Lust List: Gap Spring 2012

I have not even been blog-adjacent these days, but that does not mean that I've forgotten you, oh Specs-y ones.  Lately I've been working quite a bit and trying to get back in control of my fitness.  (You're my witness.) 

If all this treadmilling pays off, maybe I'd look super swell in some of the following picks from Gap.  Remember that you can always get a coupon or score a sale at Gap.  Never pay full price there.

Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but dang it--I love a striped T-shirt.  $19.95

I might just be crazy enough to rock that tee with these green pants.  LOVE 'em.  $59.95

This would be an excellent topper to the outfit I just assembled, if it happens to be raining.  Gap calls it an anorak, but we don't really have that word in Tennessee.  It's a rain jacket.  $188

So I don't really wear ties so often, but if I did....wow.  $29.95

Well, when it comes to my style, I'm nothing if not consistent.  This canvas bag is stellar.  Even though I'm not usually a big orange fan (again, a TN reference), I'm feeling it this time.  $69.95

Lust List: Lands' End Canvas Spring 2012

So after my mini living room makeover, I'm kind of blowing my no-spend first quarter.  That is why, dear readers, I will try to restrain myself to only ogling pictures of my latest favored items from Canvas.  (It's hard to believe that it's been almost two years since my first post about this line.)

A ringer tee with gray stripes on a white background--but this one has a blue collar.  Hehe.  $25

Like I need another cardigan.  But just look at this one.  *sigh*  $80

If ever there were a Specs-y sweater, this is it.  Green and gray.  $60

Who can resist a navy pant?  These would go with any of the first three items.  $59.50

And you know I love a travel bag.  $140

Remember that it's relatively ridiculous to ever buy anything from a Lands' End company without a coupon.  Right now through February 21st, they're doing 25% off and free shipping.  I'm keeping my fingers off the shopping cart icon.  Pray for me.

My Favorite Price

That would be free.  And here are my latest freebies that the WWW has to offer.

My new blog pal Erin of Better Than Bland turned me on to Picnik.  It's my favorite of the bunch, and here's why.  It's like a free (!) online (!!) Photoshop (!!!).  You don't even have to sign up, and you can upload and edit pictures.  If you do sign up, the site keeps track of your five most recent pics. 

My favorite edit button is "Auto-fix" because it magically corrects all evils with said photos.  (You know how oft I lament my dire apartment lighting situation.)  I was considering the purchase of a new camera or Photoshop/lessons to operate Photoshop.  But no longer. 

Actually, I've gone back to some of my homemade pictures on older blog posts and corrected them with Picnik.  Tah.  Der.

I stumbled upon The League of Moveable Type when searching for cool fonts.  This is a great place for them.  Gratis!

Evernote is a site I found through Real Simple.  Go figure.  It's a one-stop destination for corralling virtually anything, from shopping lists to pictures to websites.  And it links up and syncs up across all of your devices.  Home PC.  Space phones.  iPad/Pod.  Laptop.  Dental fillings.  JK.  Not too shabby.

Lust List: CB2 Spring 2011

What is it about the impending spring that makes one want fresh linens and a house?  I'm not sure, but these catalog people certainly know.  Because they milk it.

I posted about CB2 before, but 'tis a new season with some fresh products that inspire lust in this heart.

What can I say?  I love a task lamp.  I wish this one came in other colors--namely, a really dark gray.

Are you sensing a theme?  As with anything, you get the good staples, you will go far.  This shower curtain would be really cool in a bathroom with charcoal gray paint on the walls.  You could go with ice blue towels.  Not bad, huh?

These glasses are so simple.  I could see one holding ice water, a cocktail, a pound of paper clips, or a toothbrush.  Not at the same time, hopefully.

Doesn't this sconce have that mid-century flair that's so nifty? 

I would like this whole tableau, please.  Yes, I just said tableau on my blog.  The light fixture is a major enhancement here, and those chairs make such a cool contrast againt the boxy table.

I couldn't quite get the pictures to cooperate with me this time around, but if you like any of what you see, please click on the links.  You'll be directed to the product page, where you can see enlarged images.  Tah dah.  :) 

Lust List: West Elm Spring 2011

This is how my Lust List idea started--a new West Elm catalog.  Guess what.  I got another yesterday, and I'm loving the new direction this company is taking.  It's very Americana with a twist.  Very Etsy (literally).  Very clean and fresh.  So I had to kick off a new season of the Lust.

How could I not?  Look at this.  It's almost enough to make me want to break my first-quarter-no-shopping resolution.

This is like my favorite sheets, but it's in a friggin' duvet.  What?!

You have to appreciate a simple task lamp.

Here's an awesome metal-framed mirror.  I would like to take this, turn it on the horizontal, and hang it over my couch.

Typically I shy away from red.  But this black/white/red rug is calling my name. 

Oh, wow.  This industrial metal bath cabinet blew my mind.

Ok.  I know, with the stripes, but I love them.  They make this cool shower curtain in the same gray color as the duvet.  There's a good chance I'll own it before the year is up. 

To make the resolution-keeping that much harder, I got a coupon from West Elm in my inbox today.  *sigh*  I'm trying to stay strong.

Oh, It Begins...

First off, happy new year!  Thanks for reading, as always.  I can appreciate humor in advertisements, but for some reason, this one struck me as wholly un-funny.

It's from Kenneth Cole and was waiting in my inbox today.  At first I wondered why I even get e-mail from Kenneth Cole.  Oh yes, I thought, the ads are usually pretty choice.  Not this one.  I guess I can't totally blame KC.

It's that time of year again.  I'm doing another first quarter of no extraneous spending.  It shouldn't be too difficult, really, but ads like these are just shy of irritating.  It's akin to already seeing Valentine's ephemera on the shelves. 

Other resolutions: Exercise more.  I started today with 45 minutes on the treadmill; tonight I have a date with the yoga mat.  My plan is do that tomorow and the next day.  I go back to work on Tuesday, so let's see what happens after that.

Get more informed about money.  I'm counting on LearnVest and (no kidding) The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20s and 30s.

Take the time to be more thankful for people and things in my life.  It's so easy (too easy) to whine and moan about what sucks, so I'm challenging myself to look at the alternatives.  Thanks to Megan at Pink to Green for the inspiration.

I think that's about all, but they're fairly major ones.  Do you have any resolutions?  I hope that your year is an excellent, healthy, happy one.

My Always List: Tea Tree Oil

I have normal to oily skin.  Yes, it's true.  The cheeks?  Dry as a bone.  The T-zone?  Let's just say it could fund a ce-ment pond if needed.

Despite my best efforts, I do get the occasional blemish.  And my favorite treatment is The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil.

It's a teensy bottle, but it lasts a long time.  Back when I started using this (probably high school), it was $6 a bottle.  Inflation, being the biz-nitch that it is (sorry, Mrs. J), the price has gone up to $9.  Still worth it.

I know it sounds counterintuitive to use oil on...well...oil, but it works.  Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, and it usually clears up what ails my dermis.  Plus, I really like the earthy smell. 

My Always List: (Cheap) Timex Watch

Here's where my philosophies sort of clash.  I do believe that you get what you pay for, but I also feel that spending tons of money on a 'nice' watch would be a waste (for me).  I would be a bit paranoid to take it out of the case.

Now, you probably know that I'm about as outdoorsy as George Stephanopoulos, but there's just something about this type of watch.

Maybe it's the MacGyver quality.  It's probably the only thing I own with Velcro, too. 

I like how it will last for years.  And if it does get scratched up (hey...cubicles are dangerous), I don't feel that bad.  Timex seems to fit the bill because it does last, and it doesn't cost a fortune.  I also feel naked without it.

My Always List: Loafers

I feel like most of my 'always' posts should begin with You can't really go wrong with...  Hehe.  This time is the same deal. 

A loafer.  More specifically, a driving moc, or moccasin.  What could be easier?  You slip it on with khakis or jeans, and you're set.  Some people try to get fancy with lacing or tassels or penny slots (what is this? Vegas?).  I say keep it simple. 

I like to show off my colorful socks in the cooler months and when the dress code at work is a little more buttoned-up.  Some of you may remember that, though.

For summer, I sometimes go "sockless" if the mood strikes.

My Always List: Dark Jeans

In case you couldn't tell by now, I'm rather simple in my style.  So goes the fragrance.  So goes the style.

I don't pay much attention to trends usually, unless I need a good laugh.  (See also at various times: "jeggings", ponchos, and hyper-colored throwback tennis shoes.) 

I won't willingly wear pleated pants again in my life (eighth grade was hard enough) unless they are: a) court-ordered b) part of a tacky costume or c) placed on me by a kindly nurse in the home, much further down the road.  Oh, and I'll be senile.

Another style I probably won't revisit is the light and/or faded jean.  These days, it's all dark for me.  I'm not a denim snob.  Selvedge.  Japanese.  Organic.  I don't really care.  They just need to be dark.

Right now I'm into this style from Gap.  They're Authentic fit in resin rinse.  I wouldn't turn up my cuff, though.  That's too showy.

My Always List: Burt's Bees

Ahh...lips.  I'm hooked on lip balm, and there's no telling how many I've tried over the years.  Some were cheap; others were not.  Some were too shiny; others didn't last long enough.  One even made my lips more chapped.  WTH? 

But Burt's Bees is my everyday go-to.  It's reasonably priced, goes on matte (what a concept!), and has that peppermint tingle going on.  Plus, I'm digging the brand's eco-factor.  I realize that this stuff is extremely popular, so I'm definitely not trying to reinvent the wheel.  This is just another of my staples for living.

Are you hooked on lip balm?  If so, what's your favorite?

My Always List: Fresh Linen

Ok.  You know how much I love a good scent.  And don't shoot, but one of the best ones I know of is Fresh Linen over and Bath & Body Works.  Admittedly, walking into that store is sometimes overwhelming, but this is a little diamond in the rough.  It's been one of my favorites for about ten years, I guess.

The candle is great, and I usually burn one on Sunday nights, for some reason.  I think I'm trying to banish those end-of-weekend blues.  Plus, I tend to change my sheets on Sunday afternoon, so it all conspires to make for a, well, fresh start to the week. 

Alright.  I also bought the spray and the portable scent ring thingy, too, for my car.  It's just really clean without being too flowery or powdery.  Definitely worth a sniff or two.  (And I just realized that my little candle made an appearance on this blog a while back.)

My Always List: Flip Flops

Usually they're J.Crew.  And there's a good chance I got them on sale.  There's an even better chance I can't remember when I bought them because they last for several summers in a row. 

These are one of the bright spots of my summer because they are easy-on and -off, and they provide mondo ventilation.  Plus, they strike just the right note of 'relaxed'.

My Always List: T-shirts

Other than my standard white Hanes crewnecks, which I wear almost every single day, I heavily rely on solid (usually black) T-shirts.  In the winter, it's long-sleeve and usually from the Gap.  They last forever, and when those things go on sale, I just can't help myself.  (Still, I can't bring myself to purge many of those.)

This one's from J.Crew, which also churns out some great Ts, as you may have guessed.  Their garment-dyed ones (green, please) are ace, as my pal Will from Bright.Bazaar might say. 

The summer will usually find me in black, green, or something striped.  I tend to stick with the G. BI part of ROY G. BIV.  No Tuscany for me, please.

My Always List: Classic

I can't really say enough about this next item on my list.  Banana Republic's Classic is something I've worn for many years now, and it's probably my favorite go-to, everyday fragrance.  I say 'fragrance' instead of 'cologne' because this is unisex and not very heavy at all. 

It's sort of a clean citrus smell, and if I were to have designed a bottle, this would probably have been it.  Plus, I like that it lasts all day and is not expensive.  It's simple and, well, classic.  Of course.

My Always List: Shampure

After my face is clean and scrubbed, it's time to wash the hair.  And one of my favorite shampoos is Aveda's Shampure, which was introduced to me by my pal Ashley many moons ago.

If you've never smelled the scent, then it's really hard to imagine.  It's earthy.  Like dirt-earthy.  But in the best way.  I've even gotten the gals at Aveda to mix up the fragrance into a spray bottle so I can wear it as a cologne when I feel so inclined. 

My Always List: Scrub

After obtaining clean skin, sometimes it's necessary to scrub.  I've tried several over the years, but last year I ran across this Kiehl's scrub, and it's my favorite. 

I talked a bit about Kiehl's last year in a post about one of their ads, but I've only grown fonder of the brand since then. This scrub is a bit pricey, but my first tube literally lasted a year. A dab'll do ya, so I like to divide the price by 12 months and then by how many times a month (4-6) I use it.  Then it's not so bad at all. 

It has pineapple and papaya and smells good enough to eat, if you like fruit.

My Always List: Purity

Ok.  Title of the post.  You may be thinking "He's a Jo Bro?!" 

But no.  I had this idea after looking around J.Crew.  Their creative director (Jenna Lyons, for those keeping score) comes up with an "always list" for each season.  I like that idea, so I'm blatantly copying it.

I thought I would start with the basics.  And there's nothing more basic than clean skin.  My choice to accomplish this goal is a face wash called Purity Made Simple by the brand Philosophy. 

I would classify my skin as sensitive and normal to oily.  This is just what the doctor ordered--if I went to a dermatologist, that is.  It "melts" away the oil without drying my face out.  Yikes.  Plus, it smells really good. 

Secret: I buy mine from QVC, just like an old lady, because it's way cheaper to get the jumbo size there.  And it lasts (literally) a year or longer. 

Lust List: Gap

Do you ever find yourself hitting up the exact same websites every week?  Even looking at the exact same items every time?  I do that fairly regularly, and Gap is usually a place I stop. 

As I mentioned with J.Crew a few days ago, it always helps when what I want goes on sale, and with Gap, you never have to wonder.  I can honestly say that everything at Gap goes on sale if you watch closely enough.  Or they will give you a coupon or a survey/coupon.  I live for those. 

Granted, I don't need any of these things, but that's why this is the lust list.

I know.  It's another cardigan.  And it's striped.  I say, if something works, ride it until the wheels fall off.  This one's good for work because it's lightweight but long-sleeved.

And even though I get plenty of Where's Waldo and Steve-from-Blue's-Clues references when I wear horizontal stripes, I say they're worth it.

The last thing I need.  But again.  Lust.

Aren't these the coolest?!  (They're boxers, but I wish they would make this fabric into pajama pants.)

This is a kid's shirt, but I have to represent the Smokies.  Dolly would be proud.  :)  I could probably swing a XXXL.

Lust List: J.Crew

It's been a while since my last Lust List, but I decided to start doing more posts about some of my other favorite, non-furniture stores. And what better place to start than J.Crew?

I really have a love-hate relationship with the Crew. It started way back in the late 90s, when I was a high school freshman in need of a new look. I was obsessed with the catalogs and usually devoted my Christmas list to their sweaters. (I still have some of those same ones today.)

The quality is impeccable, but unfortunately, the prices have continued to climb over the years. Now I try to catch what I want on sale because I just can't justify spending $75 on a pair of pants when they will likely go on sale in a few weeks.

At any rate, here are some of my top picks of their latest offerings.