Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Nine Spring Wardrobe Essentials

Has anyone else had a major case of spring fever this year? My spring fever has applied to all aspects of my life- not wanting to go to work, skipping out on workouts, feeling the urge to buy every cute top/shoe/dress in sight. It's time to snap back to reality and assess what we really need this time of year: A strong work ethic, a toned physique and a few acceptable wardrobe essentials. The nine pieces below will keep you on point so your spring fever doesn't leave you with a credit card headache.



1- Breezy white tunic- Any neutral will do but white is my spring into summertime essential. Wear it with shorts for day or tuck it into a skirt at night. A white tunic takes you everywhere while still keeping you comfortable and making you look effortless. If you already have a white tunic in your closet, then branch out into your favorite colors such as turquoise

2- Chino shorts- Please tell me you already own a pair of these. Khakis are my favorite this year but make sure you don't go all camp counselor with them. Maintain polish with a crisp button down or add edge with a touch of leather. If I catch you wearing a t-shirt and flip flops, be ready for some campsite ridicule. (PS- these shorts are 25% off with code SHOPTIME!)

3- Classic trench coat- I swoon for Burberry but any traditionally cut trench will do. Trenches keep you covered in case of a passing shower or provide an extra layer on a crisp morning. They also cover your leg so that you're not flashing too much thigh when walking down the street...

4- Cheery floral top- For all of those days when you feel like you have nothing to wear, a floral print top is the perfect option. You need very few accessories, basic pants/shorts/skirt and your favorite sandal. Dress it up or dress it down. You'll always be perennially prepared.

5- Striped bandeau tee- Whether you're yachting in the South of France or babysitting in Minnesota, a striped tee is always chic. If you can pull it off with capri pants and ballet flats, go for it! If not, wear it with your chino shorts and face the day.

6- Boyfriend jeans- After seasons filled with skinny jeans and leggings, you may find boyfriend jeans frumptacular. But just imagine them styled up with that floral top and a killer pair of strappy heels. Suddenly they're the edgy accent to an otherwise girly look! Wear them with sneaks if you're touring around on spring break. Just make sure you leave your fanny pack at home.

7- Nude flats- Tory Burch flats are yet another classic. Choosing the right pair can be daunting when there are so many fab colors to choose from but a nude flat will go with everything. Plus skin toned shoes elongate the leg! Who wouldn't prefer sleeker stems?

8- Flirty white dress- A fit and flare white dress gives you a plethora of styling options in spring and summer. Wear it with your favorite statement necklace and pumps or add doorknocker earrings and metallic flat sandals. A white dress is the cleanest slate you could possibly wear. 

9- Strappy sandals- If you can only buy one thing, then buy these! They are an investment you will never regret. My philosophy for dressing in my 30s is invest in showstopping shoes, a chic bag and a polished haircut. (This philosophy applies to every age!) Wear shoes like these with every single piece on this list. Your look will instantly be elevated- pun intended.

Shop the post below! 

 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Birthstones

 image via Instagram

I have always felt like a lucky gal because my birthstone is a diamond- not that I'm flooded with diamonds every year or anything. But my own birthday will be here in just a few days and since my big day is so very close to May, I have recently heard a calling to adopt May's birthstone, the opal. Did Cate Blanchett's earrings at the Oscars have something to do with this realization? Mmmm...perhaps... 

image via Chopard
But Chopard jewels just aren't in my cards. As luck would have it, Elle magazine recently posted an image on Instagram featuring opals from WWAKE. (See image at top.) WWAKE's site immediately captured me! They have such a creative use of organic sensibility juxtaposed with just the right amount of glamour. Their pieces are interesting and special but wearable enough to put on every day. Opals have been the cornerstone of some of their newest pieces but certainly a few diamonds can be found as well as hammered gold and even a few rose gold pieces. I couldn't be more excited to have discovered them...and just in the nick of time too. ;)


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Obsession Confession

Images via Instagram/Netflix/Studio Design/Personal/Calico Corner

(If you have Facebook, check out Coco & Company there! It's a destination that's definitely worth the trip!!)

Monday, April 21, 2014

Saks Friends & Family Sale

Online retailers sure are feeling friendly these days, aren't they? Now Saks has premiered its Friends & Family sale. Get 25% off apparel, shoes and accessories through next Monday with code FRNFAM. Score! 

http://rstyle.me/ad/m4ywsmp46

Here are a few of my favorite things. If loving a geode print jacket is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Loeffler Randall Friends & Family Sale


If the Shopbop Friends & Family sale didn't have exactly what you were looking for, then you're in luck. Another one of my favorite sites Loeffler Randall is offering 20% off through Monday! Now is the time to get splurge on those classic black boots or grab a pair of espadrilles to take you through the summer. Either way, these are the type of shoes that you'll reach for year after year and even between seasons! (Seriously, I'm wearing Loeffler ankle booties right now and would wear my cheetah pumps daily if I could!) Loeffler also makes some killer handbags! The clutches are my personal favorite...I've had my eye on the raffia one for a looong time. Shop some of my favorites below and use the code FRIENDLY at check out.



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Bad To The Bone

Y'all, I've been a bad blogger and I know it. I'm sorry. If you even bother to read this post, thank you! There are few things more annoying that a flippant friend/blog writer. I have no excuses- Life has just been crazy lately but also very fun and exhausting.

http://www.styledumonde.com/ 

But let's jump right into some fashion frivolity. Who What Wear recently posted this image of Sarah Rutson, Fashion Director at Lane Crawford. I'm obsessed with her look here, especially her woven outerwear/leather vest combo. I started investigating this image and the pieces therein. Would you believe me if I told you that coat is from J.Crew?! After I sent them several obnoxious emails, the fine folks at J.Crew let me know that the coat will debut for fall/winter 2014 sometime around the holidays. Yahoo! Something to look forward to this fall! 

Until the cold weather does roll back around (today's cold snap doesn't count), I've been going nuts for spring! Make sure you check out Shopbop's Friends & Family sale this week. You'll get 25% off through Thursday with the code INTHEFAMILY14. The discount applies to sale items too so stock up now! Then let me know what you get. :)




Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The Shoes You Didn't Know You Needed

First, fashion-forward boutique Vermillion posted this photo on Instagram six weeks ago.
http://www.vermillionstyle.com/
  
Then came their pics from the Vermillion Spring Fashion Show on Facebook. (Again, the shoes!)
 
Yesterday, Who What Wear posted Peace Love Shea blogger Shea Marie wearing them.
 
http://www.whowhatwear.com/peace-love-shea-spring-looks-2014/slide1

What is with the torture!! Now I have to have these shoes. 


I started doing my research and found out these summertime beauties are from Chloe. I spoke to the ladies at Vermillion and not only did these shoes sell like hot cakes but they also said that Chloe has no idea whether they will be able to restock anyone or not. Wow. I had no idea how much I needed them until now!!

Saks had them online for a hot minute but they were the black and taupe colorway. These are equally as chic if you ask me. I might like them even more since the wider band is taupe instead of white. 
  
As luck would have it, the very last pair at Saks was my size. Sooooo I ordered them. What can I say? It's all in the name of research. :) 

Similar options exist all over the place if you're in the market for a pair like these. Check them out below!





Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Sapony Sunroom


This past weekend, my beau and I headed to my parents' house for a little r & r- revamping and relaxation. You see for Christmas, my sister and I decided to give my mom a little sunroom/dining room makeover, starting with a bolt of fabric to cover her sunroom's loveseat. I'm pleased to report the revamped loveseat install went better than we could have imagined! Mom and Dad both love it and are now ready to RUMBLE with the rest of the overhaul!

The loveseat is now covered with a playful (and durable AND fadeproof) outdoor fabric. It has so many bright and cheerful colors with sassy little leopards peeking out from behind the leaves. I added my own Moroccan tile print pillows, a buy from Pottery Barn years and years ago. They look perfect in their new home though!


So now it's time to get the rest of the room straight and coordinate the dining room. We'll most likely put an old upholstered and glass top console table back behind the sunroom's loveseat and add a pair of pale blue glass lamps, another fabby tray and a tchotchke or two. We're also looking at flanking this tiny couch with appropriately scaled vintage elephant stands, throwing down an indoor outdoor rug and recovering the faded chaise that's currently in the room. Personally, I think a fun jungle-inspired room like this one isn't complete until a 4 ft. tall brass giraffe finds a home in the corner...


For the dining room, we are going to recover the chairs in a coordinating green and white trellis print. HOPEFULLY an extra layer of Scotchguard will keep this already durable fabric safe from spills during dinner time. The accent wall behind the table is currently navy blue but I think we'll freshen it up with a very pale blue. Below is a pic of the chair as it is today. (The loveseat was also covered in this print previously.) I love, love, love this fabric but years of rowdy kids, harsh sunlight and pet claws have taken their toll. It's time for them to shine again. The trellis fabric will take this rattan set to Palm Beach glam status.



By now y'all know that I am not the best at stretching the budget when it comes to the home and closet. But I am thrilled to report that we have made these changes with very reasonably priced fabrics. Nothing has been more than $20/yard. That's coming from a gal who prefers Kelly Wearstler to KMart and started calling Scalamandre for swatches at 22 years old. Living once means living well but when you like something that's also a deal, then that's a real jackpot!!

 Stay tuned here for more updates on Mom and Dad's lake house. Until next time, enjoy this beautiful spring weather!