Dior Addict Dior Kiss #578

So there was some tweeting recently about the Dior Addict lipstick worn by Kate Moss in a recent advertisement... #578 "Dior Kiss". I've been on a lipstick/gloss kick lately -- but in search of the perfect neutrals and peaches -- obviously completely neglecting the pink family.

I looked it up online and the Dior Addict line comes in the most beautiful range of pinks... from barely there to bubblegum to hot... so I went to Sephora this morning to check them out in person. For me, the perfect rosy pink came down to Dior Kiss #578 (described as "sheer dark pink") or Paris #762 (described as "hot pink shimmer"). Paris was a little sparklier and lighter it seemed. I came home with the slightly deeper hued Dior Kiss.

This lipstick absolutely feels like a lip balm on my lips. I love it. It is pigmented enough to show up like a regular lipstick, but just so moisturizing - with such a gorgeous sheen - that I don't feel like it needs a gloss over it. Perfect for Summer simplicity.

#578 color swatch from sephora.com

I tried to take some swatch pics on my arm, but they just didn't look right. Here I am wearing it (I think it looks a little brighter pink IRL than on my screen):

I'd love to hear of other good pinks. I'll try to post my fav neutrals & peaches soon.

xoxo

Memorial Day Sale Shopping

If you like to stay on top of the sales like I do, I'm sure your email inboxes have been inundated with offers for Memorial Day weekend. We all expect lots of good deals this weekend and I have already done a little sale shopping myself.

But. This morning my seven-year-old asked me to explain Memorial Day. She commented right away on the disconnect between popular discussions of day-off plans and shoptastic opportunities and the true meaning of the day.

On that note, I must mention the one corporate email I received today that despite not advertising any kind of markdowns or specials, made me want to shop there:

QFC/Kroger (grocery stores) had this to say:

Honor a Hero Today!

In 2010, The Kroger Family of Stores donated $400,000 to the USO. Please help us reach our $1 million goal for 2011! Create a message for a special soldier, make a donation or simply find out how you can help in your own neighborhood.

Their website is www.honoringourheroes.com.

So... the sale shopping I mentioned above was at Ann Taylor Loft. Currently they've got an extra 50% off of sale merchandise so I picked up a striped cardi and a belted linen jacket this morning.

Loft Chunky Knit Metallic Stripe Cardigan, ON tee, F21 necklace, nine-year-old's shoes in the background

I also found some fun earrings at Forever 21. No big sales going on there but I don't see how you could go much lower on the pricing. These were $2.80:

I hope everyone enjoys a lovely weekend. I sat down about an hour ago and watched the last Oprah episode. I'm glad I didn't put on mascara this morning. I haven't seen many of her shows over the past few years but I must say she is just so. incredibly. inspiring. I love her advice about being responsible for the energy you put out into the world, understanding that everyone just wants to matter, and listening, listening, listening.

xoxo

OOTN 5.21.11 {BR, TB, and F21}

This past weekend my husband and I went out for a fantastic dinner and I got a chance to wear some heels. Well, wedges actually, but they measure 4 1/2 inches with the platform so they aren't something I wear day to day (that ballet-flat-comfort-zone of mine, you know.)

Banana Republic Gemma Wrap Dress in Black, Tory Burch Contrast Wedge Espadrilles in Khaki/Black

Forever 21 Cascading Earrings in Aqua

hard to see but my polish is OPI's Barefoot in Barcelona

Banana Republic is having another flash sale this evening - 5-8pm local time in-store and online - all women's styles (the email had an asterisk at this point so there may be some exclusions) 40% off. Code BRHAPPY.

xoxo

The Modalu Bristol/Pippa Medium Grab {Vlog Review}

I have received so many questions about this Modalu Bristol (now preordering as the Pippa) that I thought I'd do a quick little vlog/video about it.

I know a lot of people are very interested but might be hesitant to order it from the UK sight-unseen. If you are trying to decide, I hope this will help in figuring out if this bag is for you!

xoxo

(ps - I am not in any way affiliated with Modalu London)

The Banana Republic Gemma Dress {Renoir Blue}

You can see on the Banana Republic website that this dress has received mixed reviews. Personally, I like it very much. So much actually, that after ordering and receiving my black Gemma (during one of those fantastic 40% off 3 hour flash sales), I promptly ordered it in this bright blue. It looks rather "hydrangea" on the website to me but I'd call it more of a "cobalt" IRL. When my seven-year-old saw me in it yesterday morning she said "Wow, Mom - you're really blue today! You're not usually so blue!" (Blue is her favorite color so I will take that as a compliment.)

The fabric is smooth and a little unforgiving, so you do have to be careful with the undergarments... but it is a lovely weight and I like the feel. It is a true wrap style, so yes, the skirt could fly open in the wind -- so that is one thing to keep in mind. I didn't have a problem though and felt very comfortable in it.

It's been beautifully sunny here lately but the temps are still hovering a tad below 60, so I added a cardigan. I was also doing a bit of walking, so stayed within my ballet-flat-comfort-zone.

Banana Republic Gemma Dress in Renoir Blue (size small), Loft cardi in white, Tory Burch Tumbled Leather Revas in Royal Tan, Modalu London Medium Bristol Grab in Shark (now pre-ordering as "The Pippa"), Michele watch, DY bracelets

Happy Friday!

xoxo

OOTD 5.13.11 {J Crew Tie Front Cardi + F21 Vintage Floral Necklace}

This F21 necklace has little enamel (plastic?) dots in a pretty lavender which I really like against the olive/fatigue cardi.

J Crew Cotton Tie Front Cardigan in Vintage Fatigue, Old Navy Jersey Stretch Tank (these are my current fav tanks and code ONSECRET30 gets you 30% off at Old Navy through 5/18, making them $7.), F21 necklace, True Religion denim

My pics didn't come out great but this is a wonderful cardigan... you can cinch the belt and it features pockets in a woven fabric. The knit is very soft. J Crew's online pic looks very "IRL" to me and the color is closer to my close-up pic with the flash below:

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

The Bristol Medium Grab in Shark {Modalu Review}

My bag arrived from the UK in beautiful condition.

The Shark Bristol I ordered from Modalu London arrived today and I am delighted!

This is the bag Pippa Middleton was seen carrying as she left her hotel after the Royal Wedding. It was sold out at the time, then came briefly back in stock (when I ordered mine), and is now out of stock again but pre-ordering for late August arrival (and has been re-named The Pippa). You can pre-order here. My cost to ship to the US was 15 pounds (about $25 USD).

I can see why this bag was so popular even before this latest celebrity sighting. The handles are rounded and comfortable in the hand, a detachable shoulder strap is included, and there are three separate zippered compartments (the center one is smaller). The outer zipper compartment at the front of the bag has an interior zippered pocket on one side and two pockets to slip in a cellphone and camera/lipstick/reciepts etc. There are also two zippered compartments on the exterior front and a larger zippered compartment on the exterior back. Talk about organization. I am going to love using this bag.

The interior is lined in a woven fabric with a shell print... there are also goldtone shells on five of the zipper pulls. Nice detail. The hardware is goldtone and I really like the contrast of the black fabric of the zippers against the soft gray. It also arrived with a lovely lavender fabric storage bag and a care card.

Here are some pics:

tiny goldtone shells on the zipper pulls

from the side

the back

the bottom

the compartment with interior pockets - there are two more pocket-less compartments

close-up of the lining

the dustbag

xoxo

The Tory Burch Japan Relief T-Shirt

My pre-ordered tee arrived this past week so I wore it recently. This is the t-shirt that TB created to help raise money for the Red Cross earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.

The website shows them as available in all sizes still - $29. and free shipping - with 100% of the net proceeds through September 15th being donated.

TB tee, Gap jacket, Paige denim, Tory Burch Revas

xoxo

OOTD 5.9.11 {featuring F21's lace overlay top}

J Crew Factory Jacket (few years ago), F21 Tonal Lace Overlay Top, True Religion jeans, Tory Burch Revas in black w/gold

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Weekend Outfits

Saturday, for a museum visit and early dinner out with the family:

J Crew Mariner Confetti Stripe Sweater in Navy Salt, Loft Marisa Lean Boyfriend Chino Pants (year or two ago), Tory Burch River Fisherman Sandal in Royal Tan

Okay, I changed into brown suede ballerina flats before we went out. But I just love these Tory Burch platform sandals. They will see the light of day soon:

Of course it was a little chilly, so I added a Gap denim jacket from a few years ago:

Sunday, for church and Mother's Day lunch out:

J Crew Lace and Tulle Cami, J Crew Cafe Capri ( year or two ago), J Crew Cate Patent High Heel Slingbacks in Soft Seashell (couple years ago)

Again, chilly, so I wore a black Loft cardi for part of the day. I also have on my favorite new daytime lip color combo...

Nars Dolce Vita, where have you been all my life? I have a little Chelsea Girls gloss dabbed over it. I'll try to post better pics soon.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Happy Mother's Day!

How could it not be a wonderful day, waking up to a breakfast spot that looked like this:

My girls made these huge tissue paper flowers and they were hanging over my seat. I want to learn how to make them!

Signs from the bedroom led me down to my breakfast, complete with a custom placecard.

My three have blessed me beyond. I just don't have words. Gigi at Gigi's Gone Shopping has a beautiful posting today on mothering - whether you have children or not. It is a lovely read.

I wish everyone a wonderful day.

xoxo

Merino Confetti Stripe Sweater {J Crew Review}

I have to admit I was was slightly starstruck when I first spied the Merino Confetti Stripe Sweater. A mariner's stripe (my favorite) heavily sprinkled with sparkle? Yes. The basic style I love re-made totally glam, and quite different from anything in my closet. I nearly ordered it full price without even seeing it in a store.

I'm glad I waited because the price was reduced quite a bit and it was still available in my size. (The site still shows it as available in all sizes XXS to XL in both navy salt and graphite salt.) Mine (navy salt) arrived a couple days ago and I am delighted! The sweater is a lightweight merino and this is my usual size S. Being mindful of all those sequins, it isn't easy to throw on and off, but re-sewing a sequin doesn't require too much skill and they included a little bag with a few extras just in case. It's difficult to notice at first, but there is a button at each shoulder.

the back

And here are a couple ideas I've had for wearing:

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!!

xoxo