If I Were a Rich Girl... LV Monogram Bag

The other day at work, I saw one of these beauties dangling from the arm of a very lovely young lady. Though long considered a classic, the monogram Louis Vuitton bag (known to fashion insiders as the Speedy) has never been my favorite. Should there ever be the option for a super high-end bag in my life, I always just figured I'd go for the iconic quilted Chanel with the chain strap in wear-with-everything black - just off the top of my head.

But as soon as I spied the personalized version, I saw this bag in a whole new light - a navy and orange, PNA kind of light. And just like that, the doubly monogrammed Louis Vuitton knocked the double C's out of the top spot on my luxury list.

Love, P

Closets and Cocktails with The Well Appointed Catwalk

After our mini-break/reunion (and A's official return from mat leave!) Closets & Cocktails is back! And who better to lead the way than the ever lovely Marissa from The Well Appointed Catwalk. I absolutely loved reading her answers, especially #4, and have to give her major purchase props for waiting through two rounds of markdowns - one I could handle, but the fear of losing them forever would probably prevent me from hanging on till round two - way to go Marissa - those beauties, I mean booties, were obviously meant to be yours! So without further adieu, a few insights into Marissa's fashion philosophies and closest confessions...

Marissa, creator of The Well Appointed Catwalk, in her close with her favorite cocktail

What is your style motto? Dress for yourself and only yourself

If you could change one thing about your closet, what would it be? This is going to sound crazy, but I'm totally anal when it comes to organization, and I hate that my hangers don't match. One day, I'll have a complete set of matching hangers.

Whose style, past or present do you most admire? My mom. She knows how to dress for her body, and she is ridiculously stylish without being a slave to trends.

What is your most treasured possession in your closet? My grandmother's Somali leopard coat from the 30's. She and her twin sister got matching ones as high school graduation gifts, and now they belong to my cousin and I.

What is your greatest shopping regret? I don't know if I have any shopping regrets to be honest. I'm a big believer in returns, so if something isn't right, back to the store it goes!

What do you consider your greatest score? See those leopard print booties? They're by Loeffler Randall. I was admiring them for months, but I just couldn't bear to pay full price.

My New Crush: The Maxi

Hey there, remember me? Today marks the eight week birthday of my new little girl and I have finally decided to come out of my post-partum daze and talk fashion. I must admit I have been struggling on an almost daily basis about what to wear. Most (as in 90%) of my pre-pregnancy clothes are way too tight, so I am currently trying to use a mix of accessories to bring some sass to my daily uniform of black lounge pants and nursing tops. But now, with the hot weather finally here, what does a fashion loving mama in my situation do? Cuffed shorts and clingy dresses are certainly not on the menu, but there is one article of clothing that I have fallen in love with and can't seem to live without: The maxi skirt!

Forever 21 skirt, $19.80

I treated myself to a very inexpensive cream maxi at Forever 21 (although I love the printed one above) for my birthday and I also happen to have a couple stashed in my closet from a few seasons ago.

A&P's California Reunion

Reunited in Cali for the first time in six months! P arrived here in Cali just a few short days ago, and after hours of catching up and sharing stories of our nighttime hoorahs (sadly my long nights of nursing and chamomile teas didn't quite hold a light to P's recent all-girls glamour weekend in NYC!) we are getting down to brass tacks.

Unable to resist spreading the wisdom of 365FR, P and I are in the process of working on some new and exciting projects for the upcoming year! With that in mind, we are on a mini-break from blogging until next week. Please bear with us and stay tuned for my first official post-pregnancy post where I share tales of mommyhood and fashion (or lack thereof) and reveal the real deal about life with a newborn. (Hint: It does not involve wearing 4-inch platforms and a Herve Leger dress).

Love,

A&P

Summer Hats - Sarah May's Top 5 picks

Hello my fancy, thrifty 365 shoppers! Boy have I got another summer top 5 list coming your way. Now that those hot, hazy summer days have finally come around it's got me thinking of beach attire, and don't worry I am not talking about swim-wear. You don't have to run screaming from the dressing room or worry about your diet for this one, because I am talking about head toppers! Here's my round up of the best of the best hats to keep your peepers shaded while still looking summer time chic!

Gap Buckle Fedora, $29.95

Zara Lurex Cartwheel Hat, $29.90

Anthropologie Poppy Fields Fedora, $54

It's a tie between the Gap fedora and this one for me. SO CUTE!

Closets & Cocktails with Blah Suzie

Suzie writes the blog Blah Suzie and hails from Australia. After reading her Closets & Cocktails feature I can tell you this; I wouldn't be caught dead out of the house in my trakkies, I am envious of her Burberry trench and I can't wait to whip up my own batch of cranberry iced tea - yum! So without further adieu, a few insights into Suzie's fashion philosophies and closet confessions...

Suzie, creator of Blah Suzie, in her closet with her favorite mocktail!

What is your style motto? Comfort! If you are comfortable with what you're wearing, you will wear the clothes not the other way round! Though it doesn't mean you can wear trakkies or Ugg boots outside the house!

If you could change one thing about your closet, what would it be? More levels of shelves. Extra room would help too!

Who's style, past or present, do you most admire? Lauren Conrad - she's casual cool but she can glam it up without being slutty. I also like her winged eyeliner look.

What's your most treasured possession in your closet? It would be a handmade black dress I bought from a market four years ago. It was my first "expensive" (over $100) dress and it's the best thing I've bought from any market.

What is your greatest shopping regret? A pair of peep toe heels with a 10cm skinny heel. Although it's a classic black peep toe pump, it's too high and I have no occasion to wear it. I ended up selling them.

What do you consider your greatest score? A friend introduced me to the label Morrison and I've been hooked on their Velcro tab pants since then. I also like seeing what they release each season.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Oh ok, cool and awesome.

What is your greatest extravagance? My Burberry trench. Can't go past a classic trench.

BONUS QUESTION: What is your favorite cocktail? I'm more of a tea person - cranberry iced tea (cranberry juice and earl grey tea. The tea is steeped with honey and a cinnamon stick).

Thanks so much Suzie! To keep up with Suzie, check out her blog Blah Suzie.

Love, P

Lust or Must? - Elizabeth Arden Lipstick

Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint

$17 SPF 15

Those of you who are familiar with Elizabeth Arden's 8-hour collection know that it's a cult favorite. I was introduced to it by A and have been sporting this lovely lippy in a sheer pink shade all spring long. And while I love the subtlety of the color, there are days when I want a bit more punch, a titch more pizazz.

I have wanted this berry version for quite some time now and the only thing stopping me is the price and wanting to put our conscious consumer lessons to solid use. I wonder if I should perhaps wait until I've finished the first tube? Or buy it toute suite because once you find something you love, it's wise to buy multiples (and I do love it! The SPF 15 gives it full marks in my books!). And yet, $17 still feels a bit steep.

So, as with so many Lusts or Must before, I put it to you: yay or nay?

Love, P

poll by twiigs.com

Letter #7 - Me & My Kettle

Dear Kettle,

I know I use you a lot,

especially in the winter.

I love tea. I have a hundred different kinds of tea.

Green, herbal, black (though that's more A's style) teas are a big staple in my life, and in A's life.

The thing about you Kettle is that I hate you.

You're cheap, you're old, I am constantly moving you from the stove to the sideboard in the hopes that you will not get covered in oil as you do whenever Mr. Darling or I cook dinner and then you get further covered in a sticky substance that is about as easy to clean as red wine on a white shag rug and, basically you just suck.

Yes, you boil my water and yes, I should probably be grateful that you do the job you're supposed to do, but for some reason every time I boil myself a cup of tea, you make me depressed.

Now, there's a dream kettle out there for me.

(see photo at left)

I've seen it. I've touched it.

I've used it. I've even made a cup of tea with it.

It was a kettle that A had on her wedding registry and coincidentally, another woman who loves tea, The Mater was the one that got it for her and her husband.

I am obsessed with this kettle (sorry).

It's from Crate & Barrel and it's 50$, but for some reason I cannot seem to justify spending 50$ on a kettle.

Now we have some interesting new things that we've been working on here at 365FR and I can tell you this; if any one of those projects comes to fruition the first thing I will buy with my hard earned dollars probably won't be a Chanel bag or a pair of Jimmy Choos.