ASOS pom-pom clutch

Photo: asos

 

The ASOS Geo-Tribal clutch bag with pom-pomps has summer written all over it. $53 at asos.com.

Right now, ASOS is offering $10 off your first order of $100 or more, plus free shipping. If you've never checked out asos.com, you really should. It is amazing. Lots of variety and great prices.

Merona Mallory perforated drivers

Photo: target.com

Summer 2014 is all about perforated accessories. Better yet, WHITE perforated accessories. And Target is giving it to you for $24.99 with Merona's "Mallory" white perforated driver moc.

 

They're not available in stores so you have to get them on-line but they are soooo worth it. My friend has them so I saw them up close and personal. They are AMAZING. They are 100% man-made material but have a soft, outer suede-like finish. Perfect for work or weekend.

 

If you can only get one closed flat shoe this summer, this is it. They look great with jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, whatever.

Rose-cut sleeping beauty turquoise

Photo: etsy

Sleeping Beauty turquoise is one of my favorite semi-precious minerals for jewelry. Love the color, love the name. Right now, Arizona is the most important producer of turquoise in the United States. One of the most important mines is the Sleeping Beauty mine in Globe, Arizona. It produces a special color and quality of turquoise, like the one pictured in this ring I found on etsy.

 

JanishJewels has amazing pieces for sale on etsy. This ring in particular is  rose-cut sleeping beauty turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine. It's set in an 18k gold bezel on a sterling silver twig band. So beautiful and unique. Treat yourself!

Oakley "Warm Up" sunglasses

Photo: Oakley.com

If you're in need of sunglasses this summer and don't want to spend a fortune, you should check out Marshall's. I just got this great pair of women's Oakley "Warm Up" sunglasses for $32 on clearance!!! No, it's not a typo. These retail for $120.00. Got them in the tortoiseshell finish, which I love. They are super light-weight and have Polarized lenses which are great for minimizing glare.

 

Marshall's had a ton of other high-end brands like Coach and Kate Spade. If you don't see something you like at one location, check out another Marshall's because they don't always get the same products.

Happy Weekend

Photo: Bloomsbury.com

Looking for a book to read this summer? How about starting with this one - my next read and my book club's next read. My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff. Comes out June 3. Cannot wait. If you're a reader, this is a must.

 

My Salinger Year is a memoir about literary New York in the late 1990's, before the digital age. It's been described as a coming-of-age story about a talented writer and a testament to the universal power of books to shape our lives.

 

Charles Bock, New York Times best-selling author of Beautiful Children says, "This is an impossibly excellent read—a glowingly entertaining, miss-your-subway-stop engrossing, note-perfect piece of storytelling." Sold.

 

Gap 1969 button-front denim dress

Photo: gap.com

Must. Have. This. Dress. Gap's 1969 button-front denim dress for summer 2014. I'm pretty sure I had something similar when I was a kid in the '70's. If I were a dress, this is what I'd be.

 

Unfortunately, I checked Gap right now and it's sold out. I think it sold out in less than a day because Gap just put this dress on it's website yesterday. Incredible. I'm gonna cry.

Jason's Sea Fresh Toothpaste Gel

Photo: lookfantastic.com

 

This is my favorite organic toothpaste. Jason Natural Cosmetics' Sea Fresh toothpaste. It's actually a gel. You can get it at Whole Foods. I like the Deep Sea Spearmint one.

 

It has three natural whitening polishers: bamboo powder, calcium carbonate and silica which help prevent plaque build-up and are more gentle on your teeth than other whitening ingredients. Anti-bacterial grapefruit seed extract and perilla seed extract help block sugar acids and bacteria forming in your mouth. Certified organicaAloe vera gel helps soothe and relieve gums from irritation. Essential oil of mint gives it that Deep Spearmint flavor.

 

My favorite thing about this toothpaste: no fluoride, no sodium lauryl sulfate, no saccharin, no preservatives, and no animal testing. Try it; I think you'll really like it.

Coolest earrings

Photos: Dior

Dior T Shirt earrings. So darn cool. They come in different variations. The small pearl rests on the ear while the larger pearl peeps out from behind the earlobe. They can be worn alone or as a pair. They go with EVERYTHING. So classic, yet at the same time, fresh and modern and edgy. Timeless and ageless. I really like the all-pearl version seen here on Rihanna. Amazing.

Super yes, please

Photo: loefflerrandall

I always wear flats. Never heels. I feel fake in them and not myself. Even when I go out at night, I wear flats. These are perfect. The Lita Mignon sandal by Loeffler Randal, one of my favorite brands. I love the name . . . Lita Mignon. Just rolls off the tongue. Whoever named this shoe should be given a raise 'cause she (or he) nailed it.

 

The perfect color combo - black and nude; very Chanel. Would look good with shorts, with jeans, with a dress, with skirts; could wear it to work, to the movies, to lunch, and so on and so forth. You get the picture.

 

They're $295 so a bit steep. I'll just pin these to my pinterest "crazy good shoes" board and keep an eye on them in case they go on sale somewhere or turn up on ebay. You never know.

Happy weekend

Photo: gillettevenus.com

This is my favorite razor. The Venus Embrace Sensitive by Gillette. Been using it since it came out. It's designed for sensitive skin. Has that built-in moisture strip and five blades for a super smooth shave without nicks or cuts. Love the light ocean blue color - nice and serene. I read somewhere that it's the #1 razor used by female dermatologists.

 

There's always coupons for these in newspaper coupon inserts or online, so go ahead and check it out. Great for summer when you need to shave a lot.

Crochet Totes

Photo: toryburch.com

 

This is the bag I've been carrying for almost a year (probably should have switched it out in the fall and winter t2013 o something in leather, but really, here in Miami because of the temperature, I think crochet is fine all year long). Tory Burch's navy and emerald green crochet zip tote.

 

It's great because you can carry it on your shoulder, in the crook of your arm, or cross-body. Roomy inside with zippered pocked and 2 more open pockets. Received tons of compliments on this one because of the crochet pattern and colors.

 

This bag's no longer available, but crochet is super duper in so you should have no problem finding a really good one for summer. I'll probably carry this through September 2014, then retire it for a new leather bag. If I had to get another right now, I'd get the Valencia Straw Tote from Calypso St. Barth. $135 so not too bad, and they have a store right here in Coral Gables at the Village of Merrick Park.

Best white tee

Photo: gap.com

The best white tee, in my opinion, comes from Gap. Right now, Gap's favorite short-sleeve crew tee is $12.00. Come in a variety of colors, but for summer, white is the way to go.

 

They are long so they won't untuck and show your belly or your backside. They are fitted so you don't look frumpy. The sleeve length is just right, and they aren't tissue-thin so your stomach and belly-button won't show through. Crucial in your later years.

 

Oh, and did I mention they are currently $12? You need to buy more than one. White tees are meant to be replaced every year, if you wear them often. Don't skimp and try to wear the same white tee for longer, 'cause they just don't look crisp. You can recyle them - they make great cleaning rags.

Mailboxes

Photo: monsyb

 

Here's our mailbox. Been thinking about changing it out for a new one, but I haven't really found anything I like better. This one was originally from Restoration Hardware I believe (from many, many years ago). I like the fact that it's worn and faded and has black duct tape on the bottom to keep the bottom attached. Still serves its purpose so might just end up keeping it. If you're in the market for a new mailbox, check out Marshall's, TJMaxx, pinterest and etsy for unique ones.

Barney Butter

Photo: barneybutter.com

I love peanut butter and used to eat it almost every day. But I switched over to almond butter a few months ago, and this one is my favorite. Barney Butter's Crunchy almond butter (there's also the smooth version if you don't like crunchy). Give it a try. It's a little healthier than peanut butter, milder flavor, and just simply delicious. I especially like it on Carr's water cracker's with Whole Foods' strawberry conserve. Great mid-day snack with just the right amount of protein and sweetness.

 

Caveat: It's not cheap, and it's pricier than other almond butters. But trust me, it's the best-tasting one out there by far.

They're back

Photo: urbanoutfitters.com

 

Mules. Popular in the '90's but soooo much better now. I especially like these nude ones, the Druid Peep-Toe Mule, from Jeffrey Campbell available at Urban Outfitters for $155. So many options with these.

 

But a few rules. They look best with my favorite type of skirt - an A-line knee-length style or midi skirt. NEVER wear them with a mini-skirt or mini-dress or shorts. And if you're going to wear them with jeans, boyfriend style or cropped jeans look best. Forget skinny jeans with these. Also stacked heel styles like these or wedges are the most modern - skip the stiletto heel.