Going, going . . .

Credit: Target

I know I already did a post this week about an upcoming Target buy you need to check out. But I could be sued for negligence if I didn't tell you about this one. It's in stores already, so if you don’t get there soon, you might not get a shot at them.

 

The Mossimo Sonora flat sandal is the perfect spring/summer sandal, and here in Miami, the perfect all-year-round sandal. Luggage tan faux leather so it goes with everything, and the multi-color ethnic embroidered strap reminds me of the Mexican embroidered peasant tops I love so much and the super cute woven Wayuu mochila bags from Colombian that everyone’s sporting lately.

 

At $19.99, it’s pretty hard to pass these up. I tried them on and they are really comfy. They also come in black, but the tan one is the one to get and the one that’ll sell out, for sure. These would look great with denim shorts and a nice, crisp white tee. An inexpensive way to get a start on spring and summer 2014, and they'll make you smile every time you wear them. Run, don't walk, to get these babies.

One word - perfection

Credit: NYDailynews.com

That describes 12 Years a Slave's Lupita Nyong'o at the Golden Globes this year.  Styled by the amazing native New Yorker, Micaela Erlanger, a graduate of the Parsons The New School For Design, Lupita was hands down, the best dressed female actor at this year's Globes. Her cherry-red Ralph Lauren simple yet stunning sheath with attached cape was INSANE!! No necklace, no long earrings, no crazy hair, no crazy shoes. Just simple diamond studs, a couple of rings, and the rest is history. What's not to love?

I've loved this one for, like, ever

Credit: Super-rural.com 

I first saw this poster waaaaay back in 2006, when it was featured on my beloved but now defunct Domino magazine, the best decorating magazine of all time. I loved it right away because of the colors, the typeface (so '70's, reminiscent of my childhood), and the Valley-girl talk (so '80's, reminiscent of my teenage years). Makes me happy just to look at it. The 24" by 36" poster is $65 and available at www.super-rural.com. Get it. It'll make you, like, so happy.

Wait for it . . . wait for it . . .

Credit: Target

And it’s almost here! Peter Pilotto for Target lands in your local Target store on Sunday, February 9. Pilotto and Christopher De Vos are the creative brains behind the London-based label. Sandra Bullock wore one of their blue and green print dresses from their Resort 2014 line to the  People's Choice Awards this month.

Google the Target Lookbook and check out the Brit brand’s incredible prints. My favorite is the dress pictured here, along with the black and white print Van-like sneakers. Love how the dress was styled with the sneakers (although, for real life, I think white Converse work better). I'd probably wear this dress to work with little flats (you guys know I never wear heels) and a J. Crew navy blazer. Or maybe J. Crew denim jacket. But you can wear this number anywhere and all year long here in Miami.

Something new this time with Target: for the first time, they are offering their designer collaborations on Net-a-Porter, so now it's available to women all over the world. Yeah!

As with any Target designer collaboration, you won’t know what the fabric is like and how it fits until you see it/try it in person.  Check out the collection on Feb.9.  Pretty, pretty sure there’s something there you’re gonna love.

Colossal Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle - oh my

Credit: Anthropologie

Okay, if you want to make a huge statement somewhere in your home, go get this stunning candle at Anthropologie. The brand Capri Blue makes the most beautiful, soy wax blend candles, as well as the most amazingly scented ones. Yes, this 141 oz., mottled mercury glass one will set you back $178. But let's say you need a new coffee table in your tv/living room and don't have the cash to shell out for a really nice one. Put this mammoth candle on your current coffee table and voila! Your new table has taken on a new life. It's almost like adding sparkly diamond earrings to brighten up your face.

This one comes in the incredible, exotic Volcano scent - a luscious mix of tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, and limes. Just heaven. It has a five wicks on it, with a 250-hour burn time. The impressive size is 6.5 inches high by 9 inches in diameter. And my favorite part - handmade in the good 'ol USA.

When you've burnt the last bit of candle, pop it in your freezer for about half an hour and like magic, the remnant wax pieces will just pop out when you take it out of the freezer. Then you'll have a beautiful mercury glass container to use as a vase, as storage, or whatever.

If you don't have the $178 at the moment ('cause you spent some of it buying the Fujifilm Instax mini camera I told you to go get in one of my previous posts!), don't worry. The mottled mercury glass version also comes in three smaller sizes: $12/2.5 oz. mini size (so cute I want to carry it in my bag), the $28/24 oz., and $88/75 oz. size. Go to Anthropologie, look at it, smell it, hold it, think about it, then get it.

Winds from the east . . . Mist comin' in . . .

Credit: Disney Films

Like something's a brewin', about to begin . . .

Can't put me finger on what lies in store . . .

But I feel what's to 'appen, all 'appened before . . ."

- Mary Poppins, the movie

And so starts the beautiful opening scene from the movie, Savings Mr. Banks. Out of all the Golden Globe, Oscar and Screen Actors' Guild Award contenders this awards season, the one that's surprised me the most is Saving Mr. Banks. The film pulls you in, right from the get-go. There's just something about the irony of knowing that the author of one of the most beloved children's books/stories of all time had such a sad, sad childhood, that makes this film one not to miss.

I know, I know.There's been a ton of criticism on how Disney Films did not accurately portray the complex relationship between Walt Disney and P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins' author and the tale of how Disney tried to convince Taverse to sign over her right to Mary Poppins. There is definitely a lot of factual fault with the film. Even so, it's a charming, smart film. The main gist of it, that the disappointment and sadness Travers experienced as a child is what allowed her to create Mary Poppins, is not lost. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons.

Emma Thompson as Travers and Paul Giamatti as her Hollywood chauffeur are superb. The flashbacks to Travers' Australian outback upbringing,  contrasting with her controlled English life are, as the English say, brilliant. And although I'm not a huge fan of Tom Hanks (I know this is sacriligious to many of you, kind of like not liking Julie Roberts, who I also don't like so much), I have to admit he was pretty good as Disney. And a big shout-out to Colin Farrell (see him in one of my favorite films, In Bruges, for some amazing acting), who was very convincing as Travers' alcoholic, tender, and loving father.

I cried like crazy during many parts of the movie, just because there were so many heart-breaking and poignant moments during the scenes of Travers as an adult, who is shown constantly remembering and reflecting on her childhood and her relationship with her father, as she struggles to decide whether she should give up the rights to her beloved Mary Poppins ("Never, ever just Mary, " says Travers in the film) to Disney. 

You've probably seen Mary Poppins the movie, and you've been to Disney World. So now do yourself a favor and go see Saving Mr. Banks before it rolls on out of theatres. Spit-spot.  You're gonna love it.

Anthropologie Addict - Part 1

Credit: Anthropologie

They say the first step in admitting an addiction is admitting you have a problem. Well, if any of you know me well enough, you know I definitely have a problem with Anthropologie. I LOVE Anthro (it's nickname for the truly obsessed)!!!!! Favorite store of all-time. Going to Anthro is like going on a mini-vacation. Visit their kitchen section, you're in one country. Stroll through their bathroom section, you're visiting another country. Spend a little time at their jewelry counter, you've just been transported somewhere else.  In the 1970's, women were asking Calgon to "take me away." Well, my friends, in the 21st century, if you want to escape, just make a beeline for your local Anthro (that is, if you're blessed enough to have one) and be ready to get that serotonin flowing. 

Here in Miami, we're lucky enough to have not one but two Anthros within reach: one at Merrick Park in Coral Gables and one on Miami Beach on Lincoln Road. My personal preference and recommendation: the one in Merrick Park. I'm saying this not only because I live just minutes away, but also because parking is way easier at Merrick than on the beach. Also, because the Merrick Park Anthro is a bit smaller in size, it feels more "full" in terms of items and a little bit cozier. I can go on and on about Anthro, but will save my thoughts for later, which is why I've posted this as Part 1 of many, many more Anthro posts to come. 

So if you need a little time to yourself or just a quick get away, head on over to Anthro (if you don't have one near you, just pop on their website or blog - you'll get a similar get-away experience). But if you get addicted, don't say I didn't warn you. But hey, whatever. It's all good. I know you're gonna love it.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera - treat someone (or yourself)

Credit: Fujifilm

  

Have a tween or teen you need to buy a gift for (I think you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition, but whatever)?  I had the first Polaroid camera when I was about 13 (do NOT try to guess my age, thank you very much). It was awesome.

But if I was a teenager now, I'd DEFINITELY have the Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera. So much cooler. So much cuter. I think I want one just so I can have it on my desk at work to look at it; it's so darn ADORABLE. Or maybe I'd put it on my nightstand so I can look at it before I go to sleep.

The Instax Mini takes instant, mini or wallet-size pics. The film comes in white, or you can get colored or patterned borders, which are unbelievabley cute. Urban Outfitters seems to always have the coolest ones. The camera costs $59 for white or black models and $100 for pastel blue, pink, or yellow. I think white and pastel blue are the best - pastel blue is always out of stock everywhere.

Birthday present, graduation present, whatever. Get this for a teen, and they'll love you. Or treat yourself and get your own - you'll love it.

Tory Burch Augusta dress - yes, please

Credit: Tory Burch

If you need something to get you excited for spring, check out Tory Burch's Resort 2014 line. Crazy good. My top pick: the Augusta dress. At $350, a bit steep for a simple striped dress, but those slanted stripe panels on the side really give it that extra edge. If you’ve got the cash, go for it. You could wear this dress with Converse, pumps, flats, whatever. Throw a jean jacket over it to the movies or wear it to work. Love it.

Best lip stuff around - and the cutest

Okay, you're gonna have to go get this today. If you are like me and suffer from dry lips, you need to have lip balm, ointment, whatever, available at arms length at all times - in your bag, in your car, at home, at work, whatever. This is the ONLY lip balm I use - one because it's the best, and two, because it's the cutest (I can't pass up anything in mini size).  This is the original Vaseline petroleum jelly in the .25 oz size. Available at your local drugstore. Runs less than $1.50. How many ingredients? One - 100% pure petroleum jelly. A little goes a long way. And if you read one of my favorite health/food blogs, foodbabe, you'll find out that this lip balm is probably the only one that doesn't make your lips drier, unlike other lip balms and ointments on the market. You can also use this as a lip gloss. And on your cuticles. And to brush your eyebrows. And to . . . well, the list goes on. You're gonna love it.