the doyles are going greenish

you guys know all about nick's garden in the back. well, knowing how much nick could use the compost and after spending a few days at a friend's ranch out in central texas where they compost like craaazy, i realized just how much useful trash i was throwing away. so i decided we'd become a composting family. i found this super cute countertop compost bin at world market for $14.99 and after a fruitless search on craigslist for a used composter, we ended up buying a relatively inexpensive one for $98 from home depot. i spent about 45 minutes in 100 degree weather putting it together so it better make the best compost in the world.

btw, it's not like we're a farm or anything...although we do have egg-laying hens now...more on that soon.

reader question: what to wear with the tiered skirt

i had a reader write yesterday asking if i could suggest some tops/jackets/cardis to go with the banana republic tiered ruffle skirt in wednesday's post. here are just some of the options i came up with after a few clicks around the world wide web (admittedly, i found a lot of keepers at zara). any of these strike your fancy? i can keep looking...it really depends on how work-appropriate you'd like to be...and really, any top could be paired with any jacket.

to be honest, my go-to top would probably be a white wifebeater and I'd take a summer scarf along in case there's a chill. easy and simple.

combo #1: lulu's superfine lace white tank top, $41 paired with zara's buttoned blazer, $69.90 on sale for $49.99

combo #2: urban outfitters' ecote embroidered cami (love the back!), $59 paired with zara's short/vintage retro jacket (has awesome zipper cuff details), $129 on sale for $99.99

combo #3: zara's pintuck blouse, $39.90 on sale for $29.99 paired with zara's blazer with lapel, $159 on sale for $99.99

combo #4 (and the one i'd choose): victoria's secret's silk button-front henley, $68 on sale for $58.50 paired with victoria's secret's quilted leather moto jacket, $129 (don't forget to use an offer code!)

there's no evening chill in texas

above: evening chill pullover, $88, anthropologie

but this evening chill pullover from anthropologie is toooo diiiiieeeeeeee. i want so badly. picture it pulled over a maxi dress during a vacation when the sun goes down? i may just need it for our september vacation in maui...

a few from banana republic

even though i'm on a semi-permanent shopping ban due to my elective unemployment, i can't help but read the emails that come through from banana republic. sure, some of their stuff is totally boring and same old, same old - but there are also always a few gems thrown in the mix, too. these are what caught my eye when the last email came through yesterday.

below: sequin sweatshirt, $59.50 (that is a total steal!)

below: aliana eyelet racerback dress, $130

below: printed ruffle tier skirt, $79.50

i'm sure all of these will go on sale soon - if you're willing to risk the sell-out factor.

summer reads: going old skool

i decided a few weeks ago that i wanted to read one of those easy-to-read suspense slash murder mystery slash thriller slash cop drama books - so i ended up downloading michael connelly's "the lincoln lawyer" for the kindle. i figured i should read the real thing before the movie comes in the mail via netflix - and it was exactly what i was looking for. moved pretty fast, likable main character (perfectly cast with matthew mcc, might i add...i was imagining him as the main guy the whole time i was reading), twists and turns, a little action - a great combo for a summer read.

knowing that michael connelly has been a best selling author for yeaaaaaars but never actually picking one up until "the lincoln lawyer", i decided to go for the whole shebang and i am now reading every single one of his books in the order they were published. next up?

the black echo, published in 1992...



...followed by black ice, published in 1993. all on my wonderful little kindle. did we even have the internet back in the early 90s? i can't remember.

just a heads up that i'll be off relaxing and reading at a friend of a friend's ranch for a few days. will be back soon!

summer essentials

while the start of summer here in texas was about three months ago, i know some of you are just now getting to dust off last year's bathing suits. it's always torture to dust them off, try them on, and rip them right back off again - and the way i make myself feel better is to buy some new suits. i tend to spend about $500 on bikinis from victoria's secret, buying all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors so i can try them on in the comfort of my own home - and return all the duds to bring the total price to something way more manageable. these are the few that made the cut and are now in regular rotation:

below: paisley u-neck halter top and bikini bottom, top $38 marked down to $28 and bottom $16 marked down to $12

below: gold coral bandeau and string bottom, top $25 marked down to $18 and bottom $24 marked down to $18

below: floral ruffle bandeau top and bottom, top $31 marked down to $23 and bottom $18 marked down to $13

and don't forget to google for discount codes or free shipping - they're always out there for vicky's. always!

homegoods finds

so in full disclosure i actually made this trip to homegoods about a month ago...but i'm just blogging about it now as my "welcome back to bloggerhood" post! i figure it's as good as any to get back on the wagon, especially because i am 100% obsessed with that yellow chair and it is the peeeeerfect piece for the guest room (yes, i moved out my DIY chair that i made the chevron pillows for to make room for this new gem...i'll find somewhere good for the old one, don't worry). what an amazing find, no? i need to get a new job stat just so i can get back to shopping so i have some more great things to share with you guys.

below: yellow patterned chair, $129 - totally reminds me of a thomas paul print; and the nailhead? lurv.

below: shell, $19.99

below: black and white bird plate, $8; to be hung in the red, black and white guest bathroom one of these days

below: cynthia rowley bowl, $19.99