an inspiring mission

we love to find stories like this!

meet kirsten and sophia, founders of raven + lily (ravenandlily.com). with the mission of "empowering impoverished women through design partnerships and microenterprise opportunities," they are bringing us unique ways to better the lives of our global sisters.

volunteers gather monthly in la to design one-of-a-kind scarves, cards and other paper goods, with proceeds furthering the overall vision of the organization. what's so cool about these pieces is, all materials used in their creation are remnants donated by various design industry supporters (including cynthia vincent).

in addition to this los angeles collection, lines designed in collaboration with women in northern india and east africa are in development, scheduled for online ordering this fall. all net profits go back to the local communities, in the form of fair wages to the artisans and support of future microenterprise.

we'll be sure to keep you posted, but feel free to sign up for the r+l enews at http://www.ravenandlily.com/stayconnected.html

we salute you, raven +lily, for reminding us that "all women are beautifully created with great value and purpose, yet some women have been devalued and oppressed by their society." thanks to your courageous efforts, we're able to (fashionably!) make a difference in the lives of beautiful women on the other side of the world.

volunteer, financially donate, and pray for this life-saving work at http://www.ravenandlily.com. what's that...do we hear san diego volunteer party??

we're ba-ack...and with a surprise!

hello friends!

well, we guess you could say we've taken a rather-extended spring break, but we're back and more excited than ever to start san diego-spotting again!

and during this break, we learned that one of us....is expecting! bring on the summer maternity wardrobe and stockpile of kitschy onesies!

and so, to share some of our recent mommy-to-be finds:

the staple tank

when it comes to dressing the bump, we all know liz lange has this thing down, and we picked up her long and lean tank in both black and sky blue. perfect for layering and oh-so-comfy!

http://www.target.com/Liz-Lange-Long-Lean-Ebony/dp/B001RLF44I/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_4?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1153TVA0VHJWX3EDSF39&pf_rd_p=447415501&pf_rd_i=B001EIDK9A&pf_rd_s=left-5&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=201

the flutter-sleeve kimono top

transport yourself to the islands with this hawaiian smocked top from charlotte russe. fun for a birthday lunch or backyard bbq, paired with jeans and jeweled thong sandals, with just the right amount of stretch to cutely hug the bump. on the conservative side? pick up their cami (available in a variety of colors) to hide the quickly-growing girls!http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3583151

the work dress

we must confess that we haven't actually bought this one, but from buyer reviews -- it appears to be a winner.

for those of us corporate mommies-to-be, finding a perfect sheath can be tricky (especially with the front load ever-expanding!). we'll definitely be giving this liz lange version in brown a whirl and we'll keep you posted.

now starts the hunt for a chocolate brown and lime (electric blue? pink? orange?) cardigan...

http://www.target.com/Liz-Lange-Target-Sheath-Dress/dp/B001C48GGI/ref=br_review_1?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0B629KR2P5JTAAZJJKGY&pf_rd_p=471801991&pf_rd_i=B001CGTOLM&pf_rd_s=bottom-11&activetab=Reviews&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=201

question for our friends: can anyone share thoughts on finding cute and comfortable flats? we'd love to not have to sacrifice style for 8 hours' toll on the feet...look forward to hearing from you!

** and of course, no pregnancy entry would be complete without a nod to cravings. we got our fix with a plate of san diego's best fries, on a saturday night date at maryjane's. walk -- no, run! -- to give them a taste! **

http://www.hardrockhotelsd.com/dining-&-nightlife/maryjanes-coffee-shop

the sunny side of life

well, it appears that the rain is finally leaving our fair city...giving us reason to celebrate with some sun-inspired style!

bringing a smile to our face (and hopefully a glow to our skin!) are these objets de soleil:

colossal mascara by maybelline: a lash's best friend! gives eyes the pop they deserve for spring -- and looks great when fished out of a purse for on-the-go touchups.

double-breasted trench coat by merona: our newest "it" piece! we can't help but want to hop and skip when we wear it out -- it just makes us so happy!

a gray trouser's perfect partner to uplift moods at any officeplace, nighttime finds it with skinnies and multi-strapped heels for a cheery yet edgy round of drinks on the patio.

start skipping today at: http://www.target.com/Merona-Double-Breasted-Jacket-Yellow/dp/B001I9V9M0/sr=1-1/qid=1235359024/ref=sr_1_1/183-4958215-5868968?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Ayellow%20trench&page=1

woven yellow and cream top by forever 21:

did you really think we'd go one post without an f21 pick? you know us so well!

we feel so good-girl-running-through-the-meadows in this flowy,

sheer piece (so aptly named the "mystic forest top"!). embrace your inner flower child -- and don't forget the daisy in your hair -- at:

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=fab%5Ffinds&product%5Fid=2048924808&Page=1#

and because we're all about finishing touches, make sure to pick up a bottle of "energy" vitamin water. not only does it taste great (and really give that promised boost!), but -- when carried in hand -- also adds that final shot of color to any springtime ensemble!

in case you'd like a professional opinion, feel free to check out the spring 2009 color report from our friends at pantone, available at:

http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends/2008/Pantone-Fashion-Color-Report-Summer-2009.html
** by the way, make sure to spend some time exploring this site. we stumbled upon this little jewel while doing some research on trends for fall. being color fanatics, we found ourselves in big-time love! **

(images courtesy of maybelline.com, target.com, forever21.com and vitaminwater.com.au)

jungle love

hello friends!

a recent business trip gave us the flying time to peruse many a fashion mag, and as we thumbed through the pages, we noticed a very common thread.

what was it? a whole lotta leopard!

here are the first spoils from our very own safari...at the mall!

macy's: sheer peasant blouse with ruffled edge and hem (juniors dept).

we love this piece -- complete with attached brown camisole -- dressed up for work with a black pencil skirt, patent belt and pumps, or headed for saturday dinner downtown with stovepipe trouser jeans (try h&m's "flary") and peeptoe wedges.

comfortable and sassy!

forever 21: super-thin, multi-colored headbands (pack of 5).

well, by now you know our not-so-secret obsession with the f21 establishment. but, hey -- if they keep us looking sharp without cutting into our already-tight budget -- why not?

try a single with a high pony for some casual spice, or group two or three together for a fancier, customized design. endless possibilities!

create your own at:

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=acc%5Fhat%5Fhairgoods&product%5Fid=1057841288&Page=1

(images courtesy of stylefeeder.com and forever21.com)

giacini + grammy = read on!

we are so excited to bring you -- our fashionable friends -- this breaking news!

if you loved the giacini "shopping buddy" totes from our last post, you're about to be joined by all of hollywood. the victrola carryall, the first in giacini's new line of vintage print totes, has been selected for the official grammy gift bags (given to every presenter/performer)! let's hear it for our san diego designers!

just slightly larger than the shopping buddies, the victrola also features a reinforced bottom for extra support and (of course) the beloved double-length handles. with an interior zippered pocket for that can't-live-without lip gloss, this canvas wonder is roomy enough to stylishly shlep all your finds from the day: striped boatneck at h&m, lunch and dinner for the week at trader joe's, and influence by mary-kate and ashley olsen.

and the best part is -- it's washable and reusable, so not only will you want to carry it everywhere...you'll do so with with an environmentally-friendly bounce in your step!

beat music's biggest stars to the punch at http://www.viviparker.com/category.sc?categoryId=3 (make sure to mention you "spotted" it here)!

(images courtesy of http://www.giaciniatelier.com/)

keep the merry with a chic carry

we know the drill: returning that crazy sweater, going wild with the gift cards, gathering up some post-holiday steals...

and, while the holidays are officially over (sniff, sniff), keep your spirits high with these very fun totes to oh-so-stylishly bring it all home!

we spotted this first bag at forever 21, while snatching up the carolynn tweed coat. we loved the vintage print on the dove and -- for a dollar -- who could resist?

floral peace bag:

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=ACC&product%5Fid=1058775119&showBACK=OK

carolynn tweed coat:

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=OUTWR&product%5Fid=2055179889&showBACK=OK

(images courtesy of forever21.com)

our second pick is a bag we first fell for at the giacini (http://www.giaciniatelier.com/) trunk show at blisswear on adams(http://www.blisswear.com/). what a chic way to transport your goodies! pick from a poodle, pug, chihuahua, scottie or greyhound "shopping buddy" at viviparker.com, or visit scott james in the east village (http://www.scottjameseastvillage.com/) or cedros soles in solana beach (http://www.cedrossoles.com/).

(image courtesy of viviparker.com)

a wedding this weekend introduced us to our last find. just as neat as freeset bags are the stories behind them, which can be found at http://www.ashaimports.com/.

(image courtesy of ashaimports.com)

bando-licious!

we've just found out that one of our dearest friends, who just happens to be terribly stylish (and makes quite the stunner bridesmaid), has been nominated by dailycandy (http://www.dailycandy.com/) as a 2008 "sweetest things" nominee.

she and her partner co-created ban.do, a new accessory house of awesomeness. play anything from a romantic botticelli chick (cue clueless here) to zelda fitzgerald in her 20s heyday with these one-of-a-kind creations.

vote now at http://www.shopbando.com/home.html. oh, and don't forget the haikus.

(images courtesy of shopbando.com)