By now, most of you have probably seen the musical genius of Tay Zonday’s “Chocolate Rain” either on You Tube or his Jimmy Kimmel appearance (if you haven’t yet watched the original, check out the link. Love the breathing technique!) I couldn’t resist posting this John Mayer version to the tune of Nelly Furtado’s ”Say It Right.” They showed a bit of it on Best Week Ever but below is the clip in its entirety. So hilarious! My husband and I now make up our own words to the original and could go on forever, it’s pretty addicting. Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Can I just say how absolutely happy I am that football season is just around the corner? Just hearing those familiar sounds while watching last Sunday’s pre-season game made me smile from ear to ear. I may be a total girly girl, hate getting dirty, scream when I see a spider and try to rationalize eating Ramen for a month if I can just get that new handbag but I am still a football fanatic. No, I do not just watch football to stare at the player’s butts, (although some are very nice) I actually care about the game! Thankfully in the last few years, the fan gear options for us females has drastically improved. I was browsing around in the NFL shop today and found some sporty yet feminine things to represent my favorite pro teams on gamedays (I am also a huge college football fan, I adore my ASU Sun Devils!) I love this cute v-neck tee or this jersey inspired crew to cheer on my beloved Minnesota Vikings. And for my current home team, Arizona Cardinals, they carry a Matt Leinart replica jersey cut for a women’s shape as well as a cute layered long sleeve tee. Any of these tops would look great paired with jeans and a hoodie for later in the season. I can’t wait for it to officially start! Check out the NFL Shop to display affection for your favorite team!

It’s time for the first Maintenance routine submitted by a Swish-Style reader! Amber from Portland dishes on her skincare products from Murad:
“I started using this about a year ago when I kept getting pesky chin breakouts. The first two months the treatment cleared out all my pores and I’ve been free of zits for most of the time. If I’m not using all elements of the treatment I will break out from time to time.
step 1 ~ Clarifying Cleanser
step 2 ~ Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel & Acne Spot Treatment
step 3 ~ Skin Perfecting Lotion
If you order from Murad.com you get all 4 items delivered to you every 2 months and they bill your credit card over a 2 month span $29.99 each time.
Pros:  My acne is under control.
Cons: The every 2 month shipment schedule is TOO MUCH. The only thing I run out of is the cleanser (which can be purchased at Sephora or Bath and Body works). I now have 3 of each step due to over shipping. I changed to a every- five month plan but I’m still overrun. Another con is that the lotion doesn’t have an SPF.”
Thanks Amber for sharing your experience with the Murad skincare system! Has anyone else tried these products? I checked about her concern over the lack of SPF coverage with the Skin Perfecting Lotion. The description of the product seems that it is basically an oil-free moisturizer. So if you wanted to try a lightweight, non-greasy lotions with an SPF, I know the brands Boscia, Cosmedicine, Borba, Laura Mercier, and Lancome all should carry one through Sephora.
If you’d like to be featured on the next Maintenance post, send a description of your routine (skincare, makeup, haircare, etc.) and include a snapshot of your products to me: nicky@swish-style.com.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I celebrated my father-in-law’s birthday and got to catch up with all my husband’s siblings that live out of state, it was so much fun! And Adrian and I rediscovered our love for Scrabble. It is the ONLY game I stand a chance of beating him at and I seriously think playing it makes your brain grow. I mean it, I feel smarter already! We still haven’t had any offers on our house, so keep your fingers crossed for me, we need to sell! Enjoy the new shopping picks and tomorrow will be the first “Maintenance” post from one of my readers!

Ruched Scoopneck

$54.00

Banana Republic

Dolce Vita Vienna Flat

$90.00

Piperlime

Yochi Enamel Hoops

$34.00

Ravinstyle

Facial Mask

$31.00

Pangea Organics

Giant Cupcake Cake Pan

$27.95

Sur La Table

I know there has been much discussion in the blogging community this past year about the gradual increase in J.Crew prices. I remember J.Crew as like a slightly cooler cousin to the Gap when I was younger, but there is no way I would’ve been able to afford the $100 cotton cardigans they have now (although very cute!) when I was 16. I seriously think their prices have doubled since the mid-90s. Anyway, all this is completely frustrating when the J.Crew catalog arrives in the mail filled with pages of adorable but overpriced fall items. Is it crazy that I am trying to convince myself that paying $128 for a pair of J.Crew moccasins is okay? Have I explained my lovely childhood memories of growing up in Minnesota and going “up north” to buy new pairs of Minnetonka mocs? The warm, fuzzy feelings that wearing mocassins creates in my heart, so much so that I feel a little glimmer of autumn even when I live in a barren desert? The relief my feet will experience in their cozy interior after spending hours being tortured by my affinity for heels? I think I’m doing a good job at convincing myself, don’t you? But I really do think these are a beautiful take on the casual moc (plus there are so many colors!) or maybe I’m just kidding myself and becoming the prey of the J.Crew pricing machine? Have any of you seen a similar pair of mocs at a cheaper price? Let me know!

If you recall, I’ve had a couple issues with crochet in the past. Bad fruit earrings and spiderweb swimwear to be exact. But this is one item that I am pleased to report features the intricate art of crochet in a beautiful way. And I must have it in all three colors. Or just maybe I can get my close friend and crochet maven, Amber, to make one for me at a fraction of the cost ? (The original is $108 at shopbop.) I believe in your talent Amber, you can do it!