Must Remember

From Abstract City, the collected visual essays of Christoph Niemann, via Swissmiss

Begone Receipts

April Greaves' bags-within-bags system, via Sous Style

Here's a fun tip for you: inspired by this post on Sous Style, I decided to do something about my terrible habit of mindlessly throwing receipts in my purse/pocket/shopping bag/wallet/trash.  I tend to end up with fistfuls of paper at the bottom of my purse or bursting out of my wallet a few times a week, and I decided to get a dedicated pouch for receipts.  I splurged and bought this Kate Spade leather pouch, even though I figured that any envelope or even a plastic baggie would do.

Kate Spade Portola Valley Little Gia, available at katespade.com

I have a long history of buying things to help me get organized, but spending less time using said item than I did researching it.  I'm happy to report that I haven't fallen into that trap this time!  I can leave this unzipped for easy access, but it holds everything inside until I'm ready to go through the pile and put things where they're supposed to go (i.e., it was worth the money to not use a plastic baggie after all).  This little trick has helped me stay a lot more organized, and I've happily not thrown away anything important since I started doing this, a rather common occurrence pre-pouch.

Image via Sous Style

By the way, have you heard of Sous Style?  It's a fun site created by Pippa Lord, a Photo Director for Elle Magazine, that's for "hip, young Martha Stewart types."  Because I of course fancy myself to be hip, young, and a Martha Stewart type, even though there are strong arguments to the contrary on all fronts, I checked it out.  There are lots of fun home, food, recipe, entertaining and style posts, many with a rather irreverent but honest spin (for example, "if you're having your friends over and you haven't dusted, just dust as high as your tallest friend").

Wedding Uniform 2012

Despite having a closet full of wedding-appropriate dresses, the time has come to find this year's incarnation of what I call my Wedding Uniform: a fun dress that can go to weddings big and small, church and outdoor, fancy and not-so-fancy, near and far (without wrinkling too terribly).  Depending on the guest list, I'll work Wedding Uniforms of yore into the rotation, but I find that having a new go-to dress every year or so that I can wear with different shoes and accessories works for me.

First up on my agenda this wedding season is a family wedding in Austin in just under two weeks.  Should you find yourself looking for a similarly magical garment, here are a few that I've been eyeing (you can see more options here on my Pinterest).  I seem to be feeling the bright colors this go-round.  Can you tell?

I think this one is the winner so far.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sienna Dress

This color will always remind me of this Michelle Williams Oscar dress (doesn't that picture just break your heart a little bit?  Also: Jason Segel?  I find this is SO intriguing.  Okay, back to the dresses.  Seriously).

Diane Von Furstenberg Shayna Dress

The back of this dress is really beautiful, but I'm a bit worried about the fit being a little wonky with that 

elastic belt in the back. 

Diane Von Furstenberg Tamika Dress

This is allegedly a bridesmaid dress, but it doesn't strike me as one.  I think the dress on its own could be lovely.  (Check out these cute bridesmaids in stripes, via A Cup of Jo.)

ML Monique Lhullier Lace Overlay Sheath

What's your wedding guest MO?  Do you like to switch things up, or do you find something that works and stick with it?  I know there are lots of fans of Rent the Runway, but I didn't have a great experience the one time I tried it.  Has it worked for you?

Soludos Espadrilles

Soludos espadrilles were designed based on the espadrilles that are sold throughout the Mediterranean.  The creator of the brand said that his motivation was to show people that "life exists beyond the flip flop."  The shoes, which you can buy online here, come in a ton of fun colors and patterns and look super comfy for spring and summer adventures and travels (or, you know, picking up dry cleaning and walking the dog.  I use the term "adventures" loosely.  I don't know your life).  

Barca Blue and White Stripe



Color Block Neon Salmon Pink



Choo Choo Red Blue Denim Stripe

 Soludos has also done a collection for J. Crew with some special colors that aren't available elsewhere.



lemon zest

  

neon peach

 

bright spearmint


For about $35, I might need a pair of these for my upcoming trip to Austin!  I think the red and blue stripe and the spearmint are my favorites.  Any catch your eye?

Have a lovely weekend!

Image via here from Esquire

Or hope you had a lovely weekend.  I just got back from a road trip to visit family with my trusty sidekick (my dog: not, unfortunately, Jon Hamm).  Other than not winning the lottery, we had a great weekend visiting family, watching basketball, and eating way, way too much.

We have returned and are trying to get settled in before catching the new Mad Men later tonight.  Wasn't last week's good?  Let's just hope that we get to see Betty on tonight's episode.  And that "Zou Bisou Bisou" finally gets out of everyone's head!  

In the meantime, enjoy the following, which caught my eye over the past week.  Happy Sunday and hope your work week gets off to a good start!



Why won't these shoes ever go on sale?

Did you know that they are now making a digital Polaroid camera??

If you like the taste of lemon or lime, you will love this invention.

A fascinating post about writing for money (via Making it Lovely).

Would this not be the most awesome place to see a movie ever?

This video of ballet dancers in slow motion is absolutely breathtaking (and I never click on videos.  It's worth it!).

An adorable circus-themed kid's room.

A really interesting article about how Lululemon has everyone hooked.

The Weather Channel ran a March Madness bracket of weather songs.  The Final Four will make you laugh.

And speaking of Madness, Fug Madness is in the finals of the Atlantic Wire's Battle of the Brackets!