Emi-Jay Hair Ties

I came home from work today to find my mom waiting with a fun surprise: Emi-Jay Hair Ties! She read about them in the August 2010 issue of Marie Claire and decided to give them a try. These stretchy strips of fabric already have a celebrity following and promise they won't leave a pesky dent in your hair. Designed by two L.A. teens, the bands cost $9.95 for a pack of five and come in a variety of colors including the summer and pearl collections pictured above. While they are a bit pricey, the bands can double as a fun bracelet, and  Emi-Jay supports several charities including Locks of Love, Project Knapsack, Toys for Tots, Partners in Health/Haiti and The Zimmer Children's Museum.

Click here to browse Emi-Jay's online shop.

Old Meets New: Jack Rogers

If I like a pair of shoes, I 'll wear them into the ground. Case in point, my gold Jack Rogers. These Navajo sandals have seen college classes, tailgates and fraternity parties. They came with me across the pond and walked the streets of London, Rome and Barcelona. My Jacks are molded to my feet and worn-in to perfection, but it's time to call in a replacement. No, I won't be putting these wardrobe staples into retirement, but I am super excited about my new pair of silver Jack Rogers that came in the mail yesterday from Shoes.com. It's hard to believe my gold ones used be that clean! Now I just have to wear them in!

Readers do you buy shoes in multiples? What are your favorite summer kicks?

Spotlight on Nashville: CHIHULY

 (Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Gap Favorite V-neck T, Anthropologie Shape Template Mini Skirt (Fall 2009), Longchamp Le Pliage Tote)

All summer, my mom has been trying to get my family to go see the Chihuly art installations at the Cheekwood Gardens here in Nashville. Last night we all cleared our schedules and finally went to check out the glass exhibit. If you're a Nashville reader or anywhere near the city, I definitely recommend checking out this exhibition. The hand-blown glass sculptures are beautiful and incredibly unique--They were like nothing I'd ever seen before.

Click below for more photos from the exhibit. All images are courtesy of my brother, Jack Hallemann.

Military-Inspired Tote

As July comes to an end, (is it just me or has this summer gone by super quickly?) back-to-school shopping is consuming both my mind and my budget. At the top of my list was a unique book bag, and luckily I found one well within my price range. I was immediately drawn to this Red Cross Vintage Field Bag ($25) but when I found out that 50% of the retail price goes directly to the American Red Cross, I knew it had to be mine. The tote's adjustable straps can be worn over one shoulder or across the body, and the bag itself is just large enough to fit my laptop. Made of 100% cotton canvas with brass turn buckles, this bag is the perfect touch of military chic.

For more real-life photos of the bag, click below.

Summer Sale Roundup

Sorry for the lack of posts lately--This past weekend I went to visit my boyfriend in Baltimore, and I didn't have a chance to update! I'm short on time today, but I thought I'd throw up a few sale links from around the web. Happy shopping!

Today only, Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic are all 30% off online with free shipping on orders over $100. Just enter the promo code SAVE30 at checkout. This is a great sale to stock up on basics I definitely recommend checking it out. Top picks for this sale: Gap City Flats (reviewed here), Gap Favorite Tee, Old Navy Drape-Front Vest, Old Navy Embroidered Scarf, and Banana Republic Wool Charcoal Pencil Skirt.

Rue La La, one of my favorite members-only websites, is offering a special promotion from now until August 8. For those of you unfamiliar with the site, Rue La La is a virtual sample sale offering limited quantities of designer products at a hefty discount for brief periods of time. If you aren't currently a member, click here to join and you'll instantly have a $10 credit on your account. (In the interest of full disclosure, when new members make their first purchase, I will receive a $10 credit)

J. Crew is offering 30% off all final sale both online and in stores. Enter the promo code EXTRA30 at checkout. Orders over $150 will also receive free shipping. Top picks for this sale: Cottage Skirt, Erica Dress, and Flat Flower Headband.

Nordstrom's Annual Anniversary Sale has been going on for over a week now, but it still has a great selection of products. From winter boots to jeans and cocktail dresses, hundreds of designer items are on sale. I hate to mention unmentionables, but this sale is a great time to stock up on Hanky Pankys. They rarely ever go on sale, so it's worth it to buy in bulk.

I recently ordered a pair of silver Jack Rogers sandals from Shoes.com and used the promo code: SHOEDEAL to get 20% off. I'm also considering ordering these Michael Kors heels. Readers- what do you think?

What's the best sale you've spotted this summer?

 (Image Credit: Natalie Dee)

Lilly Pulitzer Designs Sorority-Inspired Prints

Yesterday, Lilly Pulitzer's Facebook page showcased a sneak peak of the brand's fall collection. Included in the line are four mini-collections inspired by different national sororities. As a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, one of the sisterhoods included, I cannot wait to see the completed product. Far too often sorority paraphernalia is in-your-face and cheesy, but Lilly's designs appear to be slightly more subtle. In addition to KKG, Kappa Delta, Tri-Delta and Delta Zeta will also be featured. Each line will include a tote, carry-all, pencil pouch, wallet, scarf and cosmetic case with prices ranging from $28-$148. The Lilly sorority collections as well as the complete fall line will be available in stores in August.

Click below for images of the Kappa Delta, Tri-Delta and Delta Zeta collections.

 Kappa Delta

Tri-Delta

Delta Zeta

Anthropologie Previews Penguin's Fall Line of Clothbound Classics

As I perused the Anthropologie website checking out this week's sales, I was pleasantly surprised by a handful of new additions to the Home section. Anthropologie is already selling the new line of Penguin Clothbound Classics! You may remember I'm a huge fan of Penguin's colorfully designed covers, but I wasn't expecting new titles until September. A quick search on Amazon confirmed my suspicion that the line isn't available until later this year. What a treat for Anthro shoppers! The preview doesn't include the complete fall line, but Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White, and Shakespeare's The Sonnets and a Lover's Complaint are available for purchase now. The editions cost $20 each, but if you're willing to wait until late September, Amazon offers a discount on pre-orders bringing the cost down to $13.50 per book. Additionally, Amazon will have the complete line of classics including Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, and Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles available this fall.

Just Tryin' to Keep Cool

With thermometers inching dangerously close to 100 degrees on a regular basis, I'm doing all I can to keep from melting. Even if you're suffering from heat stroke, these snow ball necklaces will give you the appearance of looking cool. These colored Swarovski crystals perched atop metallic cones are the product of Mignon Faget, a jewelry designer inspired by all things New Orleans. The pendants are available in sterling silver and 14K gold and cost $68 and $490 respectively.

If snow cones aren't your thing, the brand has a large selection of jewelry benefiting the gulf coast clean up effort. Check it out here.

City Flats

Shopping at Gap is hit or miss. I'll walk into the store and either instantly find 10 things I have to have or leave empty-handed, questioning who in their right mind would shop there. Fortunately, right now I'm loving their inventory, which is great for my closet and even better for my pocketbook.

My latest find is the brand's City Flat. This simple ballet flat is split-soled, unbelievably comfortable, and at $40 a pair, well within my budget. I went with gray, this fall's go-to neutral for my first pair, but I'm fairly certain I'll be back for the purple. Each pair folds down into a carrying case, perfect for tossing into a bag as a just-in-case pair of comfy shoes.

I like to think of them as a Lanvin look-for-less. The style is simple, but the quality is excellent. Made of 100% leather, these shoes are breathable and the elastic doesn't dig into my heel. However, these shoes do run slightly small- I had to size up to a 9 from my regular 8 1/2. If you're looking for a pair of well-made affordable flats, these come highly recommended.

 

Skirt: Gap circa 2007, Belt: Charlotte Russe, Shoes: Gap

Spotlight on Nashville: East Nashville Favorites

(Tank: Banana Republic, similar here, headband: Anthropologie, similar here)

We wanted to welcome my brother back to America in style, so we spent Saturday exploring East Nashville, an up-and-coming area of town full of hipsters, eclectic shops and tasty eateries. Not to mention it's home to the one-and-only Tomato Art Fest, but more on that later- it needs a post of its own.

First stop: I Dream of Weenie. This converted VW Bus serves up specialty hot dogs with a touch of sass. My mom and I each had a slaw weenie, but my brother was slightly more adventurous. Jack sampled the chili cheese weenie and ordered it "double dog style" which comes with two hot dogs on one bun! The van itself doesn't have any seating, but we enjoyed our lunch on a near-by picnic table.

For dessert, we headed next door to The Jolly Rogue, Nashville's icey taste of The Big Easy. The Rogue's "sneauxballs" are New Orleans-style shaved ice- packed with flavor and totally refreshing. I ordered the Pink Flamingo, a mixture of shaved ice, nectar and coconut flavorings, evaporated milk and whipped cream while my brother opted for Tiger's Blood--I didn't quite catch what was in that one, but I stole a taste, and it was excellent. Prices for these shaved ice specialties range from $3-6, but they're large enough to share.

Much to my brother's dismay, we finished our adventure with a little window shopping. My mom and I walked away empty-handed, but saw some great pieces in both Wonders on Woodlawn and the Art and Invention Gallery- I'll have to go back when I have more time to look around. Overall it was a great day, and I can't wait to go back!

Click here for more pictures from our adventures!

 

 

 

Welcome Home Jack!

This weekend, I'm so excited because my younger brother Jack just returned from a six-week exchange program in Sydney, Australia. It was nice being the only child at home for a while, but I'm so glad he's back. Check out his cute exchange school's uniform above (Jack is on the right) and more pictures from his trip after the jump!

 

New York Fashion Week 2007: Gen Art presents FORM

Would You Buy an Eye-phone?

I was perusing Nylon Magazine's beauty blog when I stumbled upon this gem from Kohl's. I suppose this "punny" beauty product was only a matter of time, but it still made me laugh when I saw it. The Eyemobile Eyeshadow Compact retails for $8.25 and includes twenty different shades, two applicators and a built in mirror.

Tory Burch Collaborates with Kara Ross

In this economy, everyone needs a little protection from evil spirits. That's why I'm loving Kara Ross's latest collaboration with Tory Burch. The New York-based jewelry designer created a line with her lifelong friend featuring the traditional evil eye motif. If you're not superstitious, no worries, this cuff is fashionable enough for even the most stubborn non-believer. Me, I'll toss salt over my shoulder until the day I die, so I'm a huge fan. The line includes rings, necklaces and cuff bracelets like the one feature above. Prices range from $195-$695, and all pieces are available on both designers' websites.

Inspired by: Bastille Day

I know it's the tail end of July 14, but I thought I'd throw up a quick post. Here are a handful of French-inspired pieces in honor of Bastille Day!

1.) Chanel Hydrabase Lipstick ($65)
2.) P. Saint Hilaire Fine Sailor Scarf ($16)
3.) Fleur de Lis Bobby Pin Set ($5)
4.) Love in Paris Zip Pouch ($18)
5.) Black Beret ($32)

Summer Sales

In an earlier post I mentioned that July is a bargain shopper's dream. Sales are popping up all over the internet, but you might miss out if you don't know where to look! Lucky for you, I'm here to offer some guidance. These are my picks for the best deals on the web.

Shopbop: Today only all sale items on Shopbop are an additional 20% off.

Tory Burch Stud Ballet Flat ($110)
J Brand Cuffed Shorts ($93)
Bop Basics Cashmere Striped Button Back Sweater ($135)
Low Luv x Erin Wasson Arrow Bangle ($45)

Readers-- What's the best deal you've snatched up so far this summer?
See more of my bargain picks after the jump!



Anthropologie: Through Labor Day all Anthro members receive free shipping on all orders. Sign up for the Anthro program here.

Waterdrop Posts ($20)
Snowmelt Cardi ($40)
Lanai Breezes Shift ($100)
Frye Stone's Throw Sandals ($90)

Bluefly: Today only take an extra 10% off all purchases.

Tbags Silver Jersey Tunic ($116)
Free People Black Zipper Leggings ($43)
Boutique 9 Cutout Sandals ($94)
Stella McCartney Clutch ($825)

Urban Outfitters:
BDG Canvas Carryall ($30)
Lark and Wolff Dress ($40)
Reformed Bolero ($30)
Minnetonka Moccasin ($30)
Tiered Stone Necklace ($25)

Spotlight on Nashville: Burger Up and Las Paletas

To quote my sister, "Saturday night was the best night of my life." While that might be a slight exaggeration, we did eat some excellent food. My family and I tried out a new restaurant, Burger Up, Nashville's newest (and only?) upscale burger joint.

Located in Nashville's trendy 12th South district, Burger Up is a locavore's dream. Whenever possible, their menu includes products local to the Tennessee area. For example, all burgers feature beef from Triple L Ranch in Franklin, TN and chicken comes from Wedge Oak Farm in Lebanon, TN. Even their industrial-style decor is eco-friendly using re-purposed wood from General Manager Michael Pontes' family farm.While being environmentally conscious is important, it doesn't matter if the food isn't up to par. Fortunately, the fare at Burger Up is delicious.

My party started off with an appetizer of fried pickles ($5). Perfectly crunchy, these house-made pickles were well-seasoned and a tasty way to start the meal. My sister and I also split the local salad ($8), a rich bed of greens chock-full of candied pecans, white cheddar cheese and crisp Granny Smith apples, but unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture.

For my main course I sampled the Woodstock Burger ($11), a juicy patty topped with bacon, white cheddar cheese, and Burger Up's special blend of Jack Daniel's ketchup. I've always been of the mindset that everything tastes better with bacon, and this burger was no exception. When dining at Burger Up, I highly recommend substituting the traditional fries for the restaurant's sweet potato variety, but that being said, my batch was slightly over-salted.

Filled to the brim with well-seasoned local cuisine, we left Burger Up and headed to their "cooler" neighbor, Las Paletas, for dessert.This gourmet popsicle shop is known for unique, refreshing flavors not commonly found in the freezer section of the grocery store. My family stayed on the safe side of the Las Paletas popsicle spectrum sampling Strawberry, Blueberry-Lime, and Chai ($2.50 each), but the restaurant offers several more exotic flavors including avocado and hibiscus. Recently Las Paletas has drawn national media attention for their Mexican frozen treats. Tune in Monday July, 19 to see Las Paletas on The Food Network's "Kid in a Candy Store" at 8 pm eastern, 7 pm central.

What are Black and White and Red All Over?

My most recent purchases! July is the month for sales. Retailers mark down summer merchandise in order to make way for fall, which translates into big savings for shoppers. I hope y'all have been taking advantage, I definitely have!

My first purchase is a black Theory pencil skirt from The Cotton Mill Lifestyles.The boutique is moving in with its sister store, and in order to clear out inventory, they're letting high-quality pieces go for extremely good prices. Looking to the future, I'll need a more work-appropriate wardrobe so I snapped up this investment piece without breaking my budget. If you're in the Nashville area, The Cotton Mill's moving sale will continue into early August.

My second wardrobe addition is also from The Cotton Mill. This strapless Milly top will look equally cute with jeans and a belt as it will with a high-wasted skirt. It's pretty one-seasonal, but hopefully I'll get some use out of it before the weather turns cold. What can I say? I couldn't resist a sale!

I was in the mall yesterday for my favorite book store's  celebration of To Kill a Mockingbird's 50th anniversary, and I couldn't help but pop into GAP after I saw their "Buy One Get One Free" sign. All t-shirts, blouses, and cardigans were buy one get one free! I picked up some basics including a couple of the brand's "Favorite V-Neck T" and the red-and-white striped number pictured above. Paired with dark skinny jeans and flats I think it'll be effortless-Parisian chic.

I can hardly believe this is already my 50th post-- when I get to 100 posts, I'm hosting a give-away! Be sure to become a follower of my blog so you can enter to win!

Everyone is Going Mad

Can't wait until season 4 of Mad Men premieres on July 25? Head over to AMC's website and Mad Men yourself! I'm a big fan of the show's wardrobe and couldn't wait to see my 1960's alter ego. The cartoon (pictured above) turned out pretty well don't you think?

If you'd rather have a real-life Mad Men makeover, you'll have to wait a little longer. Janie Bryant, costumer designer for the period drama, will premiere her debut line on QVC September 29. In an interview with Glamour magazine, Bryant describes her designs, "I was inspired by my grandmother’s closet and jewelry box. I used to dress up as a little girl, and spend hours dressing and accessorizing my dolls, and this line brings back memories of a fond and fun time." The line will include separates, outerwear, handbags and accessories, and prices will range from $26-138.

If you're unfamiliar with the show, you can catch up tomorrow night on AMC. A marathon of season 2 starts at 8 pm eastern, 7 central.

Summer Reading

Between class, homework and my social life, I rarely have time for pleasure reading during the school year. That's why summer is so nice-I can finally catch up on all the books I previously hadn't had time for. So far I've conquered three novels: Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding and one book that's hard to categorize: The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm currently working my way through another of Gladwell's books, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. For a short review of each book I've read, click below.

I'd love some suggestions for further reading--What books have y'all enjoyed so far this summer?

Prep
Curtis Sittenfeld's debut novel is a subtle critique of class dynamics in America told through Lee Fiora's coming-of-age story. Wow, that sounds like the beginning of a boring academic paper doesn't it? In reality, Prep is far from drab. Lee's narration of her high school career is racy, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny. A product of an all-girls prep school myself, I found the novel intriguing and shockingly spot on.



Bridget Jones's Diary
I know, I'm way behind the times with this one, but if anyone is looking for a beach read, look no further than Helen Fielding's modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Bridget's struggles with her love life, weight, career and parents are all trials I can personally relate to, not to mention she is totally hilarious. As an added bonus, I loved being able to compare the original Elizabeth and Darcy with their modern-day counterparts. Yes, I know, I'm a total nerd.




The Help
Am I the only person who feels like the entire world has been raving about The Help? Well, I'm about to join the club. Kathryn Stockett's account of Mississippi in the early 1960's is an absolute pleasure to read. I paged through it quickly, anxious for information. Throughout the day I found myself craving the stories of race relations, proxy mothers and rules of old southern society as told by Aibileen, Minnie, and Miss Skeeter. For a girl raised in the south, The Help was a wonderful education on a period of history often untold, from a perspective rarely seen. I highly recommend it.




Outliers and Blink
I mentioned earlier that Malcolm Gladwell's books,  Outliers and Blink, are hard to categorize. On the most basic level, these books are non-fiction, but more specifically, Gladwell's books are works of close observation, and each dissects of a specific aspect of society.  


Outliers explores those people who, "are so accomplished and so extraordinary and so outside of ordinary experience that they are as puzzling to the rest of us as a cold day in August." (Gladwell) The author's scientific approach to success examines the lives of The Beatles, Bill Gates and some of this century's most important lawyers, geniuses, and hockey players. The author looks at everything about these people that has influenced their successes from their birthdays and hometowns to their religions and cultural heritages. The book was very thorough and had me questioning whether my upbringing will make me successful or not.



In typical Gladwell form, Blink examines a small portion of everyday life under a microscope. This book explores the subconscious and split-second decision making. I've only just begun reading, but it's holding my attention well!






So far, I've had a great summer of reading and I'm looking forward to your suggestions!