Hunting

I. want. these. shoes.

There are exactly 11 H&M stores in Amsterdam. Surely one of them...

UPDATE: Just like a certain honey badger, I take what I want!

Here was the need for all the urgency:

Sadly, my favorite pair of animal print flats from Charlotte Russe have a big mouth and just can't keep it shut. These shoes have lasted over two summer seasons and they were really cheap, so they were a good buy. I just hate to see a good shoe go down this way. I think I'll let Rolan try to glue them. :)

I hopped over to the Dam Square on my lunch break and scoped out the local H&M's scalloped cut-out shoe offering. They had all three available colors, but I kinda fell in love with the neon yellow. The "powder" color (above) is actually a lot more pale pink in person. I don't wear a lot of pale pink.

Who knows, though. Maybe I'll go back and get the powder ones too. These shoes are VERY soft and comfortable. And only $24.95!

Browsing

So I know I'm not supposed to buy anything while I'm doing the 30 for 30 challenge, but that doesn't mean I can't (browser) window shop... I hope! Because I've got my eyes on quite a few items I wish I could add to my list:

Gap Denim shirt (dark wash)

Gap Chambray shirt

Like one of these shirts from Gap. I've been meaning to add a chambray or denim button-down to my wardrobe for awhile now because they're so versatile and always in style. These are pretty nicely priced right now thanks to a sale. Must. Restrain. Self.

Banana Republic is KILLING IT in the accessories department for me lately. Want, want, want, want:

Rondelle bead earring		Pinball necklace
Lahaska criss-cross wedge		Sandpiper strands necklace

And, seriously, how adorbs is this ruffly white shirt from Ann Taylor Loft? It's just the right amount of business-meets-pleasure, I think:

I thought that writing all this would be therapeutic and make me stop wanting to rush out right now and buy things. Turns out, no.

Oh well. Hope ya'll have a fantastic weekend! And if you're a remixer... try to stay away from the malls! There's bound to be TONS of President's Day sales that will be way too tempting!

Steal it: Urban Outfitters Jet Set Storage Bench

Thanks to my friend Jennifer for tipping me off on this steal!

I recently linked to the Urban Outfitters Jet Set Storage Bench in Sage Tweed for my bedroom moodboard.

This versatile bench could play many roles in your home: as a bench, as storage and also as an ottoman! However, if the price tag has got you biting your fingernails, JCPenney's 2 Compartment Storage Bench is a look-alike in a much more easy-to-swallow $99.99!

Plus, there are always scores of JCPenney coupons if you know where to look...

Now that is a steal!

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.

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.

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.

Teased...

I hate when I think I've FINALLY found the ONE THING I was looking for... the ONE THING I need to complete some project...

...only to discover after completely falling head over heels in love with it that the item is completely out of stock. Nowhere to be found. Unless, of course, I want to pay triple the price or fly across the country.

I've been searching for an olive green tall-ish lamp at an affordable price that was also curvy and hollow. Those are some really specific demands, right?

I thought so, too. Up until I found the LJUSÅS SALBO lamp from Ikea. I do a couple backflips out of my desk chair, pump my fists in the air, scream YES!!! about 30 times at the top of my lungs and then...

... just out of curiosity, because this is too good to be true, I check the stock availability.*

Sold out at the store in Ohio. That's okay, I'll just check the...

...sold out at the Atlanta store, too?!

Nooooooooo!

*At the time of writing, this lamp is only available to folks visiting the Carson, California; Costa Mesa, California; or Seattle, Washington stores.

A steal!

I feel like I robbed Target today! I picked up this beautiful silver cracked metallic Hollywood Intuition wrap bracelet on CLEARANCE for $2.98!

These are a hot item right now, so I can't figure out why it was marked down from $10 to $3. I'm not complaining, though! I almost never find a deal this sweet. I love it so much I'm wearing it right now.

Now I'm going to have to stalk the clearance racks for one of these babies:

It's regularly priced at just $30, but the thrill of the hunt today has got me thirsty for more!

Etsy Envy

I've always had the girly dream of crafting something so awesome that I could sell it on Etsy. Not only could I make money, but I could be crafty and be my own boss. Sounds perfect, huh?

That dream has sadly not come true yet, but if I were a savvy Etsy crafter, here are some things I would want in my shop:

A camera bag just like this one by Bankgrrl. I know what you're thinking: THAT'S a camera bag? Yes, it is! It's beautiful and functional, and for how much my wonderful boyfriend spent on my camera I shouldn't even bat an eye at $165 to keep it safe. I want one so bad...

An adorable and versatile print like farouche's "Crocodile Scales." I love that it also incorporates the famous poem "How Doth the Little Crocodile" from Lewis Carroll's book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Felted pieces, like this lime felted bowl by shanineal. I love the color and the texture. Felting is definitely high on my list of things to learn how to do!

A magazine holder like paperdollwoodshop's "M is for magazine" in white would be a beautiful house for my new subscription of  "House Beautiful."

Necklaces made of buttons are my new obsession, so you can bet my shop would have something like minski's Golden brown button necklace. How cute!

Upcyclying is the repurposing of a material into a product of higher quality. I would love to be able to save tons of potential landfill space by making upcycled bags, like this Upcycled Sunburst Fused Plastic Wristlet by curiousdoodles.

Maybe someday, like when I am making tons of money on the side selling my own Etsy creations, I will be able to buy all of these treasures. But then again... wouldn't I be able to make my own? Argh! Catch-22!