Umbrella...ella...ella...eh, eh, eh

Did you know that it's really hard to write out the words to this song? Well, it is. And it's been really rainy in Charlotte for the past few days, so I've been humming it a lot because unfortunately, every time I see an umbrella, that song gets stuck in my head.

But this umbrella from Momastore is worth it. See?

There's even a children's version. What a great way to brighten up a rainy day!

Carrie-d Away

Last night I got to see a preview showing of the Sex and the City movie. I won't give anything away, but it. was. AWESOME. I expected to be disappointed and was oh so pleasantly surprised.

Of course the best part was the fashion. Everything else aside, I could have watched the movie on mute. My favorite trend was the studded belt. I've always loved this look with my snowboarding pants, but Carey sports it in SATC with flowery dresses and pearls (see center pic below). Lurrrving this look:



SAVE:


Mossimo Pyramid Studs Belt - Black, $19.99 at Target.com

SPLURGE:


Linea Pelle Women's Stud & Stone Multi-Strand Belt, $175 at lpcollection.com.

Everyone deserves a second chance, right?

I tried Bare Escentuals a few years ago when I first heard about mineral makeup. I liked it, but the girl at the store who "helped" me match the foundation to my skin color did a terrible job, and I ended up buying a foundation that was probably two shades too dark--which meant I could only use it in the summertime, when I didn't wear much makeup anyway. Then, the kabuki brush I'd bought to apply the makeup fell apart. I wasn't exactly a fan of mineral makeup, and I finally tossed that original foundation after it sat in my makeup bag for a year without being touched.

Fast-forward to 2008, and I'm giving it a second chance. A few months ago I interviewed Leslie Blodgett, the company's CEO, and she was amazing. Plus, her skin (and her PR manager's skin) looked incredible. Then, my boss started using Bare Escentuals, and while I've always thought she had great skin (she takes good care of it), she was raving about the makeup and had made some serious investments in it. As editors of a women's magazine, we get sent makeup samples all the time, and we're rarely loyal to one brand, so for my boss to be using almost exclusively one line of makeup is kind of a big deal. (Kelly was especially coveting this kit with the special brush.)

This weekend, I decided to give Bare Escentuals another shot--I went out and bought the Getting Started kit (available here on the BE web site with a few extras for $75; the kit I bought was $60 at Sephora). The kit came with a DVD for application tips, which I watched yesterday for a little refresher on the swirl-tap-buff method of mineral makeup applications.


Today is Day No. 1 with my new makeup, and aside from going a little overboard with my application of the warmth all-over face color, I was surprisingly pleased with the results. The brushes seem to be of much higher quality than the one I bought a few years back. I even went without the one product I never, ever leave the house without (because it's not a true test-drive if I don't at least try BE as a concealer)--my Alison Raffaele concealer (which I still highly recommend).

I'll be continuing my test drive of my new Bare Escentuals products for the next few months, and I'll keep you posted on whether I can tell that my skin is healing (I battle adult acne and usually lose). I'm not quite ready to invest further in Bare Escentuals, but I must say, the overnight Rare Minerals skin revival treatment has me curious.

Trendwatch: Sporty Chic

I'm so psyched that sporty chic is in for Spring/Summer 2008. It works out perfectly with my signature ensemble: flip-flops, feminine skirt and fun graphic tee.

My sister knows me too well and gave me this Sporty Barrel Bag from Free People for my birthday last month (thanks, Boo!). Now my look is complete AND I'm in style:) Be sure to check out the grosgrain ribbon detail and yellow printed inner lining. Lurrrving the lining. It's still available and on sale!

Lurrrving Lorina

In all honesty, I must admit that I bought this bottle of Lorina Sparkling French Berry Lemonade because I thought the bottle would make a pretty vase for the Gerbera daisies growing in my garden.


Then I tasted the lemonade, and I have to say: this stuff is good. Like, super good. Of course, it's not without calories (my little bottle had 130 calories per serving, 1.5 servings to the bottle), but it doesn't have funky preservatives or ingredients that you can't pronounce. Just carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, natural lemon and strawberry flavor, and grape skin extract for color. Lovely. It would be even better with vodka, I think...

Eye lurrrve

I'm 29 years-old and still get carded for beer, cigarettes, lottery tickets...

It's awesome. And I attribute this all to Kiehl's. I've used their eye cream for seven years. I started with their Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado but have since switched to their Abyssine Eye Cream. It's virtually weightless yet incredibly moisturizing. And when you buy a product from the Kiehl's website, they let you choose any three samples to be shipped with your purchase. I've had some of their samples last a week, which makes for a fair trial period and great value!

Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream, 0.5oz, $32

Fascinating flats

I discovered these eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, plastic (?) flats by Melissa, and now I'm curious. What is it like to wear them? Can they possibly be comfortable (and not make your feet smell)?



They come in a few different styles, and some really fun colors. I may have to buy a pair just to test them out. Possibly these:



They're like the jellies I used to wear (and love) as a kid, except they're all grown up.

Have Stella, will travel!

With airlines adding fees for extra bags these days, it's even more important to choose wisely when it comes to luggage. I adore the new pop pattern that Stella McCartney created for her LeSportsac collection... and soon it will be available in a carry-on!

It comes with plenty of pockets and straps for storing your most precious, fashionable cargo. My favorite feature is the bottom compartment for stowing shoes. The entire collection is made from recycled fabric, so wherever your travels take you, know that you're going green.

Trendwatch: The Maxi

Maxi dresses are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They elongate, they're slimming, and they can make even short girls like me look tall (as long as I'm not standing next to one of my leggier friends).

They're also really comfortable, and great for hot weather. Some favorites:

Joie "Roll the Dice" floral maxi, $324 from Bloomingdales.




Strapless curvy jersey maxi dress, Victoria's Secret, $85 (on sale).




Rosarito maxi dress, by Marciano, $178.



Jaclyn dress, $49.50 from Delias (catalog and web only).

It's that time of the year (again).

Southerners always seem to be in the mood for sweet tea, but since I'm a transplant, iced tea is a seasonal craving for me -- and I don't like mine too sweet. (Ssh! Don't tell. I still live in the South, after all.)

My craving is starting to get more pronounced, though, especially after finding this pitcher on Rare Device.


Isn't it darling? Here's the best part: It comes with a stainless steel lid and diffuser and is shaped to fit in your fridge. Which means that all you have to do for a lovely pot of iced tea is brew your tea hot, remove the diffuser, and refrigerate.

Mod Squad

Angela Adams' gorgeous, retro-inspired rugs become the centerpiece of any space they inhabit. Inmod offers one of the best online selections of her rugs that I've come across, along with some more afforable alternatives. I'm debating between the Kenga Wheat and the more daring Mammy Robin's Egg to break up the boredom of my leather clad living room. I almost have to go with the latter just because I love the name!


Kenga Wheat, $349


Mammy Robins Egg, $349

Loving Laura James Jewelry

I know I speak for both Lindsey AND myself when I say that Laura James Jewelry is one of Lurrrve's favorite things ever, and definitely worthy of being our first post!

I bought myself a gorgeous pair of Laura James earrings with vintage chandelier crystals and teeny aquamarine drops (aquas are my absolute favorite gemstone) a few months ago, and I can't wear them without having people stop me to ask where they're from. Once, a woman literally yelled at me to roll down my window at a stoplight because she saw them on my ears.

(OK, maybe that didn't exactly happen. But it could have. Seriously.)

Either way, Laura's stuff is spectacular. It's unique and interesting, and definitely not the kind of obvious pieces you'll find in your average jewelry store.

This piece would be especially lovely as a graduation gift for a recent high school or college graduate:



You can get it handstamped with the name and date of your choice. Heck, it would even make a great bridesmaid gift for your favorite girlfriends.