in LoVE

I am love love loving this stationary company I just came across, Smudge Ink. Everything they have is sooo colorful and pretty! I want it all! They also have some really great Christmas cards. I usually stick to the $2.99 packages of cards I find at TJ Maxx or Marshalls, so these cards are a little out of my normal price range... could make a great gift though!

OMG

I had been looking forward to Anna Sui's new Gossip Girl line for Target since it was announced... I guess I should have checked it out online yesterday (the first day the pieces went on sale), because the 2 dresses I had my eye on are already OUT OF STOCK!?!? (tear) SOOO disappointed... hopefully they will have more stock soon.. check it out for yourself: gossip girl.

Gossip Girl returns tonight, at least we have that to look forward to!

xoxo

Never Forget

Fall is in the air

Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the way the air feels, the leaves, and all the different colors fall brings. Fall also means, return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at starbucks. WAHOOOO

FINALLY bargain time!

OMG I am so behind! I have been sooo busy the last couple of weeks- no time for bargains! Well this is a great great story to start back up again.

Last Christmas my mom bought me a tote bag from J Crew. Great bag for work, plenty of room of all my "stuff" ie, shoes, wallet, ipod, planner, make up case, card case, etc... everything for train commuting lifestyle. Loved the bag. Well about a month ago the bag broke :( One of the straps ripped on my way to work. Very inconvenient! SO I decided to write a letter to J Crew and send the bag back in hopes it could be repaired.....

What shows up in my mail box on Friday, a $42 gift card to J Crew!! And funny, my mom only spent $9 on the bag! Love you JCREW. Just in time for the extra 20% all sale items!!

Happy Birthday Coco!

Today marks the birthday of one of the most influential designers, Coco Chanel.

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971) was a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important figure in 20th-century fashion. Her extraordinary influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century. - Wikipedia

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” - Coco Chanel

Linens-N-Things

I recently came across "The NEW Linens-N-Things" online - I thought they went out of business???!!! Well apparently not! And their online store has tons and tons of stuff on sale!

WOW WOW 1/2 Price!!

I came across this beauty website the sells OPI nail polish, among other beauty products, at half price! OPI Nail Polish is my absolute fav, but at $9 a bottle it can get a little pricey to have all the colors you want. This site sells the bottles for only $4.48, 2 for the price of one! I am so excited. I love painting my own nails, rather then going to a salon.... weird I know, but I find it to be very relaxing. I can't wait to check out the colors in stock.. today on the Zoe Report, Rachel blogged about WHITE being the transitional nail color from summer to fall... I am needing a new white nail polish ;)

September Issue

Sooo excited.. I just got the September Issue of Elle Magazine yesterday. 500 pages of the latest fashion finds for Fall '09. Can't wait to spend hours reading it!

Zoe Report

As I am counting down the days until the return of the Rachel Zoe Project (Monday, August 24th 10pm!!!!!), I started to prepare myself by following The Zoe Report. You can sign up at rachelzoe.com to receive daily "glamour for your inbox". The topics include Rachel's favorites in accessories, apparel, beauty, jewelry, and lifestyle. The website made its debut on Monday, so I am sure there is much more to come! BANANAS!

"Style is what one creates... glamour is a state of mind" - Rachel Zoe

Deals, Deals, Deals

So yesterday I blogged about Target's Daily Deals.. after checking it out today I found this awesome retro green alarm clock.. only $12.99 with free shipping!!! I loooove it!

Daily Deals

Just came across Target's "Daily Deals"- an area of their website that offers special discounts for merchandise that isn't normally sold. These "deals" are offered for a 24 hour window (or until they sell out). What's on sale today? Via Spiga designer bag for $91.99.... list price $185. Add this to your "favorites". I plan on checking the deals out everyday!

Friends & Family at Ann Taylor

beach day!

happy friday everyone! even though the weather is not so nice out there.. here are a few of my favorite "martha" beach ideas! enjoy!!

Yummy

I just came across this recipe for Margarita Cupcakes! They look soo yummy... perfect for a BBQ! Here is the recipe below:

INGREDIENTS

Cupcakes:1 box white cake mix8 oz margarita mix (liquid)2 oz tequila1 oz Grand Marnier 3 egg whites2 Tbsp vegetable oil1 Tbsp grated lime zest

Lime Buttercream Icing: 8 Tbsp butter, softened8 oz cream cheese, softened2 Tbsp lime juice (approx 2 fresh limes)1 Tbsp margarita mix1 tsp lime zest5 cups powdered (confectioners’) sugarcane sugar & fresh limes (for garnish)*****

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350º and prepare muffin pans.
2. Combine margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large glass and stir well.
3. In large bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mixture from step one. Stir ingredients together, then beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup/liner about 2/3 full.
5. Bake at recommended temperature on cake mix box (usually 325º – 350º) for 20 – 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Icing:6. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, lime juice, margarita mix, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
7. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons at a time.
8. Spread icing generously on each cooled cupcake* or use a pastry bag to frost. Sprinkle cane sugar around the edges of the cupcake for a “salt rimmed” look and garnish with lime wheels & wedges.
*Make sure to remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely before frosting.

where's your neighborhood?

I am dying to buy one of these posters, I think they are so cool! OakPosters sells "modern, typographical neighborhood posters and screen prints". The neighborhoods they have designed so far are: Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Great Lakes, LA, Manhattan, NYC, Philly, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and DC. I am really loving the Boston screen print (of course!) but haven't quite decided on a color yet...

Madberries

So I came across this great website, madberries.com. It was actually in the Today Show Post from a couple of weeks ago... Anyways, this website posts tons of great prizes you can enter to win every day! You can go on and enter the contests once a day, each item is posted for about a week... I have entered to win, though I haven't won anything yet... I am keeping my fingers crossed ;)

Happy Monday!

www.anntaylor.com

Loving This

I recently came across LuLus... really fun clothes and accessories for a fraction of the price of most designer clothes. The brand has some funky stuff, really one-of-a-kind... check it out: www.lulus.com

Ladies.. hide your wallets..

Great bargains at JCrew PLUS 20% off all sale prices!

Starbucks Coupon

Commandants House

Last night I attended an event for Boston Weddings Magazine at the Commandants House in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard. The venue was fabulous! “The house on the hill” overlooks the USS Constitution, Boston Harbor, and the city skyline. This National Park Service property has been host to royalty, dignitaries, Presidents and captains of industry. Check out the pictures below!

This would be a great location for a wedding or social event! They have the ability to hold events both inside the house as well as on the lawn in front.

For someone that is looking for a venue that is a little more original, this would be a perfect place! Loved it!

Happy Friday!! We made it! 8-)

that's BANANAS!

Rachel Zoe and her team are back for Season 2 of the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo! SOOOO SOOO excited! I am a huge fan of Rachel Zoe and love seeing all of her fashion and style tips.

Last year I got her book Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour. Rachel shares insider tips of fashion and " behind-the velvet-rope lifestyle". The book also features the "must haves" for every woman, even without spending the big bucks.

The show returns August 25th!

Whose your Daddy..

Just signed up for Urban Daddy... a daily email that keeps you in the "know" of all the best kept secrets your city has to offer. There are 9 different editions: Boston, Chicago, Jet Set, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, National, New York, and San Francisco.

After signing up, Urban Daddy promises to send you invites to great parties, exclusive give-aways, and private sales. Why wouldn't you sign up??

I'm already going to a cocktail party at Kingfish Hall after work for free drinks and samplings from their new menu! So recession-ista! ;)

40% off Kate Spade

Enjoy 40% all sale prices! The discount is applied at check out!

Time to shop! 8-)

xoxo Gossip Girl

The newest addition to Target's long list of designers: Anna Sui. Coming to Target Stores September 13th through October 17th- the line will be based on the WB's hit show Gossip Girl. The "Look Book" features the main characters: Serena, Blair, Jenny, and Vanessa inspired outfits. Can't wait to hit Target September 13th!!!

Small Card

So, a while back I blogged about some rubber stamps I had custom made will little sayings on them. And FINALLY just got around to using them! I'm not loving the card stock that I picked out, I don't think the ink shows up very well- next time I will have to pick out a different material to stamp on... but here is a picture of one:

The picture is not the clearest, as I used my cell phone to take a picture... but if you can't see, it says: "small card, big thanks". I printed the saying on the front of the note card and the bottom right of the envelope. The other 2 sayings I stamped were: "Hello Sunshine and P.S.". I have put them together in small packs with ribbon... I think they will make a great little gift!

FREE?

Happy 4th Everyone!

Hope you were able to enjoy the time and weather as much as I did! We had a great 4th of July weekend, spending time with family and friends on the beach... lots of laughs, great food, and weather.

While on vaca, I saw this GREAT GREAT GREAT story on the Today Show about looking fabulous without spending a dime. TOTALLY up my alley obviously! I was a little upset that I missed part of the story, but was able to find it on their website! They give great times about getting free samples, entering beauty contests, and in store promotions. For more info, click HERE

4th of July

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and I am getting very excited to celebrate with my family and friends! In honor of the 4th, I have included some of my most favorite "Martha Ideas" Enjoy!!

Poppy Girl

I am absolutely loving Coach's new POPPY Line! Perfect for the summer with bright colors you can brighten up any day! (at this point if the summer weather doesn't get better soon I would take anything!) Check out the line HERE.

If you are not willing to part with your hard earned cash, as we all are still feeling these days, check out Shop Suey Boutique. This website features designer look a like bags, sunglasses and accessories. As seen in numerous magazines including all my favs Lucky, Glamour, InStyle, Self and US Weekly AND even on the Today Show! You can get this season "in" bag for only a fraction of the price! Shop now and take advantage of their 50% Moving Sale, until tomorrow at midnight! Click HERE to visit their website.

Let's hope the sun comes out soon! 8-)

Heart Carrie

WELL this is some very exciting news! Jimmy Choo will be coming to H&M this fall! Jimmy Choo will be the newest designer added to H&M's trendy, yet discounted line! The luxury brand, famous for sky-high stilettos and large purses, will create a line of shoes, bags and accessories for men and women that arrive in stores on November 14. - Luxist.com

We can expect to see not only a shoe & accessory line from Jimmy Choo, but a clothing line designed to match!

Now we can live in style without having to pay the HUGE bucks!

"If I spent forty-thousand dollars shoes and have no place to live, I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes" - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex & the City

Not loving this weather!

So I am really not loving this weather at all! DEFINITELY not summer weather... feels more like April! Anyways, the sun is supposed to come out tomorrow... let's all keep our fingers crossed. I am really looking forward to this...

Every year, my family and our family friends go up to Maine to celebrate the 4th of July.... we have a great time, and always LOTS and LOTS of stories and laughs! I can only hope the sun will come out before then! (and for our trip of course!)

Sale Sale SALE!

The Annual Long Champ Sale begins today! I was looking forward to this all year (since last June)... although I'm not sure if I am thrilled with the color selection. I was on the hunt for a new work bag, and these are PERFECT because they never get dirty! I have a smaller bag now- anytime something gets on it I just have to wipe it off with a little soap and water... anyways, the "sale colors" are a tad bit bright and I'm not sure if they will match all my work outfits... hmm we'll see.

To check it out for yourself, visit www.longchamp.com and look for the SALE section!

Kate Spade

Last day for Kate Spade's Sample Sale! Today only, get an additional 20% off all sample prices!!! Click HERE

Happy Rainy Friday!

Sample Sale

The Kate Spade Sample sale starts today! 75% off!!! Hurry, sale ends Friday!!!

so excited!

I am so excited... I have been eyeing these Andy Warhol plates from CB2 for a while now... and they just went on sale, $0.95 each! So I had to scoop them up... I am a huge fan of Andy Warhol's work! I find him so interesting and original.... can't wait for my new plates to be delivered :)