Friday, March 28, 2014

Fancy Friday

calypso st. barth

Its no secret that I love all things twirly and twirling related, so it shouldn't be a surprise at all that I picked this dress. I love how fluid and drapey it is, very elegant without being stuffy. Casual glam at its best! Really, I'll take any excuse to make maxi dresses/gowns seem like acceptable everyday wear.

This week was a little rough, partly personal stuff and also because its the first 5 day workweek in what feels like ages {hi snow!} However Friday is here and the weekend always makes everything sweeter doesn't it? Even coffee tastes better {if that's even possible!} No major crazy plans, musings or insights today, but if you haven't already, head over to Little Bitty City One's blog and check out the fun little q&a we did!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Sparkles and Stripes

This is one of my go to dresses when I just can't decide what to wear but actually need to be somewhere ASAP. Easy, comfy, perfect for layering...no wonder I have it in the blue and white too! I am constantly buying fun sequin dresses and full skirts...but rarely pieces like this that are actually {gasp} practical. Maybe one day I'll learn. Or, I'll have a job where I can wear vintage brocaded tunics every day.


Dress: J. Crew {similar here} // Chambray shirt: J. Crew
// Jacket: Betsey Johnson {try this or this}

Rings: H&M, consignment // Necklace: Spike the Punch

{details}

Bag: J. Crew // Boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Splurge Vs. Steal: Gladiator Sandals


As usual, once I spotted Blair Eadie wearing something I immediately wanted it-- this time it was the Stuart Weitzman Gladiators...I mean how stunning is this look?
I could immediately imagine myself wearing them with everything from shorts to midi skirts...but did I have almost $400.00 to spend on sandals? Well, if I did I wouldn't be writing this post {or I'd be writing it from the comfort of my home in the Caribbean!}

So I did what I always did and proceeded to spend hours online trying to find something that would have the same feel, and while they are of course not AS amazing, they will do till I can afford the real thing.


{Atlantic Pacific}

Can you tell which is the splurge and which is the steal?


Untitled #17

Ok, so the Stuart Weitzman's are on the left, but hey, these ones by Wanted aren't bad for $80! I ordered them and certainly like them, though don't have as close a fit as the SW's {since they aren't fully stretchy.}

Boots, Blazers and Brrrrr

While I may rock pants every so often on a Friday or the weekend, its a rare rare day when I wear them during the 'normal' workweek. However, one step outside and I just knew I couldn't face the day in my usual array of skirts and dresses. Almost everything I'm wearing was either given to me  {thanks for the blazer you didn't wear Mom!}, consignment {hello fancy boots with  tags on} or on sale {rock on Nordstrom's Rack!} Hey, when you score, you score!

Blazer: Yigal Azrouel  {try this or this} // Sweater: Theory
// Pants: Rag & Bone {almost identical here or try these ON SALE}

Bracelet: J. Crew // Ring: H&M

Nail Polish: Essie 'Pearly White' // Earrings: Paris ages ago {but amazingly found the twins here}

Scarf: Zara // Bag: J. Crew // Boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Girl Behind the Selfies


In case seeing pages full of wood paneling and mirror selfies has gotten old {or piqued your interest}, head over to my new friend Caroline's blog "Little Bitty City One" where she featured my today as her #wcw. I've never been asked by anyone {except oh, maybe for a school project!} to do a little Q&A so it was really fun to do.
Shameless self-promotion yes, but check it out here


Leopard Makes Everything Better

You know what is missing from most outfits? A hint of leather. Ok, sometimes a full on giant leopard coat is what's missing but for looks like this, a little leopard adds just the right touch to mix things up.

Top: Zara // Coated Denim: Zara

Jacket: Nanette Lepore

Cuff: Forever21

Ring: H&M // Nail Polish: Essie "She's Pampered" // Belt: Vintage

Bag: J. Crew // Sneakers: H&M {in stores now!}

Friday, March 21, 2014

If You Wear it, Spring will Come

...and by spring, I don't mean the 'official' start of spring, I mean spring TEMPERATURES. You hear that Mother Nature? Its time to make room for my sundresses and sandals, not coats and sweaters. Oh, and surprise surprise, I knotted a button down yet again. So that's twice in the workweek alone, which means I guess I can rationalize buying more, yes?

{Ok, so I SHOULD be spring cleaning (always painful), but this post on The Not Vanilla was really helpful for me-- check it out.}

Blouse: Cacharel {try this, this or this} // Skirt: Asos

Necklaces: CC Skye {old but try this Baublebar one} // ??? {from Loehmann's back in the day}

{details}

Bag: J. Crew // Jacket: Theory // Shoes: Zara

{no idea why I love this accidental 'action shot' but I do}

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Fancy Friday

Within the lines
{sjp}

Nothing says Friday like SJP in a Dior to die for!  She looks flawless and oh so perfectly spring-y. I've been so obsessed with this dress shape lately, even though sadly it's doesn't usually work on me {logistically.} Maybe it's simply because I've been buying Zara when I should have been buying Dior-- silly me!

I've managed to cook something or other every night this week {which probably hasn't happened since Clinton was in office..} so I'm going to try to continue the streak this week. If I bribe myself with enough wine and chocolate there may be spring cleaning-- wild and crazy I know! Who knows though once 9pm rolls around....

Any plans for the weekend? Laying low or hitting the town? Or both?! Whatever is on tap, enjoy!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Its a Tie

What started off a ways back as the odd shirt tied at the waist, has now become an almost weekly {if not more}occurrence. Shirt too big/long/wide for the outfit? Voila! Instead its better fitted and helps nip the waist in, always a plus. I feel like its a good way to balance out an outfit and keep it from being either way too OTT or way too boring.


Chambray shirt: Madewell {lighter wash but same style here, dark version here}
// Skirt: Moschino {love this coated Zara one, or try this from Asos}

Earrings: Baublebar // Bracelet: J. Crew

Nail Polish: Essie 'Find Me an Oasis'


Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Zara

Friday, March 14, 2014

Fancy Friday


While I love Kristen Bell every single day, fancy or not, I especially adore her today! As you know {or should!!!} the "Veronica Mars" movie is FINALLY HERE. While I got hooked on the show after the fact, it doesn't make me any less obsessed or excited. Sadly, I don't think wanting to see it ASAP is an acceptable excuse to miss work...le sigh.

Oh and that outfit? Gorgeous. I'd like the look head to toe actually, but that too will have to wait.

My coffee hasn't kicked in yet, so instead of waxing poetic {or in this case, not so poetic} about the weekend, I'll just let this say it all....


Have a great weekend!!

Two for One

This is the dress that launched my Clover Canyon obsession {I may or may not have purchased another one WHILE wearing this...hey on sale!} Their prints are just insanely beautiful, intricate and full of optical illusions meant to flatter the wearer. Whether they actually do or not, I love that that's the part of the inspiration behind the designs. Oh and guess what? They happen to be having a giant sale on their website with most things HALF OFF. Your closet will thank me.

Dress: Clover Canyon

Bracelet: J. Crew


{details}


Bag: J. Crew // Boots: Stuart Weitzman 5050

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Perfect Pink Party

This pink Tibi dress {worn here as a skirt} started my love affair with all things scuba/neoprene. The inherent poufiness is fantastic and for a klutz like me, the materials is pretty much spill-proof! This is one of those items where you adore it so much you rarely wear it, just because its so special...or that it will get hurt. Yes, I worry about 'hurting' my clothes, I never said I was normal guys.

I've since acquired other neoprene items, but none as fabulous as this. Even people who never acknowledge my outfits {the normal and the crazy ones} end up commenting on how pretty/fun/bright it is. Who knew neon pink was such a unifier? Oh and it has pockets. Yes, its truly perfect. Tibi, you just get me!

Sweater: J. Crew {similar} // Dress: Tibi {similar in pink here, and blue here. I found a size 4 on ebay too!}
// Belt: Vintage

Necklace: BarIII {try this or this}

Ring: H&M // Nail Polish: Zoya 'Storm'

Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Manolo Blahnik 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Pastel Party

After what seems like a month straight of wearing all black, I decided it was time to give up the Morticia/Lydia Deetz vibe and lighten up a bit. Rather than sneak in a little pastel accessory here and there, I figured I'd do a full 180 and channel my inner Easter egg.

So not only am I rocking head to toe pastels, but I've also thrown in pearls, pleats and a peplum for good measure {oh my!} Of course, when they cold and grey days inevitably come back, I'll likely be back on the all black bandwagon, but it felt nice to lighten up for once!


Peplum Top: J. Crew // Belt: J. Crew {similar here and here} // Skirt: Dolce & Gabbana {try this or this}
Blazer: Marc Jacobs

Earrings: Betsey Johnson // Bracelet: J. Crew

{details}

Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Zara {sold out but try these or these}

Friday, March 7, 2014

Fancy Friday

..

I don't think there is a day that goes by where I DON'T think about Paris, but Paris Fashion Week always puts me over the edge. Then the temperatures get warmer and I just can't think of a more perfect place {ok, I wouldn't mind an island or maybe Spain but you know...} While this isn't exactly 'streetstyle,' somehow wearing gowns in Paris just seems much more normal. Next time I'm there, I will most certainly be rocking at least a ball skirt like this or this.

Even though it was a short week thanks to the snow, it feels like it was extra long and extra exhausting...I blame the lack of sun! So no big plans for the weekend, though you can bet there will be some girl talk and some wine and some point! Mainly though I plan on starting a new book and laying low. 50/50 chance of that happening as always!

Hope you have a great weekend!



Paint by Numbers

Ever since I saw Tibi's 'splatter' skirt, I was obsessed with it- the shape and pattern were just so fun and unique. Then seeing it on the always perfect Blair Eadie just made me want it even more {as usual.} Sadly, I didn't have an extra few hundred laying around, so I resigned myself to only daydreaming about the skirt {and hoping to find it on ebay one day.}

Cut to the end of February and an outfit post by Cathy of Poor Little It Girl. I couldn't believe how close this skirt was to the Tibi one, and the fact it was from H&M? Well you can bet I rushed out as soon as possible to snap it up. Its a great skirt on its own too, the fullness and the pattern go with a lot more than you might expect. One day, I WILL have one of the actual Tibi full skirts, but until then, this will do quite nicely!

Jacket: Edun // Tee: Isli // Skirt: H&M {not online but in stores now!}



Ring: H&M {in store} // Earrings: Baublebar // Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

Bag: J. Crew // Shoes: Zara {similar}

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Taking a Cue from Camo

I got this dress maybe 4 or 5 years ago, and used to wear for a night out-- add heels, strategically unbutton a few buttons and BAM ready to go. My going out style seems to have changed since then --o k, I'm still strategically unbuttoning, but the billowy sleeves not so much-- and I haven't worn it in ages. Out of the blue, it seemed like the perfect thing to throw over my already chosen brown tights and over the knee boots. To minimize the boho flowy vibe I threw on my bright yellow retro J. Crew jacket. The jacket and jewelry help break up the straight up camo color palette too!

...and this is why I can never get rid of clothes!

Dress: Plastic Island {try this or this} // Jacket: J. Crew

Necklace: Random find at Loehmann's // Bracelet: Vintage {try this or this}
// Ring: H&M // Nail Polish: Essie 'Borrowed and Blue'

Bag: J. Crew // Coat: J. Crew // Boots: Vince Camuto similar}

All About Oxblood

Dress : Petit Bateau {almost identical here } // Jacket : Rachel Zoe {try this , this  or this } // Necklace : Baublebar // Hat...