steal vs. splurge {bag}

I am loving the steal vs. splurge idea new to our blog! And more importantly, we hope you are enjoying it too.

Our steal vs. splurge this week is 100% bag-ulous. We love Longchamp tote bags – they are great for school bags, business bags, travel bags, and even diaper bags. You can find Longchamp at all the great department stores such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc for anywhere from $125-$500. New at Fleur de Lis we have look-a-like bags, and can be ordered with your monogram for only $90! These bags are versatile for every age and every lifestyle, and are available in every color of the rainbow. We also have matching (and monogram-able) make up bags. Great gift idea for holiday, graduation, teachers gifts, sororities, baby bags … and any occasion!

bags steal vs. splurge

{images via Neiman Marcus and Fleur de Lis}

push gifts

I never heard of a ‘push gift’ until I had my first child. Now, I am fully aware, and a fan of the idea. Of course, a healthy baby is the ULTIMATE AND BEST gift, and second to that is help, love and emotional support from a partner…but if anyone deserves a little pampering, it’s a new mom who just survived labor!

For those of you who do not know what a “push gift” is, let me educate you…it’s a present your hubby or partner gets you for carrying and generally pushing the baby out (C-section moms definitely deserve one too).

I jokingly asked my hubby before the birth of our son, “What’s my push gift going to be?” At the time, he was building our first home, so he simply and confidently replied, “A house.”

Okay, so that was more than enough and I LOVE our home. It’s beautiful.

Well, now I’m a candidate for a “push gift” again as I just had our 3rd child. So, I’m on the look-out for that sweet, fabulous and WELL-DESERVED “push gift.”

Here’s what I came up with…

{I’d love to hear if you’ve received any great “push gifts” and what they were…please share!}

Diamond Stackable Band
If you have the budget for it, I love the idea of adding a diamond band above or below your wedding ring for every child, or designing a “mom ring” with all the children’s birthstones in one unique design.

Calendar Bracelet, Dalla Nonna Jewelry, $125
{necklaces available too}

Numeric Stackable Ring, Gorjana-Griffin {$30}
{buy the number of kids you have…or will have post birth} 

Birth Photographer or Newborn Photography Session
{if she is open to people being in the delivery room, having a professional photographer capture all the unforgettable moments during labor and the first moments you meet your new baby is priceless}

If she is not open to having her birth documented, a newborn photography session is a wonderful gift idea and a nice way to capture a newborn sweet face, cuddle poses and the moments of sweet new life…which moms know doesn’t last long!

Art Date Print, The Memory Gallery via Etsy

Cartier Love Bracelet, $5,575
{a girl can dream, right?}

Designer Diaper Bag, Kate Spade, $348
{help the new mom feel fashionably fabulous with a designer diaper bag}

{images via Harry Winston via Pinterest, Meredith Moran PhotographyDalla Nonna JewelryThe Memory Gallery, Cartier, Gorjana-Griffin, Kate Spade}.

iconic ikat

We’re loving one of this summer’s trends: ikat {pronounced “ee-kot”) . I had no idea what ikat actually meant, but it didn’t really matter because it looks good and I like it!

However, after wanting to learn something new today, I learned ikat is a fabric in which the yarns have been tie-dyed before weaving.

We found some home and fashion finds so you, too, can have a little ikat in your life.

IKAT TO SPICE YOUR WARDROBE

1. Marisa Wide Leg Pants in Ikat, Ann Taylor LOFT {$65}
2. Bright Ikat Butterfly Cover-Up, Echo {$48}
3. Poketo Ikat Scarf, Poketo {$24}
4. Soludos Pico Flat Espadrille, Shopbop {$42}
5. Toms Cenna Sandal, Nordstrom {$68.95}
6. Kushcush Bali Bikini, Shopbop {$75 and $71}
7. Ella Moss Ikat Maxi Dress, Shopbop {$188}
8. Sequin Ikat Medium Enamel Bangle, Nordstrom {$30}
9. Ikat Print Sunglasses, Topshop {$32}
10. Wild Ikat Chino Short, J. Crew {$59.50}
11. Boni Beach bag by Roberta Roller Rabbit, Piperlime {$67.99}
12. Haute Hippie Silk Peasant Dress, Nordstrom {$395}

IKAT FOR THE HOME

1. Ikat Table Runner, Pinterest
{I don’t know where to find these runners, so if anyone knows, please fill me in. I love the way they are used at each place setting, rather than 1 long runner down the length of the table}
2. Armless Upholstered Slipper Accent Chair, Target
3. Iman Ikat Pillow Cover, Stitched Nestings on Etsy {$45}
4. Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel, West Elm {$69-$84}
5. Ikat Placemats and Napkins, Neiman Marcus {$45-$60}
6. Ikat Nesting Bowls Set of 3, C. Wonder {$58}
7. Ikat Dot Organic Sheet Set, Pottery Barn Teen {$32.50-$119.00}
8. Ipanema Ikat Slanted Party Tub, World Market {$13.99}
9. Ikat Picture Frames, Dana Gibson {$55-$65}
10. Ikat Medallion Drum Lampshade, StudioJOTA on Etsy {$99.95}

{images via Nordstrom, LOFT, Echo, Poketo, Shopbop, Topshop, Piperlime, PinterestTargetNeiman Marcus, World Market, C. Wonder, West ElmPottery Barn Teen, Studio Jota, Stitched Nestings, Dana Gibson}

some bunny loves you

I love these sweet Tutto Bella gift finds to show someone special you love and appreciate them, to bring as a hostess gift or to give as a party favor this Easter.

Custom Ceramic Egg, $28 from Paloma’s Nest

Personalized Easter Favor Bags, $24 for a set of 8 bags from The English Pea
Robin’s Egg Soaps in Nest Soap Dish, $25 from Gianna Rose Atelier
Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase , $28 from Anthropologie
{I REALLY want this…}

 Wire Bag Basket, Pottery Barn
{this would be great to fill with goodies for the day or dyed easter eggs in a bed of hay}

{images via The English Pea, Anthropologie, Gianna Rose AtelierPaloma’s Nest and Pottery Barn}

all dressed up in love

I can just hear the song by Jennifer Hudson from the Sex and the City Movie.
{I couldn’t find an official music or movie video, so this will just have to do for now}.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8xrltRdS2k]

We’ve taken a literal {maybe some a bit cheesy, but all fun and cute} translation of Valentine’s Day with these clothing and accessories to celebrate sweet love. I don’t know about you, but I could rock those Tom’s all year long. 🙂

Dorothy Perkins Grey Heart Printed Cardigan: $49 | Tiffany Love Charm in Sterling Silver: $175 | Madewell Heart Alphabet Bag: $29 | Tom’s Valentine’s Women’s Classic: $54 | Modcloth I’m in Spatu-Love: $12.99 | Modcloth The Heartbeat is On Earring Set: $15.99 | Urban Outfitters LOVE Oversized Tee: $29 | American Eagle Heart Aviator Glasses: $15.50 | Modcloth Em-bracelet the Love: $24.99