Target to Celebrate 20 Years of Design Collaboration in September

 Wishing you could replace those cute Lilly Pulitzer bowls you bought at Target back in 2015 for $19.99?  Love that Missoni cardigan you have now worn out that you bought back in 2011? Well, you can revisit all of those great collaborations over the years when Target brings many of them back (until their web site crashes) on September 14th. Set you alarm on your iPhone as these deals will be gone by early morning for sure.


 Drum roll please! The designers joining Target in celebration of 20 Years of Design for All include visionaries Michael Graves (1999-2013); Philippe Starck (2002); Stephen Sprouse (2002); Isaac Mizrahi (2003-2009); Erin Fetherston (2007); Proenza Schouler (2007); Thakoon (2008); John Derian (2008, 2010); Anna Sui (2009); Rodarte (2009); Stephen Burrows (2010); Zac Posen (2010); Harajuku Mini (2011-2012); Missoni (2011); Jason Wu (2012); 3.1 Phillip Lim (2013); Altuzarra (2014); Lilly Pulitzer (2015); Marimekko (2016) and Hunter (2018).

Many of the items are on the website now but not available to purchase until the 14th. 

You can scroll down the site here and check it all out.

Just Do It Fashion

With the US Open in full force, it's inspiring to watch these super athletes at the top of the tennis world.    But you don't need to be world class to get out there and just "do it" as Nike would say.  We should all strive to get exercise every day.  I wish I had more time to run, to work out, to swim, but I do what I can in the time allowed.  Barn chores equal one full workout in my book!


You can look stylish while you work out.  If nothing else, looking good, may inspire you to get more exercise. Love this tye-dye look from Tory Sport.  Makes we want to go out for a run right now. 

Love the matching sweater which would work well for an after gym workout or to for just wearing around the house.  See it here.

For the more budget-minded, love this jacket from Champion that comes in two colors. Perfect for a fall morning run.  See it here.https://www.target.com/p/women-s-run-full-zip-track-jacket-c9-champion-174/-/A-53677137?preselect=53550854#lnk=sametab

Love these sweatpants that can be used for running or running errands and they come in three colors. See them here.

And I love this French Terry Pullover, also at Target.  It comes also in three colors.  See it here.

And I love this golf top from Nike.  I frequently buy golfing tops to ride and run in.  See it here.

Also love this plaid top that comes in three fun colors.  See it here.

And I love this top from Nike. See it here.

And I love these Nike pants that zip up the side.  How clever is that. See these here.

Just do it but look good!

Right to Harm

Every now and then I get on my soapbox about an issue that is too important to ignore and this is certainly one of those issues. In the county where I live the industrial chicken farms are moving in en masse.  Most people have their heads in the sand about how "factory farming" works but once you understand how this is done I promise you'll never eat another chicken or turkey again unless you know exactly where it came from.  Those $5.99 chickens you buy in your local grocery - just say no to those.....

This newly released documentary tells us all everything that the chicken lobby doesn't ever want you to know, and for good reason......

From the film's website:

Through the riveting stories of five rural communities, RIGHT TO HARM exposes the devastating public health impact factory farming has on many disadvantaged citizens throughout the United States. Filmed across the country, the documentary chronicles the failures of state agencies to regulate industrial animal agriculture. Known formally as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations – or CAFOs – these facilities produce millions of gallons of untreated waste that destroys the quality of life for nearby neighbors. Fed up with the lack of regulation, these disenfranchised citizens band together to demand justice from their legislators.

Hundreds of thousands of those baby chicks never see the light of day and are raised in these massive structures, where they pollute out streams, our air, and the quantity of waste they produce  would boggle your mind not to mention the hundreds of thousands of gallons of water these little birds need. They are trucked out at night as no one ever wants the public to see this operation.

There has to be a better way to farm in this country, a humane way to treat animals.  Or better yet, let's all improve our health and go vegan.  Read more about this new documentary here and start learning where your meat comes from..... I certainly have......

Fall Coat Fetish

Last year I was so good about buying coats but this year, well, it's going to be a coat year for sure.  There are so many coats out there I am loving and it's not even Labor Day yet!  Take a peak......

Love this fun plaid coat from Zara and you can't beat the price:

 

This Tory Burch coat has already sold out in several sizes.  I understand why!

And I love this great looking plain raincoat for everyday wear:

And if my budget would allow, I'd add this great looking Burberry coat to the collection:

Or this stunning Mansur Gavriel coat in bright pink:

Love this trench coat from Tory Burch:

Love this reversible jacket from Madewell which is perfect for fall:

Can't pass up a great coat!

Espadrilles - You've Come a Long Way Baby

I am loving that espadrilles are back in a big way.  We used to wear Papagallo espadrilles with everything and it just goes to show you that a good trend will eventually return. The ones we wore were solid in color, with or without the bow - had a stacked heel too. They came in every color!

But the new ones are much cuter, much more sophisticated and there are so many choices!  

Like these cute Burberry espadrilles:

And I love these blue suede ones from Tory Burch for fall and winter:

Or these, to go with everything you own!

If your budget will allow add these great looking platform ones from Gucci to your fall wardrobe. Love these!

Or these tweed ones from Tory Burch also perfect for the fall weather (if it ever comes):

Love these brown ones - to wear with everything! See them here.

Or these velvet ones for the holiday season.  They also come in a deep cranberry. See them here.

Also love these black leather ones by See by Chloe:

And these by Ferragamo (they also come in pink leather):

My how espadrilles have changed!

Tory Burch New Fall Picks

I am totally in love with the recent Tory Burch rollout for fall. While I wasn't a huge fan of her summer clothes this year, fall is a completely different matter.  When will it get cold enough to wear this stuff?  Her preppy chic style just never gets old.

Love this backpack. Not typically a fan of this style but love this one. This will update/upgrade any outfit. Just wear it with t-shirt, jeans, Gucci loafers and you're the chicest one in the room.

(Backpack)

This nylon version is almost as chic but not quite:

 

And these booties:

 

I have not tried these shoes (like a tennis shoe/espadrille cross) but am very tempted:

 

Love this cardigan. 

And am glad clogs are coming back! Love these!

And I love these snake print loafers:

And these platform espadrilles:

New to Needlepoint - Some Advice

Everyone seems to be discovering needlepoint which is great news (from someone who learned to stitch as a child). It's great that others are catching on.  Put down your phone, quit texting and learn to stitch. It's one of the most relaxing things I know how to do and you will create an heirloom that will long outlive you.  Plus it's fun.

So if you want to learn, are thinking about it, pondering, I am hoping that I can push you over the edge with these pointers.......

First of all, you can learn here.

(My Cabin Wreath)

1) Find a good needlepoint store - or two or three

A good retailer is worth their weight in gold.  Their advice is needed on selecting the right threads, finishing, ordering canvases.  If you don't have one locally you can order online or check out the stores when you travel, which is one of my favorite things to do in a new city.  Some good ones are Needlepoint.com (in Raleigh, NC but has a great website), Po's Point in Charlotte, NC, Chapel Hill Needlepoint in Chapel Hill, NC, Lycette in Palm Beach - just to mention a few.  If you see a canvas you like online, any retailer can order it for you but it may take 6-8 weeks or longer if it has to be painted.

2) It's expensive

Needlepoint is not an inexpensive hobby but it's a lot cheaper than owning a horse!  The finishing costs can be high, but you won't be pushing out a pillow a month. Ornaments can be expensive to finish but you are creating something that will last. Come to terms with what it costs. The canvases are painted by hand as well, which drives up the cost.

3) Start small

Pick out something easy to start with and a good retailer can assist here. Don't try something too difficult at first.  Here are some good examples...

This rainbow stag would make a great holiday pillow. It would be fun to stitch but it is not complicated.  It is also 13 mesh which is bigger - easier to see.  18 is smaller, harder to see, takes longer to complete.

An ornament or a door hanging is an easy project to start with like this cute one that I would hang on a door handle:

4) Boring canvases are boring to stitch

Look at the canvas when and if it is a boring pattern then it will be boring to stitch.  I try to avoid these at all costs.  Here are some examples:

This would not be fun to stitch.  While I love Ikat, this canvas would drive me nuts to needlepoint (and it would make a lovely pillow).

This is another one that I would not want to work on:

5) Think about finishing deadlines

It can take many months to get something back from the finisher.  If you are working on ornaments you typically should get them to a finisher by Labor Day but check with your retailer. So plan your stitching accordingly.  Nothing is fast in the needlepoint world.

6) Tackle more than one project at a time

You'll enjoy it more if you have a few projects going on at one time.  You may tire of what you are working on and want to pick up something else. I have 4 projects in the works right now.  If one is large (like a large pillow, a rug, a wreath, a handbag) you may want something to switch over to so not to get bored with one project. 

Other Pointers.....

You don't have to learn all those fancy stitches if you don't want to. I tend to be a needlepoint purist and don't enjoy all those different stitched but that is a personal choice. 

Your stash will grow larger and larger and larger......ask me how I know!  And they are coming out with new canvases all of the time now. 

You'll meet some fun people who also love to stitch.  Many cities now have stitch clubs.  Check Instagram for those.

You'll wonder how you ever tackled life without your needlepoint in tow.   And you spouse or SO will learn to sit quietly while you peruse the needlepoint stores in the cities you visit. Yes, they do learn.....

Keep your bag handy - you can stitch in the car.  It's great while waiting for anything (a delayed plane, a car mechanic, a day at the DMV, at the rail at horse shows, sitting in traffic).  Enjoy!!!!

Thursday Treasures

Happy Thursday.  Here are Thursday's "treasures".................

Love this toile stationary for those of us who still believe in snail mail:

 

This cute bag from Zara will go with everything this fall and winter:

 

This Burberry Jacket is greatly reduced, a deal if you can wear a smaller size.

Starting to "think fall" and isn't this coat from Red Valentino just so adorable?

And while we are still thinking about fall, what about these tweed espadrilles from Tory Burch?

Or this great blouse from Zara, perfect for the holidays.

Or this really fun dress for fall, also from Zara?

Am in love with this fabric from Cowtan & Tout (Jane Churchill) and would use this in a second if I had a room to decorate. The good stuff never gets old!  It comes in three colors.

Love these shoes from Tory Burch.  They are selling out fast and will go with everything in your closet:

And if you can't make it to Saratoga, owning this cute bag from Rebecca Ray is the second best thing. The Saratoga collection is now 30 percent off on her website.