Things i LOVE Thursday

Dressing a fabulous fashion show

and getting to touch Marchesa gowns

Eating sweet and sour chicken

(i like to refer to it as "candy chicken")

Reading Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence

by Nick Bantock

Getting excited about the new The Three Musketeers movie

Lining up auditions for next month

Hearting this shirt dress

Listening to Sugarland

Watching Sherlock Holmes

(this movie doesn't get old)

Welcoming spring!

Black and White and Cute All Over

Maybe it was the trip to the San Diego Zoo when I was a wee lass, or maybe it was the numerous viewings of The Amazing Panda Adventure, but however it happened, I've always wanted a panda. Last week I mentioned that I adopted a panda through the World Wildlife Fund. While the adoption is only symbolic, I did receive a cute plush panda as well as a a photo, info card, and adoption certificate - kind of like the conservationist's version of a Cabbage Patch Kid.

This year is the 50th anniversary of WWF. By donating, you can be a part of their efforts to protect pandas from habitat loss and poaching. To learn more about giant pandas and WWF's efforts, click here.

Might I suggest a Gift Adoption Card as the perfect way to make a difference while giving friends and family a unique gift?

I leave you with panda cuteness.

Thoughts on Customer Loyalty

Working retail has got me thinking about customer loyalty. Chances are when you shop at the mall, you are ignored by the sales staff until you get to the register. At the register, the bored sales associate will launch into a series of questions about your shopping experience, personal information, and the store credit card all in an attempt to make you a loyal customer.

Stores seem to believe that if they can email you everyday and convince you to sign up for the store card, you will be a loyal customer. Companies spend too much time rewording questions in the hopes of convincing you the customer to open a card or to give out personal information, but not enough time on developing a friendly, knowledgeable staff. I think companies have forgotten that customer loyalty is based on good customer service, quality products, and reasonable prices not on email and credit card enrollment.

What makes you a loyal customer?

There's No Place Like Home

When I saw this on FredFlare, I immediately thought of the pair of red glitter Mary Janes I owned as a child. This sweet gingham dress is supposed to be Mad Men inspired, but I can't help thinking, "There's no place like home." Now where did I put those ruby slippers...

There's still time to enter the $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway!

Things i LOVE Thursday

Reading Lost & Found by Shaun Tan

(Thanks Juju!)

Eating chocolate cake

Wearing pink tennis shoes

Listening to Linkin Park's "Waiting for the End"

Wanting these lace shorts from LuLu's

Adopting a panda

(visit WWF for more info)

Finding surprise packages in the mail

Watching "Uptown Downstairs Abbey"

(a wicked spoof of Downton Abbey)

Hearting this dress from ASOS

Checking out a stack of books from the library

I Heart JewelMint

I love using my blog as an excuse to buy new things. JewelMint is a fabulous jewelry club run by Kate Bosworth and Cher Coulter. Each piece is $29.99 plus you receive personalized recommendations and styling suggestions. I've been a member for a few months and love the selection of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings.

I purchased the Cairo Rings and have been impressed by their weight and durability. These do not feel like cheap rings. I, also, love the black velvet bag the rings came in.

My only complaint is that the circular ring is not adjustable and is a little too big for my fingers; however, I'm planning on turning it into a necklace, so all is not lost.

Stay up to date on JewelMint promotions by following them on facebook.

Have you tried JewelMint? Where do you shop for jewelry?

Don't forget to enter the $100 Shopbop gift card giveaway!

Juliet or a Retelling of Shakespeare's Star-Crossed Lovers

I am a voracious reader, and nothing makes me happier than finding a book I can get lost in. Juliet by Anne Fortier is so good I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I had finished it. Since that was not an option as the book was borrowed from the library, I've been filling the void by searching out a copy of Romeo and Juliet (how can I have never read this? what kind of drama student am I?) and contemplating learning Italian so that I can have an Italian adventure of my own. In lieu of a trip to Italy, I can only hope that Ms. Fortier will write another novel. I leave you with the book trailer to tempt you into picking up a copy for yourself.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Reading Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

Listening to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"

Finding this quote

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with corned beef

and other tasty treats

Believing it is OK to eat dessert before dinner

Auditioning

Debating about buying these shoes

Hearting this cup and saucer set

Enjoying a beautiful, sunny day

Watching my cat watch the fish screensaver

Birds of a Feather

Jeniffer Love Hewitt

Feather hair extensions are popping up everywhere, and after watching this video on DailyCandy, I want to try this trend. I can already imagine bright pink feathers peeking through my hair as I soak up the summer rays. Featherlocks offers a beautiful selection of colors, and the feathers can be washed, blow dried, and curled. If you are interested in this trend, check out Free People's easy tutorial for putting them in.

What do you think of feather hair extensions?

Don't forget to enter the Shopbop Giveaway!

Shopbop Clutches and a Giveaway

Much like the changing of the seasons, I feel the urge to reinvent myself every three or four months. Usually, the "new me" is heralded by a change in haircut or color and the splurging on a few key accessories. While I'm still not sure what I'm going to do about my hair, I've found a few clutches from Shopbop that will help me transition into this new reincarnation.

Lauren Merkin Handbags Dylan Day Bag

From bookstore to road trip, this Lauren Merkin bag celebrates warm weather and the beauty of everyday.

Alexander Wang Angela Small Pouchette

A night on the town calls for a sassy bag roomy enough for essentials. From shape to hardware, I love everything about this bag!

Whiting & Davis Bean Minaudiere Clutch

I keep hoping I'll have a reason to attend a formal event this year, and if I do, this jewel of a clutch by Whiting & Davis will look perfect in my hand.

Of course, there are so many other wonderful bags on sale at Shopbop, I would love to hear which ones have caught your fancy. Also, Shopbop is offering one of you lovely readers a $100 gift card!

To Enter Giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below with your email

Extra entries:

1. Subscribe to The Fashion Planner

2. Follow me on twitter (@akaleistar)

3. Follow Shopbop on twitter (@shopbop)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Giveaway open until midnight, March 31, 2011.

Open internationally.

Winner will be chosen by random drawing and announced on Twitter.

Saturday Haul

I love splurging on makeup, and e.l.f. is great because it doesn't cost a fortune to load up on products. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to refill my makeup kit. Here are a few of my favorite products.

• Bold, thick brows are a major trend for spring, so I'm using the Studio Eyebrow Kit and Studio Eyebrow Treat & Tame to fill out my brows.
• I'm loving the Essentials Eyelid Primer because it keeps my eyeshadow looking fresh all day long, and it only costs a dollar.
• Because it's winter and my skin is kind of dry, I haven't played around too much with the Studio High Definition Powder and the Studio Complexion Perfection, but I think these will be great to use during the summer.
• The Studio Makeup Mist & Set is a refreshing and helps my makeup last.
• It's hard to pass up the Essentials Mechanical Eyelash Curler, which really curls my lashes.

My one real complaint with e.l.f. is the packaging, which breaks way too easily. I understand that cheap packaging is the way the company keeps the price down, but still, I would appreciate containers that did not break in transit. All in all, I'm pretty happy with my haul.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Dreaming of warm weather

Listening to "For The First Time" by The Script

Watching Easy A

Reading Juliet by Anne Fortier

(such a good book)

Buying these hot pink cross trainers

Hearting free overnight shipping at Zappos

(shouldn't every store offer this?)

Wanting this dress from ModCloth

Eating Jell-o Temptations

(tastes like pie without the crust!)

Gala Darling featuring me in her "I Want To Be..." series

Going on impromptu shopping sprees

Tales from the Background

Getting your name up in lights is no easy task. While I did not grow up dreaming of being a world famous thespian, somewhere in college I lost my head to the acting bug. If you would like to read some of my thoughts on working as a background actor, check out my interview on Gala Darling. Since Gala is my blogging hero, I am super excited that she featured me in her "I Want to Be..." series.

Me as a CoffeeBucks girl on Scrubs.

(Do not be fooled by the bright eyes. This picture was taken after pulling an all-nighter on another set.)

Confessions of a Lip Junkie

I adore lip products. Right beside my desk I have a bowl filled with varies balms and glosses just begging to be used. Alas, they must wait because I am currently obsessed with Urban Decay's Lip Junkie in Midnight Cowboy, a sparkly sheer nude with a hint of mint flavoring. While I do not see any plumping action despite the tube's claim, I am quite happy with the slight tingle of minty freshness and the the sheer sparkle on my lips. Sadly, my tube is only a sample size, so I will have to stock up during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty.

What are your lips loving?

Silver Lining

One of my rules of dressing is to wear unique jewelry because an interesting piece can be a great conversation starter. During my search for fun, new jewelry, I discovered Inspired Silver, a company that offers interesting yet affordable pieces. From a replica of Kate Middleton's sapphire engagement ring to a bracelet inspired by Pandora, there are plenty of pieces that caught my eye. Below are some of my favorites.

The Zen Bamboo Bracelet

The Claddagh Ring

The Tree Necklace

Inspired Silver is offering a nice promotion for the month of March. You can earn free jewelry by "Like"-ing them on facebook and inviting friends to do the same. To get started, you just create a free account here. This looks like a wonderful way to add some bling to your jewelry box.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Eating pancakes at IHOP

Watching this spoof of Toddlers & Tiaras with Tom Hanks

Rereading Northanger Abbey because life needs more Jane Austen

Hearting this cute mini dress from Madewell

Listening to Adele all week long

Loving my new shoes

Drinking shamrock milk shakes

Watching How to Train Your Dragon

Wanting this butterfly cocktail ring

Dancing and counting it as exercise

Needing some cute slippers

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin's memoir, The Happiness Project, is an engaging look at what makes people happy. Rubin writes about living a good life but feeling like she could be happier, so she challenges herself to spend a year studying the art of happiness. Unlike Eat, Pray, Love, there is no international travel or love affair just a woman trying to make her everyday life a little happier. Each month Rubin focuses on a different theme. January is about boosting energy while June is dedicated to making time for friends. Plus, Rubin has set up a website were you can start your own Happiness Project. I'm all for making life a little happier!