Can You Tea Me Now?

These fabulous creations are, er, created from vintage tea tins, which I will admit makes me like them even more. This would be one of those wish-I'd-thought-of-that ideas; I don't think I've ever seen anything exactly like them, but they're brilliant!

Once more with feeling -- BRILLIANT!

Now that I've gotten that out of my system... Check out the seller's Etsy store, BluePlateStudio. www.etsy.com, $47

Mimi Me!

I knew as soon as I saw the picture on the home page of Mimi and Marge that I had a found a company after my own heart. And here to prove it, these fabulous sterling silver earrings! These are the "Soda" earrings. Also love the plum blossom pendant, and the big buckle handbag in Pewter. Happy shopping, and don't miss the testimonials! www.mimiandmarge.com (you can look but you can't buy)
To purchase, go to www.amazon.com, $73

A Black and White Issue

There are some truly hideous things on the "Casual Living" site, but this sweet sundress is not one of them. I just can't get over black and white right now, and what's more perfect for summer than a light, airy, sexy-but-not-slutty sundress? And while you're there, just for laughs, check out the "slippers" designed for cleaning the floor. www.casuallivingusa.com, $59

Sweep Me Off My Feet

Looks like the only prince in my life lately could be a dustpan. (Well, that, and the Prince Formerly Known As The Symbol Formerly Known As Prince, because I heart his music). But if your prince has to be a dustpan, how cute is this one? www.pylones-usa.com, $45

Lettuce Be Well-dressed

Salad days are here again! Who really feels like cooking when it's hot? (Yes, I know some of you never feel like cooking -- I'm not naming any names here. You know who you are). In honor of my current favorite meal, let's talk dressing. Here are a few of my favorites.


Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette. This is my all-time favorite bottled salad dressing. It's a classic vinaigrette, not too sweet like a lot of balsamics can be. No added sugar, all natural, and generally...yum.





Annie's Naturals Organic Papaya Poppy Seed Dressing has won over many a visitor to my house. It's fruity and sweet, almost like a French dressing, but much, much better.





Girard's Light Champagne Dressing is a new one for me, but is quickly becoming a favorite. In addition to being half the calories of the other dressings in my fridge, it's delicious, with a light, mustardy tang. (Because calories be d*$#ed, if something tastes bad, I'm not going to put it on my salad!)

Even Amish Girls Can Look Glamorous

Sigh. If only I could sew, I would make myself some super-cute aprons. But since I don't, I'll have to be satisfied with admiring the ones available for sale. Here's a great one that even has matching gloves -- a must for those of us without automatic dishwashers.

www.carolynskitchenonline.com, apron $38, gloves $18

Jersey Wrapsody

Wrap jersey dresses are everywhere right now (almost as ubiquitous as tar), and what's not to love about that? If they're cut right, they're extremely flattering, and they DON'T WRINKLE. Ever. I mean, I dare you to try to get jersey to wrinkle. You can forget it in the bottom of a laundry hamper for three years, pull it out, and it won't be wrinkled. Not that I've done that. Ahem. I'm just speaking theoretically. So...despite all the wanna-bes (translation: dresses I can actually afford), I have to pay homage to the original -- Diane von Furstenberg. (And as a side note, when I was in seventh grade, I thought her "Tatiana" perfume was awesome).

www.nordstrom.com, $298