A $4.00 cross-body clutch from Conway that’s surprisingly roomy and well-constructed.  This bag is so versatile, I’m thinking of buying another one in the purple/black combination.

Bowron’s Shorn Wool Baby comforter is unbelivably soft; it stays cool in the summer, warm in the winter and can absorb up to 33% of its weight in moisture. The baby fell asleep as soon as I put him on it, despite having recently woken up from an 8 hour slumber.  This sheepskin comes from the Bowron family in the Australia’s highlands.  They tan the wool using  the same eco-friendly techniques since the 1880s.  Each of these lasts a lifetime, if not longer.

I’ve had to pare down on my subscriptions lately, since there is no way I can keep up with all the reading.  A few things, however, will always remain on my reading list and The Sun is among them.  This little magazine is full of heavy-hitting but elevating little poems, short stories and interviews with visionaries.  Its kind of like a Highlights for adults–I always look forward to and devour each issue.  The Sun is ad-free and is always looking for new people to join their reading community.

You know what’s cuter than baby feet?  Baby booties!  You can’t go wrong with hand-knit baby booties!  A quick search on Etsy delivers an incredible selection like this amazing set of crochet loafers or this whimsical baby blue mustache set or this clover-green and red tartan pair.

My boss at the Federal Reserve Bank sent me this baby gift and it soon became one of our favorites.  This awesome book provides high contrast contemporary art images for baby to gaze at and enjoy.

I tried a lot of different baby carriers before finding this one–it’s hands-down the best one for me.  Better than the Baby Bjorn, Baby K’tan, Ergo baby, etc.  This lightweight organic cotton sling is easy to put on and super-comfy to hold baby around the house.  The breathable fabric is perfect for longer-term wearing.

1. Essie 4 piece Fall Collection – $17
2. Tory Burch Studded Wrap Bracelet – $95
3. A+Ro Gabby Chevron Print Cardigan – $136
4. Erin Fetherston Floral Embroidery Blouse – $172
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle Hobo – $438
6. Cynthia Vincent Earhart – $236
7. Report Jude – $99

I love incense–it’s a big part of my upbringing and its heady smell reminds me of home.  Lately, I’ve been using a lot of this hand-rolled in incense from Ramakrishnanda.  My favorite scent is Yamuna, which has vanilla, copal and amber in it.  The scent is pretty strong but it’s gorgeous and there’s a lingering after-scent that makes the room smell warm and inviting.  Visitors often remark on how good the house smells when they enter–it’s all because of this incense!  I buy these at a local shop but you can purchase them here.

I’ve been doing a lot of spring/summer cleaning and found this necklace at the bottom of my jewelry box.  I decided to rotate it back into my summer wardrobe because the big, milky blue gems remind me of seaglass–perfect for wearing with a breezy, beachy maxi dress.

If you haven’t heard of it, Rockabye Baby makes baby-friendly versions of rock and pop favorites.  For me, the lullaby renditions of the Smashing Pumpkins are beyond sweet and amazing; I downloaded a few of the tunes for fun post-birth listening.  Check them out!

1. ASOS Mini Tulip Dress – $63
2. Kate Spade Frame of Mind Necklace – $198
3. ASOS Harlot Stiletto Leather Sandals – $125
4. Stephan & Co. Statement Necklace – $24
5. Michael Stars Racerback Tank – $62
6. Dolce Vita Valentina Lace Dress – $275
7. White Converse – $47

Happy 4th of July everyone!  I chanced upon this fantastic stool/side table by Jason Phillips on gilt.com the other day.  It looks like something Hansel and Gretel would have in their living room and I’m totally obsessed.  It’s pretty pricey, however.  Think I should try to make one of these at home with a tree trunk section and some silver spray paint?

My go-to weekend outfit in the summer is a long maxi with sunglasses and large tote.  I’m partial to purple bags but my hands-down favorite bag is my purple Beirn bag.  It has a single strap so it’s easy to carry and it’s roomy enough to stash all of my stuff.  Colorblock maxi: Old Navy Maternity, Sunglasses: Chloe, Stud Hoops: Forever21, Bracelets: Rainbow Stores

This was a recent last-minute brunch recipe made mostly from dinner leftovers: roasted mushrooms and potatoes got folded into eggs beaten with parmesan and the whole thing was put into the broiler for ten minutes on high.  I topped it all off with my favorite summer-time salad topping: baby argula.

]]> http://www.inaila.com/style/finds-and-favorites-6/feed/ 0 http://www.inaila.com/life/finds-and-favorites-5/ http://www.inaila.com/life/finds-and-favorites-5/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +0000 Mubina http://www.inaila.com/?p=1923

For my birthday, I got a Bond No. 9 Perfume Gift Card.  With the card, arrived about two dozen samples, all wrapped up like cute little bon-bons.  I’ve already tried about half of them and, so far, my favorite has been Cooper Square, with its woodsy, lavender-like scent.

My husband recently went to Berlin and brought back these heavenly chocolates from a company called Leysieffer.  I never cared much for marzipan fillings when I was younger but love them now so much that I was looking for the other marzipan piece in this tin as soon as I found the first one.

My friends Eliza and Dina came over for brunch and brought sweets with them, including these ridiculously luscious donuts from Brooklyn’s Dough.  They take donuts to whole other levels here with flavors like blood orange, passionfruit and hibiscus.

Thin wrap cardigan: Purchased from a Den Haag street market (similar)

Empire-waist Bias Hemline Maxi Dress: New York & Company (similar)

Sequin Bangle: Forever 21 (similar)

Cream Enamal Bib Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

Leather Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Affection Crossbody (buy)

Black Sandals: Aerosoles (buy)

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Tribute’ Sandal VS Vince Camuto Toleo

Prada Hexagon Arabesque Platform Sandal VS Vince Camuto Trinity

Miu Miu Glitter and Suede Pumps (sold out) VS Topshop Jazzhands Glitter Peep Shoes

Christian Louboutin Ron Ron 100 Hot Pink Suede (sold out) VS J.Crew Mona Suede Pumps

1. Steven by Steve Madden Sariah – $125
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – $42
3. L’Oreal Sublime Sun Continuous Spray Mist, SPF 50 – $10.99
4. Chloe Sunglasses – $267
5. Topshop Striped Lantern Skirt – $76
6. Phytodefrisant – Botanical Relaxing Balm – $26
7. Earth Axxessories Polyester Beach Tote – $25.60

On a side note, please vote for my friend Grace’s blog, GraceNotesNYC.com, on Urbanspoon’s Island Hopper Giveaway Contest. If you’re a foodie or want to find new restaurants in New York City be sure to follow her blog!