Thursday, April 7, 2011

Spring Style from Bellevue Collection and Polyvore

A few weeks ago, I participated in a local blogging contest hosted by The Bellevue Collection, involving Polyvore. If you haven't yet tried Polyvore, you simply must. If you are a shopping, style, fashion, and blogging nut like I am, you will love this site that gives you the ability to form quick and easy inspiration boards that pull from all the best shopping sites on the web. It's truly amazing.

The contest asked us bloggers to create a spring style fashion board in Polyvore that represented the Bellevue Collection Woman, with chosen items from within the Collection. While I didn't win, it was a lot of fun and gave me the chance to play with, and subsequently become addicted to, Polyvore.  Below, you can check out my submission - I went for a focus on the Seventies-style trend for spring with a maxi dress and wedges. Make sure to check out all the other winners here, too!


Thanks for sponsoring such a fun contest Bellevue Collection!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Image Source Unknown
I don't know what the weather is like where you live, but here in Seattle, its raining, its pouring. The other day, someone mentioned to me that it was apparently the wettest March we've had in a few years. Siiiiiigh. The days of rain and clouds leave me longing for just a glimpse of the sun, but since I've probably got a little while to go before that happens here in Seattle, why not focus on the cute rainy weather attire available and of good use, this time of year?

First things first, even if you aren't properly attired for a downpour, you can stay dry with a cute umbrella. They say true Seattleites don't use umbrellas, but as a life-long resident, I will attest to this being completely false. But my thought is, if you're going to carry an umbrella, why not make it fun and interesting instead of boring old black? Here are some of my favorites...




Keep things bright and colorful on a gray day with the rainbow umbrella from Uncommon Goods, or take a whimsical turn with the birdcage umbrella from Lulu Guinness. A Burberry umbrella is always a classic choice and keeps basic black from being boring, and the polka dot option from Barney's signals a fun-loving kind of gal. My personal favorite is the Rain Rain Go Away clear umbrella from Felix Ray - how adorable is that? And finally, wish away the gray skies with blue skies under your umbrella from Uncommon Goods.

Next up, you're going to need a good pair of rain boots for stomping in the puddles this spring, so check these out:


Hunter rain boots are my absolute all-time favorite galoshes. These classic Wellie's, originally designed to be worn by the British Army during World War I, have become all the rage recently. For a fancy rain boot option, try the Jimmy Choo crocodile print Hunter boots - a fabulous combination of style and utility. The classic tall Hunter's are the ones I have in my closet, but I would love to add another pair in this bright purple color. Finally, go for an embellished look with the Regent Grosvenor pair with gold buttons and embossed black rubber.




How cute are these red and black high heeled rain boots from Kate Spade? Preppy chic! Gray days call for bright clothing and accessory choices to beat the blues, which is one of the reasons I love this Chooka yellow-polka-dot pair. Or, choose something with a little bit of a rocker edge with these studded Burberry rain boots.

But, if I had to choose one pair of rain boots for this spring season, it would be these Festival short Wellington's from Hunter. The bright color, the rocker feel - they are fabulous!



Finally, lets pick out some must-have trench coats to keep dry when the rain drops begin to fall.


Naturally, the go-to, top of the line trench coat is Burberry. I love the classic choices in black and tan twill. They are so classic, so refined, so elegant and so ladylike. What's not to love? This pale pink anorak from Emma Cook is another great choice to give you a fashionable forecast on a rainy day.



If you like to keep it interesting, why not opt for a leopard print trench like this one from Alice and Olivia? Or a sleek bright red choice with a flower embellishment from Lanvin - oh, and by the way, I will take one of each, please.

But the ultimate trench for me this spring has got to be this bright pink one from, of course, Burberry. Want it. Need it. Have to have it.

Happy spring showers everyone!
xoxo

Monday, April 4, 2011

For the Love of Shoes...

Or, shoe porn. Or, some of the most beautiful shoes I have ever seen in my life. These are some of my all time favorites. And with my ridiculous, over the top love for shoes, to narrow it down to these and say they are my favorites...well, that's something. As Ms. Carrie Bradshaw once put it..."Hello, Lover".

Christian Louboutin, www.net-a-porter.com
That color! Those bows...I dream of these shoes.



Miu Miu, www.net-a-porter.com
If it's got a ridiculously high heel and it sparkles or glitters, I will probably swoon over it.



Christian Louboutin, Source Unknown.
Can you imagine a more perfect wedding shoe? 


Brian Atwood, www.net-a-porter.com
The color, the studs, the clear plastic sides, the insane height, Brian Atwood is a genius.





Source and Designer Unknown
I don't know who made these shoes, but talk about diamonds on the soles of your feet. I DIE.
 



Lanvin, www.net-a-porter.com
I love the look of the rock-n-roll snakeskin with a soft ribbon ankle tie. Tough but sweet.

Matthew Williamson, www.net-a-porter.com
Can you say stylish and ultra-chic Alice in Wonderland?



Charlottle Olympia, www.net-a-porter.com
 These shoes are hot. The vibrant red and the crazy exposed platform, with the ruffled wing-like decoration on the back? Yowza.
 


MiuMiu, www.prettystuff.tumblr.com
This is the kind of heel that a klutz like me would absolutely break her ankle in, but the little cluster of jewels is just irresistible!



Stuart Weitzman, www.stylemepretty.com
 Hot pink, peep toe, platform pumps with diamante decorations - need I say more?



Christian Louboutin, www.trulyfantastic.tumblr.com
Look how sparkly!



Christian Louboutin, www.weddingsiluv.tumblr.com
The detailing on the back of this shoe has captured my heart. That, and the fact that its pink. Patent-leather pink. Drool.


Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Image of the Day

Ok, I am starting a new kind of "regular" post on the blog - a photo of the day. Just a collection of amazing images that have captured my heart, made me feel, or made me think. And I think, we will start with this one...

From www.fromme-toyou.tumblr.com
I love the perspective of this shot - the way it makes the buildings seem so massive, dwarfing everything below them and making the street seem so narrow, as if the buildings are towering over it in an imposing way. Plus, the one pop of bright yellow color from the taxi cab is a nice touch.

And because its the first one of these posts and I am having trouble making decisions tonight, I am going to show a few more!

From www.sunsurfer.tumblr.com
I don't know if this has been Photoshop-ed or not, it would be pretty amazing, if not. Check out the insane reflection of the sunset in the bubble. Real or fake?


From www.flickr.com
Simply because two of my dearest friends in the world are about to have their first babies - and this makes me think of them and the little miracles they are about to introduce to the world!


Source Unknown
Barefoot. Reminds me of summer - feeling the hot pavement or deck under bare feet, and I could use some of that this rainy week. Plus, there is something so graceful and elegant about her feet.

Quote of the Day

From www.samsanator.tumblr.com

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Style Icon: Olivia Palermo


One of my style icons is Olivia Palermo. Honestly, when she was on The City, I couldn't stand her - she made me crazy annoyed - all the time. But there is no denying, the girl has great style. I literally don't think I've ever seen her in something that hasn't made me swoon in total and utter fashion envy. Her style is so perfectly New York chic - lots of black, lots of well-tailored pieces, amazing bags and she even manages to combine pieces you would never think of together to make totally unique but wearable outfits. Not to mention, her hair. I would die for that hair.



I love the look on the right - all black and trendy, but with just a pop of white. I also love the tights under the shorts combination. Not sure I could pull it off, but its fierce! The look on the right is so ladylike and sophisticated and the belt is such the perfect finishing touch.



In the image on the left, I love that she is once again rocking the tights under shorts look. And that sweater - AHHHMAZING. The second outfit is so simple and really not anything fancy, but it looks great for a weekend walking around Soho shopping - and I love how her bags are always so structured. Finally, what is more chic than a white button down dress shirt? Combined with a big statement necklace and a pair of Wayfarers, you've got fashionable down, cold.



These three outfits, to me, are the perfect embodiment of casual, comfortable and chic. A blazer with skinny jeans is a great option for so many things - a date, a tweet-up, a meeting with clients, love it.



I love the idea of wearing shorts in a dressy way for an event. Paired with the booties, its a stylish way to do "going out" clothes in a different way, for a chance. And the green dress? Well, I just have a massive crush on that shade of green.



Again, lots of black, but it's definitely not boring! The short sleeve coat with a long sleeve shirt worn underneath it is a great idea and way to play with proportions - plus, Chanel flats? Win. Now if only I could pull of leather leggings...



There are plenty of pictures out there in the blogosphere of Olivia and her boyfriend, and although I am pretty sure they don't purposely coordinate their outfits, they also look in sync and their styles seem to complement each other. Love the ruffled jacket!



The look on the left is one of my all-time favorites. A vest, belted over a dress - I never would have thought to put those together, but it looks awesome. On the right, I love her skinny suit- she manages to make it look so feminine when it could look too masculine. Perfect tailoring and super high heels make it work.

Can't say I'm a fan of the girl on TV, but I am definitely a huge fan or her style and fashion choices.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Neon Pink Lips for Spring

One of my favorite makeup trends for Spring is the bright, neon pink lip - especially when its a matte neon pink lip. While I am not sure I could pull of this look myself, I love it none the less - its so fresh and vibrant! I might just have to try it after all.
Hot Pink Lips
Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow - Liquifuschia, $24