Saturday Haul

I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.

-Tammy Faye Bakker

I'm not much of a couponer except when it comes to beauty products...

American Apparel scarves I purchased from ideeli.

Fabulous shoes I got for free from MyHabit thanks to their SUMMER25 promo code.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Wearing orange lipstick

Lime Crime's My Beautiful Rocket is my current go to shade, and I absolutely adore the packaging.

Stocking up on magazines

While I am sad that Borders is going out of business, I couldn't resist stocking up on magazines that are now 40% off. One of my purchases was the current issue of Lula, which features fabulous pictures of Mia Wasikowska dressed as Jane Eyre.

Reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

This is one of the books Gala Darling mentions in her How To Be A Writer post. I just started reading this one and love the conversational approach of learning how to get one's thoughts down on paper.

Listening to Faith Hill's "There You'll Be"

Great song, and Faith looks gorgeous.

Hearting this sweater from ASOS

This fabulous sweater is on my wish list and would be great for layering when winter returns.

What are you loving this week?

Romance of the Braid

Is there any hairstyle more romantic than tousled braids? After seeing this tutorial on the mermaid braids at Mara Hoffman Swim, I've been attempting my own braided hairstyles. Below are some of the looks that I would love to try. Grow, hair, grow!

All pictures via Pinterest

Escape the Heat

The summer heat has been brutal this past week, and I think I'm developing a case of cabin fever due to my inability to get past the front porch. Rumor has it that the heat will continue to scorch us for at least the next week, and that has got me thinking about creative ways to escape the heat while getting out of the house.

• Go Ice Skating

The coolest place in town is the one that is always frozen. Might I suggest ModCloth's Blue Raspberry Ice Pop Dress worn over some leggings for this icy adventure?

• See a Movie

Gather some friends and make your own double feature. Why not wear Lulu's Natalie Wood Black Romper while catching up on the movies you've been meaning to see?

• Read a Book at the Library

An air conditioned building full of books sounds like a good way to spend a day to me. Why not impress the librarian with your fashion smarts by carrying Kate Spade's Pride and Prejudice Book Clutch while checking out the latest must read.

• Create Your Own Cupcake Tour

Google all the cupcake shops and bakeries in your town, and cruise around looking for the best cupcake. Obviously, you must sample the offerings at each stop. Might I suggest ScarletCraft's Fresh Cupcake Sweetheart Dress for this occasion?

How do you escape the summer heat?

Things i LOVE Thursday

Shopping ideeli

There have been some major sales the last few weeks, and ideeli's red sale is too good to pass up. I ordered some American Apparel scarves and can't wait for them to come in.

Watching Switched at Birth

I just started watching this show on hulu and already I am addicted. The title is pretty self-explanatory. Two girls were switched at birth and are now dealing with the repercussions of finding their real families.

Reading Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Cleopatra is one of my favorite historical figures, so I knew I had to read this much lauded biography. So far, it is very interesting.

Listening to "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis

I love this song.

Wanting this Buttercup Print Notch Dress

This sweet dress is calling my name and would be lovely for wearing around town.

What are you loving this week?

Don't forget to enter the Kushyfoot Giveaway!

Design for Shabby Apple

Shabby Apple is currently holding a design contest where one lucky will winner will have the opportunity to create a dress, skirt, or blouse for Shabby Apple's spring line. Last year I posted a review of Shabby Apple's Cider Dress and would love the opportunity to create my own Shabby Apple dress.

For inspiration I turned to:

The new duchess and her younger sister never fail to impress with their classic style and manicured appearance.

While I must confess that I still have not seen Mad Men or In the Mood for Love, it is impossible to follow fashion blogs and not see images from these vintage inspired productions.

Because I have a curvy figure, I tend to avoid full skirts, but a closet full of straight skirts can be so boring. Enter the peplum skirt, which adds a little flair without taking over your bottom half. Mandarin collars are a favorite because they look polished without clinging to my neck the way turtlenecks tend to do.

The Design

For my design, I envision a stretch cotton twill in a mint or apple green with navy blue piping across the chest and outlining the collar, sleeves and peplum skirt. Tiny, navy blue buttons run across the chest and down the back. The peplum skirt is longer in back where it splits to show off the buttons that cover the zipper. The sleeves hit a little above the elbow, and the skirt hits right at the knee.

Visit Shabby Apple Dresses for more information on entering the contest. Plus, you can save 20% with code SUMMER20.

Don't forget to enter the Kushyfoot Giveaway!

Kushyfoot Giveaway

Foot Covers

The Duchess of Cambridge may be bringing back pantyhose, but sometimes it's just too hot to incase your legs in nylon. Thankfully, Kushyfoot makes foot covers that are just right for shoes that require a stocking. What I like even better is that the foot covers have padding in the toe and heel to help cushion your feet. LiptonPublicity was nice enough to send me some foot covers to review, and while I found them a tad big (I have a very narrow foot), the foot covers are great to wear with close toed shoes.

One reader will win a pack (2 pairs) of Kushyfoot Super Ultra Low Cut Foot Covers in black. The foot covers are one size fits most (shoe sizes 5-9).

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)

Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Giveaway open until midnight, July 31, 2011.

Open internationally.

Forever 21 & WWF

Panda Sublimation Tee

Earlier this year, I posted about symbolically adopting a panda through the World Wildlife Fund. Now, Forever 21 has joined with the WWF and has created a line of t-shirts to help raise money and awareness about protecting nature. Through May 31, 2012, a dollar from each tee sold will go to the WWF, with a minimum contribution of $20,000. I haven't yet gone to Forever 21 to check the tees out, but I like the designs that I've seen online. I'm pretty sure I'll have to buy at least the panda tee. While Forever 21 has been getting a lot of bad press lately over copyright infringement, it is nice to see the company trying to improve their image by working for a good cause.

Things i LOVE Thursday

Looking for a cute clutch to carry

I usually carry hobos or totes, but lately, I'm wanting a roomy clutch to stash my stuff in. The Medium Leather Carry-All Pouch from American Apparel is currently on my wish list.

You write until you come to a place where you still have your juice & know what will happen next & you stop & try to live through until the next day when you hit it again. You have started at six in the morning, say, & may go on until noon or be through before that. When you stop you are as empty, & at the same time never empty but filling, as when you have made love to someone you love. Nothing can hurt you, nothing can happen, nothing means anything until the next day when you do it again. It is the wait until the next day that is hard to get through…

Reading this quote by Ernest Hemingway

I love it when a story gets inside my head and demands to be written.

Listening to Sia's "Day to Soon"

Sia has so many good songs, but this is the one that's been on repeat this week.

Following Burger and Nails on Tumblr

Feed your burger obsession while getting your nail art fix by following Burger and Nails, a delicious blending of two things you wouldn't think go together. Also, my burger and nails were featured last week.

Having a kitchen spa day

No need to empty your wallet for a trip to the spa. Your kitchen has everything you need for a day of beautification. I love searching online for different beauty treatments. This video by missglamorazzi is great for reviving dry hands.

Shopping Swirl by DailyCandy

A couple of weeks ago I ordered these Charlie My Love shoes from Swirl, and was super excited when they arrived this week. Soft leather, gold studs, and blue soles marked down to only $19! Swoon. If you are not signed up for this sample sale site, you are missing out.

What are you loving this week?

Wear a Little Sunshine

Nordstrom

This darling romper from Miha is just made to wear on a sunny day. Drapey folds and release pleats are the perfect details to let you stand out in a sea of sun dresses and daisy dukes. Pop on over to Fashionista for a chance to win your own Sabina Chiffon Romper.

What do you like to wear during the hot summer months?

DIY Earring Photo Frame Holder

I meant to post this tutorial a couple of months ago, but silly me forgot to post it. This is a great way to display your earrings while working them into your room's decor.

Supplies:

picture frame

door screen or heavy mesh

exact-o knife or rotary cutter

scissors

hot glue gun

glue sticks

Step #1

Remove the glass and use a knife or rotary cutter to take off the back of the frame so that you get this.

Step #2

Using the glass or filler paper from the frame, cut a piece of mesh to fit into your empty frame.

Step #3

Place the piece of mesh inside the frame and make any adjustments so that the mesh is flat against the inside of the frame.

Step #4

Hot glue the mesh to the frame. You may want to use pins or a popsicle stick to press the mesh into the glue.

Step #5

Let the glue cool then flip the frame over and hang your earrings on the mesh.

Now you have a pretty way to display your earrings!

Thoughts on StyleMint

A few days ago I received my first t-shirt from StyleMint. I had mentioned earlier that I was interested in seeing what kind of t-shirts Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen would design. Sadly, I do not own a T from The Row, so I cannot compare StyleMint to their high end line...

StyleMint T's are exclusively designed for StyleMint members and are manufactured in limited quantities each month. T's sell for $29.99, and you have the option to skip a month if there is not a style you like.

I decided to try the Fillmore in grey/navy stripe.

The shirt is made from a poly/cotton/rayon blend and has a roomy fit and generous v-neck. I ordered a size 2 (small-medium), but the shirt fits a bit wider than what I was expecting. I don't usually tuck shirts in, but I think the Fillmore looks much better tucked in, which is how it is modeled online.

Overall, I am happy with my T and am excited to see what styles are offered next month.

Will you be trying StyleMint? Where do you shop for t-shirts?

Things i LOVE Thursday

Hearting this journal

BookJournals.com has a ton of fabulous journals featuring covers from books. There is even an entire Nancy Drew section!

Wanting the Year of Color June Ring from Kate Spade

This pretty metal ring is a bit tongue-in-cheek and would be a fabulous conversation starter.

De-stressing with a little yoga

Moving can be stressful, so I have been working a little yoga into my daily routine.

Eating at IKEA

To some this may look like a disgusting plate of meatballs, but to me it is the best incentive for trekking 30 miles to the Swedish furniture store. If I can fill my tummy with Swedish meatballs and leave with a box of princess cakes, I'm good.

Reading Penelope by Marilyn Kaye

I love this movie, so I was excited to find the book and have spent the last few days devouring it.

What are you loving?

Sale! Sale! Sale!

There are so many sales going on this week, so I had to share some of my favorites.

Shop the summer sale at Topshop where items like the Kate Ruffle Blouse by Yuki and the Yellow Apron Style Tunic are 50% off.

Shop Shabby Apple and take 20% off nearly everything with code SUMMER20. Now would be a great time to stock up on their dresses.

Through July 10th, Urban Decay is holding a friends and family sale where you can take 25% off your purchase with code FFSUMMER11.

Cambria Cove is closing and is offering 75% off sitewide. Special shout out for the Whoopie Pie Maker by Babycakes, which is marked down to $11.99, and the Painted Ladies Boxed Cards by Pacific Connections - Lacquer Box, which is now selling for $4.99.

Through July 8th, Tarte is offering 20% off with code FRWRK. Too bad Tarte for True Blood is excluded.

What sales are you shopping?