FRIDAY FANCIES

Random fancies this week:

Have been coveting this JCrew necklace forever and finally picked it up a few weeks ago when there was a 30% sale:

Am on the hunt/safari for new eyeglass frames and LOVE LOVE LOVE these....not sure tho I can wear them unless I discover an unknown ability to paint and move to New York City:

Dear Anthropologie, please put this on sale so I can justify another scarf, it would definitely be a foundation piece for my summer wardrobe:

I like these Mossimo ankle pants from Target, they are very similar to the ones from Gap and are half the price:

ON SAFARI

Hello to all fashionistas.  I am on safari for the following items.  PLEASE please help a girl out and share with me your favorites in the categories below:

1.  Concealer-  I am pretty sure I need to begin using concealer instead of foundation since I have so much I wish to cover from the blue veins on my eyelids to the redness on my nose and chin to the dark circles under my eyes.  However since that makeup application would probably result in the thick concealer settling in my wrinkles I am forced to go in a new direction.  What brand do you use and love?

2.  Eyelid Primer- I have tried many and just cannot find one that keeps my shadow on all day.  Maybe the primer is not the problem??  I have tried both cream and powder formulas of shadow with the same results; on at 7AM and gone by 11AM.

3.  Self Tanner-I have used St. Tropez the past few summers and am moderately happy with the color and application.  However it is pricey and if there is a less expensive brand you use and love, please share it with me.  Do you think the gradual self tanners that are in moisturizers ever give you enough color?  I am most interested in tanning my legs and have given some thought to trying the Sally Hansen Spray but have no real knowledge of it.

4.  Dark Brown cropped ankle pants- NO not capris, they are not a good look for me.  However I will wear ankle pants and do have a great pair of black ones from Gap.  It seems tho all I can find are  more black or pretty colors like mint green and yellow but those are not the basic dark colors I like to wear on my bottom half.  I would even consider navy if such an item exists

So there you have it...my Safari checklist.  What are you currently on safari for?  Please share all items (both recommendations as well as those you want/need)  in the comment section at the end of this post. and we can help each other.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Its a holiday weekend and keeping that in mind:

I KNOW you would want to go on a picnic with me if I bring one  (what the heck, all)  of these Kate Spade wine totes and picnic baskets:

Now if I could just get this monogrammed, it would be perfect and would hold my Kate Spade baskets and totes (well not all of them but you will have a basket too won't you?) as we bicycle to our picnic spot:

I will need to rest after the bicycle ride and picnic and this looks so comfy:

My cold drink in a pink Lily tumbler, yes please:

My perfect day will  also include this new release, Bury my Ashes at Bergdorfs:

What are your fun plans for this weekend?

OVER THE TOP VS BEING SAFE

Say hello to my new handbag, the Kate Spade Minka in sea foam green:

It will absolutely be  a foundation piece of my spring/summer wardrobe.  In fact, I am sure I will carry this bag into fall.  To me it is a neutral and I plan to wear it with pretty much every color in my wardrobe.  A good friend laughed when I told her this and said I am the only person in the world who would call this color a"neutral".  That could be true.  You may find me a bit over the top at times in my wardrobe but hopefully I will never bore you.  I think women in the 40 plus age range walk a narrow line..how can we stay stylish without being frumpy?  I believe knowing our personal style and being confident in our choices is important.  As I think about this topic I realize what is conservative for me is way too much for some and not enough for others. 

If you a fan of the classic style, perhaps wearing a multi strand pearl necklace instead of a single strand will feel adventuresome.  Try a larger pearl stud earring.  Wear 2 bracelets instead of one.  Pick a handbag in your favorite color and let it stand out and not "match" anything in your outfit.  Do a "half tuck" of your classic white shirt.  

If you are an "artsy" dresser, give a basic black pencil skirt and white shirt with simple jewelry a try.  If every single earring you own dangles from your ear lobe try a stud.  If you favor oversized handbags, try a clutch.  

Fashion should be fun and what is safe for one person is over the top for another and vice versa.  Its important we take a few risks in all parts of life, including fashion.  Have fun, mix it up a bit and please share in the comments section below what your biggest fashion risk has been.

LINK LOVE

Fun to see what everyone wore to the White House Correspondent's Dinner.  Am I the only who ponders whether Anna Wintour wears a wig??
http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/04/red-carpet-white-house-correspondents-dinner.html#

Ideas on how to decorate for a "calm home feeling":
http://theinspiredroom.net

3 common mistakes in applying blush:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/14/blush-makeup-mistakes-video_n_3267113.html?utm_hp_ref=style&ir=Style

How often do we say "I could never wear that"?  Thoughtful article on not self eliminating styles:
http://www.alreadypretty.com/2013/05/yes-you-can-wear-that.html

FRIDAY FANCIES

Are these sandals not beyond adorable, Sam Edelman at Nordstroms:

Love the color, love the bow, love Kate Spade:

I am trying to stop putting Splenda in my morning coffee and using natural sugar.  How pretty is this sugar bowl from Anthropologie:

Fun blog read, http://theglitterguide.com

LINK LOVE

It seems only fitting that today's links will be ideas for special women in your life:

My favorite gift is time with people I love:

 Second on my list are items that I can keep forever, a beautiful watch or bracelet (thank you Evan and Colin for giving me both of those) that I can wear every day and think of the person(s) who gave it to me:

I love to give and receive items that I would not purchase for myself such as a beautiful pashmina that will  keep wear all year long as a wrap or a scarf:

I love to read and a magazine subscription or a book that someone thinks I will enjoy is always special:

What are some of your favorite gifts you have given and received?

SUMMER STAPLES

Its May and FINALLY the temperature has started to creep above 60 degrees.  I switched my closet over from winter to summer clothing several weeks ago but found myself creeping back into the "winter closet" many mornings.  I think I prefer the coverage that items like sweaters, jackets and tights provide.  So how does one still get some coverage without passing out from heat stroke on a 90 degree July day?  I have some recommendations for summer staples:

1.  Leggings - Several years ago I spent some time debating whether or not I could actually embrace this trend.  The women in the hosiery department at Nordstroms who were in my age range, urged me to give simple black leggings a try.  You know what finally swayed me?  I looked down at my pasty white legs with varicose veins and thought how could leggings not look better?  hahaha...that is honestly how I decided to try them.  I am not a big capri fan nor do I ever wear shorts so a skirt or dress with leggings (no embellishments, just plain black or chocolate brown ones) is a cool and comfortable summer option for me.  I like both Vince Camuto and Spanx brands as they are opaque and extremely sturdy. 

2.  Gap 1969 boyfriend jeans in City Blue Wash- These jeans are highly recommended on many fashion blogs.  I ordered a pair a few weeks ago and am in love with them.  The fabric weight is PERFECT; not stiff but definitely offers structure.  The dark wash is flattering.  I tend to prefer as dark a color as possible on my lower half for obvious reasons. They can be rolled up to show off your cute shoes or left unrolled for a straight leg look.

3. Light weight cardigans-I prefer cotton ones as they "breathe".  I also prefer bright colored ones that offer some fun color pairings.  Let me be honest here, it is a  favorite summer "cover up my arms" option.

4. Statement jewelry-Pretty much always a staple for me, summer, fall, winter and spring.

Notice that I have not mentioned footwear?  On safari right now for shoe options AS ALWAYS and will share when I find some worthy of a blog recommendation.

FRIDAY FANCIES

I am almost afraid to put this in print but...I might have...maybe....perhaps.....could have.....found a brand of shoes that I can wear.  Of course they cost more than any shoe I have ever purchased (which isn't saying much since cheap shoes are how I ended up in this foot mess).  A friend of mine was in San Diego CA and happened to enter a comfort shoe store.  She called me to say they had a brand named Ziera and there were some cute styles.  I promptly looked them up on line and ended up ordering these for our son's wedding (Ziera Jade):

Tried on these Kate Spade earrings at Nordstroms (Thanks Laura for finding them).  They are absolutely beautiful and match my dress for the wedding:

Just reserved this book at the library.  Looks like a great summer read:

My hair gets frizzy in the heat and humidity.  My hair stylist recommended Aveda Smooth Infusion and so far, it seems to really help tame the frizz: