BUY AT Anthropologie

I am a hat girl; I love them in the summer and in the winter, fancy or casual. I’m a lazy thing with hair and this is the best way to look a little put together without having to own a brush. Plus, there are the practical benefits (keep sun out of eyes, keep heat on head)

This charming hat sparkles in a very subtle way and flatters any face shape – and I’d know! When I wear it out I’m asked about it so often that people want to try it on. It hugs the head and comes just over the top of the ears – perfect for chilly fall days.

I have been on the hunt for a bike and let me tell you this has been no small task. I’d wanted a cruiser type bike that was just for getting around town, would allow me to wear dresses and have room for a basket. That’s all. I liked the handle bars that turned in and allowed for a more upright seating position – just like the ones you see all over Europe.

However. This is not Europe.

So finding a simple, sturdy bike in stores has been hard; most bikes are hybrids or mountain or street. If there are cruisers, they’re those townies for old people where you don’t feel like you’re working anything (think flat feet technology bikes). On top of that, almost every girl bike I looked at was bright pink or bright red or yellow or had paintings all over it or these totally girly baskets. I couldn’t find a simple, dark blue bike anywhere.

I tried Craigslist and went and saw a few of the old Schwinn cruisers which I loved. But the people selling them always wanted $150 – $200 for bikes that would need tune ups and for a second hand bike, that always seemed high. And the colours were never right. I went to bike dealers and second hand shoppes and scoured the internet. I tried Electra’s, Schwinns, Torque’s and so forth. Came close to Schwinn but they’re now going into Targets so the quality of the 2007’s are down and the colours of the 2006’s are terrible. Saw an Electra I could like but it was close to $600 and just too girly.

I realised after trying a few that, due to the fact my one ankle doesn’t bend, I can’t have brakes in the pedals. And because where I live has hills, I needed at least a 7 speed. I thought my quest was futile until an unexpected trip to REI where I discovered their own like of bikes, the Navara.

Several years ago I had a Navara Mountain bike which suited my needs just fine because I was doing more mountain and trail riding. But now I just wanted something for fetching groceries and getting to some stores. This bike is perfect; feels like a cruiser but rides like a really great road bike. The step through frame is perfect for wearing skirts. It’s pretty light (I can load it onto a bus rack), it has shocks for comfort, the handle bars turn in, it’s 24 gears turn nicely.

And the colour? Ok, so it’s a little girly but so less than more than others I’ve seen. And whether I’m cruising to the market or taking it for a little more trail, this bike will do it all. Now I just need a basket.

BUY AT: REI

BUY AT: Apple

I’m not a huge gadget girl and have resisted buy an Ipod for the longest time. It hasn’t been something I could justify buying because I don’t have musical needs. But, with some more travel coming up and my walking area not being so interesting anymore, I’ve thought more and more about buying one.

It was the Red Nano, however, that has made me go ahead. I love when you combine great products with great ideas and the idea behind “Buying Red” is that “$10 from every iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sold goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Which means your iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sounds good and does good at the same time.”

That’s music to my ears.

BUY AT: Under the Nile or Select Whole Foods

I am what one might call a bedding snob. I believe if you’re going to spend more than half your life someplace, it might as well be as divine as possible, no? For me that means bedding that not only feels amazing, but is amazing with no dyes, chemicals, fumes, etc. etc.

It is hard to find eco-friendly bedding that is also luxurious – trust me. But I just don’t want sheets that have been sprayed with a fire retardent or chemicals so it doesn’t wrinkle. Who wants to be inhaling all that junk whilst sleeping? Not me – I need all the help with beauty sleep that I can get!

So when I first petted the Eqyptian Cotton Blanket I was in-love. Indrecibly soft it just feels amazing. With a night light weight perfect for summer nights or as an added layer over a duvet, this blanket delivers light warmth, comfort and cosiness without bleach, dyes or perfumes. And the best part? Machine washable!

The next time your tucking yourself in at night, ask yourself if you’re giving yourself the best possible sleep. And if not, perhaps look into this blanket. Or four.

BUY AT: See Jane Work

I adore See Jane Work. I would perhaps marry it if marrying web sites were legal. They keep my office pretty and running smoothly. So whilst browsing through this morning for some more orginisational ideas (oh! hullo pretty business card holder! oh! hullo pretty new mousepad!) I came across the Collected Corrospondence kit and was instantly smitten – especially since I had just added a new pen to my cart.

I am an avid letter writer; there is nothing sweeter than a note. You don’t see one passing emails in romance movies now do you? And there’s a reason. But, it seems to be a lost art which is why I’m holding off on buying this. No one, and I repeat, no one tends to write letters anymore. I have received two in the past two years (Thanks Mari!). I don’t even get Christmas or Birthday cards let alone just because notes. Shame because this would be so pretty to fill!

So, perhaps something pretty will encourage everyone to write. People will want this book in droves and will want something to fill it with and the great note send off will begin! I can see it….!

BUY AT: Jay Robb or Whole Foods

Now, let me first say that in general, I don’t like bars. Not just the taste but the idea of them. I don’t think its a good idea to replace meals with a bar – especially when bars have 15 bazillion chemicals in them. No my friends, that is not a good time. And all those chemicals don’t taste like roast beef and pie, people. I normally do not trust bars at all. But there are times I find myself needing a snack or something to eat and a bar would be a perfect solution, especially since I can’t eat gluten and finding a quick snack can be hard. Especially on road trips.

Enter Jay Robb Bars. Basic, whole ingredients, no chemicals, no weird after taste. Chewy, filling, Gluten-Free and lovely! Look at what’s inside: Organic almond butter, organic agave syrup, whey protein isolate, whey protein crisps (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, tapioca starch, calcium carbonate), hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, xylitol, arabic gum, rice bran, cocoa, water, natural flavors, vanilla, and sea salt.

Yes, we can eat that. Yes, our bodies will understand how to digest that. Yes, we will love the taste of it. Yes, we won’t buy those scary other bars that are “sweet cherry rhubarb chocolate” flavoured anymore, will we?

The only cavet is that these bars are hard to find in stores. I only found them at the Brentwood CA Whole Foods in Los Angeles and haven’t had luck in any other state thus far. So I’m ordering a box so I can have them on hand when I’m out and about and not sure when I’ll get a chance to eat or on a road trip when I’d rather have something wholesome and actually filling than fries that will outlast time.

BUY AT: Energymuse

I confess, I do not own this… yet! However, I know several people (both men and women) who have owned Energymuse necklaces and love them. Which is a good thing because when you get it, you’re supposed to wear it nonstop (although you take it off to bathe) for weeks at a time.

Not only are these handcrafted necklaces beautiful, but the actual stones are said to be powerful. Now, I’m not sure how much I buy into the whole “stones will heal you” thing but if it’s pretty to wear and it might do something? Why not!

I’m all about the 4th Chakra one pictured here and had an oppurtunity to try it on once. It’s a bit weighty in that real lovely jewellery kind of way and its long, which I love. There’s different sizes so you can certainly find something that speaks to you. Need help with love? Confidence? Your heart? Energymuse has the stones for you. And if you can’t quite afford a necklace, they make beautiful bracelets, too.

Its said that if the necklace breaks, what you needed to overcome has been done. I haven’t known anyone who has had a necklace break despite the fact they are worn a lot. But, my friends do tell me that they felt something. I think the something comes from so many people complimenting them and not an inner goddess but perhaps if I’ve got one of these around my neck giving me good vibrations I might just change my mind…

Update: I finally got this as it’s as beautiful as I thought it’d be!

BUY AT: J. Crew

I am a boot girl; give me tall riding boots with heels or flat, black or brown – anything. There my choice for wintertime or a night on the town. However, the everyday boot just doesn’t work for gardening or puddles. Step in J. Crew Wellies.

Rubber on the outside and lined on the inside, these boots are stylish, comfy and practical! I adore them for gardening, keeping my legs and feet dry and free of bug bites but they’re also charming with a little skirt and a quick walk to the garden store.

With winter fast approaching they’re the perfect little boot to wear during nasty weather and, at only $58 a peice, you can afford to pick up even more boots!

BUY AT: Herman Miller

I don’t quite think I’ve ever fully conveyed how much I adore this char and I should mention, I rarely adore furniture – especially office furniture. And I should also mention I rarely adore spending a lot of money on furniture – especially $900.00US for one chair.

However.

I’m a frugal girl which means I don’t mind spending as long as its worth it and for something that will last. And this was indeed a frugal purchase as I adore this chair and have never once regretted spending all that I did.

I seem to live in this chair. The ergonomics of it actually help me to work longer, more comfortably and with less fatigue than with any other chair. I’ve had it for a few years now and it still looks brand new – even after several moves and my careless ways.

I was staying at a friends place who had one and when I asked where she got her comfy new chair she said, “I got it over 10 years ago and hate getting out of it!” I knew I had to copy her and get one.

On a trip to their showroom in L.A., I went up the secret elevator, was greeted by a personal sales assistant who explained all the chairs, what it could do, fitted me and then wrote up a proposal. With a 25 year warrenty combined with everything else, it seems like money well spent. It was delivered without a hitch and has literally changed the way I work on the computer – no more fatigue or sore back. And I feel kind of swank when I sit to boot.

If you think of spending $200 on a chair you think is good, think again and go the extra mile for the Herman Miller. There’s a reason why they’re all in the top companies and why, once people buy them, fall in-love.

I’m still swooning.

BUY AT: Sears

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had to use coin operated washing and drying machines which meant that often my clothes would go missing or come out not so clean. The old machines would leave smells that weren’t mine and it seemed almost futile to use “free” detergents (free of chemicals and perfume) for my sensitive skin since other people always put in bleach in for their clothes. And, of course, there was always the need for quarters and always being one short.

So when faced with a new home and having to purchase a new washer and dryer, I seized the opportunity to really find a great set that would suit my needs.

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