Friday's Five Favorites...fash apps!

Below are some my favorite fashion & beauty apps on the iPhone (thank you, Mr. Jobs):

StyleCaster - offers up outfit choices based on the temp outside as well as videos and related news

Sephora - literally all the major beauty brands at your fingertips and a ton of features

Fashion Network - gobs of runway shows to peruse...currently listing Fall/Winter 2011 rather than the shows that just wrapped for Spring/Summer which I think is rawwwther helpful as we're currently IN Fall/Winter, thankyouverymuch!

FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) - great resource for news and trends (MTV viewers might recall this is where Lauren Conrad takes classes in episodes of the Hills)

Total Beauty - product reviews, detailed information and purchasing options...BIG database

All the apps above are free so tap away and HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

when in doubt, create your own...

I've been in dire need of a new (clean) mousepad for some time now but I've been looking in stores and online and have been left unfulfilled.  The giant office supply chains have the most unimaginative options on their shelves --- I wouldn't pay more than $1 for a boring ass, royal blue neoprene square!

Thus, I clicked my way over to CafePress and made my own...it arrived today and I'm super thrilled.  Clearly the design is a tad inspired by Missoni (hello! it's been on my brain) but the font I chose also gives it a Western, cowgirl vibe...I dig it!

Better than this piece of junk, yes?

NWS now registered...

It's a very exciting day for me as this little blog is now registered with Independent Fashion Bloggers!  I'm happy to be a new member of the IFB community and hope to learn so much more about style blogging.  Maybe I'll even make it to the conference next year...eeeee!

And, if you haven't been able to tell from my last two posts, I'm now obsessed with Polyvore...I might never get off this computer...

xx
JDF

summer road trip...

I'm getting ready to embark on a 15 hour (if all goes smoothly) road trip with my husband and our newly potty trained 3 year old son.  An undertaking such as this takes some major strategery (thanks, Dubya) to ensure we arrive at our final destination in good spirits!

I've packed a cooler bag full of healthy snacks like apples, granola bars, Metro Mint water (a fav of mine), nuts, squeezable apple sauce packets, apple juice and the like so we can do our best to avoid the guilty road food of McD's and pizza.  Of course, I'll need to stop at every Starbucks for an iced latte...

I've also packed a "doo dad" bag of goodies and activities for the boy...new board books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers and never before played with Matchbox cars to keep him content and busy while confined to the back seat.  We drive overnight which helps get the bulk of the trip done while our little guy is asleep...this helps tremendously.

I try to be as comfy as possible when we do these long drives but I certainly don't resort to grungy sweats.  In colder months I'll do a tunic with leggings and cozy boots or slip on flats but since this is the hottest effing summer my regular uni will not do.  A mid length, jersey tee shirt dress will be comfy yet not totally dumpy during the day and easily serve as a nightgown when it's my turn to rest.  Of course flip flops are really the only choice for this occasion...

I don't wear makeup during the trip but I freshen up with a periodic spritz of face mist, a swipe of tinted lip balm and rely heavily on my extra large sunnies to make me appear more glam than I am.

I've downloaded great road trip media to my iPad in preparation:
* podcasts - The Bugle, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, WTF with Marc Maron and Get Mommy a Drink (really excited about that one)

* kiddeos (did I just make up this blend of the words kid and videos?) - the usual suspects of Thomas & Friends, Winnie the Pooh and The Polar Express (my kid loves trains)

* apps - Quick Sleep (to provide soothing, non car sounds to encourage the boy to be quiet already), Priceline (in case we do need a hotel) and Best Road Trip Ever in case we want to stop to check out offbeat attractions and resto's along the way.

* books - I'm just now starting Kelly's Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" then I'll start "Film Flam" by Larry McMurty, the famous Hollywood screenwriter.

* music - I just rediscovered Matt & Kim so I bought their newest album "Sidewalks" which will keep me alert and engaged during my turn at the wheel.  Sidebar: I watched them perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their enthusiasm is so infectious...

Now I just need to start packing...yikes!

sena cases...

iPhone/iPad case options abound but our very favorite for both comes from Sena Cases...
iPhone case $29.99
iPad case $59.99

The supple leather is an elegant alternative to the neon gel skins.  One word of caution, the fit is rather snug at first but over time the leather softens and stretches, making it super easy to remove the phone or tablet from the sleeve.

Check out more colors, styles and device options at Sena Cases.