Cue the Girls

I like to equate fashion shows to an all grown up version of dress-up. With the Disney costumes now replaced with designer creations and the make-up painted on by true professionals, it's what every girl was pretending in her mind. While there is something to be said for the avante garde make-up that comes down the runway, these fresh faced looks are easily attainable with a couple eyeshadows and lipstick colors. You might even get a double take...in a good way, of course!

gold shadows & natural plum rouge
as seen at the Emilio Pucci show
on model Constance Jablonski



pastel swept lids & matte red lips
as seen at Christian Dior
on models Toni Garrn & Anja Rubic


(all images via style)

High Low: You're Blushing

With such a popular color like blush pink this season, it was bound to pop up in all kinds of dress options with varying price points. While this F21 option is a bit simple, it still has its charm with pockets (one of my favorite features) and a sweet bustline. More edgy and intricate, the Alice+Olivia is a leather bodice and silk skirt combo, with an exposed zipper just in case you needed more to love about it. But at 18x's the price of the first option (yes I calculated), it's not even in my cards. What would you choose?

Forever 21 strapless @ $27.80
Alice+Olivia bustier dress @ $495

Over the Rainbow

I tend to think of my wardrobe as a sea of black, but recently my colorful pieces have been taking center stage. As I slide my closet doors open, everything from pinks to neon yellows, and a few distinctive prints in between await my selection. Some pieces were all but forgotten amidst the greys and black. Now, it's a welcome surprise having a rainbow of apparel at my disposal.

Finder's Keepers

More times than not, thrifting for home-goods isn't my first stop when there's endless racks of clothes to sift through. Today's trip was a bit different as I scoured the home sections with a mission to find retro accessories. Armed with a list in case I got distracted by the racks of dresses or overwhelmed by the endless cups and plates, here's a peek at what I'm on the lookout for.

mason jars to fill with my favorite sweets


vintage fans and hanging lamps

unique bud vases in all shapes and sizes

(images via flickr)

Head On

The day has almost come to a close, but I couldn't help but squeeze in a little tidbit of fashion. Let me just say, a day on the couch with a major headache gives you a lot of time to fall in love with random finds online. While the last thing I want right now is something wrapped around my head (besides an ice pack), I know that once I'm back to normal this headband would be just the thing I need when my thick, unruly hair needs a bit of a pick me up and can easily be transformed into boho chic.

via Free People:
Turquoise beads and crochet @ $28
Feather with jewels @ $18

White Picket Fences

Lately, the chilly weather has me resorting back to fall classics like belted cardigans, which is just fine by me. This particular sweater, I'd love to have in a rainbow of bright colors to contrast the feel of these cloudy, dreary days. For now, this bright blue will have to do as I wait for sunny days to return. What's your go-to piece for "off" weather days?

(Gap cardigan, Old Navy printed tank, Banana Republic jeans
Marc Jacobs handbag, Boutique9 oxfords
vintage belt, misc. necklaces)



Hope your weekend is filled with sunshine!

Let There Be White

While certain "rules" exist for wearing white, for me the formalities seem silly when it all comes down to common sense. While some people might need a reminder to stop wearing white bottoms after Labor Day (September called. They want you to put the summer capris and linen pants away already), I'm all for playing with what you have in your closet. If Fall rolls around and that white piece mixes well with that new Fall item, who's to say you can't. I'm certainly not going to say anything, especially with these items below.

F21 silk top

Patterson J. Kincaid belted shirt dress
White blazer by ModCloth
Mosley Tribes sunglasses
Rebecca Minkoff "Love Letter" mini-bag

Sequined mini-skirt by ModCloth
House of Harlow scale ballet flats
F21 (Heritage 1981) denim cutoffs

Eat Up: Mango Parfait

Fruit Loops seemed unappealing yesterday morning for breakfast, so I turned to this recipe as an alternative to the sugary O's. The presentation may look fancy, but the steps are as simple as you can get. Parfait combinations are endless, and I keep drumming up more versions for later in the week. I've even got my sights set on a dessert adaptation with Oreos+whipped cream or maybe peanut butter cups+marshmallow fluff. It all evens itself out when you have a healthy and classic strawberry+granola .

toasted coconut sprinkled over cut mango cubes

plain yogurt mixed with pure maple syrup

layer until complete

Seasonal Snapshots

It goes without saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. Just when the chill of winter breezes in, I'm secretly wishing for spring to arrive a.s.a.p. Little delights like these are just a few of the reasons I'll never get sick of the season, well...at least until it gets blistering hot.

lace trims and embellishments

sweet nail shades
from pretty in pink to nudes with shimmer

fresh rose buds in your hair

sunsets on the beach after a day in the sun

(all images via flickr)

Bedroom Behavior

I'd like to revel in my honed organization skills, but my bedroom, more times than not, looks like a hamper spread across the floor. The time I put into picking an outfit clearly does not transition to cleaning up. Pulling together a look requires many options to choose from, and sometimes the rejects get left on the floor. Don't judge; it can be an exhausting process. Besides, the bedroom door can always stay closed.

(Calvin Klein strapless dress, Nine West slip-ons,
vintage necklace, misc. Marc Jacobs bags)

Made in Spain

As a teenager, my mother spent some time living in Barcelona. I can't help but picture her dressed in espadrilles and 70's styled prints while jumping on the back of a Vespa. I may envy her world travels, but these espadrilles bring me one step closer to the overall European style I imagine her wearing back in the day.

Keep it flat in
Half Inch Platforms:
Tory Burch @ $150
Jeffrey Campbell @ $92

Espadrille+Pump Combo:
Madison Harding @ $195

Caged styles:
Belle by Sigerson Morrison @ $240
Via Spiga @ $175

You Are What You Eat

This past week, I finally got around to watching Food Inc., and it gave me a wake-up call and boost to start paying more attention to the things I'm eating. While incorporating more organic foods, my time in the kitchen has skyrocketed and the minutes spent in the drive thru have become pretty obsolete (subtract that one trip to In-N-Out). Kitchen accessories like these, will no doubt, bring a traditional twist to my time in front of the stove. Betty Crocker, watch out.

All items from Anthropologie:
Silverware Dishtowel in Fork and Spoon
Stackable Blooms Measuring Cups
Cupcake Apron, Recipe Book
Mugs in Spearmint & Cabbage

Tee Time

When it comes to California style, a laid back tank or t-shirt will be your go-to piece for whatever the warm weather brings. While a skinny jean and loose jewelry work with it time after time, a vibrant colored skirt gives you another excuse to pull it out of the closet (not that I needed one in the first place). For me, I'd love to pair my beaded tank (seen here) with any of these ModCloth skirts.

Floating Flowers skirt
Shades of Summer skirt
Tropicalia skirt

Buckle Up

As far as I'm concerned, bib necklaces can stay hitched on the trend bandwagon for as long as possible. I love seeing them with the simplest tee or dressed up with a LBD. That's not to say I'm keeping my eyes shielded from other accessories. Say for instance, those buckle bracelets. If it weren't for the 6 inch circumference, they could easily be mistaken for belts with their notches and all. Made in a multitude of fun, fresh colors and variations, the overall menswear influence is almost forgotten.

Dannijo turquoise wrap @ $232
Marc by Marc gold with hinge @ $78
Mulberry bow detail @ $80
Kettle Black studded white @ $120

Hostess with the Mostest

Whenever I'm a guest at another's home, I'm always impressed by a good hostess' attention to detail. Besides their knack for your utmost comfort, little touches, whether intentional or not, always present an "at home" feel. Whether it's a place card at the dinner table or a beautiful hand soap waiting for you at the bathroom sink, here are a couple items to help pay it forward to your future guests.

by Timeless Paper via Etsy

Satin and Birch handmade soaps
via Etsy

Bursting Bubbles

April showers were nowhere in sight while I enjoyed some bubbles and my periwinkle spring dress. It's one of those pieces that I can dress up or dress down, and with the soft, delicate fabric it feels as if I'm wearing a nighttime slip. My only wish is that I had it in a rainbow of vibrant and playful colors.

(Bcbg dress, Marc Jacobs bag, misc. bangles,
thrifted sandals, Essie Tart Deco polish)