Pretty New Things

If the world were coming to an end and I had the ability to save only 3 stores, I would choose to save Target, Nordstrom, and Banana Republic. At Target I could get my food, toiletries, magazines, and so on. At Nordstrom I could get clothes, purses, shoes, and makeup. Nordstrom also has a coffee bar that I enjoy. And at Banana I could get clothes and fabulous costume jewelry. Check out some of the cute new earrings Banana has on itswebsite.


Cabachon Round Drop Earring.


Multi-hued Chandelier Earring.


Rose Quartz Earring. 


Window Earring. 

Also, I am a strong believer in sun protection. I love looking tan but skin cancer scares the crap out of me. A smart way to save your precious face from harmful rays (in addition to sunscreen) is a fabulous hat. I happen to love this wide-brimmed straw hat from Banana. It is the perfect hat to wear to the beach or out on a picnic.

Fake Perfect Looking Skin

I know this is not a beauty blog but I just wanted to share my secret to fake perfect looking skin. I have often been accused of having nice skin, which I assure you is not the case. My magnifying makeup mirror that shows my skin up close does not lie people [thanks a lot Amanda ;)]. There are no secret potions I use to fake good looking skin because I am way too ADD with skin care products. You name it and I have tried it. I just can't seem to commit to one beauty line, which means that my bathroom resembles a pharmacy of sorts. The secret I have found that works for me is CAMOUFLAGE! I fake it with makeup and these are the products I use to make my skin look healthy.

1. First, I start with a moisturizer (any will do but I happen to like Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer). Then I put a little bit of Strobe Cream from MAC all over. It basically makes your skin shine (but not in a bad way).



2. Next, I use a little or a lot (depending on how much coverage I need) of Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer. It is a really light formula but it still seems to cover a multitude of sins.


3. If I look especially tired or have a glaring pimple, I will occasionally whip out YSL's famed Touche Eclat. I am usually too lazy to do this step, but when I do I definitely notice a difference in my skin.



4. Finally, for the pièce de résistance, I dust a little MAC Mineralize Skinfinish all over and Voila! If I follow this routine, most days I can fake luminous skin.

Lipstick Jungle Jewelry

I am totally sad that there are no new episodes of Lipstick Jungle. The fashion on that show was to die for!!! In particular, I always thought that the jewelry that each character wore was AMAZING. One of my favorite pair of earrings worn on the show are these Turquoise Chandelier Earrings by Siman Tu. They are $300 and you can buy them at Vivre.



Speaking of earrings, I am obsessed with these oversize pearl and pave earrings seen on Lindsay Price. I have searched everywhere for them but had no luck.


The closet thing I found were these ones below from Betsey Johnson but they look cheap in real life, plus they don't have pave diamonds (real or faux). Anyone have any idea where to find the earrings from the show?

At Home With Nordstrom

Have you visited Nordstrom lately? If you are like me, the answer is yes. However, I bet that a lot of you don't take the time to visit Nordstrom's very small home accessories department. I don't blame you either. The department is typically hidden on the 3rd floor and is often so small that it is barely noticeable. Ordinarily I would say to skip the home accessories department and go straight for the shoes but lately Nordstrom has been stepping up their game. The last time I visited, I spotted ornate black and white chinese garden stools along with a very chic black and chrome bar cart (similar to the one below from Plantation LA).

Unfortunately, Nordstrom doesn't seem to carry a lot of the fabulous items I saw in the store online, but I have included a few other items that I think are perfectly lovely.

Peacock Pillow Sham

Chrysanthemum Plaque


Metallic Shell Set

Next time you happen to be at Nordstrom, it might be worth it to take a quick peek into the home accessories department.

Asha by ADM Jeweled Clutches

Ashley Dodgen-McCormick has a fabulous jewelry line called Asha by ADM. I pretty much love every single piece of her collection. Her rings and necklaces are to die for! She recently created a line of jeweled clutches and based on the preview pictures above, I can't wait to see them in person! So elegant and chic!!!

Russell & Hazel Love

I get weirdly excited about organizing and I especially love organizing products. I was so bummed when the store Hold Everything went out of business. It was like an organizing freak's dream! Another company that I love isRussell & Hazel. I especially love the chic and stylish Audrey Tote. Forget manila folders! Carrying files has never been so fashionable.

Obsession:Kenneth Jay Lane Cocktail Rings

I have a pretty big obsession with cocktail rings. I think they are the finishing touch to any outfit. My absolute favorite cocktail rings are from the fabulous costume jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane. I love all of his jewelry, but especially his cocktail rings. They are definitely statement pieces but not at ridiculously large prices. The rings below run anywhere from $75-$200. You can view more rings at Vivre, Net-a-Porter, and Bloomingdales.

Thought I Should Spread the News

Browsing the always chic blog Life in a Venti Cup, I discovered that Kelly Wearstler's accessories collection forBergdorf Goodman is now available online. Mind you that the least expensive items will set you back several hundred dollars and perhaps several thousand, but should you have the requisite funds I believe that purchasing a part of Mrs. Wearstler's collection is a solid investment. I would not be surprised if her kaleidoscopes or classic Greek foot become collector's items one day.

Ella Poe Jewelry

I'm not really into horoscopes but I am dying to have this constellation necklace from L.A. jewelry designer Ella Poe. I have a preference for the Aquarius design shown above but the necklace comes in all of the different zodiac signs. I just wish the price tag wasn't above the $1k mark!

Mexican Rosette Mirror

I am sort of digging this rosette mirror from Che Bella Nido in San Diego. The mirror is hand made in Mexico and each rosette in the frame is hand pounded tin. I have no idea where I would put it and I know I can't afford the $1200 price tag, but I thought it was too unique and beautiful not to mention.

Delicious!

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I am obsessed with candles (we're not talking Glade or Yankee candles here). Yesterday I received the most fabulous new candle from a lovely and stylish friend. It is called Mure Sauvage by L'Artisan Parfumeur and it seriously smells AMAZING! Not to mention the chic black jar it comes in. You can find this candle and loads more fabulous finds at the insanely posh Aedes de Venustas. The candle will come in a black box with a beautiful silk ribbon and tons of great samples from Creed, Diptyque, Serge Lutens, and more. It makes a great gift!!!!

Sunburst Mirrors

I'm not sure if sunburst mirrors are one of those trends that are already over but I still really want one and I think the sunburst mirror above from Horchow would suit me perfectly.

Adler Love

I admit it. I am a flea market junkie. I absolutely love going to flea markets and antique stores. I think the thrill of finding something totally unique and wonderful is what keeps me going back for more. A lot of times I find nothing at all at flea markets but then sometimes I find gems like this amazing Jonathan Adler- esque platinum vase I recently found at an antique shop. The best part is that it was only $20!


Speaking of Jonthan Adler, I absolutely must get this new candle. I had the amazing opportunity to live in Aix-en-Provence, France for 5 months and it was by far one of the best experiences of my life. This chic looking candle will help remind me of those wonderful memories on a daily basis.

Turquoise Heaven

Ummm, I am pretty sure I just died and went to Turquoise Heaven. Style Court just posted some great pictures of Oregon based designer Jen West's home and I died over her amazing collection of Turquoise French Opaline glassware. Seriously Amazing!!! I have been trying to buy some French Opaline Turquoise Goblets for months off Ebay but I am always outbid. I keep hoping that I will run into a set of 6 at a flea market but no luck yet!

Some Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas!

There is a little over a week left until Christmas is finally here and I am sure everyone has all of their Christmas shopping done already, right? If you are like me and still need to get a few gifts for people, here are some cute things that I know I would love to get (or already have and need more of) and that I think would make great stocking stuffers for your girlfriends, sister, mom, or even yourself. For other great ideas, you should definitely check out the gift guide at Design Sponge. Grace has really compiled an incredible list of amazing gifts. There is even a gift guide for the men in your life and it's terrific!

Warning - I have no idea if these items are still in stock or if they can be shipped by Christmas. I'll keep my fingers crossed though! Good Luck to all of you last minute shoppers! I'll be braving the crowds along with you.


Oh Hermès how I love you! It is one of my goals in life to own an Hermès Birkin bag. I realize that this will probably never happen as they are basically the cost of a small vehicle. It is best to dream big though right? In the meantime, I would love to own this Ulysse Blue Jean leather notebook. It seems like a bargain at $285 really. You can find this notebook and others in different colors at Hermès. Oh and FYI- I believe I read in House & Garden a while back that Linda Wells, the editor-in-chief of Allure magazine, uses this exact notebook during fashion shows. So chic!


I recently saw this movie about a small town girl who doesn't want to be pregnant and I absolutely LOVED it! The movie made me both laugh and cry - as the best films always seem to do. I think Keri Russel did an amazing job and I hope she gets nominated for some kind of award because I think she totally deserves it. Also, I dare you not to crave pie after seeing this movie!


I've used the same black Prada cosmetic bag for years. It travels with me everywhere! It always holds all of my makeup and it is super easy to clean since the material is nylon. I'm thinking I might get another one in a bright fun color like the red one above. You'll definitely get your money's worth out of this purchase! You can buy one of your very own from Saks online.


Tory Burch can basically do no wrong in my eyes. Although I already have a wallet I love and adore, I think I may need to have a new wallet used exclusively for traveling. This patent leather travel wallet from Tory Burch would be the perfect gift for your globe trotting friend.


I didn't realize how much I needed a portable GPS navigation system until I had the chance to use one a few weeks ago. It's just like when I didn't realize I needed an Ipod until I received one. Now I cannot imagine a day without my Ipod! I now think that a GPS system is a necessity. I am done with printing out pages and pages of directions from MapQuest only to get lost! I am keeping my fingers crossed that Santa will bring me this Garmin Nuvi 360 portable navigation system. I especially love the Garmin model because it is the size of my palm and it comes with all of these amazing features - like an MP3 player, currency converter and audio book player. It is also compatible with your Bluetooth phone so you can even make hands free calls. So clever! You can read more about it here.


I finally broke down and bought Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate (formerly Kate in a Jar) after hearing so many celebrities rave about it. It is a bit pricey - about $85 - but I think it is totally worth it. My skin always feels so amazing after using this product!


Another product I love is Dr. Hauschka's Rose Day Cream. It is a super rich cream that makes my dry winter skin feel so moisturized. I only use it at night and my skin looks and feels great in the morning. I also love that Dr. Hauschka products are organic and all natural. You can pick up Dr. Hauschka products at Whole Foods grocery stores or online at Beauty.com.


I think giving someone a piece of art is such a wonderful gift idea and I cannot tell you how much I love the website 20 X 200. 20 x 200 is a website that offers new art every week- typically one photo and one work on paper for only $20. How amazing to have your own limited edition piece of art for the cost of a couple of cocktails? I have to restrain myself from buying every new piece that is put up for sale each week. The print above is titled Pollution Post Unlimited by Andrew MacRae. As of now, there are only 118 remaining. You better hurry!


I have already discussed my love for candles and another one that I adore is from Voluspa. My favorite scent is called Santiago Huckleberry and you can get one in this cute little travel tin for only $9. They are perfect for taking on vacations and adding scent to any hotel room. You can pick one up here.


I am pretty sure I fall under the category of the shoe obsessed. I think my shoe collection is now in the triple digits..... scary. Anyways, I would love it if someone would buy me a membership to the shoe of the month club from JCrew. This means that every month for a year, a brand new pair of handpicked shoes from JCrew designers will arrive at your doorstep. Whoever gets this gift is one lucky lady!!!


If you were as obsessed with Sex and the City as I was, I am sure you know who Patricia Field is. Patricia Field is an amazing designer who worked for years as the costume designer on the set of Sex and the City. She recently created an affordable holiday collection of shoes and purses for Payless and I am totally dying over the Saki clutch she designed. It is only $25. Can you believe it??


Call me crazy but I believe that every adult woman should have her own set of stationary. I especially love the monogrammed stationary from Jack and Lulu.


I totally love this cute set of brushes from MAC. I already have every makeup brush I could ever possibly need but somehow I always get suckered into buying new ones. I just couldn't resist this cute gold canister with the embossed python pattern from MAC's Heirloom Collection. The set comes with five basic brushes for lips, face and eyes. You can find it online at MAC Cosmetics.


I admit that I am a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to plucking my eyebrows. If you are the same, then I highly recommend Tweezerman tweezers. They will swiftly take care of any stray hairs. I love the newTweezerman Go Green mini tweezer because they are only $10 and Tweezerman is giving $1 of the proceeds from each sale to the National Arbor Foundation. In addition, a new tree is planted for every Go Green purchase. Not bad right?


I love this chic goth looking soap called Ylang Noir Pur Liquid Marseille Soap from La Compagnie de Provence Marseille. Check it out here.


For all those addicted to lip gloss like myself, I highly recommend C.O. Bigelow's Mentha Lip Shine. You can pick up two for $10 at your local Bath and Body Works. Don't blame me if you become addicted as well!


Ok, I admit that $9 is a bit pricey for toothpaste but I still love this passion fruit toothpaste from Marvis. The taste is delicious and it will look so much chicer on your bathroom sink than regular old Colgate. You can find Marvis at Anthrolopogie stores. 


I first experienced Majenty's Hidden Cove perfume at a fabulous shop in Southern California called Planet Blue Essentials. I LOVE the smell of this roll on perfume oil. It basically smells like someone took Hawaii and bottled it up. It is amazing!!! A little goes a long way too. I have had mine for a year and I still have a lot left.


I love these pretty filagree floral burst earrings from Janna Connor. Word is that Nelly Furtado loves them too. They are only $49 and you can pick them up at fabulous online shop Ravin Style.


A slightly more expensive pair of earrings (as in $575) are these beautiful brass and crystal earrings from Lia Sophia. Check out Lia's amazing jewelry on her website.




My ears get so cold in the winter and I flat out refuse to wear ear muffs. I think a fashionable alternative is this indigo mohair floppy beret from Anna Kula. Now there is no reason you can't be stylish in 10 degree weather. You can find this beret in other colors as well at Ravin Style.

Well that about rounds out the list! Hopefully some of you will be the lucky recipients of some of these items :)