Friday, July 31, 2009

A Little New Lilly to Love {Mini Edition}


A stuffed little box from Saks on my front porch this afternoon!  Some new cute Lilly for my girls:


Angie Harmon Jubilee Minnie close-up

Buzz Buzz

such cute little mini McKims! (My 7 yr old said "Oh!  I am SO keeping that box!")

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

RHOA: Yes, I watched it...


Just when I was thinking I really should have spent that hour last night with Sophie Kinsella, I remembered the recaps.  I think the recaps can be more interesting than the actual show - and it does help if you've watched the show!... here's a great one from Amanda Mull over at The Purse Blog.



Thursday, July 30, 2009

Laduree + Louboutin = Oh My Goodness Gracious!


I've just read over at the Preppy Princess that Christian Louboutin is teaming up with Laduree (I posted on my recent visit here) to create some beautiful boxes which will be available in the UK in September! I have the box pictured below sitting on my kitchen counter right now - although the macaroons are long gone - because, well, I just like looking at it! The Preppy Princess has a picture of the new designs... gorgeous!

xoxo

OOD 7.30.09 - Breezy Dandelions


I actually made a bit of an effort today!  Well... it really wasn't an effort.   I stepped into my closet looking for an easy, lightweight dress (have I mentioned it's hot here lately?!) and staring me right in the face was my new Lilly Pulitzer Brie Dress in "Dandelion Clouds of White": Happy, sunshiney, linen-y, with little holes in the detailing at the waist and neckline.  Perfect.  Even thought it is lined, it is loose and swingy & cut nicely to feel breezy and cool.  I got so many compliments on it today and was even asked if it was vintage!  I kind of want it in pink now too.

While transferring the pics to my computer, I came across a snap of the pink Target dress I blogged on a little while ago - wore it out to a casual weeknight dinner and loved it - so I've included that below.  Thank you to melissamolasses who let me know there is a cami in this same print online.  I haven't seen it in-store.



Old Navy silver flops - too hot for real shoes!


Target Merona Collection shift with ATL cardi in white and Steve Madden Seeri sandals in gold

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Dinner Party! {and my fav cookbook from my Junior League days}



I know I have not been keeping up with shopping and outfit posts very well lately... truthfully it's been such hot, busy summer that I am just throwing on the thinnest, lightest little dress or some-such that I can - and wearing flip-flops, with a ponytail - so nothing interesting enough to even get a quick snap... plus the weather is making me a little crabby, I will admit. Once we cool off a bit I will be back to thinking about clothes & shoes & accessories & jewelry...

On a fun note though, we had a little dinner party last week with some friends and I made two of my favorite recipes from my all-time-favorite-cookbook (and I love to buy cookbooks) St. Louis Days St. Louis Nights.

But back to the cookbook: truly, just some of the best recipes: Southern Prize Shrimp Dip, Honey-Almond Brie, Apricot Chicken Divine, Carrot and Zucchini Casserole...

For this dinner, I made JLSL's Crostini with Roasted Red Pepper Spread and Peppery Shrimp. Super easy and delish... my interpretation here of the recipe for the shrimp isn't so exact but it doesn't need to be - variations have all turned out fabulous for me:

Crostini with Roasted Red Pepper Spread

14-15 oz jar roasted red peppers - drain and arrange on paper towel to dry. While they're drying, combine 2 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp capers and a smashed and peeled garlic clove in a food processor bowl and process very fine...

add in the peppers and coarsly chop with on/off pulses... you can store this mixture in the fridge up to five days!


now make your crostini - cut a baguette into about 1/4 inch slices (mine tend to turn out thicker - I have a hard time with this... but it really is good to have them thin so they get nice and crispy)... brush with olive oil and bake about 10 minutes...

take out of the oven and spoon on some pepper mixture, then top each piece with a fresh basil leaf...

and, voila:


Now, the Peppery Shrimp:

5 lbs of unpeeled shrimp (I used 3 lbs), a pound of butter, 16 oz to a bottle of Italian dressing, some pepper (recipe calls for 2 oz - but I usually use less), and lemon juice (recipe says from 4 lemons - I just squeeze in from the little yellow bottle until it seems about right) It is also a nice touch to add sliced lemons on top

yes, this is a lot of butter but it is worth it - just don't make it every week - melt it in a saucepan and then add the remaining ingredients and pour over the shrimp in a big roasting pan

Bake at 350 for 30 to 45 minutes and you're done! Serve with French bread to soak up all the yummy sauce and a big green salad.

Happy Wednesday night!
xoxo

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Madmen Yourself!


I just tried it out... design yourself right into a scene from Madmen at AMC's site here!  


Splash of Pink {Sale!}


Bel Air Dress in Daiquiri Pink Coronado Crab - was $278., on sale for $159.

I just got an email this morning that Splash of Pink has started their big sale on Spring and Summer Lilly today! The site is moving a little slowly but there are tons of marked down pieces - over 300 - and I managed to find a dress to match one I ordered for my girls from SFA! If you are in the mood for some Lilly, check them out and Happy Shopping!


Monday, July 27, 2009

OPI Strawberry Margarita {and a coral question}


I am seriously loving this color right now.  Just the perfect summery, preppy, Lilly-esque pink for an unusually hot, hot, hot week in the Pacific Northwest.  

Now, anyone have ideas on the perfect coral?  I need a good coral for Florida in August...


J Crew beachy pants from a couple seasons back and OPI strawberry margarita polish

Happy Monday!
xoxo

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Marc Jacobs look-a-likes at Target


No, these aren't exact replicas of last year's wildly popular (ie I had a difficult time finding it in the color I wanted) MBMJ Dr Q Lil Riz - but I must say the style is quite similar.  The Target version is larger than mine, doesn't appear to be leather, and no purple.


pic from Target today

my Marc by Marc Jacobs hobo

Saturday Shopping Report


First off - this great little giraffe print dress at Target.  It's a very nice gauzy cotton/silk blend and is lined.  Great deal at $36.99 - I love the neckline.  Seriously one of those 'you'd never guess it's from Target' pieces.  I don't see it online yet.  It looks longer in this pic than it actually is - it's a shift/at or above-the-knee style.


Merona Collection Dress Giraffe Print/241218  - shell 72% cotton 28% silk

After such a great find at Target, I decided to head down to J Crew... serious disappointment!  Those beautiful new arrivals I can't wait to see aren't in yet (I received my catalog yesterday and am putting together my list but I need to see these colors in person!) and the sale section was tiny!  I came away with one little beach cover-up - a great deal at $11.99 after the extra 20 off - but that was it.  It appears another trip to the Crew is in order for later in the month. Now, at crewcuts... I found tons.  They even have some Fall sweaters and corduroy in.  Cute, cute, cute stuff.  I'm not ready for back-to-school shopping yet but when I am this will be one of our stops!


lightweight gauze ruffle cover-up dress in color 'SPA' - regularly $69.50, marked down to $14.99 less addt'l 20% off in-store

Friday, July 24, 2009

Super Sale at Saks! {lots of Lilly on the way!}


Saks Fifth Avenue is currently running a four day designer sale with an extra 25% off already reduced prices... I just ordered four Lilly Pulitzer dresses and two pairs of Lilly shoes for my little girls for around just $200.00!  And - a free ship code is on their home page.  I had just ordered a dress for myself last week but it is now sold out so I don't feel bad about missing out on the extra 25 - it was still a fabulous bargain!

Reviews and cute Lilly pics to come next week after delivery days!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Julie/Julia Giveaway!


Hop on over to Life of A Busy Wife for a fabulous giveaway - a copy of Julie Powell's book Julie/Julia... I know I can't wait to see the movie and read the book! :)

J Crew New Arrivals!


I'm apparently seeing doubles here... I love the Frances cami, Maya cardi and Eden blazer and at least two of the lovely hues for each of these! Looks like a trip to the store is in order to see the colors in person.

Here are my initial picks for the latest rollout... if anyone has or has seen these colors or styles in person (or just has an impression from what you've seen on the website) I'd love to hear!





Tuesday, July 21, 2009

oh, and I bought some shoes



OK - I think I am just about back to reality and done with the Paris posts. (I may have one more coming on Denmark - we actually spent most of our time there.)  So just one more mention of Parisian shopping:  I bought a couple pairs of shoes at a little shop off on a side street somewhere that I can't recall.  

They aren't super fancy French designer (though, I must say that bringing the Hubs and me glasses of champagne in your shoe department was extremely clever, Louis Vuitton, and I was very close to buckling on some LV flats) but they are nicely made, comfortable, and I am enjoying wearing them.  The brand is La Scarpa Paris and it came out to just under $140 for both pairs.  I have searched all over the internet and cannot find a way to shop for these stateside.  But - the brown suede ballet flats are very similar to the J Crew ones I've seen on Summer's and Petunia's blogs!  I wish I had bought them in another color too so I'll have to keep an eye on J Crew's ballet flats for Fall (like I wasn't going to anyway).




Sidewalk Scenes {Paris}


I know I am jumping back and forth but I still have a couple posts on the Europe trip to share! Here I just have some random shots from walking through Paris. I love the cute storefronts and charming cafes and snapped lots of pics while we were out and about.

Sale signs were plastered everywhere too - which was very exciting. Balenciaga happened to have just a very teensy tiny little sign at the bottom of a window but when we went in there was an entire wall 50% off. No such luck at Chanel, Dior, LV... of course!









and this one is from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

Back to Target {and OOD 7.17.09}


Anyone who knows me (or has read this blog once or twice) knows that I love Target shopping trips. Well, I hadn't been for awhile with the overseas trip, but am now back in the swing of things.

I had to run in a little earlier than planned when I saw this post over at My Blonde Reality. Scanning through the lovely Lilly dresses, I noticed the mention of Target and had to do a double take. Yes, the lovely little shift pictured below is Merona and it is only $36.99. Luckily, I was there within hours and there was one in my size just waiting for me. They call it a Pleated Dress online - but the only pleats are the ones across the chest. It is a classic shift style. I also picked up a cute little $14.99 top pictured below.





I haven't done an OOD for awhile either, so I've added a couple snaps from last Friday.


Anthropologie tunic, Old Navy white denim, JS Jeanna sandals not pictured

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo