FASHION: SAMU-JUSSI KOSKI

DISCOVER FINNISH FASHION DESIGNER SAMU-JUSSI KOSKI. HE IS A GRADUATE OF LATHI INSTITUTE OF DESIGN. KOSKI IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE MAIN DESIGNERS FOR MARIMEKKO. HE DESIGNED HIS FIRST MARIMEKKO COLLECTION IN 2005. HE IS INSPIRED BY THE "MARI GIRL" WHO IS DESCRIBED AS A TIMELESS WOMAN WHO LOVES LIFE. LEARN MORE ABOUT SAMU-JUSSI KOSKI @ http://www.marimekko.fi/ENG/Clothes/women/samukoski/autumn2007/frontpage.htm. IMAGES ARE FROM HIS AUTUMN/WINTER 07/08 COLLECTION.

*Marimekko is a Finnish company based in Helsinki that has made important contributions to fashion, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. They are particularly noted for brightly-colored printed fabrics and simple styles*

DECOR: REST ON ME

I LOVE THESE 2 PILLOW COVERS BY WEST ELM...THE PINK, PURPLE, BROWN, & ORANGE HUES ARE CAPTIVATING. I LOVE THE PRINTS ON BOTH COVERS! THE TOP PILLOW ($24) IS VINTAGE INSPIRED & THE BOTTOM PILLOW ($29) HAS AN ASIAN FEEL. YOU CAN THROW THESE PILLOWS ON YOUR SOFA, ACCENT CHAIR, OR BED. INSERTS SOLD SEPARATELY IN FEATHER DOWN $16 OR DOWN ALTERNATIVE $13

FASHION: SALES ALERT

• SHOPBOP JUST HAD MARKDOWNS
• NEIMAN MARCUS ADDED MORE ITEMS TO THEIR FINAL CLEARANCE SALE

FASHION: UNDER $40 & FABULOUS

first up is the peacock tunic $19.80 it would be perfect with a thin turtleneck underneath for those cool days paired with a dark park of skinny jeans. next up is this cute cinched-waist down jacket $32.80 dress it up for a night out with a slim pencil skirt and heels. last but certainly not least is this royal blue satin tube dress $22.80 dress this one down with a logo tee, cropped jacket, & a cute pair of flats. all items available @http://forever21.com!

FASHION: RAIN RAIN GO AWAY?

MAYBE NOT...ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET TO WEAR THESE ADORABLE & PRACTICAL HUNTER "ORIGINAL" RAIN BOOTS. THEY COME IN A MULTITUDE OF COLORS; RED, NAVY, BLACK, GREEN, BROWN, LIME, PINK, BROWN, YOU NAME! THE BOOTS ARE $98 BUT THINK OF THEM AS AN INVESTMENT! THERE WILL ALWAYS BE RAIN & YOU'LL ALWAYS WANT TO LOOK CUTE IN THE RAIN! SNATCH UP A PAIR OR TWO OF HUNTER "ORIGINAL" RAIN BOOTS...YOU WILL HAVE THESE BOOTS FOR YEARS TO COME & THEY WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE! AVAILABLE @ SHOPBOP, BLOOMINGDALES, NORDSTROMS, OR VISIT http://www.hunter-boots.com

LIFESTYLE: READ THIS

do you find yourself eating out more? is it convenient/cheaper to just grab & go instead of preparing a home cooked meal? this article from msn may explain why. just remember eating out can expand your waistline...be careful & make healthy selections! click on the link below:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/IsEatingOutCheaperThanCooking.aspx

TRAVEL: SEOUL PATROL

RANDOM SHOTS TAKEN IN AND AROUND SEOUL SOUTH KOREA, ENJOY...HAVE

A GREAT WEEKEND!

DECOR: CAN I HOLD YOU?

YES YOU CAN IF YOU ARE ONE OF THESE FABULOUS RAINBOW COLORED CANDLE HOLDERS FROM URBAN OUTFITTERS! EITHER PIECE YOU SELECT WILL MAKE A GRAND CENTERPIECE! THE CANDELABRA WILL ADD SUCH GLAMOUR! TAKE A LOOK BELOW & SEE THE FABULOUSNESS! CANDELABRA $48, CANDLESTICK HOLDER $14...NOT BAD FOR SUCH ELEGANCE!

LIFESTYLE: APIARY DESIGN

thanks to instyle home magazine i was able to discover a new line of paper products that range from stationery to invites by apiary design. i love writing & have a collection of stationery. i will be adding apiary design! apiary design offers girly almost antique looking products...the stationery reminds me of being in anthropologie. great colors & patterns. affordable prices. it's a great time to start looking for invitations & cards the holidays are around the corner. take a look @ http://apiarydesign.com/

LIFESTYLE&TRAVEL: READ THIS

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MEETING NEW PEOPLE WHILE ENJOYING GREAT FOOD? IF YOU ARE CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE FROM USATODAY ENTITLED, "10 GREAT PLACES TO BREAK BREAD AND MEET FRIENDS. " CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2007-10-18-communal-tables_N.htm

DECOR: DOMINO MAGAZINE CONTEST

VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE ROOM...IT'S BEEN NARROWED DOWN TO 5 ROOMS...ONCE YOU VOTE YOU WILL BE ENTERED IN A CONTEST TO WIN A SPA TRIP FOR 2 TO THE OCEAN KEY & SPA IN KEY WEST FLORIDA. START VOTING!

FASHION: MAD HATTER

the weather is changing so it's time to start bundling up! top your outfit off with one of adorable hats by eugenia kim. kim is a new york designer and former parsons school of design student. her line of hats can be found at several top department stores (saks, barneys, etc.,) and many specialty boutiques. the hats above can be found at shopbop.com and range in price $231 - $253. be warm & look cute with one of kim's designs.

FASHION: SALE ALERT

URBAN OUTFITTERS IS OFFERING AN ADDITIONAL 15% OFF ALL SALE!!!
(until 28 october)

FASHION: HOLIDAZE 2007

the holidays are fast approaching & before you know it the invitations will be rolling in & you are going to have piece together a holiday look. why not get a jump start? here's a suggestion from birdie butter: throw on this glamorous navy blue sequin (glitterati blouson dress), top with the heather grey cropped jacket, step into the striking burnished yellow sation d'orsay pumps, grab the satin green clutch and head out the door. when you arrive all eyes will be on you & your ensemble will the talk of the party. all items are from jcrew's holiday collection...clutch $98, dress $550, jacket $135, shoes $225.

FASHION: NEWS FLASH

ACCORDING TO INSTYLE MAGAZINE (NOV 07) LOEFFLER RANDALL IS TEAMING UP WITH TARGET FOR AN ACCESSORIES LINE THAT WILL LAUNCH DECEMBER 30TH. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THIS ONE. LOEFFLER RANDALL IS KNOWN FOR HER FABULOUS SHOES/BOOTS & MORE RECENTLY HER CLOTHING LINE. I'M SURE THIS LINE WILL BE POPULAR & SELL OUT QUICKLY AT MOST TARGET STORES! CHECK OUT MY PREVIOUS BLOG ON LOEFFLER RANDALL FROM 9.10.07.

LIFESTYLE: EAT RIGHT, STAY FIT

stay fit by eating right. self magazine is a great source for living well & maintaining a healthy lifestyle. self offers recipes that taste great & are nutritious. you can learn new exercises or sign up with the interactive program that will help you get a complete body make over. it's getting close to the holidays & i know everyone is planning their menus but this year try some alternative healthy recipes. sign up @ self.com to stay informed on how to live well. click on the link to get the recipe for the dish featured in the picture: 5 SPICE SHRIMP

http://www.self.com/health/recipes/2006/08/21/0821spice_shrimp

ENJOY

DECOR: HOME DESIGN

i love the modern simplicity of both buildings. the top building is a condo/townhouse structure in charlotte north carolina's "artsy"district & the bottom building is a condo/townhouse structure in atlanta georgia entering east atlanta/little five points area. i love the design, the colors, & modern architecture of both buildings. i can only imagine what they look like on the inside & how fun it would be to decorate either space.

FASHION: BOOTS FOR ALL

check out these boots...they are only $24.80! they are not leather BUT aren't we all trying to live a more ecofriendly life? forever21 out did themselves when they created this pair of boots. great detail, low heel, hot color, for a super low price...scoop up a pair before they're gone.

FASHION: BAGGERS CAN BE CHOOSERS

ESPECIALLY IF YOU OPT TO BUY ONE OF THESE MARC JACOBS COLLECTION HANDBAGS. SHOPBOP.COM HAS A GREAT SELECTION OF MARC JACOBS BAGS STARTING WITH THESE THREE; THE Soft Calf Classic Elise Bag $975, THE FABULOUS Paloma Bag with Stones $1875, OR THE Mix Quilted East West Tote $1495. WHILE CHECKING OUT THESE BAGS @ SHOPBOP.COM DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE HANDBAG CONTEST...THEY ARE GIVING AWAY A HANDBAG EVERYDAY THE ENTIRE MONTH OF OCTOBER!

TRAVEL&CULTURE: VOY A CARTAGENA

LOOKING FOR A NEW ADVENTURE...ACCORDING TO USATODAY.COM CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA IS A CITY TO SEE! USATODAY CALLS CARTAGENA A MAGICAL CITY. CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE SPANISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE& THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. CARTAGENA IS ALL ABOUT DANCING, EATING, & EXPLORING A NEW CULTURE. READ MORE ON THIS CAPTIVATING PART OF THE WORLD BY CLICKING ON THE LINK:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-10-11-cartagena-main_N.htm

FASHION: HUFF-N-PUFF

here is another coat trend for fall/winter 2007: puffer coats. jcrew always does an amazing job with their goosedown puffer coats, jackets, vest. this season is no different. the long goosedown with the ribbon belt is so cute! prices range between $118 - $235.

DECOR: MODERN ANTIQUES

Urban Outfitters has some pretty amazing furniture pieces that totally remind me of vintage antiques. The colors/prints and shapes are very reminiscent of mid-century styled furniture. The lulu chair comes in a variety of colors and you can determine what color legs you like (blond or espresso) for $380. The antoinette fainting sofa is also offered in many color choices for $550. I love the prints that were chosen and anyone you select will add a pop of color and style to your room.