SUMMER STYLE - SKIRTS

If you buy one skirt this summer, I think it should be this one. I adore this chevron stripe skirt from Old Navy. So much so that I stalked a woman wearing it at my daughter's dance recital all day on Sunday. We were always in a crowd so I never did get the chance to ask where she got it but imagine my surprise when I walked into Old Navy yesterday and there it was! (P.S. I never dreamed it was ON, definitely thought it was a much more expensive brand. It's that nice.) Super soft cotton, breezy and cool - add a tank and a jean jacket and you're good to go!

For other Summer Style finds, go here.

SUMMER STYLE

How sweet are these gorgeous earrings for summer?
Even better, they're on sale. LOVE!

PUMPKIN PETUNIA and STELLA & DOT - SPECIAL OFFER!

Offer extended through May 31st at midnight!!!

This weekend is not only the official beginning of summer, but it also launches party season!! With so many graduation parties, baby and bridal showers and birthday parties on the agenda, I'm here to help you all get ready in style! For the very first time, I am offering a joint special and I'm super excited about it!!! I hope you love it too!



Here's the deal! I'm going to help you get ready for those summer parties in more ways than one. First, get your style on with those must-have accessories to jazz up that summer wardrobe. You don't need a complete fashion makeover, just add some key jewelry pieces to your existing wardrobe and you're ready to go! Love that great dress from last summer but want to do something different? Accessorize it! When you do, Pumpkin Petunia will help you throw your own summer soiree - ON US!


Purchase $75 or more at Stella & Dot through this link and enter Pumpkin Petunia as your hostess (this is how we will identify that you qualify for this promotion) and receive TWO FREE SETS (that's 50 invitations!) of custom party invitations of your choice (retail value: $60). But the deal gets even better...



Purchase $100 or more of gorgeous jewelry from Stella & Dot (again through this link and entering Pumpkin Petunia as your hostess so we can identify your eligibility) and you will receive a COMPLETE CUSTOM PARTY PACKAGE (consisting of a set of party invitations, thank you notes and cupcake picks. Retail value: $90)!!



So get some gift-shopping done (think graduations, birthdays) or get something amazing just for you and score yourself some free party packages in the process! Pictured are just some of the designs available to choose from. We'll let you choose from absolutely any design or color scheme that we have available!

So go ahead and freshen up your wardrobe for party season and then get your party on with custom party packages on us!!! But act quickly - this offer is available this week only! It expires at midnight EST on Friday, May 27, 2011.

Fine print: All Stella & Dot orders are shipped immediately and arrive via priority mail in just 3-4 business days. Kindly allow three weeks for delivery of custom invites. Rush orders may be available but are not guaranteed; in short, we will do our best! Free party packages must be redeemed no later than December 31, 2011. If you wish to redeem the offer for custom Holiday cards, you will receive a credit for the value of the party package for which you qualified ($60 or $90). Holiday card orders must be placed no later than November 1st. For details on ordering your party supplies, email me here.

ERIN GO BRAGH!

Illustration from Lilly Pulitzer (and don't you just love it?!)

Lots of shenanigans in store for today, I hope.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL: 25% OFF STELLA & DOT STYLE!

Hope you all had a wonderful day with family and friends. If you're like me (and just about everyone I know!) you have now turned your attention from eating to shopping. And we all know that not just any shopping will do - it has to be bargain shopping! So in that spirit, I would like to pass on to you a Friends & Family discount with Stella & Dot. This discount code is not advertised on their website and is only being distributed directly to customers, so I thought it was absolutely worth sharing.

Use code USFAM10 to receive 25% off your highest priced item. With tons of beautiful styles perfect for all of those holiday parties (like the gorgeous Claire and Chloe necklaces), amazing finds for under $50 and lots of great gift ideas you'll definitely fall in love with the fabulous Stella & Dot style that has been featured in InStyle, Lucky, Cosmo, and more! The best part? Everything arrives beautifully packaged and ready for giving in just 3-4 business days!!

Offer valid November 25th and 26th. Happy Shopping!!

PROUDEST MONKEY PHOTOGRAPHY - BOSTON EDITION

My amazing friend Domenica was in Boston this spring and I couldn't resist whisking her away for a roaming photo shoot of my children while she was here.


As we wandered the waterfront and the streets of the North End, Dom tucked the kids into alleys and on doorsteps, capturing glimpses of their personalities around every corner.

Seriously! I am blown away by her talent.

Domenica, I can't thank you enough for this once-in-a-lifetime capture of my littles (who are getting big faster than I'd like to admit!)



{wardrobe notes - because I love that you always ask! Pumpkin: polo and shorts Lands End, Red Sox necklaces phiten.com; Petunia: dress and headband crewcuts, jean jacket Macy's; Kristin charm necklace and stackable bracelets Stella & Dot; Peanut: dress Liberty of London for Target, straw hat Gap, Kristin ring and bracelet Stella & Dot.}

SPEAKING OF OOH LA LA...

Check out this amazingly versatile collection
from Stella & Dot inspired by Coco Chanel. LOVE!

(sorry, that did not imbed the way I thought it would.
please click on La Coco to see the video.)

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH KATE

Kate Spade is having a Sample Sale just in time for the holidays! So many great deals on some beautiful items.

How cute is this dress?

I love this beautiful flower pendant. This would make a beautiful gift at a great price.

The perfect bag for holiday shopping.

I think I would wear these earmuffs every day. They are just so fun and happy (and warm!).

FALL UPDATE

With all the excitement and anticipation of back to school, I can't help but think about the cozy, warm styles of fall. And while I'd love to update my entire wardrobe the way I did this past spring, sadly, it's just not in the budget. But never fear! I'm confident that I can freshen up my fall outfits for pennies on the dollar with just a few key purchases.

The first item that caught my eye for fall is this tortoise patent-leather belt from J.Crew. At $39.50, it's not a steal, but it's a classic look and a fun accessory that can be worn again and again. Truth be told, I thought for sure I'd save myself some cash by finding a knock-off of this belt at Target, but alas, Target did not come through for me this time. I did, however, find this invisibelt. What the?

My second fall must-have is a fun scarf. You totally knew that was coming, didn't you? These scarves are everywhere. But let's face it, they're fun, they're easy and with just a flip of fabric, they make this mom-of-three feel a teensy fit fashionable. This burnout jersey version is on sale right now at Old Navy for just $10! 

Finally, it just wouldn't be fall without a new sweater or two. I picked up this pretty ruffle-tie cardigan in a beautiful shade of gray for just $12. Online, they only show pink available, but purchase in-store anyway as the sale prices are much better. 

Another in-store bargain at the Gap was this ruffle-front sweater in this unbelievably gorgeous shade of blue. Soooo pretty in person. Again, the sale price in-store much better than online.

Well, that's about it for me. This budget is tapped with a capital T! What about you? Any must-haves for fall?

A GIRL CAN DREAM

Some fun looks from Kate Spade:

Plaza Esti Skirt with Bow

Color Cafe Stripe Ring

Mulberry Street Noel Opus

Papillon Lany Short

Junebug Frog Pendant

Caprice Sandal

COLOR PALETTE PARTY INSPIRATION

Peanut and I have been thinking a lot about the celebration of her third birthday this August. A lot. She has dug in her heels and decided upon a Pretty Dress Party and no mention of bubbles and swimsuits and the fact that the party will be by a pool will sway her. So a Pretty Dress Party it is! But this leaves the color palette wide open ("I love all colors, Mama.") and to be honest, while thinking about the Pretty Dress Party, I've lacked a bit of inspiration - until now. One look at this summer color palette from crewcuts was all I needed. Isn't it lovely?

DIY LOUBOUTINS!

{Tutorial found at Love, Maegan via The Blah, blah, blagh} 

Shut up! This is too fabulous for words.

THE QUEST FOR SPRING BASICS

This year the warmer weather brought more than just spring flowers and green grass, it also brought the harsh realization that some of my most beloved everyday basics were worn well beyond their best days. You know the story: jeans with holes in the knee, tees both shrunken and overstretched in all the wrong places and other separates that were just sad for no particular reason other than their day had come and gone long ago. The upside of this was that some major shopping was in order. A necessity, in fact! 

I was determined to use my limited budget to it's best advantage, unwilling to compromise fit or quality, making this expedition take a little longer than anticipated. After two months of extensive research (yes, I know, two months! I'm embarrassed by the amount of time it took), I think I've found some good separates that will do me well for a while. And like anyone who has dedicated their life (or spring) to research, I would like to share it all with you so that you do not have to waste two months of your life shopping. Unless you want to, of course.

The results of my research are as follows:

THE PERFECT POLO

Old Navy Women's Classic Polo

What makes this the perfect polo? The cut is very feminine and the puff sleeve is just enough to not put too much focus on the shoulders. The fabric is the perfect weight and has just enough stretch so that if falls nicely. Finally, there are six buttons positioned perfectly so that you can keep your neckline nice and open without exposing too much cleavage. I know, more than you ever wanted to know about shirt! But my research was very thorough.

THE PERFECT KNOCK-OFF

Merona Ruffled Henley

This shirt is a dead ringer for J. Crew's Ruffled Henley at almost a quarter of the price!

THE PERFECT JEAN

Banana Republic  Classic Solid Dark Wash Jeans

I know I've mentioned these before and I love them. Enough said.

THE PERFECT OXFORD

J.Crew Garment-dyed Perfect Shirt

Feminine cut, the perfect amount of stretch, great colors, the name says it all.

THE PERFECT SHORTS 

J.Crew Chino Shorts

Buy these in every color (they're on sale right now, by the way). You will never wear another pair of shorts again. Sits perfectly on the waist, not too high, not too low. Flat front, holds up to a million washings...I could go on and on.

THE PERFECT EVERYDAY SANDALS

I'll admit, I'm a purist, but I just love good old classic Dr. Scholl's. A step up from flip flops, but just as comfy.

SOME FUN ACCESSORIES

Lucite bangle from Forever 21

Adorable vintage-look button rings from lovenit.

On a more somber note (yes, this is sarcasm - we're talking about shopping, people),  I still can't find a tee that I love as much as my tissue tees from J.Crew a couple of years ago. I'm going to try the J.Crew outlet to see if they have anything similar. If you have any recommendations for tees that you love, be sure to let me know! 

Note: In the interest of full disclosure, my purchases did not exactly fit into the budget that I had set in the beginning. You'll notice that I did not always go for the bargain, often choosing a higher-priced item because fit and quality were also very important factors in my shopping. For example, I went with the $80 jeans, rather than the $30 or $200 pair. This decision was based on budget, fit and quality, all variables having equal weight in my decision. But to make my choices work within my budget, I did what any good researcher does: I applied for a grant! No really, a grant in the form of cashing in some credit card points for gift cards. This freed up my budget a bit and allowed me to make purchases that worked for me.

So that's it! More than you ever wanted to know about my spring shopping excursion. Have you found the perfect outfit? Tell us about it!

A BIT O' LUCK

... and a sneak peek!

DO YOU THINK TARGET HAS THIS?

Doesn't hurt to ask.

{Orla Kiely pear shoulder bag via allaboutcute.com}

FRIDAYS I'M IN LOVE

Hooded Trench from Boden

Fabulous Patent Bag from Boden

Classic Dark Wash Jeans from Banana Republic

Classic Ballet Flats from J.Crew

Note: I know I've been MIA for a bit but it is all for a very good cause, I promise. I will be back on Monday to launch my spring line of invitations, stationary and party accessories. Look for a giveaway or two next week as well. My little celebration of spring!

USELESS CUTENESS

Lilly Pulitzer Monopoly: Limited Edition

OK, so it's not completely useless. You can play a pretty, preppy, colorful game of monopoly - but it's certainly not a necessity. For the Lilly lover who has everything!