More coupon codes

A. Tierney Friends and Family Sale: Take 30% off your order with code FFF09 through 10/27/09.

Sephora Friends and Family Sale: Get 20% off your purchase (online only) with code FF2009. Expires 11/02/09.

Favorite Things Friday

It's October, which means one thing to MRM- Breast Cancer Awareness Month and consequently, lots of fun, pink shopping to be done. This week's favorite things post is devoted to products that give back.

From my favorite bakery, Crumbs, a special limited-edition cupcake with pink ribbon sprinkles, $4.50. $1 from the sale of each cupcake is donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Since it is my goal to try each flavor at Crumbs before I move, I will have to stop by there this month. Oh darn. All you non-NYC readers, don't worry. Crumbs ships within the Continental United States.


The item I have been lusting over all year- the KitchenAid stand mixer, now available in pink for their Cook for the Cure Collection. I am still flip flopping between the Pink and Empire Red models. TLS would prefer red, but how often is he really going to be using it? $299.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.


Also from Bed, Bath, and Beyond, another favorite item of mine, the pink Brita pitcher. Brita will donate $50,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation from the sale of these pitchers. I had one and sadly it met an untimely death, and have been waiting for about 5 months to replace it. $31.99.


Moving away from kitchen accessories and onto fashion ones. Most of my readers know of my love of A. Tierney's colorful bangles. Thankfully, Alyssa has jumped on the Pink bandwagon and has released several bangles to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. My personal favorite is this one, $50.


From Bloomingdales' Pink Shop, a lovely cardigan from DKNY, $125. This would be perfect for nights out in the chilly weather. To be quite honest, I'm not sure how much from the sale of it goes to breast cancer research, but it is from the collection.


Since I can't do a favorite things post without mentioning one of my favorite stores- the Preppy Princess, here is an adorable Scout tote at a great price, $32. I love gingham and love that 30% of the sale of this tote is donated to breast cancer research as well.


That's all for this week. Stay tuned next Friday when I will be talking about more pink things. Shocking. If you have not yet entered my giveaway, you have until Sunday at midnight to do so. Hope each one of you has a fabulous weekend!

Favorite Things Friday

This week's favorite things comes to you courtesy of my hair. Let me explain- I have more hair issues than any one I've ever met. I describe my hair as looking like a black sheep that's been left out in the rain for too long. Seriously folks. It's that curly and that attractive. I get Japanese straightening done on my hair to make it look nice and be more manageable. The problem with Japanese straightening (aside from the borderline astronomical cost) is that you can only get it done every 4-6 months to allow your roots to grow in. I was supposed to get mine done on Memorial Day weekend, but TLS was in town, and then one thing led to another, and somehow, I was never free for 6 hours in one day to get it done. I finally decided to wait until right before my trip to England so that my hair can look perfect for it and I don't have to spend time straightening my hair then. (TLS says he'll obviously wait for me to get ready, but being that he's a guy who gets mandated haircuts every two weeks, I don't think he understands just how long it takes for me to do my hair.)

Since the bottom part of my hair looks fine, and it's just the top part that I don't like, I have been wearing a lot of baseball caps and headbands lately. So this week's favorite things post is all about headbands.

A cute polka dotted one from Tucker Blair, on sale for $25.

A hair sash from Vineyard Vines in one of my favorite colors, $24.50.
This time a headband from Vineyard Vines, also in one of my favorite color combinations, $30.A cute sporty one from A. Tierney, $18.Another one from A. Tierney as well, this one is for girls, not women, but I have a small head, and it's so cute that I would hope it could work for me, $18.

A cute colorful one from Baekgaard, $20.

The following two headbands are too thin to actually do anything but my monstrous hair (I realize I may be exxagerating a little, but not by much), but are still too cute to not post.


From crewcuts, a thin one with delicate flowers, perfect for evening, $16.50.
From Fornash, another fun thin one for evening, $38. (Like I was not going to post something that has a ladybug on it...)That's all for this week folks. Enjoy your weekends, have fun, and I will hopefully survive the bridal shower on Sunday and will provide you with a recap on Monday.

A. Tierney bangle giveaway winner

Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. This was a popular one and I can't say I blame y'all. I love this bangle and wish I was eligible to win. Alas, I am not. I actually wore my ladybug bangle last night with dark jeans, a black top, and my sand colored Reva flats. I used the random number generator for the giveaway and congratulations to:

#69 (tee hee)

Kappa Prep!!!
(why yes, I did get bored and put that in KKG colors for you...)

Email me at whaleflipflops {@} gmail {.} com with your mailing info and bracelet of choice if it's changed, and I will be sure to get the info along to Alyssa.

It is exactly two weeks to my birthday today, so if you didn't win this one, have no fear, there are two more birthday month giveaways left, and they are awesome if I do say so myself.

Birthday month giveaway #2

One of the first posts that I ever wrote on Whale Flip Flops spoke of my love of the A. Tierney bangle bracelet. My readership has grown a bit since then, and with that, so has my admiration for the bangle bracelet.

I have the ladybug bangle (what? me owing something with ladybugs on it? say it ain't so!) and I love it. In my opinion, it is such a fun, easy, and classy way to transition an outfit or to give a solid-color outfit just the right amount of spice.

What better way to celebrate my birthday with my blogging friends than with an item that I wrote about on my first ever favorite things post?

Thanks to Alyssa of A. Tierney, the winner of this giveaway will receive a bangle in her (or his- guys these make great gifts!) choice of pattern. To enter, please visit the A. Tierney website and leave a comment on this post with your favorite bangle and what outfit you would wear it with. All comments that don't have this information will be deleted and those entries will not count. For an extra entry, become a follower. For a third possible entry, blog about this giveaway. You will also receive one additional entry for every person who says that they were referred by you. This giveaway will run until midnight, EST, on Tuesday, June 30th. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 1st.

I love these bangles so much and it is hard to pick just one, so I will leave you with two more of my favorites.

favorite things

Hope everyone had a good week and enjoyed better weather than us NYC people did. Rain ALL week. It finally stopped but only for a few hours apparently. I guess April showers don't actually end in April? I thought this week it would be appropriate to do an umbrella post. I don't like plain black umbrellas and love quirky, fun, colorful ones. I think they are a fun way to stand out from the crowd and can brighten up a dreary day. (I despise things falling out of the sky with a passion- rain, hail, and don't even get me started on snow.)

The first umbrella on this list actually is black, with a twist. The inside is blue with white clouds, based on a painting from one of my favorite artists, Rene Magritte. $35 from the Art Institute of Chicago shop.

Next is an anything-but-black umbrella from Vera Bradley. A few years ago, I was really into Vera Bradley and acquired a rather large collection. When it became trendier and turned into something that everyone and their mother started carrying, I lost interest and have since then started getting rid of my collection. However, I love the new Bali Gold print, and think that it is great for accessories, like this umbrella. ($28)

A fun, uber-girly one from one of my new favorite stores, SB Design Studio. ($34.95)

The umbrella I currently use: (don't have an actual picture of it, taken from the website)

A blue monogrammed A. Tierney. I got the children's sized umbrella at the sample sale which is about the same size as a regular adult umbrella, and got it monogrammed with a hot pink monogram on it. So cute! Available on the website for $18 plus $10 monogramming.

A pretty pink one from Coach. ($88)

A slightly more muted one from J. Crew. ($19.99)Lastly, I found these beautiful umbrellas on a Japanese site. They are attributed to French designer Atelier LZC. The company's site just brings up a white screen and I cannot find them online. However, they are just too pretty to not include. If you speak Japanese, or can figure out how to navigate the site, you can get them here for $38.18.

favorite things

I apologize for last week's hiatus and a lack of a favorite things post, but it is back this week in full force. In honor of my love for my sorority and the fact that the school year is now over and I don't have to deal with collegian drama until September, the theme for this week is ladybugs. Lis and KMH, start squealing now.

First on the list is an adorable ladybug bangle bracelet from Kate Spade. Thank you to Lis for bringing this to my attention. ($95) Kate Spade also has earrings and a ring to match.

From Anthropologie, a potholder in my favorite color combination to match the rest of my kitchen beautifully, $12.

From Crane, a set of 25 engraved notecards with lined envelopes, $29.

From J. Crew, adorable flip flops, $24.50. I already have a pair of ladybug flip flops from J. Crew in a different color, if you think this is going to stop me, then you are mistaken.

A. Tierney keyfob, $10.

Going under the "dare to dream" category- Tiffany & Co. ladybug charm with diamonds, $3,375.

Finally, two items that are not available online, but are too cute to not be shared. Currently my favorite dress in my wardrobe, a silk DvF wrap dress with hot pink and red ladybugs on it.

I found this dress in an Off 5th last summer and bought it to wear at our national convention. It is so comfortable and flattering and everyone went crazy over the ladybug print. I will now be bringing this dress to every single ASA summer conference between now and the day I die.

TLS would be hurt if I did not include this, so here it is. Tesco is Britain's version of Target and they created a line of green bags with a ladybug design on them. When I saw someone shopping at Trader Joe's, I emailed TLS and pleaded for him to send me one. And he did. I love this bag so much. It is HUGE and I have started using it as an overnight bag. When I went to Trader Joe's last weekend, I brought it with me and the checkout guy did not believe me when I said that I could fit 19 grocery items into one shopping bag. I clearly proved him wrong. Sadly, I have used this bag a little too much, and it is now starting to come apart. Fortunately, there is one en route to me as I type. (The one advantage to a long distance relationship.)

A. Tierney promotion

I just wanted to share with y'all a fantastic giveaway and discount code that one of my favorite sites, A. Tierney, is hosting on its facebook page. Click on the picture below to enter.

Is it wrong that I already know what I'm going to be spending the $500 on before I've even won?

favorite things

Well ladies, it is time for my weekly favorite things post. In honor of my two keyfob giveaways this week, I will dedicate this week's post to various keyfobs and keychains.

I will start this off with a keychain that is very near and dear to my heart.


YES! That is a whale flip flop keychain from the company that makes my beloved whale flip flops! I nearly squealed when I saw that (ok, I did squeal, a little) and have to say that I absolutely NEED this and it will be mine. ($45 at Vineyard Vines)

Another great one from them is this Bloody Mary Fabric Printed Keyfob for $15.


Alcoholic beverages not your thing? How about an adorable laydbug key fob from New York's own A. Tierney ($10)? It does come in other motifs as well, but I am slightly ladybug-crazy so this is the one that makes me go "aaaaaaawwwwwwwwww."


Here is a cute and preppy one from Whitney Caroline Designs ($5)


If you are looking for an Easter gift for a lucky girl, I'm partial to this Bunny keyring from Coach ($38). As a side note, does anyone else really dislike Coach's new site layout?


I think that the cotton tail on the bunny's, um, tuchus as my Nana would say, is so cute and fun but I would probably get it dirty in, oh, 2.5 seconds.

I love the colors and simple elegance of this double flower keyfob from Kate Spade ($55).


Another fun summer one from Kate Spade is this boat steering wheel keyfob ($281).


I included it for two reasons, one because it is cute, and two, because can we just talk about the fact that it is actually $281?! Yes, that price is in U.S. Dollars...

In the market for something that you can actually afford? Shocking, I know. I love this Watch Hill Riff Tide ($22.50) from Kiel James Patrick. That Tiffany blue-esque background is seriously my favorite color.


A really cute one that I am in love with and am seriously debating is this Crab one Miss Priss ($16). My zodiac sign is Cancer the Crab, and while I never really paid attention to the zodiac at all, I have always found crabs to be adorable and have held a certain fondness for them.


Another fun crab one is this Crabs and Beer Bottles from Tucker Blair.


The idea of the alcoholic crabs just makes me smile. If you want to try to win a keyfob, you can enter here.

Since ~miller ribbons~ custom makes all of their key fobs, I do not have a picture of the one I want, but I have already decided that I will be ordering one that has a Tiffany Blue ribbon with white polka dots on it and my initials on it in red. I am also giving away 5 of these on my blog.

Finally, my last two keyrings on this week's post come from the one, the only, Tiffany.

First is this sterling silver palm tree key ring ($130)


and second is this Elsa Peretti initial keyring ($145)


I cannot ever justify spending that much money on a keychain, but looking is fun!

Raindrops on Roses and whiskers on kittens

As promised, I will do a weekly "my favorite things" post to highlight my current obsessions and new finds. I will do these posts every Friday to guarantee that I update the blog on a regular basis. Each week, there will be a different theme to the list. The themese, like myself, will be completely random and arbitrary. Since all of the stores are starting to put out their Spring collections, I will make this week's list dedicated to Spring things.

This week's post is brought to you by the letter A, for Accessories:

First off, let's talk hair accessories. For those of you who don't know, I have major issues when it comes to my hair. No matter how good it may look, I am never satisfied. I am always looking for new headbands and pins to pull my hair back. I discovered these lovely pins from Calista Cove:

I think that the Daisies are absolutely adorable and can be either dressy or casual, depending on what you wear them with. In addition to having tons of adorable stuff, the website is having a sale this weekend, and you get free items with your purchase. How's that for an incentive? I placed an order from there this morning and you can bet that those daisies were in there. Along with three headbands!

Now that we've gotten hair accessories out of the way, let's move on to jewelry. First on the list is bracelets. I have been a fan of A. Tierney ever since the company donated several items to an auction for a fundraising event at my job. I am drooling over these bracelets that they have on their home page.

I really want the Bee and Flamingo bracelets which are currently not on their website. I think that they would be a fun way to dress up a solid outfit. I wear a lot of dark jeans and solid color tops. I called the company to ask about them and the woman that I spoke with said that they are available for sale, but they do not put all of their merchandise on the website at once. They have a Manhattan showroom, and I will try to stop by there this week to pick them up. My one concern about them is that I have small wrists and bangles tend to look really weird on me, in fact I have yet to own a bangle bracelet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

The next item that I am obsessing over is a pair of stud earrings from Uncommon Goods. Uncommon Goods in general is my newest obsession, and I have picked up a ton of great presents for people from there. Of course, while I was doing that, I had to shop for myself! I love stud earrings, and I could not resist getting these. They are sterling silver which is important for my uber- sensitive ears, plain enough to be worn every day, and have that quirk factor that I love. I could not get a bigger picture, but the studs are cut to look like screws!

Finally, the last item that I am lusting over is the 14K Gold Akasha Cup Diamond Ring from Wendy Culpepper. Sadly, I could not post a picture of it, and it is rather out of my price range, but a girl can dream!

So, I've shown you mine, now show me yours. What are your must have accessories for spring?