Cardigans are all over the place in fashion these days: they can be worn dressed up with a little fancy number, over a tank top with jeans and heels, or thrown on with jeans and flip flops for the ultimate in comfort.  In my opinion, the cardigan is the perfect lightweight, versatile layering piece. In fact, I always find myself buying slightly different versions of the same gray cardigan and have recently had to ban myself from buying gray cardigans.

I put together a list of some amazing spring cardigans. Seeing as how they are on everyone’s spring picks list, they weren’t very hard to find!  The mustard floral cardigan and  the Celine Versatile cardigan have that drapy, dramatic look that works great with jeans, and the varsity and striped sweaters have a casual sophisticated look. Of course, I had to throw in the quintessential gray one… Check the rest out: Hello Cardigans!

Clockwise from top left:

Cardigan in gray by Geren Ford Winter, Neal Sperling ZigZag Cardigan, Kimchi Blue Heathered Cardigan, Ditsy Floral Cardigan, Long Stripe Cardigan, Varsity Cardigan, Talia Pocket Cardigan.

I’ve been amassing a list of truly wacky things that I’ve found online for the past few months: cool inventions, interesting wearables, unique art pieces and gadgets. Basically things that would force a conversation. I’ve been increasingly finding cool websites that specialize in this stuff. One of them that I adore is The A + R Store based out of Los Angeles. They carry all kinds of things for cooking, playing, reading, sleeping and everything in between. I especially love the Eco-Plastic Necklace, made from recycled materials, the Folding Picnic Set (always be prepared for an impromptu picnic), and the Rollerskate Paperweight/Door Stop/Bookend is a clever idea that totally takes me back to Skate City.

As far as some interesting inventions that I’ve found, Clocky is one of the smartest things that I’ve yet to see. It’s an alarm clock that, when prompted to wake you up, rolls off of your nightstand table and finds a hiding place while making obnoxious noises until you get your butt out of bed to find it and turn it off.  it gets you out of bed, right??  Another genius invention is the Anti-Theft Lunch Bags, designed to deter those obnoxious co-workers and bullies at school from stealing your sandwich. There’s also the USB Powered Heated Gloves for those freezing offices.

Some cool decorative things that I’ve found are: The Dandelion Urban Gnome-for your mantel or your garden,  the Ghost Clock, a modern interpretation of a classic style, and The Carlos Night Light (who wouldn’t want a little chihuahua to help you feel safe in the night).

Check my giant list of other interesting finds: Conversation Pieces.

I’m really excited that gold has made such a strong comeback over the last 10 years. When I was in high school, no one wore gold. Gold was for moms and retirees in Arizona. But in recent years, it’s silly how gold has become an über trendy.  You can find anything in gold:  hard drives,  bow-ties, piggy banks, gold jump drives. You can even get a 24 karat gold plated Mac Book.

When I first started running, I bought a pair of Gold Asics running shoes because not only was I convinced that they would make me run faster, but I was pretty sure that I would be the envy of the running world.  And it worked- people would stop me mid-stride to ask where I got my amazing running shoes.  I also am totally in love with Tom’s Gold Classic Glitter Slip-Ons. BTW, Tom’s shoes gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold.  Even more reason to have a fancy glittery gold pair of shoes.

Not to mention all of the fabulous gold jewelry and accessories out there. Some of my personal favorites are: the Alex and Chloe Antler necklace, The Modern Rock Square Cut Ring from Metalicious, the White Bracelet with Gold-Plated Suits by Disney Couture and this amazing Gigi Mesh Handbag from 80s Purple.  You can see details on all of these products plus the rest of my giant list of all thing shiny and gold at Solid Gold.

Not since Jackie O has there been so much buzz about First Lady fashion. Michelle Obama definitely has a knack for pulling off a classic but trendy look by mixing conventional and edgy looks. She has chosen up and coming designers straight out of fashion school as well as established ones. People are talking as much about her choice of outfits as they are her political views.

Here she chose to go with the wide belt with a pencil skirt when meeting with Puerto Rican first lady Maria Luisa Gandara. Could Hilary have pulled this off?  I think not.

She also is really into the puffy sleeve. She has quite a few pieces with the puffy sleeve and pulls it off beautifully.

There has been much debate about the dress that she wore for the inauguration. I think someone was quoted as saying like ‘..it’s an inauguration not prom’ and others said that they expected a different silhouette and more color, but I think it was amazing.

I put together a list of things that I think that Michelle Obama would like. You can check out some of her fav designers as well as my picks- Dress Like Michelle Obama. I’m looking forward to seeing what else she comes up with over the next 4 years!

I’ve only recently started liking chocolate. I was always the kid who would go for plain vanilla or strawberry and never liked Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. People would look at me like I was crazy. But I’ve always been a little bit proud to be left out of that annoying generalization that all women love chocolate. I have to blame my recent discovery of the wonders of chocolate on one man; a chocolatier based out of San Francisco, Michael Recchiuti (and also my boyfriend who would surprise me with said chocolate). Michael’s artisan chocolate sells at various specialty shops throughout the city and also at his shop in the Ferry Building. Most people I know are also huge fans of his. I once heard that when he was at a concert, the performer recognized him and abruptly stopped playing to tell him that she was obsessed with his chocolates.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought I’d put a list together of confections and chocolates for your sweetheart. I had to balance it out with non-Recchiuti chocolates to make it fair, but if I were to push you in once chocolaty direction, I think you know where my vote goes. Vosges also make some interesting chocolates. For the holiday, they are offering a package set with chocolates and sparkling Brut Rosé. Check out the rest of my picks here, Not Your Average Valentine’s Day Confections.

Every February, all kinds of gifts, flowers, cards and candy are exchanged between loved ones.  If you’re single, you have two choices on how you spend this lover’s holiday: you can be bitter that you don’t have a special someone in your life or you can splurge on something nice for yourself (’cuz you totally deserve it).

I’ve scoured some recent online finds and put together a list of splurges.  Clockwise from top left: 14K Gold Heart Ring available at SuperMarket HQ, Daisy Gift Set by Marc Jacobs available at sephora.com,  Wood You Love Me Ring from Etsy seller blockpartypress, Betsey Johnson Candy Hearts Watch, available online only at  urbanoutfitters.com, Burnt Red Enamel Heart from Etsy seller tyza,  and for coffee lovers, A Hearty Scoop of Coffee from uncommongoods.com.

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.

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?

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.

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.