lavender fields forever

Today I'm wishing I was here:

But it's Monday and not only am I NOT at a lavender field in Sonoma, I am back at my desk. I need a vacation. Nine days and counting til London ...

Read this and share my longing to shun life, pack up and move to a lavender farm.

my gorgeous new toy

I made a pretty big splurge last Friday. I got a pretty new toy:

Aint she a beauty? I'd been mildly obsessed with the idea of getting myself a really nice digital camera for awhile now. Last year, I scrimped and got an Exilim through Amazon and thought got a really great deal ... until the damn thing just refused to turn on a few months later. Even while I had it though, I was quite disappointed with the pictures it took and always preferred the ones from Mika's digital camera. His is a Sony point-and-shoot but it's got Carl Zeiss lenses and has just always taken kick ass pics. And he's happily used the same camera for the last 3 years while I blundered about with cheaper ones that I was never happy with. So I splurged, and yesterday I took it out for a turn in Fire Island. I don't have blog-appropriate shots to post this time, but I can say that this is THE BEST digicam I've ever owned. There are several idiot-proof modes to choose from that allow me to take great pictures without ever knowing what the words "aperture speed" even mean. Last night I was able to take great shots at sunset AND pictures on a beach that was pitch black. Needless to say, I'm very happy with my little splurge. I got a pretty good deal at J&R in Manhattan, where the Leica C-Lux 3 is selling for $459 with an additional $75 rebate. Can't wait to post way better photos on the blog!

P.S. Sorry Buddha, you gave me very sound advice about getting a Luminex (which also has a Leica lens and costs waaay less) ... but I made the mistake of asking to see the cute white Leica and once it was in my hands, I was a lost cause. There's just no going back when you've had that beauty in your hands! I am superficial. Yes, I am.

forever 21 love

First of all, I have to say how much I love it that Forever 21 now shows their clothes on people. Really makes impulse online shopping that much easier when you can imagine how something looks (ok maybe it's not 100% acurate since I'm not a 5'11 model with boobs, but still...)! Second, I just love these flowered dresses. Nothing I want to wear more than little flowered dresses on a (hopefully) sunny weekend.

Those two would easily transition into fall with the coming season's requisite black leather biker jacket, some tights and booties. If you're in denial like I am, though, and feel like summer has barely even started yet, go with a dress that's just pure sunshine like this:

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go with sunshine. Wishing you all a great weekend with lots of sunshine, bubbly drinks, pretty dresses and wonderful company!

friday morning wood

Sounds dirty, I know. Sorry I couldn't resist. Very wholesome post coming, actually. I moved into a new office this week and have been slightly obsessive about nesting there. I'm hoping to stay in this spot for a bit because I'm tired of moving around. Maybe some cute desk accessories will help:

Antheneum tape dispenser at Anthropologie ($20); wood grain folders ($20), wooden pen and pencil by Housei Suzuki and bamboo desk clock by Yusuke Tsujita at the MoMa Store; solid wood stapler at Urban Outfitters ($19.99)

All the pieces together might be overkill, but two or three pieces could make sitting behind a desk a wee bit more interesting ...

the great white shirt

Is it strange to be unreasonably in love with a white shirt? Cos I really, really, really do love this buttondown tuxedo shirt from J. Crew. I mean look at it:

So crisp yet nonchalant. So easy but put-together. Oh how I love it ... maybe $69.50 isn't such a bad price to pay when it's love ...