HAPPY HOUR

Finals week is finally coming to a close! With just one exam left I can taste summer and so far it's pretty sweet! Per usual, coming off the most stressful week ever makes me have the biggest craving for some summer cocktails (No Mom, I'm not an alcoholic) so to quench my thirst, I decided to scoop up some cute new summer clothes in colors inspired by my favorite spirits! As an added bonus, new clothes make a great reward for a hard years work! So unfortunately, I'm still jobless (and broke) which means my splurge resources are limited so forever21.com is probably the first place I'll look for some new duds. The thing about forever is that I wouldn't recommend making it the be all end all of your wardrobe, but for fill-ins, going out clothes you don't mind spilling on, and instant gratification without the guilt it's the best! This linen strapless dress (picture from here) in pink reminds me of a fabulously fruity sangria. I can see it being so ideal for a sophisticated luncheon or casual dinner by the beach. Pair it with some big white enamel flower earrings like these as garnish.
This bright pink number is the perfect Daiquiri dress. It's a little spicier than the linen one and if I possessed any sort of ability to dance, this is what I would wear. I'm also loving on this BCBG number (picture from here) that has made it's way to bluefly.com. It's adorablyly minty color reminds me of a mojito! Rachel Pally always makes the BEST jersey dresses. They're so comfortable and flattering, which makes them the perfect piece to invest in for a summer jaunt at the beach. This orange number is adorably easy, and it's hue makes me crave a mimosa! As a bonus, something this comfy would be painless to throw on for a festive morning. Going on with my theme of instant gratification, Lemondrops are the yummiest way to kick into party mode and this dress with the ruffle front is the perfect party dress!
I am a huge fan of everything Nanette Lepore puts out and this dress is absolutely no exception! The swirl of colors is reminiscent of the tequila sunrise I dreamed about during my Biology exam.
Happy Summer everyon!

T.W.ART

I'm stuck in the library and have been all day, so naturally I've been perusing all my staple websites for the last hour or so (I have a bad habit of being really productive) I don't know if it's just me, but I have noticed a TON of t-shirts with art (TWART-get it?) of late and they are starting to grow on me. Now, those who know me would probably be surprised to see me rocking a plain old t-shirt, which is why I think these are so fun! This splatter paint creation (picture from here) is basically reminiscent of the highest level of art I ever achieved, and would look so fresh under a black boyfriend blazer with white shorts or skinny jeans! Now, for some of you creative types, this shirt can probably be replicated with a hanes white t-shirt and some art supplies, but for less than $14 this one takes out the need for manual labor. I also really like this feather top one (picture from here), also from forever21 for two reasons. First of all, the relazed fit is the perfect shape for a t-shirt to "throw on after a long hard day of sunbathing at the beach" and secondly, even though i'm a chunky necklace fanatic, sometimes it's nice to give your neck a rest and the detail on the neckline of this shirt is the perfect necklace replacement! This one from Urban is awfully cool as well. (There's a similar one on forever21 also but it's a little bright for my taste, however if that's your color palatte then by all means rock it!) The primary colors of this one are so perfectly simple and the design is reminiscent of something you would expect to find in some sort of navajo art. Something about the color of this tunic(picture from here) from topshop.com makes me crave summer. I love the poetic vibe it gives off as well. (DISCLAIMER: do not think that T.W.ARTS include those horric shirts with all the weird writing on them like "I love my hubby"- I actually saw someone wearing one and to make matters worse it was written in rhinestones! I mean really people is that necessary? 1. obviously if you're still married you love your "hubby" so no need to put it on your clothing 2. shirts with rhinestone words were never, are never and will never be ok)

Buffalo's don't have Wings

So maybe it's just me but I've always associated buffalo plaid, well pretty much all plaid for that matter, with cozy winter nights by the fire with some hot-chocolate (milk free of course, per post below). You can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when I noticed that this pattern had shown up everywhere for spring! I am loving this blouse from modcloth (picture from here). I can see it being super cute with some white shorts and silver gladiator sandals and maybe even spiced up with a black unconstructed vest. Urban Outfitters has something similar that comes in many different colors. Personally, I am leaning towards the white but the other options are super cute too! This dress (picture from here), also on modcloth, is also a fun and different sundress alternative. I'm also a big fan of all the fun plaid camp shirts TopShop has come up with. They're like the classic flannel with a summer haircut. Finally, these tunics from American Eagle will be super fun over a bathing suit as a cover up! (I'm partial to the Grey one)

Rainbow Jimmies

Apparently I'm a lactard (lactose intolerant) so I'm supposed to lay off ice cream, which totally blows because I honestly can't think of anything more perfect on a warm springy day than vanilla frozen yogurt with rainbow sprinkles. Soo to satisfy my craving I've decided I'll just start dressing inspired by my favorite summer treat.
As far as my ice cream goes,this cute jersey number by Twenty8Twelve (picture from here) would be the perfect vanilla base and this one is making me drool for some Daiquiri Ice! Now personally, I don't really like fruit chunks in my desserts (except for pie--duh) but my Dad always gets strawberry so I figure someone else must like it too. So for all you strawberry people out there I would suggest this cute little thing from TopShop. I also love rainbow sherbert, or any type of sherbert really, and this one from French Connection (picture from here) reminds me of orange sherbert where as this one from French Connection (piture from here) is truly the real deal.
Now, for your toppings. I wouldn't recommend draping yourself in rainbow sprinkles if you choose to go with rainbow sherbert. It's pretty breathtaking on it's own and I think if you add too many colors you may look like a rainbow blew chunks all over you. If something more understated like Vanilla or Daiquiri Ice are your flavors of choice, then don't be afraid of spicing it up! Forever21 is currently my go-to place for cheap, fun jewelry. I am loving on this necklace and this one too, for their length and color pallets! You could also dress up a more muted flavor with fun earrings like these chandelier ones (picture from here), also from forever21, or these star burst cuties from topshop!

Splendid

So I gave up splenda for lent. For those of you who know me, I have a very long-standing relationship with the little, zero calorie, artificially produced sugar substitute, so needless to say this sabbatical from it proved to be very difficult. Perhaps that's why I have a craving for sweet yellow clothing (it's the cure one addiction with another mantra). For those of you who don't see yellow and think sucralose, you should probably know that there are other benefits of this springy hue. First of all, if you have blue eyes and brown hair you MUST go buy something sunny. It's one of the most flattering colors for people with this hair-eye color combination. Now, just because you don't have blue eyes and brown hair doesn't mean you're out of luck. There are so many different shades of this color that chances are there is something for everyone!
This sweet yellow ruffle-front dress is so perfectly springy. Since it's a lighter more subtle shade, I an see myself pairing it with something more adventurous on my feet. This buttercup dress (picture from here) looks like a yellow cake cupcake with vanilla frosting (i'm also trying to avoid dessert-therefore it's all i can think about)It would be so perfect for Easter sunday, or any brunch that may come up over the course of the summer!
This sweet thang in a honey hue looks super comfy and I always love a swing skirt, and even though this one by Nicole Miller (picture from here) is considerably more expensive, the simple sillouette makes me confident that this would be an investment and that I could wear it again and again.

Island in the Sun

Recently I find myself wishing I could finally leave the library and jump on a plane somewhere exotic like Morocco (not that i'd ever actually go per my deadly fear of flying). Maybe it's the sunshine, or maybe it's all the adorably Island inspired pieces that have cropped up all over the place. This fun exotic print dress (picture from here) is so cute and easy. Imagine how chic it'd look with some wooden bangles and gladiator sandals! Speaking of bangles, I sort of really love this fun set, and this one as well, both from Topshop. ALSO on TopShop is this great sequined blouse (picture from here). It can be dressed up with dressier slacks or dressed down over jeans or jean shorts and look fabulous either way! (now that's my kind of multi-tasking) Forever21 showed a new cute embroidered shift this afternoon which I'm excited about. For under $25 it's the perfect accent to my gold and silver accessories. This tunic will be crazy cute over some skinny black jeans, or maybe some white shorts, and this top has such an interesting shape and I LOVE flutter sleeves.

Black and White Delight

As much as I adore navy and white for spring, I am currently drooling over it's cousin- black. Now, you're probably thinking that black and white is the most boring, standard color combo EVER, and that may be true but that doesn't make it any less awesome. PLUS if you have a wardrobe full of these two colors, chances are you won't have to worry about matching. I am loving this adorably lady like coat from forever21 (picture from here). It's less than $20 which just seems absurd, and will look so cute over some white shorts, or buttoned up as a discrete dress. Maybe throw on some bold shoes to brighten it up!
This dress on modcloth.com (picture from here) is so perfect for date night. That being said, I definitely won't be needing it, but for those of you who have a beau scoop it up ASAP. Throw on some cute black sandals and voila bienvenue to Paris in the springtime.
I've always loved this blouse from Rugby. The tie neck is ultra-chic and I can see it being so wonderfully perfect with white shorts, black sandals and maybe a gold belt for some flair? It'd also be great with this skirt on LuLu's.
This "double dare" dress (picture from here) looks so fabulously comfortable and perfect for casually running errands around town and if you aren't a huge fan of stripes, try this alternative.
For those of you who got your act together and have to sit in an office all day this summer, scoop up this cute little number. Not only is it office appropriate, but you'll look professional without falling victim to my nemesis: the manly power suit.

Throwback

I'm pretty convinced I was born in the wrong era. I mean, why else would I be obsessed with large bakelite flower earrings and fun little high wasted skirts? Not to mention the fact that I would've rocked the stay-home-and-bake thing of the 1950's. Anyways, if anyone else is loving all the throwback clothes that have sprung up then you'll love this gidget dress (picture from here) on Modcloth. It would be so adorably early 60's with big 'ol earrings. Also, imagine how cute you'd be sitting shotgun in a vintage mustang with a cute little paisley headwrap protecting your poofed-up locks. This one from Laundry is similarly colorful and fun. Actually there are two of them. If you see me in this one then you know it's because I didn't get my act together on doing those push-ups to tone my arms.

Classy Collars

The most underestimated part of the woman's body is the collar-bone. It's a tribute to femininity AND you never gain weight around it so it always looks fabulous. PLUS, you'd never guess how demurely sexy it can be which, makes it the perfect thing to show off when you are in an environment that doesn't allow for too much T and A (tits and ass) i.e. the workplace. The best way to show it off is to draw attention to it. Scoop necks and sweetheart necklines are great silhouettes for this, as are details around the neckline. I am loving this top (picture from here) by ETSY seller roselabiche. It would be so cute tuck's into a high wasted skirt (especially black for slimming monochromatic look-perhaps with some cute pink peeptoes like these from JCrew for a totally classy look). The same seller has a variety of pieces that I also adore. The rosettes on this one are so quaint and springy!
J Crew has a similar option for about half the price. This tissue weight piece is a little more casual so I'd be wary of wearing it to work unless you accessorize right!
I am also loving this sweet thang from Anthropolige (picture from here). So adorably fit for those sunny spring mornings!