JC Swift, Your Style Cultivator

Image Credit: Ralph Lauren.com

Ralph Lauren has a great way to indulge one’s inner child while supporting a worthy cause. The “Paint Your Own Polo” kit lets children decorate their own polo shirts– kind of like tie dye with a modern twist. Made for ages six and up, the kit comes with paintbrushes, paint, stamps– and, of course, a classic Ralph Lauren polo. All proceeds from the $50 kit support the Pediatric Art Program at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. A great birthday party idea, or simply a creative medium that beats the living room wall! Find it on the Ralph Lauren website.

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Image Credit: Photobucket User Ickeicke

When you wake up to grey skies and the sound of rain…you can’t help but to feel a bit blue…Trekking into the city for your 9-5? I can’t think of anything worse than starting off the day with cold, wet feet. That’s why investing in a solid umbrella and rain boots is MUST. Lucky for us,  we’ve got lots of options to look good while splashing in puddles (or doing our best to avoid them)!

Our favorites are stylish, versatile, and will definitely last you for longer than one rainy season.

Boots:

Marc By Marc Jacobs Faux Lace-Up Rain Boots

Sperry Topsider Women’s Pelican Tall Boot Lug

Umbrellas:

Moschino auto black umbrella

Marc Jacobs Standard Miss Marc Umbrella

Lulu Guinness Icon Scatter print superslim umbrella

Moma store’s Sky Umbrella by Tibor Kalman

boot: Marc by Marc Jacobs

umbrella: Lulu Guinness

Thrifty fashion enthusiasts know that wardrobe mileage depends on keeping a few key classics on hand. This season, I’ have introduced a few new crucial pieces that have slowly become the cornerstone of most outfits I put together. An above-the-knee trench coat always looks smart (and you’’ll feel even smarter come winter if yours has a removable liner!) Banana Republic has both lightweight and wool versions. And when I’m feeling low-key, flats are a great way to keep things feminine and elegant. Buttons and buckles like the ones featured by Matiko spice up the delicate look of ballet flats.

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Image Credit: treehugger.com

When time is of the essence, a stylish watch is essential. Cell phones and PDAs may have replaced watches as the timepiece of choice, but they won’t complete an outfit like a classic watch can. Take a peek at Watchismo for a wide selection of both new and vintage time navigators. For a more refined selection, head over to Watchsonnet.com, featuring brands such as Tag Heuer and Luminox.

You might also catch a splash of color this fall on the wrists of those who are ahead of their time. Bright, oversized, and multifunctional are buzzwords when it comes to choosing a timepiece. Fossil and Spiegel both feature lightweight designs in bold primary colors. I love a look that breaks up fall’s earth-toned monotony without being seasonally irreverent.

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Image credit: Ruelala.com

With a new season comes new style, and I have a feeling that the fashion bug may come a-biting this autumn. I don’t usually turn down a trip to my favorite stores, but its getting colder outside. Point your browser to Gilt Groupe’s website where you can find amazing brands nearly 70% off. Membership is by invitation only and you receive credit when your invitees place orders. Other sites to check out are One King’s Lane, ideeli and Rue La La.

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Brown bagging-it may not be everyone’s first choice for their lunch, but it certainly is the most economical ( and we can all use a bit of help, economically!) I find that you can pack a lot of taste into that little brown parcel– and it’s a time-saver on those busy days where you don’t have time to eat out. Lifehacker has some excellent tips for those trying to make lunch more interesting than PB&J while still saving money.

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Chilly weather and holiday festivities of all sorts are just around the corner. Polyvore.com makes it as simple as drag and drop– this site allows me to grab images from anywhere on the Internet and create my own virtual ensemble. Afterwards, I can share my innovation by publishing the new get-up to the Polyvore community. I also love to check out the Polyvore blogs to learn top trends and get inspired by independent and international fashion trend setters.

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM

Image Credit: westelm.com

Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner, which can mean a home decorator’s favorite (or least favorite!) time of the year. But I don’t fear the art of the abode– instead, I like to think of it as a chance to let my creativity flourish! Check out Hollister Hovey and Eloisa & Abelard for some great aesthetic augmentation ideas for your place.

X JC Swift for SPROUTINGEDGE.COM