Python Satchel--Botkier for Target

This bag is so cool. It's part of the collection Monica Botkier designed for Target, and I think it's so great looking. I love the satchel style, and this one has a great shape and great hardware details. I think the python print is really fun, but it's also available in black. It's a great fall bag, and it's only $39.99 at Target.

This matching clutch is really cute too, and is $19.99 at Target.

BCBG Voile Top On Sale

This pretty voile top by BCBG is on sale right now at Bloomingdale's for $80.10, off from $178. When you go to the website, it will initially appear on sale for $106.80, but when you add it to your cart, it will take off an additional 25%. It's available in white or black. I love the shape of this top, and the subtle striping. The pom-pom detailing is also really cute.

Stuart Weitzman Boots

I know it's hard to think about boots when it's over 100 degrees outside, but I saw these Stuart Weitzman beauties on sale at Zappos.com and had to pass it on. I'm kind of obsessed with boots with fur and shearling detailing. I have not bought any, yet. This may be the season. These are very tempting to me. I like that the shearling is very subtle, and I love the rich chocolate brown color of the boots. They look really comfy too, the heel is pretty low, and the buckle detail is pretty. They're 33% off right now, on sale for $250.00 from $375. Not a bad price, and Stuart Weitzman makes such great quality shoes, they really last. I think I may have to break down and buy these.

Botox for Bridesmaids?

I found this New York Times article about brides asking their bridal party and mothers to do botox and other cosmetic procedures to be both horrifying and hilarious. Here's an excerpt:

A bride’s request that you whiten your grayish teeth can strain a relationship. Samantha Goldberg, a wedding planner in Chester, N.J., recalled a bride who asked her attendants to get professionally spray-tanned for a Hawaiian-theme reception.
Alas, two women were claustrophobic and couldn’t bear standing in a tanning capsule. “They asked the bride if they could use regular tanning cream from a salon,” Ms. Goldberg said. The bride refused; she wanted everyone to be the same shade. The women ultimately declined to be bridesmaids. “Friendships of 20-plus years gone over a spray tan?” Ms. Goldberg said. “Sad!”

If you ask your friends to all get spray-tanned for your wedding because you want them all to be the same shade, you deserve to lose all your friends. Sorry.

Shift Dress

Isn't this shift dress gorgeous? You can't really tell in the picture, but it's a very textured wool. Very elegant shape, and I absolutely love it in red. $158.00 at Ann Taylor.

Best Facial Cleanser

Cetaphil without a doubt makes the best facial cleanser around. I've been using it forever. It's extremely gentle, and works on every type of skin. It leaves my skin feeling really clean and fresh. And it's cheap! $11.99 for 16 ounces at Drugstore.com! You can't beat that. Personally, I like the version for oily skin. Don't waste your money buying face soaps with a bunch of treatment ingredients in them, they just wash down the drain. Spend your money on treatments that you apply after washing your face, where they'll actually do some good. There's no reason to spend more on face soap, this is the best. Highly recommended.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Okay, the most wonderful time other than Christmas. Yes, it's the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!! Hurrah! Thanks to Joceyln for the heads up. Go directly to Nordstrom.com or your closest Nordstrom store immediately to check out amazing prices. The sale includes lots of fall items, which is great. My pick: these adorable red patent leather flats from Juicy Couture, on sale for $129.90, from $198. I love red shoes, especially in fall and winter, it's such a great contrast with all the black and gray I inevitably wear all the time. And the gold buckle detail is really cute. Hurry, sale is through July 20.

Tight Rolled Jeans Part 2

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about tight rolled jeans, which my friend Blair sported in Chicago as a joke, but which I subsequently realized were coming back in style. I now have evidence! I give you Exhibit A, a horrifying picture of Katie Holmes rocking the look. Thanks Blair for sending this--I'm pretty sure you revived this trend single handedly. I may never forgive you.

Tiered Sundress

I love, love, love this beautiful tiered silk/cotton dress from DKNY, at Nordstrom's for $89.00. It's the perfect length, I like the cute tiers and the crochet detail at the neckline, but I really love this gorgeous plum color. It's so rich, and really stands out from all the usual pale summer colors. It also looks incredibly comfortable, which is my top priority. It comes in a really pretty gray-blue color as well.

NY & Company Dress

My friend Jenny recently wore this jersey dress to an outdoor party. She looked so adorable and, most important, cool! I was dying in jeans which I had rolled up. It's waaaay too hot for jeans right now. I so envied her in this simple, comfy dress. I love the neckline, it's really flattering. It's at New York & Company, and is on sale right now for $29.99 (off of $39.95). They have several other colors, including black, teal and fuschia.

Project Runway Season 5

Don't forget, Project Runway is back tonight with the Season 5 premiere on Bravo. I'm so excited, I've missed Tim, Heidi and the gang!

Gap Handbags

Gap is not the first place I think of when I think handbags, but I was browsing their website and stumbled across some really cool stuff. My favorite is this twill tote with leather handles for $45. It has a removable shoulder strap too, which I would remove. What a great summer/fall bag, and it's big enough to carry magazines, water bottle, wallet, lunch, workout clothes, makeup bag...whatever.

I also really like this sateen cotton clutch for $29.50. I love the ruffle across the top, it really dresses it up. This would be a perfect match with the tote bag above--you can take the tote to work, and then just take the clutch with your credit card and essentials to lunch or out after work. It would also be a really cute makeup bag.

Sale at Shiki

Hey Austin Shoppers! Shiki, an adorable boutique I've previously blogged about located in the 2nd Street District, is having a great sale right now--25% off any regularly priced clothing, jewelry and accessories. They also have a substantial sales rack where merchandise is at least 50% off. The sale runs from July 13-23rd. If you haven't yet, this is a great time to check this place out.

Gossip Girls Fashion

I'm out of town for the rest of the week readers, so here's a little bonus post for you. It's an article in the New York Times about the fashion of Gossip Girls. If you don't watch it, you should. Yes, I am over 30 and I am a Gossip Girls viewer. There, I said it. I am not ashamed.

The article is about the fabulous clothes they were, and they do wear super cute, expensive clothing with very unique styling a la Sex and the City. The article questions the reality of the fashion, in the same vein as the "Carrie could never afford to dress like that" criticism that people have of SATC. Personally, it doesn't bother me. I don't want to see television where the stars dress like normal people. That's boring. Regardless, I think the criticism is less justified in the case of GG, where the characters are all super rich people, possibly working with personal stylists.

The article makes an interesting argument: that we all fall into either the Blair or Serena fashion camps. Personally, I'm with Blair--I love a cute headband.

Enjoy the article, and catch up on the reruns of Gossip Girl this summer so you can start watching the new fall episodes.

Makeup Train Case

I have a confession to make: I miss my Caboodle! Remember Caboodles? The brightly colored plastic makeup organizers that everyone at my junior high had? My makeup and brushes and tools are currently spread between various drawers, cosmetics bags and bins. As a result, I cannot find anything. Hence the yearning for my old Caboodle. Here's the problem: I would be somewhat embarrassed to keep this on my vanity, much less carry it around by its clear plastic handle anywhere in public. Unfortunately, I am now too old to carry a Caboodle. (However, if you are in junior high, you really need to go to Target and get one!)

Luckily, I have found a grown up version of the Caboodle, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to share it with you! It's the Sephora Train Case, and it is awesome. Look at all the tiered shelving! It comes in several styles, but I like this limited edition ivory mock-croc version for $110. It combines the functionality of the beloved Caboodle with a more glamorous aesthetic.

On a side note, this would make a great gift for anyone who loves makeup and/or organizational tools.

Best Concealer Ever

I cannot live without this product. Seriously. I need it to survive.

It's Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection concealer, and I'm pretty sure it has magical properties. It covers all those dark undereye circles beautifully, and has SPF 25 so you get sun protection for the undereye area as well. It also works on blemishes, sunburns, redness...you name it. It's a cream to powder formula, and provides great coverage.

Note to Prescriptives: If you ever discontinue this product, I will have to hunt down your scientists, steal the formula, and start making this out of my garage. So please just keep making it.

Embellished Flip Flops

I bought these pretty embellished flip flops from Ann Taylor a few weeks ago, and adore them. They were on sale when I bought them, but now they are really on sale! $19.99, off from $48! They're prettier in person, they have little sparkly "jewels" across the band. They're really comfortable, and are such an easy way to dress up an outfit.

Orange Patent Bag

I really like this orange patent leather bag from Maxx New York, available at Nordstrom for $168. The color is so bright and cheerful, I love the bowling bag shape, and I really like the hardware details. It also has a cute zebra print lining. It's such a great shape and size, and has such a unique look to it.

Powder Sunscreen

I absolutely hate when I'm out with a full face of makeup and need to reapply sunscreen. There's nothing worse than smearing on a creamy sunscreen over powdery makeup--yuck. You basically wind up taking off all your makeup.

That's why this product is genius!! It's mineral SPF 30 from Peter Thomas Roth. The powder is inside the brush. All you do is swipe over your existing makeup and you are protected from both the sun and smeared makeup. Available at Sephora for $30.