Latest EDITION

The Westfield Mall, Union Square San Francisco, is the new home to Banana Republic's accessory store "Edition". I'm not sure if this is a test store designed to get a feel for consumer interest or if it is intended to be a single stand alone store. For now, it's the only one it's kind so I peaked in to see what the buzz is all about.

Edition is a small boutiquish space filled with scarves, hats, eyewear, shoes, fragrance and of course jewelry. And though they had a good size selection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings -- I wasn't blown away. Quite a bit of their selection is currently available at Banana Republic. I found that to be confusing. I was expecting a whole new look and all new product. If that wasn't the intention, then why not just add a bigger selection of product to the existing website?

On a positive note, the jewelry was displayed in a way that was inviting and easy to try on. There was a nice selection of Indian inspired jewelry, rich in yellow gold and semi precious stones. Prices varied -- the most expensive piece I saw was $250. For the most part the prices are reasonable though I didn't feel compelled to buy anything. BUT, if you find something you like and you spend over $75 between June 1 - June 15, you will receive a letter intial charm for free!

On the Go

I don't know about you, but it seems like I'm CONSTANTLY running errands. Between grocery shopping, picking up the dry cleaning, running to the bank, getting the car washed, picking up shoes at the at Nordstrom's half yearly sale, (FYI -- the walnut creek location has a pretty good selection of designer handbags. Lots of Valentino, marni etc. on sale! Plus they are pre-selling gucci handbags.) it always seems that there are umpteen thousand tasks that need to be done.

Most of my errands just pop up and need to be done, immediately. I usually just throw something on and run out the door. And since the sporty look is not my forte you can imagine my frustration. But come on, I'm NOT going to Bed Bath and Beyond in heels (oooh, I love these).

I've been coveting these BEAUTIFUL Lanvin satin kicks for some time now. They're sweet, and sporty, and, hip, and timeless all in one, AND they're tennis shoes so my feet will be well taken care of. These shoes are the perfect finishing touch to jeans, cropped pants, a short skirt or even a jersey dress.

I visit barneys.com almost daily to see if these little beauties have gone on sale. With all things that I "need", can you blame me?

Ringseclectic

I love jewelry (among many other things), and I have collected a lot over the years -- I know, shocking! And though my collection is ever growing, I pretty much wear the same combination of jewelry, ever day. Boring as it may be, it's true. The only thing that changes, almost daily, is the cocktail ring I wear on my right hand. Cocktail rings have this way of adding a little something extra to your daily ensemble. At the very least, it makes a great conversation piece!

A few weeks ago I stumbled on and then quickly scooped up a new line that makes fantastic rings -- Ringsecelctic! Lucky for me they are based here in the Bay Area so I was able to visit the collection and meet with Melanie the designer, in person. The best part is that Melanie and her mother hand make each and every ring! I was so impressed -- these days it's so rare to find beautiful things that are still made by the designer herself! If the rings aren't enough to make you fall in love, Melanie also has an amazing selection of one of a kind necklaces.

Needless to say, I couldn't resist and so I've ordered these amazing rings for iniam. AND for myself, of course!

Here's a Clu

I just got back from a relaxing week in Texas! For those of you wondering, "why Texas?" -- it's where I grew up. Truth be told, I love it there! I mean I love Cali, but Texas was my first home, so naturally I'm attached. And of course there are things about growing up in Texas that I'm still very fond of. For example, I love drinking ice tea! Back home, water and ice tea are almost synonymous. And it's not "raspberry" ice tea or "mango" ice tea...it's just ice tea. I love eating Tex-Mex...who doesn't love queso? I'm not referring to the literal spanish word meaning cheese, rather the Tex-Mex word which refers to hot liquid cheese mixed with salsa and/or avocado.

There are an infinite amount of things I could list about what I love...but my next favorite thing is that women there like to get dressed up. I'm not saying that women in Texas are setting runway trends. Heck, I saw some women at the airport I wanted to push into the ladies bathroom so I could do a quick style consult. Having said that, in general, women in Texas dress up for "regular" activities. Going to dinner, the movies, shopping or just out for coffee -- getting dolled up is not a big deal. No one looks at you funny if you wear a long dress and heels to run errands.

I can do casual, I just have to think about it. I'd be more myself in a prom dress than in a sweat suit. I wish I was one of those girls who could throw on a pair of yoga pants, a cute sweater, sunglasses, hip flip flops and be ready to go. I try..I do. I set my mind out to buy James Perse and I come back with a cocktail dress. Where am I going to wear a cocktail dress to? With 2 little dudes in my life, I'm pretty much wearing that cocktail dress to watch Thomas the Tank Engine with my 3 year old!

BUT...now I have hope or better yet I have Clu. Clu is a great line for tshirts, dresses, tanks, leggings, cardigans and so much more. The line adds great detail to what would normally be considered an ordinary garment. A tshirt that may have been overlooked now makes an impression. I love the velvet trim, or chiffon sleeves or ruffled neckline that adds a little something special. Clu is a great way to do casual and still look effortlessly put together.You can play it down, or like someone I know...ahem, ahem, you can put it together with skinny pants/jeans and heels (or flats/sandals if it's "thomas" time) and you are casual and stylish all in one.

So come on YA'LL, give it a try! Oh, and you guessed it....iniam's got it!

Game Plan

I've been writing this blog for a little while now, and I have to say I love writing it! The blog is evolving and I'm continually trying to figure out what my readers are looking for. As much as I enjoy writing, I haven't exactly been consistent. I thought my poor husband was my only reader, so I've become a little loosey goosey about blogging.

Over the last few weeks, I've learned that perhaps I may have a few more readers than just my husband. It thrills me to know this and so I owe it my readers to blog more often. So here's the new plan: I will put up new posts every monday, wednesday and friday. I'll touch on style, trends, tips and tricks and my personal fashion must haves or whatever else is on my mind. BUT, what I am really hoping for is that you guys will send me questions, thoughts, ideas on all things fashionable. If you aren't sure what to wear to a day wedding, write me? If you have a limited budget and want to know what key piece to buy for the season, write me. If you are having trouble finding silhouettes that fit your body, write me. If you wonder if the NuBra really works, write me!

I often get questions through iniam about colors, trends, styling, accessories, fit. I feel that this blog may be the best forum on how to share some of those things with all of you. So don't be shy. Drop me a line...in the meantime, I will have new things for you to read through out the week!

I write, you read (i hope), you ask, I share. Deal?

Well, I'm knee deep in grout, tile, faucets, sinks and paint -- we FINALLY decided to remodel our bathroom! I've been dying to start this remodel project since we moved in almost 41/2 years ago. My bathroom may be clean and it does it's job, but there are NO bells and whistles. Let's just say I like the garage better than the bathroom. But, according to the contractor, in two LONG weeks, we will have a brand new bathroom. I want to say it will be beautiful and zen and my escape from the circus in my home, but what do I know about picking tile. Ask me about what shoes to buy, and well, we could be here for days. I'd like to think I have a semi decent design aesthetic, but I'm visual. I don't know if the soap box should be in the middle of the shower or off centered so that we have an overtly custom looking bathroom. What the heck am I talking about?

The one thing I do know is that I LOVE taking showers. Frankly, having an inviting bathroom is more important to me than a beautiful kitchen. My time in the bathroom is my escape. I love long showers and soft lighting. Heck, if I had it my way, I would have a gigantic bathroom with a steam shower and a sauna and a huge tub and a beautiful shower with a big bench and my own sink. I would also have lots of fancy potions and lotions to make me feel like I just got back from the spa. My bathroom won't be huge and we certainly won't have a sauna, but I will have Claus Porto soaps!

These fragrant soaps are 100% natural, vegetable based and concentrated with shea butter. The "soap bar that lasts forever" is milled 7 times so that there is no cracking or splitting and the fragrance lasts until the very end of the bar! Imagine smelling like almond, honeysuckle, sandalwood, rose, fig, tuberose...I'm only listing a few of the many fragrances.

I'm not sure how my bathroom is going to turn out, but I do know that I will have a soap box. And in my glass tiled soap box I will have Claus Porto soaps -- rose and sandalwood to be exact.

Make a Splash

I'm a summer baby. Oh man were my childhood birthday parties the best! What can beat swimming all day followed by pepperoni pizza and cookie cake? Maybe a Marni clutch -- I digress. I have fond memories of my mom taking me shopping for my summer swimsuits. Those days it was all about looking good while IN the water. Although I'm still excited about looking fabulous in the pool, I'm even more excited about looking fabulous while sipping cocktails, pool side. Ok, maybe I'll be sipping ice tea and with 2 little kids instead of "sitting" it'll be more like "chasing" but either way, I want a gorgeous swim suit.

It can't be just any swimsuit. It has to be comfortable, offer proper "bum" coverage and be in a color/print that represents you. And of course, who better to offer you all that but Trink Turk?! Oh girls, it's almost too good to be true. But it is true! And it's beautiful and it fits well and it's well priced! Whether you want a 2 piece or 1 piece, you will find a suit in vibrant colors and prints that will surely fit your body and your sense of style. Trina's swim line also offers a variety or cover ups and beach bags to add to your ensemble. What else can you ask for?

I couldn't wait for my birthday. I already gifted myself a Trina swimsuit (it's a one piece and yes, it's sexy) . BUT, if you bump into my husband and he's not sure what to get his summer babe -- tell him to it rhymes with "barni flutch".

Marky "MARC" and the Funky Bunch!

We just slashed the prices on our beloved Marc. Yup, 50% off ALL spring clothing! Trenches, dresses, shorts, tees and so much more. It's all the favorites that you have been coveting this season!

At half the price, you can get twice as much!