Just because I have a puppy now, doesn’t mean I have to have a bunch of ugly crap hanging out in my house, right? On the other hand, I am NOT Paris Hilton and have no desire to dress up my pup in loud collars and obnoxious clothes (does a freakin’ dog need a sweater?!). But, a couple of chic doggie accessories are certainly on my shopping list.

First up, a new dog bed and I have found a couple of cute choices for your furry family member.

Super cute and great price for this red one:

Via PETCO: $19.99 (on sale)

This very cool graphic print bed would be a good addition to an artist and her pup. Alas, a bit too pricey for me.

Via Pet Super Store: $74.99

This lovely Target bed is my pick and will probably get purchased in the next few weeks. Love the stripes and they totally go with my new living room decor! (Oh, by the way, I’m moving and get to redecorate!)

Via Target: $29.99

This is such a fabulous idea! Buy some different accessories for your shoes and turn them into brand new pairs. Plus, you can easily take them from one pair and add them to another for a whole new look. The possibilities are endless. This is one of those ideas I wish I had come up with because it is so genius. I am not sure what the prices are like, but check out their website, Bluff NY. The chains are my favorite!

You could also be innovative and throw an old necklace, bracelet, feather, strips of fabric…anything, on your own shoes and DIY. Test out the possibilities and send in photos of your creations if you find something you like.

My friend Barbara directed me to Bluff NY. She’s been a very helpful contributor lately. Thanks Babs!!

Well hello. So today is pretty much the best day ever because, well, it’s the day after Labor Day. And you know what that means…time to get the old boots out of the closet!!! I couldn’t be happier. This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons: boots, football, better wardrobe, leaves changing colors, jackets, scarves…the list goes on and on. Did I mention every outfit looks better with boots? I can’t wait to find my new expensive pair for the season. I’ve been saving and will keep you posted when I find them. Probably won’t happen until February like last year when I only have a few months left. Oh well, these things cannot be rushed. Now go dig your favorite pairs out of the back of your closet!

I bought this cute little plaid dress on sale at a boutique in Park Slope a few weeks ago. I think the only reason it was on sale was because of said button. Seemed a bit silly to me, but I was more than happy to snatch it up.

Until I have the time (ahem, motivation) to make a proper repair and sew a new one on, I used the belt below as a quick fix.

Et voilà!

May not need a repair after all. My shoes are a Gap purchase and the belt, Urban Outfitters.

Last week while making some ricotta-stuffed shells and homemade tomato sauce I was stirring the sauce and it splattered on my cute, semi-new H&M shirt. This was not the first time that something like that has happened. The more I have been cooking (which I hope not to slow down), the more crap has been getting on my cute clothes (unless I am cooking in my sweats, which certainly happens as well). Therefore, I feel as though it is time to bite the bullet and get a damn apron.

In an effort to look a bit more like Betty Draper and a little less like Betty Crocker, I have been searching for a few cute, somewhat vintage inspired beauties. Now, just take a peek at these picks and imagine a martini in hand and some indie music, old school rock or NPR, depending on my mood, and tell me which is the most flattering coverup.

Adorable vintage apron

Crate and Barrel Doris Apron

Anthropologie Half Apron

I’m leaning toward the first one, but what are your thoughts?

When your shoes start to look like this (yes, that’s a whopping size 10)…

…it’s time for a new pair. Or two. With as much walking as I do in this city, I go through shoes very quickly. And yes, you can get them resoled, but flats are tricky. By the time you walk a few times in them, the back part starts dragging and you have irreparable holes before you know it (see above). And if it rains, you are screwed because then the inside gets all wet from the holes in the bottom.

My last pair of black flats that I bought on sale for $8 at the Gap seemed to be a popular item on here. A lot of you were disappointed that they were no longer available. Have I got some good news for you. I found two, yep two, new pairs last week. They were both inexpensive and still available. They are even available online if you are as lazy as I am, though I do like to try on a bunch of shoes in the same size at the store because they all fit a little differently. Black flats Take 1, Kmart….

Take 2, Old Navy….

A couple other tips from some feet who have taken a beating – unless you are walking for days, this stuff…

…is amazing. I also like these two products below. I found a $2 coupon for you on their website if you’d like to test them out.

I will try to get some pics of these shoes paired with outfits soon so you can see what they look like. I am very happy with my new purchases.

In case you missed it (shame on you), Jess had a birthday last week. Now it’s my turn. Tomorrow I turn…one year older. In celebration, my boyfriend and a couple others are taking me to, perhaps, my favorite Manhattan restaurant (how can you pick just one from the thousands??). We are going to Nobu to have my favorite Chilean Sea Bass, which is quite possibly the best thing I have ever tasted. I’m not exaggerating. Add a nice bottle (or five) of wine to that, a few glasses of champagne for dessert, and you couldn’t find a happier gal in NYC. So I was hoping you would all help choose an outfit (and shoes). What do you think, the *black (shocking, I know) on the left, or the deep purple on the right? I may even wear my new Nars Red Lizard lipstick for the first time, but don’t count on it.

*I wore this black dress in Jess’ wedding!! Finally a bridesmaid dress I have re-worn. Multiple times. Here is a pic from that marvelous night…

{Happy birthday to us!}

Holy eff. I can’t believe I have to even write this. Scrunchies are back. I know, ew. Damn you American Apparel (uh…btw, what is with their ads!?!?!). This is one thing you might just fail at – even over in Hipsterville. However, my friend, Balls, will be ecstatic. She’s kind of neurotic about keeping her hair healthy. So instead of having hair ties that might break her hair, she wears these. Only to bed. But still, I always call her out on it. I should mention, this was brought to my attention by Bromeliad. Check out the comments made on my last questionable judgment, Bumpits, and you will see. I was intrigued and had to investigate. What is it with the weird hair pieces lately anyway?? Tutu for the head? No, thanks. I’d rather wear my old softball t-shirt on which, from losing letters, my last name has gone from Larson, to Arson, to just plain Ars(e). Tell the truth now, do you still own one?

Images via AmericanApparel.com

I bet you thought it’d never end. Alas, the end is here!

This is the day we rode some bicycles to the Atlantic side of the island to chill in the hammock all day. All I did was read my David Sedaris with a glass (so much better than plastic) bottle of Coke in hand. It was amazing.

Top: Forever 21
Skirt: American Apparel Interlock High-Waist Skirt in Navy
Shoes: some cheap black flips from a store on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Delancey Street

Above is a shot inside the tiny plane that almost killed us on the way down. The shorts are a repeat from here, and the top is one of my new faves from Club Monaco. It is peachy colored. I love the back most.