Fall sidekick

The gorgeous russet color. The adorable gold sparrows. The plentiful pockets, inside and out. I just love this bag! Designed by Marc Jacobs, wouldn't it be the perfect carryall for fall?

Stones, beads and bangles, oh my!

Last post was about cute clothes, this one's about fabulous accessories.

Welcome to my world. I'm a perpetual Internet window shopper!

Even though summer is almost over, I couldn't help but show you these colorful, natural beauties from Ruche. And I have no doubt one could work these into a fall wardrobe, if one so desired. Let's keep that summer lovin' feeling all year long!

Adela Coral Beaded Necklace

Pure Sentiments Bangle Set, Akila Wrapped Bracelet and Manukau Harbour Beaded Bracelet in Ivory

Thunder Bay Beaded Necklace in Brown

Stone Canyon Necklace

While I'd love to add any and all of these to my overflowing jewelry box-- especially the Stone Canyon Necklace-- I already purchased this necklace and this ring from Francesca's, my new favorite boutique. So I guess my accessories quota is filled. At least for the month. :)

xoxo,

Lookie Lulu's

When I saw this top while browsing Lulu's new fall look book the other day, I instantly fell in love. It's light and flowy with ruffles and a unique print-- it just screams me!

Until I saw the price that is. $113!! Talk about sticker shock. I may spend too much money on clothes, but if I'm going to drop a C-note, I better be getting a couple items, not just one blouse! I don't even spend that much on jeans.

Despite this disappointment, the rest of the Crossing Sunset look book is definitely worth a flip. Here's a few of my fave ensembles (note: It looks like not everything is available online yet, but we can still look and drool, right?):

Love this boxy jacket with a flouncy skirt.

Aren't those oxfords adorable? (These are pretty cute too, and maybe more wearable.)

I'm kind of obsessed with WkShp's tees (I have this one and want this one) and this Rising Sun Grey Crop Top is pretty fabulous, especially with the Mink Pink Mozambique Print Maxi Skirt. So easy and breezy to throw on for a casual weekend running about town.

These fringe shorts are amazing! Not sure I could pull them off in real life, but I love them on the model all the same. I'm totally on board with the fringe trend and have eyed many a fringe purse. And I have a scarf that looks just like that feather-printed sheer vest.

Even though this is a fall look book, the photos still seem warm and sunshiney to me. And really, in Southern California, our summer seems to last until October so that's alright by me. :)

xoxo,

Shoulder envy

Shoulder envy, as in, I envy whoever has this on their shoulder!

The above image-- featuring the new Kristin Op Art Ikat Print Satchel and Kristin Ikat Large Wristlet-- popped up in my inbox today and I was instantly smitten. I just love ikat! It's fun to look at and fun to say. And we all know I love Coach, so it's a match made in purse heaven.

Not to mention, the soft colors are perfect for summer and will go with just about everything in my wardrobe. Now all I need to do is save up a couple hundred dollars.

But first, one more decision: hippie, satchel or hobo? I think I like the hobo shape best...

Just dreamy.

Wish list

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa is almost here! Have you been naughty or nice? (Maybe a bit of both?)

Well, hopefully none of us will find coal in our stockings this Christmas. Here's a few items from my wish list that I'd be happy to find under the tree:

Some new makeup brushes would be much appreciated. Mine have seen better days. And these ones not only sparkle, they are antibacterial to boot. (This makeup lover wouldn't say no to a beauty box made just for junkies, either.)

Fragrance that smells as good as it looks. (Marc Jacobs Daisy may be my perennial favorite, but I'm willing to give Kate Spade's Twirl a whirl. Both are fruity and floral.)

 A hair treatment that would restore and replenish my dry locks, which are even more ravaged by the winter wind, would be quite useful. I've heard bloggers rave about Moroccanoil.

I'd love to light a candle on dark winter nights. This magnolia one would make my room smell like my grandma-- and I mean that in the best way possible. 

Since the kind of digital camera I want is a bit out of my price range (and probably Santa's), this adorable Diana would be a fun new way to capture memories and give them a dreamy perspective.

I would love to add a few more easy-breezy tops that look effortlessly chic to my wardrobe. This sheer midnight blue one and that olive green camp-style one would look good in my closet.

Add to that a flowy floral lace number you can dress up or down.

New clothes need new kicks. I've had my eye on a pair of new boots with buckle details for awhile (like these) and a girl always needs more cute flats (like these).

My jewelry box is overflowing but I'm always adding more jewels and baubles to my collection. I heart these nature-inspired, hippie chic pieces: a double leaf ring, a sparkling feather necklace, and safari-themed bangles.

 I've been using the same metallic, studded bag all year; it's time for a new model. This caramel-colored faux leather satchel would be perfect for every day.

And finally, because the New Year is almost here and I can't survive without a schedule, a 2011 agenda that is both cheery and functional is definitely in order.

There you have it. My wish list for Christmas. What I find under the tree Dec. 25 no one knows (except the jolly bearded man himself) but whatever it is, I know I will love it.

Your turn! What made your wish list this year? 



P.S. If you'd like to receive a Christmas card from yours truly, drop me a line with your address at carissanicole {at} gmail {dot} com by Thursday, Dec. 16. I'd love to add you to my list!

Odette New York

The creativity of others never ceases to amaze me. Which is probably why it is easy for me to spend an inordinate amount of time drooling over the crafts of skilled artists on Etsy.

Take Odette New York for example. I stumbled across Jennifer Sarkilahti's Brooklyn-based shop the other day-- I had some help; she is the featured seller of the week-- while taking a much-needed break from work and since then I can't stop thinking about her gorgeous, hand carved and intricately detailed pieces cast in shimmering metal tones.

Being that I am borderline obsessed with all things bird related-- my blog is named after a bird and I have a swallow tattoo on my foot, after all-- I'll admit it was the Large Swallow Necklace that drew me in (Taylor Swift's a fan, too!). I am seriously lusting after it and wishing I had the financial resources to splurge even on the smaller version. It is such an exquisitely made piece of jewelry. A piece of art, really.

But she doesn't just do birds, as evidenced above. She has a whole bevy of creatures from nature represented in her shop-- from jackrabbits to foxes to owls, oh my! There's even monkeys, jellyfish and a French Bulldog. How's that for creative?

I also love her more organic pieces, like the Bullet Hole Necklace and Skipping Stones Necklace.

Her process is fascinating, too. Jennifer says she first sketches a design in pencil, then carves it into wax, like a tiny sculpture. The wax is cast into metal to make a master and a mold of a master is created to make multiples. After hearing all that, the initial sticker shock wears off. And the awe begins.

Suffice to say, I have a crush on Jennifer's shop. (She also has all her pieces featured here, where you can see her new fall lookbook. Seriously, just look at this ring!)

(Oh, and I kind of adore the name Odette, too. Wouldn't that make a cute little girl's name?)

Have you stumbled across any fabulous Etsy finds lately? Truth be told, it's not that hard to do.

Hope you're enjoying your Thursday evening. Stress slowly melting away...

Look what I bought + road trip envy

Happy weekend all! Just wanted to pop in for a moment to share with you two pieces I bought recently from the ever-fabulous Ruche.

When I saw this top awhile back I instantly fell in love with it. But alas, it was all sold out in my size. With little hope, I signed up to have Ruche email me when it was back in stock. Much to my surprise, about two weeks ago, I got an email saying it was back in! Hallelujah! It must be meant to be, I thought, so I immediately ordered it and days later a package arrived on my doorstep. I was happy as a clam when I opened the bag and saw it was just as cute and comfy as I'd hoped it would be. I think it is the perfect punch of color to add to my summer wardrobe. Light and pretty, plus the dolman sleeves cover my arms which burn oh-so-easily! I couldn't ask for more...

Except, I did! Ha. I ordered these adorable (and inexpensive) anchor earrings to go with the top. The perfect, beach-y combination, don't you think? I wore both the top and the earrings here, you might recall...

While we're on the subject of Ruche, I've been wanting to share these images from their summer lookbook (vol. 1) with you. They make me want to go on a road trip with my girlfriends... and a beautifully styled one at that! (click images to see bigger)

I'm sort of in love with that last dress. Isn't it pretty? And Ruche just put out a second summer lookbook for me to drool over. Ruche, you're going to make me go broke!

So tell me, what's your latest purchase? Does the change of the season make you want to go buy new, airy, girly things for summer? (Like it does for me?)

And have you ever been on a road trip? Do share! (I've only been on family vacations that required lots and lots of driving, all while sitting very close to my younger brother. I'm sure you can imagine the drama that ensued, mile after mile... but I'd love to go cross country with a group of my best buds!)

xo,

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you had a lovely weekend and were able to get out and soak in some sunshine. Mine was fairly low-key and included a little work and a lot of TV and movie watching, but sometimes being a couch potato is okay, right?

Anyhow, I just spied this amazingly chic Soft French Lace Bag (literally made in France!) on Etsy and simply had to share it with you, stat. Isn't it sweet? I think it would be the perfect summer tote, just right for a busy weekend, an afternoon of shopping or a quick trip to the farmer's market. Seriously, I'm dreaming of it swinging from my own shoulder, because those stripes and lace detail are just too cute to resist!

Head on over to Becky's shop, TortillaGirl, to check out the rest of her fantastically feminine totes, plus clothing and accessories... and see if you can resist!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and talk soon,

Accessorize me

I'm an accessories girl. One peak into my closet and you'd see straight away. What would you see? Well, my overflowing jewelry box, for one. It's never closed. Why bother? You'd also see dishes full of rings and things, and recently worn jewels scattered haphazardly about. I even have push pins on the wall holding my necklaces and (usually) successfully keeping them untangled. But judging by the necklaces that have found their way onto my nightstand and the bathroom counter, I think I need more push pins.

And let me not forget what else is in my closet: dozens of purses, belts, shoes and some scarves, too.

An argument could be made though that I don't need any more accessories. Kind of like when I was a kid and my closet was bursting with stuffed animals. Whenever I saw a new cutie that I just had to have, my mother would say, "You need another stuffed animal like you need a hole in your head." Hmm. Well, I almost always got the plushie anyway. I could always find room for more stuffed animals.

Now that I'm older, I think it's safe to say that my habit of collecting adorable toys has turned into a habit of collecting gorgeous accessories. While browsing the internet this week, I spied several pretties that I could make space for.

But don't worry, ma, I didn't buy them.

Oh, how I wish I could but the bank account says it just can't be.

But still, I look and I want. So to appease this insatiable desire to buy things I can't justify a need for-- a problem of mine that goes beyond just accessories, to be sure-- I am going to share them here, with you.

From Ruche's new arrivals: (Have I mentioned my love for Ruche before? Oh, that's right, I have.)

Handmade floral lace necklace

Charm drop earrings

Lorelei pearl ring

Brown double buckle weave belt

From Etsy:

Small tough ruffles zipper purse in turquoise with aqua,

made by Philadelphia Etsian Katie Henry (shop: Made by Hank)

Triangular laced necklace,

made by Cuban-born, South Miami Beach-based artist Lorena (shop: Maranon)

There. It's out of my system. (Hopefully.) I hope you enjoyed this fashion fix and have a great rest of your Friday!

Right now, I have to go get ready for a jewelry party. (I hear it's like a tupperware party, but better because, well, it's jewelry.)

Go figure.



Edit: Just got back from the party! Turns out it was a lia sophia party. I went with my bestie and we both weren't sure what to expect since she only knew the host and I didn't know anyone, but it was actually really fun. There was free wine, pizza, snacks and cookies... and jewelry, of course. What's not to love? Unfortunately the jewelry wasn't free but I did end up buying one thing. (I felt obligated! Ok, I wanted to, too. But there was a sense of obligation.) The jewelry was a bit pricey-- there was a colorful, mosaic-style cuff I loved but once I found out it was $198 I had to pass-- but there was a special going on so I got the $68 Elena ring for half off. Marielle, my bestie that is, thinks it looks like fireworks. This pic doesn't do it justice, but it's all I have to show (the real thing will come in the mail soon).

So, what do you think? Worth the price tag? And I really wanted the Robin ring as well, but didn't want to go overboard. Which do you like better?