La Petite Chic

Fabulous Find Friday - Graduation Edition

As of last night, Jonathan is officially done with his MBA!!!  Woo hoo!  So that got me thinking about graduation presents... 

For your husband or boyfriend:

I really don't like dainty watches on men, but then there are some men's watches that are comically enormous.  This Classic Round Timepiece with Silver Dial from Burberry strikes a nice balance between the two and is understated, yet unique to boot.  $395.

For your wife or girlfriend:

Surely your sweetie would appreciate a beautiful new bag to tote her work stuff in.  I love the size of the Medium East/West Satchel from the Florentine Vacchetta collection at Dooney & Bourke.  It comes in six different colors at $345.

For the new undergraduate graduate:

If the new graduate has landed their first real job in a big city like Boston, Chicago, New York City or San Francisco, these Transit Token Cuff Links from Red Envelope would be such a charming and fitting gift.  $124.95 a pair.

For any graduate:

Like many BA graduates, it took me a long time (four months) to find my first job after graduation.  I honestly felt very lost and depressed, but I think the message on this clever ceramic egg from palomanest's etsy shop would have inspired me.  $18 per egg.

 

Fabulous Find Friday - Rainy Day Edition

Here are some things brightening my day, despite the clouds and raindrops...

You guys know how I love a good deal.  These beautiful lilac earrings from the aptly named Etsy shop ThreeDollarEarrings are only, as you might have guessed, $3!  Nothing in her collection costs more than $9 and each piece is lovely and delicate.  I especially love the brass work on this pair.

 

Jon and I already have a similar new bedding set tucked away for when we move and upgrade to a king-sized bed, but I can't resist the bold apple/lime green leaf print in this one from late designer Maija Isola at Crate & Barrel.  I think it would be pretty tough to wake up in a bad mood tucked into that cheery design.  At $119 for a king-sized duvet cover ($129 for the comforter), it's definitely affordable and you could always add your own sheet and pillow accents from Marshall's or Target to save more money.

 

I tend to wear a lot of turquoise because it accentuates my eyes and looks good with my skin tone.  However, I made a self-imposed rule this summer that I wouldn't buy any more turquoise dresses because I already own so many.  I might have to break it if this beauty goes on an even deeper sale at Banana Republic (it's currently at $98, down from $130).  I think it would look fabulous with a bright yellow belt, don't you?

Happy Friday, everyone!

Last year, le petit chic became la petite chic and found a home in my very own URL.  I also scoured the country in pursuit of the perfect yellow sundress.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Lady Amherst and Guinea Feather headband from laurenriddle:

(photo borrowed from Lauren's shop)

I saw this gorgeous headband at a co-worker's birthday party and instantly wanted one for myself. Turns out that her roommate (the one wearing it) got it from her friend in California who just so happens to sell them on Etsy.  I get so many compliments on this headband when I wear it and it's the perfect stylish accessory to tame my still growing out bangs.

Green Bamboo candle from Yankee Candle:

This bamboo scent is so fresh (and so clean, clean) and it's the perfect transition scent from winter to spring.

Felix Ray Coral Tote with Shell at Target:

I begged Jon to buy me this for Easter when I spotted it at Target last weekend.  Lucky for me, he obliged.  I just love coral prints and can't wait to carry this when it gets a little warmer.

Swiss-dot Fontana dress from J.Crew:

I must confess; I already own this dress in navy blue.  I love it so much that I decided to take advantage of J.Crew's extra 30% off sale items deal last week and bought it in aqua as well.  It's perfect for work or play.

Do share...what are some of your new favorite things?

Fabulous Find Friday - Fantasy Edition

Oh, the things I would buy if only I were rich...

The Frenchie Slicker from J.Crew for $165.00 (in papaya, please):

What can I say?  I love ruffles and bows.  And to be completely narcissistic, I look really great in that color!

The Parker Large Convertible Hippie from Coach for $358 (in pale yellow or white):

I have wanted a yellow handbag for a reaaally long time, and alas, it looks like this spring and summer still won't be my season to have one.  For the record though, I checked this one out in the store and it hangs perfectly on my shoulder.  It's like we were meant to be!

Baltimore Skyline Silver Necklace from tigerlillyshop on Etsy for $80.00:

She has a lot of other gorgeous and unique pieces (the one above was actually made by her sister) that are in my price range, but as per usual, I fell in love with the one I can't afford!  I love the idea of buying local and supporting handmade and I really want to make an effort to do so in 2009. 

The Wilcox dress from Anna Sui at Anthropologie for $568.00:

I've never quite been able to classify my style, but it definitely leans towards girlie and romantic pieces.  I love the ruffles and bow (again with those!) but the plaid and the asymmetrical hemline are unexpected, yet completely chic.  And those colors!  Wouldn't this be the perfect Easter Sunday dress?

Happy Spring all! 

Grace Dix/Fabulous Find Friday

You know what makes me really happy?

Flip flops and sandals.  And the fact that I can wear them this weekend without freezing my toes off.

I especially like these:

 

And these:

   

And these (just $12.99!):

 

And these:

Fabulous Find Friday...and Free Undies!

Well now, it's been a while since I've done one of these, hasn't it?  Since I'm feeling quite inspired by the 60 degree weather, here are some of my favorite items for spring:

The New Tote from Gap, on sale for $19.99.  I recently purchased the white one with blue flowers and it's the perfect tote for work!  Check in-store for it, because my Gap had all colors available.

The Mini Cooler from Vera Bradley, a special promotion at $15 with any Vera Bradley purchase.  I know some people think Vera Bradley bags are for old ladies, but you really can't get much fresher and more fun than this pattern!  It also comes in three other new patterns from Vera.  I just love bringing my lunch to work in this.

The Lightweight Intarsia Sweater from Old Navy at $25.00.  It comes in eight colors with either a bird or dragonfly graphic.  I'll probably wait for this one to go on sale, but I think it's just precious.

And thanks to my hubby's sleuthing (after I lamented to him last night about my lack of undies), he found this awesome coupon from Express, good for a free cotton panty!  Hooray!!  It's good today through Sunday so be sure to use it quickly.

Paring Down

You know what completely sucks about saving to buy a new home?  The whole pesky saving=not spending money thing.  We keep a very tight budget to begin with and have always had a house fund that we put a little money into each month, but since we have aspirations for a much bigger home than what we're currently living in, we decided to dip into other areas of our budget.

Namely, our personal spending allowances.  We have enjoyed a very plush monthly allowance (which Jon never spends all of and I always spend over!) that allows us to buy ourselves frivulous things like shoes and clothes and handbags and whatever it is that boys buy for themselves.  Probably video games.  Anyhow, starting this month, our monthly allowances have been cut back by 60% each!  That's a whole lotta money and a lot less clothes for Katie! 

One visit to Urban Outfitters (where I got a steal on a super cute denim safari dress) and a visit to Barnes and Nobles (to get a novel for the cruise and to jump on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon) later and I only have $30 left of my budget!  And it's only January 14th!  And we're going on a cruise at the end of the month!  EEK.  This is going to take some getting used to. 

Speaking of the 30 Day Shred, I decided to give it a shot because the other area that we cut in our monthly budget is our expensive gym membership.  $120 a month for a gym that we rarely go to is not money well spent.  That could add up to valuable down payment money!  I tried the Shred for the first time on Sunday night and I actually really enjoyed it.  It's tough, yes, but by the time you're at the point where you think you can't go on, it's over!  I guess that's the beauty of a 20 minute workout.  I felt good enough to do 30 minutes on the Wii Fit right after.  I was a little sore on Monday but not nearly as sore as I thought I would be based on feedback from other bloggers who "Shred".  I think the push-ups killed me more than anything.  I was using 5 pound dumbbells in each hand for the other moves which I think that was a little aggressive for my first try so I'm going to switch to my 3 pound dumbbells the next time. 

Overheard in our bathroom a few nights ago:

Me (flexing my abs in the mirror):  "This 30 Day Shred is going to get me in great shape for the cruise!

Jon: "You don't need to do anything, you're solid."

Me:  "Solid?  Honey, the last thing a woman wants to hear is that she's solid.  That means thick!

Jon: "Well, what should I say?"

Me:  "Toned, baby.  TONED."

P.S.  Sending a special birthday shout-out to two of my favorite gals:

My big sis, Kacey...

   

and my lovely friend, Jess...

I've Been a Bad, Bad Girl

Everyone knows that you're not supposed to shop for yourself around the holidays.  It's practically a sin when you should be buying for others and when you know very well that you'll be receiving presents soon.  That's how I was raised, anyhow, and lord knows I hate that rule.  There are so many beautiful, sparkly, on-sale items that are hard to ignore and y'all, I just couldn't ignore this dress yesterday:

I swear to God it was meant to be because as soon as I purchased this gem, it sold out.  I think I got the very last one!!  Not only was it on sale for $99.99 (which is way more than I usually spend on a dress, but it was love at first sight) down from the original price of $250.00, you also got 20% off your order and free shipping for orders over $100.  I had to add a clearance tank top to my order to make the $100, but still, this dress is so me! 

Jonathan and I are going for our annual cruise at the end of January and this will be the perfect dress to wear for one of the formal nights.  I think it can totally be dressed up or down which makes it perfect in my book.  And the color, oh, the gorgeous color!  This shade of green is perfect with my hazel-green eyes and olive skin tone.  Like I said, it was meant to be.

Now I'm just worried that J.Crew will flake out on me and tell me "Whoops, sorry, we don't have any left."  Argh...cross your fingers that won't happen!

Catching Up

Well, hello there.  I certainly didn't intend to take a mini hiatus from blogging but life got busy, work has still been crazy, Thanksgiving came and went and well, here we are a week later.  I haven't had much time to read all of my favorite bloggers, but I do want to send a big congratulations to both Kim and Morgan on their special new arrivals.  Those are some gorgeous babies, girls!

Speaking of babies, we've been officially not not trying to have a baby for just over 5 weeks now and we're not pregnant yet, but that's okay with us.  However, I don't seem to be ovulating so that might become a problem once we really get serious about this whole baby making business.  For now, it's just been good to rediscover what's normal for my body and to figure out what's working and what's not working. 

Jon and spent Thanksgiving and Black Friday at my parent's house in Maryland then drove up to see Jon's family over the weekend.  We got stuck in all of that ugly post-holiday traffic on 95 yesterday, which was further slowed by bad weather.  Needless to say, we are exhausted from all the driving!  We did manage to get the rest of our Christmas shopping done on Black Friday so at least we can check that off our lists.  There weren't really any crazy doorbuster deals this year, so we slept in until 8:00 and still managed to get everything we wanted!  I can't wait to get everything wrapped up and put them under our teeny tiny tree.  We were thisclose to buying a palm tree as our Christmas tree, but decided to just buy a teeny tiny spruce in a pot instead since we really don't have room for a large tree.  We figure we'll be able to plant it in our new home once we move next spring and hey, we saved a tree rather than killing one!  It's a win-win all around! 

So what else did I miss in the blogosphere while I was away?  Any exciting news to fill me in on?  I feel so removed!

Seeing the Light...

It's probably a good thing that I decided not to participate in NaBloPoMo this year because I most certainly would have failed already!  For once, we weren't busy at all this weekend and I took that opportunity to get all those little things done that I never seem to have time to do.  While that included the not-so-fun activities of cleaning the linen and coat closets, it also included catching up on reading (In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant and Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler are the two currently on my nightstand), taking long walks with Jonathan and Lola and going on some real mind cleansing runs.

If you saw my sad little Twitter on Friday, you'll know that I had a very overwhelming day at work.  The kind of overwhelming brought on by being short-staffed in the midst of the busiest recruiting season of the year and being so frustrated and busy that tears seem to be the only response you can muster.  For the record, I didn't cry at work.  I was so darn close, but I managed to take a deep breath and calm myself down.  Sheesh.  That would have been embarrassing.  The worst of it will be over by next Tuesday which means that I have just over a week left of sheer madness.  I will get through it but posting will probably be sporadic because I've been working quite a bit of overtime.  Good for our checking account, bad for my sanity. 

There's also the first round of my tooth extraction/replacement to deal with on Thursday afternoon.  They'll be removing my thrice-root canaled tooth and doing a bone graft on my jaw, lucky me.  After this appointment, I have to wait for everything to heal, about 3 months, before we move onto the second round of putting the implant in.  My mouth (not to mention, our wallet) is definitely in deep!

On a more uplifting note, I attended a co-worker's Taste of Home Entertaining party on Sunday (shopping always cheers me up!) and I bought the most charming little snack dish.  I have more serving and entertaining pieces than I currently know what to do with, but just wait until we have a house...I can't wait to host fabulous parties and use them all!  As with most catalog parties, it was a little pricey (almost $50!) for what it is, but it's beautiful and practical and it cheered me up.  Plus, it comes in 5 different colors and one of them just so happens to match our robin's egg blue dishes perfectly!  Here's a picture of it in berry:

 

Also on my happy list are the Christmas cards I ordered from Kodak Gallery tonight.  They are absolutely darling and I can't wait to send them out.  I'll definitely post a picture once they're mailed because I'm quite proud of my cleverness, though Jon did drop the word cheesy to describe them.  Whatever...I think they're perfect!

So, what's cheering up your world this week?