I've Got the Blues

Sometimes a post title is the hardest part of blogging.

Lately I've been obsessed with deep blue colors. Cobalt blue, Royal blue...love. Next to pink, rich shades of blue are probably my favorite color and it has been popping up everywhere! For starters, my car is bright blue--"Winning Blue" as Mazda puts it. Since my car is slowly dying I could perhaps be displacing some of the loss I'm feeling from replacing him into my current obsession of this color. I've recently made 2 bright blue purchases, and there's so much more I want!

My purchases:

Zara $79.90 (100% silk)

Nordstrom $42 (Juniors--I was uncertain how often I would wear them, but I love them!)

If I'm uncertain about investing in a trend, and lets face it, brightly colored pants will likely not be around next year, I try to find and inexpensive substitute. The Nordstrom Juniors department is usually a good source.These are actually good quality, not low rise, and really flattering.

My other current crushes:

Madewell Skimmers $88

Target BodyCon Dress $22.99

Target $17.99

While looking on Target's website, I also came across these but they're out of stock and online only.

I've also been painting my nails this color, but wouldn't wear this color if rocking any of my recent purchases:

OPI Roadhouse Blues (it looks great with Essie's Matte top coat, too)

What color have you been crushing on lately? Sparkle season is in full swing, and I'm loving all the dresses, nail polishes, shoes and accessories that are completely bedecked in glitter. I've got a post in the works for Holiday sparkle (although I am a big fan of sparkles year round and for any given day, personally).

Peplum and Pussybows

I feel like I should break out into a Sound of Music song right now. Peplum and pussybow blouses are my current obsessions. I can't get enough of them. I have a small fall shopping list and these two are topping the list. Lets take a look at some of my favorites:

Zara

Anthropologie

ASOS

H&M

H&M (and top of my list currently)

Mod Cloth (Love polka dots!)

Old Navy

H&M

J Crew

Marc Jacobs (if only...)

ModCloth

Victoria's Secret (love it)

Old classic silhouettes are making a comeback, but when I see things like this...clothing in styles that are modern with the classic silhouette is it really a comeback? Or is it just that a classic has caught the eye of the majority? I'm drawn to bows, and I've got a pussybow top I bought at Old Navy back in 2003, and a peplum jacket that I just donated to a swap that was from 2006, so these styles have always been in. I think Rachel Zoe says it best, they're having a major moment right now.

Missoni for Target

I have to say, Target gets some mean designer collaborations. Rodarte, Liberty of London, Tucker, Cynthia Vincent, McQueen...just to name a few of them and they are always well received. The latest collaboration announced was Missoni for Target, scheduled to hit stores September 13th. I'm going to be stalking my local Target (and Target.com) like mad. Here's a preview of what's to come:

Sweater coat- $80, tights- $16

Scarf- $20, Cardigan- $45, Shell- $30, Skirt- $40

Dress- $55, Boots- $35

Ballet flats- $30

Previously, with the collaborations, my Target has released them earlier than the official release date, so it can't hurt to check your store out the few days leading up to it if there's something you want. The Cynthia Vincent collaboration was practically sold out at my store before it was even officially released! Me? I'll be keeping an eye out for the flats, tights, and that skirt! I dream of owning Missoni, and this may be the closest thing I can get.

Burnt Sienna

Next to pink, my other favorite crayon as a kid was Crayola's "Burnt Sienna" , this orange-brown color was constantly one of the most worn looking crayons on my desk. Every fall, this color creeps back into my life. It's everywhere! Not only found in nature, this shade is popular in fall fashion.

Here are some examples the fall 2011 RTW collections (all photos from Elle):

Michael Kors

Proenza Schouler (color detail in the pant)

3.1 Phillip Lim

Alice + Olivia

Here's how I'll be accessorizing with this color:

Anthropologie Triple Strap Tank

Halogen Ponte Knit Pencil Skirt

J.Crew Skinny Belt with Bow

Lulu's Burnt Orange Blazer (check out that lining!)

Anthropologie Sun Shaped Bangle (on sale!)

I am a huge fan of neutrals and brown tones, but add a bit of a burnt orange hue to it, and I'm just obsessed. My closet is kind of like a grown-up box of crayons, except instead of hanging my work on my bedroom wall, it's around my neck, on my wrist, and on my body.

August wish list

Every August, I start to get a little wish listy with things. My online shopping carts fill up with shocking balances expected to be paid, but will never make it further than the cart. I have to contribute this to one thing--my birthday is at the end of the month. While I think I'm the easiest person to shop for, my family tends to disagree. I have to start weighing out my options, and due to a horrible incident where my ipod died* the other day, husband got the easy gift by immediately suggesting that a new one would be his gift to me. I was slightly relieved because the ipod was going to be on the top of the birthday list had he not!

Here's what I'm wishing for this August:

Chanel nail polish in Peridot

 First of all, it's my birthstone, but what I really love is that depending on the light, the color changes.

Anthropologie Dots within Blouse

Free People Fluid trapeeze blouse

Marc by Marc Jacobs Francesca

 So spendy. But now that I take the train to/from work, I need a good bag for commuting. This will fit everything I need. My current cheapy bag is falling apart after 3 months. I'm saving my pennies!

Jessica Simpson Cheetah Pumps

Kate Spade No Sleep Till Brooklyn bangle

 I've had a year-long romance with this. I think it's time to pull the trigger.

Nikon 40mm Lens

Nine West Galactic

 Kind of like a pair of Sam Edelman shoes I wanted (but could never find in my size).

Anthropologie Pilcro Straight Ankle Chinos

We the Free Boxy Striped Sweater

I'd like this in the navy, but this picture is better.
 

I certainly wouldn't mind if any of these made their way to my door, that's for sure. I'm also working on my wardrobe, as always, and figuring out what I want to incorporate into it for this upcoming Fall/Winter and I'll be sure to share that one with you too. But not yet. Let's enjoy the summer. I have to say, my birthday at the end of the month, while still summer, is often associated with back-to-school, fall and pumpkin-all things I love. However, it also falls with the end of summer celebrations which often make me sad. Summer is my favorite season of them all.

*curiously, the last time I had an ipod die was right before Christmas, and once again he got the easy gift.

Book Nerd Alert.

It may come as no surprise, but I love books. I'm a major book nerd. I love just wandering book stores, looking at the books. The way the covers feel in my hand, the way the pages fan as I flip through it. It's the one kind of store where I can leave empty handed and still feel fulfilled.

My books take on personalities, they change from inanimate to animate objects in my world. I treat them with care and caution as I read each, and if I lend out a book, the borrower will get a speech about how it needs to come back in the same condition. No dogeared pages, pristine cover, and for the love of all things good, DO NOT BREAK THE SPINE! I was married for almost two and a half years before husband and I integrated our bookcases, and even then, it was nerve wracking. Sure I guess it's a sign we've "made it" if I'm willing to let my books hang out with his. He is a little bit more tough on books...he'll remove a dustcover and leave it somewhere (typically the desk) and let things accumulate on top of them. Not this girl.

One genre I do particularly enjoy is Fashion non-fiction. None of that Shopaholic for me. I've enjoyed books from Simon Doonan, Biographies on Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Evelyn Nesbet, etc. I have two books on Isabella Blow on my list to buy next, I love her. So, while I was reading my past issue of Vogue, I was beyond geeked out when I found out that Camilla Morton (of "How to Walk in High Heels" fame) was coming out with a "Fashion Fairy Tale Memoir" series, blending a classic fairy tale with a fashion icons story. Starting with "Sleeping Beauty" as illustrated by none other than Christian Lacroix.

(source and also Camilla's site)

I found this book at a recent trip to my local bookstore, and I got the chance to flip through the book. The illustrations are breathtaking, whimsy and fierce. (That's a Christian Siriano fierce for the record. Not a fire breathing dragon fierce.). The cover, has a sheer dustcover over the book that gives the cover a three dimensional feel and look. It took everything in me to not walk out with this book in my hand. This book will be coming to me when I buy my Isabella Blow books. I can't wait to own this book. I have already been fantasizing about handing all the books in this series (4 tales total according to Vogue) to my future daughter.

Next up in the series? "The Elves and the Shoemaker" with none other than Manolo Blahnik. I die! Which is slated for Fall 2011.

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.