skirting the issue

A simple outfit that's becoming my go-to uniform for summer weekends: a T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tank, a jersey maxi skirt from Zara, Rag & Bone Vespa sunglasses, Hawaiana flipflops (invisible, but there), a great big silver cuff from a market in Peru, and a solid leather tote I picked up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many moons ago.  Most of that's not available anymore, but you can come pretty close.

Some options, and some secrets...

colors & textures

image sources available on pinterest

Every once in a while I like to share some of my recent pins, in case you're not following me yet over on pinterest.  Pinterest is one online addiction that I think is truly good for me.  In the midst of even my most hectic days, it slows me down, refills my creativity, floods my senses with colors, textures, tastes, and travels, all from the comfort of my laptop.  Are you addicted? Are we following each other yet?

(ps - if you're on other social media platforms as well, so am I! Twitter here, and facebook here.  Just saying.)

black lace

Did you have a nice valentine's day?  While I'm madly in love with my husband (yes, even after 12 years together, knock on wood) we've never really been into this holiday.  Still, I'm not above an extra little dose of black lace, and any excuse is a good one.

Details, details...

dear santa

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Sometimes shopping for others leads to certain, ahem, distractions.  So in the process of putting together my gift guides and getting my christmas shopping done, I've come up with a little wishlist for myself.  These are the things, great and small, that would make me extremely happy to find under the proverbial tree this year.  Hope Santa reads my blog. 

The details...

counting sheep

I am smitten with this cozy sheep sweater from Oysho.  I'm not usually a fan of cutesie animal prints, but this one got me.  Also love the boyish boxy shape, I think it would be perfect for layering over a button-down (with a pop of color on the lips)

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A few more greys from what is easily one of my favorite spanish fast-fashion labels...

vpl swim

If I were in the market for a new swimsuit I would seriously consider one of these from VPL.  I know they're borderline lingerie, but on the other hand VPL lingerie is borderline sportswear, so I think there's a lot of wiggle room there.  I love the way this one looks at first glance like it's mesh and sheer panels, ultra revealing, but it's actually just very clever use of color and texture giving that illusion.  The one piece looks gorgeous too.

cartography bikini top and bottom, fracture one-piece

By the way, all of these are seriously on sale right now.  Just saying.

cos

Cos, or Collection of Style, is big sister to H&M and has stores sprinkled throughout europe.  Oddly enough, I never thought to check if there's one in Madrid.  Well, there is.  Danger, danger!   The pieces are beautiful, minimalist, well-constructed, and the shopping experience there is totally and utterly enjoyable.  And yes, it is of course more expensive than its younger sister, but justifiably so, and I really think that each and every piece is a steal. 

And the t-shirts?  Can I just say that I'm no longer relying on Mr. Wang to supply me with perfectly draped silky soft Ts?  And that my new-found loves are half the price?  And can I also mention that while I still dream of having a VPL bra one day, this sporty number is bringing me all kinds of joy in the meantime?  These may seem like simple pleasures, but the quality is so great that I'm over the moon about it all.

Take a closer look at my first Cos Madrid haul after the jump...

linen and lace

My most recent acquisitions from Oysho.  Just the things to get me through the summer.

Want to see the big picture?  After the jump...

uo picks

Feeling better day by day.  But this damn sore throat won't go away.  And now another way to torture you, it seems that rhyming I must do, it's another symptom of the jersey flu!  Oh what, oh what's a girl to do?  (sorry, I literally can't help myself!)  Well, the doc is coming by in an hour or so so hopefully he can rid me of this madness.  Meanwhile, like any good sick girl, I'm shopping on line.   First store plundered (in my mind): Urban Outfitters.

 scuba tube top

I think this would be just perfect with my thai fisherman's pants (every time I write that I feel like I stole the pants off my thai fisherman.  You know what I mean though), or even with a black tee or tank underneath.  Fresh, summery, cute and sexy, without being slutty.  (right?  or do I still have Jersey Fever?)

more after the jump...