You're on my list.

Caviar dreams, tuna fish budget.

Little Pieces of Heaven

I haven't mentioned how much I miss Paris right now. It's something about spring in Seattle that immediately makes me long for spring in Paris. It undoubtably has something to do with the beauty that its there, as opposed to here (rainy and windy right now, what gives?).

Last week, I was so desperate for macarons that I almost made them myself. I had all the ingredients, save for eggs and somehow was too lazy to go to the store. I recognize that this is crazy on a number of levels - crazy that I had almond flour on hand, but no eggs; Crazy that I had the gumption to make a complicated little cookie, but nada for a 3 block trip to the store.

So imagine my happiness when Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle had a lovely little row of flavors available for purchase when I was there on Saturday. I was so happy I could have just cried. But unfortunately, it was short-lived. They just didn't do it for me like the ones I would by at Laduree. Something about the flavors -- just too much. I like the purity of just pistacio, or just strawberry. These were crazy combinations, and all just sooo sweet.

So from sad to happy to sad, and now, perhaps happy again when this tidbit came from DailyCandy yesterday: Macarons on your doorstep for $20 dollars.

I love this because I spent 18.50 on a meazly nine and because these seem pretty straigtforeward. Unadulterated macarons just the way I like them.

And I also think they make the perfect gift. That is, if you can't just send them to Paris.

Spring: It's Finally Here

Just in the nick of time, Spring is here, and more importantly -- Spring Break (capital "S," capital "B" because you don't realize how wonderful it is until you have it back again).

I mentioned that somehow, through a miracle, I managed to swing a week in Playa Del Carmen, and this time next week, I'll be boarding one of the most heinous plane rides (huge layover in the the Armpit (aka LAX)) and on my way to a week of books on the beach. If I had my way, I'd be doing a little pre-vacation shopping, but alas, it's the real world, so I've turned to the virtual and found the things that I would take in another life.

I love this dress from Parker - it's exactly what I would want for the hot weather and the ruffles shout vacation. Even better though is the racerback, because when you get down to it, I'm not really sweet enough for ruffles, so who am I kidding. It tones it down and adds some reality.

I've been wanting a strapless bikini because I've had way too many summers left sporting that bad tanline that comes with the halter top. There is nothing like going to a wedding and trying to some how cover the lines with self-tanner and make-up. Finally I just have to give up and wear the mark like a scarlet letter.

This suit from J.Crew wins me over with the strips and the light coral. I'm a sucker for the nautical influence and I love the color.

Shorts: so hard. So hard to find a pair that flatters the legs and so hard to find a pair that doesn't make you feel rediculous. I love this pair for some reason and with all these distressed denim trends going on, it's a nice way to pay homage to the trend, without feeling rediculous. These are from Current/Elliott.

I'm also bracing myself for the terrible flight on the way down (what I'll do for a deal...) so comfort is more of a factor than normal. Usually, I try not to dress down for flights, mostly because I like to contribute to the "This is not a bus!" movement, but also because I hate arriving to a new city looking like I just got off a plane, or rather, rolled out of bed. How did those two things become one and the same?

So in this case, I would try to combine two tasks and wear something like this, from my favorite, lululemon.

It's got a sidezip and awesome almost-motocross detail across the shoulder and back. I have the cocoon wrap already, which is similar, but how can you resist this? It's such a good combination of all that is good.

I would also try to pair it with lululemon Go Lightly pants.

I always end up feeling super self-conscious in things that fall in to the category of 4-way stretch or lycra, but sometimes, you've just got to have it. In this case, I love that the pants don't cling to the ankle, almost disguising themselves as ankle length black pants. Paired with a flat, could they look chicer than most? Especially with a jacket like the one above?

So there it is. What I would buy in a perfect world. Regardless, it's Mexico, so I'm a lucky girl.

More Pools Needed

As excited as I am about Fall rolling around, I'm also really missing all of the lost opportunities for laying by the pool. Not that I've done much of it this summer (since getting back to the states that is), but just when I feel like I could really use that vitamin D and a good stupid book, it's yanked away. To mourn out loss, I've gathered a few of our friends together:








I wish it wasn't such a waste to have a pool in the Northwest due to rain and cold, but I almost feel like just having a really wonderful pool adds so much to a property that just by looking at it everyday the effects are felt.

Now where's my Zoloft?

Put a ring on it

I've been in love with Northwest jewelry-designer Jamie Joseph for a few years now and I'm kicking myself for not buying one of her rings when I was still on my former career path and getting a paycheck. Such a stupid decision to go back to school when I like pretty (expensive) things. Damn this penchant for caviar dreams on a Chicken of the Sea budget.

The rings above (my favorite for anyone who cares - ahem) are rose quartz and white drusy (with diamond). The drusy is this amazing layered stone, so in the middle is an increasing amount of flecks and dimension. It's amazing.

For a better view, visit here.

Virtual Shopping Binge: Fall Edition

Well. Not much has changed from the Spring, when I lamented about everything I wanted but couldn't afford. New season, new wonderful items, no money. BUT, what has surfaced is an immense pressure to look cool on my first day of school, and to do it, I might just have to splurge and buy a couple (well-priced) items. Why is it that things always look so much cuter when you can't shop? Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink...

The 'Minnie' from J.Crew. Pretty sure everyone will be wearing them, but why wouldn't they? It's a damn good pant that looks hot with flats. And baby needs flats, I function in flats.

This wool skirt, again from J.Crew. I want to wear it with riding boots and tights. I want to rock it like it doesn't piss with rain and get cold in Seattle. But point of clarification: in black, and never the hell in rust colored tights. Jesus.

So it might be a 'Jenna's Pick,' but when a coat it good, it's good. The 'double-cloth camino coat' (again from J.Crew) is solid. It's got a floating back belt, half-dome buttons and the best collar. Plus, putting on a coat from J.Crew is an experiece that no other coat under $500 dollars can give you. For the money, their coats have amazing liners and great finishings. Perfect.

I'll stop with the J.Crew soon, but I die for this vest. Alone or with a white extra-long sleeve tee under it. And for going out, it's just low enough to be sexy in an understated "I'm really not trying to be hot, shit just happens this way for me" way.

I'll admit, I went ahead and bought these boyfriend jeans from Gap. I broke my rule of no spending and did it for two reasons. One: have you seen how much this look is selling for? I mean well over $100 and that was the sale price of the lowest-priced jean at the Nordtrom Anniversary Sale. And two: When I found these at Gap for an additional $20 dollars off, they were mine for $39. I mean c'mon. They have, in fact, been an amazing purchase since I have barely taken them off due to sheer comfort, and the addition of a new pair of jeans into the fat rotation was a welcome change.

I don't even have the words to tell you how much I love this sweater. THAT is how hot it is. Cashmere from Theory. How can I have this sweater? HOW!?

So awesome, and even more awesome in person, are these zip suede platforms from Loeffler Randall. They're definitely on the virtual list since they are boo-koo bucks and as previously mentioned, I do not work heels. Unless of course they somehow ended up in my closet (then I would feel compelled to wear them).

And so the list ends. Not due to a lack of wanting, but more due to the fact that I'm not a total masochist. I can't put myself through this exercise anymore for the time being. I guess I'll go try to squeeze in to last season's matchstick jeans and make it work...

Add to cart

I won't purchase just yet, but someday soon, you'll be mine. Regardless of his tragic/foxy ex-wife being on Real Housewives of New York, I’ve liked Gilles Bensimon’s work for awhile, but didn’t realize he had a book. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it, since every famous photographer seems to have picked up a book option at some point in their lives, but it’s all good news to me.

Others I’m pining after, Mario Testino: Portraits, Herb Ritts: Notorious & Richard Avedon: Photographs 1946 – 2004.

I've got an itch to shop

I've been in major recession mode due to upcoming trips and impending unemployment, but right now my head is saying "but you really need those." And I can't help but agree with myself, there are some things out there that would be the perfect addition to the aforementioned trips. Plus I want to trash everything in my closet right now because I'm so sick of wearing it all with no new items to mix it up. This is the time of year where I would normally buy, buy, buy and then come home and roll around in all of my purchases. Not so, this year. And it is killing me.

So here is my virtual shopping binge. Maybe I can practice affirmations and by speaking it out loud, they will actualize in my closet by the grace of my own determination? Or odds are I will buy at least one of these items...

So cute - new from J.Crew, but I'm thinking orange if I can swing the tan.

Elizabeth & James, perfect for my upcoming girls weekend in Vegas. Please excuse the included tragic looking model.

NOW THIS. This is what I really want. It's hard to see it here, but it's the softest light gray cashmere lined with a shell pink. SO pretty. It's Theory.

More J.Crew, this will be a must for Europe. Throw it on with anything and be instatnly market-chic. Pair it with the longchamp tote I bought and maybe I'll start to fulfill one of my new years resolution of trying to be more chic.

Little Duckies

I fell in love with three little ducks this morning courtesy of designlabshop.com. Vintage Konstglas made in Sweden -- I particularly love the blue color.

I want.

I want the life that this shoe would go with.