Pucker Up

I'm here to say that I am addicted to lip balm.  I probably have 4-5 different kinds in my purse at any given time.  Could be a tried and true "Chapstick"...or the moisture plus by Carmex (very nice in the winter and gives that great tingly Carmex feeling)...perhaps a lip gloss (love me some Sugar Shag by Fresh)...or most recently my favorite of all time...Burt's Bees Tinted lip balm in Rose!

I am here to say, the packaging sold me.  Very cute tubular container and inside: the sophisticated dark lip balm in a sheer, semi-glossy, lovely "just been kissed" rose.  It's perfect for the collection.

The Change Over

If the weather where you are is anything like Boston, it's changing EVERY day.  My AC and heat have been alternating for weeks (pulling out the rain coat today)- which does a doozy on the electric and gas bills.  Not to mention the allergies!  But with the weather changing, that also means it's time for the closet change over!

I am lucky enough to have two closets in my home, one for current wear and one to store for the off-season.  I started last weekend with the seasonal change over from winter to spring/summer- which also means the process of purging, cleaning, and evaluating what needs to be replaced.  Here's what I noted:

1. White t-shirts.  Remember, buy cheap b/c they will get tossed every year.  Two words: pit stains.
2. Pants and shorts are overrated.  I am self-admittedly a skirt/dress girl.  I hate to wear pants, jeans, shorts...must be those hips I was blessed with.  So, I literally keep 2 pairs of capris and 2 pairs of shorts.  That's it- I know what I like.
3. Shoes/Sandals: toss the ones that give me blisters.  Honestly, who has time in their life for those silly pains when there are better ways to treat your feet?!
4. DRY CLEAN WOOLS AND CASHMERE.  I made the BIG mistake of storing sweaters (and ones I had barely ever worn) without cleaning them first.  Those damn moths had a feast.  And I ended up paying more $$ to repair the sweaters than I should have.  Argh.  This year, I learned my lesson.
5. Donate to Goodwill and get a receipt.  Honestly, I am amazed how much I could write off in my taxes from donations.  I happen to be a big fan of the whole "donate and buy new" process...it helps justify my shopping habits :)

So do yourself a favor: bring those warm weather favorites back into rotation.  Store away the layers, and get ready for a little sunshine!  I'm clearly ready for my summer off...

Dreaming of a White Wonderland

I have coveted the all white bed for years.  Something fresh and cool, crisp and rejuvenating about it.  My friend, K has kept an all white (and cream) bed for as long as I can remember.  When I went to visit her a few months ago, I was reminded of my interest in making the all white bed a reality!

This bedding from Pottery Barn began the inspiration for the challenge...The Hadley Ruched Duvet

But yikes...$160 for a duvet cover (not including the $40 shams)..and then there's the great embroidered pillow to add texture and interest for $50...

So, I had a decision to make: find the same look for less $$.  Enter Simply Shabby Chic from Target!  I mean this looks REALLY similar for 1/2 the price!  It looks amazing in person.

And then this great euro size pillow for texture and softness...

And THEN this adorable yo-yo pillow to add to the mix...

But wait- why spend an extra $25 when your mom can make the same design with a cuter accent (yes, those are white sequin in the middle- LOVE it!)

The finished product ROCKS!

Flashback

My how things come full circle.

When I was a kiddo in the 80s, the Banana Republic I knew was all about safari wear, casual cottons, lots of khaki and army green, and every opportunity to play on the word "republic"...flash forward to 2012, and BR, Gap's "high end" line, is going halfway back to its roots with their safari style line.

I must say, the line isn't overly impressive, but I can appreciate how they are trying to partner Banana's contemporary image of business wear alongside fabrics, patterns and designs that mimic a tribal, safari-like world.

The traditional shirt dress

Tribal shirt

I like how they throw a splash of orange in the mix though...definitely shakes up the sometimes drabness of khaki :)


Welcome back, BR- I think I may have had that leopard shirt...