kittens, i have tried every single pinky, nudey, rosey lipstick on this unicorn planet. from sticks to stains to sheers, i am always on the search for the perfect pinky shade that will take me from palisades client meetings to downtown go-go dancing.

after years of tint testing, i've composed my top ten lippy picks below. these go-to gals can be worn solo or layered in any combo. they all work well together much unlike our congress.

do you have any favorite pinky neutrals? let me know and i'll give 'em a spin!

{above: 1). nars dolce vita sheer lipstick; 2). lancome laque fever in rose macaroon; 3). MAC velvet teddy lipstick; 4. nars dolce vita velvet matte lip liner; 5. bobbi brown rose lip liner; 6. smith's rosebud salve (clear! use in combination with lip pencils); 7. julie hewett bette cheekie palette; 8. laura mercier naked lip pencil; 9. bobbi brown roseberry lipstick; 10. julie hewett biba lipstick.}

** please note, i'm totally not paid by any of these companies. i'm just a lipstick whore.

with mother's day just around the corner, i thought i'd shine a spotlight on a trio of moms who work tirelessly hard to achieve their dreams while navigating the complex social and political changes of the 1960s.

fuel up your lighters, kittens. mama wants a cigarette and a glass of OJ -- heavy on the vodka.

we are gifting the mothers of mad men.

we have BETTY DRAPER FRANCIS - former model, divorcee, mother of three, grace kelly look-a-like, chain smoking hair hopper, litter bug, and suburban ice princess. she once punished her son for trading her sandwich for a bag of gumdrops and sees her daughter as the mini-me thorn in her side.

nonetheless, mama betty will most definitely expect a swell gift this mother's day. best break open your piggy banks now, sally, bobby, and baby gene.

above: 1). gorham cocktail jigger 20th century; 2). keychain to the mansion; 3). love sandwich recipe book; 4). picnic egg caddy; 5). smoke & kisses bobbi set; 6). the row cat-eye acetate and leather sunglasses; 7). bow-embellished metallic lace pumps; 8). "embrace reality, even if it burns you" catchall; 9). compostable plates, bowls & trays.

next up is JOAN HARRIS -- whip smart secretary turned ambitious executive who struggles to prove her mind is just as powerful as her bombshell bod. 

separated from her much-loathed husband, she's a single mom in the late '60s, raising a son whose biological father is one of the founding partners of her firm.

joan is a WHORANGE hero and has been lovingly gifted in the past.

above: 1). ruffian x izola lady 3 oz. flask; 2). art of war by sun tzu; 3). tiger necklace by kenzo; 4). onward & upward water bottle; 5). art deco set of four tumblers by dorothy thorpe; 6). anna-karin karlsson rose rouge cat eye acetate sunglasses; 7). back me up mobile charger; 8. thea leather chelsea boots; 9). vestige lipstick holder; 10). brass pencil sharpener; 11). rosa iphone case.

 "what?" you say, "PEGGY OLSON is a mother?"

why, yes! if we reach back into the archives of season 1 and 2, we are reminded that secretary-turned-copy-chief-badass, peggy, was indeed impregnated by her married colleague, pete. their illegitimate son is (supposedly) being raised by peggy's mother or sister.

a strange storyline that seems to have been relegated to the circular file.

can we petition AMC for closure? perhaps a mother's day gift guide to help ignite momentum?

fingers crossed. here we go...

 above: 1). may you never shot glass set; 2). scarf in mustard dots; 3). white knit beret; 4). gold tone knot earrings; 5). thomaspaul tablet/ iPad case; 6). chemex coffee maker; 7). vintage yellow and white enamel flower brooch; 8). crinkle bag vase; 9). clare vivier foldover clutch; 10). villa flats; 11). switch bluetooth speaker conference call speaker; 12). city clips - new york page markers.

happy mother's day to all of the mamas around the world! xoxo

kittens, i have a hole in my life. it resides in my den and takes the form of empty air space.

i need a hanging plant.

but, what to choose? shall i select a macrame planter woven in the mountains of santa cruz? or perhaps an upcycled air plant space pod? or maybe a succulent basket crafted from found cat hair?

the possibilities are endless. let's explore, shall we?

above: 1). faceted hanging tray by pigeon toe ceramics; 2). plant orb by perch!; 3). modern macrame planter by HRUSKAA; 4). orange hang pot; 5). woven bead planter; 6. DIY leather and brass teardrop hanging planter via vintage revivals.

but, wait! there's more...

above: 1). suspended dome 2). hanging air plant cradle by mudpuppy; 3). cermaic planters by l & m studio; 4). geo triangle hanging terrarium; 5). jungalow hanging planter by MFEO; 6. hanging nest; 7). herringbone hanging planter by moorea seal.

because even your succulents deserve a sassy pad.

above: 1). white woven bead planter with orange and pink triangles; 2). cork planter bookend set; 3). ceramic 60s style mini desk pig planter; 4). retro bullet planter; 5). bloomer self watering table top garden; 6). modern mini planters. 

above: 1). pigeon toe ceramics faceted hanging tray; 2). melon pod with velutina air plant; 3). flip & tumble felt pod planter; 4). miniature concrete planter; 5). vintage deer planter; 6. PODs planter.

perhaps you're an adventurer or just dream of being one.

whichever you are, begin your escape by watching moonrise kingdom and then stock up on some must have getaway goodies.

all of the gear listed below is for boys and girls. just be careful where you point that slingshot. you may create a wildflower paradise where you least expect it.

venture forth, kittens!

{above: 1. field notes notebook; 2. scout soap set; 3. wooden yo-yo; 4. sail maker's needles and waxed sail twine; 5. pendleton travel blanket w/ leather carrier; 6. seed bomb slingshot; 7. red trees golden half camera; 8. 1971 GE wildcat portable record player; 9. coral and tusk fox with camera pocket doll; 10. seamless & steadfast enamel steel cups (set of two).

darlings, i meditated today on gifts of holidays past and realized that my jewelry holders get a lot of play. after all, our best baubles and precious gems deserve some swank storage, don't they?

here are a few of my faves:

{above: 1. pixie faceted ring box made from reclaimed wood by oh dier living; 2. love bunny ring holder; 3. astrological jewelry stand; 4. baubled brook jewelry stand; 5. jackalope jewelry holder; 6. unicorn ring holder; 7. great plains dish; 8. random crap mini stash box.}

{top image: joan crawford...of course!}

hi kittens!

a little while ago, i mentioned that i was embarking on an exciting new project with some fabulous bloggers, gadget stalkers, design mavens, pinning junkies, and all around hotties.

well...here it is -- LUVOCRACY!

luvocracy is a groovy new site for super cool shopping, collecting, browsing, coveting, and gifting. think pinterest meets amazon. simply pin or "luv" items for sale (using the simple plug in), put them into a collection, and the next thing you know -- you have your own little curated store front! click here to peruse my collection of luv.

you can also take a peek at other member's collections. while perusing, you can make a purchase or add another member's item to your collection.

purchasing is easy peasy, too. just enter your credit card once (and only once) and you're ready to go to town.

there a some dandy perks, too! read here for details.

honestly, i'm not writing about luvocracy with any other intention other than i think it's really fun and you should give it a spin. plus, it incorporates social media + pretty pictures + shopping (and you know how much i love all three). it's a trifecta of whorange.

currently, luvocracy is invite only, so if you'd like to join, shoot me an email at [email protected]. include your name and email address and i'll send you an invitation.

also, luvocracy makes gift giving and wish lists easy. just point mom towards your "pretty please" collection and she'll know exactly want to tie a bow around.

here are some of mine: 

{above: 1. bau pendant light; 2. kaleido trays by hay & clara von zweigbergk ; 3. vintage mushroom lamp; 4. perrette containers; 5. glass menagerie fox; 6. thoroughbred pine box.}

pretty fun, don't cha think? now let's boogie!

...and i wish i were audrey hepburn - at least sometimes.

yes, lady audrey had a pet deer named pippin. pippin napped with her and shopped with her. he played with her and laughed with her. and, of course, he posed with her.

although we cannot be audrey hepburn, and most likely, we cannot have a pet deer, we can always play dress up and pretend, can't we?

{above: 1. silk dulcet top; 2. tasha 'skinny bow' headband; 3. forest place top; 4. sterling skirt in double-serge wool; 5. all wrapped up pearl drop earrings; 6. cafe capri pant; 7. french sole foxy flat; 8. fawn pillow.}

{audrey and pippin photography by bob willoughby.}

this post goes out to my friends, family, and readers on the east coast who are hunkered down due to hurricane sandy. i want to send a little bit of sunshine and lots of love from california.

i've been reading twitter, tracking updates and viewing photos from the field. also, i've been tracking the twitter feed of newark's mayor cory booker, whose superhero, on-the-ground response to NJ citizens in need is courageous and the true definition of leadership. i recommend you follow him, too!

hold tight, east coast. we are all pulling for you! xo

{above: "shelter" by jason wong; 1. dear creatures camille dress; 2. vera meat ship helm charm necklace; 3. un-teal the clouds clear umbrella in canary; 4. pan am innovator bag; 5. orla kiely the fox of life coat; 6. hunter regent carlyle rain boots; 7. leather heart cut out gloves.}

while cruising over at the designer pad, i stumbled across the kaufmann mercantile and an array of mighty fine man goods (not to mention -- a keen and dandy giveaway!).

fellas, quality pampering -- it's a tasty touch.

{above: 1. PGS whiskey aftershave; 2. bamboo toothbrush set; 3. pine shave creme soap; 4. botot anise toothpaste; 5. forage bowtie; 6. NTC subway token cufflinks; 7. muehle shave brush; 8. travel shoe shine kit; 9. wild harvest room spray; 10. handmade carved oak rope swing (perfect for any man pad).}

{image: rene gruau 1967 gouache on paper. via fine & dandy shop.}