summer sparkle

I am in dire need of a new bag, and with summer literally knocking on our door, I'm going to need a good tote for the pool, beach and general carrying (don't you find yourself lugging more stuff around in the summer?). I mentioned Deux Lux before, when Oprah put one of their bags on her Favorite Things list. Well lucky me, I ended up getting that bag for Christmas and I love it. It's sturdy, roomy and fun. So when I stumbled on the line's beach totes, I was excited at the prospect of having a little sparkle with me at the beach.

The problem is, the industrial colors and leather in the bag that Oprah mentions really tone down the sequins. I like to have more of a casual-polished or bohemian look on the weekends. I definitely don't want to look like a Real Housewife of Orange County (no offense to my family in Orange County! I'm talking about the Tamras and Gretchens of O.C.). The grey works well as a neutral to offset the silver, I think. For a little color, I like the yellow. It's a muted and a little unexpected with the metallic.

If I chicken out and go with a less glitzy bag, then I will make the cosmetic case mine. I am obsessed with the gold and silver versions. Either one would be perfect for carrying my sunscreen, comb and other summer essentials!

oprah's favorite things

As promised, I've got the update on Oprah's favorite things. This year, she obviously chose some glamorous as comforting items to give as gifts to loved ones and yourself. She also enlisted her team of personalities and friends to choose some of their favorite things.

Besides the amazing duffel bag, Oprah mentioned this amazing cashmere robe by Marigot. I love the keylime color to brighten up a cozy day spent inside. I also can't promise that I wouldn't sneak out of the house with it still on. The Carriere Freres botanical candles look like the come in amazing scents that are unique and won't overpower.

Besides Oprah's picks, Gayle's were by far my favorite. Of course they were; I love Gayle. She picked a  delicious and adorable 7-layer caramel cake with polka dot butter cream frosting from Caroline's Cakes. On the other end of the spectrum, the awesome Asics sneakers would (almost) make me excited to run that cake off. And of course, afterward, I'd have to luxuriate with these sweet cupcake bath bombs made with essential oils and Dead Sea salt. It's like the perfect day, brought to you by Gayle.

she rides coach too, right?

Without a doubt, the saddest part about "Oprah" going off the air earlier this year was the thought that there may never be a "Favorite Things" to salivate over. Oprah didn't disappoint though, including her list in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

To get people excited, the Oprah team released a sneak peek of what would be on the list this year. Most of the items were fairly vague and I had trouble finding them online. However, the most amazing thing I found on the list was the Deux Lux 'Felix' weekend duffel bag.

I don't even know where to begin. A sequin and leather duffle is just to good to be true. I adore the gold sequins and the green leather, but love the sophistication of the black on black. Personally, I would use this as a carry-on for traveling. Because of my small stature, it's best for me to not have the option of packing a large bag to the brim and trying to drag it from gate to gate. Taking this adorable duffel would make traveling seem more like the glamorous pictures of Victoria Beckham at Heathrow and less like the pre-dawn, mad search for McDonald's coffee and uncomfortable sleeping mayhem that it actually is. There's a smaller size too, that would be great motivation if used as a gym bag.

The fact that it's only $145 makes it truly amazing. A favorite thing for sure.

When the full list comes out, you can bet that I'll dissect  it here so check back.