Rock the Casbah

Hello all! Hop on over to my guest post at La Mia Vita! Nicole is bathing away in Hawaii and has delegated the responsibility of keeping her pretty blog afloat to Vivian, Erika, Holly, Dionne, and myself. It's all about wonderful, warm, exotic, delicious vacations. Mine? Morocco!

xx

Apartment Inspiration

After a visit to a possible apartment rental, a 450 sq. ft. railroad flat, I decided to put my feelers out for small space inspiration. I'm excited to be creative with any space and use its charm (exposed brick, industrial lighting, built-in shelving, etc.)! Hammock is a must no matter where I end up!

[apartment therapy]

Bon Vivant!

"I ate a deep fried White Castle cheeseburger."--Gabby

As a purebred Jersey girl, White Castle and I have come to know each other very well...which is why I can't believe I didn't think of this first! Great find, G. Now, for the tricky part, finding some of my own...

P.S. I don't want to be responsible for any heart attacks. Be careful eating these things if you ever encounter them.

photo via tiwyf

Friday Femme

I need this hair-do right now.

Hope it makes your Friday as happy as mine :)

via Elenita! She's adorable.

Under Wonder

I couldn't resist doing a post on dainty, pretty things after I spotted a vintage undies book (above) on Amazon. Isn't it wonderful that lace and frills can make a girl feel so great? If a legend like Coco Chanel loves it, I love it: "I consider lace to be one of the prettiest imitations ever made of the fantasy of nature; lace always evokes for me those incomparable designs which the branches and leaves of trees embroider across the sky, and I do not think that any invention of the human spirit could have a more graceful or precise origin." Don't you totally agree?

1. Vintage Lace Bed Jacket, $60.00
2. Dainty Undies Book, from $12.50
3. Blue Belle Bralette, $44.00
4. Sweet Lace Knit Romper, $14.80
5. Calypso St. Barth Boy Thong, $45.00
6. Premium Lace Crop Top, $24.00

xo!

Day and night

Dark with a punch of neon: fierce from head to toe.

v.

Upbeat with lace peep-through: gamine to the max.

Which is your fav? Btw, how was the weekend? :)

photo via the sartorialist, of course.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Not trying to impose any political views on you, but for kicks, here's what Sarah Palin's resignation speech would look like after a spin through Vanity Fair's research and copy departments...

All I'm saying is that I hope she didn't actually pay someone to write this for her.

(via oh? + milk)

11 Things That Make My Heart Tick

It's not even August and I'm already thinking F-A-L-L! I can't help but look forward to the array of treats that await us this season: furs, leathers, animal motifs, rocker studs, velvets (!!), and the list goes on and on! Just a tiny fall edit (a preview, if you will) of things that are currently making my heart tick--

1. Pamela Love Silver Eagle's Claw Bracelet, 880.00E
2. Marc Jacobs Heart Compact, $5.00
3. Top Shop Acid Wash Bubble Sweat Top, $55.00
4. A.P.C. Ankle Socks, $23.10
5. Masaki Matsushima Rollerball, $16.00
6. Miu Miu Velvet Banana Flats, $250.00
7. Still Life Carver Hat, $300.00
8. Christopher Kane Gorilla Jersey T-Shirt, $310.00
9. Hammered Design Oval Ring, $450.00
10. Essie Matte About You, $10.00
11. Faux Fur Rachel Vest, $60.00

Is it just me or are you excited about fall too? I'm, for sure, still excited about bikinis, sun tans, and margaritas though.

xo!

summer fun {according to sara}

Sometimes you encounter people that totally blow your mind--in a really fun, day-making kind of way. Random thoughts and laughs are the norm. Sara of Sara Says Awesome is a real-life (blog-life?) instance. If you know of her, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, get to know her ASAP! See her indulgences below.

1. the smell of bug spray
2. frizzy hair from a day at the beach
3. watching the love of your life put sunscreen on
4. padded bikini tops
5. fat people in speedos

xo!

photo as per sara :)

summer fun {according to deb}

When Deb of Oh? introduced her list, I went bananas. Dance parties? Love. But, the real deal-maker was the New York Philharmonic concert in Central Park. I've never been and, unfortunately, missed Tuesday's event. Luckily, tomorrow is another! I will be really ashamed of myself if I can't make it over there. For smiles, continue reading:

1. Wine and the NY Philharmonic in Central Park
2. Rooftop picnics
3. Sundresses and sandals allll the time
4. Frozfruit popsicles allll the time
5. Summer dance party mixes (Phoenix, Jay-Z, New Order, etc.)

xo!

photo via oh?

summer fun {according to ambika}

Ambika of (Into) the Fray knows how to capture the hearts of handmade lovers with her own designs and blog finds. And even with her pretty Etsy shop in full motion, she's working on a giant to-do list! I'll have to borrow some of her points: visit Cuba, see the Northern Lights, and take a photography class. In the same spirit, her always inspired list of summer indulgences:

1) Having the sun roof open on long drives to the coast.
2) Drinking tea on the deck in my pajamas right after I've gotten up.
3) Patches of sunlight and watching the cats sprawl across the floor like living sundials.
4) Farmer's markets!
5) The smell of charcoal and barbecue as you walk around outside.

xo!

photo via ambika

summer fun {according to courtney}

Courtney's list makes me smile uncontrollably! Reporting from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the In(side) the Loop adventuress shares a handful of adorable summer indulgences:

1. Road trips with the windows down, even if it means a bug or two. I'm from the South and sometime or another you just have to give into the bugs!
2. Throwing something on the pit and having dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.
3. Getting to use my bright and happy yellow outdoor umbrella to shade me from the sun while I'm reading on a lounger.
4. No socks needed for at least 3 months out of the year.
5. Lillet, Firefly Vodka, St. Germain and Iced Tea...my favorite drinks to cool me off, but just not all at once!

P.S. Happy Tuesday! xx

summer fun {according to kristen sara}

two weeks ago, i asked you all to name your 5 favorite summer indulgences...

and some are just too, too inspiring to let go to waste!

without further ado, i introduce kristen sara of while we're waiting:

1. Wearing LOTS of sunscreen because I love the smell

2. Eating Brats (I'm from Wisconsin)

3. Margaritas - yummy

4. Spending time at my parents' house up north, jetskiing, hanging out on the pontoon boat

5. Wearing flip flops - with everything!

photo via flickr

Hello, Friday

Finally over my sinus infection (woof!) and ready to roll for the weekend! Shore, friends, sun--you know, the usual. Glad you all stuck around for my giveaway...the lucky winner, nicole marie, will look so adorable in her new pair of jeans! Here's my weekly round-up:

Hair pins that ooze with glee.

The perfect summer dessert: key lime pie and s'mores!

Black and white bliss.

Someone help her find these shoes! style circa 1990.

Goat animal portraits make my heart jump.

My favorite street style look: leather and coolness.

Real men don't dance.

For the knitters: a yummy net tote bag! (thanks, jj!)

And just for kicks...monica spotted some gossip girl action! yay!

xo!

photo via birdy+me

Runner's World

THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS!

Looks like a blast, minus the causalities.

Beer in your face? Red scarves? Check and check.

photos via MSNBC

What's blue and white and torn all over? Nicole Marie's new Current Elliott denim!

I'm very happy to announce the winner of my Current/Elliott giveaway: Nicole Marie of la mia vita!  Her lucky number 28 was chosen by the very nifty random.org, but not to fret!  Keep your eyes peeled in the coming days because I will be featuring some of your very delicious and pretty summer indulgence lists on being red.  BIG, BIG thank you to chickdowntown.com for sponsoring this mind-blowing giveaway!  And, of course, thank you for playing along! xx

Ahoy!

as seen in Erin Wasson's apartment...

She rocks.

Back to the grind

happy (not-so-happy) back-to-work day!

i woke up with a sore throat on saturday and it's been downhill ever since.

some things:

1. giveaway, big flippin' DEAL! tell me your 5 fav summer indulgences + you can snatch yourself a dandy new pair of current elliot denim :)

2. 25% discount at 25Park! Enter "red25" at checkout. be sure to report back on your findings!

3. important: does anyone have a quick remedy to a cold/sinus infection/monstrous mosquito bites? fill me in ASAP. weekend kicked me in the ass...

xo!

photo 1, 2 (sereneres flickr)

G is for GIVEAWAY! Psst...it's Current/Elliott!

In honor of America's birthday, I'd like to give something back to one of my always-awesome readers! One of you will be rocking out the summer in style with a sizzlin' new pair of Current Elliott denim (The Skinny in Cloud Wash Destroyed) courtesy of the very generous crew at chickdowntown.com!

To enter, all you have to do is tell me your five (5) favorite summertime indulgences, be as specific or general as you'd like. To kick things off, here are my picks:

1. ice-cold sparkling pink lemonade

2. stevie wonder + bruce springsteen on the drive to the shore

3. baseball game hot dogs and pretzels with spicy mustard

4. a good manicure finished off with hot pink nail polish

5. "jorts" and very, very ripped jeans (how appropriate)!

That's it! **Remember, for shipping reasons, I can only accept entries with mailing addresses within the U.S. and please be sure your email is available in case you are the lucky winner!

P.S. Check out chickdowntown.com for more celeb-featured items like the Tolani scarves as worn by Lauren Conrad or this giveaway feature as flaunted by my very, very favorite Rihanna. Want more brownie points? Be a gem and check them out on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute shopping and trend scoop.

EDIT: Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, JULY 8, 2009! Best of luck!

Obsessed much? DANNIJO Lucia Mar Rings

I'm not sure if you can tell my recent obsession with rough stone, but these take the cake. DANNIJO's Lucia Mar Rings from their Lost at Sea collection are just drool-worthy.

Market: 25Park

With only two more days until work is officially out for Fourth of July, daydreams about char-filled barbecues, lazy beach afternoons, and carefree nights on the town have been an unavoidable distraction. With a little help from my friends at 25Park, I'm getting some fantastic inspiration for a long weekend down the shore. At least I can start packing!

On the Frontier:
Megan Park Patchwork Silk Tunic, $495.00
Antik Batik Squaw Handbag, $485.00
Megan Park Multi Strip Khadi Wrap, $138.00
Lolita Jaca Crystalia Dress, $528.00

Heavy Metallics:
Giuseppe Zanotti Metallic Ballet Flat, $495.00
Loeffler Randall Full Skirt, $198.00
Behnaz Sarafpour Sequin Tank, $1,231.75
Gryphon Sequin Tunic, $595.00
Olivia Morris Fran Pump, $396.50
CJ Free Beaded Ring, $745.00

Tenacious Teal:
Ishii Basket Weave Dress, $415.00
Calypso Dale Shirt, $125.00
AKA New York Malibu Romper, $188.00
Giuseppe Zanotti Suede Gladiator, $695.00

xo!