eBay Buy of the Week

For Baking Cookies:

Polka Dot Trimmed Top


Silk Circle Skirt


Black & White Embroidered Apron

Then later, thrown on some denim cut-offs and slip-on sneakers for a summer bike ride!

*eBay Buy of the Week posted every Tuesday.

How to Stretch Leather Shoes

I bought a pair of deadstock wedges on eBay only to find that they're a little too snug. I've broken in shoes that fit like this before, but it's a long and painful process that is usually paired with purse stuffed with flip-flops. I'm looking for a shortcut. One suggestion came from a Bloomingdale's salesperson:

Mix rubbing alcohol and water on a cotton ball
Saturate the leather that I want to stretch
Stick feet in shoes
Repeat once dry

Anybody have other suggestions?

eBay Buy of the Week Part II

I'm on an eBay kick lately, so I'm sharing some of the fun stuff I've found. It's a shoe-nanza!


red & white spectator flats


olive suede espadrilles


vintage bass tan stacked wedges (same ones I have that I wear with everything)


navy cut-out heel slip-ons


woven tan ankle-strap wedges

Gathered Short Skirts

Lately, I've been into full skirts that hit mid-thigh. They're fun to swish around and add volume to a silhouette. I like to wear a loose-fitting top untucked and belted, or a fitted shirt tucked in with the waistband near my bellybutton. This all started with the american apparel skirt I found myself wearing three times a week. Forever 21 seems to have a lot of great skirts out. And, of course, there's always the thrift stores. Those full, knee-length skirts that were popular about 4-5 years ago could easily be hemmed. The scrap could even be made into a petticoat!

eBay Buy of the Week

Vintage Striped Wrangler Top


Karen Walker High-Waisted Jeans


Marc Jacobs Platforms


or for the more budget conscious, Vintage Peep-Toe Woven Wedges


*Posted every Tuesday.

Thing I Wanted ...

And I got! Yay! I'd been eyeing this Brette Sandler swimsuit since the spring, but put it out of my mind since I thought I'd find something less expensive. After last week's shopping mishaps though, I turned to the internet and managed to find the swimsuit on sale! I gave it a test run at the pool this weekend. It's fab. I was worried that the unpadded bandeau top might flatten me out too much, but the curved cut across the top suggests a shape.

Things I Wanted (Needed?) & Didn't Get

I had a shopping strike-out this weekend. As in, I struck out. New swimsuit? Swing and a miss. I'd been eyeing the Syla Ava bikini and discovered a sample sale that was carrying it. I got all psyched up to go first thing in the morning (which is hard for me on a day off) and no one answered the door! I reassured myself. It's ok. I moved on to a pair off gray camper sandals that I tried on a month ago but were now on sale. I immediately attacked the first salesperson I saw and asked for my size. The doubtful look on his face told me they were probably out. I waited. What? Every other size but mine? Erg. Fine. I can save the money. And if I had really truly loved them, I would have bought them last month. OK. Next! Agent Provocateur. Eight months ago I bought an undie set that I loved, felt guilty about the cost (paid full price which I rarely do), and returned it. Lo and behold, it was now on sale. The saleswoman was confident that they had my size. Another worker went to check. Comes back with a no. My original saleperson didn't believe her. Went to check for herself. I appreciated her tough-girl attitude that allowed her to doubt her coworker. I waited expectantly for her to come back around the corner. She returned to me empty-handed with a look of disbelief. It was then that I gave up on the shopping trip and indulged in fancy chocolate.

eBay Buy of the Week

Vintage neon espadrilles ...
to go along with the pinkie nail ring below.

Supreme Awesomeness

I came across this amazing piece of jewelry. It's not a ring, but a fingertip piece. A fake nail held on by a ring. I used to pierce my fingernail back in junior high and put a jump ring through it, like a hoop. But maybe it's time to upgrade and mature a little. Spend some of that stimulus check like I'm supposed to.

eBay Buy of the Week

popsicle molds!


pic-a-nic basket!

I'm getting ready for a lovely, long weekend! My version of this supercute picnic basket will probably be something more like a tote bag, but I'm definitely going to attempt booze-infused popsicles.

Watermelon Agua Fresca
Elizabeth Karmel, executive chef, Hill Country

1/2 fresh watermelon, seeded and diced (yields about 6 cups of juice)
2 small limes, juiced
1/4 teaspoon fine-grained sea salt
1 1/2 cups St. Germain liqueur (or sparkling wine), optional

Place a fine sieve in a large bowl or other container. Push watermelon fruit through the sieve to eliminate pulp and collect juice. (You can strain a second time with an even finer sieve or cheesecloth.) Alternatively, purée fruit in a blender and strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Set aside.

In a large pitcher, mix lime juice and salt. Add watermelon juice and optional liqueur, and stir well. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Stir well just before use.

Pour into Popsicle molds, and let freeze overnight. Serves 12.

Recipe from New York Magazine.