Book Review-"Trading Up"

Candance Bushnell (as many of you already know) is the author of Sex and the City and behind the book that made the tv show. Trading Up is the first book I have read by her. It is a story about a women who goes to New York to pursue acting/modeling and what she has to do to get there. It is a very girly book and an easy read, perfect for the summer. I've you like Sex and the City, you would like this book. I'd rate this book a B.

Lady Gaga - Alejandro

Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug

Here is Ke$ha's new video for "Your Love Is My Drug".

Online Shopping

Things have been a little crazy here this past week. Two funerals and one huge memorial day weekend and I can't believe I made it through. So to help me feel better a little online shopping was in order. Victoria's Secret was having a free shipping if you spend 50 dollars which is so easy to do. Not to mention they were having their semi annual sale. (They are now doing free shipping if you spend 35 dollars on a swim suit! Just type VSSWIM10) Getting packages in the mail is the best feeling ever.

All The Rage

Everyone seems to have this ring and I'm on the fence about it. They are still luckily selling it online but I know it won't last long. I wish I could see it in person but everywhere I've been doesn't seem to the ring let alone my size. What do you think about this ring?

Piperlime

I have always been a fan of Piperlime and have loved MANY a shoe that has gone through that website. After finding out the 20% off coupon (if you type surprise in the search box) and looking under the "sweet deals" which are shoes that already have 30% off I just had to buy 2 pairs. I love online shopping but waiting for them to arrive is the worst!

Song: Ridin' Solo-Jason Derulo

Born to Run

Sometime I get so into a book I can't put it down for days. I lose sleep and read until I feel like my eye balls are gonna fall out. About a week ago, I started reading Christopher McDougall's Born to Run. This book has made me start and actually LIKE running. In this funny story, you meet many interesting characters that have shaped the art and history of running. There is even a website dedicated to the fans of the book. Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong. I'd rate this book an A. I would really recommend this book, in fact I've already passed it along.

Lady Gaga

I saw this on perez last week and it made me smile so I wanted to share it. One of my goals is to be in a flash mob dance one day. A girl can dream....

Mother's Day

For some reason I love Mother's Day. Every year my Aunts and Uncles take out my grandmother to a restaurant. This year it will be the same. I'm looking forward to good food and relaxing fun. I have a few ideas of what to get my mom, a digital picture frame for her desk at work or I was also thinking about getting a new watch. I'll head out today and try to pick something up. I found this website that gives ideas depending on what type of personality is your own mom. Happy Mothers Day!

New Target Collaborations

Temple St. Clair, which is a high end jewlery company will be teaming up with Target. Temple's jewlery sells at Saks and high quality jewelers. Some of their pieces even go up to $30,000. This line will be launching at the end of August 2010.

For clothes, Target has picked up Gaby Basora who is behind the brand Tucker. Tucker has wonderful prints on their dresses and shirts. These pieces go up to about $400 each. Many celebrities including Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston has been seen wearing Tucker. This line will be launching September 2010.

Not Myself Tonight

Here is Christina Aguilera's new video, I don't know if I like this song yet but I wanted to put it up because there has been a lot of talk about how this video reminds people of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance video. humm...

Look-a-Likes

I just spotted these Miu Miu wedge look-a-likes and wanted to share!

Miu Mi Cork & Leather Wedge Sandals- $650

 Rosegold Women's Casey Wedge- $168

Rings Rings

Sometimes I get in a rut where I become obsessed with one thing and need to buy as many as I can. Right now I can't stop buying rings. Two finger, silver, gold, stones, anything I can get my hand on. I end up going to a store to get something completely different and end up with 2 rings instead. Happens to the best of us, I guess. Here are a few I love.

More Alkemie Jewelry...

The Good Ol' B&N

I love Barns&Noble, I can spend hours in there searching for new books and magazines. For some reason, I only go there about every 6 months. But when I do, I buy a lot to last me until my next big splurge. This past weekend I stopped in with my mom. After spending 3 hours there looking at everything and I mean everything, from cookbooks to poetry, I ended up with a few new reads.

 From Top to Bottom:

1. Trading Up-Candance Bushnell (Author of Sex & the City)

2. Something Blue-Emily Giffin (2nd in series)

3. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang-Chelsea Handler

4. The Extra Half Inch- Victoria Beckham

5. Perfect Fifths- Megan McCafferty (5th in series)

6. Born to Run- Christopher McDougall

Eclipse Trailor

I'm such a sucker for these movies, I'm like a little kid.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Today I plan on riding my bike every where and being as green as I possibly can. On Earth Day every year many companies give away freebies or give a huge discount. Here are a few companies that are participating in Earth Day.

1. You can get free Origins face cleanser today in celebration at Dillard's. All you have to bring is a bottle of your current skin care cleanser (empty or full) and turn it in to receive your free full-size bottle of Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash or an Origins Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea. 
2. If you spend $30 dollars or more on Drugstore.com today and purchase natural products, you will receive a free Seventh Generation tote bag that has $40 in samples inside.
3. Reynolds is offering a free roll of its recycled aluminum foil in celebration of Earth Day. It is a mail in rebate offer and is only available for download and it starts at 4:22 a.m. ET. 
4. At Babies R Us they are offering a free reusable tote bag, while supplies last with a coupon.
5. At Walgreens stores, with a coupon, today you can get your ink cartridges refilled for just $1. You can grab the coupon in the store for this offer.
6. Amazon is offering up to 34% off some of its Earth Day reads.

A+O's Cosmetic Line

Alice+Olivia have always had amazing clothes but this summer they are taking a turn for the better! A+O's designer Stacey Brendet Eisner has teamed up with Mac Cosmetics to create a limited edition make-up collection. The result is a bright, 80s inspired color palette with lip glosses, nail polish and pigments. The collection is set to hit Mac stores on July 8th. The prices range from $12 for the nail polish to $19.50 for the pigments. I can't wait to see these in person.

Make me Up

I've never been good at applying makeup. Covering up some pimples and put on eyeshadow (with my finger most of the time) is as far as I get. I've always wanted to become better and be able to make my face actually look like I'm wearing make up. Recently, I've been watching Make-up artists on YouTube and have come across a girl who makes it all seem easy. Her name is Tanya Burr and she chooses a celebrity and then shows you the steps and which make up she uses. I'm kind of addicted to watching her videos and have now made a make up list of things I need to get.

Hemming MY way

The worst part of buying jeans, is trying to figure out if you want to wear them with flats, boots or heels. I was skimming the internet the other day and I can across the "Hemming My Way" Snaps. These are easy to use and just snap on underneath your jeans to make them your desired length. They have been getting great reviews and are now on my growing list of things I need.

Spring Formal

I've always loved dressing up, I mean what girl doesn't love putting on a fancy dress and a pair of shoes for the night. In a little over a month, I have my boyfriend's senior formal to attend. I've been online window shopping these past couple of days and going through all different dresses. The only conclusion I've come to is I want a short dress for less than $100. Since this isn't my formal, I need to make sure I can wear the dress again for other occasions. These are just a few options I've been looking at.

More Arden B...

Spring Nails

Ever since receiving a nail polish kit as a secret santa present in high school, I've been obsessed with having my nails painted. I don't feel as put together when I don't have nail polish on my fingers. I prefer short, square nails on my own hands but I'm not against other shapes and lengths on other people. As long as your nails arn't a foot long. There are a few trends for this summer that I am loving:

 1. Nude by Chanel I know peach and nude are this seasons must have color for clothes but they are also great on nails. ( 503 Inattendu, 505 Particuliere, 507 Tendresse

    2. Pastel by Essie The spring collection is a lot of pastels and I'm loving the purpley hue. (Lilacism, Neo-Whimscial, Pop Art Pink)

3. Bright by OPI These 3 come from a collection called Hong Kong, new for this Spring. All of the colors are bright and fun. (Hot and Spicy, Dim Sum Plum, Jade is the New Black)

Sex & The City 2

Finally, the Sex & the City 2 trailer has been all over the internet today. We get to see what the plot is all about and I'm already dying to see it. Aidan is back and I love me some Aidan. I can't wait to see all of their outfits and beautiful places they visit in Abu Dhabi. We now only have to wait until May 28th to see the film. Why can't it be tomorrow! Here is the trailer :)

Interview Wear

Yesterday I had an interview in New York City. Interview clothes, such a heard decision. I've just started to get into fashion and it was about 88 degrees outside not to mention I was a little nervous. Interview clothes can be a little tricky. There are a few rules I do follow:

1. Always be over dressed than under dressed, it gives a better impression
2. Go to colors are black & white. You automatically look more professional wearing black especially in NY.
3. Natural makeup & nails (Most people say to put your hair back, but I never do.)

More Christian Dior...

But then I always start to second guess myself how much color is to much? Is bare legs okay for the interview? If its 100 degrees out, is it okay if I don't wear long sleeves. The number one thing I always try to do when buying work clothes is think to myself, can I wear these as separates out at night. My favorite stores to shop for work clothes are J. Crew, NY&Co and Express. Not to mention, NY&Co is currently having a huge sale and I'm sure you can find their $25 off $50 dollar coupon online.

Jack is Back!

Jack Johnson is finally back. Oh how I've missed him so. I heard his new single, "You and Your Heart" from his upcoming album To The Sea and of course I love it. He just has that style of music that make you believe your taking a drive down Ocean Ave with the top down and everything is just going wonderfully. Pre-Album ordering started today and I had to jump on it. His summer tour line up goes on sale tomorrow and I luck out by having him play about 25 minutes from me. For all the information you would need click here.

Scrumctious Sauerkraut

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Mine was filled with too much candy and food but the weather was amazing. Finally being able to be outside with bare legs and no coat was amazing. This Easter I deiced to cook a traditional Polish dish, since I eat over my Polish grandmothers house. Us Polish folk love pickled and sour foods, which I admit is an acquired taste. For my love of sauerkraut, I decided to make a dish called Kapusta Kiszona Z Grzybami. It doesn't look as yummy as it is but mixing this with Kielbasi and horseradish is delicious and making a dish that comes from your family's background is always fun.

Tory Spring2010

I've always been a fan of Tory Burch even though I have to wait until most of her stuff goes on sale. Her spring2010 line came out this week and I'm loving so many of her new clothes. This striped blazer looks so beachy and confortable. There is a lot of navy and white in this collection which is perfect for spring into summer. She even designed some new shoes that I just love, including more colors in her ever famous "Reva" flats. The only thing I'm still not sure about are the tie-dye pieces.

Isuck

It's 60 degrees out. I'm happy. Apple's new Ipad is coming out this weekend. Finally, now I can stop hearing about it. I hate this thing, it's a big Iphone or Itouch, why would anyone want this. How are you supposed to carry it anyway? I get worried with my Ipod, I can't imagine carrying around a screen 5times the size. Not to mention theres no usb, no keyboard, no camera, you cant hookup your ipod to it, can't play flash drive and you have to pay a monthly fee to use the internet. Remind me again why this is "going to change the computer world". I can't wait to see it flop.

I sound like a big apple hater, but I'm not. I love my Ipod, but for some reason this new tablet makes me want to scream. Maybe I'm wrong but I just needed to vent. ALSO! Google has officially changed its name, WHY WHY WHY! Check here to read their blog about the new name, TOPEKA. On second thought, might be an April Fools Joke, good one google ;)

Spring as Sprung

(image from zo_ya at flickr)

Welcome! So, I've decided to start my own blog. I guess it's the modern day diary but anyone and anything can read it. It's kind of liberating to put my thoughts out there. I will be posting things I see/do that will hopefully be interesting.

It had been raining here for what feels like 2 years straight. But the weather report for this Easter weekend looks to be in the mid 70's and sunny. Finally a change of pace. So today I am happy to be in the rainy, gloomy weather as long as I can enjoy my weekend, which just so happens to be a 3 day weekend. Enjoy your day no matter the weather.