I’ve bought my fair share of barrettes and ponytail holders at CVS. But when you’re planning to clip back your hair for the wedding of someone who writes a style blog (ahem, see Thursday), Goody just won’t cut it. So I picked up a sweet Tige Boule (apparently French for “good barrette for girls with extremely fine hair”) by France Luxe for the occasion (this Saturday). I love the pretty pattern and the classic feel. Did I mention it’s from France? While I’m sure my hair won’t be at the top of her mind, I know the bride would be pleased if she knew.

Oh, I bought my barrette at Tselaine (1927 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-301-4752) where the jewelry, clutches and fun little hair things will make you want to get all dolled up for a no-particular-reason night out.

It’s not looking like the fabled W Hotel is actually, like ever, going to open in Center City — ground hasn’t been broken and phone calls are not being returned. (All this hush-hush drama reminds me of another W, no?) And here at 1818 Market Street, the Good Life style team is coming to terms with the fact that we won’t ever get a Bliss Spa — they come in many Ws — or their ouch-less, razor-burn-less bikini waxes.

But, there has been some actual exciting hotel news and it does include a W. Sorta.

Next week, August 8th, marks the official opening of Aloft, Starwood’s budget-friendly, very Euro-like hotel concept at Philadelphia International, shown. In true Starwood fashion, it’s sleek and sophisticated, has an indoor pool, and is pet-friendly. (Oh yeah, and they’ll wash your car, too.) Splurge for the high-end rooms — they are still less than $200 a night. We’ll keep you updated on more Aloft area openings.

Back in Center City, where people you know might actually want to stay (no offense Philly International), The Independent is a new 24-room spot that calls itself a boutique hotel, which opened in the Gayborhood about a month ago. It’s got a huge mural by local artist Kim Senior that’s very cool, has updated rooms (plasma, fancy bedding), and serves breakfast — making it more of a really hip B&B than a boutique hotel in our minds. Which isn’t a bad thing. Rooms start at $129.

Last weekend, I hit the boardwalk to shop for a birthday present for my roommate. Would she prefer a tie-dye Ocean City sweatshirt or a Lifeguard hoodie? Just when I’m about to succumb to buying her a box of salt water taffy, The Islander comes to my rescue. Like Anthropologie for the beach crowd, The Islander’s plentiful racks have Silver jeans and Free People shirts and dresses. There’s great hostess gifts, too: picture frames, candles and books like Life is Sweet by Addie Johnson and 8789 Words of Wisdom by Barbara Ann Kipfer. For my roommate, I snag a peace sign necklace by Dogeared.

Then it’s time to reward myself for all of my hard work. My small splurge this week is the Sade clutch by Matt and Nat ($90, shown). The line’s bags are made of vegan materials, so I can feel good about my choice and still be in style. — Jenna Frimmel

Just last week, I came across this graphic fabric that I could just tell would look great on me. The bold color would perfectly set off my tan, and its soft texture felt supercomfy. Only problem? It was on a pillow. And then there’s my wedding china, with its pale gold pattern against a creamy white background, a design that I can’t help thinking would look equally as nice printed on a dress or skirt. Sigh. All these great designs that, instead of hanging in my closet, are relegated to a corner of my couch and the back of my china cabinet.

So when I found these organically modern plates, shown, by ceramicist Yasha Butler (who comes to Philly by way of Istanbul), I was happy. But, when I discovered that Butler has also carried her simple-chic design to a pair of earrings, I was downright ecstatic. Finally. A design for my home that I can also wear out! Butler’s ceramic designs — with their bright pop of red and their softly freeform shape — will look just as lovely on my dining table as they will dangling from my lobes.

Now, if I could only get Wedgwood to venture into fashion design …

Plates, $18 each, and ceramic and sterling-silver earrings, $32, at yashabutler.etsy.com.

I’m super pumped.

I’m a bit of a self-made self-tanning guinea pig. I’m blonde, fair, and slam-packed with various events every weekend this summer, keeping me from my usual weekend routine of laying about on the beaches of Avalon (yes, with SPF), from sun-up to sun-down. And so I spray.

I’ve grown weary of all my usual products, and today on a lunch hour pop-in to Bluemercury, spotted ModelCo’s line of airbrush tanning products. Some are instant bronzers, but not self-tanners. Some are self-tanners, but go on translucent, with color appearing hours later. There are exfoliators and tanner-applicator gloves — it’s like this display was put out just for beach-starved me. And what did I chose? The Tan Airbrush In A Can ($30-$42). It’s an instant bronzer and a (supposedly long-lasting) self-tanner in one, and I am optimistic about its possibly becoming one of my faves yet.

We’ll see. Next Wednesday is Philly Mag’s Best of Philly party — I’ll be a guinea pig, and draw up a report by then.

Rousted (along with AIA) from its retail spot on 17th Street by hotel development, Black’s Bag and Baggage is now safely back in Center City. In case you missed it, the shop has hung its shingle a few doors down from South Moon Under on Chestnut, happily a comfortable shopping distance from Philly Mag offices. Still with the familiar fine stock of luggage brands like Briggs & Riley, bags brands to covet like Hobo and the attentive customer service. But more room to handle the display of everything you need to haul your life across town or across the pond.

We here in Philly don’t let our reality-show heroes fade — which is why we still get all giddy when we see Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll’s latest creations. And we love where Jay got inspiration for his latest — from Alex and her Lemonade Stand, which raises money for pediatric cancer research. These peppy tees, hand-drawn by Jay, come in purple and black and feature the Alex’s Lemonade Stand logo on the back. Five dollars from each tee purchased will go to the fund. Pick one up at Jay’s website so both can live on forever. — Liz Behler

Image, jaymccarroll.com

You probably remember us mentioning Katye K., one of our fave new Main Line boutiques when it opened just months ago. Maybe you even went and checked it out.

Well, if you haven’t yet , there’s a few days left of her all-week sale going on, and it’d definitely be worth your while: Today, on the 17th, save 25 percent on all her cute and comfy PJs; on the 18th, save 25 percent on all styles (meaning adorable, flirty/edgy tops and dresses) from 3J, JWLA and For Love & Liberty; and on the 19th, save 20 percent on her whole wall of Kooba bags!

So, see you there?

With so many nearly-end-of-season sales going on (click back through the past few weeks’ GLD blogs to get the full scoop on who’s dishing out what deals), it can be difficult to decide which racks to tackle first. And just when you think you’ve got it all mapped out, another can’t-miss sale pops up. Case in point: Nicole Miller’s semi-annual sale, where over half of the goods at the Bellevue and Manayunk locations are marked down to delightfully budget-friendly prices.

We admit, it’s tough to walk past the front of the store, where fall-perfect styles hang temptingly, but make it to the back and you’ll be rewarded with 50-75 percent markdowns on Miller’s flirty-fun skirts and dresses (including this thigh-grazing babydoll, shown), coolly casual tops, accessories and clutches. The sale, which kicked off yesterday, goes until July 31st, but we suggest making time for Miller before then for the best selection of marked-down merch. Because finding the perfect light-as-air, floor-grazing maxidress at 75 percent off just isn’t as much fun if they no longer have it in your size.

When I’m at the Shore, in desperate need of retail therapy with only an hour to spare, my shopping fix and home-away-from-shopping-home is Hot Stuff, a clothing boutique at 8th Street and Asbury Avenue, a quick bike ride from my summer home in Ocean City. Much to my bank account’s chagrin (and my sister’s glee), this boutique is jam-packed with my favorite designers and pieces I just can’t seem to find anywhere else.

Within minutes, I have a pile of clothes in my arms … jeans from J Brand, a vibrant print dress from T-Bags and comfy tees by Michael Stars.

Note: The ever-helpful and stylish sales associates are happy to help.

My favorite part: the sale racks that have some unbelievable steals, including my favorite Primp hoodies.

My pick of the week: Lauren Moshi’s Elephant tank ($79). So me and yet so young Hollywood starlet. —Jenna Frimmel