Ring the Alarm

STATEMENT RINGS are my new favorite way to jazz up my everyday attire. Not only are they great ways to start a conversation with someone, but they are also a great way to add excitement to your wardrobe without spending a million bucks! Don't be afraid of the size GO BIG OR GO HOME!
Topshop.com has some great options. Personally, I am loving these stone burst flower rings. I want each color, but if i had to choose I would probably start with the turquoise(picture from here). For some reason I also really like this one from forever21 it's oh so The Other Boleyn Girl.

This floral cutie, also from Forever21, reminds me of a ring that I already have and wear all of the time. Maybe for less than $4 it'd be worth buying it a twin! Juicy Couture makes a similar one (picture from here) that's a little pricier but I love it just the same.

Perhaps my favorite of all (and maybe the most ridiculous) is this one from Kenneth Jay Lane. All of his jewelry is so fabulously adorable and this ring is no exception, it's like having a pet for your finger. The best part is, this bee won't sting!

Welcome to the Jungle

I have always been so jealous of the women who can look so sophisticated prancing around in their fabulously ferocious animal print apparel. I am always so wary of the fact that it is far to dangerous to enter into this territory without extreme caution for fear of being one of those people (or perhaps roadkill would be more accurate) sporting the polyester cheetah print dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. THANKFULLY, this spring has brought delicate, easy to wear prints out of hibernation!
This Rebecca Taylor zebra dress(picture from here), for example, is so ladylike in a pastel hue that you can barely see the pattern. It literally sneaks up on you and adds an element of danger to what would otherwise be a "safe" choice. I also LOVE this dress from Nanette Lepore(picture from here). Usually I would shy away from such an obvious all- over animal look, but the sweet sillouette of the dress combined with the ferocity of the print creates a perfect union between naughty and nice.

This belt from JCrew is a simple way to add some flavor to all your monochromatic pieces. Cinch it at your waist over an easy black dress for some flare.

Shoes are another great way to add some print without fear of looking too tacky. I don't know what it is about these MICHAEL Michael Kors (picture from here) wedges but I am absolutely smitten with them (meooow).

Leathaaaa

One of the best purchases I ever made (or well, my parents ever made) was a leather jacket in Florence. I was lucky enough to find an unbelievable one in a market for around 125 euro which ends up being less than 200 dollars. If anyone else has been trying to find another piece to add to their leather collection for this spring, then they know that it is near impossible to find a cute one, not to mention a real one, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The thing about leather jackets to remember is that they're an investment. As long as you don't go purchasing one in a crazy color with a million bells and whistles it will last from year to year.

I found this one on Gap.com (picture from here) and was so pleasently surprised. I love the color and the asymmetrical zipper gives it something special without getting too crazy. It does cost $300 but as far as the other options go it seems pretty reasonable.

This one from Victorias Secret is on sale for $209 which is unbelievable! It's cropped which makes it perfect to throw on over a sundress or to dress up the summertime classic of shorts and a t-shirt!

I LOVE this one from Vince(picture from here) but it would not be a good idea right now unless I can figure out a way to pay for it in monthly installments, over the next 50 years. You can bet, however, that I'll be checking every day to see if it goes on sale!

Another good place to find leather jackets is on vintage clothing websites or in vintage clothing stores. A lot of them are really fabulous, especially some of the longer tie waist ones, and they are way less expensive for the most part!
This site has some really cute ones (along with some that are pretty scary)

Absolutely TEA-riffic

I have always loved the idea of having a good old fashioned tea party, or a gardern party. Basically, I relish in anything that allows me to get dressed up in obnoxiously cute dresses, sophisticated jackets, and large floppy hats.

This dress from Anthropologie would absolutely be my first choice, unfortunately it is on the pricey side. I happen to love this one, also from anthropologie, and it costs half as much which is always a bonus AND the adorable ruffled front with side bow at the waist sort of makes me want to dance. This sweet one with the tulip skirt is even less expensive and still utterly adorable. Perfect for more casual affairs.

As far as jackets go, I honestly don't think it could get any more adorable than this one with scalloped edges from Anthropologie. It is cropped, so perfect over a dress, and the low neckline draws attention to the collar-bone (one of the most universally flattering/sexy parts of a womens body). This less expensive option from Tullete would be ideal with more subdued hues. White would make the pastel colors in this piece pop! This gray one from JCrew is fun because although the colors are not all that exciting, the pattern makes this piece incredibly unique. I would wear it at night with black to break up the monochromatic tendencies that I always seem to have, or during the day with wide legged white jeans or chinos and perhaps a bright shoe to add some color. Tea anyone?

Color Me Crazy

As the worlds biggest fan of wearing neutral colors all year round, all the time it is rare that you'll find me frolicking around in something vibrant. Yet, for some reason, I am so drawn to everything bright for this spring. Now, I don't expect to go out on the town dressed as a human highlighter, but I am embracing the fact that the time has finally come for me to branch out.

I am absolutely in love with this coral Shoshanna dress(picture from here). The flutter sleeves hide my un-toned shoulders and the cinched waist is forgiving and flattering at the same time. It is a little pricey but I am confident that it will last for more than one season because of it's classic sillouette. It pays off to invest in one statement piece per season, so maybe this will be mine! I will probably pair it with something a little more simple, like these Report heels that I am absolutely obsessed with! I would wear the coral dress with the black ones, but the turquoise and coral are wonderful for pairing with all my black and white.

This blouse from JCrew comes in a million different fun colors. I love the melon one, it reminds me of a creamsicle! Also from JCrew are their classic 3" chino shorts. I am the first person to say that I am crazy picky about my shorts. Maybe its because it takes something special to flatter my "athletic" (cough) legs, BUT I do love these from JCrew. If you are like me and loathe trying on this summer staple here are some tips: find that it helps to go up a size in the lighter colors, and do some squats in the dressing room, they stretch! (and if you do them quickly it's built in cardio!) Shorts are also an easy way to get some fun colors in for the summer. Try a color that you usually avoid because it doesn't look good on your face, you can wear whatever color you like on the bottom!

I am coveting this dress on Lulus.com(picture from here). It comes in black but I think I may deviate from the norm and scoop up the turquoise one instead! All I need now is a good tan so that I don't look sickly sporting it. I can see it being so ideal for those nights that I am badgered into a family dinner and then want to go out afterward but don't have time to go home and change.

The absolute best place to go for color is American Apparel. This dress can be worn a million different ways and is perfect for both days at the beach and nights on the town. At less than $50 you can afford to experiment with a color you may not usually wear.

Holy Heck! It's a Cowl Neck!

So I always thought of the cowl neck as being something reserved for cozy winter knits as an alternative to the turtleneck. Imagine my surprise when I discovered some cute options for spring and summer! I may have to make it my new goal to find a way to incorporate this neckline into my usual summer wardrobe, which shouldn't be too hard considering the tops I found such as this awesome black one from Topshop, will be appropriate for just about anything. I can see myself wearing this one from Urban(picture from here) on those chilly nights down at the beach with my navy shorts. This T from the Gap may be the best way for me to break into this new territory since it's tissue weight will undoubtedly make it super easy to work into my summer shirt rotation. Also, this cute dress(picture form here) from one of my favorite brands, Velvet, is the definition of transition piece. It is crazy cute for right now under a cute jacket and then when the weather gets warm, throw off the jacket stack on some bangles and Voila, summer chic.

Shoes, Glorious Shoes

I have always been a shoe fanatic. There is no better way to make your old clothes seem new again than with a great new pair of duds on your feet AND you are NEVER to fat for shoes. So, if you are like me and you're still trying to get rid of those food babies from Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years etc, get off the treadmill and go reward yourself!

One of my favorite shoe trends for the spring is the "jewelry on your feet" look. These Rampage sandals( picture from here) from Piperlime are not only perfectly decorative and adorable, but they are only $50! These are a little pricier but just as cute. I can see myself working them into my "going out" wardrobe as an alternative to heels.

Gladiator sandals made their debut last summer and I decided too late in the season that I liked them, so I never got my hands on any. Luckily, THEY'RE BACK and you can bet that I'll get my act together soon and scoop up a pair of my own. I like the more feminine looking ones that don't reek of Russel Crowe. These from Banana Republic are so cute in gold and I like these from Urban Outfitters in the purple. They'll be so cute juxtaposed with all the floral skirts I keep buying!

I found these on Shopbop (picture form here) last week and have been absolutely coveting them. Nude heels are like black in that they are a great neutral to own. Plus, they make your legs look longer, which is always a nice bonus! Even though these are more expensive it is guaranteed that they will last from season to season.


I am also in love with T-Strap heels. So many fantastically adorable ones have popped up all over the place. I am dying for these in electric blue suede, but will probably end up grabbing something that's a little less expensive like these cute double t-strap(picture from here). Embossed snakeskin is perfect for prowling.

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Happy Valentines Day?

So everyone knows that red, navy and white are a classic color combination for the summer, but what about navy, white and orange? I have these unbelievable Tory Burch Thora sandals in bright orange, that I lived in last summer. My go-to outfit was a pair of navy linen shorts with rope detail from JCrew, a white vince blouse and my orange sandals for flare. Luckily, there are some great orange accessories for this upcoming spring/summer and I can't wait to get my hands on them! These Juicy Couture sandals (picture from here) will be such a cute alternative to give my poor Thora's a break, and I am a huge fan of these Mystique shoes for my trip to Jamaica and these strappy sandals will be great for a night on the town and they are such a great bang for your buck. Last but not least, I am dying for these JCrew flats in every color, but I'll start with the orange.

I'm Gonna Ruff(le) You Up

I LOVE RUFFLES. They are so adorably feminine and precious. Luckily for me, ruffled blouses have popped up all over the place for the spring. Amanda Uprichard, for instance, has a few fabulous pieces like this dress, this adorable pink one and this blouse which I can imagine for this summer with dark wide leg jeans and gold strappy sandals. (picture from here)

This tank is a little more timid for those of you who aren't brave enough for quite so much plumage. It's perfect for pairing with something more adventurous on the bottom like a big voluminous skirt. This black one (picture from here) reminds me of a blouse I already own, which only makes me want it more since I wear the other one all the time!

I can already see myself wearing this blouse with white shorts and a big gold belt. Fabulous. As a Ralph Lauren snob, I was surprised that I like this Lauren blouse and for less than a hundred dollars, who could say no?

Totally Waisted

Tacky puns aside I am dying to grow my collection of high waisted skirts for the spring and summer. They are great to purchase now because even when its cold they look so sophisticated with opaque black tights and booties or pumps! These are a few of my favorites, you can bet that when those birthday checks start rolling in this is what's first on my list! (Picture from Rugby.com)

In continuing on with my new obsession with all things floral I love the print on this one from Urban. I have had it in my shopping cart for the last month and of course now they don't have my size! BUT if they did still have it I would've scooped it up now that its on sale and paired it with a black sleeveless turtleneck (maybe one with some ruffles like this), and black opaque tights.
This from Forever21 is great because it is so inexpensive! It is just so perfectly springy and adorable and it's short enough to invoke a little sex appeal.

So I am one of those slackers who still doesn't know what I am doing this summer BUT if I do get my act together and manage to get an internship in the midst of this economic crisis you can bet that I'll be sporting this cutie from Tullete(picture from here)WHICH is 30% off through the 16th just enter the code love09 at checkout. I personally like the green one but the blue is adorable too! Both have a vintagey vibe which makes me love them even more.

This black one from the UK sensation Topshop (picture from here) is classic enough to be appropriate for almost anything. The great thing about staying classic with the bottoms means that you can get a little bit more inventive with accessories and what you wear on top (like maybe something in a bold color like this find from Victorias Secret.

She's Got a Ticket to Fly

So next week I am looking forward to jetting off to Florida to visit my family, and then the week after that off to Jamaica and after that Beaver Creek. Needless to say I have taken on the persona of a jet-setter for the next few weeks and could not be more thrilled. However, one thing about traveling (besides my irrational fear of airplanes) always seems to stress me out. Call me shallow or whatever you wish but I spend hours trying to figure out what to wear on the airplane. It always seems to be that if it's warm where I'm flying to, it's freezing on the airplane or visa versa. Plus, I don't want to look like the idiot boarding a plane in Colorado, wearing shorts (you get the idea). I have discovered what I think is a great solution (and no worries it is NOT a velour jumpsuit).
(picture from here)

First of all, if you don't already own these Hanes classic v-necks, you should put down whatever you're doing and go buy them right now. I stole one of my sisters over break and then went out and bought my own and I haven't taken them off! Buy the men's ones for a nonchalant "I'm so fabulous" look and throw it over black leggings with black boots and wrap a scarf around your neck (like this find from White and Warren). Voila, comfortable, stylish and practical for all the temperature changes.
(Picture from Here)

My hands down favorite airplane uniform involves a Ralph Lauren wrap sweater that I bought two years ago and have worn millions of times. The best part about it is that it's like a blanket so you can wrap yourself up in your own little coocoon on long flights, or long boring classes (whatever you like) and I've even been known to wear it over a cocktail dress on nights out. Bonus: If you are ever like me and just can't bear the thought of changing out of your pj's before an early trip,use a flashy pin to hold this sweater in place accross your body, no one will be able to see what you have on underneath!

This GapBody option is lighter-weight so it works well for the trips where you start out somewhere cold and end up somewhere warm. It also fits nicely inside an oversized purse once you get there! (I have the grey one already but you can bet the black is on my ever-growing wishlist) Splendid has an awesome one too that just popped up on Shopbop.com this week!

As for shoes, I am really anxious about snatching up a pair of these Tom's canvas flats for my trip. They're perfect for those of us who feel gross leaving our feet exposed to airplane germs in flip-flops, but who are also sick of holding up the security lines as we try to pull our boots on and off. They are also great as slippers, or an alternative to sandals for those of us going to the beach. The best part is, for every pair you buy, Tom's will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need!
(Picture from here)

It's all in the Bag

(Image from here)
Literally... I basically live out of my handbags like a homeless person. At any given moment you may find just about anything in there (silverware, dental floss, splenda- I'll stop before I embarrass myself). For this reason I am always searching for lightweight, reasonably priced options that will last . This Beirn bag I first spotted over the summer and fell in love with it! It's so lightweight and comes in a million different fabulous colors (I would own all of them if I my mother hadn't forbade me from buying anymore!). Also, for someone who wears alot of neutrals, there is no better way to brighten up an outfit than with fun-colores accessories! This over the shoulder option from Tano is my new favorite "night on the town" companion. It's big enough to hold all of the essentialls and the way it falls at my hip makes it so I never have to worry about leaving without it!
Finally, this Sabina bag from Urban Outfitters is the perfect size for carrying books to class or for a small laptop (and so much cuter than a briefcase!).

"Boyfriend" Sweater

(Picture form JPG, can be found here)
Ok, so believe it or not, not everyone has a boyfriend. Me, being one of these fine single ladies, was minimally offended by the concept of "boyfriend" sweaters. Sure, I'd love to be one of those girls who throws on her man's sweater after a night of fun and looks so chic in the oversized top over skinny jeans or leggings with slouchy boots, but those of us who are unmatched can enjoy them just the same. I find that buying men's clothing is a great way to add in some pieces that look effortless and oh so comfortable, but that trying to convert sizes can be a challenge. For sweaters, I typically go up two sizes (so if you are a small in women's buy a mens large) this way, you can be sure that it looks like you intended for it to be large, not that you are just ignorant as to your own size.

Where to find these sweatshirt-esq, perfect for "fat-days" (or the mornings after) treasures:
Bluefly.com, has a great selection of men's sweaters in all price ranges (check out their women's stuff too!)
JCrew is also a classic spot for menswear
Rugby, the new spawn of Ralph Lauren has some edgier finds that wear well and have that timeless Ralph Lauren appeal.

Flower Power

(image from shopbop.com)
Maybe it's just because it's been so warm this past week but all of a sudden I find myself craving all things floral. J crew has this amazing necklace that is so lady-like and just screams garden party to me (maybe it's a bit cliche, flowers at a garden party, but who really cares?). This Juicy Couture bracelet is perfect because its not so delicate that it makes you feel like a child, but its still very ladylike and it makes such a statement! In a perfect world I'd snatch up this piece from DanniJo jewelry, it's absolute perfection. For now,these earrings from forever 21 may be the perfect thing for me to get my fix!

The Perfect Summer Dress

I am such a creature of habit that if I love something I will just keep doing it over and over again. Case in point: I already own this adorable Tart dress in two colors and can't wait to add another couple to my collection. You can buy it here on sale, here or pre-order this one which will be so cute this summer under a cropped jacket or with all of the gold accessories I keep collecting.

(Image from shopbop.com)

Every girl needs....

FLAT BOOTS (seriously)
I probably wear mine about four times a week AND the best part is, you can still look super chic on the weekends without mutilating your feet in those heels you convinced yourself that you had to have but never end up wearing. Believe it or not, ebay is a great place to find good deals on boots. It you want something authentic try any of these equestrian show boots (I own a pair for doing actual riding in but you may spot me frolicking around town looking oh so chic in my britches and boots for no good reason at all)
This Dolce Vita pair from Urban Outfitters is classic enough to work from season to season (although maybe not the green ones, they sort of look like your other boots grew a fungus) and
These JCrew beauties are in the most delicous shade of brown...
(Image from JCrew.com)

Enamel Earrings

(Image from JCrew.com)
My new accessory obsession is without a doubt big baubley enamel earrings. As I am slowly learning to embrace the recessionista within, I have already snapped up these great flower earrings from Forever 21 in every color, and wish these weren't sold out!

The Quest for the Perfect Blazer

SPOTTED perfect blazer. Location, my brother's closet. It's a Ralph Lauren boys sport coat and is the perfect compliment to all those lacy blouses I just had to have. Can I just say how happy I am that teenage boys grow super quickly.