danapop

I’ve had a pretty steady relationship with the wedge sandal. I’m certain my penchant for them has something to do with the fact that they are a petite girl’s best friend. For starters, wedges are so much more comfortable than a stiletto, but they still give added height. I have several pairs that make me inches taller that are so comfortable I can sport them all day. My first pair back in high school was so heavy I remember packing them for a trip and feeling like free weights were tucked inside. They had zero give and were what I suspect to be the equivalent of walking on cement blocks, but I loved those wedges and wore them until the straps were falling apart from the weight of the thick sole.

Nowadays wedges come in just about every color of the rainbow and every style imaginable–from slip-on to T-strap to woven espadrille-style heels. It’s not hard to find a pair to match every occasion, no matter if it’s dressed-down denim shorts for a barbecue or paired with a summer sundress fit for an afternoon wedding. Here are my favorites.

1. Coconuts Vice Wedge, Swell 2. Seychelles Memories of You, Piperlime 3. Seville Canvas and Satin Wedge Espadrilles, J.Crew

4. Steve Madden Tampaa, Piperlime 5. The Metallic Streetside Sandal, Madewell 6. Wowza Metallic Wood Heel Wedges, Topshop

7. Ciao Bella Black Leather Hartmen Rubber Wedge, Bluefly 8. Nude Patent Wedges, Dorothy Perkins 9. Indigo by Clarks Sky Pocomo Wedge Sandal, American Eagle Outfitters

Reese Witherspoon Wearing Wedges image: girlstalkinsmack.com

I’ve always loved St. Patrick’s Day. I think it’s because I associate it with memories of Spring Break of college days past, as most of the time it coincided with the end of mid-term and me heading somewhere sunny with friends for a blurry week of, “You’ll never believe what just happened.” Because of this, I have a strong relationship with Kelly green, specifically, but pastel shades of seafoam green (the color used for danapop) and mint in my favorite kind of ice cream make me equally happy.

Come Saturday, there will be a sea of green among us. Until then, here are my favorite hues this spring, appearing like a grassy field.

1. Modern Green Four-Light Mini Chandelier, Bellacor 2. Stripped Hemp Dog Bed, Olive & Cocoa 3. Wyatt Kelly Green Colorblock Blouse, Bluefly 4. Multi Strap Vest, Topshop 5. Le Pavillion iPhone Case, Kate Spade 6. Green Flat Clutch, Claire Vivier 7. Pleat Belted Dress, Oasis 8. Supersoft Skinny, Topshop 9. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, Betty Crocker 10. Ombres 5 Lumiéres Eyeshadow, Yves Saint Laurent. Showpony Eat Your Greens Tea Towel image: Not On The High Street

Admittedly, math has never been my strong suit and certainly balancing a checkbook falls into the, oh shoot, numbers again category. I have a vague memory (that I’ve really tried to block out) of my older brother and sister-in-law (who, in my opinion, both hold the title of finance whiz) helping me with my bills once in college, and it ended up with me sobbing and my brother having to leave the room to pour himself a stiff drink after declaring something along the lines of “not knowing what to say anymore” about the disaster that was a manila envelope of unopened credit card and utility bills.

A similar discussion went down several years later with my sweet brother-in-law trying to help me suss out a new car to purchase within my budget and ending with him just sort of throwing up his hands, leading us to both decide that maybe I’d better hold off a bit on such a big purchase.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been one of those women who has her eyes on a purchase and waits for it to go on sale. Or one of those women excited to open her 100 deal emails flooding her inbox. Seriously, I adore you Groupon, Scoutmob, DailyCandy Deals, but damn, girl, it’s too much. Way. Too. Much.

Because of my own experiences, I obviously know how stressful budgets are and how important getting one’s financial house in order is. That said, I’m now living the stage of my life that I like to call the thank-gawd-I’m- married-and-my-husband-pays-the-bills-as-long-as-he-never-has-to-use-a-Clorox-toilet-wand. But, I’m trying to stretch out a bit more into the gray area of the money realm and not just pull a disappearing act when my husband asks me what outstanding invoices my business has this month. Huh, what? Oh um, let me quickly go check (tires pealing out of the driveway).

Because of this, I wanted to talk to real women about their real budgets, so I reached out to five of the most fashionable and smart gals I know to find out how their households survive on a budget all while looking like a million bucks.

1. Ann, a lively, mid-30’s artist and arts administrator living in Santa Cruz, CA. (Full disclosure, Ann is my twin sister).

Best Budget Saving Tip–CLOTHING SWAP! I do a clothing swap a few times a year with a group of girlfriends. You end up with all sorts of fun pieces to add to your wardrobe. Something always still has tags on it because we all bring the “I bought this because I thought it could work … but … you try it!” You arrive with your swaps and leave with anything ranging from brand new to fun sewing/recreating projects to designer bags and jewelry. It’s best to rotate the host house, consume great wine and nibbles, and try on as a group. Home fashion show!

Last Purchase—A bag full of farmers market goodies.

Favorite Recent Purchase—Lingerie. A sweet dainty Eberjey teddy.

2. Linda, a mid-60′s recent retiree from a global architectural firm living in Denver and exploring life-after-the-corporate-world!

Best Budget Saving Tip–I quickly found that flying mid-week at odd times, saves considerable money. I had always flown for work whenever I could squeeze in the most time at the office and be in the next city for the next meeting.

Last Purchase—As I try to update my casual wardrobe with “pieces” that can dress down my corporate clothes to something more appropriate for this new life of leisure and meeting friends for lunch in town, library lectures, etc. I bought a “camp shirt” from Lucy that is charcoal gray. Earlier in the summer I bought their navy one and it washes easily, does not wrinkle, and fits well, as a long sleeved, short sleeved shirt or jacket and goes with everything, but still looks stylish. Best $58 I have spent all week!

Favorite Recent Purchase—Same as last purchase.

3. Augusta, an emerging artist, newlywed, and graduate student at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Best Budget Saving Tip–Eat most meals at home, and host dinner parties/potlucks instead of going out with friends. My new husband and I try to cook as much as possible due to our tiny budget, and it is becoming my favorite part of the day. Talking about our days, glass of wine in hand, as we make dinner (often testing out new recipes) is rewarding for the stomach, wallet, and soul in my book.

Every other weekend our group of friends (consisting of four couples) rotates each other’s homes for themed dinner parties. The last one at my house I decorated the table with things I found at my local grocery store: Fresh parsley (which I put in odd vases and old beer jugs I found at Scott’s Antiques), tea lights in mason jars, white pillar candles, and lemons. It’s cheaper, more intimate, healthier, and FUN!

Last Purchase—Highway 12, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a wine-and-dine kind of woman, but on a budget. Truth be told, I make it a mission to find a good red wine for around $10.00, but this Cabernet, which is often on sale, comes with a $20.00 price tag and is absolutely worth it.

Favorite Recent Purchase—Chanel Double Intense Lip Rouge in Ruby Lite.  I’ve made an annual purchase of this long wear red lipstick for several years now, due to the fact that it is the only long wearing red lipstick that looks great on everyone (seriously, it is more of a blue red, so your teeth look whiter and your cheeks rosier INSTANTLY). It only requires one application at the beginning of the evening (trust me, I’ve gone to many of a party where I’ve had my fair share of cocktails and nibbles and looked great in every single picture).

Susan, a scientist, coach’s wife (translation often a single parent), and mother of two young children. (Full disclosure, Susan is my stylish older sister).

Best Budget Saving Tip—I bargain shop for trendy items at places like H&M, Filene’s Basement, even Target. But when it comes to classics, I think of it as an investment and save up for that classic piece (after all, I have a daughter and she’ll inherit all those handbags so they need to last!).

Last Purchase—Leeks … I am making risotto for dinner tonight.

Favorite Recent Purchase—New fall handbag I’m wearing these days. I was in search of a new, every day, fall bag that could multitask (i.e., I could throw the children’s iPad, snacks, juice, even a sweater), but I still needed it to look nice if I had to take it to the office. I also didn’t want to spend too much because of all the aforementioned things I cram into it, there’s potential to get messy.

Tiffany, lifestyle writer/editor who’s reported about everything from underground food trends to the next big designers. Most recently, she relocated from Atlanta to NYC to help launch the New York edition of a new lifestyle site at NBC. (Read all about it at TheFeast.com.)

Best Budget Saving Tip—A few things! First, learn to cook for one. I’m not kidding: At least learn to cook a few great meals for yourself that you love. Shopping for great ingredients bit-by-bit, learning as you go is totally cheaper (and healthier) than dropping $10 or more on lunch downstairs at the office everyday. Also, whenever I get want to change up my workout/health/yoga routine (which isn’t hard to do in a city where people juice like it’s a religion), I try a series of free week-long trials at new gyms to sample a few classes and memberships first before committing to a year anywhere.

Last Purchase—I literally got lost in a new favorite shop, Artists and Fleas, on the way to the Brooklyn flea Williamsburg this weekend. I walked out with a killer $25 vintage dress from The Perfect Perfect and a bracelet made from old bullet casings–a birthday gift for one of my best friends.

Favorite Recent Purchase—Room stuff! I had a weekend of flea markets and art supply stores and bought every cute photo frame that I could find, then printed every half-way decent photo I’d taken since relocating here. Yes, I’ve even hung empty frames first to make sure that I hold myself accountable to finish this project.

I’ve had a penchant for stripes for as long as I can remember. You can see in exhibits A through C and honestly, I could likely go through the entire alphabet with pieces tucked throughout my closet (I haven’t even shown you scarves, sweaters, tees) if I needed to really draw up a case. It’s embarrassing, and admittedly I need to employ a little fashion editing in this department.

But, from home goods to clothing, the somewhat French, somewhat nautical simplicity of a stripe gets me every time. So, it’s no surprise my eyes keep wandering towards summery stripe patterns and its cousin, colorblock this season. Here are a few structurally lined things I’d like to add to my overflowing existing collection (with restraint, of course).

1. Sheer Cotton Scarf, Esprit
2. Stripe Mixed Fabric Maxi Dress, Oasis
3. Heather Grey Stripe Cotton Butterfly Sleeve Top, Cielo
4. Marie Top, Fossil
5. Multi Stripe Skirt, Topshop
6. La Pochette Clutch, Clare Vivier
7. University Black Rope Sole Classics, Toms
8. Winston Colour Block Espadrille Wedges, Topshop

I could’ve been born in a swimsuit. Living in Hawaii for three years certainly didn’t hurt, either. This has nothing to do with body image or best cuts, I’ve always loved the bright colors everything beach fashion entails, from Pucci-printed caftans (here), the ease and function of surf-inspired clothing, and I especially I adore the old photographs of Elizabeth Taylor, tunic clad with a matching headscarf (here), all of which I’d happily live in daily.

My grandmother, Mary, loved Elizabeth Taylor. My mom thinks it’s because of “National Velvet,” since Grandma Mary was an avid horsewoman. Taylor’s death last month reminded me of style. Here’s to the iconic beachwear and surfer styles and, of course to Taylor who had glamour and grace in spades.

To be fitted by Susan Nethero is a pretty big deal. She’s appeared on Oprah several times with every appearance boasting her mantra of one single garment changing a woman’s life. So, when my friend (and publicity guru) Meg Reggie hooked me up with a session with the one and only founder of Intimacy I was beyond thrilled (but also completely weirded out).

You see, I’m talking about bras here, and this year marks the 100th anniversary of its invention. A century of corsets, pushup pillowed inserts, silicone cutlets, underwire, lace, and twisted straps … we’ve come a long way. But, apparently not far enough as most women own at least eight bras and wear only four. I’ve been measured for a bra once, maybe twice, and not in a proper lingerie store; I’m certain it was at a department store and one time for sure was in the junior’s department.

Clearly, for me, the bra is an afterthought. Well, when you meet with Susan it’s a whole different sort of experience right off the bat. For starters, she doesn’t use measuring tape. She expertly brings in a stack of bras some measuring for size around and some for cup. Regardless of how she does it, you’ll walk out with the most amazing fit. In my session (which wasn’t nearly as invasive and strange as I feared it would be) I was enlightened to know I was wearing two sizes too big around (band size) and two sizes too small in the cup. In other words I’ve been spilling out and adjusting straps for years.

So here’s my plea—ladies, let’s all make a pact to invest a little money into a well-fitting bra. I’m not saying it’s life changing, but it is chest changing. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to fit and maybe, just maybe, we’ll actually get more than three in the rotation, bada bing.

I’m a firm believer in investing in the summer staple of a good pair of sunglasses, or as stylist Rachel Zoe likes to call them, sunnies.

Everyone needs at least one go-to pair. I have two. My Spys are sporty and do the job of not adding to the onset of crows-feet, while my Ray Ban aviators are used more for style than substance. Beyond those pairs, I’m certainly not the person qualified to let you in on shade styling secrets and what the trends are for this summer.

But, Chris Anderson, a.k.a. my accessories guru, can. Now, here’s the thing with a blog that is one of its greatest perks. You meet people and feel like you know them without ever having hugged or giggled in real life–just across FB status updates, twitter handles, and blog comments, that’s all.

Well, Chris is a former co-worker of my twin sister and just happens to be the most stylish person either of us know (albeit he and I have never met). The two of them were meeting up in San Diego (obviously to stay out until all hours of the night at clubs playing Lady Gaga) and so they went along the boardwalk to work on this dos and don’ts tutorial on the art of picking the best summer accessory around. Chris’ brother Matt also lent a hand in this piece, my favorite is his don’t picture.

Also–be sure to check out Chris’s fabulous work on his blog chrisryanart.tumlr.com.

Surf Diva Head Instructor, Crystal Simpson | Photo by Moses Slovatizki | Property of Surf Diva

The word diva has gotten a bad rap. Maybe it’s from the press getting their hands on Mariah Carey’s tour rider or some D-list reality “star” traveling with a 10 + entourage complete with an assistant and a hair extension team. All I know is you generally don’t want to be called one.

But, this was not always the case. The origins of the word come from the Latin word for goddess, or the feminine of god. See, no bad connotation there.

Twin sisters Izzy and Coco are divas, but of the best kind … of the surf. I’ve been a fan of their company, Surf Diva for years and every so often I’ll email my sisters with pleas of heading to one of its two locales for a full week of surfing–with outlets in Costa Rica and California, honestly, it’s hard to choose…

As you read this, I’m packing for a trip to Santa Cruz with my sisters, where I’m hoping surfing is in order. Until then, an interview with the Surf Divas themselves will have to suffice–we talk fashion, fitness, family, and the surf culture.

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I’ve practiced yoga just shy of a decade now. One of the things I love most about it is that my practice is always evolving and changing. Since it’s become pretty engrained into my being, words like om have unfortunately lost their significance on me. So, I’m always appreciative when something comes along to remind me.

Enter Asha Patel Designs, which just launched a new collection called Threads. I am not a huge fan of buying things just to have them, so when items fall more into the want category than the need, I want to have a deeper reason for getting them. Asha combines my need for yoga with my want for a well-designed piece of jewelry. This creative guru juggles her design work with a full time job, a husband and role as a mother, and yet somehow manages to find balance in it all.

Our Q&A covers everything from creative inspiration as a soccer mom  (err mum) to cross-culture living and the new direction in her work. Namaste.
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Photo Courtesy marthastewart.com

At our house, summer events are in full force, which means our weekends are loaded with travel and good times. From weddings, graduations, baby showers, and engagement parties to less formal functions like barbecues, reunions, and restaurant openings – you name it; our iCal is reminding us to be there.

Whenever I look at the stack of invites, my first thought generally doesn’t go to, “what do we want to attend” but more along the lines of, “what will I wear?” So, here’s some of the cutest stuff I’ve got my eye on. Hopefully, you’ll find something here that’ll work, whatever the occasion.

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I’ve always been drawn to glass. From my ridiculous collection of wine goblets and barware to blown glass home accessories and sculptures bursting with vivid pops of color. So what better way to nourish my glass obsession than wearing it?

Kathleen Plate may not be a household name, but her work, Smart Glass, is. This remarkable jewelry line was way ahead of its eco time. She’s cutting edge, creative, and yes, very, very smart.

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You just might know Emily Schuman. Maybe you heard her name via the amazing fashion advice she gives in Glamour.com’s Smitten column. Or maybe you caught a glimpse of her “working” in the background of The Hills reruns. Or possibly you know her as I know her – as Cupcakes and Cashmere – her fashion blog, where she combines frugal finds mixed with high-end design.

I’ve been a fan of her site for a while now, and wanted to share a bit of it with you…so, here’s the Q&A with the Los Angeles chic lady herself – where we talk food, flea markets, and spotting fakes.
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Most of the time, I try to let the experts guide me when it comes to what’s in my closet. Because if left to my own accord, I might end up wearing up wearing a pair of jeans, a tank top and Havaianas everyday (not the worst thing in the world, I suppose).

My fashion reference bibles are Nina Garcia’s The Little Black Book of Style and Rachel Zoe’s Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour. One thing that both Garcia and Zoe agree on is to pay the bucks for wardrobe classic staples and spend less on trendier items. The theory is that if you invest in the good stuff, the styles will eventually come back around and you can rewear them because they’re that well made and classic. I was thrilled to be enlightened to read that shoes are in fact, a staple.

So about those shoes…a friend of mine went to high school with Monica Favela, designer and owner of Gigi Favela, purveyors of to-die-for gorgeous Italian shoes. Using the six degrees of Kevin Bacon method and the magic of email, I scored an interview. Here’s the Q&A.

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I’m reading this book called Not Buying It by Judith Levine. It’s been on my list of reads for about as long as it’s been published (two years) and I’m enjoying it immensely (your local library is a wonderful thing). It’s pretty fitting to be reading now, with the current state of the economy and the average American’s debt level hovering in the stratosphere. I’m completely fascinated by this work. It was written just after Saddam Hussein was found in that spider hole (circa 2003), and it blows my mind how relevant it is to what’s happening right now.

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