Spring Collection

Just a peek at what is coming this week as the start of my Spring collection. Next week will include even more, but I don't want to give away all the looks at once!

And, for the next two weeks, use the code "FreeShip" at checkout to receive free shipping!

Orange you glad?

So apparently there's something about this time of year. I did a similar post last year to what you're about to see. (Just without the Polyvore, as it seems to be in a fight with my computer today).

As a refresher, this time of year leaves me utterly bored with my winter clothes, and I start longing for my Spring and Summer wardrobe. I've been working hard over the past few years to have a real working closet that doesn't require total revamping every time I hit a new year/season.  It's been a lot of investing but it's hitting the point where I feel uniform and I've gotten rid of a lot of cheap quality items. I have seen the ways in the quality vs. quantity debate. Sure, I'll still buy things at Target, Forever 21 and similar stores, however, they're either trends that aren't sticking around, or items that I go through so quickly (white tanks, for example) that paying a lot doesn't make sense.

Last years colors I was craving were yellow and purple with a spattering of greys. This year, I'm feeling orange. I will still fight anyone who says orange is the new pink. Because pink is always the new pink. Specifically, oranges with turquoise and pink accents and paired with crisp bright whites. Doesn't it sound so tropical and sunny? I agree.

Here's what I'm lusting for:

Boldly Brushed Peasant (Anthropologie)

Sleeveless Cowl (Old Navy)

Silk Driving Scarf (J Crew)
(I love orange and navy together!)

Twist Handle Wristlet (Express)

Okay, and while looking up orange goodies, I came across these Tory Burch Reva flats. Seriously? I love! Where were they when I was searching high and low for bright pink ballet flats?! The only ones I could find back then were Lanvin, and I was a bride on a budget at the time. I love these!

What colors are on your radar for Spring/Summer 11? I'm excited to make some more brightly colored jewelry for my Etsy shop and for my own personal collection.

On my radar: Spring/Summer needs and wants

Sure, it may be just weeks into 2011, and sure we may be getting more snow this week, and haven't even entered into our snowiest months of the year, but I've got Spring fever!

As part of my attempts to not only shop smart, but also to spend less money, I'm already working on things I'll need for my Spring and Summer wardrobe. I've been working on editing my closet, and finding out what I'm lacking, and removing what I don't wear anymore and I've noticed that there's quite a bit that will be needed for the warmer weather. Here's what I'm eyeing so far.

What I need:

White button-down top

Banana Republic Wrap shirt

Gap Cuff Sleeve Blouse

Black sandals that can be worn with cropped pants (replacement of a pair I have and wore to death)



Guess Aero4 Slingback
These are nearly identical



Nine West Nacia
I'm a sucker for a wedge heel

 

White pants (that won't make me look like a marshmallow)

Gap Boot Surplus Jean

Light-weight skirts

J. Crew Lace Dobby Skirt

Express Floral Smocked Waist Skirt

Bright Sandals



Nine West Stylin'



Summery dress (1 or 2)



J.Crew Shelby Dress



Work-in-Progress Dress. Anthropologie

Limited Pleated Panel Strapless Dress



Metallic flat sandals (another replacement pair. this pair will actually replace a pair of gold gladiators and silver J.Crew Capri flip flops, so I may want to get 2 pairs)



Rampage Prance Sandal



Report Chenola

Sam Edelman Gigi Sandal

And of course, while browsing for things I need, things that I want always pop in. If I have the money, or find a way to make them work, these are things I want:

Love these black sandals (peep toes?), they're fierce, but not practical if I plan on walking further than the block I work on.

Michael Antionio Tricia Platform

A lovely dress very similar to one I already own. (I live in dresses in the summer)



Free People Flutter Away dress

Also on my radar: nude pumps. I don't own a pair and really want to get a pair. I was going to include them here, but the list started to get a bit lengthy!
Now, if we can only get through the next 3 months of cold, gross and miserable (overly snowy) weather. Think I can get away with hibernating? No? Darn.

Baby got Back

While browsing the interwebs, I've been coming across a lot of tops for Spring that are pretty simple from the front, making your entrance just kind of average, but when you look at the back, you can tell that with these tops, it's all about the last impression as you walk out of the room. Here's a few back details that have caught my eye:

 Past Reflections Pullover (Anthropologie): I love the back detail, but overall this top falls short for me. I don't care for the candy cane like stripes, or the knit, and the fabric just isn't doing it for me. Maybe in a different fabric/non-knit, I'd dig it.

 Bow Back Corset Top (Free People): I love bows, and Free People has been infiltrating my closet at a rapid pace. I like the fact that the cutouts get smaller as they go down the back, helping nip in the waist, while the floaty almost peplum ruffling beneath helps hide any pooch. This needs to be mine. Paired with cuffed skinny jeans and flats or even wedges, and a cardigan on top for the workplace, perfect.

 Lace Back Cardigan (Gap): Someone give this model a booty, stat! I love this cardigan, it's lace back is unexpected, and perhaps just what I need for a spring/summer work cardigan to leave at my desk. This would be great with a few dresses and sleeveless tops I already own. I'm picturing my Free People floral trapeze tank under this awesome lace detail, how feminine!

 Chic Taupe Top (Lulus):  Okay, part of me loves the lace racer back tank under this. Part of me thinks this top got into a fight with Freddy Kruger, Edward Scissorhands, and Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Fidelity Black and White Striped Top (Lulus): I like the drape and I'm a sucker for stripes. You could most certainly get away wearing a bra with this top, but the draping may make a booty look larger. I picture this more for the beach or a cookout, than any other kind of situation, just add shorty shorts, and sunblock.

In my wishes to shop smarter, I'm already working on my Spring and Summer wish list and needs. I've got a few things that need to be replaced for those seasons, and I'm looking forward to a little seasonal wardrobe update. I'll be sure to share what I come across. In the meantime, what say you on the back details? Yay? Nay? Did I miss a totally amazing top somewhere?

Happy Spring!

(photo credit, moi)

Spring has (temporarily) sprung here in Boston! (shush, no talk of the rain and 40 degree weather next week) It makes me want to go outdoors, take long walks on my lunch break, go hiking, sit and read under a tree...you get the picture. On my lunch break today, I saw lots of girls in their cute flip flops, open toe shoes, and pretty pedicured feet. Which made me long for my flip flops (and maybe these wedges, yet to move into my closet), but alas, I didn't get my pedicure for the spring yet.

Who would have expected 70 degrees after a monsoon and freezing rain earlier this week (oh...New England Weather). It just means one thing...my couch and I have a hot date tonight for an at home pedicure so I can at least wear my flippy floppys (ha) tomorrow while this warmth remains. My color of choice you ask? My favorite bright hot magenta-y pink. OPI's La Paz-itively Hot! (Also the color I wore for my wedding day, what what?)

Enjoy the weather!!!

The dress so nice they named it twice

New York, New York Dress

(Anthropologie, $168)

Every now and then (okay, almost daily) I take a little trip to a few favorite websites of mine. While looking around Anthro, feeling a little spring in the air, I came across this little number. Love. I'm always looking for fun Spring/Summer dresses, and this one is perfect. I love the water color painted look to the print. The shape is what I do best, and the colors are so fun and feminine and subdued and just waited for me to play them up. This might just have to come home with me...eventually. But for now, I just wait and hope for a sale.