My Bag Obsession

I cannot wait to get my little paws on one of these cross- body, messenger bags. I love them. So easy and so casual cute. Sarah Shaw had the best one from Rebecca Minkoff called the "mini beloved", although it's gone now, (tear) but I have seen some other cute ones at urbanoutfitters.com or shopbop has a whole bag section dedicated to the cross over bag. However, SS still has a whole selection of other cute Rebecca bags...

And speaking of Rebecca Minkoff, I think she just may be my new favorite mid-price bag designer right now. I am loving all her new fall colors and different shapes and styles.

Mind Your P's & Q's, Please

Are ladies in the house?? Well, I would hope so!

We live in a world today where we wait by the phone for that new cute boys text-not a call anymore, a 3 word text! (And then we have to go off analyzing those 3 words...but that's for another time...) We find it easy to email to say "thank you" for the dinner party, we even catch up on our friend's lives through their 357 Facebook pics, guilty as charged. While I am no stranger to doing the above, and by no means am I Sandra Lee, however, I do think remembering those little touches of grace, and minding our manners are a nice thing to brush up on!

A couple books I think every girl should own, flip through, and refresh how we ought to mind our manners:

-The Girls Guide to Social Savvy, Jodi R.R. Smith

-Manners, Kate Spade

-Puttin' on the Grits, A Guide to Southern Entertaining, Deborah Ford

Here, from Puttin' on the Grits:

5 Ways to Share Our Famous Hospitality

1. Welcome new neighbors with a home-baked something. If they're still unpacking from the move, supply paper plates and forks, as well.

2. Keep a few appetizers in your freezer for quick heating, so that when drop-in guests arrive, you can welcome them like you cooked all day.

3. Stock your guest room like the finest hotel. Supply travel-size soaps, shampoo, and mouthwash, bottled water, local maps, and light snacks. Your guests will feel pampered and welcome.

4. On holidays, don't forget the people who work to make your life easier. Give a little something to your mail carrier your garbage collector to let them know you value their hard work.

5. Smile, smile, smile! That fabulous pearl girl smile will bring brightness into someone else's day (and you'll look a whole lot prettier).

Ahh- now that wasn't that hard now was it?!

Just Bumpit!

You've seen the infomercial, you've probably laughed with a girlfriend about how silly it is, and you may have even noticed the Bumpits while perusing the aisles of your local Walgreens. Well, I was there with you, until I took the plunge to walk up to that counter and hide it from the boy behind me so he couldn't see that I was purchasing the $10 Bumpits.

I'm so tired of either throwing my hair up in a pony, or having it just hang there limp- I thought a new-do could make things a tad more exciting. And that's just what it did! The Bumpits come in 3 different sizes, mini, medium, and large. They have a whole how-to guide inside with different hair styles to try. So it's totally cheesy, but why not let your inner 1960's Bridget Bardot come out this summer?

New ''Edition''

Need a cheap instant gratification, thrill? Who doesn't? Well, if your one us lucky ones that lives in the city by the bay, go check out Banana Republic's new line, Edition at the Westfield Shopping Center in SF. Picture over-sized cocktail rings in every color and any stone, pearl and diamond hair clips, brightly colored, funky, geometric, large necklaces, gold plated coral necklaces,Bottega-looking purses, sandals, aviator shades, long scarves, I mean, just about every accessory you could throw on yourself, and believe me, I wanted to, is there. Edition is classic, feminine and clean, and most importantly, cheap! Yes, I said it- and not cheap looking either. Everything is priced under $100. I may have indulged in a pair of faux diamond earrings, okay maybe I bought 4 little baubles... it was easy to get carried away. Everything is displayed in a sophisticated manner, your treated like your in an upscale boutique right down to the check out where they have you sit down with them at their desk. I had a fun 20 minutes playing dress up with the cute girl working there, and would definitely recommend it!

Sorry to those who are not in SF, as we are the test market, but hopefully they'll continue to do well and start popping up to a mall near you!

Edition- 2nd floor of Westfield ( across from JCrew)

Some New Tunes...

Hope these tunes will keep you rocking for your workout, drives, or just new downloads on your ipod!

Sixth Figure feat. DEW- Patience (cool wave mix)

Ashley Tisdale - He Said She Said

BoA- I Did it for Love (feat. Sean Garrett)

Carla Bruni-quelqu'un m' a dit

Lilly Allen- The Fear (stonebridge remix)

Darude- I Ran

Ercola- Every Word

Hilary Duff- Reach Out

Hilary Duff- Come Clean (remix)

Lykkee- Little Bit

Metro Station- Shake It ( Lindbergh Palace remix)

Lady GaGa- Love Game

Kanye West- Flashing Lights

Beyonce- Halo

Help! Survival of Wedding Season

The kick off to summer weddings has arrived and let's be honest, you don't feel like buying a new dress for every wedding you have booked, and thanks to Facebook, you dare not wear the same threads to two weddings. So, what's a gal to do?

First, freshen up those organizational skills of yours. Write down all the weddings you have rsvped "yes". Under each keep track of travel, renting a car, gifts, dinners- whatever you think you will be spending.

Now that you have a clear image of just how much you will be shelling out, cut back on the home-front. Take one less trip to Whole Foods, or just say no to those jeans on sale, because I'm sure you have ten pairs in the closet that look exactly the same, at least I do!

Get a group together and do one big gift. Purchasing gift after gift can get $$, so find something fabulous on the registry, and split it all up. Also, get to that registry early so you can be choosy (and perhaps thrifty) with your buy.

Have a wedding swap- have girlfriends over to swap dresses and shoes even, or get a pair of cheap heels that go with everything in gold or silver. You can also purchase a great basic dress in a color that looks great on you, and mix and match accessories to add variation.

Don't be afraid to say no. If it's just not in the budget, the bride and groom will have to understand; of course do bow out gracefully.

And most importantly, don't rain on anyone's parade. Keep disgruntled comments inside your own head. You wouldn't want anyone grumbling about your special day now would you?

Cheers!

A Little Thought on Fashion and Glamour

Don't have the extra $$ to spend on new summer threads and accessories? Who needs it anyway- think "excess" (okay, maybe easier said than actually done) However, here are 5 things that you probably already have, or can all be found for under $50.

1. Red Lipstick- Don't be afraid of color, go play at the makeup counter til you find one that fits your coloring. MAC in Debutante is one of my favorites.

2. Black Mascara- This is an instant eye-opener, literally. I don't know what I would do without mascara. Try YSL and MAC, those are my two favorite brands for mascara. Both have max length and thickness.

3. Great Heels- So, okay, yes, you can go out and get a great pair of pumps from Nine West. But, my friend Amanda once told me, if you get a pair of Christian Louboutin black pumps, it will be the best investment piece you will ever make! Okay, so maybe not the Best I will ever make, but my feet are pretty happy in them. So comfortable and have had them forever. Either way, cheap, or overpriced, heels are a must.

4. Leopard! raar- My mom used to always push me toward animal print. I used to think what was she thinking? and tacky. But, I love a little flash of leopard or zebra print. I have a pair of leopard pumps from Nine West, and I love them dearly. How fun is a leopard jacket, a shrug in animal print?! Because, why not? Look at second hand stores for animal print, they tend to have lots.

5. The Clutch- Metallic, black, leather, canvas- It's easy, it's chic, it's so versatile. It can go business to dinner, coffee-run to luncheon. J Crew has an adorable straw bag clutch now for $49. For a slightly higher price, Lauren Merkin clutches are a staple in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes.