26 Candles

It's my birthday!

What are you favorite ways to celebrate your day?

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2009

I can't bring myself to look at fall runway coverage before the warm weather even has a chance to melt the Midwest snow. I always wait a few months first. This allows me to fully embrace a wardrobe of gauzy summer dresses, bare legs and strappy heels - otherwise I'd be longing for tights and wool yearlong!

I finally indulged today and admired the collection of my favorite designer: Diane von Furstenberg.

According to Style.com, DvF "dubbed her Fall collection 'Nomad,' and sent out a melting pot's worth of fabrics, embroideries, and patterns—from leopards to camouflages to tapestry prints. Von Furstenberg is betting that in 'times like these,' what a girl really wants is a little pizzazz."

The collection does come off as being a little (okay, very) eclectic. But when you pare down the styling and look at the individual garments, you're left with an array of luxurious basics and statement pieces to enliven your wardrobe. There's glamorous outerwear, smart knits, sexy dresses, lighthearted plaids and playful accessories.

Photos via Shop Talk, Million Looks and Style.com.

I think there's room in my closet for that black and white graphic-print dress.

Flat Chance

I'm the type of girl who prefers to wear heels every day to work and for every special occasion. However it seems my footwear choice is being challenged this wedding season. My boyfriend's brother is getting married in June and plans to have his reception outdoors at his parents' country home. I'd rather not run the risk of puncturing their lawn with stiletto heels (a bit of a concern after too many celebratory cocktails), leaving me with two options: wedges or flats.

I'm not keen on wedges (I've tried, but I just can't fully embrace them), so I've begun searching for pretty flats. And it's not an easy task. (The Cynthia Vincent flats I purchased are gorgeous, but they're a bit heavy for the flirty summer dress I plan to wear.)

Here are some of the prettiest flats I've stumbled upon:


(Starting from top.)

Nine West, Noadiah Flat, $69.95
Lilly Pulitzer, Lady Mary Flat, $235
Kenneth Cole, Clean Cut, $69.95 (sale!)
Target, Sheryl Floral Print Ballet Flat, $19.99
Ettore Masotti, Ballet Flat, $149
Tory Burch, Kelly Patent Flat, $295

Sip of Summer

The first sip of sangria is by far the best part of summer and I'm itching to try the following recipe from allrecipes.com.

Sangria
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup brandy
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
* 1/3 cup orange juice
* 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
* 1/2 cup triple sec
* 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
* 1 orange, sliced into rounds
* 1 lime, sliced into rounds
* 1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
* 8 maraschino cherries
* 2 cups carbonated water (optional)

Directions
In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.


And if you're craving another hint of this quintessential summer drink, opt for Banana Republic's Chilled Sangria candle. Even without lighting it, the candle makes my apartment smell heavenly.

Sunday Morning

On lazy Sunday mornings while my boyfriend is still asleep, my favorite thing to do is pour a large cup of coffee and scour eBay for irresistible fashion finds.

Here are some of things I've stumbled across today:

• Vintage Maxi Dress - Maxi dresses from the 70s are all over eBay - and many resemble the modern interpretations without the inflated price tag.
  
• Vintage Dior Statement Necklace - The one thing I love more than statement necklaces is vintage statement necklaces. I have one that belonged to my grandmother and I recieve compliments on it constantly. I secretly love sharing that it's vintage and knowing that they can't stop at the mall to buy the same one.
  
• Vintage Dior Brooch - I'm absolutely smitten with vintage jewelry in general, but brooches really capture my heart. I have a growing collection that I add to whenever I visit an antique mall.
• Pucci Thigh-High Boots - Unique, horrible, and worth sharing.
• Diane von Furstenberg Cocktail Dress - I'm obsessed with DvF and this party dress is absolutely divine. If it were my size, I'd bid on it.
  

Shoe Woes

Yesterday I stopped at the gas station. After I was done pumping fuel and got back into my car, I noticed an overwhelming smell of gas - which continued for my commute to work. When I arrived at work and realized the smell still hadn't faded, my heart sank and I realized I stepped in gasoline and possibly ruined my favorite black flats.

They have a leather sole, which makes getting the smell out nearly impossible. I've tried soap and water, vinegar, baking soda, and now they're wrapped in newspaper in the trunk of my car.

To alleviate my sadness, I browsed for a new pair and stumbled across Amazon's designer shoe sale (up to 80% off select styles - click here). I purchased a beautiful pair of Cynthia Vincent flats (below) for $57 - nearly $230 off the original retail price!

And there are other gorgeous shoes on sale, like this pair of Giuseppe Zanotti pumps which are perfect for fall. Will you be ordering anything?

Take Note

I recently discovered Linda & Harriett and immediately fell in love with their letterpress stationary - especially the piggies note cards in pink & orange. However, I exercised [moderate] restraint and only placed an order for Christmas Pig Pattern cards. After all, the holiday season is only 7 months away and who wouldn't appreciate a greeting card with a Christmas ham on it?

I'm also tempted by the Summer Dress note cards in fuchsia because of their resemblance to my own favorite summer dress - Diane von Furstenberg's Madeline dress from 2008 (right).

If you're as smitten with Linda & Harriett as I am, you're in luck. You have the chance to win one of their lace notepads over at Design Crush. Just leave a comment on her entry here, answering one question: If you could write a letter to anyone, who would it be and why? Entries close at noon CST on Monday, May 18, 2009.

Garden of Eden

Foliage is aching to burst from tree branches and May flowers are just beginning to peek through the ground. If you're too anxious to wait for spring blossoms, pick up a bejeweled bouquet.


(Pictured clockwise, starting from upper left.)

Liz Claiborne, Rhinestone Floral Earring, $20
Dogeared, Cherish Pendant in Gold Dipped, $55
Kate Spade, Triple Row Necklace, $325
Juicy Couture, Flower Stud Earrings, $48
Liz Claiborne, Boxed Floral Bracelet, $22
Miriam Haskell, Floral Cluster Earrings, $175
Erickson Beamon for Target, Black Flower Pendant Necklace, $29.99
Forever21, Jewel Petals Flower Ring, $4.80
Liz Claiborne, Pave Flower Pin, $22

Free Shipping at Anthropologie

I do quite a bit of my shopping online. I like the rush of placing the order, waiting in anticipation, and the excitement when the plain brown box finally arrives. I love ripping through the packing tape and tissue paper to finally touch the coveted item.

And I absolutely refuse to pay shipping and handling charges.

This kept Anthropologie off my online shopping radar because of their exorbitant rates. Until now. If you sign up for an Anthro Card (no worries, it's not a credit card) and link it to your online account, you'll get free shipping on all orders now through September 7, 2009. You can sign up for an Anthro card here. You should receive your card number via e-mail within 48 hours and they will send you a card in the mail within the next week or so.

Here are my top picks from their Web site:


(Pictured clockwise, starting from upper left.)

Galaxy Knob, Small, $10
Stormy Night Earrings, $148
Shoofly Shell, $78
Ruffle Racer Bralette, $48
Ruffle Racer Bikini, $44
Artichoke Votive, $12
Azalea Silt Planter, $38
Bungalow Dress, $278
Ukrainian Egg Ring, $38
TokyoMilk Wrapped Soap, $11
Pitch Pine Creamer, $14.95 (sale!)

Make a Statement

The easiest way to transform your spring wardrobe is with a bib necklace. Investing in this key piece can elevate everything from your go-to little black dress to a simple v-neck tee shirt and jeans; or wear it with a suit jacket to add an unexpected embellishment to your work ensemble.

Here are four of my favorites:


(Pictured clockwise, starting with upper left.)

Banana Republic, Glam Bib Necklace, $69
Forever21, Faceted Floral Pendant Necklace, $17.80
Kenneth Jay Lane, Multi-Stone Bib Necklace, $600
Target, Blue Beaded Bib Necklace, $39.99