Sherbet Picks

Today is the first day of snow in Chicago and I’m already over it… I’ve got my mind on brighter things than white snow: sherbet! Not only does a big bowl of rainbow sherbet sound good right now, but the colors in general are making big strides for Spring 2012.

I will be taking a delightful trip to Palm Springs at the end of February, so I’ve already started my search for cute items and outfits for my vacation and for spring/summer.

Mmmmm sherbet…

 

Current/Elliot Ankle Skinny Jeans in Mercury Glass $198

Free People Best of Both Worlds Blouse in Mint Julep $118

J.Crew Blythe Silk Blouse in Neon Azalea $98

Alice+Olivia Fierra Dress in Dark Teal $198

Splendid Maxi Tube Dress/Skirt in Sunset $84

Victoria’s Secret Abbie Triangle Top in Maldive $20

Victoria’s Secret Matching Bottoms in Double-string Bottom in Got a Mint $18

(Love the mixed top and bottom! Can’t beat the price and plus now I can get an awesome Mara Hoffman Coverup!)

Blue Life Bachelorette Dress in Yellow $88

Flattering Flares

Flare jeans are super flattering because they jet out from the knee which makes your thighs look way narrow. This style also makes short legs look longer due to the fact that they’re so long which creates “legs for days!”

Few rules I always follow with flares: they have to be long enough to touch the ground but make sure you keep the bottoms clean, the bluer the wash the better so they don’t look outdated, make sure the waist isn't too low cut because there’s more denim and pulling ‘em over your butt all the time is not attractive.

You don’t have to be a hippie to flaunt this look and I will post the perfect style of tops to pair with your flares. (Tried to rhyme but it wasn’t making sense.)


Quick Tip: Not sure when it expires, but type TULIP in the promo code section at Revolve Clothing for extra 15% off! It's been working when I checkout for the last few months so never hurts to try!

My picks:

Blank Denim Pull on Flare Denim $78

J Brand Babe Bell Bottom Jeans $207

Current/Elliot Low Bell Jeans in Anchor Destroy $252 (they run really big so go down a size)

J Brand Bette Flare Leg Jeans in Icicle Wash $216

Current/Elliot Low Bell Flare Leg Stretch Jean in Blue Moon Wash $153 (on sale at Revolve Clothing, they run really big so go down a size)

Current/Elliot Low Bell Flare Leg Stretch Jean in Dare Devil $218

Big spender, little spender

To make up for the fact that I spent $200 on these fabulous green Alice and Olivia trousers, I noticed on my Shopstyle.com favorites I had the pants next to this tribal Forever 21 top.

Therefore, I justified my expensive purchase with the cheapie top which together creates a perfect outfit for work or fun!

Also, these pants rock, come in a bunch of colors and can be worn year round… All in all, definitely worth it, especially with cheap, fun tops like the one I paired with ‘em!

Note: As I typed this, I realized the Ann Taylor blue skirt I’m wearing right now (bought 40% off this weekend in store) will also be perfect with this top! 

Quickie: Holding it all together with Tight Wallets

A friend just introduced me to these Tight Wallet elastic money& card holders. They aren’t bulky at all and I’ve been looking for something to use in my clutch. I hate throwing my license, money, and credit cards in my clutch when I go out for the evening. I love my Tory Burch wallet, but it is way too big to carry at night.

So the perfect solution: Tight wallets. They couldn’t be any cuter, and there are so many patterns and styles for guys too. I still see grown men using paper clips and rubber bands to hold cash and cards in their pockets. This holder is designed to be so slim, it doesn’t create uncomfortable “bulge” in their pants (I laughed out loud a little when I wrote bulge too).

These tight wallets are made by Jack Sutter in Brooklyn; I love that these little wallets are handmade, unique, and make the perfect gift for any guy or girl.

Tight Wallets range from $10 to $22 a piece, it is the perfect gift price, or just treat yourself (Parks and Rec reference)!

My top picks:

Spike the Punch Necklaces!

Jewelry designer Elizabeth of Spike the Punch Jewelry has hit the nail directly on the bright and sparkly head. These necklaces she designs are everything we want in a statement piece hanging from our necks: bold, bright, shiny, feminine with a touch of edge. Her pieces are instant classics in my book. They remind me of J. Crew jewelry on fire! You will not find pieces like this in a department store; these are handmade items. Try going to the ladies room when you’re out and not be asked where you got this fabulous necklace! Hats off, Elizabeth, hats off. 

Spike the Punch on Etsy.

These necklaces are starting to pop up EVERYWHERE, so scoop 'em up while you can!

Gabriela Artigas Triangle Ring on Obaz.com

Check out Obaz.com for this insanely unique and beautifully designed ring by jewelry designer Gabriela Artigas.


I came across her work and love the bold, smooth, finish on her rings. I like to wear a bunch of rings at once, and especially stacking 'em up together.


This ring is great for stacking or wearing alone. It also is not as sharp as you might think. Because of its smoothed edges and Gabriela's immaculate attetion to detail, this ring will not catch on anything (my biggest pet peeve with rings).


Usually sold for $90, at $42 it makes a great treat for yourself, or a fashionable gift for sisters, friends, girlfriends, etc. 


Keep your eye out on Obaz.com for more fashion steals on meticulously chosen style finds! They also have other great deals on other awesome, hand picked items.

Big Sweater, Mini Skirt

One of my favorite cold weather staples: Warm sweaters and sweet mini skirts. I feel the sweater balances out the small skirt, creating an appropriate look with opaque tights. It shows there’s still a lady underneath that billowy sweater, yet you still stay warm in toasty in the cold.

Another fun feature of the sweater/mini combo, it can be dressed up to sequins or down to snow boots. 

 Remember, key to the look is balance. One of the most important rules when getting dressed: big on top, small on bottom; small on bottom, big on top. 

  

1. J.Crew Funnelneck Pullover $74
2. Parker Bugle Bead Skirt $264
3. Free People Scoop Bank Knit 2fer Tunic $118
4. Forever 21 Pleated Skirt $18
5. J.Crew Wynter Cowlneck Sweater $68 SALE
6. Free People Rosey Holiday Skirt $128 
7. Zara Cable Stitched Sweater $80
8. Theory Jalla Knowledge Skirt $295 (Steep, I know, but this is an office basic with a fun side, which means you'll have it for years and years. Breaks up all black work attire too.)
9. J.Crew Handknit Fair Isle Sweater $225 (Their stuff usually goes on sale pretty quickly, so I keep my eye on pricier pieces I love.)
10. J.Crew Cable-stitch Sweater $78 (Sale) (See what I mean about sale items over there?)
11. Mango Check Mini Skirt $45
12. J.Crew Shimmer Bow Sweater $88
13. LA MADE Boho Lace Scarlett Skirt $70

Asos.com Plunge

I have yet to order anything from Asos online, but I think now is the time I try 'em out. 

While looking for the perfect skirts for a post I am working on, I saw the perfect black sequin mini skirt (sucker for sequins over here) from Haute Hippie. Moments later, a yellow and black Diane von Furstenberg mini caught my attention. So I  clicked and saved and moved on to Asos.com. 

I was surprised to find extremely similar skirts to the high priced ones I'd just saved; a yellow and black mini and a basic black sequin mini. Ultra shocking was the fact that the DVF yellow/black diddy was a rarity to me; not a common color combo this time of year. Goes to show ya, research pays off!

I don't "believe" in knocking off styles, however, a piece that I consider a "fun trend" is sometimes not worth the splurge, and I'd rather spend on a classic or staple. Skirts to me come and go, the styles are always changing and I'd rather have dozens at a good price then one or two with a steep price tag.

To be fair, the quality is better on most designer labels, and I would rather find the Haute Hippie skirt at Nordstrom Rack (Haute Hippie always pops up at the Rack) and still pay a little more than the lower quality made Asos skirt, but I finally have a chance to take the plunge and order from Asos.com. 

Note: The styles shown with the skirts from Asos are not up my alley, but worn correctly (as I will be discussing in my upcoming post about sweaters and minis) these WAY less expensive options could work, and not look so trashy...

 

Please share with me if you have ordered from Asos.com or know more about 'em....

Parker LBD

Love me some color! The more colors, the merrier… But there’s something amazing about a simple LBD. My affection for the perfect black dress is simply based on the fact that you can do literally ANYTHING with it and it will look stylist and put together.

I like a dress that can do a lot for me: day to night, multiple seasons, work or fun, a real classic piece.

One of my favorite lines, Parker, designed the perfect black dress with every element I was looking for: silk, long sleeve, appropriate yet still fun length, with a twist (faux wrap). Little note: the “wrap” part of this dress actually stays shut, no lil’ slip ups to worry about.

Since Shopbop.com rocks, they get exclusive designs from awesome labels so this LBD is only sold on Shopbop.com. But, the style of the dress alone is so flattering and fantastic; I recommend one of the many other colors and patterns this ditty comes in as well.

I like to “play” with my clothes and see how many things I will wear with one piece from my closet. Here is just a lil' taste...

Rebecca Minkoff does Sunglasses for Vogue Eyewear

I have only worn Ray Ban sunglasses for the last 8 years. It’s been between two styles: my classic Ray-Ban Aviators, and the Classic Wayfarers, since I can push those on top of my head, even though it’s a big no-no. I love my Ray-Bans because I feel silly in those fabulous big designer frames; I prefer classic cool.

Well, Rebecca Minkoff must have received my 50 letters requesting her to design sunglasses (joke, but I wouldn’t put it past myself).

There is only one style from RM for collaboration with Vogue Eyewear exclusively for Sunglass Hut called the “City Collection”. Doesn’t matter, this one pair is pure perfection: a simple, bold look with a slight feminine touch; aka so Rebecca Minkoff. And, they are priced reasonably at $130.00.

Santa, if you are reading this, I would like these please. And hurry, they are limited edition…