Stunning VVVegan Nail Polish!

A girlfriend of mine just completed her internship as an aesthetician at a local organic/natural beauty spa and nail salon. I am no stranger to natural cosmetics, but I do tend to make myself scarce when confronted with them. From a personal standpoint and historical reputation standpoint, natural cosmetics simply don't hold a candle to the dirtier competition. UNTIL NOW! I was so delighted to find that her salon carried SPARitual nail color, a vegan, DBP, formaldehyde, and toluene free formula that applies like silk, lasts at least 2 weeks (chip free), and also comes in amazing colors (both matte and shimmer).

I am currently wearing 'Last Call' which i bought from her salon for $10 srp and I absolutely love it. Move over OPI, we've found your arch nemesis!

Paint those piggies!

Hello Sandal Season!

I have forever been a lover of warm weather. I adore everything it encompasses; summer vacations, white beaches and tropical blue water, fruity frozen cocktails, Bebel Gilberto (whom I discovered on a trip to Greece - and since then her sound simply embodies all of what summer means to me), sun-dresses, AND sandals! While I must admit that I am a "have Havaianas will travel" type of girl, there is no denying the raw sex appeal of an exquisute sandal on a beautifully tanned foot!

If you have been following the summer fashion trends of the last few years, then it's obvious that the gladiator sandal is all the rage. There are definitely some tragically hideous gladiator styles that come and go, but here we will focus on the beauty of fine craftsmanship, quality materials, and an impeccable spring/summer pallate.

Sandal A is the Trouve 'Seabeck' Gladiator Sandal and it retails for $89.99. It's created of smooth leather straps and accentuated with antique brass hardware. The bonus is that there is a zipper in the back of the sandal for easy dressing.

Sandal B is the Jessica Bennett 'Rolo' Sandal in blue grey nubuck leather which retails for $144.95. This beauty is about to make a grand appearance in my own personal closet - and I cannot wait! It's an all leather sandal, weathered and softened with brushed hardware and a back zipper closure. I am in love with the blue/grey color as it is a perfect neutral shade that can be worn with blacks or browns (or navy) and can be worn dressy or casual.

Imagine this sandal on a sun-kissed, perfectly pedicured foot!

Amore!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for SUNGLASSES!

Ever since I can remember I have always had a very healthy relationship with eyewear. It started off with Maui Jims when I lived on the beach, then progressed to Ray Bans, and now my favorites list looks a little something like this...

Fendi

Chanel

Marc Jacobs

Prada

Tom Ford (pictured above)

(...and in no specific order because they are each fabulous when set alone.)

Walking through Saks to get to the denim department is simply torture for me because I have to (yes, i have to) walk past the sunglass display. I shouldn't say that, because I actually never walk past it, I walk right to it. I try on as many pairs as I can and pinch myself and reel in the thought of owning a brand new pair of Chanel's! It's invigorating, it's free, it's wonderment and awe, but most of all, it's honest style.

Yes, go ahead and pay $350.00 for a pair of sunglasses. If you wear them nearly everyday (such as us Texas gals) then they are most certainly worth it. Not to mention the fact that my Fendi's have lasted me a cool four years and are still in great shape and most importantly, they are still in style. The reason? They are beautiful and they are classic.

I wonder how many neon and black Wayfarer rip-offs we'll see in 2015? Hopefully not nearly as many as we see in 2011!

It's summer, go celebrate!

These Boots (and shoes) Were Made for Walkin'

Once upon a time there were two little girls that lived in a master planned community in NE Houston. One of them was myself, and the other was a darling, curly-headed cutie named Coye Nokes.

Ms. Nokes has really made a name for herself in the fashion industry lately. She designs the most amazing shoes for the modern, working (and walking) woman.

Her styles are crisp and clean and timeless. The textiles she chooses only accentuate the most beautiful parts of her creations, and NONE of her designs would I not wear.

They are nicely priced, definitely not cheap, but then again, cheap means .....well, cheap. Cheap materials, cheap production...cheap.

So, in honor of what we deserve and work hard for, and to salute a savvy woman such as Coye, get out your wallets ladies, and try some Coye Nokes on for style!

We are neither blobs nor little girls

It is so difficult to shop these days. I don't do lace, ruffles, oversized sweaters, booties, peeptoe booties (eeks), gargantuan purses or outfits (please, please, no outfits). So that pretty much rules out most of the current offerings. Don't want anything to do with looking like a fairy, your grandmother, or a blob.

I like tailored pieces along with some feminine style (have to show those legs). Clothes should help define your shape, not drape!

Found this store in San Franciso that had a good mix of clean lines and feminine allure. Picked up a killer military trench coat. But, for our weather, I prefer a look like this - the aforementioned blazer that your boyfriend would wear, but accentuates the waist, the wily dress that your boyfriend wants you to wear, and of course heels! Always wear heels.

Aritzia is the store. Mostly in Canada but a few locations in the states: http://aritzia.com/

A sassy little number - Upcycled, Vintage China gets a new life!

Upcycling and repurposing..... I adore these words! Don't get me wrong, I love a brand new and beautiful item, but the market is overflowing, fortunately, with more and more amazing and unique products that are also somewhat eco-friendly. (We must consider the resources that are expended while recreating these products.)

For the past several years, and probably every day, I have spent at least one minute on the internet looking for some sort of product or another. I always seem to have this idea of exactly what I want....and it takes me forever (and even worse, sometimes never) for me to find that perfect item!

I love ETSY, I am a real voyeur - i can get stuck there for hours....looking for nothing, yet finding everything that I definitely don't need, but suddenly MUST have. It seems like nearly all of the sites that I have spent any time on lately, are from Turkey! The ring above is another example. They have somethin goin on over there....and I LIKE IT!

The beautiful and simple ring pictured above is upcycled from a 1970's piece of china. The daisy image is so flirty and feminine, the colors are very modern and chic, and the design is simply powerful...I just can't get enough of it.

I am woman, hear me rrrrrooooooooaaaaaaaaar!

The artist is RecycleJewels of Istanbul, Turkey. To see more of these delicious designs, click HERE!

If you're looking for a sexy, classic, forever piece...try THEORY.

From t's to leather, Theory always...and I mean ALWAYS produces some of my favorite pieces. Cheap? No. Worth the extra penny? You bet your bottom dollar!!!!

The Boyfriend Blazer is all rage these days, but rare is it that you can walk in and out of a store within twenty minutes with the perfect, affordable piece....until now.

Theory has once again delivered with the French Terry Jacket. Retailing at $120 USD.......how can you deny it?

ps, get a Saks Fifth Avenue credit card and earn reward points for the purchases you make. That's a WIN-WIN to moi!