Jun 12, 2012 | Fashion
1. Vosges Exotic Truffle Collection, $40 / 2. Man Candles, $14 each / 3. Star Wars Breakfast Beverages Set, $29.99
4. Race Day Cufflinks, $24.99 /5. The Homebrew Handbook, $19.95 / 6. Lomographic Holga Starter Kit
, $54
7. BANG! Caffeinated Ice Cream Set, $21.99 / 8. Space Intruder Mini-Tool, $24 / 9. Road Mice Race Mouse, $34.99 -$49.99
10. Dodocase iPad Case, $59.95 / 11. 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave Carry-On Set, $50
Dads (and men in general) tend to be super-hard to shop for…my hubby, for instance, prefers gifts that are ultimately practical and utilitarian rather than romantic, decorative, or handmade. (Another Men are from Mars moment I suppose…) So each year I do my best to find something that I think he will use and appreciate (though sometimes I just give in and buy his favorite edibles when nothing else will do!;-)
For all the Dads in your life…and Granddads, and Dads-to-be…here’s a few items that might prove useful, or even (hopefully!) greeted with a truly heartfelt exclamation of “Ohmygosh that’s just what I wanted!” From something for the techie to the gourmet connoisseur, from the old-school gamer to the would-be DIY-er…this list may just be able to spark a few gift ideas for your favorite dude.
Happy [early] Father’s Day to everyone!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this shopping list, please share it!~
Leave Comment
May 23, 2012 | Fashion
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of pricey designer sunglasses (especially since I tend to lose pairs frequently…or worse, leave them on my car seat and sit on them the next time I hop in.:-/
But I love affordable, on-trend sunnies, and this year I’m breaking away from my usual black, oversized frames towards something colorful and fun. Quayeyewear caught my eye as a great, affordable alternative to the high-priced stuff, that’s made well enough to last through seasons – and mistaken sittings;-). Though the company is based in Australia, the line is available in over 30 countries worldwide, and they offer FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING for any order off their website. Oh, and most of the prices? Around $39.95 per pair.
Left column, from top: Blue 1532 / Red 1461 / Lime 1553 / Leopard 1406
Right column, from top: Pink 1518 / White with Black Arms 1395 / Peach 1525
A portion of sales from Quayeyewear also benefit a number of charities, including Make a Wish Foundation and Teen with A Dream, so these sunnies are also a great feel-good purchase.
What are your go-to sunglasses this Summer?
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
Leave Comment
May 4, 2012 | DIY, Fashion
1. Butter London Nail Polish in Yummy Mummy, $14
2. Diane von Furstenberg Alana Vintage-Inspired Cat’s-Eye Sunglasses
, $150
3. Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit, $22.95
4. Celeste Stein Missoni Tights, $19.95
5. Arancia Dolce Sweet Orange Replenishing Bath Foam by Palatium $45 marked down to $27…PSST! Get 40% OFF with code ChicEmpress here, valid until May 13, 2012!
6. Crafting with Cat Hair Book, $15.95
7. Knitted Dove Eyelet Elly Jacket, $88
8. DIY Decorated Basket Handbag
9. Cherry Tangerine Arrangement by Floral Art, $85 (delivery to L.A. area only…or take inspiration from the arrangement and DIY your own!)
10. Cupcake Bath Bombs, $32…or just DIY your own with this how-to: DIY Cupcake Bath Bomb
11. Carol Hochman Rosewalk Garden Bermuda Pajama Set, $59
12. Morning Dew Earrings by JooJooLand, $45
13. Dolce Vita Women’s Nels Flat
, $149
14. ASOS Leather Bright Laptop Case
, $63.60
15. DIY Flowered Hair Clip
Mother’s Day is just around the corner…are you still looking for the perfect gift for Mom? I love that this holiday happens to coincide with, so I always match my gift to the lovely, flowery season. Above is a small collection of ideas for great gifts for the woman close to your heart: from handbags to accessories, bathtime indulgences and clothing, the Mom with a great sense of humor or avid gardener…it’s all there. Plus, a couple of these ideas are DIY-able…so I’ve just linked to the tutorials.
And for some more DIY home decor inspiration, check this video out for some items that would be great (and easy!) to make for Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it with anyone looking for Mother’s Day Gift ideas!~
Leave Comment
Apr 30, 2012 | Fashion
Every year in late April the enormous Japan Hobby Show takes over a huge exhibition hall in Odaiba for 3 days straight. Buyers and avid crafters from all over Japan flock to Tokyo to visit the Hobby Show, see the latest techniques, pick up the newest products, engage in workshops and demonstrations, and celebrate all there is to love about crafting. I’ve never been before but luckily my last-minute trip to Tokyo happened to coincide with the 36th annual Show, so I was able to spend a day last week visiting the show and ogling everything.
I thought the giant saw outside the complex was quite apropo.
The place was packed and even though I arrived at 10 AM on the dot, I had to wait in a huge line for 40 minutes until I could get in the doors. That line of people above? It’s all one line that snakes around at the back to return on the left side of the photo. Yikes!
But once inside, there was such an array of things to be ogled!
Seriously, pretty much every craft I could think of that is popular in Japan was represented at booths and tables throughout.
(more…)
Leave Comment
Apr 12, 2012 | Fashion
Ah, Tokyo is a shopping paradise!! I just love coming here and walking all over the city pocking in stores, touching everything, making lists, reading magazines to find out what’s in and where to get it, and eventually returning to said stores near the end of my trip to purchase a few items after I’ve been dreaming about them for weeks.
With my mother unable to leave her apartment just yet (except by car to go to her physical therapy appointments), and me unable to leave her side, instead of window shopping I have to console myself with web shopping. But thank goodness Japanese online shopping has blossomed over the past year or so and now I can get quite a few things on the Internet that before were only available in stores or via Rakuten’s third-party sellers [some of the time].
Here are some things on my wishlist:
1. MURUA Logo Photo T-Shirt / 2. Spiral Girl Wing T-Shirt in Beige Pink / 3. BORNY 2-Stone Earrings /4. WOND Mesh T-Shirt in Orange / 5. moussy Bi-Color Knit Cardigan / 6. maygloba earring set / 7. MIIA Marine Tote Bag / 8. Chihiro Baba Mirror Earrings / 9. Spiral Girl Hybrid One-Piece Dress / 10. Osmosis Grey Asymmetrical Sandal / 11. YOiM furfur Chiffon Pleats One-Piece Dress/ 12. flake Rhine Heart Earrings / 13. KAZA Jack Bracelet
Most of these items are only available if you ship to a Japanese address; you could perhaps use a freight forwarder to have it shipped to your foreign address, but I’ve never used one of them and really wouldn’t know how to go about it…
Hmmm…must research this…
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this post, please share it!~
Leave Comment
