I love:

1. Then Again by Diane Keaton ($17)

2. Gnome Container ($68)

3. Cadiz Mug ($10)

4. Miansai rope bracelet ($68)

5. Suede ankle boots ($116)

Current faves:

1. Sperry Top-Sider Bluefish -- $79
2. Madewell Perfect Chambray shirt -- $68
3. ASOS Floral Silk Look Print scarf -- $27.70
4. Fossil Vintage Reissue Messenger -- $168
5. Rebecca Minkoff Twiggy bracelet -- $100

Penguin Threads

This fall, Penguin Books is releasing new editions of 3 classic novels: Emma (by my friend Ms. Austen), Secret Garden (one of my all time faves), and Black Beauty. The most amazing part? The covers are embroidered. I can't stop looking at the pictures. So beautiful. Done by the talented Etsy artist Jillian Tamaki, I am itching to get my hands on these.

images via Jillian Tamaki

5 faves:

Despite my (sometimes) expensive shoe buying habits, I'm not one of those girls that has to use department store beauty products. I've found that things found in the drugstore or Target actually work just as well, sometimes better, than that expensive stuff. Here are the five things that I can't live without:

1. John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum ($9.99) @ Walgreen's -- I usually let my hair air dry, so this is a necessity

2. Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 with Helioplex ($14.99) @ Walgreen's -- I'm fair skinned and burn easily so I need a daily moisturizer with SPF. Plus, I feel good knowing I'm protecting my skin from the damaging rays that cause skin cancer and premature aging. Its non-greasy feel and light scent aren't bad either

3. Tressume Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Protective Spray ($4.75) @ Drugstore.com -- when I do blow dry, flatiron, or curl my hair, I always use this. Keeps the heat from causing damage. And doesn't leave a residue on my hair or the tools

4. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($8.97) @ Walmart -- my dermatologist turned me onto this cleanser and I've been using it ever since. Gets my skin clean without over drying. 

5. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold ($14.99) @ Walgreen's -- the. best. spray. ever. I am completely in love with this hairspray. I will never use another. It's so strong, it holds curl in my hair all day, something that no other spray has been able to do. But it's so light, my hair still moves freely. No crunch. And with a UV filter, it protects my hair from fading while keeping it looking fabulous.

I need:

I spend way too much surfing the internet. And I come across the coolest stuff that I can't afford but absolutely must have. Like this bike:

And the these plates:

They look like buildings when stacked on top of each other. Genius! I would have already bought them if they didn't cost over $700! But aren't they the coolest plates you've ever seen?

Pure awesomeness.

Tonight I discovered one of my new favorite things:

Taking screenshots of friends' faces freezing during video chats. Haah.

If you're chatting with me, watch out, you could be next.

Today's faves

Here are few of my favorite things today (and sometimes other days as well):

• Jane Austen
• bathrooms that work (finally)
• blackberry cobbler
• snuggly puppies

And here are a list of things that I would pass up if I could:

• sore throats
• family dinners
• chapped lips
• grogginess from medication
• cold feet

On another note, I have decided to start listening to all of my music on vinyl from now on. Well, I know its not possible when I'm in the car or traveling, but anytime I am home all music will be played in the form of an LP. I've found the perfect player on amazon and until then I have stolen my dad's old one. I am convinced that this is the best way to truly enjoy music. I love the rawness of it.

Read this great article about the joy of vinyl records.

Today's Picks

Today I learned that there are many different sizes of firewire cables. I also enjoyed a long overdue Walker Sampler platter at the lovely Walker household. And I finished watching the Sound of Music with Lauren. Andrew worked.

These are our current favorite things:

Andrew
Book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Movie: Lord of the Rings
Game: Diablo 3
Song/Band: "Paper Planes" by M.I.A.

Meghan
Book: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Movie: Penelope
Game: Sims 2
Song/Band: "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by the Ting Tings