shoes for a good cause

TOMS shoes donates one pair of shoes to a needy child for every pair you buy, like this coral and natural canvas pair, $42.

Too unique for you?   Try this cool TOMS t-shirt, $28, and they will donate a pair of shoes for this purchase as well. 

Or check out this hot tote, $65.  Buying it will feed one child for one school year.Another great option:

Whole Foods has teamed up with FEED and are offering a grocery bag..."Each bag purchased for $29.99 will help provide 100 nutritious meals to hungry school age children in Rwanda through the United Nation World Food Program’s (WFP) School Feeding Program."

Style that helps save the world is a beautiful thing.

Spring/Summer Essentials No.4 & 5

No. 4...Braid your hair this year. Here's a great tutorial. Right here.

No. 5...Add a splash of shocking pink to your wardrobe. Try hot pink sunglasses, earrings, or other accessories with your neutral black, white, and grey outfits.Goggle sunglasses, Delia's, $10.Drop earrings, Target, $8.Melie Bianco Bow Hobo, Fashion Flairs, $50.

the slashie award...

...as in diaper bag "slash" purse. Kelli requested a large bag that can be used for either, preferably in yellow, and on the less-expensive side. Here are a few finds for ya, and anyone else who needs a casual carry-all.Suzy Q tote, Alloy, $30.Pedley Hobo, Alloy, $30.Mexicali Tote, Alloy, $25.Printed Scarf bag, Old Navy, $20.

There was a Kate Spade bag about a month ago that I really liked, but I cannot seem to find a picture of it now. Must've sold out. Anyway, this one from Gap is similar, and probably $300 less...Color-trimmed tote, Gap, $20.I have to do a little product endorsement for the bag that I use...Storksak's Gigi bag. It is awesome. It's nice looking, my husband Brandon doesn't mind carrying it, it holds and organizes everything, and the adjustable straps let me hang it on my stroller or my shoulder. Storksak Gigi Chocolate Diaper Bag, BlissLiving.com, $198. The French company Murval often has stylish and affordable bags. Find this safari one at Twin Totes.com for $35, including monogram, if you like. Check out more Murval merch online at GiveSimple...like this Murval diaper bag for $50.(Above) This Patent Tote by Forever 21, $33, reminds me of (below) this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, Dr Q Huge Tote, zappos.com, $502.Hope that helps! Anyone else have any favorite bags to share?

prints charming

Feelin' foxy in flora and fauna...Tatami-Heli Belt by Mixko, greener grass design, $48. Made from off-cuts of Japanese tatami tape. Environmentally friendly. Relaxed Floral Pullover, Free People, $148. I love the relaxed silhouette. Very chill. Eleanor Horse Print Skimmer, Keds, $40. Because, why not?Big Floral Dress, Lucky Brand Jeans, $78. Machine washable cotton. (This one may need an undershirt.) I'd like to wear this everywhere, all summer long...

Peacock Tee, GoJane.com, $28. Don't you love peacocks?

Garnet Hill

Julie asked me to find a versatile denim skirt just a little past the knee in length. This was a surprisingly hard request! Luckily, clothing and home design company Garnet Hill has three great-looking options... Shaped Seamed Skirt, Garnet Hill, $78. Simple and flattering.
Pleated Denim Skirt, Garnet Hill, $78. The pleats dress this one up a bit.
Eileen Fisher Stretch-Denim Skirt, Garnet Hill, $108. Straightforward and comfortable.

Garnet Hill has a great collection of other clothing, jewelry, and shoes as well. Here are some of my favorites...Printed Smocked Skirt, Garnet Hill, $98. Pretty colors.Banded Collar Shirtdress, Garnet Hill, $118. Garnet Hill Wide Leather Belt, now $28. I love this look.Banded Tunic, Garnet Hill, $88. Sophisticated. Wear it with these cute slim jeans.Garnet Hill Five-Pocket Slim Jeans, $88.Bateau-Neck Tee by Velvet, Garnet Hill, $57. I adore shirts by Velvet. They always fit perfectly and are made of the softest cotton. This one comes in other bold colors, too.

Chan Luu Champagne Diamond Trellis Necklace, Garnet Hill, $198. Beautiful.Kevia Handmade Stacking Rings, Garnet Hill, $112. I love how simple and natural these look.Cocobelle Wedge Sandal, Garnet Hill, $98. Gorgeous.

easy glamour

As many of you know, I'm the busy mother of an active one-year-old boy...
In the last few months, I realized I wasn't wearing jewelry anymore. Ever. It made me kind of sad to think that I had just given up on that extra touch of style. So, I decided to keep things simple but also a little sexy. I found one pair of earrings in each of the following colors: brown, black, white, silver, gold, and turquoise. Now I throw on a pair with each outfit, and that's all I bother with. It actually makes me feel younger! And, I didn't spend much at all.
My three favorite places to find earrings are Etsy, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21.
Here are a few examples of earrings that go with everything...Teardrop Walnut earrings, orno, Etsy.com, $36.
Wooden Hand-carved Double Lace Earrings, Bellarina Studios, Etsy.com, $10.
Filigree Leaf Earrings, Urban Outfitters, $18.
Metallic Cut Out Earring, Forever 21, $4.80.

Lotus Cut-out earring, Forever 21, $3.80.Paisley Disc Earring, Forever 21, $4.80.

Vintage Hem

Vintage Hem offers extender slips with flair. I got mine last October and I love it. It helps me with my current duties at church: wrestling with my son for three hours. Plus, it feels kinda fun and glamorous.Eyefull of Lace, vintagehem.com, $24.

aprons

I have searched high and low and this is the cutest apron I've found. There's one catch--you have to make it yourself! It was created by blogger Montessori by Hand. I ordered the pattern and am going to start cutting it out today. My goal is to get good enough at this to make it as gifts for the women in my life.

Here are my two favorite high-end online fabric shops: Purl Soho and Sew, Mama, Sew. But I almost always just use Hancocks' fabrics. (No shipping, and something is always on sale!)

Here are a couple of fantastic no-sew options:These are by the seller pretty ditty on one of my favorite websites, etsy. They are $48 each.

keychain upgrade

This new product is useful and pretty, and could make that part of your day (get in the car, out of the car, in the car, out of the car...) a little simpler. Wear it like a bracelet and you can stop wondering where your keys are. $12.