Best $19.95 I have ever spent!!

I have a love/hate relationship with my dry cleaner.

First of all, I really grumble at the idea of having to pay to wear my own clothes. I know, I know, this isn't exactly true, considering it costs money to use the washing machine too, but at least my home machine doesn't smugly spit out a $55 receipt every two weeks. Eek!

And then there's the hippie in me who doesn't like the idea of all those chemicals going into my clothes and then into my bedroom closet. Even though my DC has a huge "ORGANIC" sign in his window, I still don't trust it. It's like the low-fat ice cream scheme--it might be a little better for you, but it's still a bad idea.

But I must admit, when I do go pick up my belongings from the DC, it's the most amazing feeling to see them hanging there like new: buttons buttoned, collars pressed, sleeves gathered in front with a tiny plastic clip. Mmmm, they look so content. But I always think....there's got to be something else....

Alas, ladies! I have found an alternative in the Sharper Image Portable Garment Steamer. I was feeling under the weather this weekend, so I stood in my bathroom for more hours than I would care to admit and steamed practically my entire wardrobe. Oy! I'm so OCD! I would have taken a picture, but said stuffy nose had me not looking my best :)

Not only does this little miracle take the wrinkles out, but it claims to disinfect and deodorize fabric (seems like a lofty claim that would require A LOT of steam for A LONG period of time). I instead opt for the quick fix of this tool and am so pleased with the results. And the best part is it's nice and small (about the size of an electric kettle) so it stores easily. Not like one of those gigantic ones with the fish bowl size resevior. This one is small and mighty.

Go on and get your own! Adam has already requested I bring it to Chitown for a v. exciting (and productive!) Easter weekend.

Now if only I could find a place that sold those little plastic sleeve clips.....

how could I...

mention Sally below and not credit her as the internet sensation that she is!

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogarticles/shopping/shoparound/11879.html

the perfect couple

I had the most lovely weekend with my dear friend Sally while she was in town visiting me from DC. We took a little day trip up to Greenwich, CT to do some shopping, house stalking, and just general New England loving. And while it was just a short trip, I couldn't help but think: There's nothing like an old friend to make you feel the familiarity you never knew you were missing.

And that Sally just knows me too well, as she was so nice to leave behind her style edition of The New Yorker for me to peruse. Heeding her advice, I quickly flipped to the story featured on NY Times columnist Bill Cunningham, appropriately titled : Man on the Street.



Sally and I are die-hard fans of the Times (she made me really understand the madness of being a true devotee-"I spend 4 hours in bed on Sunday morning with it") and we both love passing along Bill's videos.

There's something so alluring about his candid photography and the sweet simplicity of his reviews. In the black & white story below he says, "All you have to do it take everything you own that's black or white, throw it on, and you'll have it." He really puts the fun in it all by making fashion feel quite simple, very attainable...in a way, very black and white.

I'm sure you'll like it just as much as we do! xo

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/14/fashion/20090314-street-feature/index.html

it's love

As I was uploading some pictures off my camera, I thought I'd share.

I gave him this red sweater for Valentine's Day. He was so happy, that a dance party ensued.

smell-o-vision

I baked some banana bread for a 9AM department meeting I had this morning.

The best part was the smell of my house afterward!

it's a good thing...

xoxo

I. Love. Isaac.

I was a HUGE fan of his line at Target and was certainly sad to see it go...

But now with the launch of his new duds for Liz Claiborne, it's clear my boy is back in action!! I have got to get my little behind over to Macy's (ugh, so not a fan) to try some pieces on. Sadly, I'm half expecting everything to be a bit boxy (read: the usual assortment of the frumpy misses section of a dying dept store) but I will give it a go.

Check out his spread in Oprah Mag this month. I know, I know, a double whammy of Liz C. and Big O all in one post, I need to act my age. But a girl just can't refuse... I love how he celebrates the classic female silhouette.

Aaaand he does a mean gingham. That's all it takes in my book.

Enjoy!!

fun site for a friday

log in to bomomo.com.

you will be addicted.

look what i made!

heart's desire

Five things I've got the hubba hubba's for right now:

1
The Vogue Living Book.
Tip top of le wishlist.

2
Iomoi Address Labels.
Now I just need to find out where I should live...
3
Tory Burch Briza Gladitor
4
Taking a visit to see Lizard @ UT!

5
The Oscars this Sunday!

WWD's list: Tone for Tough Times

Man, do I love a good pun.

In honor of Fall Fashion week, the folks at Women's Wear Daily published Pantone's bi-annual list of hot colors for the new season.

Citing how the "designer palettes for fall seem to acknowledge the major issue of the day" the hues are largely somber. This fact, of course, is pure coincidence considering how the designer collections debuting this week went to production at a time when John Thain still thought it a good idea to redecorate. Lehman what?

Anywho, take a look at the big guns for Fall 09 and pick out your faves. Mine came in at #7 Burnt Sienna. I like the warm salmon-y quality it has.

Can't wait to see what my girl Jenna Lyons did with these. I can picture the cashmere tees now...

Have a colorful day! And check out style.com to keep abreast of the fashion scene this week!

xo

Hope everyone had a great V-Day!

A-man and I shared a fun w/e in Chicago. We had dinner on Sat night at Crofton on Wells - which was very tasty. Their signature dish is the crabcakes to start -- not fried or heavy (as many crabcakes can be) just very fresh and flavorful....mmmmmm! A-man had pork, and I had lemonfish -- and we finished off with a very good banana cream pie! Nothing says I love you like good dessert. Nothing.

On Sunday we enjoyed a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio in Oak Park, IL (or rather I enjoyed and A-man took one for the team). The picture to the left is the dining room in the home (which had originally been the kitchen, but with six kids in the brood, FLW had to get creative in manipulating space).

The screen above the table is inspired by FLW's love of Japanese prints, and it's not a skylight you see--but rather electric lights behind rice paper. A marvel of an idea considering the house was wired for electricity when it was built in the late 1880s, but Oak Park did not get power until 5 years after the Wrights lived there! It's like the FiOS of the gay nineties.

I love Gwyneth!

As most of you may have heard, Ms. Paltrow has been in the news lately over a lot of flack about her new lifestyle blog: GOOP. I for one, am OBSESSED with it. Not exactly sure why...I think its because it's a nice 5 minute departure from reality every time I log in...

What's she and BFF Madonna Ciccone (yes, she refers to her by both first and last name) reading? Tell me how to dress effortlessly in gray cashmere and charcoal wool, Gwyneth! I'm even thinking about the 7-day detox she ogles about. Seriously, I think I could do it. Seriously, she makes you want to.

Another source for the draw is that the more I read, the more I want to be her....er.... think it's an attainable (and worthwhile) goal to be her. I know, I need to stop. But it's fun thinking I can take month long road trips through Spain with my best friend chef cum hedonist, Mario. Oy! Book me a seat in that Mercedes, and I will wait with baited breath in the backseat for G's next musing.

Love her xo

Grand Re-Opening of quiet good taste

Welcome! First post of 2009! Yippee!
Starting over as a more serious blogger this year.
Obama has inspired me to take action.
I PLEDGE to keep up with posts at regular intervals!