Affordable Luxuries

I, myself, am extremely credit-crunched right now. I'm scraping by to say the least, and while there are some days my three meals all happen to match and my social life suffers, there are some "little luxuries" I tell myself are a must:
Good sheets

Pure Beech Satten Sheet Set 
From Bed,Bath & Beyond. These sheets are seriously of the chain. Some may laugh at the 250 thread count, but don't be fooled these 100% cotton sateen will having you signing their praises and you might catch yourself in an explicit....."Holy SHEET!"  Only $79.99 ! Modal Jersey is another great great fabric choice for sheets. I have a set and omg. Thats it.
Candles, Candles, Candles. They just make me smile. There's a small boutique up in Healdsburg, CA that is alllll candles and that store is a little piece of heaven. La Farmicista. Anyyyways, I am a HUGE sucker for Henri Bendel Candles, my all-time favorite being Tuberose. $30 retail, but hit up some google searches to find lots of places to get them cheaper. :D
If you just can't justify spending double digits on something you will eventually light on fire, check out Mrs.Meyers Clean Day Candle in Basil! Only $9.99 !



Fresh flowers are an absolute in the affordable luxuries column. There is no excuse for not having fresh flowers in your home. They add that unexpected pop of color, and instantly add glam. Whatever flowers do for you, they're a must. And talk about affordability, while orchids may not always be in your price range like this one from Gifted Basket in San Francisco, many can be free...(*hint, take a walk around your neighborhood, I am in no way implying you steal, ask before you cut!) 




Organic Fruits and Veggies . I know it sounds funny, but it adds up. And being vegetarian, I love indulging in some really high quality produce. It also helps me feel better and I love preparing a meal I know is sourced locally and organically.


Manicures. $10 and your hands will be a whole lot happier with you. There's just something about them that feels so luxurious and relaxing even when you're in a crowded salon during your lunch break. Pop in your head phones, but keep an eye on your lady to back sure she's not trimming back your cuticles too much! Ouch!

Well, that's my short list of affordable luxuries for today, I of course, could go on and on, but I'll save it for another day when I'm strapped for cash.

Hit List

Fall 2010 by laurenjade001 featuring Marc Jacobs bags

Leather Jacket
$1,765 - marni.com
More jackets »

Jeans Skinny von William Rast ab 169,00 € im CONLEYS Online Shop
conleys.de
More William Rast jeans »

Marc Jacobs Paradise Rio Bowler - Black
$995 - barneys.com
More Marc Jacobs tote bags »

Aurélie Bidermann Do Brazil 18-karat gold-plated bracelet
$440 - net-a-porter.com
More Aurélie Bidermann bracelets »

michael kors watch
$315 - littleburgundyshoes.com
More Michael Kors watches »

Owl Medallion Necklace - Multiview
zappos.com
More necklaces »

FALIERO SARTI 184910 GREY WOOL/SILK KN35W10
295 GBP - farfetch.com
More Faliero Sarti scarves »

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA - EXTRA LONG KNOTTED BELT
143 EUR - luisaviaroma.com
More Maison Martin Margiela belts »

Ray-Ban 8041 Aviator Titanium Shiny Gold Polarised > Ray-Ban...
153 GBP - sunglasses-shop.co.uk
More Ray-Ban sunglasses »

VIRSERUM
$20 - ikea.com

A Sweet, Cupcakey Day in Austin

1 of a few Hey Cupcake! trailers, they also have a store front on Burnet St.

Somedays, all I want is a cupcake....or a dozen! Austin is known for its quirky eateries and the cupcake biz here is booming. Hey Cupcake! is a local favorite, with a few locations ala trailer set-up. Which is just one of the many things I adore about Austin.  How could you resist a cupcake coming from this trailer!!? Cupcakes are $2.75, here is a menu.

Another is Polkadots Cupcake Factory  . They have a large and interestingly yummy variety of cuppies to choose from. They also do custom cakes and cookies, if you're in the market for something really fancy.They're located at 28th and Rio Grande, near the UT campus.

 Polkadots Cupcake Factory

fav, chocolate mint

You had me at a chocolate mint cupcake! They also have a "cupcake happy hour" on Tuesdays where cupcakes are just $2.


While these places are great for when I'm truly craving something decent and indulgent, I don't know if my wallet will hold up. Not saying they are not worth $2.75, I would get far more than just one! So for the times when I'm needing to satisfy my sweet-tooth I can turn to this little gem from Borders....
Cupcakes! by Elinor Klivans $16.95 at Borders.

I was not paid/or compensated by any of the companies mentioned here btw, just like to support the local!

Point-Shot Camera Suggestions

I'm in the market for a new camera, (desperately!!) since my iphone decides to delete my photos and my point-shot camera is about 4 years old and I don't have the cord to it anymore. I'm struggling, I know.

I want something that will take quality pictures, is easy to use and of course, looks cute. I am open to any and all suggestions on favorites!!

This one by Canon is pretty, $170

Thanks a bunch. Happy Monday!

Nikon coolpix, Amazon didn't have a price? But I'm loving the green!! 

I'm wondering if I need a slightly more heavy-duty one? Olympus $300 

 Please, I'm cameraless.....oops, I meant clueless!

Workaholics meet chic functionality

Apartment Therapy

Sunday is another workday for me. While I don't have one yet, Someday I'll have an home office to call my own, but for now I'll just steal others for inspiration. Workspaces to me can be some of the most beautifully functionally spaces in a home, if done correctly.
When not planned and let out to pasture so to speak, they can become little devil rooms in an otherwise perfect home.

RoomEnvy.wordpress.com

Idealhomemagazine.co.uk

 

www.paloma81.blogspot.com

I want it....

NOW!

Noah Floor Lamp $725

From LOFT in Austin, Tx.

Oh Excitment

Remember Todd Oldham? And his great partnership with Target a little while back? Well, I spend a lot of time in Borders, reading...never really buying. (Part-time retail barely pays the bills let alone my incessant need for books).

Todd Oldham: Handmade Modern 

But I did find a little gem in the mound of Bargain Books that Borders is always offering up. Talk about a steal.
After it being priced at $4.99, I whipped out my Borders Rewards Card, (I never said I don't splurge on my daily coffee at Seattles Best. *side note: I was a little devastated to find out Seattle's best was in fact owned by Starbucks. They really do have quite the coffee Monopoly.) Anyways,
$3.50.
Excellent find. Colorful pictures, easy to follow instructions, and exact measurements. It even includes a list of each project in the back with the cuts, tools etc.

This Is going to be a Definite Future Project!!!

I can't wait to get started on another project using this book!!!

 

 

Flipping Out

Finally got to watch some TV last night, and caught the new season of "Flipping Out", on Bravo. 

Jeff Lewis cracks me up.

Cast of Flipping Out. 

As a whole, hilarious. So many interesting characters, especailly Zoila. So funny. I love how OCD and a nut-case perfectionist he is. But it completely shows in his designs and amazing homes he's able to transform. He provides his clients the most outstanding and thorough service possible. It's how all business should be run. Great show.
Design Public does a pretty good job explaining Jeff and the show as a whole:
http://blog.designpublic.com/2008/06/17/its-time-to-flip-out-more-design-tv-news/

Here is a link to Jeff Lewis's actual site....gorgeous and of course, Perfect. Leff Lewis Design

This is one reality show that is actually worth watching!!

5 things I Want To Learn....

How to make designs in my soy latte foam

The In's n' Outs of Etsy, so I can buy and sell and support handmade and local artists.

More about investing so I don't have to rely on a dog...i mean stock broker.

To play golf with a handicap without LOOKing like a handicap 

To be more ADVENTUROUS in my designs. 'ala Johnathan Adler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are 5 things YOU want to learn this year??

Case of the Mondays

It's only 11am, and I have a definitely case of the Mondays. Thanks to my not-o-trusty iphone,  alllllllllllll my recent DIY photos and blog photos have been deleted. So I'm NOT a happy camper. You know how things are just supposed to be easy and simpler with all this new technology and stuff??....well, its not.
I'm beyond annoyed.
I had this whole post prepared, but with out the photos it just makes no sense to even post. So I'm just doing a pretty collective image post today. Enjoy bloggers, hopefully Tuesday will bring some resolve and technology will feel like cooperating with me.


Does anyone else feel overwhelming by technology sometimes? Like they created all these things to make "our lives easier and more efficient" and really we are less efficient and everything is difficult and time consuming?

I bought a rectangle short vase for this very purpose.

I want to capture the calm. Nate Berkus Design

I can't get enough. It's so clean, inviting and just pretty.

I'm more relaxed already. Just a case of the Monday's I think...

Send Some Love

I just finished ordering some new notecards from, VISITPRINT, Where you can Get FREE SHIPPING and SAVE 25% OFF Sitewide at Vistaprint! This weekend. I love sending little notes to people just because. It's always nice to receive Actual mail nowadays. I'm pretty excited because I have ordered with VistaPrint before and you just can't beat the price or quality. I've ordered a set of Cherry Blossom Notecards and also a set of Checks which were about 1/4 of the price of bank checks.

There are many different print and custom-creation sites out there, but if you are just starting a business, are low on cash or funds or just need something done quickly and professionally, VistaPrint in the place!
Click on the Image to recieve your Huge Discount. Have a Happy Sunday Bloggers!!

Etsy Cravings

Sometimes all you need are some little handmade treasures! And Etsy is the chest to those treasures. Here are some of the things I'm currently craving on Etsy.com 

You Can Do No Wrong With This Hysterically Cute Paper By: GemmaBear 

Super Trendy Right Now, But I Still Want One By : PinkyOurLimb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I Can't Begin To Express My Love For These Plates By London Artist, James Wards Design.

I posted a few because I love them so Much! How great would it be to finish your meal and have these looking at you. Such a good laugh. 

Add caption

Make EveryDay Your Birthday With These Candles From : KoKo Candles