Favorites!

OK - I've been wanting to do a top 10 favorite list for the summer and finally have my stuff together to do it! Warning: this is a pretty girlie list! One of the many reasons I wanted to start this blog was to share things that I like (from new recipes to fashion to whatever!) that you may like for yourself too! So, get ready for the first ever Almost Daily Ramblings top 10 list!

Number 10: Busken's Skinny Cookie
Those local blog readers know my love for the original Busken cookie - and after tasting this "half the fat all the flavor" cookie, I was impressed! Nice work, Busken!

Number 9: Purses!

I've been helping my mom find the perfect purse and it has given me the purse bug!! I particularly LOVE this shape, style and color for fall - this purse happens to be in the fall line of Doncaster! Of course we ran into a few new favorites at the Coach Outlet too, but I resisted as I'm not so much able to be purchasing new purses right now!

Number 8: Almond M&M's

There has been a lot of talk about the new pretzel M&M's, but after trying them, I must say I wasn't all that impressed! I love the sweet and salty combo, but would rather have my M&M's separate from the pretzels. On the other hand, these Almond M&M's are genius! So yummy!

Number 7: Etsy + flower earrings

For those of you not familiar with Etsy, it's time to get familiar!! It is a wonderful website that claims to be "your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies." I'm currently loving flower earrings. Haven't found the perfect ones, but think that these are pretty fun!

Number 6: Opi's Hong Kong Spring / Summer Collection

I personally love "Hot & Spicy" in this collection - I think it is a fun orange that will take you into the fall. It has enough peachy / pink tones that it's not Halloween-y but still bright and fun!

The Fall/ Winter Collection "Swiss" is also out and has some promising colors - I'm liking the blues and greens: Yodel Me on My Cell, Ski Teal We Drop, & Cuckoo For This Color

Number 5: Big Rings

I know big rings have been in style for probably forever, but I just purchased my first semi-big ring not too long ago! It's a white "square stone ring" from the Limited and I love how the white jazzes outfits up for the summer! It's even on sale now and comes in other colors too!

Number 4: Summer Beer

I am in love with Samuel Adam's Summer Ale! An American Wheat Ale described as "citrusy with a hint of spice from lemon zest and rare Grains of Paradise." Makes a nice change from Bud Light Lime! Note: I think this beer is much better on draft!

Number 3: Cake Wrecks
Cake Wrecks is the name of a blog that features disaster cakes - "when professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong". This blogger is hilarious!! I find myself laughing out loud at times when I read her description of some of these cakes!!! Definitely worth checking out on a regular basis!!!

Number 2: Hobo International Rachel Wallet
I first became aware of Hobo International while I was living in Tuscaloosa. One of the stores I went to for jewelry had a good selection of their line! This make is pretty pricey, but the wallets are gorgeous, fun and vintage looking! Needless to say, I had been on the hunt for the "Rachel" wallet for some time, but was waiting for the fall line to come out.. yadda yadda. Anyway, after a trip to TJ Maxx I realized they sometimes carry Hobo International! That was enough for me, I was determined to find MY wallet at TJ's for a reduced price!!! Sure enough, the wallet gods (kidding, kidding) were on my side and I found it for 70% off!! SCORE!!! Side note: Maxxinistas, I noticed the other day that they started carrying designer jeans like 7 For All Mankind, Diesel, and Joe's Jeans!




Number 1: Fashion blogs!!!!!!
OMG! I'm so excited about this new discovery!! I love InStyle magazine, but magazines can be so expensive -- this is a total fix! Read: free! My favorite is a blog called The Chloe Conspiracy. Chloe posts an outfit of the day almost every day and includes the picture and links to where you can get those pieces AND similar styles!
 

She also does another site called See Chloe Shop where she posts daily lists of deals at various stores, and her top picks at each of those stores. My style is not always aligned with hers, but most of the time I really like what she puts together and find that it gives me inspiration for what I can mix and match in my own closet!
 

Another fashion blog I love is called Uber Chic for Cheap. Blogger Madeline also posts sale info at various stores, in addition to posting pictures of styles from more expensive stores like J Crew and Anthropologie and similar look-a-like styles for less! Gotta love a bargain shopper!

Other sites I like but don't frequent as often: Be Real Luxe, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and I am Style-ish! Enjoy!

Ok folks, I'm spent! Happy Friday!