WANT.NEED.LOVE

Now that there is no more Daylight Savings Time (tears, I hate that it gets dark so early), it's officially Fall.  Time to break out the sweater and boots, oh wait - I live in SF, so those are already at the front of my closet.  While your busy changing out your summer for winter clothes, I'll be surfing the interwebs for more stuff to amass.  Here are my 5 current items I'm coveting:

1. I'm totally into stacking and layering delicate jewelry.  This ring, small but with boho impact will be PERFECTION on my pointer finger.

2. Let's be honest, who isn't mad for plaid this Fall?  I love that this plaid shirt is sheer, drapey and collarless - and the color?  I am always a sucker for anything in wine, there I said it.

3. I was really sad on the inside when this sold out last year before I could get my grubby little hands on one.  This year, the Disco Gnome will be mine!  Added bonus, CB2 has also created is his cute little friend.

4. Arial beach photography always speaks to me.  Lately I've been really into Max Wanger photography and this particular beach scene is not only awesome but actually affordable.

5. Okay, so I usually listen to music from speakers or if I'm on the go, then ear-buds. But I keep seeing these Frends Kayla in rose gold, and I just WANT them.  It's only a minor detail that I'll have to figure out when I'll use them.

8 FASHION ESSENTIALS FOR ACL 2014

I'm normally a last minute packer, but I've already started mentally packing for ACL.  What can I say?  I love festival fashion, and wholeheartedly plan to join the parade of bohemia. Without further ado, here are the 8 key pieces that I'm throwing in my bag to Austin.

1. FLASH TATTOOS:
There are some people that think that one or two thoughtfully placed tattoos makes a statement.  I am not one of those people.  I plan on diving in the deep end and covering myself in them.  If not at a festival, then when?

photo: Ann Street Studios

2. DENIM SHORTS:

Rolled, cut off, high waisted... there is no wrong way to wear them.  The way that I prefer them?  Destroyed, slouchy and short.

3. MUSCLE TEE:
It's going to be 90 degrees over the weekend, 'nuff said.  Not to mention, how else am I going to show off my awesome flash tattoos?  I love the tomboy edge of the muscle tee, especially when paired with some super feminine intimates like a lace bralette.

4. BOOTIES:
In the close quarters of the crowd, your feet are bound to be stepped on.  By Day 3, your toes are smushed and need a reprieve.  The best way to protect them?  You got it - booties.

5. KIMONO:
We can pretend that I'm bringing a kimono because I'm worried I'll get cold - and that would be a lie. One, because it's hot at night.  Two, because kimonos are too thin to keep you warm.  The real reason to rock a kimono to ACL is to look all kinds of bohemian and float around from stage to stage.  Bonus fact:  when you get the inevitable shoulder burn, you can cover up and prevent it from getting worse.

6. Crossbody Bag:
You gotta bring stuff.  Your phone, some cash, ID...  all the essentials.  I used to forge ahead and jam stuff in my back pocket and make Robin carry all the rest just so that I could avoid carrying a bag.  But after an ACL a few years ago where we got split up and lost all cell phone service, I realized that was a bad strategy.  I tend to gravitate toward ethnic details, the more embroidery, fringe and detailed the better.

7. Flowy Mini Dress:
Because dresses are pretty.  And I'm really into wearing them right now.  Totally impractical but completely necessary.

8. Arm Candy:
My fingers tend to swell with the heat and a couple of beers.  So I have to forego my usual layered rings for the weekend.  But there is no way that I can go without jewelry.  Enter the Arm Candy.  I plan to layer up!  My wristband will settle in with an armload of bangles, wrap bracelets and woven ones too.

Hope to see you at Zilker Park on Friday!  And be sure to follow our instagram (@shopyandi) to see all our favorite moments from the weekend :)

OCTOBER TUNES: ACL EDITION

We're heading to ACL for Weekend One!!!!!!
So excited to be back in Austin, see our friends and listen to good tunes.  I have already compiled a list of restaurants that I want to hit up, but most likely won't make it to.
In honor of our upcoming festival weekend, here's our playlist of Artists You Have to Hear at ACL.

5 WAYS TO BE MORE "YOU"

What it would look like if our Spirit Animals had a conversation.
Robyn - the dino / Robin - the unicorn

You know those nights when you get into an internet hole and keep on clicking on more and more links? Last night was one of those nights for me.
I found some really interesting articles on what I'll call "self-improvement" for lack of a better term, sorry to be all 80's new-agey.  Below is a roundup of must-reads to kick start a better you.

1. I had dinner with a friend the other night and she told me that I absolutely had to watch Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on the power of body language.  If you haven't already watched it, then get on it already (I'm saying that in a power pose).

2. Understanding how I express my love and want to be shown love was eye opening for me.  Take the 5 Love Languages Test (it's free and not a sales pitch) to find out what makes you tick.

3. Reading 15 Ways to Be a Good Human really resounded with me.  It reminded me that we often rush around and are too wrapped up in our own lives, and that slowing down and performing small acts of kindness makes the biggest positive impact on the people around us.

4. This Key to Happiness is something that we all probably know, but sometimes forget.  This will be an especially important self-check for me when I take on anything new.

5. I listen to music all the time, but this Smithsonian research project proves that my favorite tunes are unlocking my creativity.  Finally, scientific justification for jamming out to Spotify when I should be working...