On A Whim

Perpetual Pixie Cynthia Rowley returns to the Holy Mecca of All Things Awesome with a ginormous collection of summer fun. The line, Whim, is chock full of colorful stuff sure to make your summer fun. And when I say it is expanse, I mean it:
Floppy hat for sun protection $9.99
Dragonfly picnic blanket that conveniently folds up like a tote $14.99
Igloo ice cooler -- on wheels! $29.99
Market tote with sailboat $16.99
Glass sun tea jar $14.99

And although it's not online yet, I spied inflatable pools, beach towels, badmiton, croquet, bocce, horseshoes, beach balls, barbeque gear and a whole host of other summer fabulosity in the store.

Mork Calling Orson

Come in, Orson!

Big Mac!

You could be the lucky owner of this bad boy ... if you're willing to pick it up in South Carolina.

Wet And Wild

Who wants to come over to the Manor this summer?

Call the Hounds

I totally want someone to pour me some iced tea out of this.

It's A Mystery

Know anyone who could use this John Derian tray?

Ask Jennifer!

I think I may have missed my calling as a stylist. Yet another damsel in distress!

Dear Jennifer,

I have a dilemma. I need a dress for a summer wedding, but I cannot stand the sight of my bare arms and everything cute seems to be sleeveless. I don't want to just buy a sweater to put over something sleeveless, but I will if I have to. Also, a lot of the flowy (shapeless) styles out right now make me either look pregnant (not a look I'm going for) or like the reincarnation of Mama Cass (also not a goal of mine). I would like something stylish and in a fun color for under $150. Is this too much to ask?

Sincerely,
Up in Arms

Good golly, this is a real challenge because you're right UIA, sleeveless is the style of choice for most designers. And because we're looking at a summer wedding, my guess is that you don't want to look like an Amish bride (not that there's anything wrong with that) and you also want something that will not make you melt in a pool of your own sweat (there is something wrong with that). Let's see what I can pull out of my bag of tricks.

Of course, my first stop is the go-to place for everything awesome. Here's a colorful, flowy number from J.Crew, the Allison dress, $135 in two colors.


I'm in love with this sassy Karta shift, in three colors (although I'm totally loving that yellow). And although it may appear that it's way out of your price range at $242, you can take 20% off at Revolve Clothing with code PEOPLESTYLEWATCH, making it $193.60 (or only slightly outside of your price range). Free shipping and returns too.

If you're dealing with an evening wedding, this Pacific Island Beaded Shift is adorable, in two colors, $167.

Razzle dazzle them in this linen wrap dress from The Gap, $59, in two colors.

How about a print? BCBGMax Azria Butterfly Print dress, $188. And Saks is having its 25% off Friends and Family promotion right now, making it $141.

Another wrap dress, again from J. Crew. $150, in four colors.

Give yourself the Barbie waist you've always dreamed of (or not). Be cool in this jaunty Max & Cleo Poplin Sundress, $118.

UIA, I hope you are the queen of the dancefloor in one of these numbers. Have fun! Do you have issues? In need of a second opinion? Want someone to do all the legwork for you? What are you waiting for? You know I can totally hook it up for you!

Lime Aid

Lime. Fresh, tart, savory ... just yum. Possibly my favorite flavor of all time. Diet Coke with Lime. Halibut with Lime. Gin and Tonic with Lime. Lime hard candies. And I make the meanest guacamole of all time, the secret to its success being, yes, Lime. Please believe.

So then I got this, in the mojito.


And it is delicious.

Goods on Paper

Little known fact about me: I love stationery. It's unhealthy really. It's like the hunt that never ends -- where can I find the most clever, hilarious, original, unique, adorable card, utterly perfect for the right occasion, or no occasion at all? It's like running on a hamster wheel actually, because it never ends.

Then along came Stephanie and her company She's SO Creative.


Are you kidding me with this? Do you have a direct portal into my brain? Because seriously, when someone says or does something in the utterly ridiculous category, I often refer to picking my eyeballs up off of the floor because they have rolled right outside of my head.

And then this:


Totally my family. Right down to the mini me, the husband, and the peanut dog. Which brings me to this:

Hee! The truth. And then speaking of the truth:

I'm not even going there.

Each idea is hand-drawn by Stephanie and printed on premium 30% post consumer waste recycled natural stock. Stephanie's cards are available right here.

And What Do You Get?

Strolled on over to In(side) the Loop today to find this gem:

Hilarious!

Compare and Contrast

This is the Phillip Lim 3.1 Beaded Paisley dress that Carly wore last night on American Idol (and Kate Hudson and a host of other Hollywood types have wearing to death all over the globe). $675 ... ouch!


This is the J. Crew Ischia dress, on sale for $239.99.

Discuss.

After One Too Many

This would have been put to good use in my house. Just sayin.

I'm Melting

Just about the cutest coin purse of all time!

Happy Chic Tuesday: Squirrelly!

You know I've been stalking Jonathan Adler for new critters, and lo and behold, look at this little fella! You can hide all sorts of fun things in that little nut of his!

Ask Jennifer Post Script

I just had to add this because it is all kinds of perfection. Dolce Vita, in three colors, $100.

Call Me!

Here's a good way to guarantee no one ever loses your number -- they'll want to keep this card forever!

Ask Jennifer!

Ooooh wee, we end this week with the latest edition of Ask Jennifer, where I solve all manner of shopping dilemma. This week, Jessie requests that I deliver her from Croc hell! Can I get an Amen?!

Hey Jennifer! Here is my sitch... I am taking a trip with my husband and his family (may sound daunting, but I have awesome in-laws) to Paris and then on to Southern France. I have never been to France before, EEK, and I can't wait to hit the streets to shop and explore! One thing that I have been looking for since January, is a pair (or two) of REALLY comfortable flats or sandals that are super-walkable, but also effortlessly chic. Not the easiest combination, as I have found. I have some REALLY great flats (even comfy ones) in my shoe collection, but over the course of wearing them on different adventures, I have discovered that I don't think I could walk almost non-stop in them for days at a time.

We are going the first week in July, so I presume the weather will be warm, and I am looking for something to go with dresses, cropped skinny jeans, and the rare pair of shorts. As for the budget, I know I might have to pony up for comfort and style, but the less expensive the better (I'm trying to save my measley American dollars for the French Shops)! Any advice or product info you have would be greatly appreciated! After enjoying every single post of yours from the first of the year until now, I have a feeling you're going to be able to come up with something FAB and right on par! (No pressure.) I'm so glad I found your site, and am going to add it to my blogroll today! Hooray for the most awesomest stuff ever!

Jessie http://theluckystone.blogspot.com

Hooray indeed! This is a wide open request, so the following selections are just a sampling of possibilities. And I'm going to avoid the flip flops, flip flops with straps, flip flops with doo dads, and all other manner of flip flop because, well, you wouldn't have asked for my help if you needed some frikkin flip flop action.

I digress.

Jessie also notes that she loves color, that black would be her last choice, and that she would prefer an open toe. So Jessie, you get a blog plug *woot* and a nice little see-lection of comfortable chicness to impress those Frenchies! Holla!



A girl has to have options so I'm going to give you a closed toe flat, on the off chance that you experience less than desirable weather. Goodness, I'm shocking even myself by posting these. But these are hella cute and your feet and wallet will thank you. Plus, they will look cute with the aforementioned cropped skinny jeans! Naturalizer (seriously, yo!) in five colors, $64.95-$69.95.

Does it get any better than this? Perfect for those full skirts, dresses, shorts, crops, and just about anything else! J.Crew does it again with colorful, open toe, high style, patent flats in five colors $145.
There are loads of great options at Anthropologie. And while I curse the site for not allowing me to upload better (larger) photos of their fabulous footwear, here are a couple of examples of the adorableness over there. The orange peeps are $78. The yellow mini wedges are $188. And there are some cuties in the sale section too.


These are a great alternative to a regular flip flop, and will amp up the rare pair of shorts that you will inevitably wear. As a bonus, you get all the comfort and not all the S&M of a traditional gladiator. Camper, $150
Speaking of S&M, did someone say they needed a stylish, colorful, flat sandal? Nine West to the rescue with the very in gladiator sandal in ten (not a typo!) colors, $83.
I know these aren't flats, but seriously, an espadrille wedge is pretty darn close in the comfort department. And underneath a flirty skirty, these Franco Sartos will definitely pop, especially on the French Riviera. In four colors, $79. You didn't actually think I was going to do a shoe review without extolling the virtues of my friend Frank, did you?

Viola! Jessie, I hope you have a fabulous, blister-free trip! Do you have a shopping crisis? In need of that special something for yourself or as a gift (or a gift to yourself)? Having difficulty navigating the retail waters all by your lonesome? I can totally hook you up, people! Don't be shy -- email me!

La Delicious

The always fabulous decorno has been busying herself by pushing the buttons on all manner of taboo topics this week. The responses have been riveting, for sure. The most recent inquiry related to the all-American pastime of excessive consumerism: in the midst of this dismal economic climate, how have you cut back?

In the good ole days, pre Mini-Me and pre-Manor, the hub and I took great delight at dining out all over town (and all over other towns). And in so doing, we would enjoy appropriate quantities of delicious wine. Oh, who am I kidding? We would enjoy appropriate quantities of delicious wine at home too! And friends, that ain't cheap.

Then, I discovered this:



La Boca Cabernet from Trader Joe's. It's $3.99 here in the Frozen Tundra. In California, it's $2.99. It's awesome. And if you don't like Cabs, there's Merlot, Malbec and some whites too. Huzzah!

Moses Approved

Passover starts on Saturday. Locusts! Death of the first born! Frogs falling from the sky! Look, it's Biblical fun for the whole family! Stage your own Passover Seder with this collection of hilarious tchotchkes symbolizing the 10 plagues. It might even make you forget that you'll be eating cardboard for the next 8 days. Yeah, good luck with that!

To The Women Of American Idol

Ladies, you need help. Lots of it. Simon Cowell is no fashion critic. But he is right about just about everything, including the fact that you are all wearing some broke down, fool outfits. So let me help you. You need it.


Carly, we know you can't decide whether you should rock it out or diva it up. You certainly have the pipes to do either, but you gotta make up your damn Irish mind. And also? Your confidence should match your ability, and you are oozing ability. So I give you an outfit that gives you no option but to put it all out there, in every sense, and just bring it. And before you go mocking the leopard, it's a hell of a lot better than that ridiculous Pat Benetar outfit that earned you a public flogging or the granny sleeves on that drab navy dress from last night. Work it out, honey.



Syesha honey, you cannot wear a captain's jacket and bermuda shorts if you want to be the next Whitney Houston (minus the crack, we hope). And a cheap glittery Forever 21 sheet for Mariah week? Mariah week? That was just all kinds of wrong. See this? Classy, flattering and unexpected color, and a little bit of leather because girlfriend, you have some edge and you should own it. Maybe an outfit like this will shock everyone and give you some presence.


The fact that I cannot stand Kristy Lee Cook and her schtick doesn't mean that she has any excuse for looking like a cheap ho on stage. You aren't a country diva. Rekonize. That shiny, dimestore Carrie Underwood frock from last night? No. Just, no. You would be wise to dial down the sequins, the fishy shine, and the cowboy boots because they aren't giving you any presence. A bright, bold color will. And just because you have long hair doesn't mean you look like a girl -- you need some femininity. Especially if you're going to try to sing a Mariah ballad. And no, you cannot have sequins. I'll compromise with a little bit of gold lame. A little bit. Oh, and see the model's hair above? Take note.


Brooke White, I'm giving you pink because, well, you should be wearing pink. Maybe then we could see you behind the piano. Or the guitar. Or whatever you are hiding behind so you don't have to torture us with your "dancing" like you did during Here Comes The Sun. You are the most difficult to style. Why? Because you have a definite artistic identity as a bohemian but I refuse to dress you up like a bastard Olsen twin. Although, if you talk back to the judges one more time, I will. Bet on it.

For one of you, this will be too little too late, but for the other three, you are welcome.

Phillip Lim, How Could You?

For the second year in a row, The Gap has partnered with up-and-coming designers to reinvent the classic white shirt. Last year, I scored a fantastic Doo Ri sleeveless number that I wore to death. So when I heard that wonderboy Phillip Lim was on this year's roster, I thought that for sure I was going to end up with some kind of high styled cuteness at a fraction of Lim's otherwise ridiculous prices.

Oh, how wrong I was.

This post is most certainly not about the most awesomest stuff ever. Because this line of nonsense that The Gap is feeding to the masses is embarrassing. Either Lim didn't take this seriously, or he though that this was some kind of low rent Project Runway challenge. Here's $50 and a van ride to Mood! Unfortunately for all of us, Lim didn't get the benefit of Tim Gunn to help with the editing. And he would most certainly be out. See what I mean?

Phil. What are you doing? If this is a catering uniform, you forgot the rest of the sleeve. Are those Venetian blinds on the collar? A knot at the neck? And a fishtail on the behind? This is a complete mess, and not of the hot kind either.

Look, another waitress uniform! With faux Venetian blinds? And there's that januty neck tie mess again. Options, people! He's a giver, I know.


What the hell is this?

If the goal was to manage to make Ms. Anorexia 2008 look fat and/or pregnant, then congratulations! I mean, what is that? An empire waist with pleating, with a jaunty sailor tie (again) at the bust? Really?

This is slightly better because, lo and behold, it looks like a white button down top. It has a shape to it. It has detailing on the placket. And also? There's no ridiculous neck tie thingamabob. I'm not sure about those ding dong Miss Scarlett sleeves, but I'm willing to give it a shot in the dressing room. The whole thing would probably be better had he pegged and cuffed the sleeves at the elbow. But he didn't.

I'm bitter.

Fire Up The Banjos

If only it came with a spittoon!

Isn't She?

Pretty in pink ... and even better with this 30% off coupon. That's right people -- 30% off your entire purchase at Cole Haan. Run!