Game Changer: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers' Dirty Little Secret

Call me crazy, but being a cleaning freak, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are insane! They clean EVERYTHING! Trust me, I’ve tried ‘em on every dirty surface possible! (Just not on color-painted walls!)

Turns out they are just this stuff called Melamine Foam which is really cheap to buy. Because I use so many of these ‘lil cleaning sponges, they can be quite expensive at $5 for 4 sponges.

You can get 60 large pieces of Melamine Foam on Amazon for $15!!

Game Changer! Now I can go super cleaning boyfriend’s bathroomJ

Scuff Off 2011

A great little gift to ring in the New Year would be this homemade lemon salt scrub. In the winter, our skin is so dry that it’s super important to exfoliate !!

What you will need:

5 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon

First mix the olive oil and sea salt together. Next cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the salt & oil mixture. Mash it all together and then scoop into cute little jars. Add a label to the side or top of the jar, or tie a ribbon with a gift tag.

Your friends & family will love this little after holiday treat !!

I will be making these little gifts for the ladies (and maybe gentlemen) at our New Year’s Eve little party !!

Adapted from The Beauty Department’s recipe from Spring 2011.

Holy Patterns! Hammocks & High Tea

I’m in super awesome pattern heaven… This is the kind of site where I treat myself to something after a crap day.

I know we are all holiday shopping, which everything on Hammocks & High Tea makes for the perfect gift, but bookmark this site to come back to after the gift giving/receiving has died down and you’re looking to splurge just a ‘lil.

Anyway…. Holy Vibrant Prints!

Chevron Reversible Clutch $169

I don’t think I could adore this more than I do, and it’s the absolute perfect answer for traveling; one clutch does so much!

Sera Pillow $90

 

Sumba Pillow $90

I even want to mix both these pillows together on a charcoal gray sofa! 

Chevron Drawer Liners $25/six sheets

Call me crazy, drawer liners are a must, in every drawer! Everything will look so much prettier with these fancy gold chevron liners!

Even the gift certificates for Hammock & High Tea are colorful and amazing!

Keep the Peace... All Year 'Round

There's something nostalgic and endearing about a peace sign, and they can add a bit o' fun to any home decor... Around Christmas time, you see more use of peace signs for the home, but I think they work year round.

Here are some ways to incorporate the symbol, without creating a dorm room effect… 

Free People Vintage Handmade Metal Peace Sign $328 (I feel like someone handy could definitely make one super similar)

Fred Flare Peace of Cake Silicone Baking Pan $19

Room & Board Peace Charcol Pillow $49 (Mixed with mature taste, it doesn't look childish)

This is a DIY project from ilovetocreate.com (Personally, I'm in love with the shaving cream paint effect in general, but I would make the black lines white, and/or thinner)

Viva Terra Silver Peace Wreath $65 for small $129 for large (No, this is not Christmas decorations, it is just awesome and would look great anywhere, especially in a kitchen or bathroom)

Cast Iron Trivet from atwestend.com $16 (Everything on their site rocks)

16 inch Peace Sign Wreath Form $10 (Sky's the limit, wrap this baby in anything! Spray it white, wrap with white wire string lights like below) 

DIY project out of an IKEA light fixture (Or, combine this project with the wreath form from above)

Viva Terra Bay Laurel Peace Wreath $69 (Again, year round, pretty in the kitchen, or on a front door. Also makes a perfect gift)

Cameo Nouveau The Charger Large Peace Sign Plate $35 (These would be gorgeous as charger plates or dinner plates, but also just one in the middle of a coffee table, on the kitchen counter, etc.)

Big spender, little spender

To make up for the fact that I spent $200 on these fabulous green Alice and Olivia trousers, I noticed on my Shopstyle.com favorites I had the pants next to this tribal Forever 21 top.

Therefore, I justified my expensive purchase with the cheapie top which together creates a perfect outfit for work or fun!

Also, these pants rock, come in a bunch of colors and can be worn year round… All in all, definitely worth it, especially with cheap, fun tops like the one I paired with ‘em!

Note: As I typed this, I realized the Ann Taylor blue skirt I’m wearing right now (bought 40% off this weekend in store) will also be perfect with this top! 

Quickie: Holding it all together with Tight Wallets

A friend just introduced me to these Tight Wallet elastic money& card holders. They aren’t bulky at all and I’ve been looking for something to use in my clutch. I hate throwing my license, money, and credit cards in my clutch when I go out for the evening. I love my Tory Burch wallet, but it is way too big to carry at night.

So the perfect solution: Tight wallets. They couldn’t be any cuter, and there are so many patterns and styles for guys too. I still see grown men using paper clips and rubber bands to hold cash and cards in their pockets. This holder is designed to be so slim, it doesn’t create uncomfortable “bulge” in their pants (I laughed out loud a little when I wrote bulge too).

These tight wallets are made by Jack Sutter in Brooklyn; I love that these little wallets are handmade, unique, and make the perfect gift for any guy or girl.

Tight Wallets range from $10 to $22 a piece, it is the perfect gift price, or just treat yourself (Parks and Rec reference)!

My top picks:

Spike the Punch Necklaces!

Jewelry designer Elizabeth of Spike the Punch Jewelry has hit the nail directly on the bright and sparkly head. These necklaces she designs are everything we want in a statement piece hanging from our necks: bold, bright, shiny, feminine with a touch of edge. Her pieces are instant classics in my book. They remind me of J. Crew jewelry on fire! You will not find pieces like this in a department store; these are handmade items. Try going to the ladies room when you’re out and not be asked where you got this fabulous necklace! Hats off, Elizabeth, hats off. 

Spike the Punch on Etsy.

These necklaces are starting to pop up EVERYWHERE, so scoop 'em up while you can!

Quickie: MIMI+MEG Mission Lists for 2012... You can't resist

Among the top sites I check daily, Meg of MIMI+MEG is always coming up with something delightful. I already look forward to her Celebrate Calenders that display the happiest, craziest holidays(ex: Upside Down Pineapple Cake Day). Today she posted Mission 2012 lists that let you jot down all of your goals for 2012 and breakdowns for each goal. 

Check out Meg's blog and also follow her on Twitter and Facebook, she's always coming up with the most clever stuff!

Gabriela Artigas Triangle Ring on Obaz.com

Check out Obaz.com for this insanely unique and beautifully designed ring by jewelry designer Gabriela Artigas.


I came across her work and love the bold, smooth, finish on her rings. I like to wear a bunch of rings at once, and especially stacking 'em up together.


This ring is great for stacking or wearing alone. It also is not as sharp as you might think. Because of its smoothed edges and Gabriela's immaculate attetion to detail, this ring will not catch on anything (my biggest pet peeve with rings).


Usually sold for $90, at $42 it makes a great treat for yourself, or a fashionable gift for sisters, friends, girlfriends, etc. 


Keep your eye out on Obaz.com for more fashion steals on meticulously chosen style finds! They also have other great deals on other awesome, hand picked items.

Big Sweater, Mini Skirt

One of my favorite cold weather staples: Warm sweaters and sweet mini skirts. I feel the sweater balances out the small skirt, creating an appropriate look with opaque tights. It shows there’s still a lady underneath that billowy sweater, yet you still stay warm in toasty in the cold.

Another fun feature of the sweater/mini combo, it can be dressed up to sequins or down to snow boots. 

 Remember, key to the look is balance. One of the most important rules when getting dressed: big on top, small on bottom; small on bottom, big on top. 

  

1. J.Crew Funnelneck Pullover $74
2. Parker Bugle Bead Skirt $264
3. Free People Scoop Bank Knit 2fer Tunic $118
4. Forever 21 Pleated Skirt $18
5. J.Crew Wynter Cowlneck Sweater $68 SALE
6. Free People Rosey Holiday Skirt $128 
7. Zara Cable Stitched Sweater $80
8. Theory Jalla Knowledge Skirt $295 (Steep, I know, but this is an office basic with a fun side, which means you'll have it for years and years. Breaks up all black work attire too.)
9. J.Crew Handknit Fair Isle Sweater $225 (Their stuff usually goes on sale pretty quickly, so I keep my eye on pricier pieces I love.)
10. J.Crew Cable-stitch Sweater $78 (Sale) (See what I mean about sale items over there?)
11. Mango Check Mini Skirt $45
12. J.Crew Shimmer Bow Sweater $88
13. LA MADE Boho Lace Scarlett Skirt $70