Hi. You're pretty.

First, some background music: Hit me. (Then come back, please.)

Well. I missed this little Dior number from Augusta Auctions. 1948 was a good year: this cocktail dress sold for just over $40,000. And darn. I just found that giant wad of benjamins in the lint trap...

via Augusta Auctions...go see!

All kidding aside, Augusta Auctions is a great resource for inspiration and research on textile and fashion. Searching their past auctions, I was a little amazed at the span of history represented. Some of their offerings are really, really OLD. These ancient woven tunic inserts and bands sold for just $460. No, I don't really know what the heak I would do with ancient woven tunic inserts, but they are ancient. So they are good and I should probably have some.

Coptic weavings, 300-100 AD 

Some other favorites:
Pair of Lady's Mules, 1690-1720
Galanos Chine Print Silk Party Dress, 1950s
Christobal Balenciaga Couture Dress, 1948-1950
Jet and Gold Beaded Top and Bolero, 1890s
Pink Silk Robe a la Francaise, 1770-80

Augusta is having an auction in NYC on November 2nd. You can see what's up for sale here.

Beautyfix - sample club

I'm totally doing this Beautifix thing!

This is how it works...You answer a few questions about your complexion and hair. Depending on your answers, a bank of products in sample sizes are chosen for you. From this bank, you choose any 8. Beautyfix then sends you these products and a cute lil makeup bag. All for just $49.99 and freeeeee shipping.

At first it sounded like a pretty penny for a bunch of samples, but after going through their little survey, I was given a very tasty array to choose from. Eyeliners, nail polish, eye cream, age-defense moisturizers, fancy hair treatments and even boob cream were included! This sounds like a nice way to try some new products. I'm totally doing this! Next paycheck...

Ruche Kimono Dress

What's that sound? That is the sound of my screaming, still echoing through the night, as I first laid my eyes on this adorable piece from Ruche.

Ruche has a really wonderful, Anthropologie-esque collection, for about a third of the price. Hope it's payday, because you're going to want to buy yourself a present...Just sayin.

Lavender lemonade

This is a pic from an old post from the lovely Sunday Suppers blog. I saw it and shattered my office windows with a banshee scream.

check out the recipe for Lavender Lemonade

I want that dress! I want those drinks! All of 'em!

Gary Cooper, 1928

Just discovered this picture and my stomach went all knotty.
Oh my god. What a looker.

Image via The Sartorialist

You can see this and more gorgeous photography by Edward Steichen at the Danziger Gallery in NYC.

Vertigo inducing stripes crash Target site

This stuff is what crashed Target's website for hours?

It looks to me like a rainbow had a bad acid trip, ate an entire box of tainted salt water taffy and vomited on most of these goods.
Some items in the Missoni for Target collection are already sold out. Maybe this is some elaborate marketing gimmick to generate implied value for the brand? Are there projections that these items will be collectors items? I don't get it.

Missoni for Target = Yucko.

For only 5k...

I saw this ring and squealed. It's from Erstwhile Jewelry Co. They have a really lovely collection of shiny things.

For the same low price of 5k...This super cute 1964 Austin Healey convertible. (That's actually just the starting bid, and there are only 8 days left to the auction...better hurry!)

Sigh. Must I choose?

Merlitones. God help me.

I was very fortunate to have the chance to go to Spain last month for the wedding of some dear friends of mine. While there, my dashing ex-roommate, David was the perfect tour guide, escorting us to Toledo, Segovia, Ourense, and Baiona--Truly, some of the most beautiful places I have seen in my young (eh hem) life. Thank you, David!

There was a little bakery on the edge of this plaza in Segovia called Pasteleria Limon y Menta. Along with a lovely tuna & tomato filled pastry thing, I bought a little, yellow, buttery muffin creature that weighed about a pound. I should have bought 30. I died that day. When I took a bite out of that muffin, my eyes rolled into the back of my head and an explosion of sugar-butter goodness exploded in my mouth and killed me.

These humble looking little treasures are called Merlitones. The pic above is from a bakery in Madrid called La Duquesita which apparently specializes in them. I did not have a chance to go there before it was time to leave Spain, and the decision will haunt me forever. If I don't find a recipe or a local joint that makes these lovelies...God. Help. Me.

Miette cookbook

This cookbook from a bakery called Miette has scalloped edges.