miscellany monday

happy monday everyone – i’ve added my random ramblings to carissa’s miscellany monday party!  check out carissa’s blog here and join in on the fun. 

{one} the bachelorette.  several weeks ago i wrote about  the season premiere of the bachelorette on abc.  are any of you watching the show this season?  on tonight’s episode, ashley narrowed her search for love down to 3 contestants - j.p., ben f. and constintine.   j.p. has been my favorite from the beginning of the season….he’s hot and really sweet.  i’m definitely rooting for him and then ben f.   i wonder which one she is going to pick.  do you have any favorites?

{two} true blood.  are there any true blood fans out there?  i fell in love with this show last summer when one of my really good friends introduced me to this fantastic series.   i was able to get caught up with the first two seasons after a little true blood marathon within a matter of a week and half.  it was a little ridiculous because i stayed up until 1:00 and 2:00 am watching some of these episodes during the work week.  i was hooked after the first episode - i needed to know what happened next.  if you haven’t checked out the series, i highly recommend watching season one to get started.  i’m pretty sure that you’ll be hooked.   also check out hbo (here) for details on watching the series online.

{three} running.  i haven’t been running lately , because of the heat and humidity outside.  i should be running on the treadmill, but it doesn’t happen that often.  i do have a few races lined up over the next few weeks, so i’ll be writing updates on those soon.  i also signed up for a half marathon race scheduled on february 12, 2012.  it’s the fifth annual 26.2 with donna the national marathon to finish breast cancer – you can check out information (here) for details.

{four} a little funk.  i’ve been in kind of a funk lately and i’ve haven’t been motivated to write at all.  i just wanted to let everyone know why i haven’t been on the blogging scene.  Do you guys have any ideas or advice on getting out of my funk?  i’m going to try stay positive and get back to my regular self, but it may take a little while.

OXOX Natasha

Fresh Picks to Follow: Ikat Prints

Happy Friday Everyone!  I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend lined up.  I’m still recovering from last weekend, so I plan on relaxing and catching up on sleep over the next two days.

My Fresh Picks to Follow for this week features ikat patterns.  This trend is everywhere right now and it comes in many colors.  I have to admit, I wasn’t a big fan of this pattern until recently.  I have grown to pretty fond of the blurred prints and bright colors.  Did you know that ikat is a craft practiced in Indonesia, India and South America? According to Wikipedia, ikat, (pronounced ee-kaht) is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibers. The defining characteristic of ikat is the dyeing of patterns, by means of bindings, into the threads before cloth construction. Do you have any ikat patterns in your home?  I currently don’t own any ikat patterns in my clothing or my home, but I plan to incorporate this fantastic pattern real soon.   Check out my top 10 ikat patterns for this week’s Fresh Pick to Follow. 

1. Juicy Couture – Ikat Dress…$158.00

2. Anthropologie – Wakeful Ikat Sheet Set…$128.00

3. Ann Taylor – Knit Ikat Trance Cowl Neck Dress…$69.99

4. Urban Outfitters – Slipper Chair - Indigo Ikat…$328.00

5. Banana Republic – Silk Ikat Twist-Strap Dress…$99.99

6. Anthropologie – Cooled Ikat Pillow…$68.00

7. Banana Republic – Silk Ikat Pencil Skirt...$29.99

8. Anthropologie - Ikat Mini Bowl…$8.00

9. Theodora & Callum – Ikat Scarf in Blue Multi…$175.00

10. Old Navy –  Women's Tie-Shoulder Tiered Sundresses…$34.50

OXOX Natasha

 

Fresh Picks to Follow: Bathing Suits

Hi everyone - I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend.  I know I did.  I just got back from a quick weekend getaway in Miami with my family.  We had our first family reunion ever and we had a blast.  I spent my whole weekend with my family in SoBe relaxing on Miami Beach, shopping at the Lincoln Road Mall and going to the nightclubs.  Of course we met some family members for the first time, we reminisced about the good ole days and learned more about our family genealogy.  It was a great trip, but I just wish I had more time down in Miami.  Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow bright and early.  Sigh.

Well, obviously I didn’t have time to post my Fresh Picks on Friday, so here it is.  I saw so many great bathing suits at the beach this weekend and I wanted to share my favorites with you.  Check out my top 10 bathing suits for this week’s Fresh Pick to Follow. 

1. Victoria Secret – Push-up Halter Top & Low-rise Bottom…$21.00 & $15.00

2. Anthropologie – Beach Comber Bikini Top and Bottoms…$39.95 & $39.95

3. Victoria Secret –Wireless Push-up Halter Top & String Bottom…$18.99 & $9.99

4. Victoria Secret – Leopard-Print Wrap Monokini …$50.00

5. Coach – Haley Bikini…$148.00

6. J. Crew – Tulle Underwire Tank…$125.00

7.  Gap – Wireless Plunge Top and Banded Tie Bikini…$9.99 & $12.99

8. Anthropologie – Vitamin D Bikini and Bikini Bottom…$49.95 & $49.95

9. J. Crew – Jersey Lomellina® One-shoulder Ruched Tank…$150.00

10.  Victoria Secret –Shimmer Push-up Triangle Top & String Bottom…$30.00 & $28.00

OXOX Natasha

July Wish List – Top 3

I think that Anthropologie really has some great pieces in their stores right now.  What do you guys think?  I went into the store over the weekend and tried on a few items that I really loved.  I plan to post some reviews very soon, so stay tuned.  I recently realized that I haven’t been sticking to my original intent of posting my wish list.  I’ve been posting my top 3 items, but I haven’t been buying those particular items.  Somehow I keep ending up buying various other items that never originally made my radar.  Help!...I have a real shopping problem :)  I’m going to try to get better.  Anyways, here are my top 3 items for the month of July that I can’t live without.  What are your must have items this month?

   

                               Cirque A-Line               Around The Maypole Dress     Foundational Pencil Skirt

OXOX Natasha

Fresh Picks to Follow: Beach Bags

Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone!  I'm super excited for this long holiday weekend to begin.  Do you all have big plans?  Are you traveling anywhere or are you keeping it local?  I’m having a low key weekend with my family and friends and I can’t wait for a little R&R.   

Starting this weekend, I plan to take advantage of the sunny weather and surrounding beaches more than ever before.  I don’t know why I don’t go to beach more often, but that’s going to change this summer.  I’m going to pack up my beach bag with all of my summer essentials and relax on the beach.  I already have a couple of beach bags, but I’m always in search of the perfect bag.  I always make sure that my bag is big enough to fit all of my belongings and that it’s sturdy and durable.  I usually load up my bag with a beach towel to sit on, a beach towel to dry myself, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a book or magazines to read, my iPod, lip gloss, some food to snack on and some water.  Check out my top 10 beach bags for this week’s Fresh Pick to Follow.  Are you headed to the beach this weekend? What do you pack in your beach bag? 

1. Talbots - Sequin Sparked Tote…$74.25 (was $99.00)

2. Anthropologie - Tackle Box Tote…$78.00

3. Land’s End - Women's Raffia Stripe Beach Tote…$79.99 (was $98.00)

4. L.L. Bean - Boat and Tote Bag, Open-Top…$24.95 (large)

5. Ann Taylor Loft - Colored Vinyl Tote…$29.50

6. Land’s End - Women's Large Rectangle Tote…$24.00 (was $49.50)

7. J. Crew - Tisbury Bucket Bag…$29.99 (was $49.50)

8. Old Navy - Women's Braided Jacquard-Print Totes…$19.94

9. Wet Seal - Rope Tie Hobo Bag…$22.80

10. J.Crew - Angela Adams® and Sea Bags Dipped Sail Bag...$198.00

OXOX Natasha