Y'all...the sale is on sale at Madewell. As in, take an extra 30% off of sale with the code MAKEWAVES. With that glorious news that landed in my inbox, I may or may not have indulged in the perfect black flats, this color block linen tee, and this essential basic tee because they are just perfection. But hurry up, the sale on sale ends on 6/29. I showed you mine, now you show me yours....anything you plan on scoring while the getting is good?!

I pile on bracelets, necklaces, rings.....but my poor ears are usually stuck with the same ol' studs day in and day out. Don't get me wrong - I love my goes-with-everything gold lines and dot studs (literally bee-lined it to Steven Alan to stock up the past two times I visited LA!). My ears are stupidly sensitive, and just cant handle anything that isn't solid gold, heavy, or usually within my budget. I've tried coercing them into submission, but it usually goes something like this:

Oh, ears - you like these and only these??? Yeah, me too....also, we are going to need to rob a bank. Eyeroll.

What do you mean you have a doctor's note that says you shouldn't do any heavy lifting?? You wuss! Ok, well I guess that means these beauties are off the docket....

Yeah, ears....I know these aren't made with real gold, but look at that price tag and the sparkle! I can't walk away from those. What do you mean you'll get red and angry if I put them on? 

These little lobes are totally ruining my swagger. That's why I was ultra psyched when I came across these beautiful earrings from Marida on Uncovet. They had all the makings of my dream pair of everyday casual dangly earrings - simple, lightweight, high-quality material and affordable. I wasn't sure if they could handle gold-filled, but I had to risk it - don't think I've ever gone through the checkout process faster, haha! John calls them my "Noah's Ark earrings", but I majorly love them. And now I want moreeeee. I think I just opened up Pandora's (jewelry) box. Ahhh! Just had to share this fab new line of jewelry since I'm sure I'm not the only gal with finicky high-maintenance ears and isn't dishing about this kind of stuff what girly blogs like this are for???

Marida, my stupidly sensitive ears and my wallet thank you.

When I heard that one of my most fave daily reads ever was launching Refinery29 Shops, a big smile crawled across my face. I like a deal, and I know you do too. I started browsing through the "online racks" of goodies, and to sum it up: it's stocked with the epitome of cool things to wear, decorate with, and just love. Here are a few things I am certainly coveting at the moment!

Sample sale sites. They are multiplying faster than bunnies, and that is something I can't really complain about because, hey- I like a good deal just like the next gal. Having just discovered Uncovet, I've gone and added another one to my list. It's an invite-only design-centric shop that  is carefully curated to unearth rad, one-of-a-kind products for its members at a discounted rate. Think fashion, accessories, home decor, knick knacks, and vintage goods for a very enticing price. What are you waiting for? Hop to it and get on the list!

PS Here are sign-up links to all of the sample sale sites I am currently subscribed to. If any strike your fancy, feel free to sign up using my invite code!

This weekend was just so much fun - lots of laughs, visits and birthday celebrations with dear family friends, inspiring sermons at church, and leisurely lounging on the lake.

On Saturday, we had some of our closest family friends - 'aunt' Mary and 'uncle' Juan - visit from the southern tippy toes of Texas. It also happened to be Mary's birthday, so the whole gang (11 of us!) rallied for a lunch date at The Woodland on Congress. We laughed and listened to stories about my sweet granny, revamping the term 'family', what Austin was like in the '60s, and my dad getting a pie in the face at one of his past birthdays. What I would give to have seen that!! We noshed on eggs benedict, turkey brie sandwiches, and quiche. We, of course, saved room for chocolate birthday cupcakes with fluffy pink frosting for Mary's birthday. Hope that birthday wish of yours comes true! It was such a treat having our fam get together like that on the weekends....it's one of my favorite things about living in Texas!! PS See that Labyrinth masquerade poster? John was like a giddy five year old when he saw that. Of all the movies, they had to pick one of his faves....bring on the Bowie wig and tights!


After my belly was stuffed full, I headed over to Le Garage Sale to meet some girlfriends for a shopping extravaganza. There were tons of awesome shops there - By George, Maya, Etcetra Etc., Fawn + Raven, Adelante - with their merch slashed down 50%-75%. Umm, ya. After doing an 'observatory lap' around the arena where I may or may not have been some rabid women throwing elbows to get to a sparkly sequin mini dress, I started scanning the racks and my ADD went into total overdrive. I'm sure my pal Mandy (ps hire her if you need some amazing on-air talent) can attest to that, ha!  Anywho, it was huge and overwhelming and fun and exciting. I managed to snag a pair of $20 Dolce Vita sandals, a gorgeous olive green maxi dress, that rad felt hat you see below, and 2 sparkly necklaces. Perhaps I'll grow some cajones and manage an outfit post. I don't know why I am such an awkward annie when it comes to those darn things!! We shall see if my stylepostisitus ever cures.

The trail on Lady Bird Lake is by far one of my most favorite places to go in Austin. It feels like a little mini vacation. John and I went to what is probably one of our favorite church services yet (the pastor spoke about false idols and how to combat them), and it was so inspiring and moving. Apparently the guy who kept proclaiming "AMEN!!!" behind us thought so also, ha! After the service, we walked to the lakefront and chilled on a bench, basking in the sun and watching the swans swim by. It was pretty romantic until some canoers came by and started feeding the swan. Those big birds don't mess around when it comes to food. I swear I thought he was going to get his eyes pecked out after the guy refused to give him more bagel! That swan should totally thank him though....doesn't he know that carbs totally make your tail feathers look big? I kid, I kid.

Yep, I've got another one for you.....so go ahead and add Fab.com to your daily list of sample sale sites to check. This invite-only site features daily design inspirations and sales of up to 70% off retail....and ohmygosh, the products they feature are really cool. I think I could probably decorate my entire apartment with wares from Fab.com and The Foundary. Fab.com also has a neat Tumblr-esque side of the site with loads of inspiration boards to make your design vision come to life. Hoorah! Want to get on board? Sign up here. 

NOTE: WOAH!!! Polyvore went nuts and posted a cajillion things on my blog...I have since deleted all 8 posts. So sorry to jam up your readers, I have NO CLUE what the heck happened!

The fantastical photographs by Montreal-based Irene Suchocki are just magnificent. I found some uncredited photos of hers a long time ago, and tucked them away in my "inspiration" folder hoping to come across the name of the talented person behind the lens one day.


I was beyond excited when I logged onto the home decor site One Kings Lane, and saw that same photo of a Parisian boulevard with a colorful array of hot air balloons hovering on the horizon. Figured I would share Irene's gorgeous work with you while it's on One King's Lane (sale ends 12/30 so skedaddle on over there!).


If Santa wasn't all that generous this year and the prices on OKL are looking a little steep, you can also pick up a print at Irene's Etsy shop (where a print will run you around $17-$100). Ackkkk! There are so many prints I want these days....here's hoping for more wall space in our next apartment!

on Hautelook...have been lusting for her baubles for a while. So pretty. Nab them while you can for a great price!

If you need invitations to any of the sites, feel free to click on the links to the right....many of them will even give you $10 just for joining!

Read on to get the insider scoop on this week's bargains...

The $20 will be deposited in your account within 48 hours. The catch? You have to be a new member, and use the credit by 12/31/10. Shop away ladies and gents!

xo Your new best friend