Philippa Holland

A little obsessed with that beetle necklace from Philippa Holland...and those dual gem rings...and the simple script letter pendent. I am sure the beetle would get all kinds of reactions as it's pretty realistic and the color combos on those rings are spot on. It's been a long time since I have purchased any new jewels and this all looks pretty tempting...

Head Scarves

Now that it seems like half my hair has fallen out due to post-baby hormones, I am constantly searching for new ways to disguise that fact. Since I am already obsessed with messy bun hair...it seems like this would be the next logical step. Haven't really played with a scarf beyond just tossing one around my neck before so not sure how this will all go down, but I love these looks (collected from Tumblr). Nicole Richie circa 2008 seems to have perfected this style...I like the combo of the pinup girl and the bohemian hippie chick look, messed up hair with a smooth patterned scarf on top.Wish me luck.

Toshikazu Nozaka

TOSHIKAZU NOZAKA from Louis Mitchell on Vimeo.


A beautiful short video of former pro-skateboarder Toshikazu Nozaka tattooing. I love how the Japanese culture reveres artists and tradition and wish that the US did more of the same.

Carole King

Shoes!

Ankle boots are my true shoe obsession but really I love them all. So these photos of Rachel Zoe's office on The Coveteur made me want to scream out loud - there is a beautiful carpet of shoes in there. seriously. one beautiful pair of insane heels after another...but I have so many questions for the stylist. Like what sizes are they? What do you do with the ones that are out of season or no longer needed? Are they all on loan or are they your property? Do you try them all on when they come in? Do you ever steal a pair for your own personal collection? It would be like a girlfriend dream date come true to get to go in there with my two best girlfriends, a couple bottles of champagne and a camera to forever document  the crazy fun of getting to play dress up in all those pairs and clothes. Can you imagine?

On a side note, I was a little disappointed in the photos of her office. She has such fantastical stuff and a killer space and yet...it was a little undone. A little blah and not put together. Harumph.

Apartment Envy

Lately I have had serious interiors envy...of neighbors, of friends, of TONS of places I see in magazines and online. Our home is cozy and friendly but kiiiiiiinnnnnda looks like we are a couple right out of college and have no money. And with our college days long behind us I am so over it. Then chuck in some serious baby stuff (the stroller is usually parked in our living room) and you just have kind of a mess. And no time to clean it. But I am trying, little by little to make it a place that is functional for the beach (VERY sand and surf board friendly) and stylish and affordable. So when I see places like this apartment featured in the latest Rue Mag I get obsessed with hunting down some new items. There is a very whimsical zen feel to this place that I love. The bookshelf balanced on giant smooth pebbles is so simple and amazing and I keep staring at the packed jewelry box anchoring all the magazines in what I think is actually their bathroom. Maybe its just tackling one thing at a time...this spread has inspired me to work on the living room...wish me luck.

Seeing Spots

I am in love. With a pink polka dot sweater from Madewell. And oddly enough pink and polka dots are two items you would be hard pressed to find in my closet. Light pink tends to make me feel like I am five but this sweater is girly without being too precious - and how can you NOT like those giant polka dots. Anything that makes me feel like smiling on a dreary depressing (I am a sun kinda girl) fall day works for me. And since I just HAPPEN to have to be at the mall after work to pick something up from Crate and Barrel (thank you mom...) I will have to duck in and try this pretty lady on.

Skull A Day

I celebrate anyone who has the dedication to do projects like this Skull A Day by Noah Scalin who apparently started this for no apparent reason. He uses a wide variety of materials from nails to light sensitive paper to googly eyes to condoms to sheets of metal to you name it.

zen threads

Some unique soft looking printed tops available at etsy seller Zen Threads. I don't wear a lot of printed tshirts or tank tops...I think the one I rock the most says "Lakers are for Lovers" and that was only to make my husband smile...I just seem to gravitate towards stripes and solids. But I do like the artistic hand drawn look of these, and those American Apparel raglan tops are as comfy loungy as it gets.

Personal Style

It's interesting to know how different woman approach getting dressed in the morning. I wake up most days and try to put together something that makes me feel pretty, is impressive enough for a surprise client meeting but also well suited to stressing out in front of a computer all day. For me, the perfect style is a blend between the 2005 bohemian queen Sienna Miller and the rock and roll laid back classiness of Rosie HW (I'll be the first to admit I am thoroughly obsessed with her style). Though unfortunately some mornings my style ends up more like the hassled first time mom who got spit up on at the last second and gave up entirely on trying to look cute...what do you think about in the morning? Do you go with the mood you woke up in? Plan the outfit around your new fall boots? Do you even think about it or do you just throw on whats near by and clean? While I make my bed every morning, it's inevitable that I have the piles of reject outfits piled on top of the freshly made bed and random shoes in front of the mirror and it never fails to amuse and confuse my husband.

Detroit - Hell Yeah.

A friend of mine works for Electric and he is always sporting the coolest sunglasses...recently I saw him at breakfast and he was wearing a pair that looked like a sturdier version of raybans (which i LOVE but they fall off my face!) that turned out to be from a limited edition collection. I tried them on and was obsessed with how SOLID they felt, how cool they looked and how they hugged my face so snuggly. Turns out this is the nicest friend EVER because he went back to work and discovered they were coming back out with them and snagged me a pair of the tortoise shell lovelies. There is something about the way they taper off at the sides that gives them just the right shade of pretty attitude. I am so in love with them it ALMOST makes up for the fact that my car pretty much broke down on the freeway this morning. My car may have almost been on fire but my shades sure were cool....

Holy Ruffles!

This Red Doll Winter 2011 collection by Tatyana Merenyuk is stunning. The pencil skirt combos are completely the opposite of how I dress but they are so so beautiful...something about the model and the mood make me think though, that the model could pull a whip out from under her skirt and smack the crap out of you. Slightly dangerous. But those dresses!!! Absolutely breathtaking. And can you imagine wearing that last concoction of never ending ruffles? I wouldn't be able to stop squealing and petting all the pouf...what a dreamy fantastical dress.

Charlie Brown

Have always loved Charlie Brown and even though it's short, this clip makes you love Charles Schulz even more.

Speaking of Messy Hair...

Love Note

Dear Messy Beachy Sexy Big Hair,

Remember me? I remember you. Fondly. And I am obsessed with getting you back in my life. I have learned recently that 5 month old babies are detrimental to having you around what with all the breaking off in tiny baby hands and falling out on a daily basis in gobfuls from crazy hormones. Not sure what it is about hair that has avoided showering and hasn't been brushed in two days, that bends and kinks and knots and twists but I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvvveeeeee it. The bigger the better. So until I can put the ponytail away and gaze upon you once again in the mirror, here are some beautiful examples of why you are my favorite. Come back soon please. Hurry.

here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here,

Wear Love

Kinda digging these leather wrap bracelets by Wear Love. The wrap around leather strap is a little rock and roll and the thin gold circle is a pretty and feminine. Not a bad combo if you ask me.

iswas and willbe

Completely obsessed with these necklaces from iswas and willbe...especially that dusty rose piece. Jewelry that makes a quietly unique statement is what I gravitate towards...and pieces that you can easily layer and mix and match into what you already have. And of course anything pink. and turquoise. and gold. These definitely fall under that category and are super affordable...a pretty way to keep a little summer vibe with you in the winter season.

Discovered through poppytalk

Lands End?

I don't think I have EVER shopped at Land's End before in my life...but these sweaters look like a little bit of fun. The buttons up the back of the striped number are a cool unusual addition and i dig the burnt orange and cream combo - the sleeves look a little clunky but i think she might have them rolled once in the photo, I can't tell. And who hates a good thick fisherman's sweater for fall? And fun stripes? Especially at Land's End prices...

Marais Wedges

Hello perfect simple wedges for Fall...these gray suede shoes from the girls at Marais USA are dreamy for  the upcoming fall season. I have to buy shoes that are pretty versatile to make it worth it these days and these would go with all varieties of outfits...but at 115 bucks they are still at the edge of my price range for such a basic shoe. But they ARE preeettttyyyy lovely...

Missoni Too Much for Target

Are you surprised? I am not...there was more buzz about this collaboration with Target than all the others combined. Missoni is such a coveted brand with such iconic patterns that people were lined up at Target - TARGET! - first thing in the morning and cleared out the shelves within hours. My neighbor was one of those people and said the line itself wasn't that bad but the people who went in first were grabbing things by the armful, literally just yanking it all off the shelves. She managed to get some pillows and throws online a little later (the items I was interested in but entirely way too late for by 8:45...) and I am excited to see what they actually look like in person when they arrive on her doorstep.

Mara Hoffman Spring Swim

It's still full on summer here in southern california so swimsuits are still on my mind. This is actually the best month of summer because the summer rentals are empty and the kids have all gone back to school so it's beautiful weather and it's PEACEFUL. Got my eye on these swimsuits from Mara Hoffman...and I really want the necklaces they are styled with too. That's something I had never considered before living in SoCal...wearing jewelry to the beach. Now I love wearing some gold chains and bangles to the beach with a big sun hat - just beware of unfortunate tan lines...

Studded Heart

While checking out the latest over at Honestly...WTF I noticed this photo of a girl in a jean jacket with what looks like a DIY studded heart on the backside. i LOVE this look and am excited to try it myself...I just happen to have two jean jackets that don't get much love these days and a box full of studs. It would look cool with some pyramid studs as well though I don't imagine it being that comfortable to sit against something like that. And speaking of the Honestly girls - their DIY bracelets are a MUST - I have a one that i am so obsessed with (although I am guilty of someone else making it for me - thank you Tessa!). They are beautiful and inexpensive and I get comments on mine all the time.

El Mercado

Completely obsessed with everything in Scout & Catalogue's El Mercado...seriously. Even though everything I want is sold out I continue to check back to see if they have restocked. Those little embroidered bags - I want like 8 of them just to fill with crap and throw in all my purses! And those bucket bags - love the pale palettes and light leather. Fingers crossed.

Laura Lombardi

Laura Lombardi makes unique pieces in her Chicago studio from vintage materials and repurposed materials. Their rawness and beauty are very appealing and I love when you see jewelry collections styled so you can get a sense of what these would actually look like on a person...and I must say...these look lovely.

Suno Patterns

I am new to the brand Suno but am already completely obsessed with all the bold and crazy patterns they are known for. Over the top patterns and fabrics are the best way to add some spice to your wardrobe, especially in warm rich colors for fall. I was inspired to look up some bold patterns that could actually find their way into my closet since getting my hands on some Suno doesn't seem likely.

Outfits by Ali & Ro, Tibi, Collective Concepts, Arden B, Free People