I am loving the fine art prints over at little paper planes right now! Here are my favorites:

1) Pommebirds print $40 (8.5 x 11") by Tara Hogan- I love this print! The color is PERFECT! I need it!

2) XO print by Blake Marquis (each print is 24 x 30 so together it is 48 x 60in) $60 for the pair- I love the colors & textures in this print...it is sweet, simple, and graphic!

3) Circling and Tending print $30 (5 x 11) Sarah Sohn; I love the colors in this whimsical print!

4) I'll Go Print (12" X 15 1/2" ) $65 by Rachel Salomon; This print is amazing-the colors & textures in this print are really fantastic!

5) Bad Influence print (7x7") by Cindy Jaswal-This print is perfect for me because I am TERRIFIED of racoons. The print is appropriate because I was nearly attacked & killed by a gang of rabid racoons in college (I SWEAR I am only exaggerating a tiny bit) and because Sophie and I always seem to sniff out Racoons sifting through garbage on our nightly walks (seriously, get a beagle and you'll sniff out the most obscure things in the city!). I would think of this print as a daily reminder to protect myself (and my NOSY beagle) from the dangerous (and VISCIOUS) animal that lurks on our city streets!

6) Bunny Punch Card print $20.60 by Carol Es ( 3 3/8 x 9in)- The artist priced this print at $20.60 because that is a half a day's pay at the US Federal Minimum Wage. Have you seen the episode of 30 days where Morgan Spurlock and his wife attempt to live on minimum wage for 30 days. It is impossible and so many people in this country are forced to work 5 hundred jobs just so they can make ends meet. If you've never seen that episiode you must watch it!!! This print is a reminder of that problem.

Lucky number 7:



Finger-lickin' print $25 by Evah Fan This print is so sweet. I fell in love with it instantly!!!

If you're looking for the perfect beach bag, Reiter8 (pronounced reiterate) may just have a solution for you! Reiter8 creates beautiful, graphic, durable, totes out of recycled sailboat sails. The bags are water resistant, so they will protect your beach reads and other valuables from getting soaked from canon balls or sopping wet kids streaking by your beach blanket. The bags are lined with canvas and have inner pockets so you won't lose your iphone (people are going CRAZY over that thing!). I was instantly smitten with the bold graphics when I saw the bags in person at the Renegade Craft fair. Not a tote gal? Check out their pillows...they would look great on an outdoor patio (I have to get me one of those!) or on your boat (oh having one of those would be nice too!).

large 8 tote $65; large red star tote $65; middle sized blue dot tote $58; pillows $48 each or 2 for $85; all @ reiter8

Brookadelphia is a sisterly collaboration...one sister Amber, a Pratt educated graphic designer based in Brooklyn, the other sister, Heather, is located in Philly-hence the name Brookadelphia. Together they create some very cool, creative, and oftentimes quirky, statement jewelry. I was a big fan of their booth at the Renegade Craft fair, so I encourage you to check out their online web boutique:


top: cameo necklace $50; cloud necklace $35; librarian $35; all @ brookadelphia
bottom: post modern necklace$35; save the bees necklace$35; radish necklace $35; all @ brookadelphia

During a trip to Argentina Blake Mycoskie visited a number of impoverished villages and upon seeing very few of the children were wearing shoes, Blake knew he wanted to help, and though he was not in the shoe or the fashion business he knew he wanted to start a shoe company.

At the time, Blake had been wearing shoes traditionally worn by Argentine workers that are known as "alpargatas". Alpargatas are lightweight slip on shoes with a breathable canvas top and a soft insole. Blake took the idea of the Alpargatas and created his company TOMS: Shoes for Tomorrow. Toms Shoes are a modern version of the Alpargatas...they are comfortable, breathable, and come in a variety of cool fabrics, prints, and colors, thereby making them great for running errands, dog walking, beach going, kid chasing, exploring, playing, speed shopping, thrift shop browsing, mud stomping, sh*t kicking, and a whole lot more.

The best part about Blake's shoes is that they are eco-friendly, and help benefit the children that inspired Blake in the first place. For every pair of Toms Shoes sold, the company will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. Blake has organized several trips back to Argentina and other nations to donate thousands of shoes to children. Read more about the mission of TOMS and the great work they have already done here!




top: Red TOMS $38; Pink Patch TOMS $38; all online @ TOMS Shoes
middle: Tiny TOMS - Pink Camo $28; Tiny TOMS - Pink $28; all online @ TOMS Shoes
bottom: Stripe TOMS $38; Sky/Pink Stitch TOMS $38; all online @ TOMS Shoes

To find a store near you that carries TOMS Shoes click here

p.s. (Celebrities Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz and others are fans of TOMS too!)

Menta is a 25 year old artist from Mexico that creates beautiful & sweet watercolor drawings. I adore her use of color, pattern, and textures in her work. Here are a few of my favorite prints she currently has available for sale online:


Too Shy Print $15; Tsuru Print $15; all by Menta via her etsy shop


Shy Boy & Shy Girl Wood Limited Edition Print $20; Redhead Print $15; all by Menta via her etsy shop

Anyone who has ever met me knows, I have a thing for moisturizers. I can't stand the feeling of dry skin. My skin isn't hyper-sensitive, but for the most part I prefer lotions & moisturizers that are fragrant free. I hate when lotions are over powering in their scents. I want to avoid scaring away co-workers in the elevator due to over fragrant moisturizers. In addition to that reasoning, all of those fragranced skin products you have in your house may be doing more damage than I originally thought.


The outer layer of your skin is comprised of dead skin cells, natural oils and lipids. The fragrances, colorants, antibacterial agents, and other ingredients frequently used in most soaps, cleansers, and lotions on the market today actually strip away the protective elements of the outer layer of your skin! Who knew that vanilla icing scented lotion was going to acerbate your dry skin condition!!! The solution to this problem is in a pretty blue bottle! Gloves in a Bottle is a shielding lotion, that instead of artificially moisturizing your skin, acts as a protective layer to your skin. As the name suggests, the shielding lotion asks as a protective glove as it adheres to the skin and keeps irritants out while keeping your own natural oils & moisture in. The lotion is fragrance free, a little bit goes a long way, and there is really no need to reapply throughout the day because the formula will continue to protect your skin even if you are a compulsive hand washer like me.

Purchase an 8oz. bottle at Amazon.com for $12.95


For more information on Gloves In A Bottle visit their website.

Just for fun, I took the Personal DNA test this morning. I found the end results to be very interesting, and to be quite honest the test was relatively accurate in its evaluation report. If you're curious, take the test! I was labeled a :)

I am constantly jotting down ideas, notes, doodles, & sketches, so when I spotted these affordable french notebooks on poppy talk I instantly felt the need to stock up! I love the vintage imagery & typography on the covers. Is there a better way to be inspired than looking at your own notebook??!!

Each french notebook measures 6.5" X 8.5" and is $3.95 at the Laughing Elephant

Angelina Jolie was brilliant in this film. The film was well cast, the story was well told, and I think it is an important movie. View the trailer here:



Go see it, bring tissues, that's all.

Since I am a renter I am only allowed to paint my walls a color lying in the range of eggshell. Because of this, I am continually trying to add color to my home decor, and I'm always looking for new ways too keep myself organized (so as to keep my OCD impaired boyfriend off my case). I found that Pottery Barn Teen is a great source for fun, colorful, functional, and affordable home decor accessories.


top: Big Time Clock SALE $59.99; Digital Clock $35; Pretty Parlor Stool & Slipcover SALE $9.99- $60.00; all @ pbteen
bottom: Dottie Liners & Hideaway Baskets $12.00- $98; Hanging Storage
on Sale for $12.00- $95; Dottie & Summer Stripe Liners & Hideaway Baskets
on sale for $1.99- $2.99; all @ pbteen

I love PB Teen's vintage styling of the metal fans, the cordless phones, the full length mirror, and jewelry organizers. Their chairs are well made and. add a pop of color to any room. The magnetic photo frames will help polish the photos currently being displayed on the front of my refrigerator, and the prep in me loves anything monogrammed!


top: Supercool Fan $79; Grand Cordless Phone $99; Swivel Desk Chair & Cushion on sale for $25.00- $229; Solid Carry-On Suitcase on sale for $79; all @ pbteen

middle: Reese Chair$199.00- $300.00; Classic Monogram Sign $99; Dress Frame Jewelry Holder $59; Vintage Iron Jewelry Holder $59; all @ pbteen

bottom: Classic Makeup Small Sectional $69; Classic Makeup Large Sectional $79; Magnet Frames $29; Iron Scroll Full-Length Mirror $199; all @ pbteen

As she is released from the jail:


I'm not going to lie, watching that made me a little queasy...

As I was looking through my friend's photos this morning I noticed a photo of Ashley Judd wearing Anthropologie's smocked sur dress while attending her husband, Dario Franchetti's, Indy Car Race. The race took place in my hometown, so my friends were in attendance. They are always on hand to meet the celebrities that come through (Patrick Dempsey, Gene Simmons, Ashley Judd, Lance Armstrong, you know all the people who show up once I move out!) Anyway, I think Ashley Judd is adorable, so when I saw her wearing a dress that is currently hanging in my closet, I was obviously thrilled.

Here is a video of Ashley Judd celebrating her husband's win

Smocked Sur Dress by Fei (also available in Black & White(in store only)) $88 @ Anthropologie

I stocked up on summer essentials at the J Crew Summer sale this past week. I piled Swimwear, Sandals, Headbands, Tanks, and Shorts into my arms. In fact, I loved the cotton twill track shorts so much, I went back and bought them in two more colors! Besides being adorable and surprisingly flattering, the short have pockets which makes them a perfect candidate for my dog-walking uniform! The sale is definitely worth checking out if you need fun summer basics on the cheap!


Regatta-stripe favorite tank $9.99; Cotton twill track short $19.99 (purchase the shorts in store & receive an extra 25% off); Graphic-dot bandeau $29.99 & Graphic-dot bikini $29.99;

If you purchase these online before 6/27/07 you will receive an extra 20% off, but the items are FINAL sale. Sale items are organized by size...check it out here

Scout is a Los Angeles based designer & vintage boutique that has an eclectic yet stylish stock. Scout L.A. offers hot items like the celebrity favored Ksubi sunglasses alongside jewelry & clothing from up & coming labels. Scout L.A. is one of the many reasons I aspire to be bicoastal one day! If you're not in the L.A. area, be sure to check out their online shop for some unique & fun summer finds:



C.neeon navy graphic print parachute dress $548; Scout Bee Print Silk Dress $258; Onward Through The Fog Feather Cuff $278; all @ Scout LA




Jeremy Scott Phone Print Tshirt Dress $328; Ksubi Striped Milka Sunglass $218; all @ Scout LA

Beklina is a California based, three women family, operation that focuses on selecting well-designed eco-friendly fashions. Besides offering stylish green merchandise, Beklina, also offers free shipping on all purchases shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.


top: Sonora Dress by Jenny Hwa, the designer of Loyale clothing, $148; Mociun Tie Dress $260; Mociun Sack Dress $260; French Terry Blazer by Stewart + Brown, $189; all @ beklina

bottom: Eyelet Tank Dress by Stewart Brown $185; Warbler bag $330 by Ashley Watson (made from recycled leather); Stewart Brown Smock Dress (back & front) $210; Party Dress $310 by Smart Fitzjerrell; Net Knit Cardigan $180 by Stewart Brown; Kavala Necklace $130 by Malin Nyman Smallcombe (The jewelry is designed using a combination of natural materials including, linen, silk, jute and hemp, and are adorned with semi precious stones, natural wood and beads and glass.); all @ beklina

More good things from Beklina:


top: Fig Dove Dress on sale for $34; Terry Dress by Fig on sale for $32; @ beklina
bottom: Jill Bliss Paper Cozy $28; @ beklina

Every once in a while I like to share some of my thrift store finds. I adore vintage. Sometimes my impatience doesn't serve me well, but occasionally the time I spend in a store will pay off big time. I can see now why thrifting can easily become addictive. Finding sweet little finds that cost less than a drink on the Starbucks menu and a vintage Dior change purse in EXCELLENT condition, gives you the highest of highs.


A vintage dior change purse purchased on the lower east side, and my thrift shop loot costing a total of five dollars!


vintage wooden bangle, an old photograph in excellent condition, that I couldn't pass up!


vintage valentines too sweet to say no to!!

Last week was very interesting. I was productive, efficient, and I was actually enjoying myself...that is until Friday came around! On Friday, I was greeting with mess in my office...a tile had apparently collapsed onto my desk and water had poured out from above ruining all of my personal photographs and numerous other personal effects including a vintage book a close friend had given me a few months ago. I worked in a temporary office for the majority of the morning until our building maintenance remedied the situation. I guess I work in the ghetto of midtown--don't be fooled by the marble & mahogany! Luckily, I wasn't at work when the disaster occurred. I would have FREAKED out if that had come down on my head!!! One side of my office is still completely bare and it still doesn't feel right, but I can't say I'm comfortable with placing anything under that particular ceiling tile quite yet, but can you blame me??!!! This is an office I have occupied uneventfully for 2 years, so I can only hope that this was a freak occurrence and I'm not in danger of being knocked out & drenched by falling ceiling tiles & water. I am thinking I might need a pay raise, or at the very least a bigger office with better view, don't you? Anyway, please forgive me for being MIA on Friday.

I have two Anya Hindmarch "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" totes in my possession and it is only 10:40am on June 20th, the date of the U.S. launch! Sometimes it pays to be first, or in my case, second in line. The guy in front of me at Anya Hindmarch's 60th St. location could care less about the bag itself, and like a good solider, was simply purchasing the bags because his girlfriend (who currently does not live in NYC) instructed him to do so. I told him he should be boyfriend of the year! My boyfriend, on the otherhand, was in bed fast asleep with our dog SOPHIE at 5:30 am when I arrived at Anya Hindmarch. I didn't get rained on thanks to a construction platform overhead, and thankfully I live close enough that I was able to literally roll out of bed and head for the subway. The guy behind me in line had actually arrived at the midtown location at four a.m., but received mis-information that the downtown location opened up at 9am, so he headed down there only to find out it opened at 11am. He, obviously, returned to the midtown location and reported to me that the lady in the number one spot on that line had driven all the way from Virginia with her two daughters just to buy the bag!!! And, I thought I was crazy!!!

To be honest, I'm not happy about not having my hair or makeup done all for a $15 bag, well 2 $15 bags, but I think it was worth it. I really love the bag. I think it is adorable. I tried to pre-order it, I tried to get a friend to get one of the UK bags for me, but I had no luck. I envy the people who were able to have their bags shipped to them! I was not one of the lucky mailing list people who were given a chance to order the bag online, instead I received an email (pictured below) offering me 25% off their other merchandise:

Anya Hindmarch will be launching a limed edition version of the "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" tote in navy blue here in the U.S. tomorrow!

The bag will be available from all US Anya Hindmarch stores, Ron Herman and Fred Segal Flair for just $15. Due to overwhelming demand purchases will be limited to two bags per customer.

From 18th July the bag will be available at selected Whole Foods Market stores.

Please see below for information regarding the stores that will be carrying the coveted bags:

Anya Hindmarch Stores
They will not be accepting orders by telephone – purchases must be made in person.

ORNO is a line of modern jewelry created by architect Carla Smiley. ORNO is the Latin root of the word ornament--the definition of which is to adorn, decorate, honor, or distinguish. Each piece is cut from a single piece of wood, sanded by hand, and then finished with a coat of clear varnish intended to bring out the natural colors & textures of the wood. The line is largely influenced by the geometrical patterns found in ancient architecture.

{clockwise}: Eternal Loops Walnut Necklace $49; Horizon Circular Walnut Earrings $49; Mandala Walnut Earrings $53; Four Circle Mahogany Earrings $42; all @ orange button;

I'm not big into monograms, but I have a thing for Louis Vuitton's "That's Love" line. In fact, I am currently plotting ways to make room in my budget for the Louis Vuitton "That's Love" brooch AND scarf. As if to tempt me further, the line is now available online at eluxury.com.


top: Scarlett Johansson modeling Louis Vuitton's That's Love Canvas Tote, Louis Vuitton That's Love Brooch $300; Louis Vuitton That's Love Canvas Tote $1,720; @ eluxury

bottom: Louis Vuitton That's Love Telephone Accessory $170; Louis Vuitton Sweet Monogram Pastel Hoop Earrings $260; Louis Vuitton Love Scarf $195; @ eluxury

more love from louis:

{clockwise} Charms de Monogram Yellow Gold Heart Locket $1,300; Sweet Monogram Pastel Pendant $360; Charms de Monogram I Love U $2,250.00; Sweet Monogram Pastel Earrings Set of Three $230; all @ eluxury;

TIm & I headed to Brooklyn for the Renegade Craft Fair on Sunday and we were greeted with a sea of tents in the old McCarren Pool. There were so many handmade goodies to be found...it was a d.i.y paradise! It was a beautiful day--there was not a cloud in sky, but the sun was relentless. I made a point to stop in everyone's tent to ensure I didn't miss anything and that in itself saved my pale skin from a sunburn! The wind gusts did give a brief break from the heat, although, plenty of vendors were cursing the winds as they were struggling to keep their tents & goods from being blown away.



{image via fort cloudy}


I found myself wanting to buy so many of the things...Here are a few highlights of the Renegade craft fair:

I purchased the adorable Cupcake Peddler print at the Black Apple booth.

available for $13 via Emily's etsy shop

I was a big fan of Alyssa Ettinger's knitware pendants:

{img via stace joy}

Alyssa's knitware line is available online via Rare Device & her etsy shop:

espresso cups $50 available @ rare device

I was tempted to buy everything @ the Swallowfield booth. It was just so inviting. I do love the collage I bought a few weeks ago from her. I just recently found a home for it on my wall:



Purchase one of her beautiful original collages (or prints) online right here her etsy shop.



I wanted everything at the Foxy & Winston booth, but settled for some fantastic cards:


blue peacock 4 1/2" x 6 1/4" $5.00 each; jade woodland fawn 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" $4.50 each; both available online @ foxy & winston

mint bunny 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" $4.50 each; hot pink birds 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" $4.50 each; both available online @ foxy & winston


I loved absolutely everything at the Wren Handmade booth. The stuffed animals were brilliant!

{holly's giraffe photo via decor 8}

I was smitten with Oktak's frame bags...especially their change purses. The prints & colors of their fabrics were fabulous!!!

{photo via partfilipino}







Change purses are $22 each & are available online here at Oktak.com


The Small Object booth was pure fun. I loved the rubber stamp sets & the fill-in-the blank family tree print:

fill-in-the blank family tree $18 @ the small object

Little Woodland Pals Stamp Set $18; @ the small object


The Nesting Doll Stamp Set $24 @ the small object

Check back tomorrow soon for part 2!!!