European purchases

We've been back not yet a week and I think I'm already ready to go back to Europe. But that's a given.

So... about that shopping. Yup, I didn't come back empty handed. But y'all... I was in Ferragamo, I had to run back to get my passport for the duty free shopping... and when I did the currency conversion... I couldn't bring myself to buy the shoes. They are stunning - and I'll see if I can save up for them... but I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on one item (and I didn't have enough set aside for them, even with the tax break). So I left Europe sans Ferragamos... but here's what I did buy:

In Munich I picked up a scarf with a print of the Edelweiss (which just so happened to be my late Nonno's favorite flower). It also seemed to be the official flower of Oktoberfest - once I started paying attention they were everywhere.

Florence was where I did the majority of the remainder of my shopping... have I mentioned to you that I love Zara? And when I was doing price comparisons in the hotel room between US/Euro prices with the cash back, well, it was cheaper.

Zara elbowpatch wool blazer. Wool. Plaid. Elbow patches. Need I say more?

Zara cardigan. Perhaps because I was still cold from Germany but I had to grab this.

Zara oxblood velvet loafers. Reeeeeeeed.

Zara jeweled necklace. I couldn't help this one - the sparkles drew me to it.

I also picked up a few smaller accessory items...

The journal came from this awesome handmade paper store and it is in a traditional Florentinian print. The hardest part on this one was picking out the color scheme! In Monterosso I nabbed the little heart necklace, something small and dainty to remind me of my honeymoon. I grabbed the MyWallit kitty keychain at the main store in Lucca - I had no idea they were an Italian brand! And the purple wrap bracelet was also from Monterosso.

And last but not least, a poncho. Navy blue is surprisingly hard to photograph. We were waiting for our plane in Bergamo and I spied this. I kept thinking about while sitting at the gate and ran back to get it....but they were closed. So I hung around for a bit (like a creeper) and once I saw they were back I tried it on and bought it. Can't wait to wear it soon as the weather here has been turning and it feels like fall.

Well, that's about it. We definitely splurged a bit more on meals with wine and cheese courses. I did manage to afford all of this with the money that I'd set aside so I'm proud of myself for not having to dip into other funds for this.

Hope you've enjoyed and are having a good Sunday!

UniqueSF Roundup

This afternoon FH and I had the chance to go to the UniqueSF Craft and art show and we had so much fun! They had free drinks, massages, crafts, and booths upon booths of jewelry, soap, clothing, stationary, and other hand crafted goods.

Here's what I came home with (and boy was it hard to narrow it down to these...)

From Honey my Heart - I got this gorgeous blue drop necklace. I've really been wanting to change up some of my necklaces and move toward a more simple and classic look. Part of me really wants to wear this on my wedding day.... but I still have my heart set on wearing my grandma's pearls. The shop owners and creators are just the sweetest - it was so great to meet both of you!

From Solstice LTD I picked up this organic sterling silver stacker ring. I had been tossing around the idea of putting a small silver band in between my future wedding band and engagement ring but didn't want to swallow the price of what I've been seeing online. So when I saddled up to Linda's shop and saw these I had to have it. I'll have to snap some pics of what my stacked bands look like together, but for now this will have to do. :)

I've started to see necklaces like this pop up around various places, and I had been lusting after one. Kyle Chan Design had just what I was looking for - and I adore the sparkly sapphires with the gold of the necklace. His shop was huge - and to be quite honest I have to keep myself from going back and buying more of his awesome goodies!

I met the two lovely ladies of Frolick Jewelry and they were so kind. They only sell at craft shows but I will make sure to hunt them down the next time they are here in SF. I wore this out tonight with a simple button down and can tell this is going to be a favorite of mine!

And of course, this is hilarious and I couldn't pass it up. Filthy farm girl is actually a soap maker out of Hawaii, and I got a bar of their rose mint soap in the "Filthy Kitty" design in December. I have to tell you - the bar (which is still sealed) has an amazing scent that I can smell whenever I go near my jewelry area. So I got this for my sister, partly because it smells amazing, and partly because it's an excuse for me to call her dirty.

So that's how I spent my Saturday... what have been some of your past picks from art and craft shows?

My new favorite necklace

At this past weekend's North Beach festival in SF I was on the hunt for a necklace. Not just any... but an initial one. I had been scouring etsy and being the impatient person that I am figured if I found one I liked I'd buy it and not have to wait for shipping.

And low and behold, at the last place I looked I found it. I had been wanting something to remind me of my fiance that was small and dainty and that would match any outfit I happen to be wearing. So it was a no-brainer when I found Ofina's handstamped charm in sterling silver. I grabbed the D (for David) and put it on right away.

L shown in rose gold, from Ofina.net

And quite frankly, I'm in love. I'm even toying with the idea of getting the L for my own initial, but I kinda like the D on its own.

i kinda want them all...

There is one other necklace I'm eying - and thanks to Lucky magazine its 35% off! It's the gorgeous zen necklace from Sarah Chloe. So I guess I'll see what my paycheck looks like on Friday. I'm just not sure what color to get - I'm torn between the silver and the gold finish (and of course, my sister says rose gold... bah!). Use code lucky3 for 35% off any of their merchandise! (thanks lucky!)

In June shopping news, I haven't bought any clothes - not even a maxi dress - in the month of June. Unheard of! So that's why I may spring for the zen necklace.

Anyway - hope everyone is having a fantastic Wednesday!

(I am in no way affiliated with either jewlery store - just love their designs!)