Gifts

Grab Your Summer Tote For Fun On The Go

Go hassle free this summer with totes! What’s great about totes is that they are roomy and practical. When you need to run out the door, you can simply stuff all the things in your bag as you run around your place grabbing beach essentials. Totes are also great for book worms that like to read good old paper books. I read a bunch on my iPad and Nook but I alternate between paper books and ebooks because my eyes get tired of the glare. So when I’m carrying around actual books, it’s easy to stuff them in a tote with a blanket to go read at a park. I’m sure you can think of a hundred other practical uses for totes this summer. So let’s get started with the awesome totes I found online!

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Cath Kidston Bookbag with Gusset

This all over heart pattern tote reminds me of a raincoat I used to have when I was three years old. I loved that coat. It was navy blue with big red hearts. I’d wear it with rain boots and jump on puddles all afternoon. Grab this tote full of hearts and play like your inner child wants to! Continue Reading

Partying

Free Party Printables at Love vs Design

The LA based stationary company, Love vs Design, has some adorable party printables available for FREE. They also have an incredible line of custom designer invitations, cards, photo books, guest books for all occasions. Make sure to check them out if you are thinking about making any type of stationary. In the meantime print some freebies!

Summer Party Invitation

This adorable invitation has a confetti border and a refreshing ice cream graphic. Why not send out some colorful invitations for that BBQ or get together you had in mind? These invitations are free. All you have to do is print them and mail them out – or hand deliver them.

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Gifts, Partying

Cat Mugs For Your Cat Lover or Cat Lady

It’s almost Mother’s Day! Is your mother a cat lady? Are you yourself a cat lover? Maybe you know an animal lover who could use some cheering up. Are you searching for a gift for someone who doesn’t hate cats? Well, then this post is for you! During my relentless browsing of the internet I have found quite a selection of cat mugs. It’s no big surprise since the internet loves cats. I’m excited to be sharing them with you because mugs are such useful gifts. Everyone needs mugs at work and at home; and mugs tend to disappear. So everyone appreciates a mug. The trick comes down to finding a mug with a theme that matches the gift receiver’s personality. Do not fret too much in this regard because people happily drink coffee from boring, old, tacky, real estate mugs. If you find a theme they like to go with their mug, you just get some wonderful brownie points. I like brownie points, so I would go for themes that most people appreciate – like cats. Ready to dive down a wormhole of feline drinkware? Here we go!

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Smiling Cat Mug Set of 2

Help non-morning people fight their early grumpiness with a smiling cat mug. Who can resist that adorable smile and pink little nose? This smiling cat mug is sure to cheer up anyone’s morning. Plus, the inside of the mug has a tiny little cat paw!

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Dressing Up, Gifts

Flawlessly Fashionable Olivia Burton Watches

The truth is I have replaced my watch with my phone. Whenever I need to see the time, I pull out my phone because it is always on me or at an arm’s length. There is no longer a need to wear a watch on a daily basis; but taking a look at these Olivia Burton watches I am wanting to wear watches everyday. These timepieces have a delicate style with big round faces and whimsical details. Whether it is a border of rose-gold scallops or an intricate butterfly, something will jump out at you and grab you. If you want to start a watch collection steer clear of gaudy or boring watches; instead, build a fantastic stockpile of Olivia Burton timepieces. They will not go by unnoticed by fellow fashionistas.

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Olivia Burton Dandy Wrap Gray Midi Dial Watch

I have a soft spot for wrap around watches. They look so cool. The extra wristband gives it extra sophisticated points. This specific concrete colored wristband will match any outfit. It has that chic industrial meets posh style.

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Dressing Up, Gifts

Summer Espadrilles Are Here

Every summer the earthy fashionable espadrille shoe makes a come back. This summer you can find espadrille flats, espadrille wedges and everything in between. This summer, every big designer brand has their own take on the espadrille trend including big designer names Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, and many others . If you are looking for designer espadrilles you should shop at Net-a-porter, Moda Operandi, My Theresa, or Shopbop. I’ve put together a list of my favorite stylish espadrilles. The espadrille shoes in the post fall in a wide range of prices. So there should be something for everyone, whether you are looking for chic on a budget or you are looking to splurge on the latest summer trend. I tend to fall in love with things regardless of their price point. I find some cheap plastic bracelets with bows raise my heart rate just as much as Elie Saab runway dresses pricing in the tens of thousands. That’s just me, not everyone agrees; and I know people who would disown me for my aesthetics first, brand last philosophy.

Let’s get started with our Spanish inspired footwear trend.

Shop The Espadrille Summer Trend

Nelly Printed Silk & Suede Espadrille Ballerinas by Tabitha Simmons

These shoes are the cutest take on the Mary Jane design! With adorable rounded black tips and a delicate strap, these are my favorite find of the espadrille trend. I would wear these sophisticated flats all summer long! I can already picture a Parisian ensemble wearing a skirt, scarf, hat and sunglasses with this pair of shoes. So cute!

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Gifts

Sophisticated Sunglasses

If you’re in the market for some classy shades, I have good news for you. There are some incredibly spiffy specs this summer! Down here, in South Florida, sunglasses are more than a stylish accessory. The sun is so bright here that driving down the highway without sunglasses is a safety hazard. The light grayish cement reflects the insanely intense sun rays into your eyes and the sun glare reflects off other car windows causing momentary blindness. You think I am exaggerating; but I’m not. If you plan to visit South Florida and drive, make sure to pack your lunettes :) The driving is pretty crazy over here as is. There’s no need to add squinting and one-hand eye shading to your distractions. (While we are on the topic of driving distractions, PSA: please don’t text and drive. Be cool and reply your text once you arrive at your destination.)

Anyhoo, I found some gorgeous shades you will definitely want to check out. So let’s get started.

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Jimmy Choo Megan Jeweled Sunglasses

They are available in dark gray and light gray.

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Gifts

Illustrated Baby Collection: Designed by Artists

During my daily perusal of Brika, a curated online store featuring hand-crafted products, I found an endearing line of baby bibs, blankets and quilts. Insun Hong started the brand Designed by Artists and has released a lovable collection of baby essentials. Each article is beautifully packaged and perfect for gifting. If you are looking for a baby shower gift for a designer or illustrator this post is for you.

Milk Baby Bandanas

These bibs look like fashionable bandanas in monochrome. The bandanas have the text: “But first, milk.” Because these stylish little ones know their priorities. These modern bibs are made of 100% organic cotton on one side and ultra soft fabric on the other. They are the perfect gift for a designer momma.

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Dressing Up, Gifts

Summery Skirts from Shabby Apple

It’s almost that time of year again, summer time. Some people look forward to basking in the sun, while others dread the suffocating heat and cooping themselves indoors with the chilly air conditioning. Regardless of what camp you fall in, you will have to venture outside. Even if it is only from your car to the grocery store and your car to work. I fall in the group that finds refuge in the shady indoors but I am making an effort to evolve into someone that falls in the sun soaking lovers group. While I complete my metamorphosis, I will need a closet full of breezy and comfortable clothes to survive the South Florida summer heat. Shabby Apple’s latest line of midi skirts look like the perfect summer outfit solution. Their skirts are available in many different styles from informal to formal.

Park Ave. skirt in Fuscia

I love how they dressed down this bright fuscia skirt with converse and a mint plaid shirt. I can also see this skirt as part of a dressier get up. It shows how versatile midi skirts can be.

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Dressing Up, Gifts

Pixie Market: Cute Trendy Clothes & Accessories

I found a new online store to add to my daily window shopping, Pixie Market. They have the cutest dresses and accessories. What I like about this store is the apparel they carry is trendy, yet it has a unique style. I haven’t seen the clothes they carry in other sites, which is exciting. After a while, I start to see the same dresses in several stores. I’m happy the brands have been picked up by many retailers; but when I’m trying to find unique things to share with you it gets tiresome seeing the same garments in every site. Pixie Market is a refreshing change to the constant repeats. If you want to wear something unique and lessen the odds of wearing the same outfit as someone else at a gathering, check out Pixie Market. I put together my current favorites from their site.

Amy Grey Stripe Dress

This dress reminds me of the traditional pinstriped dressed of the early 1900s; but with a modern sexy twist. You know, that era where women wore adorable little blazer jackets over long skirts and accessorized with parasols during their strolls around the park. This fashionable mini dress caught my eye because of the adorable white cuffs at the sleeves and the matching collar. It also has a cinched waist for a flattering look. Wear this dress if you are going for a classic beauty look.

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Dressing Up, Gifts

Fashionable Sneakers: New Balance & Others

I must admit, I am the kind of tourist that wears sneakers around town. Come on, I’m there to take in all of the newness, not walk around all day in blistering feet. I remember when I had recently moved to New York City being told by the locals that they could spot me a mile away with my sneakers. It was a mortal sin in the fashion world but I stuck to my guns. I said and continue to say, “Comfort first.” I held on so long that the fashion world has come around and I’m grateful it happened during my lifetime. Fashionable sneakers are all the rage with designer brands releasing their own take on the designer sneaker including Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and the list goes on. This post will be featuring stylish affordable sneakers. If you are in the market for designer sneakers in the $300s, $500s or $1000s head on over to NET-A-PORTER and search for sneakers.

I first started noticing beautiful sneakers when I stumbled upon J.Crew’s collaborations with New Balance and Nike. They created beautiful sneakers using the original sneaker styles; but using fashionable new colors.

New Balance 530 Trainer

The New Balance 530 uses different materials including leather, suede, and mesh. This running shoe has a brilliant combination of black, pinks, and purples. You can definitely pair these shoes with black pants and feel confident of your comfy chic outfit.

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