photo cred

Seasons are changing and with the coolness and nostalgia, they bring an excuse to shop!! (at least I tell myself that).  There are too many bargains out there in web-land to even list so practice your searches and practice hard.  But before you do, might as well see if any of these picks suit your needs, your wallet, or just your fancy.

Stow away your food, your toothbrush, shampoo bottles, jewelry… pretty enough to display out of your bag.

Tilibags. $8.49 for 12 one-gallon bags

Just another great (affordable) variation on the stripes… I can never have enough.

ASOS Breton Shoulder Detail Top $11.80

This Nature-al Wood Bangle subtly glams up trees or sand.  If you’re lookin’ to maximize the woodsy/beachy effect, it won’t cost much more to add a matching, versatile necklace

J. Jill Wood Bangle 6.99 and Wood and Suede Necklace $9.99

Visit The Spoon Sisters for a sort of unique, kitschy, and charmingly entertaining online gift shop

Designer Duct Tape $4.95

Not quite ready to give up the warmth and light comfort? Are you in love with your European romantic daydreams or an active participant in digital pop culture?  Enjoy these clever and cute tees alone now, and with a sweater come Fall. (The one on the right makes me laugh.)

Tees $9.99 and $7.99 from Urban Outfitters

I heart the graph paper design, and I’ve been looking for some good simple cocktail glasses for my “bourbon  hutch”.  Might just be perfect.

Lexington DOF $1.99 memo graph paper mug $6.48

Cool weather will be here before you know it and a good jacket (preferably one that fits you perfectly both in actual fit and in style) is MANDATORY!!  Anthropologie has a couple of cute choices.  One versatile–with a detachable hood- for several-day wear, and another for lounging on front and back porches watching the leaves Fall.  I took my own advice yesterday and went ahead and purchased the top one.  I’m already fantasizing in anticipation.

Anthropologie Hoodies $39.95

‘course the sun still comes out and shines its fill, no matter how cool the weather.  And i’ve recently learned the value of having a few pairs of sunglasses on hand (more because i consistently lose and break them then for matching with my outfits…but that’s a good reason too).  While I understand the smarts in investing in some expensive sturdy pairs, i am all about layin’ down the Lincoln and gettin’ two stylin’ pairs of shades in return.

Ann Taylor Loft selection of $2.00 sunglasses

To our Louisville-area readers (and our readers who plan on visiting Louisville someday): you should head over to quaint little New Albany sometime. It just keeps getting better with downtown restaurants like Toast, River City Winery, La Rosita, Wick’s, and the Bank Street Brewhouse. Another new addition to the burgeoning downtown is The Dandy Lion, a cute little shop brought to you by the same ladies from The Female Art Collective.

Visit their blog to get a sneak peek at all the cute merchandise for men, women, and children available, and stop by to check it out for reals:  310 Bank St., New Albany, IN.

Hours of Operation MON. Closed, TUES. – THURS. 11-7p, FRI. – SAT. 11-8p, SUN. 11 – 5p

This week I had to mournfully remove my beloved engagement ring and wedding band to accommodate my ever-expanding fingers. Until little Starling arrives and my fingers shrink back to a svelte size 4.5 , I’m making due with a cheap, yet cute set of 3 stackable rings from Claire’s.

Since I’ve had my eyes on rings lately, I thought I’d share with you some of the bling that’s been catching my eye.

Mini Snow Drop Ring from Free People

Cubist Ring from Janna Conner

Black Crystal Stack Rings from Fossil

Burlesque Roe ring from Poppi

Flower ring by Jules McDermott

Urban Outfitters new Fall line boasts a re-visit to 90s fashion.

But as I looked through their offerings, nothing stood out as particularly unfamiliar. Then I realized that my 60s and Feminine-British-Aristocratic obsessions were fogging up my trend glasses.  And really, we’ve been back in the 90s for quite a while now.

There are a few styles I can appreciate, but mostly- i’m very happy to go back to the foggy view.

(and nothing makes you feel quite so old as when your adolescent decade is already recycling)

P.S.  The photo above comes from one definite 90s WIN!  One of the best (hottest) music videos ever made in my opinion.  Can you guess what it is?

Answer is at the bottom of this post.

Ah!

Plaid Babydoll dress

High-waisted Twig Jeans. Find at Urban Outfitters.

Fresh Blazer.  Also found at Urban Outfitters.

Knee-high socks (paired with School-Girl Chic)

eh

Parachute Pants

Oversized Shapeless T-shirts and Ripped Jeans

Safety Pin Dresses and gaudy hats a la Blossom

And now for that vid… Did you guess right?

I was strolling limping down Chicago’s Michigan Ave. this past weekend (after running a race on a sore leg… more on that later…), drooling over unreachable store display windows, and the new Fall/Winter Burberry Campaign violently caught my lustful eye.  If we didn’t need further proof that brooding pale is back, these larger-than-life sirens make it hard to  look away.

The whole pissed-off vibe is not really my thing but my vampirish skin is still happy to be more and more represented.  Now if we could only get more Joan Halloway-like curves in there….

And oh boy my British Aristocrat wannabe self finds plenty more to devour in what’s covering their lucid skin.  Particulary, I’ll take my pick of that signature European style in shoes and outerwear please.  Only 1,000+ Euro after all.

But for now, i’m adoring these items i found via the loveliness featured on Modern Kiddo. Goodness, something feels just plain wrong with such small darling versions of fantasticness.

And stay tuned for a special little surprise at the bottom!

J.Crew’s kids line Crew Cuts

Not for play when the little ones are at their littlest. But always good for decoration.  Let Maya Made teach you how to make these Stone Dolls

Oh just Shut the Heck Up Already!!!!  midstate vintage

Seriously! I said Shut Up!

download this royal print, frame it or tack it up to encourage humble, sophisticated approach for your own sweet princess

Do i even need to say anything?  I think these Donna Wilson whimsical goodies speak for themselves.

And now for that special little surprise…  well, it’s more like a revealing cliffhanger i suppose….  are you hating me for getting your hopes up?  Well, don’t let them fall because very soon they will be met with our very first MonkeySaidBear Giveaway!!!  yahoo!!  We have now officially been posting for over a year and we are so thankful for each and every one of you readers.  So to reward you, we will have our first (hopefully of many) fun giveaway in which one of you will receive a very lovely and unique prize straight from us…. your favorite blog (right?).  Details forthcoming.  And if anyone is an artist or maker or creator of any sort, let us know if you’d like to contribute to future give-aways.  It’s a great way to get your goods out there… to our readers and for the enjoyment of big mouths who are certain to share their delight.

(from the view of my parent’s screen.  thump-THUmp-THUMP)

I don’t know if you’d ever be seeing Peggy, Joan, or any sassy secretaries in their Sunday casual at Sterling Cooper (Draper Price), but it’s certainly one 2010 ad agency convenience i’ll be taking advantage of.

(I can’t BELIEVE i’m actually putting a picture of myself on here.  Well, you can trust that I made her take it at more than one angle before being “ok” with it)

In honor of this Sunday’s premiere, i thought i’d go on and live it up a bit (as if i don’t actually do this normally).  I’ll also be participating in a Mad Men-themed webinar this afternoon.  I mean -it’s totally for work!! Perfect

I always tell people that even if they come in mid-season or don’t find themselves thrilled with the story-lines… (well, after i tell them they might be kinda lame)… they can still enjoy the Eye Candy.  Particularly in costume and set design.  You can find some fun behind-the-scenes videos here.  The one below is a particular favorite… preview of Season 4 wear-and-tear (you know exactly what i mean)

Enjoying the line from Dear Creatures.

Nice sea-worthy classics with a Parisian flair.  They’re the feature deal on DailyCandy Swirl today and I took advantage of my $10 credit to purchase this…

I’d been looking for a nice easy breezy tunic-like top.  Done.

Couple of others i’m liking from this collection…

And I love when a clothing line gives me something pretty to look at – even when i don’t have enough money to purchase (although that might not matter once i actually see all the pretty-ness. those sneaky ones)

The Sartorialist works his voyaging eye for chic even in the brightest & hottest suns of summer.

Looking for some classy and stunning  international inspiration for hot street days?  Never fails…

Paris

Suspenders!!

Florence

Soho- Crosby St.

Milano

Tokyo

“Degand”

(men’s shop in Brussels.  Same shop where header photo was taken)

Milano

Sydney