Mad Men, an AMC show that revolves around an advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City in the 1960’s, is one of the most visually appealing television series that I have seen.  The women are properly curvaceous and catty and  the men chain smoke cigarettes over business meetings and two martini lunches.  The mysterious main character, Don Draper, looks like he has it all: a perfect, wife who used to model,  the perfect children, and perfect hair.  But as the series unfolds, his secret past is revealed in layers and he becomes more and more intriguing.

One of my favorite parts of the show is the style that it’s shot in.  It truly feels like you are getting a glimpse into the 1960’s. All of the muted colors that are making a comeback today are present in clothing and home decor, and both men and women wouldn’t dream of leaving the house in anything but their best.  I put together a little list of things that you would find on the show: 60’s inspired dresses, cocktail shakers, vintage office equipment and amazing shoes.  Check them out here at As Seen on Madmen.

I have eight pillows on my queen-sized bed. When reading in bed or on the couch, I always prop my book up with a pillow on my lap. I share my pillow with my cat, who sleeps on my head at night. I have been accused of having “too many” pillows. I prefer firm pillows to soft or foamy ones. I LOVE decorative pillows!! See some of the cuties I picked out today on my Pretty Pillows buyer’s guide and help me choose which one you think I should purchase for my room by voting on my Which Pillow Should I Get? poll.

Obama’s campaign was the very first super-branded campaign in the history of the United States.  His logo was everywhere and on everything, the same two fonts were used throughout his campaign on all of his banners and posters, and they even hired Shepard Fairey (one of the guys who started the underground graffiti/art scene) to make his poster. It was brilliant. Did you even remember seeing a logo for McCain?  He had one.  It looked like this:

Do you even remember it?  Does it give you the sense of change and hope?  Probably not.

I’ve never in my life seen so much campaign merchandise in my lifetime.  Over the last two decades, I never once laid eyes on a toddler wearing an ‘I Heart Bush’ hat or soccer mom wearing Clinton earrings. The bottom line is, most American’s can’t help themselves; they ADORE Barack Obama and want to show off their support.  Thankfully, there is enough Barack Obama merchandise in the world to clothe the entire country.  Angela has found some of the top picks out there in her lists: Obama Gear for Girls and Obama Gear for Guys.

Now, how does the Obama logo make you feel?

As I said in my Valentine’s Day Outfits shopping guide on Kazowie, though I’m not one to discourage it, there is no need to wear pink hearts from head-to-toe in order to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. I, however, am actually considering going all out this year — pink top, red pants, bows, hearts, the whole nine — to celebrate NOT being in love. (Getting dumped in Februrary makes you bitter like that). I’ve picked out three outfits that incorporate pieces which, for the most part, can be mixed-and-matched, and that can be worn any day of the year, not just on Cupid Day. Each ‘fit incorporates only one or two “Valentine” pieces. Check ‘em out and tell me what you think!!

I think I’d wear option #1 out to dinner (with my Valentine or, more realistically, a group of my closest my girl friends), option #2 is fit for a night of dancing at the club (aka finding a cute boy to be my Valentine for a few hours), and option #3 works for day or night, with anyone, anywhere, to a casual dinner or the movies. Whatever you’re doing this Februrary 14th, I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I have loved shoes since I can remember. After high school, when I moved from Denver to Seattle, I crammed over 150 pairs of shoes into moving boxes, suitcases, and crates. It was embarrassing. As an adult, with limited closet space, I’ve forced myself to only allow ownership of a limited number of shoes. If I want to buy a pair, I have to get rid of a pair. Which makes for a whole lot of maneuvering and finagling in order to hang on to old shoes that I could care less about, in order to justify buying a new pair.

In all of my years of shoe-loving, Seychelles brand shoes have never let me down. They are totally affordable and amazingly comfortable. I have never had a pair that weren’t extremely comfortable and lasted through multiple seasons. They make a wide variety of styles as well; from heels and casual wedges to boots and fancy flats. I have met many others that feel the same way that I do. They are truly amazing shoes. For a complete list of recent finds (a lot of them on sale!), go to my Seychelles-My Favorite Brand of Shoes list.

I must admit, I am a fan of Betsey’s. Or, perhaps I should rather say I’m a fan of the effortless way she combines rocker style (guns and skulls, neon colors and extreme patterns, leopard, studs, and chains) with all things feminine (flowers, pearls, hearts, lace, diamonds, ruffles, bows). You have to hand it to her, Betsey definitely marches to the beat of her own drum and, in doing so, has created a fashion empire with herself at its center, a leading icon in the fashion industry. Her style is so recognizable, I constantly find myself gravitating towards her outrageous shoes, bags, and jewelry in the department store, picking up the items, and saying to myself, “oh, Betsey!” It’s hard to stay away!

Although I consider myself someone whose style is distinctive in that it’s not classifiable at all, and someone willing to try and incorporate almost any fashion fad into her own style at least once, regardless of how ridiculous it may seem, I sometimes find myself doubting whether I could rock some of Betsey’s, sweet but eccentric designs. When it comes down to it, I think the only person able to pull off head-to-toe Betsey is Betsey herself. And even if I could afford every B.J. product I would want to own, I think I and the rest of us should probably stick to one Betsey bauble at a time.

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. In San Francisco, spring time means overgrown flower beds bursting with fluorescent green fauna and wildflowers that have been lying dormant for the few dry winter months.  It also means a horrible commute to work, where you can end up a cold, sloppy mess by the time you reach work.  I have found that the rain can be a whole lot more enjoyable if you’re fully prepared with the proper rain gear.  It helps to motivate you to leave the house in the pouring rain if your rain gear is both practical and fashionable.  I’ve put together a list of this season’s finds of some good rain gear.

A rain hat is one of those things that I wouldn’t normally think about buying, but I have this one, The Que Sera Rhythm of Rain Hat which comes in handy; it really helps to keep away those humid-day-hair frizzies. The Rain Cote from Etsy store, ViolionHalune, is a little more on the utility side, but anything with a hoodie in the rain can save you from getting drenched.  Proper rain gear cannot be complete without a good set of rain boots and a sturdy umbrella.  These Sperry Topsider “Sadie” rain boots in charcoal will keep your feet dry and toasty and what way to be more fashionable in the rain than this Burberry Primrose Umbrella? Check out my other rain accessories in my  Here Comes the Rain buyer’s guide.

The only thing I love more than attending a theme party is hosting one. I don’t think it’s ever too soon to begin planning your shin-dig and a garden theme lends itself perfectly to any season, so get on it! Whether your party will be held indoors or out, during winter or summer, it’s important not to stray from the theme and season in your party details, from the invitations down to the napkin rings. Not to say that every plate, fork, and candle has to come from the same set at the same store. In fact, I would even go so far as to advise against this, especially if the vibe you’re going for is a relaxed and comfortable gathering amongst friends. As long as the colors, style, and vibe are consistent, get creative, “branch out,” if you will. There’s more to a garden than just flowers.

A garden party can be very elegant with the use of simple, solid colors, crystally accents, and delicate place-settings. My personal garden party preference, however, is a colorful, homey, slightly cluttered, springtime gathering at confettied picnic table. Personal touches, such as monogram nametags (for napkins, favors, or wine glass stems) and pink hand-stitched felt birdies (that you can make or purchase) add so much character to a garden themed tablescape. Take a look at my Kazowie Summer Garden Party guide to see what I mean.

Does this sound like you?: You wake up and jump out of your blah wood bed in your boring plaid pj’s and eat boring, circular sunnyside up eggs every morning, carefully dabbing at egg on your chin with a white cloth napkin. You run out the door, but not before grabbing your practical black umbrella from your 40-year old wood coatrack.

Um… HELLO, can your life get any more boring and blah?? I want to help you fight those blahsy boring everydaynesses with some shots of Quirky and Fun and Humorous! Eat your gun-shaped fried eggs and wash it down with your mustache-y pint of OJ! Get a view of a relatively clear blue sky under your umbrella while singing in the rain! Water your favorite orchid with a water IV pot! I know, I know… -and you know it, too!- that it would be Awesome!

Not only would your life improve*, but your friends would also come by a lot more often! Just to be amused and awed by your necktie napkins or your conversation starter, elegant popmat placemats.

I have some more quirkified everyday objects on my guide to all things fun and humorous at Quirky Versions of Everyday Things for your contined amusement. The moose butt trophy hanger makes me laugh EVERY TIME. Enjoy!

* Life improving is not actually guaranteed, but, really, how could it not?
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I find that no matter what I’m wearing, it’s really simple to funk-out and liven-up any outfit with an urban-style jacket. Once you find your F.F.J. (Favorite Funky Jacket), I guarantee you’ll be busting it out on a daily (and nightly) basis. My definition of an F.F.J. is one that goes with everything and can be worn during the day and at night. It’s usually a solid color or it incorporates two or more basic colors that match everything: namely, black, white, gold, and silver.

My F.F.J.’s are cropped and form-fitting, so that I can layer them over whatever I’m wearing without looking bulky. Accessories are important, but keep those simple as well; a pair of solid colored hoops and cute tennies help complete your classic urban daytime “look” (swap the tennies with some heels for nighttime). Check out some of my faves on my Kazowie Favorite Funky Jacket buyer’s guide. I wear my satin SF Giants jacket every day!