Alexander Wang on Shopbop and a Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

 

Happy Friday everyone! I thought we'd celebrate the upcoming weekend with another amazing giveaway, this time from the generous folks at Shopbop who are offering one lucky reader a $100 gift card!

Shopbop is an amazing website that offers up stylish pieces from designers like Alexander Wang (could I love his accessories any more?!) all in one place. We're talking everything from the Dree fringed sandals pictured above to oversized handbags and designer totes. One of my faves is this Alexander Wang Darcy Slouchy Hobo..

Of course, if anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas I'd totally take the Rocco Mini Duffel, one of the many great black handbags available on the site. For more fashion inspiration and news visit the Shopbop official blog, which is currently singing the praises of fringe (much like those killer shoes in the first photo). If you're interested in the $100 gift card (and who wouldn't be?!) see below for details on how to enter.

What do you think of the Addison boots? Yay or nay?

How to Enter

Simple! The giveaway is open to all followers of Sogni e Sorrisi both new and old. Just head over to the Shopbop website and tell me what you would spend your gift card on.

Extra Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter. Thanks so much if you already do--just let me know in your comment!

2. Tweet about this giveaway. To make it easy tweet this:

Just entered the #giveaway @SogniESorrisi for a $100 @shopbop gift card! http://tinyurl.com/25ugkqu

3. Follow Shopbop on Twitter.

4. Blog of Facebook about this giveaway. Please leave the URL in your comment.

Giveaway is open until October 15, 2010.

Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Thanks so much to the fabulous Jude of Food and Life for
the Blog with Substance Award! I'm honoured, truly.

 Also, don't forget that today is the last day to enter the Lemel Designs and Erica Eriksdotter giveaways. Best of luck everyone and I hope you all have a really great weekend! 

Beautiful Bride: Emily Deschanel

This Emily Deschanel wedding photo via People.com who reports that the Bones star wed It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's David Hornsby in the Pacific Palisades wearing 10-karat diamond earrings and diamond hairpins from Neil Lane. I'm not sure who designed Emily's flowy nude-toned frock, but it has a J. Mendel or Marchesa-ish vibe.

More photos can be seen here.

What do you think of Emily's wedding look?

 

 

Love It!: Leopard Bag from Zara

I'm loving that leopard is on-trend this season, although I could never pull it off in large amounts. This ladylike shoulder bag from Zara is the perfect option to add some chic spots to any outfit. Zara, $79.99 USD.

What fall trends and accessories are you excited about?

How was everyone's night? Anyone watch Glee?

Gossip Girl Season 4 Fashion Sneak Peek and Episode 4.3 Recap

How is everyone? Hope you all had a great Monday. Here it's still raining, although my day yesterday was brightened a bit by my weekly appointment with Blair, Serena, et. al. They really know how to fill my drama and beautiful things quotient for the week. So this episode, The Undergraduates, we see the return of Chuck (with the really annoying and pointless Eva by his side), the first day of school and Fashion Night Out. Needless to say there was also some great Gossip Girl fashion with Blair sporting a nifty Gucci leopard print with Mulberry bag (and the fab sequined Valentino above), some Carlos Miele and Serena wearing two of the dresses I loved most in the sneak peeks we got earlier (that belted DvF and the slit-to-there Jenny Packham).

Episode spoilers below...

The whole Hamilton House-key drama was an eye roller for me (although yay for seeing Penelope again). How did Juliet get to be the one wielding the keys? Geesh, chick is all powerful for someone who wasn't even around last year. And I'm assuming she wasn't, as then Nate would have known her because he was already a member, right? I call shenanigans. I know Natey isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I think even he'll feel stupid when he realizes how Juliet is pulling the wool over his eyes and perfectly coiffed bangs. And what is with girlfriend's clothes? Are they trying to make her look 30? She doesn't even look very blonde to me. As for the guy in jail (Ben?), played by David Call, I'd like to know what the deal is. Like yesterday.





Glad to see the baby DNA stuff has been worked out. I was dreading them dragging it on. I just can't believe Dan was actually surprised. I mean, let's say it all together now, it's Georgina we're talking about! But at least Dan's now got a new housemate because of it. Awww.

I'm liking Blair and Serena as friends and really hope Blair has put the jealousy behind her, it's so unbecoming. When Blair handed Juliet the hair extension I just about choked. Hopefully they won't claw each other's eyes out living together. How do you think Serena's new room stacks up to the original (love the Marilyn Minter)? What did you think of the butterflies? I immediately thought of the bedroom in this home. And, most importantly, where can I get me a Darota?!

I actually felt bad for Chuck this episode and while I can't blame Rufus for getting mad at what Eric told him, I also think it's kind of lame that all this is coming out at this point. And how (why?) is Jenny still torturing me even now that she has hauled her eyelined, legging-clad ass out of town? I did think Lily was a bit quick to believe that Eva had changed Chuck for-evah (I mean, he is Chuck Bass, after all), but I'll forgive her because that Aurélie Bidermann necklace she wore with the purple Reem Acra dress was stunning.

So, really GG, I'm not even going to say how much I want Chuck and Blair back together, because that's obviously awhile coming yet, but can we please lose Eva and find out more about this Ben dude? Thanks. Love, me

Best Line of the Night: "It doesn't matter if the dress is couture,

if the girl is off the rack." ~ Blair to Eva

And a little sneak peek at some upcoming Gossip Girl fashion with Blake Lively in a lace Zuhair Murad FW 2010 RTW gown that is made for someone like her and Blair in Ralph Lauren Spring 2008 RTW. Juliet wears this uber popular pale blue J. Mendel in the episode.



Which do we prefer? Serena or Blair?

I'm Team Serena on this one.
What did you think of last night's episode?

Image Sources:

DaemonsTV, Zimbio, Coolspotters, jjb, style.com

Erica Eriksdotter Giveaway!

Is it Monday already? Seems so, unfortunately, but I have a way to help you battle those Monday blues by way of a great new giveaway sponsored by the amazingly talented and super nice Erica Eriksdotter. The Swedish-born Erica received her first easel at 7 and sold her first painting at 10 (you don't want to know what I was doing at 10--definitely nothing that people would want to buy!) and now recalls that she can't pinpoint exactly when art came into her life, rather it was always there.

After moving to the U.S. at the age of 20 in 2000 to attend George Mason University where she studied communications and public relations Erica also began evolving in terms of her artwork. Where once the artist concentrated on landscapes she soon began working predominantly in acrylics, which remains her main focus today, although Erica does also produce detailed watercolours for Live.Like.You, an interior design website.

"I've focused on close-ups of flowers," Erica says of her recent work. "I love using bold and bright colors and highlighting a certain part of a flower or paint it from an unexpected perspective. There are many layers to each painting." Erica adds layers and layers of paint to her canvas to get the colors just right and then goes back to add the fine details that bring her artwork to life. Inspired by everything from nature and travelling to architecture and fashion (as well as her photographer husband), and through her art Erica hopes to have a similar inspiration effect on others. "I hope to inspire, make people happy with my art," the artist explains. "And strive to make the viewer aware of and believe in the vibrancy of life. It's all about celebrating life with color and bringing joy to the room and the viewer."

If you're in the DC/VA/MD area you're in luck! Erica is participating in the Art on the Avenue show (Booth 168E) on October 2nd in Alexandria, VA--wish I was local so I could check it out!

If you'd like the chance to win a mixed stationery set featuring Erica Eriksdotter's florals just follow the instructions below...

How to Enter

Giveaway is open to followers of Sogni e Sorrisi (new ones, too!) Just visit Erica's website and let me know what your favourite item is.

Extra Entries
1. Follow me on Twitter. Thanks to those who already do--just let me know in your comment!

2. Tweet about this giveaway. To make it easy you can tweet this:
Check out the great Erica Eriksdotter stationary #giveaway @SogniESorrisi!  http://tinyurl.com/2amse9c

3. Blog or Facebook about this giveaway. Please leave the URL in your comment.

4. Sign up for the Studio Eriksdotter newsletter (you'll receive studio updates as well as notices of shows and giveaways).

5. Like Studio Eriksdotter on Facebook.

6. Heart Erica's shop on Etsy.

7. Buy something at Erica's great Etsy shop and forward me proof of purchase. {10 Extra Entries}

Giveaway open until October 2, 2010.

Winner will be chosen by random.org.

Good Luck and Happy Monday!

Winner of the Navy Blue Notes Giveaway!



Hey peeps, I hope you're all having a great weekend. I've been working, mostly, but I did get to try a new restaurant when I went out with the girls on Friday. Always love discovering new places. I'm also excited because I have some great new giveaways lined up for all of you. I just love the opportunity to be able to say thanks for coming by, commenting and reading what I have to say. You guys are awesomeness personified. So stay tuned for more giveaways in the weeks to come and don't forget the Lemel Designs Giveaway going on now. Before we get to that, though, there is the business of the winner of the five greeting cards from Navy Blue Notes who is...

Audrey of Audrey Allure

Congrats! Just email me your info and what cards you'd like. Thanks to all who entered and to Kathy of Navy Blue Notes for generously sponsoring this giveaway. If you haven't had a chance I'd suggest you check out her shop, not only is there a card for every occasion but they're hilarious. Personally, I'm a sucker for a snarky, cheeky card.

Don't Get Your Knickers in a Twist

Missing You

Happy Winos Tag

Epic Job

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

First Giveaway of Fall: Lemel Designs

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Happy Friday everyone! So it's now officially fall, which kind of makes me sad, but then I thought what better way to put a smile on someone's face (and mine) than through a fabu giveaway? This week I'm so excited to tell you that the totally sweet and talented Melanie of Lemel Designs is giving one reader of Sogni e Sorrisi a chance to win a citrine and turquoise necklace. Amazing, right?

The native Texan is a college friend of one of my fave bloggers Bailey at Peppermint Bliss (who is currently enjoying her honeymoon) and has enjoyed a lifelong passion for jewelry. While at school Melanie worked at a jewelry store in Texas and after graduation took some time to travel to places like Australia and Bali before settling in Los Angeles (I know, lucky duck!)

After landing a job in sports marketing Melanie realized that her passion for jewelry and design couldn't be ignored and she enrolled in a night class at Otis School of Design in L.A. to learn more about the process of jewelry making.  Melanie's diverse experiences all find their way into the designs of her unique and delicate jewelry pieces, each of which is handmade with real stones and 14 karat gold fill. "I am inspired by my friends and the places I have been," Melanie explains, "and I have named each piece after a person or a place." (How cool to have something so beautiful named after/inspired by you!) Currently Melanie's gorgeous designs can be purchased at Charde in Houston and at Lemel Design's Etsy shop.

Melanie has been kind enough to offer a Lake Jane Necklace to one lucky winner. The necklace was named and inspired by one of the designer's favourite blogs and features a faceted citrine hanging from a 16" 14k gold fill chain dotted with delicate turquoise accent beads.

How to Enter

This giveaway is open to all followers of Sogni e Sorrisi, new and old.

Just visit the Lemel Designs shop and let me know what your fave item is.

Extra Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter. If you already do, thanks!, just leave me a comment letting me know.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. To make it easy you can tweet this:

Just entered the #giveaway for a fab Lemel Designs necklace @SogniESorrisi http://tinyurl.com/243q48z

3. Blog or Facebook about this giveaway. Please leave the URL in your comment.

4. LikeLemel Designs on Facebook. {2 Extra Entries}

5. Heart Lemel Desings on Etsy.

6. Grab something from Melanie's Esty shop and forward me proof of purchase. {10 Extra Entries}

Giveaway ends September 24, 2010

Winner will be chosen via random.org

Good luck everyone and happy first weekend of fall!

Oh, and don't forget, it's the last day to enter

for your chance to win some cheeky and amazingly

snarky greeting cards from Navy Blue Notes.

  

Beautiful Home: 09.23.10

There is something so comfortable about this room. I can totally see myself curling up on one of the couches and I adore the mixing and matching here (and the tufting, of course). And while the feel of designer Dana Abbott's Corona del Mar home is a bit more casual and country than usually attracts me I think there's something really great about it.

The open space also features the kitchen and eating areas. Blue-grey cabinets seem to be all the rage, but I don't think I would ever choose them for myself. They do look good juxtaposed with the darker woods here, though.

A fun recessed breakfast nook.

A Rohl farmhouse sink.

A great chandelier plus linen wingback chairs and two

 leather butterfly chairs makes this a really great space.

Seems like a great place to curl up with a book.

Lots of light and a great rug in the master bedroom.

I die over this whimsical outdoor area complete

 with iron trellis, strings of lights and a fireplace.

Love.

Hope all of you have a really wonderful day.

Don't forget to enter the Navy Blue Notes

 giveaway and a big thanks to the super fab

Blair of Wild and Precious for Wiggling me!

Images via House Beautiful