Splurge or Savvy? {retail therapy #1}

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It's one of those fun moments when a friend (or stranger) says "Love your ____ (fill in the blank)". I'm talking fashion here, so whether it's your shoes, bag, bangle, dress or lipstick, I think it feels fantastic to know your personal style is appreciated. It's okay to flash a Mona Lisa smile when complimented, and keep a savvy deal to yourself, but some of us like to dish. So let's play......

splurge or savvy?

One of these lamps runs $469.00, the other is my recent savvy steal at $54.99.

Can you tell which is which?

The clue is in my recent blog post Welcome to the Weekend...{Eye Candy!}. I showed an image of a new lamp I snagged at our local Target store. It was one of those moments....our eyes met, I felt that Kelly Wearstler vibe, and I had to have it.  After I shared my post online, my lovely blogger friend, Shelly at LUSH , wrote a comment and complimented me on finding such style and value. She shared a link to the lamp on the right.  Imagine my surprise, to see a lamp, so similar to mine, for roughly 8 times the price.  I knew it was a great find but didn't know how great. Thank you Shelly!

(That's right-lamp on left retails for $54.99 and the lamp on right retails for $469.00-wow!) 

Retail Therapy Tip #1-There is definitely a time to splurge and a time to be savvy. 

In this case, I 'm feeling savvy and want to share more of my finds with you. The hunt is on!

splurge or Savvy?

I put together some of my favorite splurge/savvy finds of the week. 

Can you tell which is which? 

{Resources and links for the fashions above}

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I own the "savvy" black chiffon  Mossimo skirt also from Target. It's a very well-priced way to incorporate a trend and not spend a fortune on it. 

If you have some hot tips and 'savvy' ideas please share in comment section below.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend-whether it's savvy or a splurge is your choice.

Cheers, 

                            Get a jump on holiday shopping at my Stylemindchic Boutique (savvy deals)!

Source: stylemindchic.com via Heather on Pinterest

Finally Fall..............

It's finally fall, at least the calendar tells me it is. Temps are still in the high 80's here in California, but when the pool is too chilly for floating around in comfort, I'm usually ready for the season to change.  It's late September.....and I'm starting to think...........

picnics decorated with colorful autumn leaves

campfires (with marshmallows?)

maybe a day in the country

and crisp fall walks collecting leaves on our boots as we go........

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What are your favorite things about fall?

Cheers,

                                                     A few favorites for that fall afternoon........................

Coats
Boots

 
  

More Pendleton...

                               

                                                               Shop the Stylemindchic Boutique!

Welcome to the weekend.......{Eye Candy!}

Bold and bright.....with unexpected shades of coral, orange, shell and blue....... and a touch of whimsy 

{what is the nude pointing at?}.

Gold and turquoise-my favorite color combo-with a dash of shine and humor {note box with feet}.

The saturated colors of the painting, the porcelain figurine {flapper humor?}, the natural textures and 

vintage book create a unique twist.

On my dressing table....... I added some shine with a new, very well priced,  lamp from......yes, Target!

I like the Kelly Wearstler vibe. 

              My vintage Italian tray, some vintage beads, 

birthday ring and two tone orb.

          I mixed the look up here by adding a Satava blown glass piece and a lovely Dayna Decker candle.

More vintage beads and a bottle with cross stopper add a twist. 

I've been pulling out the paint brushes recently and, hopefully, someday I'll have a splash of color on canvas to add to my dressing table.

Some 'eye candy' resources to add to my inspiration boards. One of my favorites is this 

Waylande Gregory from the Stylemindchic Boutique.

More Gump's...

Wishing you some 'eye candy' of some sort this weekend.

Cheers, 

Speaking of eye candy.....it makes me think. Now, I did just include a random George Clooney sighting in my last post.....it would be too much....too often.....too stalker like....

okay.....just a small one.......

You're Welcome!

           Images                                                                          

Shop the Stylemindchic Boutique!

There are no words..............

(Just some favorite images)

                                                       Shop the Stylemindchic Boutique!

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Flat out!

This was a little surprising to some, including myself, but I actually wore a pair of flats to work the other day....it was mentioned at least a few times.  I've resisted with.... "I feel a little dumpy, I like that extra few inches, my legs look better"..... but I must confess, the day I wore flats to work I was moving fast, there was an extra bounce in my step, and I didn't hobble through the door at the end of the day. I'm making a subtle shift.  I'm not saying I'll be a purist, but I'm dabbling in flats, especially when making tracks in the city.

My husband recently made me  promise to always bring flats when traveling, to avoid the emergency stop at a shoe store to find "anything that is comfortable" simply out of desperation. I still have flashbacks to the unfortunate night, Rome 2003, when I had to walk....BAREFOOT....at 2:00 am in the city because new Italian stilettos had reached their bed time and you can't just hail a cab at that hour (I still think that was more an issue with Scott's promise there would be a taxi). Any way, I was, obviously, desperate to get out of the heels.

No more, I'm a new woman, a more reasonable woman. The good news, flats are becoming more stylish  than ever. Just be sure you find a pair with some arch support and a little padding for comfort.

My current favorite brand is -Me Too- with some extra cush and structure that makes it work. I bought this style, Lizzie, on a getaway to San Francisco.  Besides, you can't truly feel dumpy in Leopard. 

                                                                            Me Too Lizzie Flat 

I scoured the web and these are a few of my stylish favorites in a range of  price points. The  J. Crew catalog is bursting with textures, patterns and brights in all flavors of their Italian imported flats this season. Tory Burch is always the classic. Take a peek at just a few of the options out there this year.

More J.Crew...

Here's to embracing a new style this week. How do you 'feel' about flats?

Cheers,

                                                           Shop the Stylemindchic Boutique!

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Welcome to the weekend......{look at life with fresh eyes}!

I'm not sure why this happens, but one of my favorite things about traveling, is arriving home with renewed appreciation for the simple things and simpler life of home. We had a wonderful Anniversary trip to San Francisco last weekend and the weather was absolute perfection, as was the food, the wine, the celebration. Returning home to a very busy work week gave little time to catch our breath. Now that the weekend is upon us, I intend to do just that...... take a breath, see my world with fresh eyes, and enjoy some simple pleasures at home.

Take some time to enjoy the view

Our weekend may include some poolside grilling since it will still be hot here in Chico (personally I am looking forward to a little crisp feel to the air). Mixing it up with some grilled fruit can be a refreshing twist.

I am planning on making my favorite 'go to' brunch dish.  The Puffy Baked Pancake is quick, no fuss and versatile. You can add a number of different sweet or savory toppings to change it up. With only 5 basic ingredients it's likely that you'll almost always have the makings on hand. I originally received this recipe from my cousin, Jan, and it's become a family favorite with my step-daughters. Who doesn't love a recipe that includes the phrase 'batter should be lumpy'? This is my kind of dish!

  I made this version recently when peaches were at their peak.....pure, juicy goodness.

 (I have a new camera, and I'm a novice, so I'm always curious as to how the photos will turn out.....I actually like this shot)

Recipe: Puffy Baked Pancake with lemon and powdered sugar

Time: 20-22 minutes

4 tablespoons butter (often I use 3)
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar
Fresh Lemon Wedges

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt butter in a nonstick or well-seasoned 12-inch skillet  (a baking dish can be used instead) and place in oven; when butter foams, remove skillet from oven.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, then add milk and vanilla, mix. Add flour and whisk gently.  Batter should be lumpy. When oven is hot,  pour mixture into skillet or baking pan.
3. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until pancake is puffy and lightly browned. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, squeeze fresh lemon wedges; serve immediately.
Yield: 4 servings.   Enjoy!

This is one of my favorite photos from our trip to Rome last year. I'm having fun creating collages in Shopstyle of some of my favorite fashion, beauty and home items which link to the source for easy shopping!

Afternoon in Rome

The colors, the scents, qualify of light in Rome blended with modern chic.

Ottomans
Wedges

Favorite links: 
Speaking of fresh eyes, one of my favorite blogger friends is back to blogging on Lush and another of my favorites, Style Maniac, received an award and passed it on. Both of these ladies inspire so take a peek. It's a great week for bloggers (or even part-timers like me).

                                    Our peaceful Sunday at home.... with Jack (he is a dog in a cat's body)

Here's to looking at life with fresh eyes.......what small things do you hope to savor on the weekend?

Cheers, 

       Find a gift, like this Abro Leather Clutch at the Stylemindchic Boutique we'll wrap and tag it for free!