But No Elephants?

I'm a big fan of salt and pepper shakers. Since I haven't blogged about any recently, I thought I'd restart the trend with these beauts from kate spade:

Look at these cute little things! Their scrollwork ears and teeny tiny trunks are so adorable I just want to squeeze them. As it is, I'll recommend simply shaking them. Would you bring these elephants into your home?

Buy through kate spade for $30.00.

Image via kate spade.

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Hardware Woes

Picture this: it's late May. I'm about to go to my friend's house. I haven't seen her in years, and I'm cranked up because the hardware on my shoes doesn't match the hardware on my handbag--I'm really that shallow, kids--when I realize there must be a blog post in this somewhere.

For the most part, I stick with silver or gunmetal hardware. From time to time, I go for brass or gold, though, if I really love the bag in question. But in this case, I wondered if the best solution might be a bag with the least hardware possible, so I don't have to worry about clashing with myself. Hence the Art Noir Small Karen from kate spade:

Of course, the pattern itself presents a problem--you'd likely need to carry this when wearing solid colors--but the lack of hardware is helpful if you have coordination problems like me. kate spade generally uses pale gold hardware, which, in certain lights, appears almost silver. And owning a similar bag from them myself (the Stevie, which is a less streamlined version of the Karen), I can tell you that this is a spacious model, great for days in the office or weekend trips. 

Buy through kate spade for $298.00.

Image via kate spade.

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Honey Do

This one time in college, I had a little too much to drink and decided that it would be a great idea to pour honey directly into my mouth from one of those bear-shaped bottles. Fact: it was not a great idea. I didn't eat honey for years after that. Moreover, my BFF Maria won't let me forget this. So when I found a phone case covered in tiny honey bears, I knew I was meant to blog about it:

Sadly, I found the case too late--I'd already bought a cute kate spade hard shell for my phone. However, rest assured that I would snap this one up in a heartbeat if I needed a new one. Perhaps one of you will use it so I can live vicariously through my readers?

Buy through Nordstrom for $38.00.

Image via Nordstrom.

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Snatch a Satchel

It turns out that satchels are kind of huge right now. There's the PS1, the Cambridge satchel (zomg neon colors!), and the kate spade Scout, among others. This is great. I love the idea of satchels. And I wish I was a satchel kind of girl, because this one from Dooney and Bourke keeps calling my name:

The thing that sets this satchel apart, for me, is the fact that it's not as structured as the others, and it also has a more grown-up vibe: whereas the others scream "school days," this one says, much more quietly, "Lady who lunches and jet-sets." And THAT is a vibe with which I can get down.

Buy through Dooney and Bourke for $378.00.

Image via Dooney and Bourke.

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All the News That's Fit to Hold

Trolling the depths of the Internet (in the searchy kind of way, not the rude one) is a daunting task, since there is so. much. information out there. But it occasionally pays off, such as when I discover a cute brand previously unknown to me. Today, that brand is Mimco, an Australian company, and the item of theirs that strikes me the most is their Magazine Clutch:

Unlike the kate spade Newspaper Clutch (second image down), this bag is meant to give only the IMPRESSION of a rolled-up periodical, and that's what I like most: the ombre effect that brings to mind a magazine stuffed into a tote on a Sunday morning on your way to brunch. Plus, it has a totally '80s vibe that makes me smile!

Buy through Mimco for 179.00AUD.

Image via Mimco.

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Flamingo Pink

Y'all are probably really sick of listening to me talk about kate spade bags, but you'll have to bear with me at least one more time, because look at this:

A FLAMINGO. ON A TOTE BAG.

I love it. It's kitschy, but that's exactly the point: this is the perfect bag for a cheesy luau party or a day hanging out in touristy shops in Florida. Am I right?

Buy through kate spade for $275.00.

Image via kate spade.

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It Blue Me Away

I am. IN LOVE. With this bag:

In fact, it's been a long time since I thought this much about any particular handbag. When the images were first released last year during the Spring runway shows, I caught a glimpse and fell hard, and have been waiting to share it with you ever since. If only my bank account could support such a purchase, I would get one in every color--or just one at all, really. And I would never, ever carry it with the strap. This bag was meant to be clutched, and it was meant to be rocked.

Buy through Burberry for $1,095.00.

Image via Burberry.

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PS Speaking of clutches, kate spade has recently released two new book clutches! You can see them here and here.

PPS I very much wanted to title this post "I Blue Myself," but was concerned that it might be misconstrued; still, I wanted to mention it. If you get the reference, congrats! If not, feel free to disregard the previous two sentences!

Pillows on the Wild Side

You know I love zebra-striped things, of course, such as this rug or these kate spade shoes. Today, I'm really digging the zebra pillow covers over at west elm:

Designed to cover your 20-inch pillows in Serengeti style, these covers are a quick and relatively affordable fix if you're looking to redecorate but don't want to be extreme about it. I think they'd make great neutral accents in a living room with bold blue walls or a monochromatic bedroom. Where would you use these?

Buy through west elm for $39.00 each.

Image via west elm.

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Time for a Little Fun

When two of my favorite things come together, it's pretty magical. When three come together, it's beyond outstanding. Today, those three things are kate spade, zebra stripes, and sales, which come together in the kate spade Greece heel.

These shoes are totally over-the-top, of course, but that's what makes them so great! They would be perfect for an outrageous New Year's Eve party, a cruise to the Mediterranean (hence the name of the shoes: Greece), or a beach wedding. Pair them with gold jewelry, a black dress, and a white scarf, and you're in business.

Buy through kate spade for $252.00.

Image via kate spade.

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A Professional Finish

You all know I love kate spade. The company's products range from professional to whimsical, and that's why so many of their bags and shoes appeal to me. Today, it's the Camryn heel in black and white houndstooth:

They fall more on the professional side of the spectrum, but they are also terribly fun, the perfect way to top off--well, bottom off--your work outfit, especially great if you're going out to an event after you leave the office. (Of course, my idea of nightlife usually involves a hot date with the laundry room, but there's no rule that says you can't wash your clothes while wearing heels.) Plus, think of how great this menswear-inspired look will pair with a skirt and bowed blouse. Now that, dear readers, is my idea of a power suit.

Buy through Zappos for $223.50.

Image via Zappos.

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Book of the Month

Books are wonderful things. They provide hours of entertainment, and if you really have anger issues, they also make good projectiles.  From time to time, they also make fantastic accessories. Witness the kate spade Book of the Month Club clutch. It comes in three different styles: The Great Gatsby (black/white/yellow), The Importance of Being Earnest (purple/red/cyan), and my favorite, Great Expectations (black/white/pink). They're not particularly large--5.9"x9"--but they add pizazz and humor to any getup. I suspect that they would be especially useful at a Halloween costume party or literary benefit.

Buy through kate spade for $325.00.

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PS Maureen will be taking over this weekend, as I have a conference to attend. As always, enjoy her posts!

Stylin' Technology

I love kate spade (the company, although Kate Spade the person seems pretty cool, too). Two of my handbags are from kate spade, and I also own one of their planners, as well as my latest accessory find: the striped iPod Nano case.

This particular case is made of soft, flexible silicone, which is very ergonomically pleasing. Plus the light pink and white stripes on the back, combined with the solid orange on the front, coordinates very well with my pink iPod.

How do you keep your technology safe? Do you prefer cute, preppy, bold, or simple accoutrement?

Buy through kate spade for $25.00.

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Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Zebra?

Few things cheer me up more than zebras. I don't know what it is about them, but they make me happy. Especially when I find zebra-print things.

This bag in particular is especially fun. It is a canvas tote (are you surprised?) that is available in both black and a bright. orange, and it is printed all over with prancing zebras. In fact, they remind me a bit of carousel horses, which, for me, exemplify summer. Why wouldn't I want to carry this?

Buy through kate spade for $175.00.

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Classy Cutlery

Last week, I wrote about the set of china I would like to have someday, a decision that was prompted by my grandmother. Around the same time I chose that china, I also decided to pick out a set of nice (read: formal) flatware.

Although the design I chose does not necessarily "go" with the aforementioned Lenox Federal Platinum china, it is very much my style, with clean, straight lines and no frills. It is Todd Hill stainless flatware from kate spade, one of my favorite American brands. Spade is no longer the head of her eponymous company, but her influence is still clearly felt in every product the company sells, and this flatware to me epitomizes the kate spade aesthetic: simple, yet visually pleasing.

Perhaps I will eventually settle on a set of flatware that better coordinates with my (as yet still unattained) china, but in the meantime, I will continue to covet Todd Hill.

Buy a five-piece place setting through Macy's for $67.00.

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