sipping my lady grey

i tried to like coffee way back when i was commuting into the city from long island (two hours each way, who does that?!). i tried REALLY hard but no matter what i did i just couldn't commit and kept going back to my old favorite - a nice, soothing cup of tea.

it wasn't until about two years ago that i discovered my ultimate favorite tea - lady grey by twinings. a much smoother alternative to earl grey, this feminine counterpart has light citrus notes and just a hint of bergamot. it's classic enough to drink every day and is good straight up (hot) but is even better over ice. give it a shot...if you totally hate it i may even buy you a cup of coffee.

find it at your local grocer (my local safeway always has it on sale for a couple bucks) or buy online here.

daily candy is getting in on the sample sale action

these days you wouldn't be a true online retailer without a sample sale section. daily candy is the latest and greatest to get in on the action. currently in beta, swirl by daily candy works just like old favorites like gilt and one kings lane.

straight from the welcome email: "We’ve worked with our favorite designers to bring you their coveted wares at deep discounts. Quantities are limited – but, hey, that’s part of the fun. When a new sale starts, we’ll send you an e-mail to let you know. This is not the time to go get your nails done – you want to get there as early as you can to score the best merch. Sales last for up to 72 hours (or until the stuff’s all gone)."

current sales are denim days, loeffler randall, eugenia kim and vix. coming soon? karen zambos, radenroro and dallin chase. i'm pretty sure you can sign up without an invite, so check it out! email me if you have trouble and i'll send you an invite.

shopmamie.com was invented just for girls like us

i've been a fan of shopmamie.com for a while, and now that they've given their website a little makeover i think it's the perfect time to write about them.

shopmamie.com was started by best friends megan healy and amy trelenberg, who "set out to provide young women with fresh, inexpensive, chic clothing fashions, to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. the result is a trendy clothing boutique that pairs style-driven designer pieces with affordability."

wait, i think they're talking about the perfect store for ME! not to mention i really love their style and the selection is always on-trend without being too outrageous. again, the perfect store for ME! here are just a few gems from their latest inventory:

below: chic draped tube top, $36, available in green and black. would be so cute with skinny jeans.

below: moroccan sahara skirt, $36, i'm envisioning it paired with a basic white cotton tee

below: sparkler dress, $89, obsessed with the graphic print and totally channeling my ultimate fave yumi kim

safe.simple.smart. bottles by lifefactory

(safe.simple.smart. is their tag)






when i first found this company, lifefactory, i thought they were pretty darn cool by selling glass beverage bottles that are BPA and PVC free. so when i went onto their website and found out they make so much more, i was sold.

lifefactory makes "environmentally friendly and health conscious products created to provide consumers a choice in safe and well designed essentials for babies and adults." they make baby bottles! not only are they super cute but they're also eco-friendly and free of known harmful chemicals.

i don't have a baby but hopefully someday i will and my babies will be so hip drinking out of these. the beverage bottles go for $21.99; baby bottles go for $12.49-$14.49; starter kits go for $59.99.

use code "iloveglass" at checkout for 25% off. again, courtesy of dailycandy.

happy birthday astrology cards by Oh Joy!

i've written about Oh Joy! before - a blog written by graphic designer joy deangdellert cho in new york - and i get excited when she comes out with new items for sale. her latest, these astrology-inspired birthday cards, are so cute! they go for $1.99 to $3.99 per card and can double as small framed prints, too...

finding the cure for a sold out romper

i've been coveting this sold out dolce vita cornelia romper ($148) for a few weeks now...and i've given up hope that there's going to be any new inventory any time soon. so i've turned to some of other fab sources to keep my romper appetite at bay...

victoria's secret keeps coming out with new selections and i really like this printed shorts jumpsuit for $48.

or maybe i go for yumi kim's $176 nyla romper in new print pink lilly?

ooooor do i spring for the dolce vita in teal ($165) rather than stick it out for the coral?

happy earth day! strawberry grow pot

i've written before about my obsession with the smith & hawken aisle at target. my latest s&w purchase was this strawberry grow pot for $19.99 and i thought i'd write about it in honor of earth day today. it was growing SO nice and i had two cute little buds - until i moved it outside onto the patio and my buds were eaten by those dang pigeons!! i hated pigeons already (rats with wings) and they successfully put the nail in their own coffin, those bastards. anywho...

the kit came complete with dirt, seeds and step-by-step instructions.

who knew strawberry seeds are so itsy bitsy? well, probably everyone considering we eat them all the time...but still...they're tiny.

the dirt comes in little packs so you have to moisten and stir them up before planting.

and voila! the seeds are planted! if only i left the little buds in the safety of the apartment rather than sending them outside to their death. learned that lesson! regardless, it's a great little kit and i recommend it for the casual "gardener" like myself.

plant something in honor of earth day!

Nick's self diagnosis

Too much barbeque.

Doctors were unsure but we left with three prescriptions and a guess of diverticulitis. Good news is nicks already feeling better!

Kidney stones? Diverticulitis?

Sorry guys, no post for Wednesday. Spending tonight in a walk in clinic with nick, who has severe abdominal pain. Might be kidney stones, might be diverticulitis, might be none of the above. Hoping it's something that's fixable fast! He neeeever goes to the doctor so I know he really must be in pain to have wanted to come tithe clinic in the first place! I'll keep you all posted but fingers crossed it's just a one time deal. Have a great Wednesday and I'll be back Thursday!
sincerely,
Annie "emergency clinic in south Austin on a Tuesday is super awesome" Doyle

spring satchels by beegee bags

i found these awesome little clutches by beegee bags just in time for the weather to change. i love carrying a casual, sophisticated clutch with a sweet spring outfit and these are just what the doctor ordered. or better yet, order a few personality-matching bags for bridesmaids to carry on your big day. a few of my faves are below...and use coupon code "bgdc" for 30% off (courtesy of daily candy).

below: style one, goldie tulip, $82 before discount

below: style one, gracie's dandelion, $82 before discount

below: style three, pinwheel, $72 before discount

below: style three, george, $72 before discount

below: style three, noir birdie in a clutch, $94 before discount

jazz up your outfit with an embellished tunic

i love tunics. so easy and comfortable and they look great with all sorts of things underneath - leggings, skinny jeans, shorts - or just a bathing suit. i've mentioned before that victoria's secret is one of my go-to sites for dresses and things like this and they never fail me. this embellished tunic comes in yellow, white and black and goes for $58. don't forget to google around or call the 800# for a discount code!

my san francisco packing list

i'm off to san francisco for the weekend and i could not be more excited. going to spend some much needed QT with my bff katie. I was intending to share my packing list for a spring weekend in the foggy city...which is SO hard to dress for...but after a COMPLETELY insane week at work and dinner with a friend visiting from Boston it totally slipped my mind until after my bag was packed and zipped! oops!i plan to do a lot of shopping at my fave SF boutiques and in katie's closet of course. Sorry for the lame Iphone post (from my bed) and I'll be back Monday.

get your tax return just in time for bathing suit season

happy tax day! i like to splurge on one new bathing suit every spring with the help of my tax return (if i get one, that is). even though i haven't found that perfect one just yet i think this one shoulder bandeau ($70) with matching bottom ($50) is a contender. i'm loving the print but i can't decide if i like it enough to commit to a funky tan line...plus we all know my ass won't look as good as hers...*sigh*

going on safari at banana republic

i love wearing shorts in the summer but it's hard to find ones appropriate to wear to work. these heritage silk cargo shorts by banana republic are simply perfect. dress up or dress down depending on your mood and your destination. they come in beige taupe or splendid green and go for $69.50 but i'm sure they'll go on sale soon.

liquid sunshine

i've been hunting for a yellow dress for i can't even tell you how long. so i was pumped when this liquid sunshine dress showed up in lulu's new arrivals. since i sent back the butt ruffle dress i figured i would make up for it by trying out this yellow one for $55. it's being shipped as we speak so i'll let you know how it turns out. fingers crossed!