Mariner Purse

There are few things I love more than the original Parent Trap movie, so I was delighted to see Design*Sponge's Living In: The Parent Trap feature. Hayley Mills was beyond adorable in her necktie and poofy hair (as both girls!), and, more generally, I think sleepaway camp represents all the best things about life. So while I can't buy a teepee or a canoe, I can indulge some of that summer fun vibe with this LL Bean Signature Mariner Purse, $77.50.

A little rope, a little leather, a tiny bit of gold--it's like what your counselor (who seems so glamorous just because she's all of 19-years-old) would wear when leaving the camp on her day off. Also, the rope strap would solve a bit problem I have with leather purses--the leather on the side of the strap also starts flaking and peeling off. If I were buying nice expensive Birkin bags this wouldn't happen (I hope, at least), but I've had my Nine West purse for about 7 or 8 months and the strap is already looking a little worse for wear. On the other hand, I'd probably get that white rope strap incredibly dirty, but perhaps that would add to the vintage camp charm.

Betsey Johnson and My Dream Dress

I'm always impressed by how accurate the ads on Facebook are. It's always Modcloth ad, book ad, dating ad. Congratulations, Facebook, you've got me completely figured out. Anyway, this dress was in the most recent Modcloth ad, and I thought, "How adorable! And since it's Mod, it will probably be affordable!"


Alas! This dress is by Betsey Johnson, and the Iona Dress costs a cool $485. But oh, it is so fun! Betsey Johnson is not known for her restraint, which I identify with--when I was a kid, my mom felt compelled to make an extra large donation to the class arts and crafts supplies, because she knew I would cover any project with glitter, glue, markers, stickers, and dried macaroni. This dress is the equivalent of my early artwork, with the embroidery, lace, tulle, and big old sash with a bow in the back. It's totally over-the-top, but sometimes a girl needs a dress like that. Just ask Miley!

Alex and I went to see The Last Song... for the lulz, I swear! We spent the whole movie making snarky comments about Miley's "acting" and Nicholas Sparks's "writing," but we both agreed that this dress was a winner. It's a tea length, around the shins, and it looks so fresh and young that I can't help but be jealous of Miley for getting to wear it (and also for getting to hang out in Tybee Island, Georgia, which looks absolutely gorgeous). It reminds me of that giant poofy dress (Oscar de la Renta?) that Carrie wore when she went to Paris with Aleksandr. And so, while I will not be buying the Betsey Johnson dress, I will continue to dream of the frilly confection of a dress of my dreams.

Confessions of a Shopaholic, about 9 months late

So this post is pretty belated. Confessions of a Shopaholic came out when, last February? And I rented it last August, which is when I fell in love with the below outfit. And I've always believed that only foolish people think that wearing a past season's style is a sin--most things don't become dated in six months, and sometimes cute is cute forever. I'm not saying this outfit is timeless, but I am saying that I love it and want to recreate it.

I mean, right? Look at how adorable Isla Fisher is! As previously discussed, I have a mad-crazy girl crush on her, and I think she pulled off all the silly outfits in Shopaholic with admirable aplomb. Most weren't doable for real life, but I think this one is.

Start with an adorable plaid dress that's not too cowgirl--from Fred Flare, the Lois dress, $45, has a sexy eye-hook closure in front and an attached belt to tie in the back. Hide that with an oversized corset belt...
...from AMI, for $19.99. As a lover of belts, I have to recommend thick waist belts only in situations when you don't plan to sit down or eat. But if you're planning an evening in which you'll be standing around and looking cute, wear that belt and cinch it tight.
And then finish it with some black thigh-highs, to expose just a little bit of your legs. Those maroon platforms that Rebecca Bloomwood is rocking? Those, you're on your own. I would go with riding boots, since I go with the riding boots in about 80% of all situations.

Oscar wear

Today's the most important day of the calendar year, and you need a t-shirt to celebrate it appropriately.

I Drink Your Milkshake shirt, $18.99. The product description:
"Here at 24/7 Magnum, we're a family business. Our shirts are designed by my illegitimate son—and partner—H.W. Magnum, and education of the young is our primary concern, immediately after draining any untapped oil reserves. And we promise you that if you have a milkshake, and we have a milkshake, we will NOT run a straw from our milkshake to your milkshake, thereby drinking your milkshake as well. Because milkshake theft is not what families are all about. "

Friend-o tshirt, $18.99. From the description: "It's an affordable way to separate friendo from moocho, and goes with any haircut."




This Atonement box is pretty awful and tacky, but I guess there isn't a huge demand for Atonement wear right now. It's $28 and looks like something your little sister might make.















Also, if you have $10,000 dollars lying around, you can bid on a charity auction for the sublime green dress Kiera Knightley wore in that movie.





For all my homeskillets, you can buy the Dancing Elk Condors t-shirt, $25.65, worn by Michael Cera on the poster and as part of his track uniform.



















Another Juno option is a working Hamburger phone, $15.99, to schedule all your abortions on. Finally, if you want to really show your love for Juno, there's the Empathy Belly! Not only will it give you a fun new shape to stretch your t-shirts over, but it also simulates over 20 symptoms of pregnancy: fetal kicking, weight gain, bladder pressure, backaches, fatigue and irritability!



Finding swag for Michael Clayton is kind of tough... you could be a total creeper and buy a sketchbook with a photo of kiddie Cloons' and his sister on the front for $6.50.

Or you could remember that freezing February day two years ago when I was wandering around Tribeca and saw George Clooney filming this movie, and as he walked to his trailer he looked at me and said, "Woo, it's cold!" And it was so cold and he was so hot that I couldn't do anything but giggle like an idiot. Next time I go Clooney stalking I'll wear one of those crazy warm North Face coats, like the Nuptse Jacket, $199.

Some self-pimping: you can find my Oscar Predictions here. Everyone enjoy the show and I'll be back tomorrow to discuss what monstrosity Cate Blanchett wore!