Not sure how many of you feel about VIX swimwear but I think its pretty shibby. Doesn't mean I can afford the full-price stuff, but I normally get mine on sale.

Speaking of sales, I have a 25% off coupon good for life. Enter it into their website and get 25% off their full-price merchandise, whenever you want, however many times you want, this coupon does not expire.


VIP25
www.vixswimwear.com


My faves from their 2009 collection:



PARIS BLACK RAYON ELIE CAFTAN
Multi-colored geometric print with black enameled 23k gold plated accessories.

A simple green bikini, reminding us all of lush tropical paradises...

PARADISE GREEN
Green palm print with white enameled 23k gold ring accessories.

An elegant coverup, with just enough white to look demure and just enough pink to make it look sassy.

SOLID FULL LENGTH DRESS

This just grabbed me when I first saw it. Maybe its the ruffle? Maybe its all the fun colors put together?

SOLID TEXTURED DRESS

From their sale stuff:

Pretty colors, all in a stripe!

CASSIA
Stripe pink and white with gold detail.

The cutest tote ever!

PALMILLA KAKUI TOE
Bohemian chic canvas tote with green tropical print and woven beaded handles. Interior features zipper pocket. 19x6x14

I love this one. Not only is it a dark dark purple but its got a bit of shimmer to the suit. I think its daring and makes the wearer look like a woman in charge!

FAITH
Solid magenta suit with gold detail.


So go enjoy the suits, find something you like, and maybe the swimsuit fairy will be extra kind to you this summer!

Love prettily colored earrings? Sweet! So do I!

Love giveaways? Awesome! So do I!

So on that note of agreeableness I bring to you a giveaway for some lovely earrings in conjunction with Designs by Vanessa and Musette Made. Click HERE for the giveaway.

Musette Made has a lovely host of earrings for sale. My faves include:





These are the earrings that are in the giveaway, so go to Designs by Vanessa's blog entry above to enter!

I have a soft spot in my heart for soft blankets and throws. Who wouldn't love those on a ski vacation? Snuggling up in front of the fire, with a a lovely laptop on my lap and my best blanket by my side... I'd sing, sing, sing "I'm a ShiShu fan and I'm ok, I love natural things and bamboo throws!"

Visit A Latte in the Morning, because they have an excellent giveaway going in coordination with ShiShu Style . Get a chance to win a beautiful ShiShu baby blanket (or mini-throw as I call it, lol!) ENTER HERE

I'm a personal fan of anything natural (I HATE poly stuff) and I love the idea of super soft blankets made from something so ultra easy to grow. Talk about renewable products that give and give and give! And in lovely colors that are easy on the eyes but that add pizzazz to any room!

The company has beautiful baby blankets and adult-sized throws too!

Ahhh ski socks. You can't go on a ski trip and not deal with ski socks. Once the realm of ugly greys and unfun black, or truly hideous color combinations (remember those ugly brown and orange ones? The ones that scream 1970?) Well ski socks have gone to new heights in recent years to become more fashionable and fun. Now they have some great patterns, fabulous colors, and they still retain their wonderful warmth, wicking and padding abilities. There are enough styles and colors to make even the fussiest of fashionistas and hardcore ski girls happy. I saw some great pink and blue ones today here at Stowe, Vt. And found some even better ones online so that you're feet can also be warm and wickedly fashionable!



These polka-dot ski socks are for the fun-loving skier! Original and without boundaries, and available in fun colors too!

Scott Polka Dot Socks

These striped socks are just darling! I love the lilac colored ones...how pretty are those?

Scott Spin Socks

Check out these Bridgedale Ski Socks! A gorgeous duo-shade of blues, this will make you want to glide on the mountains for hours!

Bridgedale Women's Ski Precision Fit Light Weight Sock

What is not to love about these? Available in two different colors, these lightweight striped socks are adorable!


Fox River Women's Pippi Light Weight Ski Socks

Darling daisy socks from Euro Socks. Fresh and bright, these are a new take on the traditional ski sock!

Euro Sock Snowdrop Women's Ski Socks

These primo ski socks rock...and are available in an array of lush wondeful colors! I'm personally lusting after the pink and the blue ones!

Euro Socks Ski Supreme


These are absolutely, positively on my "must buy for next year" ski socks. What skiier doesn't love cow print? Helllooo cow bells!

Euro Sock Got Snow? Ski Socks

Today is another gorgeous day in Stowe, VT! The sky is the most utterly gorgeous shade of intense periwinkle blue that I have ever seen....not a cloud for miles! With the tall green pines against that incrediable blue sky, all the colors of vermont seem to pop! The white looks whiter, the green looks greener, the dusky colors of the mountains seem deeper, and the blue just glows.


Here's a treasure trove of jewels that exemplify everything I feel when I see that gorgeous blue sky!

This stunning necklace just makes me want to fly away into that beautiful blue sky! From Marie Marie's etsy shop.

Periwinkle Blue Chalcedony Briolette Leaf Pendant Necklace or Choker - 14k Gold-filled Link Chain, $96


From Gosia's Etsy shop comes these earrings that just glow with inner periwinkle blue beauty!

Opalite Glass Earrings, $26

Beautiful blue chalcedon earrings...imagine these gently swinging from your ears! From Beadstylin's etsy shop.

Bluemist...Chalcedony and Goldfill Earrings, $22

These bright periwinkle earrings would enliven any outfit! From The Pink Chick's etsy shop. And right now, she's offering free shipping! What a deal!!

Periwinkle n Black, $12.25

Small bright points of blue light will shimmer on any outfit! This necklace comes from Faeriedtreasures's etsy shop.

Messengers - Necklace, $20

Small drops of periwinkle blue earrings! From BlacksAndDesigns's etsy shop.

Periwinkle Blue Chalcedony, $20

A stunner of a glass ring from Daydream Glass's etsy shop!

Pretty Periwinkle And Sky Blue Ring, $28.99

Beautiful right? And about time I get off this computer and go outside so I can enjoy that gorgeous color in nature, not just looking out my window!

Mrs. Cox's Slice of Heaven blog is hosting a giveaway for some darling earrings from Ornamental's etsy shop.

Check the giveaway out HERE .



The reason I love these earrings? Red. Delightful and simple with a real burst of color.


So go, check out the giveaway, check out Ornamental's shop...maybe you'll find something sweet and lovely that you like AND you might win something great!

This week my family is vacationing in Stowe, Vt. We're here for a week of skiing, relaxing and taking in the area's charm. We managed to nab this gorgeous rental house, www.houseinstowe.com , for the week, very french-country charm with beautiful antiques and oriental rugs everywhere. Just charming. The house also has a lot of blue and white porcelain plates, bowls, and decor everywhere. They even have a blue and white porcelain sink in the powder room! Darling!! They manage to have it everywhere, from rooster statues, to plates on walls, to tiles in the bathroom and it all ties in so well. Bring in a bit of this into your life, and make a charming addition to any outfit or room!

Check out these great items. Some are old pieces of porcelain, recreated into fabulous items. Some are pieces for your home. Everything is great blue and white porcelain themed!




A hint of porcelain for your ear, from From My Desert Studio
Chinese Lantern Earrings

$12



An amazing bracelet that will be sure to be a conversation-starter piece! From
Lizzie Sarah Designs Etsy shop!
Porcelain and Vermeil Gold Cluster Bracelet


$60



Need a holder for your cards? Try this sedate business card holder from
BrokenChinaTreasures Etsy Shop
Business Card Holder


$30




From Lara Lewis Etsy Shop comes these adorable and simple porcelain owl earrings!
Owlet Earrings

$9.



I think this store has a darling necklace and earring set. If you like delicate jewelry with a hint of color, this for you! From the etsy shop of hello berlin . Not sold as a set.
Down The Rabbit Hole Necklace


$15.


Down the Rabbit Hole Earrings

$8

Want to bring some porcelain into your life on a regular basis? This hobo will last you for the whole season! From slheuston's etsy shop.
Oriental Dragon Hobo Boho Bag

$45



Need a great pillow to tie it all together? Georgia' Gem Etsy shop has the pillow for you:
Chinese Dragon Feather Toss Pillow Soft Cotton Sateen

$25



The house has a darling powder room with a blue-white china sink. I totally fell in love with the concept....
Porcelain Bathroom Vessel Sink

$150

I stumbled upon The Purple Store eaaaarly this morning (really, what am I still doing up??) and just HAD to blog about it. Starting a new blog about color and fashionable items? Finding a store called The Purple Store featuring items that are only purple? Match made in blogsphere heaven. Now it might seem odd to have a store devoted entirely to purple, but I know quite a few people who LOVE purple. To the point of obsession. To the point of needing to know about the purple store.

Where else, really, would you be able to find a purple colander for cooking if not at the purple store?


Purple Enamel Colander

Or this really neat hand-vac...also in a (frankly) delicious shade of purple. Talk about looking good while you clean!

Plum Dirt Devil KONE Cordless Vac

And I have to say....if all handy tools came in this shade...don't you think we'd use them more often?

Purple Leatherman Multi-tool


Its definitely worth a look around their site...especially if you know of someone in need of a little bit more purple in their life! They even have pet items too, so you can deck yourself AND your pooch out in purple!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

In honor of St. Patrick's day, and the happy-go-lucky green, here are some fabulous bits of green that should be added to YOUR wardrobe...not just for today, but for the whole year! Green, when added in judiciously, can be a great accent color, and really makes an outfit just shine! Using jewelry to bring in green is one of the best, and easiest, ways to go! Priced from moderate to a wee expensive, they fit in all budgets!

On the easier-on-the-pocket end of thing, and if you like only a hint of color, are these simple but pretty earrings from JewelsRules's etsy shop. At $5.75 (yes FIVE. SEVENTY. FIVE!!), these are a quick and elegant way to bring in a bit o'green into your life.

Silver Twister and Emerald Earrings, $5.75 at JewelsRules


In the more moderate price range are these emerald onyx beauties over at Sora Studio's etsy shop. These faceted green onyx earrings with 14k gold are an absolute STEAL at $28!! Sora always uses real faceted gems, no plastic or acrylic earrings here! And at her prices, how can you resist? These would be fabulous earrings for everything from day-to-day to evenings out! Sure to get compliments wherever you go!


Bright Green Onyx Drop Chandelier 14K Gold Earrings, $28 at Sora Studio

These have to be in a strong tie with the Sora Studio earrings above...These darling, lovely, pretty, gorgeous earrings are from pendredkeller28's etsy shop. These feature 6 emerald green onyx smooth briolettes and 8 lemon quartz faceted rondelles on sterling silver earwires. I love the mixture of the smooth onyx briolettes and the faceted lemon quartz rondelles. And I absolutely adooooore the pairing of the deep emerald onyx and the fresh lemon quartz!


Green Onyx and Lemon Quartz Chandelier Earrings, $26 at PendredKeller28

Next up is a pair of vibrant emerald green dangle earrings! These lovelies have a very strong color and the copper wire really makes them stand out even more! I can just see these on someone with dark hair...the copper would stand out even more and the emerald would just glow! From the Tangocatgems etsy shop. At a whopping $22, its hard to turn these down!

Emerald Chalcedony Vine Earrings, $22 at Tangocatgems


For people who are not earrings fans (and you're out there, I know!) this is a stunning kaleidoscope of greens on a bracelet. From Valentina's Jewelry etsy shop. This woman KNOWS fine jewelry, and this bracelet is no break in tradition. Composed of silver, the delicate cuff is topped with mint green chrysoprase faceted briolettes, tiny green onyx faceted rondellas and chrome diopside color cubic zirconium faceted briolettes. So basically its a medley of beautifully faceted gems, just glimmering with green! Perfect for spring! What a way to usher in the spring season!!


Green Whisper Bracelet, $75 at Valentina's Jewelry


So get out there, wear some green, and maybe the luck of the Irish will smile down upon you today! And if St. Paddy's Day isn't your thing, don't be afraid to sport green all year round, it always adds a bit of life to any outfit!