FASHION: My Look for the Office

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F-R-I-D-A-Y!!!  It has been a long week and a frustrating week - commute wise.   I really struggle and battle with this long, two hour commute home when it shouldn't take that long.  I feel so rushed to get home, take the pups out for their walk, cook for them, clean up, throw in some play time and before I know it, it's time for bed.

I do enjoy working in NYC but wish I didn't have to commute.  I wish I could just plug in my work address and zap myself there.  Working in NYC, I enjoy picking out my outfit to wear at the office.  With springtime weather, it calls for lighter and softer looks.

Lately, my color choices for Spring have been just that . . .  lighter and softer color tones.  Wearing black all year long has been a staple of mine but I'm slowly transitioning and expanding my wardrobe with a neutral color palette.

I purchased a couple of months ago, the 3/4 sleeve cardigan, in "berry mousse" from Ann Taylor (on sale).  I usually pair a cardigan with a dress or skirt.  You can add a blazer as well.  I'm loving the Silk Lace Trim Cami from Express but need it to go on sale!  This cami would be perfect for summer.    Another favorite of mine is this Textured midi skirt from Mango.  I have several white skirts and this one is on my wish list (if it goes on sale).  And, how cute is the Leather Shoulder bag from Ted Baker in baby pink.  I love the feminine look of this handbag.  A new sandal to try is from Chinese Laundry.  The 'Lavelle' Ankle strap sandal is kind to your wallet ($79.95).  And, the criss-cross design is different than the other versions on the market (i.e., Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, Aldo).

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

Happy shopping!

xo,

PRETTY WHITE DRESSES: My Favorites from ASOS

Boohoo Lace Midi dress ($44.00)

Vanessa Bruno At the Drop Waist dress ($385.00)

Vila All Over Crochet dress ($46.00)

Fashion Union dress in Crochet  ($52.00)

Vila Embellished Drop Waist dress  ($73.00)

Navy London Lace dress with Front Neck Detail ($106.00)

Moon River Double Layer Midi dress ($81.00)

Gremlin Brodie Crochet Trim dress ($146.00)

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Happy hump day!  Sharing my favorite white dress from ASOS for Spring and Summer.  I love browsing ASOS' website to source new apparel.  The options are great and range in prices; for those who don't want to spend a ton of money and those who can splurge.

Happy shopping!

xo,

FASHION: Spring Style

1.  Crochet Panels shirt - (MANGO USA)
2.  Burberry Full Kisses (Rosewood) - (Sephora)
3.  Comme des Garcons Grace by Grace Coddington (Barneys)
4.  Floral Lace Pencil Skirt - (J. Crew)
5.  Christian Louboutin Triloubi Small Bag (Barneys)
6.  Christian Louboutin Pigalles Follies in Ballerina Pink (Neiman Marcus)

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Hello readers.  Hope you had a lovely weekend.  The temperatures dropped after some rain and it was too windy and cool to enjoy the outdoors.  While indoors, I caught up on a pile of clothes that needed to be ironed and did my weekly house chores (very exciting life, I know).

Hoping for the warmer weather to return soon.  Today, I broke out my heavier jacket because temps are in the 40's and windy!  We are expected to reach 60 but still not warm in my book. 

Here's a Spring look I put together to put me in the mood.  Long sleeves are still needed during this season and I'm loving all things pink. The contrast of deep wine and pale pink is the perfect combo. And, I need to be in a better mood; after some aggravating news I received on Friday evening.  Hoping to get things resolved today.  

Enjoy your day!  

xo,

FASHION and HOME: New Purchases from Anthropologie

Wrapped Plaid Button-down (I like the high low hem)

I see it paired with my white skinny jeans (Madewell) and Valentino rockstud flats:

Morning Glory Swing Dress
This dress fits longer on me because of my height.  Perfect fit and look for Summer.

Amelia top. Love the lace detail and feminine look.

How cute is this honeybee dome and plate?!  I couldn't resist purchasing this for the home.  I think it would be a perfect addition to a springtime tablescape.

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Hello lovely readers.  How was your weekend?  Mine was good but spent it with caution - my back spasms have been aggravated to the level of me losing some feeling in my leg.  I've been icing, taking warm baths in our jet tub and taking anti-inflammatory pills.  Goodness . . . I sound like an old lady.  I hope it doesn't get to the level, where it was a couple of years ago, where I couldn't walk.  I really need to find a pain management doctor asap (ugh).  

In any event, I ran a couple of errands; one of them being a trip to Anthropologie for a return.  I was pretty excited to see a lot of new arrivals.  The sales woman said they receive a shipment of new items, Monday-Wednesday.  I loved seeing spring/summer dresses and skirts, rompers and short sleeved blouses.  I still had a birthday gift card, so I hoped I would walk out of the store with some great purchases.  And . . . I did.

I always love shopping at Anthropologie for their great style for you and your home.

FLOWER POWER: Floral Embellished Occasions

1.  Cream Floral Embellished Shift Dress (Little Mistress)

2.  Bridal Shower Greeting Card (Design by Occasion).  And, just as an fyi, the greeting card   design my sister created, came before the shoe design!

3.  Lorelai 100 (Jimmy Choo)

4.  Little Mistress Bandeau Dress with 3D Floral Applique (ASOS)

5.  Age Specific Birthday Card - Floral One (Design by Occasion)

6.  Stuart Weitzman Flower Embellished Heeled Sandals (Farfetch)

7.  Midnight Aylin Dress (Shoshanna)

8.  Friendship Greeting card - Paris Je'taime (Design by Occasion)

9.  Pink high heels with flower detail (Pinterest)

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Hi there!  Well, the weekend was a dramatic change, weather-wise.  We went from temperatures in the 70s, to powerful thunder storms that shook our house, lightening, high winds, ending with temps in the 30s/40s.  Here's to wishing for spring time weather again.

Spring time and warm weather calls for dressing up and attending events.  Flowers are blooming and so is the fashion world.

Have you been invited to a bridal shower, an engagement dinner, a big bash birthday or just a social gathering at the club with friends?

I've put together three inspirational looks, together with personalized greeting cards that have a floral embellished look to compliment your fashion look.  And, these personalized greeting cards are from my very talented sister from Design by Occasion.

Happy shopping and thanks for stopping by.

xo,

LADY-LIKE FASHION HANDBAGS: Retro Inspired

Hi!  Did everyone have a nice weekend?  It seems the weekend flew by so quickly; especially after being on a nice holiday break.  So back at it again this week!

Onto today's post . . .

One of the things I love about fashion is seeing the recreations of handbag designs from years past.  There are designs I admire from the 40's, 50's and 60's.  If you're lucky enough to own a handbag from that time, passed on from family generations, I admire you!

There's that saying - everything old is new again.  Designers are taking cue and reinventing the design of handbags that appeal to our generation.  Specifically,  I'm loving the classic handbags that are ultra feminine and lady-like.  As I get older, I'm slowly steering away from big and/or heavy handbags and picking pieces that are classic.  I'm choosing handbags; the kind I can wear for work and on the weekend.  And, it has to be something I can wear for years to come.

Here are some of my favorites feminine handbags.

DIOR

The name says it all - "Lady Dior" in black lambskin

This is the perfect size for me.

FENDI

Fendi Petite 2Jours 

With Love from Kat blog

GUCCI

Gucci Jackie Soft Leather Hobo Bag

Jackie O - Image

MULBERRY

Bayswater Double Zip Tote in Black Shiny Goat (Mulberry)

Image - Hepburn Estate Collection

DOLCE & GABBANA

Dolce & Gabbana 'Mini Miss Sicily' Satchel

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

Salvatore Ferragamo "Aileen" Leather Crossbody Bag

CARTIER

Image

xo,

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: Fall Favorites from Madwell

With the Fall weather here, I'm tempted by all Fall fashion to keep me warm and stylish.

Here are some of my favorites from Madewell:

ONE:  From their new collection - The Teatro Swing Coat.  I'm on the hunt for a camel colored coat and this is one, I have to try.
TWO:  From their new collection - The Softplaid Scarf in cobalt blue (and other colors) will add interest to your solid color jackets or coats.
THREE:  Sunglasses are a must for me, year round.  Loving these Indio Sunglasses in the turtoise design.
FOUR:  I'm a big fan of Madewell jeans and these High Riser Skinny Skinny Jeans in Bristol Wash is a favorite!
FIVE:  This City Grid Coat in dark cabernet, with an asymmetrical zipper is stylish and rich looking
SIX:  Jumpsuits were a big hit in the summer.  Now, with 3/4 sleeves, you can carry this look into Fall.
SEVEN: Silk Prose Top in Paintbrush Dot in dark cabernet is currently on sale!
EIGHT:  From their new collection - This Plaid Florence Coat in black and white is a nice alternative to your traditional black coat.  Keeping my eye on this and hope a sale comes soon!

To see more looks from Madewell, click here.

Happy shopping!

xo,

SHOE TREND: Block-Heel Sandals

Did everyone have a nice weekend?  I had such a busy weekend and still I feel like I didn't accomplish much.  The nice weather was such a nice mood booster. 

A quick thank you to everyone for their support and well wishes for my sister.  She had her biopsy on Friday and wasn't feeling so great afterwards.  But she pulled through and is feeling much better.  I'm so glad I was around to show my support.

The weekend was also my husband's birthday but we weren't able to celebrate (sorry hon).  We had to attend a First Communion party and yesterday we spent Mother's Day with his mom.  I was not able to travel to see my mom but hope to see her soon.

On today's post, I wanted to share with you my current interest in block-heel sandals.  I happened to pass a woman, who works at Nordstrom - she had the prettiest block-heel sandals, to go with her shift dress.

I love this current trend because of the simple fact, they're sandals I would be able to walk in all day long.  Because of my commute to and from NYC, I travel in flats and carry my heels around.  Purchasing a pair of block-heel sandals would save me some trouble of carrying another item (and help my back from carrying too many things).

There are many designers to choose from.  Here are a few that caught my eye:

Block-Heel Ankle strap sandals - Zara (also seen below on model)

Chloe Two-Tone Block-Heel Sandal (see below pic as seen on model)

Neiman Marcus

Vince Block Heel Sandal (Nordstrom)

Haglyn Ankle Strap Heels - Nine West

Johnston Murphy Laney Quarter Strap

Image credit:  Merrick's Art

xo,

FASHION BLOGGERS: New Jewelry Line

If you're like me, you may follow some of the most popular fashion bloggers out there.  Their popularity and recognition, have lead to some amazing opportunities, resulting in some pretty amazing careers.

I'm not sure how long the blogging industry will stick around but for now, it has opened doors for many women (and men).  Specifically, just every day people, like you and me, gaining recognition.  Sometimes, the blogging world is a bit redundant - with the same bloggers, advertising the same look, wearing the same shoes, same handbag; having the same long wavy hair.  I guess that's what advertising is all about.  But I do love a bit of uniqueness and originality, certain bloggers carry and create.

Today, I'm talking about three specific fashion bloggers:  Wendy Nguyen of Wendy's Lookbook, Cara McLeay of A Fashion Love Affair and Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies.

These three young ladies, recently announced their new jewelry line.  Hard work and determination really do pay off.  Congrats!

Wendy's Lookbook x Baublebar

If you follow California girl, Wendy's Lookbook, you know what a beautiful woman Wendy is (inside and out).  Wendy was one of the very first fashion bloggers I followed.  She seems like such a sweetheart and I love her unique design style.  She has the perfect eye when it comes to fashion.  She's not afraid to mix patterns and textures and brings an eclectic look to some of her outfits.

This powerhouse collaborated with popular jewelry company, Baublebar.  The new jewelry line is a mix of classic and edgy pieces.  And, speaking of edgy, I was "wowed" at the photo of Wendy in the wine colored, leather crop top, modeling the gold vertebrae bib necklace.  She showed a side we never saw and totally rocked it!  Here's the pic . . .

Medusa Pearled collar; Gold Vertebrae Bib Necklace

Here's are some of my favorite new designs from the Baublebar collection:

Eleanor Chain Bib-Metallic Silver.  A beautiful statement piece.

Medusa Pearl Collar.  Such a classic piece. 
Reminds me of a piece Coco Chanel wore.

Love this Olympus Layered Collar.

Ice Twister Ring Ring.  A lovely piece like this would go beautifully on my finger.

Want to see more?  You can view the Baublebar/Wendy's Lookbook collection here.


AFLA x Melanie Auld Collection

Cara of A Fashion Love Affair ("AFLA") collaborated with her favorite jewelry designer, Melanie Auld.  This Canadian beauty helped collaborate 9 designs that are fun, delicate and stylish.  The fashion blogger is loved for her fashion choices and of course, her beautiful hair.  Let's not forget about her killer body!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

AFLA Delicate Bar Necklace

AFLA Eternity Stacking Ring

You can see the whole jewelry line at Melanie Auld here.


Pink Peonies Collection

Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies is a stylish, young woman from Utah.  Her looks have gained her much recognition in the fashion business.  And, it doesn't stop there.  Her fabulous new home has been featured on many blogging posts, as well as magazines (her walk in closet/home office is to be admired).  This young woman is now a jewelry designer of Pink Peonies Collection.

The collection is attractive, feminine and stylish.  If you follow me on instagram, you saw I posted one of the pieces from her collection, the marbled geo ring (seen below).  It's such a pretty ring and have received many compliments from all age groups.  The ring is a classic piece I can wear for many years.

I adore the pink packaging.
The inside of the ring has the Pink Peonies Collection branding.
It's the little details that count.

Here are some of my other favorites:

Blushing Deco Tassel Necklace

Geo Pave Cuff

Take Me to Paris Pave Linked Cuff.
I would love it better if it was a closed clasp bracelet but still, beautiful

To see the entire Pink Peonies Collection, click here.


Much success to all these accomplished women.

Happy shopping and support your fellow bloggers and businesses.

xo,