I'm going through changes.

So the blog revamp--what can you expect? Well, someday if I get off my lazy bum, I'll create a new header! (Submissions welcome.) The biggest change is a shift in focus. You may or may not have noticed the change in subhead from "Qui adore la mode" to "Qui adore la bonne vie." If you didn't don't worry. If you did, you get extra points*.

Sometimes "the good life" connotes an image of luxury and opulence, but fear not, that's not what I'm going for. Or maybe I am, but more in the way of everday luxuries. Recently I ran in a relay race called Reach the Beach. This is kind of shocking for a lot of reasons. First, it was my first race ever!


Number 1 for first race, not for me being number one; although, I was pleased with my time.

Second, it was with STRANGERS! Seriously look at those silly kids!


Third, it went on for more than 24 hours, and there were NO SHOWERS! (See post-race photo above. Be glad it's not scratch 'n' sniff.)

Needless to say, coming home to take a hot shower and put on clean pajamas was one of the most luxurious feelings ever. My bed has never felt so soft, my husband never so snuggly.

I'm so proud of myself for doing it; It was miles outside of my comfort zone, but I had a great time and met some amazing people.

Other everyday luxuries? The joy of riding a bike on a sunny day! Seriously, when was the last time you road a bike? It is so much fun. Also, eating good food. I know people say 'eat to live, don't live to eat," but food can be such a simple joy. (Cough, especially when it's plant-based whole foods, cough.) Seriously though, I've never felt better than when I'm eating real food. I'm not talking about health food necessarily either. Just simple ingredients.



Don't worry, there will still be plenty of fashion, too, with a little beauty sprinkled in, because yes, I do know what the best vegan mascara is, and yes, I will share.

(Race photos courtesy of Steve Gintz)

*Point redeemable for photos of baby animals that I find on the internets.

Guess who's back?

It's been a while. I'm planning on revamping ye olde blogge, but for now, I wanted to get a post in about MOFO! MOFO is the vegan month of food, where bloggers try to post bunches about delicious vegan food.

Those wacky vegans. Always telling people about their delicious food.

So what do vegans eat? I'm probably not the best at answering this right now, because I have a cold, and I'm grumpy.

That being said, there is one thing that I'm grooving on right now. It's packs a nutrient punch, is delicious, and I'm sure will probably KO this cold shortly. Also, Wilson refuses to go around it, so it's all for me.

Behold, the green smoothie.




Many 'healthy living' bloggers rock on the green smoothie, so for some of you, this is nothing new. I don't ever really measure anything I make, but I'll give you the approximation of this tall glass of awesome.

'Tropical' Green Smoothie
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup almond milk (I prefer unsweetened original)
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
1/3 cup frozen pineapple
1 TBS protein powder (I used Nutribiotic Vanilla Rice Protein)
1 TBS peanut butter (I used White Chocolate Wonderful from Peanut Butter & Co).
1/4 cup of orange juice (To get it blending and for EVEN MORE VITAMINS!)

Blend on med-high for approximately a minute and a half. I blend until it seems liquidity. Sometimes I don't, and I pretend that it's soft serve and eat it like that. Either way, it's awesome.

AND, LOOK AT ALL THAT SPINACH! (Bee tee dubs, you can't taste it!)

Inspiration Ignition

Today's Style Stalker email from Who What Wear Daily features San Francisco blogger Blair Eadie. Finally, without a doubt, I feel the stirring in my soul of fashion inspiration. I've never read Ms. Eadie's blog, Atlantic-Pacific, so I mosied on over. Eadie has something that feels at once girlish, fresh, and sophisticated at the same time. I'm broke as a joke right now, but you'd better believe that I'm going to scrape my pennies together for a pair of denim cut offs.

The Coveted Rant

OK, so I'm not the best fashion blogger in the world. In fact, sometimes I do things and forget (or am too lazy) to "cover" them. It happens.

Long story short, one fashion week I was able to go to the IFB Evolving Influence panel discussion, and it was amazing. All of the heavy hitters were on the panel, and I learned a lot of technical marketing type stuff if I really wanted to 'monetize' my blog. This is certainly not my full time job, so I just absorbed everything and took notes, but I didn't put too much into practice.

At the panel I was blown away by the elegance and poise of Ms. Jennine from The-Coveted. She's just a really cool, smart lady who is as chic sartorially as she is whipsmart with business acumen.

That's one of the many reasons I'm so disheartened and sad to hear of her latest woes surrounding a group of people that are infringing upon her brand. The OTHER Coveted is blah blah blah. Check Refinery for the info if you like, but seriously? I am outraged and cannot support this in the least bit. I was so put off that Daily Candy mentioned it today, that I might cancel my subscription to their email newsletter. You can read about her response here.

Basically I'm just writing this post to say, "BOO!!" And I think you should know about it, and I think you should be anti-, too.

Just my $0.02.

ETA: Petition up here. Or buy some bad ass Wendy Brandes rings, and Wendy will donate cash to Jennine. I don't have the cash, nor the occasion to wear a ring that says, "F@#!" but it's pretty cool.

Fashion Inspiration from Unlikely Sources--Shocked?!

I tossed Women's Health magazine in the cart yesterday at Whole Foods along with bananas and blueberries. (I know, right? I wasn't kidding when I said I've gone through some changes.) I haven't changed that much though.

One of the Style + Beauty Lab section stories jumped out at me "Stylish by Nature." It isn't your typical hippie chic story. In fact it could be a chic, chic story. It also introduced me to an online boutique that I've never visited, which is a feet in and of itself.

What stood out the most?

This Moto Jacket in Cognac $62.

Of course, black is a little more me. (Motorcycle jacket $78)

And you can continue to get in touch with your inner bad ass with this Thumb & Index Ring $30.

OK, maybe you can find a little hippie-chic on the site.

Peace Love World At Peace Crew Fleece $78

If you had over to the site, be sure to check out the celeb style section!


Don't be shocked if get myself a birthday present from here!

To continue my bag lust, please see mattandnat.com!

Matt & Nat are the BOMB for any fashion lover, but an absolute God-send for the vegan fashionista.

They are also on sale today at Rue La La. I'm not crazy about what they're featuring in this sale, but I love that Rue La La is selling Matt & Nat.

It did, however, inspire me to check out the company's newer offerings. Oh yeah, and I fell in love.


I've been heading more toward neutral hued bags, but for some reason I just absolutely adore this. And how long have I been coveting a satchel? Seriously. It's starting to get ridiculous. (My birthday is in March, kthxbye).

Vegan Dreams are Made of These

Chelsea Boots from MaraisUSA


Pebbled Cross Body Mini from Need Supply Co. currently sold out

Who am I to disagree?

Oh Hai! Happy New Year!

Hello, stranger! Ok, so I'm the stranger round these parts. Where have you been? You may be wondering. Either that or you didn't notice that I haven't blogged since last July.

Well, a lot of things have happened, and not very much has happened at all, if that makes sense. I grew increasingly uninspired by my sartorial options as my body ballooned. I decided around my one year wedding anniversary that enough is enough! And I started to get in shame. (Ok, I admit that I was also inspired by Jackie Warner's Thintervention on Bravo. What? I love Jackie's style, especially when she wore a Debbie Harry T to the 'getting your sexy back' themed episode. She has that kind of moto/tom-boy style that I've always loved, but I was really too short and chubby to replicate it and feel comfortable/attractive.

Long story short, I buy her book, realize I've been addicted to refined sugar and processed foods for the last, oh, 28 years, so I changed my diet, started working out, and I've lost 19 pounds.

I read a couple of other books while getting my health groove on, one of which was Skinny Bitch. I picked it up thinking I'm just going to look for ideas, I'm not going to go vegan or anything crazy.

Except that Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin really made a lot of sense. And after I'd started to 'eat clean' I had fewer meat/dairy cravings.

Then I read Slaughterhouse by Gail A. Eisnitz. Then I watched Earthlings.

I came out of the closet, as a vegan.

Yep. So needless to say, I didn't get that Marc by Marc Jacobs bag I last posted about.

I may also be coveting...

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Flash Slingdoodle Zippered Hobo - Black

$458.00 $229.00 SALE

Pebbled leather hobo with magnetic snap closure, leather shoulder strap and multiple zipper details. Cotton lined interior with leather-trimmed zipper pocket and two organization pockets.

Silver-toned hardware

12" x 13" x 1"

17" shoulder strap drop

Available in Black

Barneys style #: 500431741


These are 'out' though, right? Supposed to be looking for structured ladylike bags... Meh... trends...

3.1 Phillip Lim Tess Satchel at Barneys New York

Ugh! Barney's web site kills me. This bag seems to be available, but it is not (not in stores either, I called). Why do you do this to me?

3.1 Phillip Lim Tess Satchel at Barneys New York

Clog-doubters, this is my vision.

Festival chic by ndpittman featuring Free People jumpsuits

Items in this set:
Tomboy denim jacket, $235
Sweet Springtime Romper, $120
Sweet Springtime Romper, $120
haley canvas cross body bag, 435 GBP
Silver Multi Ring, 2 250 SEK

It's Britney, Bitch!

Ok, not really. It's just me. I've been MIA lately--even a bit missing from myself, if that's possible. I'm trying to get back to doing things that I love, and however shallow it may be to say it, I love coveting things online. SO, without further ado, here are some things I've been coveting!

3.1 Phillip Lim Blackberry Holder wallet at Net-A-Porter.com

I think this is the best idea ever, combination wallet and BlackBerry holder--especially if, like me, you carry a big bag to work, but really just need your wallet when you run out to coffee, etc. and would like to grab that, phone, keys without hassle.

Medium Leather Buckle Satchel at Topshop.com

Speaking of a big bag, I could toss the Phillip Lim wallet in here along with a book, newspaper, journal, and my lunch, making this an IDEAL commuting bag. I'd like to see it in person. The site says it's 100% leather, so I think this might be a decent buy given the $100 price point if the quality is good. Not that I have $100 to spend on a bag right now...


Jeffrey Campbell 'Charli-C' Clog at Nordstrom.com

I think these clogs fall under what I would wear if I were stick skinny. I'd wear these, big sunglasses, a floral romper, and a small cross body bag. Given that that is not actually my life, I'll probably stay off these bad boys lest I break my ankle.

formspring.me

What does lapetitedemoiselle mean?

La Petite Demoiselle means the small, young lady--not nearly as eloquent in English. When I think of the title, I picture Amelie.

Ask me anything

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/ndpittman

A Curious Comment

I received an interesting comment on an older post:

salvara said...

Why did the Americans are so obsessed with fashion as the world falls padazos?

DECEMBER 31, 2009 10:21 AM

I can't help thinking this is a terrible way to look at the world. I mean, is the world falling to pieces? Did I miss something? Don't get me wrong, I'm not in complete denial. I realize that there are unimaginably bad things happening in the world. I was laid off--remember what I would buy Thursdays? And I was joined that month by something like 250,000 other Americans.

Fashion gives as respite in a sea of uncertainty. It's a tiny escape to fabulous, a chance to rise above the muck and be beautiful. Fashion is a opportunity to express yourself; it's a chance to be silly and serious at the same time. Fashion is hope.

So, I'm going to celebrate tonight in my Rodarte for Target party dress and optimistically resolve to make 2010 a better year.

/rant

Dear Santa,

Can you please bring me the entire Rodarte for Target line? K, THX!

(Images via Luckymag.com)

EDIT: Check out Target to Go pop-up shops in NYC, D.C., or San Fran to get the goods early!

Is it wrong...

...how much I love this?

Find out more on Net-A-Porter.com
Cat Burglar Barbie

$150

ShopBop and Marc by Marc Jacobs Handbags Give Away Winner

First, let me apologize for the dearth of posts. My day job has been incredibly busy. Enough excuses though--on to the winner!

While Kathy saying that I look like Miss Marc gave me a chuckle, Amber and I immediately had a favorite.

Not only did Amber and I crack up about your albino alligator story, MISS SARA ZUCKER, but we also thought that this bag would be a great buy. (Um, they a leopard print one now too that makes me wish I could have won the $100 gift card!)


Thanks so much to ShopBop and Marc Jacobs Handbags for sponsoring the giveaway. I will be seeing you both very soon, I'm sure...drools... leopard.

Oh, and of course, congratulations Sara! More info to come via email!!

(click images above for more info)

S'Up Marc Jacobs Hanbags and ShopBop Giveaway!

Holla at ya girl. Who has your back? Or, um, is holding your stuff? Maybe you'd prefer to carry your stuff in a nice Marc Jacobs handbag? Hmmm??! Today, we're (Amber is voting in on this one) giving out a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card to one lucky, creative commenter who tells us which of the Marc Jacobs handbags from Shopbop.com is his/her favorite, and why. The most inventive comment wins, so be sure to let your one-of-a-kind style shine. Even tell us where you would wear your handbag, and what you would wear it with.

History of Mark Jacobs Handbags

Marc Jacobs, the renowned designer, has received many honors in the competitive fashion world, such as "The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent," in 1987, making him the youngest designer ever to receive the distinction.

His designs are always unique, daring and inspirational. His creative vision currently ranges from menswear to, of course, handbags. Marc Jacobs handbags are unique works of art, both stylish yet functional, ranging from the evening clutch to oversized tote bags. Even his more classic designs are distinguished for their outstanding craftsmanship and well-crafted materials. PLUS, he's freaking hot. Did you see him in the Nars anniversary pic? Gah, I die.

They are the kind of bags that you want to rub your face on a little bit. You've certainly seen enough of them on here to know that I love them a little bit and do silly things like blow my entire income tax refund even though I ought to save that money on them. I've been carrying the Hillier Hobo for-ever, so when ShopBop gave me the chance to offer this to you, you know I was down.

What would you wear with your pick from Marc Jacobs handbags?

From traditional black to vibrant, colorful designs, there are Marc Jacobs handbags suited for any style and occasion. But what really matters is which of these handbags you prefer; with so many choices, it's a tough decision. If you win this giveaway, you'll receive a $100 Shopbop.com instant gift card so you can get started on shopping for your new piece of art immediately. Just tell us which of the Marc Jacobs handbags you absolutely can't live without, and why. The most creative comment will win, so be daring like Marc Jacobs himself and show off your style!

I'm so excited for someone to win this. While not as dope as a free handbag, a $100 instant gift card makes these bags an investment worth making (bull, bear, economy, money market, blah).



Sponsored post

SaksFirst!

Loads of stuff at Saks for under $100. Not the summer clothes you've seen elsewhere either, there are some nice knits (Splendid, Design History) as well as some cute things from Seneca Rising, Patterson J. Kincaid, and Marc by Marc and Sauce.

I pretty much need this vest, right?

Kai-aakmann Long Vest $140.00 Sale $84.00

Maybe wear it with this T-shirt?

Sauce Skeleton Tee Dress $84.00 Sale $50.40

If the link doesn't work, let me know and I'll email you the "exclusive sale link."