Look For Less: Floral Dress

Even if you're not a girly girl, something about spring incites the need for a flowery dress. A moodier floral- as in your traditional print on a dark background- toughens up the look so that the feel is less little girl and more sassy lady. While Rag & Bone debuted its print for Resort season back in January, more options at lower prices have rolled out since. So would you splurge or save?

These two dresses are both excellent options. The frock on the right is the original for this year by Rag & Bone and rings up at over $300. The dress on the left from Piperlime is basically a bargain at $69 compared to its counterpart. 

When warm weather rolls in and you have a closet full of nothing to wear, a cute floral frock is always your best option. Throw on a cotton blazer and your look is office appropriate. Or buckle into your strappy sandals and you're ready for a sunny brunch. Whether you bet high or low is up to you!

Spring Shots

 It's freezing cold outside but I refuse to ignore the fact that it is indeed spring. We've seen pollen, brighter colors, flowers abloom...all signs indicate a change in season except the weather. Maybe we need to invoke a mind over matter mentality so here are a few shots to get you in the right mindset.

Mixing prints and textures with Troubadour

Penny and her pollen porch

The brightest roses you've ever seen!

Winter clothes banned from the closet

Blooming azaleas

You might be tempted to break out your Easter dress this Sunday even in wintry temps. My vote? Go for it. Pull on a pair of tights and booties and layer your fabulous dress with a tweed jacket. Get the most out of every inch of your wardrobe by cleverly mixing those seasons. Come summer, your dress will still feel brand new because you'll be wearing it in a whole new way...one that hopefully involves espadrille wedges. Oh warm weather, how we long for you.

Going Bananas

Are you bananas for yellow in your wardrobe this year?

(Clockwise from top right) Tank/Clutch/Sandals/Bracelet/Dress

I'm finding myself in the midst of a full-on yellow movement. What gives? Is it the perfect complement to the Pantone color of the year? Perhaps. Maybe after months of chill and dullness, we're ready for some warmth and invigoration? Sure. But I think it's really about that banana clutch. Obsessed.

Lizzie Fortunato Clutch

When I was a kid, I used to eat so many bananas my grandmother would tease me by telling me I was going to turn into one. The banana clutch might just be the perfect ode to her notion. Sadly, the clutch is a cool $500. Hmmm...how much do I really like bananas? Somebody might be going ape.  

Wednesday's Look For Less: Fringe Mocs

Oh wait- it's not Wednesday? Oops. Sorry this post is a day late but thank God it's little Friday. As we supposedly transition into spring (hey, where did the warm weather go?), it's a great time to start talking spring flats...while I'm wearing a sweater and boots. Nevertheless, warm weather will be here and you will need shoes. But what to wear? 

Is it wrong to admit that I'm a little over ballet flats right now? That is so un-francophile of me to admit. But I'm really digging mocassins and Keds-style sneakers right now. Just can't help it. Here are two classic and fabulous leather fringe moc options. Can you guess which pair is the save and which is the splurge? 

You can't go wrong with either of these unless you are on a budget. If you need to pinch your pennies, then go for the option on the right. They are from the Gap and ring up at $49.95. Not too shabby. If you consider your footwear a worthwhile investment, then slip your tootsies into the pair on the left. The Coach driving moc rings up at $158. 

With so much color and texture going around this spring, a neutral pair of classic shoes will be a great grounder to an otherwise wild wardrobe. On the flip side, if you're a classic prepster not into the trends, then you may want to replace your last pair of driving mocassins with one of these! Hopefully you'll find a pair that fit your feet and your budget!

Pop It & Lock It

It's here! It's here! Spring is here! Sure, we'll have a few chilly moments and not every day will be bright and sunshiney but I do not care. See ya, winter. Pack up those cords and sweaters. It's time for spring!

Spring wardrobe scouting is officially underway. Last week, I picked up this J.Crew tee below during their 30% off tees and shorts sale and today I'm wearing it for the first time. I put on this top this morning and realized it screams for some pops of neon. (Shoulda bought some shorts at 30% off too. Shoot!) For now, I'm wearing it with jeans and my new Loeffler Randall sneaks but I could definitely use a rope necklace...one that doesn't cost $500. Ouch. Thank goodness for the Internet. Today I found this lovely DIY tutorial on how to make your own rope necklace. Can't wait to get started on that little project! With so much bright color and fun pattern, I think it's best to ground the look with a neutral shoe and bag. I love this cork clutch from J.Crew and the Coach sliver wedges to avoid looking like a crazy person. 

DIY Rope Necklace/ J.Crew Tee/ J.Crew Shorts/ Coach Sandals/ J.Crew Clutch

A note about the fit of this top: It is so cute and comfy but it is super boxy. I bought a medium and if I have on low rise jeans and lift my arms, there is a definite midriff flash. Keep that in mind when choosing a size. I love the elbow length sleeves though.

Happy Spring Shopping!

Spring's Scent

This weekend, it felt like spring here in the South! It has me reenergized and excited for the year ahead. It also got me thinking about spring cleaning, spring wardrobe swapping and spring scents. Do you swap out your perfume as the seasons change? 

I find that certain scents are more appealing to me in the cold weather than in the heat of summer. Do you as well or am I crazy? Wait, don't answer that...

In the fall, I gravitate toward musky/spicy scents like Kiehl's Original Musk or Atelier Cologne Bois Blond. But the springtime is time to lighten things up. Anything too fruity or sweet tends to make me feel sick but recently, someone introduced my to Cartier Baiser Vole. Last week, a sample of it came to me from Sephora and now I am obsessed with its light yet lovely fragrance. It reminds me of walking into a room with one beautiful bouquet of lilies freshening the air...not overpowering but delightfully alluring.

I may take the plunge and invest in a small bottle for this spring and summer. Until then, you can find a bouquet of Stargazer lilies in the hallway at my house. Do you have any warm weather fragrance favorites? 

Low Maintenance Beauty

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

One of the best things about the change in season is tracking the new beauty trends. Frosty and dark exit stage right as bright and natural saunter in for spring. With 5 a.m. wake-up calls and long days at the office, I'm all about a low maintenance beauty routine these days. I'm particularly excited about spring's fuchsia lip. It looks great on all skin tones with the least amount of overall effort required. Just sweep on a little highlighter and black mascara and the rest is all lips! (See Camilla Belle, second photo above.) Make sure you keep your lacquer/pencil/what-have-you with you throughout the day so that you can touch up when your shade wears off. With so much natural make-up on your face, that pop of pink is key to keeping your face flushed with beautiful color. 

Background: MAC lip pencil in More To Love

Clockwise from far right: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Plushest Punch/ Jane Iredale Eye Highlighter Pencil/ L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Lacquer in Infinite Fuchsia/ Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Pink Quartz/YSL Rouge Volupte in Opera Rose

Will you try this spring trend? Is there another beauty trend you are excited about? 

What I Want To Wear Now

I hit winter's wall last weekend. It's official- I'm OVER it. The winter blues haven't necessarily set in but my cold weather wardrobe has bored me to tears. Here on the southeastern seaboard, it's still awfully chilly but I can't help but crave a spray tan and a pair of shorts. Maybe that's because my jeans have been squeezing my love handles since September and I'm just plain tired of being pasty.

A pop into our local J.Crew got my wheels turning- a springy sweatshirt might be just the perfect piece to buy now. When the weather warms, it'll be darling with a pair of pastel chinos. But to avoid looking too precious, I'll toughen up the tiny embellishments and pinky pastel with some rustic chambray and just a touch of black leather. Cabachon earrings pick up the iridescence in the sweatshirt's beads. This look makes my heart pitter patter.

J. Crew Sweatshirt/ Madewell Chambray Buttondown/ J. Crew Shorts/ Dolce Vita Flats/ Pim + Larkin Cabachon Earrings (on sale!)

Who's with me? 

Mixing Media

Jimmy Choo

via FabSugar

Tory Burch necklace via Moda Operandi

As more spring pieces gradually make their debut, you'll notice pompoms, tassels, fringe and beads adding interest to the simplest pieces. Ornate extras have been popping up from the usual suspects, such as boho-chic Mara Hoffman and Roberta Freymann, but even classic prepsters like Tory Burch have gotten on board. The new spin- global influence on perfectly tailored pieces. The result- anything but hippie and all about chic.  

1. Tory Burch Heels 2. Tory Burch Necklace 3. Topshop Fringe Jacket 4. Rebecca Minkoff Flats 5. Tory Burch Clutch

The key to wearing these pieces without looking like a crazy person? Keep the rest of your look simple. That means embracing solids, combining intricate details with basics or, if you must wear a pattern, keeping the color scheme similar to the ornate piece.

Do these pieces excite you or scare you? Don't be surprised if you run into me wearing that fringey number sometime soon... 

Currently Coveting

I can't get these pieces out of my mind! February is an interesting time in the fashion world- New York Fashion Week is later this month (get excited!!), Spring arrivals are starting to roll out but it's too cold to enjoy most of them until March or April. Between the new J. Crew catalog, Marissa Webb (former J. Crew head designer) selling her first collection and Loeffler Randall's new arrivals, the next two or three months have me pinching my pennies for these! 

Marissa Webb Dress/ Rag & Bone Jeans/ Celine Sunglasses/ J.Crew Top/ J.Crew shorts/ J.Crew Tweed Tee/ Loeffler Randall Shoes/ Thakoon Addition Top/ Rag & Bone Booties

When you add the cost of these wishes up, the tally is way out of my comfort zone. However, stay tuned for some Looks for Less later this week. That's what I love about fashion today- high fashion trends get reinterpreted into mass produced stores if you wait a hot minute. 

Do you have a spring wish list going yet? 

In-Vest-Ments

Today is the last day of runway shows in New York and it's safe to say it's been a week full of eye candy and excitement. One reoccurring runway piece that I've come to love is the good old vest. Oft overlooked, the modest layering piece is now not just practical but fashionable. Newcomer Marissa Webb presented vests in her debut solo collection while fashion staple Diane Von Furstenberg paraded multiple options in her color-filled collection. For now, I only own a Patagonia down filled or fleece option but I'm ready to work in a few from the big guns.  

 Alexander Wang

 Diane Von Furstenberg

 Marissa Webb

Proenza Schouler

What's your verdict? Will you don a vest this spring or maybe even dress a bit fashion forward this fall? 

all images via Style.com

Fashion in Full Swing

Fashion Week has taken New York City by storm and wannabe fashion editors and It girls can't wait to get their hands on shots from the runway! (Wannabes = those of us who wish were there while the real deals enjoy their front row seats.)

While many more designers still have to show, some of my favorites had one must-have piece in common: the full, a-line skirt. And thank GAWD for that! Flared skirts, in my opinion, are one of the absolute most flattering pieces a gal can ever choose to wear. Waist-defining, thigh-slimming, length-varying, there's not much more feminine than a perfectly carved hourglass silhouette with the help of an a-line skirt.

Lela Rose

Rag & Bone 

 Tibi

Tibi

all images via Style.com

Can't wait til spring? You're in luck. Full skirts are major for fall. And because of its universal appeal, this piece comes in a wide range of price points. So splurge or save, you're closet and your figure will thank you for this piece.

 Topshop

Alexander Wang

213 Industry from Piperlime

Full skirts aren't exactly groundbreaking fashion news but their popularity has definitely increased due to the resurgence on the runway. Remember that lightweight materials work better on boyish figures while the structure of a thicker fabric does more disguising. If you like pleating, remember that the more pleats the skirt has, the more movement it will have- something to consider on a windy day. Finally, if you want to disguise volume in your hips, make sure you steer away from pleats all together.

Long live the feminine full skirt! Have you seen any spring pieces that jumpstart your heart?