My current obsessions...

Just a few things lately that seem to be striking my fancy, and I thought I would share them with you...

I know it's silly, but I am totally addicted to these insulated cups! I take these cups wherever I go. They will keep your drink cold for hours, they are easy to sip (you won't ruin your lipstick) and they fit nicely in your car drink holder. I just saw some really cute patterns at Pier1 for $8.95

OK, so I bought these for our son as a snack but now I can't seem to keep my hand out of the bag! The cupcake flavor is insanely good and they can cure your sweet tooth without having to indulge in a candy bar or cookie.

I have been living in long cardigans this fall. For our weather in Kansas City, cardigans are a must. We could be 35 in the morning and end up in the 60's by the afternoon. I throw these over a long sleeve tee and I just shed the cardi if I get hot. This one from the Gap would be so cute this winter. $89.95 online only.

I am a bit pillow obsessed right now (as if you couldn't tell from yesterday's post). We just painted our family room the prettiest shade of light blue (Crystal Blue) by Benjamin Moore and now the whole room needs to be re-done.

 I had 8 pillows on my couch that now need new pillow covers. It's going to be a project to find the perfect colors and patterns, but I am up for the Challenge. I was in love with this one by Iviemade on etsy, but now she is sold out! It would have been perfect! Alas, the fabric is no longer available...I am SO bummed. If anyone has seen this elsewhere, please let me know!

Fashion and Feds

Mid September means 2 things; U.S. Open Tennis and Fashion Week. I am pretty much obsessed with both.  Spring Fashion is always a favorite of mine, and I love to see what will be looking forward to. And as far as Tennis goes,  my DVR is backed up just because that is all we have been watching! I love it though, it's such a fast paced game and one of the easiest sports to watch on T.V. It also doesn't hurt to have this to look at...

I mean, really, how cute is Roger Federer? He also scores major points for his humble and sweet demeanor. His wife is one LUCKY gal!

Apparently I am not the only one who has a crush on Roger...

Oh Yes, Ms.Wintour is a HUGE Federer fan! She has even been known to give him some fashion advice on and off the court. 

She is hard to miss in the stands with that iconic hair and those sunglasses...

And guess who is always seated next to Mrs.Federer?

Don't you love when fashion and sports collide? I certainly do!

Anna Wintour, Blake Lively and Roger Federer at Fashion Night Out: The Show, picture via HERE

The Perfect Design...

Some people talk about designing clothing, or a home or art. Not Tracy Anderson, she talks about designing your body. And I have to give it to the girl, she knows what she is doing. I believe this is my 3rd post about Tracy Anderson, and I know it's a little excessive, but I am SO impressed with her new design series videos, I just had to share...

A friend of mine ordered the 3 video set and offered to do a swap with me (I gave her my Mat DVD for 2 of the design series) She gave me Sequence 1 (beginners) and  Sequence 2 (intermediate) She said she didn't bother bringing the 3rd video, because it is just THAT HARD. I have to believe her, because after doing video #2, I am dying.

What I love about Sequence 2 is the extensive leg workout (my problem area) and the unique moves that she does not do in any of her other videos. She also does an amazing ab workout, using a chair that I can already tell is going to pay off. The standing ab routine is one step crazier than the one she does in her Mat DVD...you feel like you are doing the African Ant eater ritual from Can't buy me love...BUT, I have to trust that it works!

The one thing missing from this video is an arm workout, although I feel like you are using your arms throughout the entire leg portion. It's hard to explain without showing, but there are a lot of leg extensions holding the chair, which requires you to use your back, arms and shoulders.

I have to admit, I have not done Sequence #1, I decided since I have been doing her videos for a while, I would probably be ready for the intermediate video. #2 is certainly challenging, but not impossible. She has me hooked, yet again. And, just in time for swimsuit season...

You can purchase any of her DVD's HERE

There's an App for that...

I might be up on fashion, but technology not so much. I like to wait until the newest technology works out the kinks before I purchase. When it came to the iphone, I was kind of apprehensive. Would I like the touch screen? Is the size and shape annoying? But all I can say is that I am in complete bliss now that I own this phone. It is like my own tiny personal computer.

Besides having Facebook, Twitter, and my email all right in the palm of my hand, I also have downloaded some pretty sweet applications. The ones that have been used the most are the apps geared towards children. I know there is a lot of debate around this subject; should our kids be playing with our cell phones? Well, I can say that we don't do it all the time, it's just good in a pinch if we need a moment of quiet time. I also am really impressed with some of the learning tools that they have available.

I have a few favorites that I thought I would share with you all, in case you want to download them too.

The most entertaining (even for me!) and probably the cutest are the interactive songs by Duck Duck Moose. So far we have downloaded Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Wheels on the bus. Both have someone singing (which is a bit nauseating) but you and your child can touch the screen to interact with the song. Like making the wheels move, or opening and closing the door on the bus. My son loves making the spider go up and down the spout, and having the little girl in the video splash in the puddle. The images are darling, and definitely a crowd pleaser.

We also love connect the dots by Touch Screen preschool games.com. Using a sequence of letters or numbers (they switch it up) you have to connect the dots and then it shows the image, which also includes sounds! It's very cool, and I can tell my son likes to figure out what the image is going to be.

Learning numbers, colors, and sounds is really fun with this app by Preschool Adventure. It has great vibrant images, and sounds that will definitely keep your little one engaged.

My personal favorite are the flash cards by itots.  They have flash cards for everything from numbers to colors, animals, things, and alphabet. My son absolutely loves the "things" category, in which when you tap the card, they say the name of the item and he repeats after them. As simple as it sounds, it is a great way to expand their vocabulary. You can also change it so that the sounds are spoken in french, spanish or english. It's genius!

Who knew a phone could be so functional...and fun?!

Who will be #1?

Move over Olivia Palermo, Tinsley has a new reality show and it's GOOD. Is anyone else watching High Society? I totally got hooked, line and sinker with this one. I have always followed Tinsley Mortimer through fashion mags, but had never seen her interviewed or anything. I actually kind of like the girl. One thing for sure, the girl knows how to dress. I am kind of obsessed with her wardrobe. Also, she's kind of endearing.

 At least she shows some emotion, unlike Olivia (rival socialite) who always has a smug look on her face and is pretty much hated by everyone she seems to come in contact with. Tinsley and Olivia have been rival "socials" for a few years now, and there is apparently a socialite hierarchy that has them ranked #1 and #2...Tinsley taking the lead so far. If you want to read the juicy article about their feud, read HERE.

Tinsley Mortimer grew up in Virginia...maybe that's why she is so nice? I do feel bad for her, she's going through a very public divorce, which can't be easy. The show also includes her mom who is very upset about the whole thing. It's pretty funny, and if anything it makes for good drama.

image via tinsleysworld.com 

images via cityfile.com

If anyone else is watching, I would love to know your thoughts on the show. Her sister Dabney's friend Jules is almost too much, I am totally appalled by her ignorant and obnoxious behavior . She deserved to have a drink thrown at her (too bad it missed...)

Supermarket Sweep...

This post is not so fashionable, but I feel like I need to share some great supermarket finds that have changed my life. I know this sounds dramatic, but it's true! Best part, every item is under $15!

I have had migraines for years and none of my Dr.'s could figure out the cause. I got glasses, I got a mouth guard (they thought I was grinding my teeth at night), I drank more water, I even got a CAT scan this fall because they were so bad. Then someone recommended the Netti Pot. Let me tell you, since I have started using this in December I have not had one nasty migraine. I have headaches here and there, but nothing like they used to be. I SWEAR by this thing, and use it every day! $14.99 on Drugstore.com

Our little guy is starting to feed himself using a spoon and fork. I had all of this plastic cutlery that is probably more safe, but pretty much impossible to use. Then I found these. Julian now eats happily without getting too frustrated. The rubber easy grip handle is great, and the prongs are not too sharp, but just sharp enough. $3.99 HERE

I have a hard time spending a lot of money on mascara, because you go through it so quickly. I had been using classic Maybelline Great Lash for years, but decided to switch it up. I tried their Define A Lash and I am hooked. It does not clump at all, it really separates the lashes and it's easy to apply. It doesn't give you the big thick dramatic lashes, but great for everyday. $6.99 on Drugstore.com (buy one get one free!)

This isn't exactly at the supermarket, but Target is close enough to a supermarket, right? I honestly am in love with their Boyfriend Tee (now called pocket v tee). I have talked about it before, and I wanted to bring it up again because they are so great. $8, super soft, perfect v-neck, just long enough. LOVE.

Wrapped up, in love...

I have mentioned Lauren Alexandra, the beautiful baby store here in KC that I often frequent and work at occasionally. Well, this past fall they carried the MOST  unique scarves...I decided that I may want to treat myself to one after the holidays and was so bummed to see that they had sold out! I did a little research online and finally found them. First off they are beautiful, but I never knew the touching story behind the scarves. Grab a tissue... this is under their "inspiration" part of their site

So, with a wonderful talent of creating beautiful scarves, and the memory of her father as her inspiration, Donni Charm was born. They are spectacular...so unique, I just love them!

You can choose from the Donni Forever...a continuous Jersey scarf with a charm $85. Or the Donni Together for $85, which is a two cotton jersey scarf made of complementary colors. I really think they are both stunning...

 

My mother and I have always loved working on various fashion projects together. Earlier this year we decided to try our hands at scarves, it never occurred to us that the scarves we had created would grow into so much more.



I gave my best friend, Dana, the first scarf we had made. From the moment we both put them on, the compliments didn’t stop coming. I realized that we had really created something unique, and our fashion accoutrement had taken on a whol
Our goals are motivated by the true meaning behind donni charmscarves – remaining unique and sophisticated, but always with a dash of fun, as my father Donny lived every day of his l

H is for...those freaking AMAZING Hermes enamel bangles.

Yeah, I have been coveting one of these bad boys for a LONG time.  Every year when we are in Naples, we go into the beautiful Hermes store there. They have them stacked in their windows like little pieces of candy good enough to eat. One thing I also love about them is that you don't see them on everyone...not as rare as say a Birkin Bag, but you don't see them on every wrist in town. Every year they come out with some new styles and colors, and they range in size too, which make them pretty to stack. That is if you can afford to stack them...geesh, I just would like 1!!! They start at around $450!

image courtesy of jewelrysnob.com

image courtesy of agoramagazine.it

image courtesy of sharonrosepixie.blogspot.com 

G is for...Gwyneth

I remember seeing Great Expectations my senior year of college and ABSOLUTELY falling in love with Gwyneth Paltrow. She looked so fabulous throughout that entire movie, I think if I could have stolen "Estelle's" look for life, I would have! She wore these amazing shades of green, and I remember she had the most perfect shade of lipstick. From then on I definitely incorporated a dark lip into my beauty routine. Her style has evolved over the years, but it has never wavered from simple and sophisticated. Here are just a few of the reasons why I adore her so much...

angelic beauty...

This KIND OF makes me want to cut my hair short....

simple, but beautiful. Again, that perfect dark lip...

one of my favorite photos of her ever. Sun kissed and casual.

She was perfect in the Tod's campaign. I am really, really LOVING those shoes!

Green with Envy...

O.k. Ms Wearstler, you have sealed the deal. You are my #1 girl crush. Her recent spread in Town & Country's January 2010 issue is absolutely beautiful.

I became familiar with Kelly Wearstler after she was a host on Bravo's top Design show. I had never heard of her...despite her amazing design work and many accolades. When I saw her I was like who is this stunning woman, with beautiful cat-like eyes, a tiny bit of attitude and insane style? She always had on these crazy hats, even crazier hair and un-believable outfits (in a good way!). From there I started to see her pop up everywhere. She has been mentioned in almost every fashion magazine as well as interior design publications.

Kelly is known for " re-instating the Hollywood Regency style of decor, and is known for her bold use of color, texture and pattern", as mentioned in the Town & Country article. I personally love how she doesn't ever stay within the "box". She is never safe and she is setting the trends for the future. I myself would like to be more bold like she is...I guess that will be a good New Years resolution! She is a mother of 2 boys and is married to the owner of the Viceroy Hotel chain, Brad Korzen. Kelly also did the interiors for the Viceroy hotels...you can only imagine how chic they are...

Viceroy Miami

Kelly just came out with a fabulous new book called "HUE"...apropriately named, since she is so amazing with color in her design work! I wouldn't mind this in my stocking, Santa.

For the love of James Perse...

Ahhhhh, the search for the perfect tee shirt. I have searched high and low and what it comes down to is that I just have to buckle up and buy the expensive ones because they are the ones that I always go to first in my closet. I have some James Perse tees from my days at Mark Shale that are probably 7 years old. And after many washings (I always hang dry-it will lengthen the life of the garment) They are still in fabulous condition. This season he brought back some of his old styles like the deep v-neck and the off the shoulder. But I also saw some new styles that I absolutely love.

yeah, I would wear this every day...Hooded Fleece Jacket $225

Here are some new styles that I found on Shopbop.com

Open drape front shirt $155

How cozy is this sweatshirt dress?  $135

This is the perfect drapey tank for under a great blazer or cardigan $75

When I grow up...

Birkin Bag. Check. Statement Jewelry. Check. Fabulous Chignon. Check...this pretty much sums up the amazing style of Lily Bass (played by Kelly Rutherford) on Gossip Girl.  I am absolutely in love with her. You would think I would be coveting everything that Serena wears, but honestly, I am really feeling the style of Lily Bass! She is effortlessly chic, spot on trend, but classic at the same time. I DROOOL over every jewelry piece she wears, and her handbag and coat collection is pretty much to die for. Yes, when I grow up I would love to be Lily Bass (the uber-chic upper east side pad and Birkin collection included, please) OH, and if anyone knows what blouse she was wearing (the grey and yellow floral) on this weeks episode, please comment below!!!

She was prego most of last season and she still looked AH-MA-ZING!

this Dior frock is fabulous

Lily makes Leopard look pretty amazing here...

Lily as a bride...perfection!