Kiki!

It's even fun to say.

I'm not much of a handbag person-- or an accessories person in general. I do love my shoes, but my passion for peds seems to be wavering (gasp!), if only for lack of storage and places to wear them (working at home is killing my shoe social life). Every nice bag that I have has come from my sis in her attempt to keep me stylish. If not for her, I'd still be walking around with the free bags I get through department stores (no-- not plastic ones; the ones that come as the "bonus gift" when you spend a certain amount of money. I'm not that ghetto).

So imagine my surprise when this little gem (from Kiki London via Daily Candy London) came across my inbox and I was instantly coveting it. A bag! But how sweet is it? Made from vintage obi fabric, reminiscent of a kimono... and a terrific color. Not to mention, it matches the beautiful earrings that my sis gave me for my birthday. And wouldn't it look pretty nice (and slightly quirky-interesting... because I'm sort of those things... well, quirky, anyway) with the black dress that I'm wearing to a black tie event later this month? I think so.

Alas, the bag is way out of my price range (and yes, I've given myself a little leeway beyond "free."). Plus, I'm not one for "outfit-specific" purchases. I'm a mix and matcher to the utmost degree. But a girl can dream?

Because you're worth it! (No this is not a L'Oreal Commercial)

In addition to a brand new family blog, my sister way over on the other side of the world has also started a new business venture. She's repping for Stella and Dot, a great jewelry line with some to-die for stuff. Since I'm no longer allowed to buy shoes (self-imposed... I still look longingly, but alas, my little house has run out of space, and I'm continually frustrated by having to unload an entire closet of stuff to find the pair to a pair of shoes. Although I am still in search of the perfect flat boot... but I digress...), I've decided that it's time for me to learn how to accessorize.

I am a rubbish accessorize-r. I have a penchant for losing jewelry (only the stuff that costs a lot) meaning that once it's on, it doesn't come off. Or, I am relegated to putting it in one place, and one place only so that I don't have a heart attack when I can't find it. But the older I get, the more I realize that a necklace, or a bracelet, or a brooch can really make-- and change an outfit. At 34, I am, much to my chagrin, a suit. I have to wear them for work, and since my work wardrobe is a big financial investment, I tend to buy conservatively-- as in styles that will work for multiple years. But I hate boring-- so I try to wear interesting patterns or colors in shirts or scarves-- and especially interesting shoes. But with my shoe ban, I've decided the next best thing is jewelry.

When my sister sent me a link to her website a couple of weeks ago, there were so many great choices, I didn't know where to start. I decided to go for things that were flexible-- so I could pretty-up a work outfit, but also wear it on the weekend. I chose these:















Similar family, but not the same; it will depend on how fancy I'm feeling on any given day, I suppose. I had a load of other things on my list, but my sister and I have shockingly identical taste, so I saved a bunch of stuff to order later. Seriously-- out of 10 things, these were the only two things not duplicated (which perhaps should have led me to NOT choose them because she has better taste).

And have I mentioned that the GREAT thing is that anyone can order something fabulous at anytime from her website?!? (heehee) And my favorite thing? No, not the jewelry (although it's pretty great)-- the packaging (of course). Each piece comes in beautiful gift boxes (for no extra cost) so for the lazy amongst us, built in gift. A treat for you, a treat for someone you love. How can you not try it out?