the printed pant. Having just nabbed this pair (from Talbots, of all places), I can hardly wait to see her suggestions for successfully pulling off the look. Sadly, Kim is going to be taking a little hiatus from her post here while she settles in at a fabulous new job, but I’m crossing my fingers she’ll be back soon!}

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We’re getting to the point where y’all are getting to know me a bit. So, I’m sure this post comes as a shock (not)…we’re talking all about prints today.  I am a big fan of the patterned pants trend happening right now. It takes a bit of confidence to pull off, but styled right, it can really work for you. I’m definitely (ahem) bottom heavy, so because of my body type I need to be really careful how I wear this one.

If you’re super tall and lean (read: model), you really don’t need my advice; you can wear anything. But if you’re anything else, this look is all about balance. Particularly if the pant is a skinny style, this look is best worn with a long, loose top, statement jewelry, and heels, though a funky loafer may work if you’re blessed with extra-long gams.

{Images c/o Anthropologie / Madewell / Whitney Eve / Natalia Vodianova, via Style.com}

If you’re especially lower-half-conscious, pair the printed pant with a sleek, loose fitting top, a long jacket, a heavy piece of metallic jewelry (think chunky watch or vintage chain necklace), and heeled booties or gladiator sandals.

{Images c/o Tory Burch, via Style.com / Vanessa Hudgens (we think), via Style / Olivia Palermo, via Mr.Newton}

For those that are blessed up top, pair the print with a shirt that has a bit of defined shape.  A tailored blazer or belted blouse is a great solution. Depending on the cut of the blazer, pair with some great drop earrings and then, as always, heels on the bottom. Be careful not to pick too narrow a heel; it’s all about balancing the shape from head to toe!

{Images c/o Dries Van Noten, via Style.com / Beyoncé, via People / Chanel, via Style.com}

So, tell us: Are you going to be rocking the patterned pant this Spring? ~Kim B.

It’s not every day that a friend this near and dear to my heart celebrates a milestone this big. That’s right, Tiffany & Co. – my first luxury love – is celebrating its 175th birthday this year.

I remember my first Tiffany purchase like it was yesterday – it was right after I’d been admitted to law school, and I knew the best way to show everyone I’d made it was to strut around campus with a Tiffany & Co. silver keychain. So, when my BFF and I planned a trip to San Francisco, we made a beeline for the flagship store in Union Square. I was trying so hard to play it cool, but as I left that store with my little blue box, I was positively floating. Tiffany has that effect on people.

Just as you’d expect, Tiffany has cooked up something pretty special to celebrate their birthday. They could have designed a new piece, maybe even a small collection of special pieces. But no…this is Tiffany. Go big or go home.

So, they created a new metal. A new metal. Who but Tiffany could pull that off? It’s called Rubedo, and it’s a stunner. A blend of yellow gold, silver and copper – think rose gold, but with more of a warm copper sheen to it. Since my love of rose gold is well-documented, you know I’m already in love. Add the Tiffany tag, and it’s bordering on obsession.

The Rubedo pieces are a permanent part of the Tiffany collection now, but these special pieces that have the founder’s signature on them will only be available for 2012 – and heaven knows, I’m all about the limited edition. Plus, these aren’t at all unattainable – prices start at $200, which is downright reasonable by Tiffany’s standards.

It’s a nearly impossible choice, really. A bangle is a classic, and I know I’d wear those bar earrings nonstop. But I’m sorely tempted to splurge on the classic Tiffany padlock, which you could wear as a pendant, add to a keychain, or even use it to update that silver Tiffany charm bracelet you got from your first boyfriend, but never had the heart to throw out.

{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.}

Welcome to part two of my Kohl’s shopping adventure! To catch you up from last time, Kohl’s challenged me to pick out an outfit from their spring collections that worked with two of spring’s hottest trends. I am many things, but I’m never one to back down from a shopping challenge. You’ve already heard all about my efforts to embrace bold color, but this time, we’re talking shine! Paillettes, sequins or beads, sparkle is big right now. Sadly, while I admire the dickens out of the look on others, it’s a tricky style for me. Blame my casual lifestyle, but I just feel a little ridiculous walking my dogs in a sequined miniskirt.

Fortunately, there was no shortage of shine to choose from at Kohl’s. With new partnerships with Jennifer Lopez and Rock & Republic, it was actual work to avoid shine in many cases. Naturally, I ran from the rhinestones at breakneck pace, and headed to my safe zone: Chaps.

Sure enough, I found exactly what I was after: a nautical sweater in navy with silver metallic stripes. Just right! To keep the focus on the shine, I added a pair of white straight-leg jeans – a crazy flattering pair, in fact. I’m a huge fan of not spending a ton on white jeans…they’ll only break your heart.

To finish it off (and take the edge off the Nantucket vibe I was rocking thus far), I added a bold, chunky necklace from Simply Vera Vera Wang – pearls, rhinestones and chains, thank you! – to increase my shine factor, and my own silver ballet flats. The final look was still more Upper East Side than hip downtown club, but that’s much more my style. And the whole look was well under $100. Pretty impressive!

My next (and final) Kohl’s installment will be all about wearing white…even if you’re not a supermodel. Don’t miss it!

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.

I’m jumping the gun, I know, but the sun is finally out today in Portland! Who can say how long it’ll last, but for today, I’m dreaming of a closet filled with pretty new spring sandals. Since I am generally loathe to spend big bucks on summer shoes, you’ll find some pretty fantastic cheap thrills mixed in here (along with one splurge so lovely, it’s the exception that proves the rule).

1. ASOS Field Trip, $29 / 2. Topshop Hunt, $50 / 3. Zara strappy sandal, $50 /
4. ASOS Fearne, $36 / 5. Loeffler Randall Fawn, $295

I think I’ve let all this sunshine go to my head…would you look at all that color?! Truly, though, if you’re going to go bold with color, footwear (and, for that matter, toe polish) is the perfect place to start.

On a related note, an open letter to Zara and ASOS: start offering your pretty, pretty shoes in size 11. Please. You’re killing me!

I have been a derelict of a blogger this week, friends – forgive me? The truth is, I’m house-hunting (which you’ll know all about if you’re hanging with me on Twitter), and it’s not something I do terribly well. I can shop for just about anything, but the hunt for a new home stresses me out beyond belief. Finding the right place, in the right location, with the right amenities (hello, closet space!)…and no return policy?? Too much pressure for this girl.

But yesterday, I gave myself permission to switch gears for a few minutes, and de-stress by fantasizing about one of my favorite splurges: handbags! I’m nearing the danger zone with my Chanel bag fund…in which the purchase is actually within reach, and I’m starting to have serious pangs of yuppie guilt about spending that much on something. That said, look how pretty that “something” is:

This is the new Quilted Boy Flap from Chanel’s latest accessories collection. It’s pretty fabulous, right? And, don’t worry, not as shiny in person.

But, just for the sake of argument, I could also have any one of these pretties:

YSL studded Muse Two / Proenza Schouler PS1 (crazy, I know, but this girl is inspiring me) / One more Muse Two

Could you just die for that studded YSL? My heart skips a beat every time I see it.

Anyway. I could even add on one of these:

Michael Kors Benbrooke (a total steal, by the way) / Mulberry Lily (also pretty amazing in bronze)

And, in some cases, still have enough for plane tickets to Maui. You see my dilemma.

So, talk to me, friends. What would you do? One massive splurge you’d have for a lifetime, or multiple lovelies to make you happy for at least the foreseeable future?

Friends, one of you sent me this question back in January, and I am incredibly tardy in responding. But in my defense, it wasn’t that I forgot, or that I had more important things to do. No, it’s that it was a genuinely tricky query, and I needed some time to marinate on the best options.

The attached photos you may recognize as Jenna Lyons’ closet.  I love the shelving she uses to store her shoes and would like to recreate it in my own closet but I don’t want to spend a fortune. I’ve tried to find some shelving that looks nice…..not so industrial but no such luck. Any suggestions?  ~Jaime R.

{Photos c/o Trulia}

See what I mean? Jaime wants me to do better on a closet storage option than Jenna Lyons? Talk about a tall order. And so, I just sort of pushed her question to the back of my mind, where it’s been rolling around aimlessly for the last month (or two).

But, I think I finally have a suggestion that will work brilliantly. Those shelves you see in Jenna’s closet are actually glass, with powder-coated metal framing. I’m guessing it’s the frame you’re not crazy about – and, to be honest, I’m guessing those shelves are commercial display models, so you don’t have to worry. You’d never be able to find them anyway.

I trolled all sorts of home design stores looking for solutions, but I think they’ll all still have that industrial bent you don’t love. Then it hit me, like a bolt from the blue: floating shelves are what you need. Glass would be the closest to Jenna’s look, but I think it depends on the space and your personal preferences. A few parameters:

• The shelves need to be at least 10″ deep; 12″ if you wear anything larger than a size 9 shoe. Just remember, the deeper you go, the more cautious you have to be about installing – they’re at a higher risk of ripping out of the wall if you apply too much weight.
• Most glass shelves aren’t very long, so you may need two per row to fill a space. You’ll have more length options if you go for a non-glass option, so it just depends on the look you’re after.
• Please, please make sure you enlist some help when hanging these. They need to be anchored in a stud to support your shoes, and that’s not something you want to DIY unless you’re experienced.

If you play your cards right, you should end up with something that looks a bit like this:

{Images c/o Architectural Digest / FloatingGlassShelves.com}

As for sources, your best bet for glass (after an exhaustive search) is Home Depot – they have every shape and size you could ever wish for. If you’re after a non-glass option, IKEA has dozens of choices in everything from wood to laminate to metal, and it’s hard to argue with their prices.

If you don’t love this option, I heartily recommend the current issue of Lucky, which includes a fantastic how-to section on closet storage ideas (including some great shoe storage options). It’s definitely worth a look before you make any decisions.

One last tip: Jenna has her shelves incredibly overloaded…which makes me both envious and stressed out. Leave some space between your shoes, and you’ll have a much cleaner look.

Good luck, Jaime! I expect an update when this project of yours is completed.

Have a fashion, beauty or design question that’s leaving you stumped? Send it my way, and I’ll do my best to sleuth out a solution. editor {at} shoppingsmycardio {dot} com

Update: Kohl’s has switched things up on their site, but if you’d still like to read all about my Bold Color adventures, you can find a cached version of my post right here.

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, as always.

You know I’m always up for a style challenge. So when I got an email from Kohl’s asking me to come over to their store and put together a couple of looks based on the latest trends – for less than $100 – I couldn’t resist. While it wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done (ahem, budgets are not my strong suit), I think I pulled it together in the end:

Not bad, right? Head over to their site and check out all the details, won’t you? (It’s over on the right side of the page, and I’m the fourth blogger down…).

Oh, and prepare yourselves…there’s a second installment of this experiment coming in a week or two. Start getting excited!

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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.