Smythson for 2010

I've been getting the Panama Diary from Smythson of Bond Street for Christmas from my dad for years, and continually look forward to the leather treat every year. It is lightweight, sturdy and fits perfectly in your purse, not to mention everything they sell comes in a variety of fun colors - what's not to love!

 Needless to say, I was pleased to read that the luxury leather and stationary store now has leather goods for the 2010 business world -  they now have a line of iPhone and iPad covers. Some iPhone cases are on the website already, but more colors will be added for the holiday season. Also for the holidays is the iPad cover in either a sleeve or a zip around edge. I'll keep you posted as I find more information on the covers, but I just wanted to let you in on the exciting news so you can start writing your Christmas list now!

A classic clutch

The clever designers at Kate Spade have reworked your favorite books into a modern take on vintage book clutches. With only three out in the series so far, the book of the month clutches, are an eye-popping addition for your fall wardrobe.

The Classics have never looked so good!

A cut above the rest

With Cynthia Rowley's limited edition band-aids you can even accessorize your cuts. The trompe l'oeil band-aids come in 14 different styles including lace, sequins, gems and gold chains. A dollar from each purchase will benefit the Design Ignites Change, an organization that engages high school and college students in multidisciplinary design and architecture projects that address pressing social issues in their own communities.

Who knew covering a cut could be so chic?

Get your band-aids here.


Photo via Cynthiarowley.com

Happy happy

I'm loving Happy Menocal and her sketches... hope you do to!

http://www.happymenocal.com/

Avo-mania

To me there is nothing better on a salad, sandwich or chip than an avocado. Everything about them - from the color to the texture is appealing to me. I LOVE them, maybe a little too much, considering they are pretty high in fat (one avocado boasts roughly 270 calories.) This article in September's Southern Living is both reassuring and helpful, and reminds me that the creamy fruit I love so much is also quite beneficial for my health.

5 Avocado Nutrition and Health Benefits

1. They protect your eyes from disease. 
Avocados have a high content (more than any other fruit) of the carotenoid lutein, which protects against cataracts and macular degeneration—a leading cause of blindness.

2. They will lower your cholesterol. 
Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a natural substance that has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In one study, 45 people saw an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for just one week.

3. They help regulate and reduce blood pressure.
Avocados are a great source of potassium, containing even more than bananas. Studies confirm that eating foods high in potassium (and low in sodium) can lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.

4. They are a great source of vitamin E.
Avocados are the greatest fruit source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against many diseases and helps maintain overall health.

5. They will moisturize your skin.
Avocado butter and oil, two deep-conditioning emollients, will soften skin, eliminate dry patches, and restore your skin’s elasticity. Try some of our favorite beauty products, enriched with avocado butter and oil, at right.


To incorporate more of this delightful food into your diet, try some of these tasty avocado recipes.


Avocado Toast (a staple for me - although I use wheat instead of sourdough)
Tasty fresh corn and avocado salsa
Guacamole (add a little garlic powder to this recipe for an added kick!)

1o yrs of September covers

It's mid-August - school has started, the temperature is hovering around 105, football season is right around the corner, and the September issues of my favorite magazines have hit the stands! The September issues are always the best. Usually the largest issue of the year, the September issue forecasts fall trends and packs in the most ads of the year. I tend to enjoy them because they still include summer steals and fall picks, all the while reminding me to enjoy the warm weather because come February (even in our mild winter) I'll be ready for summer again.

So far I've picked up InStyle - at 600 pages - and Elle - jumping in at 562 pages.  In 2007, Vogue carried a record 727 ad pages, weighed in at four pounds, nine ounces, and reached 13 million readers. I haven't picked up a copy yet this year, but Halle Berry graces the front of the all-important issue.

Having said all of that, let's take a look back on 10 years of Vogue September issues:

Bridget Hall 2000

Linda Evangelista 2001

Kate Hudson 2002

Nicole Kidman 2003

Daraia Werbowy, Natalia Vodianova, and Gisele 2004

SJP 2005

Kirsten Dunst 2006

Sienna Miller 2007

Keira Knightly 2008

Charlize Theron 2009

Take a walk on the wild side...

Although I don't necessarily consider animal prints a trendy item, I am excited that fashionistas have declared them a trend for the fall.  (I've got a leopard coat lined in hot pink that I'll be whipping out - and all of you who made fun of me in college for having it are going to be so jealous.)

I wouldn't consider myself a flashy dresser (at. all.) but I do love animal prints. I'm also really liking all of the muted animal prints (check out the dress and bag below) I've been seeing all over the place. Within reason, animal prints are great for day or night and an easy way to spice up a boring outfit.

So unleash your animal instincts and jump on board the animal bandwagon!

Checkout a few of my picks for this fall fashion trend:

Equipment Hard Feelings Chiffon Blouse

Parker Double Flared Sleeve Dress

Foley + Corinna Disco City Bag

Another amazing Sharpie invention

Have you seen this? I saw it on my friend Jenna's blog and will definitely be picking one up on my next trip to the office supply store ( I LOVE office supplies). This gem from the genius's at Sharpie, writes like a pen, erases like a pencil and becomes permanent (like a sharpie) after 24 hours! I'll let you know what I think after I get myself one :)

Happy Monday?

I thought I'd start this week off with a post that is sure to brighten every one's week.

On a recent visit to San Francisco I was in awe of the beautiful blooms that were everywhere - crawling up the sides of houses, popping up on street corners. Around this time of year, in South Texas, you don't see many flowers surviving, so I was particularly pleased by all of the colorful foliage in San Fran.

These photos were all taken on my walk down the Filbert Steps. It's a beautiful walk down but not a very pleasant hike up!

San Antonio: Shop for paws!

Head over to Penny Lane TODAY and shop for a good cause. The Alamo Heights boutique has partnered up with DaisyCares for a night of wine, shopping and caring for our beloved furry friends. 

DaisyCares was founded in 2009 by Ami Gordon in honor of her beloved yorkie, Daisy. DaisyCares was created to give back the gift of life that Daisy received, and to provide hope to all needy pets. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation created to provide pet food and medical care to needy pets by providing assistance to their owners.

The wine and nibbles will be provided from 6-8, but the sales will be going on all day!

Discount:

Any monetary contribution or pet food: 10%

$25 or 25 lbs of pet food: %15

$50 or 50 lbs pet food: 20%

$100 or 100 lbs of pet or more: 30%

Gloria and her friends thank you!

One month!

...Until Tucker by Gaby Basora debuts at Target. I cannot wait! My birthday is the day after and I can already tell you I'll be treating myself to a few early birthday presents. I own a few Tucker blouses myself and have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Target line since I heard the great news a few months back.

I'm a little upset that this is the only preview so far, but I'm not letting these pieces bring me down - I know there will be plenty of fabulously printed dresses and blouses come September.

Here's a sneak peek:

Herrinbone Jacket

For the much more adventerous than yours truly: a Fleece Jumpsuit. On the right is the Signature Dress paired with the Reversible Quilted Vest

Until September, I will just have to admire the real thing. Check out some of my current faves from the Tucker line:

Blouse in Yellow Electric Bloom

Tunic in ivy Print

Butterfly On Set Dress

King of Kings Dress Mini

Shop Tucker

Dom & Andy

Who can think of a better match than Dom Perignon and Andy Warhol? I know I wouldn't mind sipping on some Dom while admiring a Warhol - especially from one of these fanciful bottles.

The labels, meant to "pay tribute to the creative genius" of Andy Warhol, were designed by the Design Laboratory at Central Saint Martin's School of Art & Design.

Once the drink of choice for the illustrious artist, Dom Perignon will debut it's vintage 2002 bottle October 15, 2010.

Fuller eats - San Antonio: Picnikin's Patio Cafe

Almost religiously I eat a soup and salad for lunch, so I'm always excited when another soup/salad/sandwich lunch spot pops up around my neighborhood. So not too long ago my lunch partners and I decided to venture out to Picnikin's to try something new, and I'm so glad we did!


After operating as a catering business in the Medical Center area since 1988, owners André and Cheryl Bezuidenhout, decided to open in the shopping center at Blanco and 410, several months ago. Picnikin's offers a wide variety of lunch items including soups, salads, sandwiches (gourmet and classic) and grilled items. They also offer great lunch combos - Cup of Soup; 1/2 Classic Sandwich $7, Cup of Soup; 1/2 Gourmet Sandwich $7.5, Cup of Soup; Side Caesar or Tossed Green Salad $7.


While we were there we tried:

Roasted Poblano Pepper Soup - excellent!

Chicken Tortilla

Sweet Potato Fries - excellent taste but wish they were a bit crispier

Chef Salad - as tasty as it looks!

The Backyard - a sandwich off the gourmet list that includes Freshly sliced smoked turkey breast, premium ham, swiss cheese, black olives, lettuce, and mayonnaise.

The menu is quite extensive and it was so hard to choose from all of the items - they all sounded so good! As of recently they have added a dinner menu and a wine menu - I'll be back for dinner and/or happy hour. They are open Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm. Check them out here!

Picnikin's Patio Cafe

6901 Blanco Rd.

San Antonio 78216

210.616.0954

And you, Miss, are no lady.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the always classic Gone With the Wind, the Ransom Center (in Austin) is planning an exhibit on the movie in 2014. But they're facing one major problem: the famous dresses worn by Miss Scarlet are too tattered and fragile to go on display. After years of travelling from exhibit to exhibit the costumes are in need of some tender lovin' care.

According to the Ransom Center website, they acquired the costumes which include the green curtain dress (shown above, her dressing gown, a burgundy ball gown, blue velvet peignoir and her wedding dress, in the mid-1980s as part of the collection of Gone With the Wind's legendary producer David O. Selznick (he also produced A Star Is Born, Rebecca, and Duel in the Sun). 

They are trying to raise $30,000 in total. Donations can be made on the Ransom Center website in increments of $10, 25, 100 and custom amounts and will be used to restore dresses, purchase protective housing, and for custom mannequins that will allow them to be properly displayed.

Frankly, my dear, it's time to give a damn ... or at least a few dollars.

For more information or to donate to the cause click here.

Photo via the Ransom Center website.

Austin: Snap to it - Again!

Remember one of my first posts about Snap Kitchen, back in May? Well, today's Tidbit Treat of the Day is $20 for $40 worth of Snap. Trust me, $40 at Snap can go along way and if I was still in Austin I'd definitely go for this deal.

Check out the details here.

J.Crew Fall shoes

I'm not usually a JCrew shoe person (other than my favorite pair of boots), but I have a feeling this Fall I will have to purchase a few more...

Tilly satin two-tone platform heels

Coddington leather platform pumps

Mara zip wedges

Roxie peep-toe platform booties

Walker riding boots

Back-zip ballet flats

Kelcey calf hair ballet flats

Julienne suede heels