Still Crushing Hard Core

If you see some random chick walking down the street in head-to-toe PURPLE, it’s probably me.  I’m still in love, and completely craving….

{Mo & J Ruffled Boiled Wool Jacket, Nordstrom, $98}

{Spun by Subtle Luxury, Animal Print Scarf, Piperlime, $40}

{Just-So Hat, Anthropologie, $39.95}

{Line of Latitude Sweater, Free People, $168}

{Betsy Johnson Owl Ring, Piperlime, $35}

{Natalia Dip-Dyed Satin Ballet Flats, J. Crew, $118}

{Antik Batik Stole, Yoox, $118}

{Decker Chronograph Purple Dial Watch, Fossil, $115}

 

My New Crush? Meet Purple.

I go through color crushes like Lindsay Lohan goes through rehabs.  (See here for yellow, and here and here for orange).  My newest paramour is purple.  If I didn’t have 729,391,182 other projects brewing, I would paint my dining room deep aubergine and use lots of linen and white with pops of earthy green (inspired by the picture below).  I just can’t get enough purple this season….

 

 

 

{Images: 1. Cerise Pink Blog; 2. Apartment Therapy; 3. Candian House and Home; 4. House to Home; 5. Coach Kristin Leather Pleated Sachel, $398; 6. London Amethyst Mini Hurricane, Crate and Barrel, $16.95; 7.  Hunter Wellies, Piperlime, $125; 8. Patinaed Pillar Holder, Anthropologie, $48; 9. You Are Love Print, The Love Shop, $29. 10.  Zambia {Faux} Throw, Z Gallerie, $99; 11. Essie, Damsel in a Dress, $8}

Random Things I am Liking Lately

I can already tell that this is going to be a random-ish week.  BUT, tomorrow, I have a GREAT GIVEAWAY for you all.  Hint: It involves my favorite city in the whole wide world!

Ok, here’s what’s striking my fancy these days….

LOVES this summer handbag:

{Knotted Satchel, Anthropologie, $78}

Coveting this chic & affordable duvet:

{Links Duvet Cover, West Elm, $59 for full/queen}

In a similar vein, I would love to throw one of these tunics (only $49??) on over white jeans with a pair of silver flip flops:

{Chain Link Tunics, RSH Catalog, $49}

This is PERFECT (and so true, of course!) for my daughter’s new “big girl room”:

{The World is Amazing and So are You, The Love Shop, Etsy, $18 for 8×10}

Drooling over these two pairs of earrings:

{Andalusia Earrings, Sundance Catalog, $65}

{Copernicus Earrings, Sundance Catalog, $98}

Jill introduced me and now I can’t get stop thinking about these:

{Tretorn, Piperlime, $55}

And their mini-me:

{Tretorn Infant, Piperlime, $35}

Metallic wallpaper, need I say more?

{Image via Design Manifest}

{Image via Decor*Pad}

WHEW.  That was random!  Click back tomorrow for a great giveaway!

Ikat: It’s Not Just for the Curtains Anymore

We all know and love the look of ikat in our homes: curtains, rugs, bedding, throw pillows and blankets….  We can’t get enough!

{Completely swoon-worthy curtains, Eric Cohler via Cote de Texas}

Ikat is a dying pattern (similar to tie dye) that originated in southeast Asia, and it’s been popular in home design for a while.  But it’s now popping up in fashion all over the place:  

This dress would be great dressed up for work or dressed down for a summer party, I DIE!  {Carmen Marc Valvo, Saks Fifth Avenue, $340}

DVF wrap in ikat?  Yes please.  {Capela Dress, Diane von Furstenberg, Bloomingdales, $258.75}

A great choice for the office or Sunday morning (I think this dress would look better with a tan!) {Sheath Dress, Anne Klein, $148}

Great for summer date night!  {Print One Shoulder Dress, The Loft, $98}

I love this tunic by St. John paired with white jeans — looks fab (sorry for the small picture). {Ikat Tunic, St. John, $237}

I love this easy, sophisticated look.  I can seen a colorful tunic, white jeans and flops easily becoming my go-to summer uniform!  {Ikat Print Poncho, Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue, $635}

{Ikat Strappy Wedges, Burberry, Bloomingdales, $495}

I love these two ikat bags by DVF — the orange one may be an early birthday gift to myself!

{Ikat Open Tote, Diane von Furstenbrg, Bloomingdales, $98}

{Nancy Ikat Shopper, Diane von Furstenberg, Neiman Marcus, $185 (sorry for the little image)}

This ikat scarf would look great with a jean skirt, tank top and flops!  It also comes in pink and black colorways.  {Ikat Diamond Print Scarf, Piperlime, $35}

Will you be wearing ikat this summer?  Keep your eyes peeled — ikat has arrived!

Buy This, Not That: Reader Question

Dear Spark!,

Would you please find me a less expensive version of this bag??  $500 isn’t in the budget right now!  It’s Tory Burch and j’adore!

Your Biggest Fan (ok, and sister)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, Sis, here goes:

LOVE THIS?

 

{Similar: Hexagonal Hobo, Tory Burch, $450}

BUY THIS!

  

 

{Pleating Moment Large Hobo, Kenneth Cole, $169.98}

OR THIS!

 

{Silverlake Bucket, The Sak, Piperlime, $169}

OR THIS!

{Puma First Round Shopper, Nordstrom, $59.99}

OR THIS!

{Gwen Metallic Hobo, Nine West, $39.99}

I hope this gave you some good, lower cost alternatives!  Happy Bargain Hunting!

Also, wishing everyone a very Happy Easter and Passover — have a great weekend celebrating!

Buy This, Not That: Looks for Spring!

It’s been a while since I have put together a “Buy This, Not That” post.  I am featuring Boden today because I was so inspired by their Spring catalog!  This company, founded in the UK, is my new favorite source for versatile clothes with great quality and good value.  Boden’s Spring look reminds me of Kate Spade meets J.Crew, for less….

LOVE THIS?

{Bali, Kate Spade, $198}

BUY THIS!

{Strappy Wedges, Boden, $138}

LOVE THIS?

{Grosgrain Plisse Priti, Kate Spade, $355}

OR THIS?

{Flutter-Flower Clutch, J. Crew, $128}

BUY THIS!

{Fabulous Clutch, Boden, $98}

LOVE THIS?

{Connect Four Reina Dress, Kate Spade, $395}

BUY THIS!

{Must Have Shift, Boden, $148}

LOVE THIS?

{Regina Metallic Leather Ballet Flats, J. Crew, $278}

BUY THIS!

{Embellished Flats, Boden, $118}

LOVE THIS?

{Watch Hill Zippered Darcy, Kate Spade, $295}

BUY THIS!

{Patent Stripe Tote, Boden, $228}

LOVE THIS?

{Bettye Muller, Heirloom, Piperlime, $220}

BUY THIS!

{Colourblock Wedges, Boden, $148}

Check it out!  There is so many more fabulous spring items at Boden right now.  Happy bargain hunting and come on Spring!

P.S.  As I write this, a foot of snow sits on the ground and we have two more snow storms on the horizon this week.  Before last month, we didn’t even own a snow shovel!  Sooooo, as an understatement, I am desperate for Spring!

Buy This, Not That – Fab Fall Finds!

Enjoy this eclectic mix of Fall accessories to cozy up your home and your wardrobe….

LOVE THIS?

[Lost Garden Pillow, Anthropologie, $88]

BUY THIS!

 

[Linen Suzani Toss Pillow, World Market, $19.99]

LOVE THIS?

[Biviel Tall Boot, Nordstrom, $244.95]

BUY THIS!

[Aerosoles Lasticity, Piperlime, $80]

LOVE THIS?

[Autumn Harvest Wreath, Crate and Barrel, $49.95]

BUY THIS!

[Fall Berry Wreath, World Market, $19.99]

LOVE THIS?

[Skull Decanter and Glasses, Gump’s, $98 for decanter, $48 for 2 glasses]

BUY THIS!

 [Skull Tray, Pottery Barn, $24]

AND THIS!

[Skull Plate, Pottery Barn, $7]

LOVE THIS?

[Haverhill Afghan, Garnet Hill, $348]

BUY THIS!

[Pine Cone Hill Squares Crochet Throw Blanket, Layla Grace, $234]

OR THIS!

[Granny Square Afghan, Etsy, $145]

LOVE THIS?

[Betsey Johnson Brushed Plaid Coat, Bloomingdales, $536]

BUY THIS!

[Steve Madden Hooded Duffle Coat, Nordstrom, $99.90]

LOVE THIS?

[Flying Witch Silhouette Doormat, Wisteria, $34]

BUY THIS!

[Halloween Skulls Mat, World Market, $12.99]

Happy Fall Bargain Hunting!

Buy This, Not That — Shoes!

I have had a few requests to expand spark!‘s recurring “Buy This, Not That” series to fashion.  So, welcome to the first edition!

Flats are so popular this Fall, so I have narrowed my BTNT shoe selections to loafers, moccasins, and ballet flats.  Also, I am showcasing my new fave bargain brand — Me Too. Enjoy!

LOVE THIS?

[Miu Miu Ballet Flats, Saks Fifth Avenue, $450]

BUY THIS!

[Me Too Swann Cap Toe Ballet, DSW, $39.94]

LOVE THIS?

[Kate Spade Sabrina Loafer, Saks Fifth Avenue, $225]

BUY THIS!

[Me Too Nexi Patent Leather Penny Moc, DSW, $44.94]

LOVE THIS?

[Demi Flats, Kate Spade, $225]

BUY THIS!

[Wanted Wild Flats, Piperlime, $35]

LOVE THIS?

[Salvatore Ferragamo ‘Letteke Canoe’ Moccasin, Nordstrom, $450]

BUY THIS!

[Sperry Top-Sider Marina Moccasin, Nordstrom, $97.95]

LOVE THIS?

[Beverly Feldman Rosetta Flat, Nordstrom, $179]

[Zigi Soho Petunia Suede Flats, DSW, $49.95]

LOVE THIS?

[Miu Miu Velvet Ballet Flats, Saks Fifth Avenue, $315]

BUY THIS!

[Jeff Campbell Haley Flats, Norstrom, $94.95]

Happy Shoe Shopping!

Shoes News

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog for breaking shoes news!

I have been less than inspired in the past couple years with the fall and winter shoe collections.  As a result, I am still wearing some shoes from college (more than 10 years ago, if you are counting) because I haven’t found suitable replacements. 

So imagine my delight while perusing Piperlime when I found a fabulous assortment of shoes for the fall and winter that met my 3Cs of adult shoe-buying: Chic, Comfy and Cost-effective.  🙂

[Taheri Polly, $105]

[Biviel BV2123, $145] (I love me some Biviel shoes!)

[Biviel BVC053, $150]

[Calvin Klein Mackenzi, $88]

[Fossil Maddox Flat, $68]

[Enzo Angiolini Unheard, $169]

[Aerosoles Gather Around, $120]

See what I mean??? And if I wanted to go a little more trendy this season….

[Pierre Dumas Stella-1, $49]

[Miz Mooz Soho, $109]

Which are your faves and what shoes are you wearing this Fall?

And we now return you to your regularly scheduled blogs….