Yum

Orla Kiely on sale at Gilt Fuse today.

Get it while it's there.

Oh, and if you don't already have your free membership -- here ya go!

Less than $30

If you've decided to put your tax refund back into the economy (which is just a fancy way of saying you're going shoppin'!), I really like the idea of getting the most for your money by buying beautiful things that -- for whatever reason -- don't cost a lot! Some ideas I've got my eye on:

Now that the seasons are finally starting to change, it's so tempting to try to leave the house without a coat. For $26, this Karmaloop scarf can keep you looking lovely and warm.

Can you tell I am excited for warm weather? But even if I weren't lusting for summer nights... these Urban Outfitters Deux Tone Twist Sandals are versatile and only $28.

Loving this Fossil Yellow Braid bracelet. And only $28? Yes, ma'am.

One project down...

As I'm sure most of you do, I have a miles-long list of projects I would like to complete around the house.

Last night, I got to check something off the list! I've had this project linked on the sidebar for awhile, but it's something I had planned to do even before I happened upon Caitlin Wilson's silhouette wall tutorial.

Her stunning examples just prodded me to get it done faster. And I couldn't be happier with the result:

The bed frame is Ikea MALM in birch veneer
The lamps are Ikea Kvart
The bedspread and pillows are from Target
The frames are Ikea Ribba
The puppy is not for sale. Not today, anyway. :)

Would you wear: Mummy bandage wrap?

So it's not really mummy wrap, but that's all I could think of when I saw this Satin Panel Tube Dress from Arden B:


Despite my mocking, I bet it actually does look pretty good once on, what with the diagonal lines and the curve-hugging silhouette. Still, I had fun searching for "bandage" wear and couldn't help myself when it came to naming this look:

"Dead" sexy

More Wet Seal...

New Old Navy

I took a trip to Old Navy this weekend and picked up a LOT more than I was expecting to. I just couldn't help myself! There was so much there that was versatile and flattering and priced so well that I feel no buyer's remorse. In fact, the only remorse I do feel is not buying the rest of the pieces to make these outfits I created today:

There is nothing I don't absolutely adore about this outfit! I especially love the gray stripes paired with the yellow necklace since that color combo makes me swoon. I picked up the chinchilla cardigan, but didn't see the tank, sandals or necklace at the store I was in.

I love how the swoop of the bottom of the shrug sweater mimics the swoop of the pocket buttons on the pants. And how the navy horizontal stripes and sailor pants scream NAUTICAL THEME, but the green sweater and bauble necklace shush it down a bit. I didn't buy any of these pieces, but it might be hard to resist.

I bought this dress and wrestled with whether or not to buy the jean jacket. I ultimately decided to try to find one for cheaper at a thrift store. Overall I love the different pops of yellow in this outfit and this dress -- though it doesn't look it -- is so forgiving.

Cycle Up!

I've featured one or two upcycled items on here before, but I am becoming more and more drawn to the idea of buying more things that were created from other things. Might as well, right? Better it get used again than sitting in a landfill somewhere.

Upcycling isn't just soda tab bracelets and Capri-Sun purses anymore, though you can certainly still find those things should you be interested. People are really starting to think outside the box when it comes to repurposing materials.

For instance, I love this bracelet made from 2-liter soda bottles. It's really stunning! Makes you kinda want to keep your 2-liters and try to make one yourself!

Instead of shelling out $10 at Target for yet another notebook to fill and toss, why not order a notebook made from paint swathces! She also has blue and red available if yellow's not your color.

I usually try to wrap gifts in paper I already have lying around, so bows are not really a staple for me when it comes to gift wrapping. But they might become one since I learned of all the different ways you can upcycle paper into bows. I love the idea of making my own bows out of magazine pages, but my new favorite has to be the film reel bow! This particular bow is made from a film trailer reel of the Dungeons and Dragons movie:

And I've always loved the idea of stocking my kitchen cabinets with upcycled glassware from YAVA Glass.

Just goes to show that one woman's trash can be another woman's elegant and beautiful treasure.

Inspired by: The Oscars

Easily my three favorites of the night:


Rachel McAdams at the 2010 Oscars


Elizabeth Banks at the 2010 Oscars


Cameron Diaz at the 2010 Oscars

I also thought Penelope Cruz and Demi Moore weren't bad, but something was missing. Overall, though, kind of a boring ceremony. Nothing really made me gasp.

Except, of course, Charlize Theron's oddly-placed roses:


Charlize Theron at the 2010 Oscars


All images from fabsugar.com.

Surviving Friday

I like to treat myself on Fridays. Kind of like a self-pep talk. You're almost there! Just a couple more hours and you're free for 2 whole days!

le sigh.

I usually treat myself with a strawberry margarita or five during lunch. But guess who has two thumbs and forgot her wallet at home!

Yeah. So today I am treating myself by listening to Maria Bamford. Have you heard of her? She is a comedian who can really only be described as silly. And I enjoy her. Probably too much if you ask the poor coworkers forced to listen to me randomly laugh throughout the day.

Anyway, I thought I'd share the silliness. People very rarely seize the chance to be silly.

For your Friday, treat yourself to some completely out-of-context quotes from my favorites (or listen by clicking on them!):

"TEMP WANT CAKE!"

"Question #1: If Maria works as a comedian for $100 a week, but spends $20 a day on hair scrunchies, how many years will it take for her to pay off a Taco Bell Gordita she bought in 1992?"

"The Baby Jesus is leaving you messages? You better call him back..."

"I gotta leave early on Friday... I got a doctor's appointment... with a pitcher of margaritas... and my primary physician, Dr. Feelgood"

Have a happy weekend, folks!

And little man, little Lola wants you

Ever since my wonderful boyfriend got me a Canon Digital Rebel Xsi for Christmas, I have been on the hunt for a camera bag. You may remember me drooling over Bankgrrl's camera bag on Etsy, but her shop's been sold out for a while now. At first I kicked myself for waiting to buy the bag... but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave me time to really think about what I wanted in a camera bag.

1. No black, bland, manly and boring bags that scream "I have tons of expensive gear in me!"
2. Must have compartmentalized sections, bonus if they're removable and customizable
3. Needs a long strap so bag can be worn messenger-style, bonus if it also has shoulder straps
4. Needs pockets for batteries, memory cards, keys, wallet, etc

The big minus for Bankgrrl's bag is that it's a tote with no chance of wearing it messenger-style. Not to be easily dismayed, I emailed Bankgrrl to see if she had a messenger-style bag in the wings. Here was her response:

The camera bag has shoulder straps, but no long strap. I'll be designing a new messenger style bag soon as well as one with a longer strap, but I can't say when those will be ready.

-ketti

So, with my list of demands ready, I fumbled around the Internet looking for a camera bag that could satisfy my needs. Luckily, it didn't take me long to discover Ephiphanie bags. And Lola:

And don't worry! She has shoulder straps, they're just not in this picture. Trust me, she's everything I wanted! I can't wait for her to get to me!

---

Anyone interested in picking up Lola (or one of her sisters, Belle and Ginger) should do so before the end of this month. Why? Because Epiphanie is giving away a brand new Canon 5D Mark II or $2500 Southwest Airlines gift certificate. You can do any number of things to enter, like donate to charity or sign up for her mailing list, but you get 10 entries just for picking up one of her awesome camera bags before the end of March! It's a win-win! Check out the Epiphanie Blog for more details.

Gotcha!

So, do you remember my crush on that Ikea lamp that was sold out?

Yeah, me neither. This baby totally had me at HELLO $25!!

While it's not really $15 like it's being advertised on Walmart's Hometrends main page, when paired with a shade I found on clearance at Target for $7, the grand total for this lamp comes in at $32... $8 less than the Ikea one! And that's not even counting the fact that I didn't have to drive out of the state to get it. Walmart.com shipped it to my local store with their "site-to-store" shipping for free. The only drawback was that I had to go into Walmart to get it*, but now that it's home and looking fabulous in my bedroom I'd say it was worth the headache.

*A word about Walmart: I had been boycotting the company for years simply because it is not a pleasure to shop there and why spend money in a place that I hate to go? In 2010, I decided to give the company another shot at winning my business. I have since made two big purchases and the verdict so far? Yup, still hate going there. I may just pay the extra money next time to get it shipped directly to me and forego the headache of interacting with the Wal-People.