Aspiring Kennedy: four sale

Showing posts with label four sale. Show all posts

FOURSALE: Chunky Knit Scarf (Mini)

Yesterday, Viola & I needed some fresh air

after two days in the house

per doctor's orders to stay home

and avoid risking another infection.

I was booooored.

So, I threw on her coat, bow and scarf

and headed out to get some sunshine.

We lasted about 4 minutes

until she started trying to eat leaves

and my neighbor came up to chat

telling me all about the terrible flu

her family is passing around to each other.

(Cue Lauren inching back up the steps towards the door.)

But before the leaves and the plague debacle,

I got to snap a few pics of Viola

showing off her new Christmas scarf

that Tyler's mom made her.

And promptly posted to Instagram.

(Naturally.)

. . . .

And then my inbox got flooded

with emails asking where it came from.

So, I called up my mother-in-law

and asked her to be the next foursale

for this little old blog.

And, since she loves us, she said yes.

So here you go:

The cutest baby scarves you ever saw.

They are no-fuss and super cute.

The wooden button is easy to fasten
anywhere you like on the scarf.

Go getcha one

and channel that
Baby-sitting-on-some-steps-in-Notting-Hill look.

And if you don't have a nino,

you can get one in adult size

to match the one she made me.

It has three wooden buttons and can button into tons of combos.

I'll be wearing the crap out of mine this spring

in the frigid Paris winter.

A few notes:

Since my mother-in-law will be making these by hand custom for Aspiring Kennedy, please allow 10-15 business days for your order to arrive!
US shipping only. If you live outside the US, just email me and we can get you sorted with one, too! lauren@aspiringkennedy.com
I love babies in scarves.

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy

FOUR SALE: Taking Home The Silver

I've been wandering through the market for the past weekend mornings

with the motivation to master my walking-while-consuming-coffee-and-pastry skills,

get some "me" time while Tyler & Viola snooze,

and to find special pieces that can find a place in your home.

{So, I guess it's not exactly a selfless task.}

After my last FOUR SALE

full of pretty finds from Notting Hill's Portobello Road,

I learned two important lessons:

1. People really like English antiques.

2. They get pretty sad when they chance to get any

because the sale is already over.

So, as a perpetual people-pleaser,

I set out to reinvent the wheel

and give the people what they want.

This resulted in a couple of days

of thinking through different formats & options....

and then one night, the answer was really obvious.

Here's what's going to happen:

It's all going to be sold via a Facebook page

especially for FOURSALE.

Huh?

Why move it from my blog you ask?

Well, for the silly sake of matching the section above,

I'm going to give you two reasons:

1. It allows people to snag a piece

if they are away from their computers

through commenting via the Facebook app...

which, as we all know, is 2408 times easier

than commenting on blogger with your phone.

2. It will offer better notice when the sales start,

since people check Facebook about 2408 times

more in a day than this blog.

{I know, I know... people's priorities are way off.}

So go on to the new FOURSALE page

and check out the little goody I have waiting for you there.

And in the meantime,

let's take a quick trip through Notting Hill.

sorry ladies. this one's off the market. ;)

*all images original to aspiring kennedy.

Notting Hill- Four Sale

The last time I was in States,
I went shopping at a popular chain of high-end cooking stores
{who shall remain nameless}
and, in the midst of buying seasonal rubber spatulas & cake mixes
saw that they were selling serving pieces
from Notting Hill's Portobello Road Market.

I swelled with pride for my hood
and went to inspect their finds.

I was immediately shocked to see how expensive
they were selling the same pieces
that I so often see & buy myself.

I mean, $250 for a silver-plate salt & pepper set
and $150 for a small tray is ridiculous.

I decided then & there that I would
have to render this the only way I could:

By having a foursale to get these pretty pieces
to my friends in the States cheaper than they could at the mall.

***

I finally got a pretty collection of goods together
and I couldn't be more excited!

It makes me really happy to share Portobello Road with you.

Enjoy!

____________________

Sugar & Creamer Set

It only felt right to start with this pretty pair
perfect for you next tea party.

A pretty matching set
of silver-plated sugar & creamer servers.

Don't they make a gorgeous couple?

If Will & Kate were serving pieces,
this could very well be them.

{Editor's Note: I'm mocking myself for that joke.}

Sugar & Creamer Set | £22

SOLD

____________________

Mirrored Vanity Tray

This flower-trimmed tray is so sweet
and, amidst all the silver at the market,

a bit of a stand-out piece.

I love this delicate little tray
and think perfume & candles
look perfect nesting on top.

Plus, I really loved the price.

Mirrored Vanity Tray | £10

SOLD

____________________

Silver-Plate Horse Jewelry Tray

This horse tray is probably my favorite piece

that I found at the market.

It's quirky and cute
and really English...
plus, it's silver-plated
so it's fabulous.

I especially love the idea of using the dish for a vanity jewelry tray

and draping necklaces around the horse.

This piece gets the "Best in Show" award from me.

To be honest,
if this doesn't sell,
I'm not going to be upset in the least.

I'm also going to have a cute tray with a horse on it
perched on my dressing table.

Silver-Plate Jewelry Tray with Horse | £25

SOLD

____________________

Five Piece Salt & Pepper Caddy Set

If I were a bride
and someone gave me this set to me as a wedding gift...
well, not only would it make center stage on my dining table,
but it might also earn them the name of my first child.

As I didn't get one of these as a wedding gift,
we were clear to name Viola after anyone we wanted...
which was in her case, my grandmother.

This little silver-plated set has five pieces:
a triangular tray,
a salt cellar,
a pepper shaker,
& a mustard pot...
complete with a tiny little spoon
to make it officially perfect.

I have two of these sets myself
so I was forced to add this to the sale...
or admit that I might have a hoarding problem.

Five Piece Salt & Pepper Caddy | £32

SOLD

____________________

Heavenly Teaspoons

There isn't much better in life
than a hot cup of tea
with friends...

and if you don't have a friend to share it with
then you might enjoy having these little teaspoons join you for the occasion.

They have little monks on them...
and I love them.

I wish I knew the story behind them.

Are they monks or saints?

I can't tell.

Maybe they are a both...
St. Francis of Assisi, perhaps?

Heavenly Teaspoons, Set of 5 | £7.50

SOLD

____________________

Small spaces can be made a bit more grand
when there is a base that supports the scene...
well, that's what I believe, at least.

Which is why my house has trays perched frequently throughout
framing votives, pictures & delicate items from places I love.

Having a pretty tray somehow organizes small items
into a pretty little vignette...
and who doesn't like to use the word "vignette?"

I found two trays that are pretty great.

Silver Vanity Tray, Large

This silver-plate tray has been around the block.

Where dark spots on other pieces can cloud and take away from the piece,
they somehow enhance this tray.

How great would this be by a bedside
for resting your cell phone, a small candle
& pretty pieces of jewelry?

Silver Tray, Large | £14

SOLD

____________________

The two trays side by side- medium on the left, large on the right.

Silver Tray, Medium

This is the second tray that I grabbed for you.

It's slightly smaller than the one above
and has a small dent in the edge...
but it's silver-plate is really shiny and the design is gorgeous.

I think you'll think it's a pretty great
-and affordable!-
way to dress up a small space in your home.

Silver Tray, Medium | £12

SOLD

____________________

Pearl Handle Knives

This little set of six knives is in really good condition...
in fact, I almost kept them for myself
since I haven't seen any matching sets this good.

The original box somehow even survived the years with them.

They look a bit pinker in the box than they actually are
because of the way the red box reflects off them... just so you know.

Oh, and if you look closely below,
you can see the pretty stamping on the base of the blade.

Love!

Pearl Handle Knives, Set of 6 | £10

SOLD

____________________

Lion-Handled Serving Bowl

I hope it is obvious that all of the pieces shown here
are things that I would actually use in my own house.

In fact,
I had intended to adopt this bowl as my own
and had filled it with Reeses Peanut Butter Cup minis.

Eventually, I decided to include it with the other pieces
like I had originally intended...

Though my affinity for anything resembling a lion door knocker
made it a very hard choice.

It has an inner bowl
made of dark, blue glass
that sits inside the bowl's silver-plate exterior
making it suitable for serving out of and easy cleaning.

Lion Handled Serving Bowl | £11.25

SOLD

____________________

So there we have it...

Weekend shopping on Portobello Road

brought to wherever it is you may be today.

This was actually really fun for me to do

and, if you like it, let me know below.

I'm a sucker for punishment

and would most likely be up for doing this again!

*all sales are final and non-refundable. please shop carefully.

*all shipping is basic, international shipping to keep costs low. please allow for 2-3 weeks for your item to arrive.

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

FOUR SALE: The Best Christmas Sweater Ever.

I did a double take when I saw this sweater the other day hanging in a store in London.

It was love at first site.

Without trying it on or feeling it,

I just knew that this £20 sweater

was going to be my new best friend for the upcoming months.

As I paid for an armful of them,

the cashier asked me what they were for...

Ummm... gifts?

It seemed like an easier explanation.

If you've run into me at all this week

in person or on skype,

you may have noticed me wearing this...

it's because I love it

and want to wear it, well, pretty much every day.

It just feels perfect for anything this time of year.

I tried to take a picture of this in any way other than on me.

It wasn't working...

so here I am.

Standing on the street by our flat,

feeling like a pregnant fool

to show you this sweater.

Yes, because I love you that much

and because it really is that important to me

that you have this sweater, too.

UPDATE: SOLD OUT.

PLEASE NOTE:

No refunds/exchanges- as I won't be able to return them, either.

All sales final.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for international shipping,

so that I can ship the cheapest way possible!

Trick-Or-Treat Giveaway {& FOURSALE}

Today I had a talk with people

who were dismissing Halloween

as a yucky holiday

full of dark celebrations and decorations.

I couldn't help but get a little defensive

to the verbal attack of such a special day.

Not only did I find this holiday to be

one of the best family events of the year,

but I kinda like the creepiness that comes along with it.

All the silly decorations

and spooky party themes

just seem right as the weather changes.

It all seems to fit the chilly weather perfectly.

You know what else fits this chilly weather?

This gold satchel,

a black & gold skull scarf,

...some navy British tights (they make them best here!),

a really cool pair of over the knee socks,

and some cuddly slippers for cozying up indoors.

And that's why I bought them all for one of you

as a fun little treat for stopping by my place this month.

Instead of the classic line of "Trick-Or-Treat,"

all you have to do to win this bag of treats

is leave a favorite Halloween memory below.

Snag an additional entry for each
if you follow me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

I'll pick a winner at random on Friday, 19 October.

{Must be a follower to win. Gotta take care of my peeps.}

****

AND in response to the white infinity scarf that I religiously wear in the cold,

I have now purchased it's black counterpart.

It's a little larger, a little softer, and a little bit better smelling.

{Editor's Note: I really need to wash mine more often.}

I really can not wait to wear it way too often in the months ahead.

Since so many readers have asked me where I got the first one (H&M, 2010),

I thought I'd help out this time by grabbing a few extras for you.

First come, first served.

Slow international shipping will be used to keep shipping down,

so expect a few weeks before your purchase arrives.

No refunds available, so please purchase carefully!

UPDATE: SOLD OUT

*All images via instagram. Username: aspiringkennedy
**Obviously, these aren't the real McQueen & Cambridge Satchel... just "inspired" pieces. :)

FOUR SALE: Summer Skirt

I've been in Scotland for the past few days

for a quick work trip.

After the endless complaining I have been doing

about the endless crappy weather here,

I have been silenced.

The clouds broke, the sun appeared,

the temperatures have risen...

and we, my friends, are experiencing a heat wave!

I am so happy!

I've literally been going non-stop since the sun arrived

in order to enjoy every moment of the good weather that I can.

I'm back in London now,

but have a really exciting treat for you all...

this totally awesome skirt.

{If I do say so myself!}

Psst... I finally joined instagram! Username: aspiringkennedy.... duh. :)

I found this little gem in Edinburgh

and loved how perfect it was in the summer weather...

it's cool fabric feels great on a sunny day,

long length & pattern that is terribly summer appropriate,

and is, actually, totally flattering... which I really appreciate.

I instagram'd it from Edinburgh and it seemed that every comment was:

"Love your skirt!"

When I saw the general response,
a little bell went off in my mind:

Obviously, you all need one, too.

So, I bought some.

And now I'm selling them to you.

No special brand, just from a local store here...

but it is super cute and the perfect (cheap) addition for summer!

Please remember, all sales are final...

as I can't take these back. :)

Skirt US2/ UK 6:
SOLD OUT

Skirt US 4/UK 8:
SOLD OUT

Skirt US 6/UK 10:
SOLD OUT

Skirt US 8/UK 12:
SOLD OUT

Skirt US 10/UK 14:
SOLD OUT

*all sales final.

**please allow for cheap/slow shipping, as i like to keep the shipping price as low as possible. arrival is typically about 2 weeks from purchase. :)

FOUR SALE: Ted Baker

Hauling one's possessions for one too many trips

can teach even the silliest of overpackers

to trim down on what they are toting along.

While I do my best to keep my clothes to neutrals & smart layers,

one item that I won't apologize for is a large toiletry bag.

Make-up, straightener, hair products, jewelry case...

it's the only place in my travel wardrobe that offers any variety.

When I passed these bags the other day,

my heart stopped a beat.

A large wash bag from the Rose Bug collection... for £28.

The size is deliciously large...

you can easily fit a hair dryer & straightener alongside your other goods here.

The shape is terribly chic...

not only does it have a beautiful red & gold zipper,

but it folds over like a clutch.

And the fabric...

sigh.

It's a beautiful vivid satin print

of Ted Baker's spring pattern, Rose Bug.

So, in typical Four Sale fashion,

I bought one for me...

and four for you.

Canvas shopper £69 | Scarf $110 | Floral Shorts £89 | Sweetheart Dress $310

As you can see,

compared to regular prices for the line

this piece is a steal!

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the love with all of you!

First come, first served.

Marion Cotillard- FOURSALE

Women here in France have such great style.

Where some people might attribute "messy hair" to Pinterest,

I credit the streets of Paris.

There is just an intelligently-disheveled look that I like very much.

Floppy buns tied messily into hair,

with faces shining simply with lipgloss.

Corduroy coats with toggles up top,

and opaque tights with worn flats below.

All together it creates a look that feels like Hermione Granger gone indie....

And it's awesome.

The girl that does this best {in my eyes} is Marion Cotillard.

Sure, she can look pristine on the Red Carpet....

She can look stunning in advertisements....

But my favorite look,

is the look that I first started liking in "The Good Year."

Perfectly simple. Perfectly French.

And how can I channel her loveliness?

Well that might be impossible,

but you better believe I'm going to try.

Miss Dior Cherie, $80 | Bioderma Make Up Remover €15.25 | TopShop Striped Dress, £15

Paris Versus New York, $20 | Guerlain Parure De Nuit Powder, $67

And today, I'm offering a FOURSALE of my favorite French cosmetic product....

BIODERMA Crealine H2O Make-Up Remover.

I bet you've heard of it, haven't you?

I first learned about it from Gwyneth on GOOP,

and have been a believer since I ~~furiously ran out and~~ bought some.

This pink-capped bottle is legendary here...

and only here, as it not widely sold outside of France.

It's like putting water on your face, it's seriously so gentle.

No stinging eyes. No oily residue.

Just a perfectly clean face.

I went to grab a bottle for Helena the other day,

threw in a bottle for myself...

and thought that some of you might want some, too.

It's seriously fantastic... and the bottles are really big.

{I just finished off a bottle after 1 year.}

As always, first come... first served.

{Update: SOLD OUT.}

You Got Buns, Hun.

These buns haunted me on Pinterest for a long time.

They just seemed perfectly impossible to me.

I would always look at it and wonder...

how the heck they could do that.

This illusive, messy up-do

had been plaguing me in

a very harsh "first world pain" manner,

and I eventually wrote it off as a perk for thin hair.

Until one fateful day.

I walked past these funny things in a bowl,

picked one up and looked at it like it was a bizarre archeological find.

What is this?

What purpose does it serve?

Why would a factory agree to produce these?

And then the lightbulb went off...

and finally understood the physics

behind those perfect little do's.

Some may call it a sock bun-

but for those of you who have asked about mine,

it's a sponge donut.

Or something like that.

It's basically an implant for your hair.

I actually don't know what it's called.

But in all it's ghetto fabulousness...

they work like a charm!

I love it,

and it's super simple...

just make a high pony tail, pull it through the ring,

splay your hair around it... and tuck it under.

So easy, right?

I've been handing them out to my friends

and we love them...

and after such universal success...

I bought some for you!

I only could find the blonde color first,

and you couldn't tell at all, even though I'm a brunette...

my hair is thick and long so it covered it easily.

So if you hair is a dark blonde

or light brown... either one should work

unless you don't have a ton of hair.

BRUNETTE HAIR BUN (£4.50)

SOLD OUT

BLONDE HAIR BUN (£4.50)

SOLD OUT

*If you live in the states,

I'm going to ship these back

when I'm stateside the week after Christmas

a.k.a... don't plan your New Years Party look over it. :)