Once upon a time, I heard a fairy tale about the perfect button down shirt, a shirt that stayed closed after you buttoned it up, that fit your body and bust, no matter how you curved. For years, I’ve been living with button-down shirts I had to safety pin in one or two places, because if I didn’t, they puckered and sometimes a button eventually popped. This happened to me this past spring, as I was walking around the UCSD campus. It was a gorgeous day and I was getting from one class to the next feeling confident in my favorite colored shirt when I looked down and realized two buttons had slid out of their button holes, leaving a huge gaping hole chest level. I was mortified.

In the past, I tried to solve the problem by buying a larger shirt, but it became boxy. And I looked like I was swimming in fabric.

I was recently reminded of my frustration with button-down shirts, and I remembered Rebecca & Drew — not the name, but the concept: a shirt that you could purchase according to your bust size and height. They even have a length option. Brilliant.

They might be a bit pricey, but I’m watching the sales for some good deals. I think they’ll be worth it — and they’d certainly wow in all of the right ways.

{all images from Rebecca & Drew}

On Saturday, I took a break from writing papers and head up to my friend Kendall‘s Trunk Show at Kyss Boutique in Carlsbad. I had previously admired her collection of clothing, but seeing the pieces in person really swept me off my feet.  She has some of the most perfect summer pieces. Just saying (you really must check her site out).

The greatest part (besides the clothing) was seeing some good friends (Heather, Haydee, Grace, Bianca, and Michelle) and having some good laughs with them over dinner.  Precisely what I needed.

Ok, time for you to shop.

{all images from Kendall K}

I adore autumn, but after spotting pieces from Monique Lhuillier‘s Spring 2011 collection on elephantine…well, I’m looking forward to spring.

I’m sure it’ll be here before I know it.

{photos from style.com}

M and I went shopping for school clothes for him last weekend at Brooks Brothers. While I was there, I discovered they sell women’s clothing (not quite my style) and some cute shoes (not a bad price either). Maybe these will help me with my dress quest (though suede has always scared me a bit).

Just as the West Coast is finally getting a real taste of summer, the rain has rolled in here on the East Coast. The temperatures have dropped a bit and it feels like fall. I’m ready for warmer clothes.

It’s almost as if the fog has rolled in, and suddenly, I find myself longing for a trip to England.

Walking around old parts of London, grabbing a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon, people watching, and running in the rain (I hear they have lots of rain there)…

I would bring skirts and dresses into the fall by adding tights and boots.

And scarves. I started wearing one regularly after being advised to do so by Miss Hannah, my high school voice teacher. It was better for the voice and helped prevent illness, she claimed. Miss Hannah had a cute English accent and a lightness about her that I looked forward to every week, and she spoke about England like it was some utterly charming place.

Don’t you suddenly want to spend a week or two (or several) in foggy England?

{photographs by and clothing from Cabbage and Roses}

I discovered Aunt June via Etsy’s Spotlight over the weekend, and loved when owner and fabric-maker Lauren Hunt confessed, “I have no Aunt June. Long ago, I planned on making up long and ridiculous stories about the fictional, chain-smoking aunt who taught me to sew but the stories never materialized.”

What I loved most about the fabrics she creates is how thoughtful they are, but still quite whimsical. Enough to tempt you to purchase cute tote bags in several colors and patters (Aunt June has many for you to choose from), and at the same time make you remember playing Tiger Lily in your brother’s game of Cowboys and Indians.

I have to admit: Aunt June put me on a bit of a hand drawn fabric kick and I wondered what else was out there on Etsy waiting to be discovered.  It wasn’t long thereafter that I discovered the eco friendly hand printed textiles at Repeat.

There were even more cuteness to be found at Summersville where Lucy, another previously featured Etsy seller, makes all of her patterns using environmentally friendly water-based inks.  Wouldn’t the first be just perfect for a lunch bag?

Gasp. Even I seem to have back-t0-school on my mind.

{first three photos via Aunt June; second set of three photos via Repeat; last two photos via Summersville}

First, I fell in love with a wallet. Then I saw the shoes, and I really knew it was over.

M’s sister works for Mulberry in New York City. At first, I figured it was like every other high-end leather company: I thought I wouldn’t like it. But Mulberry’s subtle branding (most of their products simply carry their mark, a mulberry tree) and fine quality leather goods made me swoon, I will admit. Yesterday, I wandered over to their website and was greeted by this:

Those shoes were just too much fun for me not to want them instantly. Then came the ballerina flats.

I took another sneak peek at the wallet.

And then I got lost in the shoes and wallets and scarves and bags and agendas and Macbook sleeves and womenswear and boots — are you hyperventilating yet? I was.

Your mission today, if you choose to accept it: (1) go scroll the looks, (2) do a bit of online browsing, (3) swoon, (4) attempt to restrain yourself, (5) fail, (6) visit a store to see and feel the loveliness that is Mulberry. And please do tell me what you find. I’d love to gush with you over your favorite piece.

{images from Mulberry online}