20 Things Under $25 I Love...Part 4 (Stuff that Would Not Fit In A Category)

This is the 4th in a series of posts of "20 Things Under $25 I Love." Part 1 focused on 5 Favorite Foods... Part 2 on Beauty Items... and Part 3 on Fashion. 

ThomasPaul

The designer, Thomas Paul, got his start working as an intern for DKNY. He moved from designing neckties for Calvin Klein and Bill Blass to designing his own neckwear line. Then he launched into the home accessories business with his lovely modern pillows. Don't you love his big bold patterns. You can drool over his trays.

14" Thomas Paul Hong Kong Tray  $12 (top, clockwise)

14" ThomasPaul Aviary Tray $12 

14 " ThomasPaul Folk Tray $12

I featured a Floral Tray of his that made me go "wow!" See "Pamper Yourself in 2010: A Cup of Tea, a Book and a Smile."

Wallpaper City Guide Florence 

Wallpaper City Guide Rome 

Wallpaper City Guides are beautiful little paperbacks chock full of photographs and insider information on every page. From landmarks to shopping, escapes, urban life, hotels and much more. Phaidon offers over 80 city guides from Amsterdam to Zurich.


If I can’t go to Italy tomorrow, I can always dream today.


Wallpaper City Guide Florence: $9.95
Wallpaper City Guide Rome: $9.95

Phaidon Store online store
New York Store: 100 Wooster Street, New York, New York/212-925-1900

Orla Kiely Scribble Spot Flower  a6 Notebook

I received this Orla Kiely notebook from a dear friend. I am a big admirer of the Orla Kiely brand. Kiely’s purses, clothes and home accessories always look fresh and modern. 

The notebook is great for jotting down ideas for projects or lists of things...I’m always making lists and now I can keep them in one place. 

You can tell I love it. It has gotten a lot of use. 


You, however, can pick up an un-used one for $13.00.


To purchase: Orla Kiely Scribble Spot Flower a6 Notebook

20 x 200

Art for $20? Yes!

Jen Bekman, the curator of 20 x 200, had an idea to make art available for everyone. The gallery offers two new pieces a week: one photo and one work on paper. There are a number of sizes and price ranges. I bought an 8 x 10 photo by Dan Broadman. I am so happy with it. (of course, I am not a photographer. The photo looks so much nicer in person.)

The Beach

Okay, technically the beach is not really a thing. But I'm a real water junkie and I can't help but include it.


Fire Island, NY has one of my favorite beaches (see above photo).  A 31-mile narrow strip of clean, white sand off of  the south shore of Long Island, it includes a national park, a state park and a federal wilderness area. Fire Island also has approximately 17 communities, which do not allow cars. It is a unique place.


When the weather gets nice, enjoy a day trip to the barrier island. You can pay a nominal fee per car and take the 8.1 causeway over to the Robert Moses State Park. 

Photo credit: Fire Island beach: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eoringel/ / CC BY 2.0

20 Things Under $25 I Love... Part 3 (Fashion)

This is Part 3 of 20 Things Under $25 I Love. See Part 1 for 5 favorite foods and Part 2 for Beauty Products. Look for the next post: Stuff that Would Not Fit In A Category

The Nautical Look

Ahoy matie! The nautical look, like the stripe sailor tee (above), is what I want to be wearing this Spring/Summer. The classic look is blue and white stripes. But Harper's Bazaar says "you can pull off the Breton-inspired trend with any color combo." So try red, gray or black stripes. Harper's also said nautical stripes are one of 2010's Top 20 Trends.

I just might walk the plank for this nautical cardigan at $22.80.

I've put together for you some nautical numbers under $25. You'll also find jewelry. For fun I threw in some nautical stuff for the home.

It's time for a sea jaunt! Anyone have an elegant yacht?

Cat-eyed Sunglasses

MEOW! Cat-eyed sunglasses are the cat's meow for Spring-Summer. The chic-goddess Tory Burch has got the look I love (above) but at a luxury price. So here are some cat-eyed sunnies for under $25 that will have you purring.

Middle: Mudd Cat-eye was $22, now $12.10
Lower Right: Oval Cat Eye $7.50
Upper Left: $8.90

Flip Flops

I just like to slide them on and go. The price is always right too! I'm tall so it's nice to wear a flat. I love it when I can find a stylish pair. These from J.Crew come in an assortment of colors and do the trick for me.

Peony flip-flops: $24.50

Blume Flip-Flops: $24.50 (and featured photo)

Wychmere Studded Flip-Flops: $24.50

Valentino: The Last Emperor DVD

You'll feel like you're in the Italian couturier's opulent world from the moment the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor  begins. A world of private jets and glamour. Peer behind the curtains as Valentino prepares his final collection before his retirement. You'll experience Valentino's close relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, his devoted companion and business partner who keeps the creative genuis on track.  It is the story of their partnership, of a love of fashion, and of a man who is a real legend. (Plus his 6 little pugs are real scene-stealers...)  Check out the trailer.

To Purchase: Valentino: The Last Emperor

MUJI Socks

I wonder what Valentino would think to find out  a post on Socks follows him!  Dio Mio! Hopefully we won't have to pick him off the floor. But socks are an essential part of fashion, so let's go.

I bought these yarn socks made of recycled yarn from MUJI because I love the colors. Each one is different and fun. The fibers used to create the socks involves no fabric re-dying and that is better news for our environment. The unisex socks come 5 in a package in 3 different sizes. You can also buy MUJI sneaker socks.

MUJI was started in 1980 in Japan; it is now global. It's philosophy: functional design, a commitment to efficiency and a disdain of waste.  

MUJI Socks: $17.50 for package of 5

20 Things Under $25 I Love... Part 2 (Beauty)

Beauty: Part 2

This is the second in a series of posts on  20 Things Under $25 I love. In Part 1,  I featured five favorite foods and this post focuses on Beauty products. Look for my next post in the series on my Fashion loves under $25.

MadebyHank Makeup Purse

A few months ago, I won Fantabulously Frugal's "You Deserve the Best 2009 Holiday   Giveaway"  Thanks so much Lisa!! (You must check out Fantabulously Frugal's fabulous blog. You'll save yourself some money as well as get the best deals and bargains.) 


I've never won anything before! Who'd have thunk! One of my favorite things in the giveaway (besides the Gucci sunglasses! and so many other delightful surprises) is this beautiful makeup/pencil purse from MadebyHank. It just so happens, yellow is my favorite color. 

The "pencil" purse which I use to hold lipsticks is exquisitely crafted by Hank.  I admit I was impressed by "his" fine handiwork until I went to "Hank's" site and found out it was actually "her" handiwork. She is Katie. On her site, Katie says you can call her Hank and she  "sews all day long."


The front of my case is a beautiful sunshine yellow brocade. 

Turn it around and the back is a soft gray flannel material. 

All the little details add up--from the pinstripe lining to the little fabric tag ribbon and even the sweet madebyhank wooden button. Precious all-around.

You too can own your own madebyhank design. When I checked her blog I saw she offers a number of designs under $25. Go to www.madebyhank.blogspot.com. I saw a pencil purse for $20.00 and a small zipper purse for $18.00. 


You'll possess something that you'll treasure for a long time.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

I love this stuff. 


Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is a 24-hour every day moisturizer. It is made of Antarcticine a glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms in sea glaciers. Huh? Well all I know is that this helps protect the skin from cold temperatures--so it’s perfect for these cold winter months. Plus it contains Imperata Cylindrica, desert plant extract, that helps with water retention in dry climates.

You don’t need to know all of this. Just try it. My skin is so much softer.


1.7 fluid ounces Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: $24.50

M.A.C Cosmetics VIVA GLAM Gaga and Cyndi Lipsticks

Since 1994 M.A.C., through the sale of its VIVA GLAM lipsticks, has been helping women, men and children living with AIDS/HIV globally. The company has raised $160 million (US) to date for the M.A.C. AIDS Fund.

I love that Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga, the ultimate in glam are donating their time to support this incredible cause. You go Gaga and Cyndi!


You too can contribute to the M.A.C. AIDS Fund by purchasing one of the limited edition VIVA GLAM lipsticks: VIVA GLAM Cyndi or VIVA GLAM Gaga. 100 percent of the proceeds of the sale of a VIVA GLAM lipstick will go to the fund. 


VIVA GLAM Cyndi: A light coral red color with a high lustre finish. Hot!


VIVA GLAM Gaga: A cool blue pink shade with a high lustre finish. Way cool. I am lovin' that pink, Gaga! 


Each comes in a black container signed by the pop star. 


VIVA GLAM Cyndi: $14.00
VIVA GLAM Gaga: $14.00

Sprout Out Body Lotion

A friend from Philly and I recently went on an overnight excursion to hip downtown Brooklyn. We stayed at the eco-friendly Nu Hotel in BoCoCa the nexus of Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. What an oasis. Very cool, sleek white rooms. Chalkboard walls  in the bathroom that you can have fun writing messages. Most of all everyone was just so nice. It was a wonderful getaway.

Where am I going with this... ah, yes, well the Nu Hotel also provides you with some lovely free toiletries from Gilchrist and Soames.  The toiletries included: Sprout Out Body Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower Gel. I took a liking to the Body Lotion right away and plan on ordering a bigger bottle.

Sprout Out Body Lotion has no sulfates, no parabens, no phlates, no DEA or TEA. Gilchrist and Sloames describes the scent this way:  "The green citrus and herbal fragrance perfectly captures the scent of a leisurely stroll through an English garden."
8oz. Gilchrist and Soames Sprout Out Body Lotion: $13.00

Giovanni Organic Hair Care: 

50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo

50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner

This is a great shampoo and conditioner from Giovanni. 


The Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo has  a light lavender scent with a blend of rosemary and thyme. It is a gentle shampoo for normal to dry hair. The shampoo has no sulfates, no animal by-products and is cruelty-free. Use with the Hydrating-Calming Conditioner. My hair leans toward the dry side and after using feels wonderfully moisturized and clean.


Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo: $8.49
Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner: $7.99


photo credit of Makeup Kit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/ / CC BY 2.0