The Best Dollar Store Ever

Ok, so I wasn't sure if I even wanted to share this, as I am already afraid the competition for amazing deals is going to be brutal, but, I felt is was bad bargain shopping karma to keep it to myself. TheOutnet.com, which is the sister discount site to net-a-porter.com, is having a major sale to celebrate it's 1st birthday. The sale will include tons of designer items with everything priced at $1. Thats right ONE DOLLAR! As I said, I am sure the site will be so overloaded the day of the sale it may be hard to get anything, but its worth a try! Judy, you could even get another pair of totally awesome sequin shorts :) Click here to go to the site and RSVP to have the link emailed to you on the day of the sale, April 16th. If you don't RSVP, you can't go to the sale site. I wish you all the best of luck!!

Crossbody Bags

I am loving the crossbody bag trend right now. They are so convenient, and there are so many cute options. The only problem is that most of them are a bit out of my price range at the moment. Last summer, Becca Crow had the cutest Rebecca Minkoff bag, so I was inspired to search her site. I found the BF Pouch, and I am obsessed! Its the perfect size for my phone, camera, a small card wallet and lipgloss. The strap length is perfect, the bag sits right at my hip. It seems like a steal at $150 and I can already tell it is going to get a lot of use this summer!

Spring has Sprung!

Today is the first 80 degree day in Dallas in 160 days! I couldn't be more ready for Spring after one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record! We have an adorable flower bed next to our front porch, so on Sunday Trey and I went to a couple of nurseries to pick out some herbs and marigolds and I got to planting! I love the end result, and really enjoyed digging around in the dirt. I might even use this weekend to start a garden in our backyard, bring on the sunshine!

Why don't you hang a Papier Mache Rhino in your living room?

I hung these simple white shelves in our living room when we first moved in so that we could display the "gun" Trey bought me last Christmas by Dallas artist Margaret Meehan. After we got the rest of the room in order, I felt we needed something above the TV. Originally I wanted a pair of antlers, but then I saw this Papier Mache Rhino head while perusing the Anthropologie website one day. It was made in Haiti from recycled books, and I think its the perfect artistic alternative to deer antlers. It really pulls the room together don't you think?

LowLuv

Last night Trey and I went to a trunk show for model and Dallas native, Erin Wasson's new jewelry line, LowLuv. The event was at my favorite Dallas store, although I can rarely afford to buy anything there, V.O.D. They carry such cute lines such as, Zero Maria Cornejo, Alexander Wang and Isabel Marant, just to name a few. Also, we hang work from the gallery on consignment and they are currently showing several Allison V. Smith photographs. LowLuv is such a cute line! I got this fantastic long gold ring with hieroglyphic style engravings (worn with my Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth and James cobra ring). The ring was $65 and there were several other affordable pieces that I would love to own. I had my eye on a really cool gold necklace and hopefully Trey got the hint ;). I am not sure what other stores are carrying the line, but since Erin supposedly spends a lot of time in Austin and New York, I am sure she is in boutiques in both places. So be on the look out for these hip, affordable jewels!

Delicious Dumplings

Claire and Jessica are in town for Market today, and stayed with us last night. They got here just in time for dinner and I was so excited to take them to Royal China. I had heard that they had great dumplings but hadn't been yet. When Claire and I lived in New York, we spent many Sundays laying around and ordering pork buns from the Happy Dumpling, so I knew she would be excited. The dumplings at Royal China were incredible! Perfectly steamed and delicious, but the dim sum selections were even better! We had the "Purple Haze" which looks a bit like a sushi role, but is actually eggplant wrapped around pork dumpling filling. And the Pearl Rice Dumpling Balls, basically a pork meat ball covered in rice, were to die for! Buck's BBQ Spare Ribs were tangy and saucy, although a bit messy (I may have ruined my shirt). In addition to the delicious food, they serve really good sake and in the cutest little individual size bottles. Trey and I will definitely be back as it is really close to us, at Preston Royal and very affordable. And for all of you who do not live in Dallas, just another reason to come visit me! :)

New Jewels

I always seem to be looking for new jewelry, which is probably because I only seem to buy cheap, fake, trendy jewels. I am always looking at other people's necklaces and earrings wondering where they got them and assuming I can't afford them. I recently read about Lux Revival on a Style/SWOON, and am obsessed. You can purchase the pieces on Etsy, and while perusing I found several other amazing necklaces from different designers that were all under $150. I especially love this dangling feather necklace which retails for $125. The price point is doable, but I am hoping Natalie is reading this entry right now and thinking. "I could make that. I should make one for Cassy and give to her as a gift for being such an awesome friend." ;) See you in a few weeks, Nat!