If you ever meet me face-to-face, just call me TG - the Travelin’ Gnome.

Not because I resemble a friendly woodland being or anything. I’m like that gnome character from the Travelocity commercial. Always on the move…. Always on the go.

Today I’m returning to NYC. Happily, might I add.

And I wasn’t joshing about the face-to-face meeting thing.

I’d love to have an IndieLust.com Martini-People-Watching-Trash-Talking Get Together in the upcoming months. E-mail me (travelwithme AT gmail DOT com) if you’re game.

Anyway, unlike my other blog posts, the intro you just read doesn’t tie in to today’s featured designer. (Shocking - I know.)

Then again, today’s designer doesn’t need a fancy schmancy spiel. She’s Khrisla Mulvany of LaLa Bags fame.

Her timeless bags have a Lily Pulitzer Palm Beach flair, with a gentle LA edge.

My favorite is the tan and black damask shoulder bag. Damask to me is like chocolate to a sweets lover.

Soooo good!

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When I first began my writing career many moons ago, and I had a small audience (and a barely-making-it bank account to match), there were 3 things I splurged on:

1. Fresh flowers in my living room at all times. They’re so good for the soul. And they can make you feel rich, even when you’re poor.
2. Clothes - (needless to say).
3. And art.

I love art, and I have an insane respect for artists. Not to mention that my male friends are always terribly impressed by my art-filled walls. Art is like my Maserati!

So I’m moving to NYC next week, and I’ve been scoping the scene for some new pieces.

Today I ran across Etsy-based artist yellena.

I love her usage of color. Of course I heart the exciting design work. And at $15-$40 a print, you can afford to allocate a few dollars from your clothing budget.

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Every since I began this all dresses and skirts campaign, I have to say that:

1. Skirts and dresses nicely accentuate my posterior (Although it could have something to do with all the rice and beans I’ve been eating lately).
2. Dressing in dresses makes me feel sexy. Sexier than I’ve ever felt in a pair of skinny jeans. Skirts make you do a sexier swagger.
3. Skirts and dresses that look really good on me can often be hard to find.

A commitment to dressing in dresses means that I’m always on the hunt for something cute. Not too long, but not micro mini either. I’m more of cleavage gal anyway.

Joia Style is first on my online checklist for foxy dresses. They’ll fill your closet with a smokin’ collection of dresses from several independent designers. Plus they carry several custom made pieces.

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Every time I visit my mom she hands me a “I-bought-this-from-QVC-for-you” watch. And every other Christmas she gifts me with a new watch.

Why does she do it, even though I’m not a traditional watch wearer? Well I guess it’s the same reason why I occasionally buy my daughter a pink outfit, even though she has vehemently declared that she doesn’t like pink. It’s in the Mom’s manual… page 329. You take a blood oath to uphold this tradition.

This year, however, I think I’ll have to drop my dear mum a hint on my timepiece expectations.

“Listen mom,” I’ll say, “this year can you get me the Rolex? No? Wellll okay then, how about a Timebandits watch? Its under $50…”

At which point she’ll say yes, and I’ll finally get a watch that I’ll actually wear.

These watches appeal to the “kickin-it-old-school” b-girl in me. Somebody get me a Kurtis Blow album and a pair of shell top Addidas - stat!

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‘Brown bagging it’ is for lunch. But ‘black bagging it’ is for life - and my hopeless attraction.

When I first visited the Black Bags website, the first thing I thought was… “Where’s my credit card?”

I am a design fiend. And I love bags with unusual patterns or design work. Black Bags definitely fall into that category.

They’re lovely because they’re simple. There’s just enough design work to excite you. But not so much that you feel like you can’t wear the bag on a daily basis.

That wristlet with the face is sexy - and affordable at only $23.

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