Hey Little Birdie | Shopping Blog

I love cardigans. Too much. Especially for someone living in Phoenix. And it being the middle of summer makes me even more crazed about them. Is anyone else being tortured by the fall fashion previews all over place? Just yesterday I was driving in my car, imagining a chilly fall breeze, the scent of pumpkin bread and cute trench coats walking down the street. Ugh. I wish! Anyway, back to cardigans. Love them. This one from J.Crew is extra lovable. Not only is it short sleeved which drastically improves my odds of wearing it more that 3 months out of the year, it also has bows. And bows and I are best friends. But wait- it gets even better! Through this Thursday, every sale item is an extra 30% off with the code EXTRA30. This means I can score this super adorable, CASHMERE (and J.Crew cashmere is lovely) cardigan for about $63!! (two exclamation points = can you tell I am very excited?!) So take a peek dear readers, there are many, many beautiful things in the sale section right now.

One of the most cherished regularities in my life right now is… my amazing book club. It is comprised of a handful of intelligent, witty, and creative people. And everytime we meet, I am reminded of how full and enhanced my life is because of each one of them. (Gosh, I hope you all are reading this… I mean, this type of love doesn’t ooze often.)

It’s really unbelieveable that I wasn’t in a book club before this (we are only 4 or 5 months old). I mean it combines some of my favorite things in the world… books, conversation, and friends. Add in a little coffee and possibly a pastry, and you can imagine how I might as well keel over in complete bliss once every month when we get together.

So… last week, highlighted somewhere on the world wide web, I saw these Book of the Month clutches from Kate Spade. And while they are more than I could spend, I couldn’t help but show you in case you haven’t seen the likes of this cuteness anywhere else. Right now there are three to choose from… Great Expectations, The Great Gatsby, and The Importance of Being Earnest. What book would you like to see Kate Spade clutch next?

There are so many things I hate about summertime. You might be thinking, “Wow, I didn’t expect this today… such negativity, especially aimed at something so many people love.” Well, welcome to my world. I have what old women and make-up artists call “beautiful porcelain skin”… and other people just call “pale” or “Casper-like” (you know, like the friendly ghost).

So, my affection for the summer sun ended at about the age of 5 when on a family trip to Wet-n-Wild in Orlando, I was so badly sunburned that my still chubby lobster-colored body was blistered from head to toe. And still to this day I visibly cringe when I see someone sun-kissed with a fraction of the burn that I was smacked with that day.

Come to think of it, maybe it was earlier in life, when my mom crocheted me a bright green bikini. That’s right, out of yarn! Yarn doesn’t do well in water. It sags and retains water in non-swim-friendly ways and places.

So, summer and me… we didn’t really have a chance at a beautiful friendship. We were destined to be foes from the start.

Then it should come as no surprise that I loathe shopping for a swimsuit. If I’m completely honest, last year I purchased my first swimsuit in about 5 or 6 years time. It just wasn’t a necessity… because I didn’t use one (like I didn’t go swimming, not like I went in my birthday suit). But I’ve been looking for a new one online for the past couple of weeks. I haven’t been looking a ton, just a little bit here and there… as my heart can take it. Slow and steady is what they say, right?

But I found this one last week, and I actually thought, “Yes, I would like to own that.” It’s cute, right? A halter top is a good cut for me, and I like the playfulness of the polka dots. Check and check. But I’m not really a $90 swimsuit girl. I just won’t wear it enough. If I could justify it, I would. (It’s not a high price for a swimsuit, just for me it is.) But then I thought what if I could find something similar at a less expensive price point.

Then I found this one. Now they don’t have a navy blue one. Boo. But they have black. Close. And even more fun, red! And this version is one-piece, which I don’t currently own. And it has a halter strap, if you want one. So, I ordered mine (only available online).

When it gets here in 3-5 business days… don’t worry, I definitely will let you know how this whole “embracing summertime” thing is going.

Just because it’s hot where I live (to the tune of 110+), doesn’t mean that I don’t ogle things like scarves. Seriously, they are my cryptonite. If I could get away with it here in Phoenix, I would wear them year round. But people are already mystified by my pale skin in the desert. So, instead I live vicarously through people around the world who could actually use a thing like a summer scarf. To you, I boldly say, “Buy this… and please send me a picture of you looking cute and stylish in this perfect accessory.” In response I will shower you with… well, with nothing, we don’t get any rain in the desert. Sorry. But I will be forever grateful to you for giving this piece an appropriate home.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out Leah Duncan’s other works. She is all kinds of amazing.

Dear HLB Fans,

I am so excited to share with you a new (to me) site… You have to check out ShabbyApple.com!

Especially if you want to look this fabulous this 4th of July:

I don’t say this lightly, but I think I may have found a new favorite store!  Such my style with a totally reasonable price tag.   It includes maternity, fitness, plus sizes, preteen and girls  - so there’s something for everyone!

Have you seen this store before?  What do you think about it?  Does it reflect your style?  If not, what store really shows “you”?

Have an relaxing holiday!

Yours,

Josie

ps – some of my favorites

Normally when it comes to earrings, I am all about big hoops. But as of late, I find myself gravitating toward the childhood staple of post earrings. I like that they do not tangle in my hair, keep me safe from my 23 month old’s grasp, and have a timeless edge that will never go out of style. Posts are also an easy way to either keep things modern and classic or throw some whimsy into your outfit.

Whether it is simple knot posts like this:

modern open clovers like this:

or fun bows like this:

You can’t go wrong with posts. One of my favorite jewelry lines, viv&ingrid, is full of pretty posts of all sorts. And their packaging is seriously adorable too. Most of these posts retail for around $41. If you want an even more affordable option, check out their collection of tiny silver posts displayed on a huge array of artistic graphic cards for only $16. I love them all. (And if you are still a hoops kind of girl- theirs are the best.)

Doesn’t the name just make you smile?  Who doesn’t love a summer festival?

Pilli Pilli Handmade’s entire shop is bright, happy and colorful.  Go there at once for warm fuzzies!

I love this tote bag in particular because of the little blackbird.  My 9 year old son is on a Beatles kick and whenever he hears “Blackbird” play he makes sure I know it’s on.  He knows it’s my favorite. *tear* How sweet. Love my little guy!

Enjoy Sarah McLachlan’s lovely version and enjoy your weekend!

So, I’ve heard and seen a ton about Ruche. They are an online based boutique out of California that prides themselves on unique modern pieces that have a feel of vintage about them, and boy… do they deliver! I can’t believe I have yet to purchase anything from their amazing site, although I have a feeling that might just change today.

This fabric necklace is a classic piece yet would make quite the statement. Plus this color is amazing! What do you think? Is it something you would wear? Back to me (as it should be), do you think I could pull it off? By the way, I am looking for a “yes” here.

So pretty, right? Having been a fan of J. Crew’s classic styles forever, I was over the moon happy to hear that they had taken the store Madewell under their wing. Earlier this month, Madewell launched their full online shopping experience so we all could scoop up their laid-back, downtown-chic looks. I am drooling over their Legère Ruffled Vest.

I love the casual romantic vibe, the versatility of layering it over almost everything, and of course the ruffles. You can never have too many ruffles. It also comes in four neutral color choices, of which I am in dire need of the vapor grey. I’m also hoping Madewell expands in the West a bit more so I have the chance to check out their store in person!

After an extensive search, I have finally found my (and hopefully your) perfect summer sandal. I wanted stylish, slight wedge, color options, affordable and comfortable. Quite the criteria, huh? Well, I hit the jackpot! BC Footwear’s Mama Said Sandal is it for me. I hate the way that many of this season’s cutest sandals look on my feet. You know all the ones with the strap that goes vertically up your foot? Yeah, those make my feet look like Goliath. Avoiding them at all costs. So the fact that this strappy shoe has some vertical angles and will break up all that footage is just what I was looking for. Still can’t decide which color I want to buy, I love the yellow and the pewter. But at $55, maybe I can spring for both?