Chic & easy: DIY Halloween costume

Seriously? Who knew a DIY Halloween costume could be so fashionable? Of course it helps that this woman looks like a model, but dare I say that this adorable is mushroom costume is...chic? It seriously couldn't get easier either - cover a wide-brimmed hat (grab one from Tar-jay - my favorite chic & cheap spot!) and adhere some felt spots to make it look like a mushroom top. Pair with an all-brown (or earth tone) outfit et voila! Mushroom.

If being a fun-guy (heh, fungi - get it? oy. sorry.) doesn't do it for you, here are a few other easy DIY options:


I'm loving this cute gnome costume. I highly doubt B would ever let me even suggest something like this for him/us, but maybe someday I'll be able to put a munchkin of my own in it. The whole thing could be accomplished with some basic clothes and felt pretty easily too.


Maybe B would rather be in a Polaroid. Paint box, adhere background, done. (Don't forget your "picture smile" to top it off!) Love it.


I've always toyed with donning a giant fruit-laden headdress and polka-dotted garb a la Carmen Miranda to be the Chiquita banana lady for Halloween, but this all-yellow banana costume seems much easier. Mind officially changed - peace out headdress (maybe one day when I'm a crazy old lady...), hellooo head-to-toe yellow! Now where to score yellow pants on the cheap?

All these brills ideas came directly from Kendra Smoot for Holidash - check out the link for even more DIY ideas. In the meantime, I'm off to shop for a floppy hat and some felt... can you guess what I'm going to be?

A gnome. Duh. (Kidding)

Photos by Seth Smoot. Mushroom costume originally spotted on {frolic!}.

Give me Liberty...of London

The one good thing about my slacking yesterday is that I got to check out the new Liberty of London collection for Target (which you can check out in its entirety here). I've been getting tweets and seeing blog posts all over the place about how the LoL goods have been sold out or totally picked over in Targets across the country in the one day since their debut on Sunday, but my Annapolis Target seemed to have a decent amount of stuff.

I wasn't too impressed with the stuff when I saw it online, but it all turned out to be a lot nicer in real life. I was super proud of myself for walking out with only one item in hand (woohoo, budget!) - this chemise in case you're interested - but I was tempted to scoop up a lot more.

This bedding was gorgeous and silky smooth:

My Target didn't have any of the bicycles, but I love this beach cruiser in floral:

More cute bedding, all styled up:

(Though I wouldn't make B sleep in something this girly...)

This little girl's romper is so stinkin' cute:




I know the print on this dress isn't looking too hot in the online photo, but it was pretty in real life. The cut was really flattering once the belt was cinched in, and I was totally into the neckline, which closed with a simple button on the left shoulder. Totally cute, but overall wasn't the best for me and my "strong" shoulders...

This blouse also looks hideous in this photo, but it was sweet and spring-y in real life. The fabric on the ruffled collar felt really thick and luxurious and I loved the playful, colorful print. Sadly, my shoulders were again just a bit too much to carry off such a fluttery neckline.

Last up, this bathing suit was really cute:


So what about you? Had you heard of the LoL arrival? Have you been to check it out, or have you found any Liberty of London goods that are not-to-be-missed at your Target? Do tell...

Reason to wake up on a snowy Friday morning: sale at Target!

Target is having a sale! Hooray! (Not that their stuff isn't normally [and gloriously] affordable, but this is great!)

Check out the fun stuff (aka needless but cool anyway stuff) currently on sale in the Red Hot Shop:

I've been eying this fun ikat skirt from Heidi Merrick since the spring!

This has got to be the prettiest dart board I've ever seen.



I love the idea of this growth chart. No more pencil marks needed on your walls!

Fancy-dancy lingerie bag, complete with lavender sachet - ooh la la!

This is the perfect tee for an old salt. I love the blue color and the pretty illustrated sea creatures.

And now for the drumroll please: The New Year Home Event means most of the home goods are 10-40% off, and there's still 10% off and free shipping for items over $100.

Annd, the sale includes the upholstered chairs I've been obsessing over for, like, ever. This one is still a touch too pricey for me to buy right now (see how responsible I'm being, B??) but I am drooling over the amazing deal.

So what does this mean? It means get out there (or go online) and snag yourself some sweet deals from the mothership Tar-jay! It's my Friday morning gift to you. Enjoy! :)

Robert Ryan screenprints

Aren't these prints, all from the brilliant artist Rob Ryan, drop-dead beautiful? Especially when you consider that he cuts them painstakingly and precisely from paper before making the screenprints?

The things in his Etsy shop are just gorgeous, although too pricey for me. If they were a bit more affordable, I'd snatch up one of each to dole out as the most gorgeous wedding gifts or to use as Valentine's sentiments.

Just reading the quotes (which I assume he wrote as well) makes me feel all mushy and romantic. So sweet. (Crap! I can't believe I'm getting sucked into the Valentine's Day spirit already! I blame you, Tar-jay! Lovely though.)

Is it sad that my next thought was of conversation hearts? Yum...

As originally found on SabbeSpot.

GapKids and Stella-ella-ella

Did you know Stella McCartney has a line for GapKids? An uber-designer doing mainstream, mid-market kids' clothes? I guess it was bound to happen...I mean, Target basically pioneered that movement with their designers' series, so why not hit the kids market too (and also take a shot at Crew Cuts from J. Crew while they're at it)?

I have to say, I really wanted to hate the line. It seems really overindulgent to offer $78 cashmere sweaters to kids who probably don't care and will likely drip ketchup on said sweater post haste. But, before I could get too judge-y, I realized I actually like the stuff!

With that being said, here are some pics of the collection for your perusal:


The cute animals help, of course.


Love the boots.


People - grown women - are clamoring over this jacket and wondering if they can fit it. It's been sold out for weeks. Stella, I'd say you're doing okay.

And my fave look (because how could you not love a frothy tutu?):


Pretty good, Stella. Daddy Paul will be proud. To see more photos and shop the collection, go here.