Category Archives: shopping

7 Tote Bags for 17in Laptop

by Erika Firm Posted on April 8, 2013

big tote bags for 17 inch laptop bags via DELPHINEI’ve been using big 17in laptops for nearly 10 years … and I’ve been searching for a cool laptop bag to fit my 17 inch laptop for nearly 10 years! After fruitless searches (they’re all too ugly, too boring, too small, or too expensive) I’ve resigned myself to using a big tote bag as a laptop bag instead of a traditional laptop bag. The Orla Kiely one I have now is awesome for day to day toting around my MacBook Pro, but not perfect for traveling because the handle isn’t long enough to go over my shoulders if I’m wearing a jacket. It looks like I’ll be doing a bunch of traveling over the next few months, so it’s the perfect time to invest in a new travel tote bag. At least this is the way I’m justifying the expense. Which one do you like best? I bought one … can you guess which?

SOURCES // top left: yellow tote  top right: emerald green tote  2nd row: canvas tote  3rd row left: cognac brown leather tote  right: mint green leather tote  4th row left: navy and white stripe tote  right: brown leather tote

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Color Fun

by Erika Firm Posted on January 17, 2013

Color if Fun via Delphine EphemeraI’ve had color, color, color on the brain lately. I’m loving everything chromatic these days. Here are some fun ways to introduce a bit of color into your life. I just bought the 2-tone balloons from Brooklyn Bride’s Pop Up Shop to use at an upcoming party. Love them so much, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to wait until the party to blow them up!

Sources: 1| Two-tone balloons  2 | Colorful packing tape  3 | Brightly colored note books  4 | Colorful Pantone iPhone cases 

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Gift Guide | For the Men in Your Life

by Erika Firm Posted on November 19, 2012

gift guide for men via delphine

I think the hardest people to shop for on my holiday shopping list, hands down, are the guys. So for my first gift guide of the season I started with the toughest: Gifts for the Men in your life. I’ll admit there are a few things on this list I wouldn’t mind for myself ; )

1. iPhone case  // 2. Timex watch // 3. Need Supply Duffle bag // 4. Skeletool // 5. bull catchall tray // 6. Wood Sunglasses // 7. Headphones // 8. Stanley thermos

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Jason Wu Striped Dress Color Palette

by Erika Firm Posted on February 8, 2012

color palette inspired by Jason Wu for Target Striped DressWhile on vacation last Sunday I skipped breakfast and sought out the local Target to snag this Jason Wu for Target striped dress. I just love the unusual color combination of charcoal, mustard and blush. It’s pretty short on me, so I may have to use it as a Fall dress with tights, but I still love it. Right now it’s hanging on the outside door of my closet so I can admire the colors every time I pass by it.

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My Newest Treasure: Rock Crystal Necklace

by Erika Firm Posted on January 31, 2012

Natural Rock Crystal Necklace by delphineA few weeks ago I went to the Gem Faire in Del Mar, California with my mom. Mom, among her many talents, is a jewelry designer. I scored a pile of natural crystals and Mom turned them into this gorgeous statement necklace. It’s made of real rock crystals, so it’s quite heavy, but totally worth the neck strain. Merci, Maman!

 

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Chic Office Accessories on Sale

by Erika Firm Posted on January 6, 2012

chic office accessories from russell and hazelLe SQUEAL!!!! Russell + Hazel is having an awesome office accessories sale over on One Kings Lane. See you there! I have my eye on that zip up folio.

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Wanted for the Studio: a comfortable office chair

by Erika Firm Posted on October 4, 2011

comfortable office chair roundup for the studioI really need (okay, want) a new office chair. I sit at my computer all damn day and my butt is getting sore from sitting on a hard chair (I currently rock No. 7 in pale blue — a piece of plywood from Ikea). I started looking around for a new chair and HELLO, can you say crazypants prices? The new Eames Executive from DWR (No. 5) fits all my criteria except one. It is decidedly not cheap at just over $3k! And it’s not even leather!

I took a look at office supply stores but all I could find are ugly black chairs that look like they belong in a cubicle. Ick. I do like white, but am super concerned about a white chair getting disgustingly dirty in my studio, since it will get a ton of use. I am leaning toward a green, gray or yellow chair.

At the top of my list is No. 1, a replica of the famous Eames chair — gotta love that Pistachio color! But I’m a little nervous to commit. Will I like having arms on my chair? Will it be too soft? Will the light color get destroyed immediately by rogue Sharpie marks? What should I do????

Office chair roundup: /1/AG Management Chair in Pistachio from Advanced Interior Designs $219  /2/ Ripple Leather Chair in Ivory from Crate & Barrel $299  /3/ Freedom Task Chair from DWR $2,465 /4/ Haworth Very White Office Chair from Crate & Barrel $799 /5/ Eames Executive Chair from DWR $3,079  /6/Eames Aluminum Management Chair in Apple Green (LOVE) from DWR $1,889  /7/ Jules office chair from Ikea $39 /8/ White Grant Office Chair from World Market $229

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hostess gift ideas

by Erika Firm Posted on August 16, 2011

All of a sudden our social calendar seems to have filled up. I always like to show up with a little something for the hostess. Instead of the usual bottle of wine or baked treat, I think one of these cool gifts from One Kings Lane would make awesome hostess gifts. I just stocked up on Olivina gift sets. Don’t forget to bring something fun for the kids at the house, too! My son’s mind would be blown with the cute teepee for the backyard … though he’d be equally happy with a candy bar. 

DETAILS: //1// Drexton Backyard Teepee $89   //2//Dransfield & Ross lacquer frame $36  //3//Magpie Ice bucket $169  //4//Olivina gift sets $12 – $45 

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sale at solo

by Erika Firm Posted on April 19, 2011

Is it wrong of me to NOT want to post this? To adjust the dates so I get there first? To hoard all the amazing treasures for myself? Sigh. I will be good and let you know that SoLo is having one of their AMAZING warehouse sales April 29 – May 1, 2011. Doors open at 10am on Friday and Saturday, at 11am on Sunday. I’ll see you in line waiting to get in! 

SoLo is located at 309 South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, California. 

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bhldn launch

by Erika Firm Posted on February 14, 2011

The geniuses over at Urban Outfitters (you know, the people responsible for all your favorite shops: Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Terrain) launched a new concept store today called BHLDN (pronounced Beholden), a bridal boutique.

It’s full of beautiful frocks and bridal accessories. I’m sure you’ve seen sneak peeks all over the blogosphere (so jealous of my friends who got to see the sneak peek in person!), but today the BHLDN website is officially live, and it does not dissapoint.

I grew up surrounded by French women, so it’s no surprise that my lingerie drawer has nary a pair of plain panties. I love all the beautiful lace in BHLDN’s lingerie department.

All photos from BHLDN.

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sweet last minute valentine’s day gift ideas

by Erika Firm Posted on February 9, 2011

Don’t let Valentine’s Day sneak up on you, boys and girls. It’s next Monday! Don’t freak out though, there is plenty of time to pull it together. Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts:

No. 1} A home made, hand crafted Valentine. Don’t worry if you’re not super crafty: it’s the thought that counts (really)    No. 2} A book of poems, like this collection of Love Poems by Pablo Neruda. Bonus points for memorizing one and whispering it in your loved one’s ear   No. 3} A pretty, keepsake hardback version of a favorite novel (suggestion: something steamy and romantic, like Wuthering Heights).   

No. 4} Sparkling Sofia Blanc de Blanc, in the adorable (and convenient) little pink cans. Bonus if you chill it before giving away, so we can sip it a.s.a.p.   No. 5} Heart shaped box of GOOD yummy chocolate from Chuao Chocolatiers (a local North County San Diego company!). Objectively, heart shaped boxes of chocolate are cheesy and overpriced, but don’t let that stop you. Everyone secretly loves them. I do, at least.    No. 6} It might be too late to order these super gorgous heart shaped pressed cookies (unless you live in Cincy), but it’s not too late to bake a batch at home. Don’t have a heart shaped cookie cutter? Get thee to a Dollar Store or any grocery, where they abound these days.  

No. 7} Flowers. See No. 5. If you live in San Diego or environs, I HIGHLY suggest you give my dear friend Adrianne Smith a buzz to reserve a delightful Valentine’s Day bouquet for your loved one. I will be assisting with the prep, and I will not spoil the surprise, but rest assured these arrangements are lovely, lovely, lovely. They come in two non-red, non-cheesy colorways, and three sizes/prices. Starting at just $30! Bonus: each one has a letterpress love tag by yours truly.

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wish list: nautical tote bag

by Erika Firm Posted on February 3, 2011

photo: Old Navy

I get the warm fuzzies for tote bags. And you guys know I adore anything nautical and chic (I’ve posted about nautical trends several times before). When I spotted these anchor tote bags on Old Navy (one of my fave spots to pick up clothes for my 7yo son who is growing like a weed, by the way) my heart skipped a beat. The anchor! The cool rope handles! The nifty leather details! The only thing that stopped me from buying one is that I cannot decide which color. I like them all. Which one do you like best? 

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delphine + one kings lane event 02/04 – 02/06

by Erika Firm Posted on February 1, 2011

I’m beyond thrilled to partner up with One Kings Lane once again for a 3 day sales event. We’ll have tons of amazing letterpress goodies at crazy low prices, so please do stop by One Kings Lane. Our event starts Friday, February 2, 2011 and runs through midnight on Sunday, February 6, 2011. You must be a member of OKL for access to the sale (membership is free). Happy shopping! 

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gift guide: for the equestrian

by Erika Firm Posted on December 9, 2010

While cleaning up our son’s playroom I came across my old Breyer horses buried in the bottom of the toy chest. Like most little girls, I dreamed of having my own pony. I took riding lessons when I was in first grade, and did a bit of trail riding as a teen, but haven’t been on a horse since college.

I live in a major horse community now (my “village” is called Rancho Santa Fe due to all the horse ranches), and have grown to love the effortlessly chic look all the equestrian ladies have around here. The polo players who frequent the coffee shop aren’t too shabby, either. Major swoon. But I digress …

Here are some gifts the horse-lover in your life will love: No. 1: Horse engravings, pillows and trophy lamp by Two’s Company  No. 2: Red plaid throw from Williams-Sonoma Home  No. 3: Equestrian riding boots (the real deal) by TuffRider  No. 4: Limited Edition Shearling Jacket from J. Crew  No. 5: Vintage Horseshoe necklace from Freshly Fig (Etsy)  No. 6: Antique English Wing Back Leather Sofa from Dispela on 1stDibs  

No. 7 Wouldn’t this Deer lamp look chic with a plaid lamp shade and/or a coat of glossy paint (pale turquoise? red? black? yellow? white?)   No. 8 LOVE these Ralph Lauren glasses. I have a set of them and use them all the time.  No. 9 I love the trend of vintage trophies used as vases. Even better when they’re painted in a fun gloss finish.

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