Fri.day

Friday and a three day weekend... Heaven.  Keeping things short and sweet today (I over slept this morning, merrr).  These images were singing to me this morning... Do you guys ever cuff your skinny/matchstick jeans when wearing heels and sandals?  It's my summer go-to look.  For whatever reason it almost makes me feel more dressy.  I also really need to learn how to do a sock-bun - they always look so pretty.  I love the slightly messy look of the one above.  Weekend project :)  Hope you all have a glorious Memorial Day weekend!!

(Images: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Styled by Catherine | Rikshaw Design

Catherine Fitzsimmons is one of those people that you encounter (whether in-person or via the internets) and instantly know that she is 100% real.  Her love of world travel and an interesting background in retail led her to the creation of her own company: Rikshaw Design.  If you haven't discovered her gem of a business you are missing out - the clothing collections (for kids and women) and bedding is made of authentic block-printed textiles handmade in India.  Her eye for color and design coupled with her boho aesthetic and appreciation for the imperfect-but-beautiful has made Rikshaw the growing success it is today.  You can even find a select collection of her baby kurtas, bloomers and sun hats at Crew Cuts - go Catherine!  In between traveling the world and slaving away on her company, Catherine carves out time to shine on her Rikshaw blog - the best place to get to know her lovely personality and get inspired by her worldly and sweet point of view.  Eeek we just adore her.  AND she has a darling white lab named Jumby - so it's obvious that we were meant to be friends with her!  What she pulled together for her She Wishes She Was Wearing feature below is honestly one of my favorites so far...

QUESTIONS of STYLE:

.Describe your personal style in five words or less:  Relaxed, comfortable, bohemian, layered, beachy.

.Who/What inspires your personal style, influencing what your drawn to and what you end up wearing?  I love all the fashion blogs, especially the street style images. i try to take a small tid-bit and relate it to my wardrobe. My outfits are always comfortable and have some trend with basics. Usually they have a boho vibe with jewelry, a scarf or shoes.

.What is an item you cannot live without or what are some of your wardrobe essentials?  An essential in my closet is a Rikshaw kurta (shameless plug - I know!), jeans, flip-flops, and sunglasses.

.What is your most recent purchase? A LemLem top from J.Crew, an embroidered Mexican top from Zihuatanejo, and some amazing ruched yoga pants from my yoga studio.

.Where have you found some of your most treasured style items?  It's become a goal of mine whenever I am traveling to pick up a trinket or two...  My most treasured items I have picked up when traveling around: my rings from India, a necklace charm from a southern town, and hand-me downs from my mom.  Also, it's rare that I can go into J.Crew or Madewell and leave with nothing.

.What is your go-to jewelry routine?  Gold! I wear the most simple little gold hoop earrings a friend got for me in Morocco, my rings from India and I do like to layer a bunch of necklaces.

.What are some of your make-up must haves?  Yu-be lip balm, Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara, TRUE mineral make-up, Dallas Benefit blush.

.If you could meet any designer it would be and why?  I would love to have brunch and mimosas with Tory Burch, I am in awe of how she has created such a lifestyle brand/blog. Plus, I would want to pick her brain on all of the details of her travels...where she stayed, ate, and shopped! 

.What's the best style advice you've ever given or received?  Be yourself. I buy trendy things all the time and love to mix it up with something in my closet to add my personal touch.

Umm... Have you ever seen a better boho, beachy look than the above?  I mean, that baby shark teeth necklace by Sara Beltran is just too much for me handle!  When we approached Catherine to be part of the guest blogger series she actually told us, "I'm not a chic girl... like your others hope that's ok..but if I put high heeled shoes it would be ridiculous..." - psh, heels are overrated (my feet tell me so) and we wouldn't ever want to change her original and authentic style!  Love her.  Be sure to stop by Rikshaw Design blog and shop :)  Thank you, thank you, sweet Catherine!  xx

(Photo c/o of Catherine .  Images: 01. Diptuque Eau Rose Roll-on Perfume // 02. FINN Gold Seahorse & Diamond Necklace // 03. Sara Beltran Gold Baby Shark Teeth Necklace // 04. Oliver Peoples Myriel Sunglasses // 05. Mara Hoffman Embroidered Maxi Dress // 06. PINO Coconut Mint Body Lotion // 07. K. Jacques Bikini Roman Sandals - Image via Garance Dore // 08. Pamplona Bag // 09. Satomi Kawakita R0306 Ring // 10. LemLem Hilansha Gauze Scarf)

Michelle Armas - Prints

Its been a while since I've brought up wall art on the bloggie, but now that I'm back on a total kick of wanting anything and everything for my walls, we're back in business with discussing it.  After Mol and I went over to our friend Lauren's apartment last week I can't stop thinking about all of the pretty things she had hanging on her walls.  Two of which were the For Like Ever poster and the Prada Marfa photograph.  Ugh, that lucky duck!  Hoping she will spark me to make some more purchases like these. 

I have always been a fan of Michelle Armas' wonderful abstract paintings, but they were always wayyy out of my budget.  At anywhere from 200 - 500 a piece, I never felt like I could justify spending that kind of money on wall art just yet.  Lucky for me, Armas has started selling prints of her originals that are equally as pretty.   The colors in her pieces always seem to be the perfect combinations and the abstract look would be so great mixed in with everything else I have going on.  I think the third one down is definitely my favorite.  It even comes in a canvas print option that would give the print a little more texture and depth.  You can never have enough pretty artwork, right!?    

(All images via Michelle Armas)

Mermaid's Dream

When I first saw Mermaid's Dream by Deborah Lippman on Pinterest (thank you, Real Simple!) I just had to have it... Seafoam green micro-glitter with gold undertones and flecks of blue glitter - incredible.  So I bought it and felt like a kid on Christmas as I painted three thin coats and toped with my fave Essie Good to Go.  The texture was a little "rough" even with the top coat but I just thought that added to the cool factor and made it seem even more like a mermaid's tail.  Eeek it was so pretty!  Things were going great until the next day the polish started to chip and flake off... Um..?  It's not like I was playing basketball or washing a million dishes - I would literally be sitting and pieces would break off.  

So I tried it again, this time using a clear base coat of polish.  No-go.  Same flaky action 12-24 hours later.  What gives?  I need your help friends: how the heck do you keep super glittery polish from flaking off?  I know it has something to do with the consistency of all the glitter in the formula but I need a solution because this Mermaid's Dream is too cool to give up...  Any and all suggestions are welcome!

And I guess if I can't figure it out I can always swap it for one of the two Deborah Lippman chrome lacquers I've been eyeing (Sugar Daddy and Swagga Like Us) or her super new 3D Holographic colors (Sweet Dreams and Ray of Light) :)

(Deborah Lippman Mermaid's Dream via Nordstrom // Image 2 Miranda Kerr ELLE 2005 via // Image 3 via Flickr)

GIVEAWAY - From Kate Spade NY!

Remember when we posted a little hint, hint about a giveaway from Kate Spade New York that was linked to their debut swim collection and the interactive video "Swan Dive or Cannonball?" by Hailey Gates?  Well we are so (so, so) excited that today Kate Spade is giving away a whole package of darling goodies that will be perfect for sitting poolside (or beach side) this spring and summer!  One lucky reader will win a travel sized four pack of funky fun nail polishes, playing cards, a drink tray, and a plastic pool ring - all part of the Florence Broadhurst for Kate Spade collection!  Summer perfection :)

To enter, watch the "Swan Dive or Cannonball?" video above and leave a comment below with your name and email, telling us which way you prefer to jump into the pool!  Entries must be posted by Friday, June 1, 2012 at 6:00pm CST, and one winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday, June 2nd. Good luck!!

[No purchase necessary to enter, open to US readers only. Please leave your email or web address in the allotted comment boxes only. Approximately $80 total value. Winner of the giveaway will be contacted via email once comments close and announced on this post soon after.]

(Storefront image via the Kate Spade Blog // All items via Kate Spade // Video by Hailey Gates)