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.