Pastel Rainbow

‘Winter’ in DC so far has hardly been the bitter cold, snow-filled, vodka-needing-to-stay-warm season that I was expecting it to be. While the mild weather might have made it easier for my first winter transition from down south to the District, it also has increased my obsession with wanting it to actually be 75 and sunny instead of 55 and sunny.

This Trina Turk dress has everything I want in a after hours happy hour or late brunch dress for Spring. I love the textured detailing (scalloped edges!), the mix of white and colors, and the cut of the dress. The gray ribbon breaking up the dress just ties everything up together nicely. Of course, this dress would just give me all the more reason to seriously find that one perfect nude envelope clutch finally. February cannot be over soon enough!

 

Pencil This In

I love strong, graphic prints and colors on just about everything. One of my sisters showed me this tres chic mini line of planners, notebooks and card by California homemaker Sarah Pinto. Just in time for the New Years! (For some reason, staying organized and having at least 2 planners is always my go to NY resolution). I’m in love with the anchor planner (surprised? Didn’t think so) but the elephant comes in at a very close second. I’m a sucker for pretty paper products – and if the cool graphics aren’t enough to tempt you, Sarah donates a percentage to the CPMC Pediatric Cardiology center. PS: I love her logo – a well played pink pinto bean!

Virtual Runway, Instant Buy

Badgley Mischka Spring 2011

While I may be stuck in Florida for the time being, thanks to Neiman Marcus I can now watch a handful of Spring 2011 runways from seasoned designers like Oscar de la Renta to the younger set including Thakoon, a Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund finalist starting today. Neiman Marcus is streaming the shows scattered between now and Thursday. The exciting part of this for me? Not watching the girls stride down the runway or the few on camera mini-terviews from collection designers, makeup artists, or hairdresses. No. The fun part for me is idea that the these runway pieces will go straight from the runway to sale online. NM is making this happen on the fifth day, Friday. The time consuming middle men including fashion editors, buyers, and so forth are eliminated with this availability. Also, props to NM for making their homepage a gigantic splash ad for the five day virtual fashion fete. While I live and breathe for magazines (I honestly have 10 subscriptions, 9 of which are fashion and lifestlye magazines), being able to watch the shows and then purchase what you wish (if you can) shortly after makes the whole process seem so much more real and instant.

Today, several Herve Leger pieces caught my eye. The collection full of slim silhouettes with amazing lines were particularly interesting to me. It’s all a bit ladylike tongue in cheek – especially the one pastel colored dress adorned with thigh high straps at the hem. The minimalist makeup and carefree hair make all eyes on every detail, stitch, hem, and design of the pieces. Watch this show, it will be worth it.

Another favorite of Monday: Badgley Mischka. Be sure to watch for the intricately detailed backs and shoulders on many of the dresses and shirts. The romantic hued palette and structure of this collection is sure to translate well commercially. I’m waiting with baited breath for Carolina Herrera tomorrow and especially for Thursday’s hosts including Chloe and Zac Posen.

Picture from here.

Great Lengths

I’m not going to lie, one of the Spring 2011 trends I’m overly excited about is the longer lengths seen all over the runway. It just seems so refreshing and needed right now. Given my shorter height, I’ll have to avoid the Maxi dress look unfortunately, but I’ll have fun with barely above and just below the knee skirts and dresses. It feels like fashion grew up a little this spring. (PS: The above picture is one of my screen savers – I love the cover of this Life issue, if I ever found it on ebay I would probably pay a pretty penny for it!)

Silver Lace Skirt, J.Crew

Americana classics at Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2011 RTW

Proenza Schouler’s Neo-Lady Luxe look Spring 2011 RTW

Vera Wang Spring 2011 RTW – I love the combination of muted and dark colors here.

Pictures from jcrew.com and

A Punch of Color

Perhaps it has something to do with continuously changing fashions with the same dark and neutral palettes at work that has me overly happy for 2011’s color of the year. The Pantone Color Institute has christened Honeysuckle as the new ‘it’ color for the coming year – a color that blends red and pink. I feel like it’s almost an adult pink – not neon or barbie hot pink, and yet not a soft, girlie pink (something I’m not a avid fan of, except on my nails. And blog background). I’m looking forward to seeing this color pop up in clothes, interior designs, home products, and more. Visa has even come out with an official Honeysuckle Platinum Rewards card, and I could use a bit of color in my wallet next to my silver, red and navy colored cards! Read more about the inspiration behind choosing Honeysuckle for 2011, what to wear and accessorize with this pretty hue, and the color meaning here.

Michael Kors Draped Goddess Dress in Rose

Sachin + Babi Kassidy Ruffle Colorblock Top

Personalized Case for E-Reader

Pink Flannel Shirt J.Crew

Prada Saffiano Leather Shoulder Bag

Emmy Thong Sandal Tory Burch

Lilly Pulitzer Cable Knit Cashmere Cardigan

Marc by Marc Jacobs Feather Jersey Tank Top

Marc by Marc Jacobs Anne Shirting Dress

All pictures and products found at Neiman Marcus, J.Crew, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

A Little Bit of This, a Little Bit of That

I haven’t blogged in a while months, so this post is going to be a little all over the place – but I already have “themed” some posts for later this week, when I don’t have to be up in less than six hours! I found a few items while on break at work today that I just got uber excited about and had to share.

I went into the Sperry store today and fell head over heels for these fabulous dark-ish brown Sperry loafers. These would go so well with dark jeans, white tee and my pink rugby blazer… or my many cardigans. Sigh. I love how classic they look – and at only $75! In my mind a steal, since the (too) metallic gold Sperrys are $90, and rather Stripper trying her hand at yatching-looking pour moi.

Speaking of steals, this cute wear-anywhere Wishbone necklace by Marc Jacbos is seven dollars. When I saw it in this month’s Harper’s I had to look twice! Not available for sale online though – gotta walk into a Marc Jacobs store for this little gem.

Lastly, I can’t get over my complete obsession with Tarte’s lipstain crayons. I’m pretty sure I want every color I don’t have in my stocking this year! I love how they smell faintly of peppermint (in a good way, not a overload like children let loose on a bag of candy canes way) and keep their color for quite awhile, in my opinion. Right now I have three of the LipSurgence ones (lust, charmed and amused) and am debating about which Matte lipstain to buy next. Should it be Exposed (nude) or Firey (a bold red)?? Decisions, decisions…

On a side note, I’m on the hunt for nautical themed cookie cutters and am greatly looking forward to seeing The Nutcracker with the boy this Friday! (Mostly because there can never be enough occasions to dress up.) Also, check out wtforever21.com. I stumbled across this blog thanks to Huff Post and couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. Happy Monday.

Animal Instinct – bling, baubles + more

I absolutely loved seeing some of the animal-inspired bling from the 2010 haute joaillerie collections. There’s nothing I love more than the effect a nice statement piece can add to any outfit, and from the Bollywood-inspired creations at Dior to the clean yet always elegant pieces at Chanel, I’m quite enamored. Some of my favorites:

Diamond-laden brooch from Chanel

Love the serpent at the top of these Bollywood Dior earrings

Elephants are a personal favorite – heart what the elephant is holding in his trunk too! Van Cleef & Arpels

I saved the best for last!! This is heaven. Dior’s Rose Bagatelle ring

A girl can dream, right? Besides, just looking at those gems just makes the day seem brighter. I really am loving the whole animal vibe though, so in search for a more budget-friendly (or realistic!) price, I scoped out what Etsy had to offer, and found a few fab Etsy store with some animal bling. (I swear one of my new favorite things is to go on Etsy and just search through everything they have. Their offerings make Ebay look likes childs play – and I’m not a huge fan of the whole bidding thing anyways.) Dirty Rice is a great shop for unique pieces, with a dash of Southern fair. For an even lower price point, Forever21 never fails to deliver and with their most of their jewelry at ten dollars and under, it’s practically a steal. You do get what you pay for (in my experience at least) but it’s perfect for those specific pieces that will make a certain outfit go far for the night.

Dirty Rice crab claw earrings + necklace

Etsy alligator earrings + crab ring from here.

Forever21 insect ring, sparrow necklace, feather connector ring + owl necklace

Love of the Moment: Emerson Made’s fabulous flowers

So a few weeks ago, I re-blogged this lovely style picture on the left from The Farmer’s Trophy Wife at her fabulous blog. I mean, who doesn’t love cardigans + flowers?! I wanted to know where her fabulous flower cardigan could be purchased from badly, and thankfully my friend of a friend Dyan helped me out with that discovery – Emerson Made is the company that makes these gorgeous flowers that you can pin/use/wear on literally everything (cardigans, clutches, shirts, shifts, heels, jackets…you name it). Actually, the lady with the fab flower cardigan is one half of Emerson Made (her hubby is the other!) and their website is really something to check out…. All of the photographs on there they take themselves, and they are opening a clothing line very soon (like this stunning lilac shift right below). They offer a few different kinds of flowers, such as the aptly-named Dahlia, Dandy, and Rose. I love their photographs, and it’s amazing how many ways you can use their flowers for that Emerson Made seems to come up with. Some favorites: small flowers for mens wear, flower ropes for decor, and even flowers made for that special occasion. Yes, Emerson Made makes one of a kind flowers for Will You Marry Me? and Happy Anniversary… pretty romantic/creative if you ask me. Below are some of my favorite (I have a lot of favorites, if you can’t tell) flowers that Emerson Made sells on their website. I can’t wait to see the rest of their clothing line that they have coming out! I’m beyond happy that Dyan told me about E Made – Even just one flower that can be used for every cardigan would give it that much more flair.

All photographs from Emerson Made.

The Sweet South: Jack Rogers

With a big girl paycheck in hand (finally!), I’m about to make my first adulthood, post-graduate purchase… and since I was able to score a glass top dinning room table fo’ free, I want to buy a non-apartment item. Jack Rogers sandals a la Jackie Kennedy it is! A little background: Jack Rogers= the epitome of South Florida beach chic fashion (as in Palm Beach, not so much Miami) that was made uber-famous and cemented it’s place in the halls of fashion when Jackie Kennedy wore them in the summer of ’61. While still staying true to their classic style, they have evolved with time – wedges included! My mother (and boyfriend) being the Practical Paulas that they are might tell me that it’s a tad frivolous to buy sandals as my first ticket item as a working girl. But I was convinced this was the right choice after a) I’ve wanted my own J Rogers for a while now, and patience is a virtue so I should reward myself, right? b) they’ve been chic forever and always will be and, finally, c) I’ve heard they last forever, for years – so clearly they are a sound investment item to purchase! Plus, this is such a summer type purchase and I didn’t buy a new bikini this season, so add that to the validations of this purchase!

Now I need some help…. I am very indecisive when it comes to picking one color, and I have no idea which ones would be better to own!? A black pair seems the most logical, but I looove their metallic platinum color (and in either flats or wedges, how can one decide?!) and at the same time, their bright pink ones just seem so… appropriate. Almost an homage to Palm Beach, summer in Florida, and all things Lily Pulitzer.

After thoroughly exhausting their website, I discovered their clothing line also…. so very beach-y and Palm Beach Garden-esque. I really like how Jack Rogers offers both bright, floral/bold designs and lighter, more neutral designs too. Am in love with this white top and bright tunic- and their dresses are perfect for a summer garden party/beach wedding reception. Happy shopping!

Pictures from here and here.

Around the Globe: First Lady Style

I know I’ve said (on facebook, so it’s official right?) that my dream job would be the social secretary for a White House administration, but honestly I don’t think anything would be better than being a First Lady. Well, the 2000s kinds of First Lady that is – not so much the 1980s/1990s Tipper Gore outfits, but that’s a whole other post entirely! I’ll never forget that 2008 Vanity Fair issue with France’s fabulously stylish (and slightly past-life scandalous) first lady, Carla Bruni, on the cover. This was before I had a subscription and I bought this issue in particular simply because of her cover. From Carla to Michelle Obama to Jordan’s Queen Rania, to England’s new PM leading lady Samantha Cameron to Spain’s Princess Letizia, they all embody different kinds of style and I love seeing what they wear next (sidenote: Huffington Post’s Style section does an excellent job of posting on various royal fashions/outings.) Not to get all historically cliché, but the deep jewel purple keeps coming up in First Lady/royal outfits (see at least 3 below), reminiscent of the purple royalty wore a really, really long time ago in ancient Greece/Rome/Egypt. Guess some things in history don’t change!

Michelle gave J.Crew some presidential press (she even has a style blog dedicated to her – you can’t get more legit than that! As an former model Carla Bruni always looks incredible, whether its classic style or laid back chic. Queen Rania especially has some gorgeous dresses and Princess Letizia’s nickname is “Princess Fashion Plate.” Samantha Cameron is newest to the bunch, and while I like what I’ve seen so far, time will only tell – she does have some fashionably stiff competition. Forgot a fabulous First Lady or royal? Let me know!


Carla Bruni (France)

Michelle Obama

Queen Rania (Jordan)

Princess Letizia (Spain)

Samantha Cameron (UK)

….. Lastly, I really didn’t feel the post would be appropriate without ending it with the First Lady that began everything, Jackie O. I don’t think there will be a time when people stop emulating her classic style (at least I hope not!)

picture from elle.com