a LOOK

It seems I am in 3 different types of wardrobes these days:


1. Business Casual
2. Evenings & Occasions
3. Active Wear


Some of my best purchases this past year are the clothes I can wear to work and easily turn into something for the evening. With Spring season just around the corner this tends to get a bit more tricky as it’s easy in the Winter to wear a dress, tights and flats to work…then transition into a pair of heels and remove your sweater for your post 9-5 plans.

So I stumbled upon some 9-5 looks Nordstrom put together for spring and immediately am obsessing over this Trina Turk look at the moment.

Trina Turk- silk top, skirt & cardigan

It is the perfect punch for the spring. A great combo of a fun, flirty skirt and an easy cardigan you can remove if you’re heading to (Boat Basin) happy hour. It screams spring. LOVE LOVE.

how high is too high??

Do you ever put on a shoe in the morning that you just love and ask yourself, "Is this going to make me look like a hooker @ the office?" Well, this morning I went to put on a cute new pair of Cole Haan heels my Mom surprise mailed me (she is the BEST!!) and thought....hmmm maybe this should just strictly be a weekender shoe? How high is too high?

(my surprise shoe) Cole Haan- 'air veronica' sandal

In most cases I would ask my mom what is appropriate and what isn't (she works @ Nordstrom and is more fashion forward at times then I am!) but she is really more on the conservative side when it comes to what I wear to the office, so thus I felt I should do a little research and come up with my own opinion on this subject matter.

My conclusion: There really is no right answer to this question. Sorry to disappoint! Many different factors are involved so when it comes right down to it, ultimately you should go with your gut.

Example: I wore a shorter dress today; paired with the shoes I was planning to wear (above) not really right for my conservative office. However, if I wore the heels with cropped pants a cute top and a long blazer, I believe they would rock and be completely appropriate for my work environment. Consider what you're wearing, where you work and if it does in fact have the strong heel height (4" or higher) make sure it's still sophisticated.



bedding

I want new bedding and I want it now. Currently I am using sheets my mom gave me from the room I grew up in when we lived in Wisconsin, which I haven't called home in that great state for over 10 years now. I am also in need of a new crisp white duvet. Mine has seen better days. It has survived 2 years @ 57 park, it has made it through my 1st year and 1/2 in Manhattan, but really it's time for it to go.

FACT. I love bed. I am the furthest thing from a morning person, cough cough "steger bear" and getting new bedding is going to be a very serious endeavor...this is not a joke...honestly I LOVE BED. My friends call my bed "the cloud". It is probably the most comfortable thing ever and I plan for it to stay that way.

MY OPINIONS. Go with a duvet. It makes your bed 100 % more comfortable. Make sure to invest in a feather bed...you won't hate it. Layer with lots of blankets of different textures/fabric. And lastly, the more pillows the better.

Soooo, thus I find myself obsessing over West Elm. A store I have discovered since moving into the city and stumble into when I make my trips down to Lincoln Center.

Here are a few potentials...

West Elm- eyelet duvet cover + shams

West Elm- maroc embroidered duvet + shams

West Elm- organic matelasse duvet cover + shams

for Japan with LOVE

Watching the news right now is incredibly upsetting. It puts life into perspective when you sit and really take in what is going on over in Japan. Right now immediate help needs to go to those who have survived the terrible earthquake and tsunami. Join me in helping those who need it the most by making any size donation to ShelterBox, an organization who provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most.

Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

This Friday, March 18th,

my blog will be silent as in no posts in honor and respect for 

what has happened in Japan.

TRANSITION

My friend Taylor suggested today's post. She told me she was struggling all week to get dressed for work because of the transition in seasons. I for one feel the same way...so I am hoping this is helpful to many of you! It's not quite spring yet, but we have definitely left the winter season behind us. (And yes...I know it might snow in NYC tomorrow and I am choosing to ignore that little fact of life.)

So here are some great buys that I think are KEY for these next few weeks to get you styling for your 9-5.

A cropped pant is perfect for right now. Leaving the full length fit behind, you can feel the warmer season is just around the corner. You can also wear these throughout winter with tall boots! VERY versatile. JCrew- minnie pant

Another key item is the right outerwear. Please please put away your wool peacoats and puffy winter jackets and find a perfect piece which you can layer. 

Layer into spring a look that is either long or short.

Free People- military jacket and MARC New York- Drawstring Cotton Parka


Lastly, a pop of color. This can be accomplished in numerous ways...my top 5: (in no particular order)

1. work bag 2. lip color 

3. color blocking 4. neon

  

5. skinny, wide and boldly hued stripes

Pick up this month's Bazaar for even more GREAT tips! Carry these looks into the upcoming season and try not to get too depressed sitting behind your desk when the sun is out and about. I find it always easier to work during the winter months....

splurge

As April 15th approaches you should be looking forward to that wonderful tax return hitting your bank account...because you know I am. So what are you doing with your extra cash? I am saving some, as another European adventure will be happening again next year, and I have had my eye on this Caja necklace for a while now. It is an updated version of the "Carrie". (For those of you who are obsessed with Sex and the City and know exactly what I am talking about!) It's def not on the cheap side, so here is my splurge for the year!

Caja Jewelry- custom nameplate gold



another thing for spring: oxfords

My love for oxfords continues into the spring. I picked out a pair in my very first blog post on v-salt and fell in love with the style when I found them. Since the post my love for many other oxfords has flourished. Here are a few I want to try for the upcoming SPRING season....


AND holy cow NYC is 72 degrees tomorrow....just FYI.

Steve Madden- 'trouser' laceless oxford and Jeffrey Campbell- 'miller' oxford

 

Aldo- mcgrue in ice and Zara- stretch lace-up's



TREND WATCH: spain

A few looks I saw in Spain and WILL embrace!

denim shorts and tights - as seen on Katie Holmes, Nicole Richie and Milla Jovovich

hair accessories - as seen on Kate Middleton

fun, bright scarves - Tolani- scarves

over the knee boot - Halogen- 'valor' boot

i'm back!!

I can't even explain to you what an amazing adventure my friends and I had in Spain. It was a flawless trip consisting of tons of great food, drinks, carnavals and new friends. 11 days later and a little poorer...I'm back!!

As much as I loved Spain it is great to be back in a routine, back in the big apple and back to my own bed! I will miss MG...she planned an amazing trip! Kudos.

I loved creeping on everyone's style in Spain. My friend Mary rocked jean shorts and black or gray stockings HARD. Everyone wears fabulous boots and the accessories are fun, vibrant and bold! A store we have in the states, Zara, is unreal in Spain. We hit up many, but I finally took advantage of the 4 floored store in Oviedo. Here are my favorite purchases...

Zara- striped top and Zara- vintage shoulder bag

Zara- wide strap platform sandal and Zara- checked shirt

Spain Hiatus

I ran into Aldo this morning and bought one more thing for my adventure.
(Not last minute or anything!)

Aldo- aeillo sneaker

Just another purchase to add to my already overstuffed suitcase! I can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning in Madrid!

Thus I hate to do this, but I am leaving the blog universe until my return to the US of A. I can't even describe to you how excited I am because not only do I get to see MG, but I get to experience a country I have never been to. I am going to eat my way through the south of Spain, experience one of the best Carnival celebrations in the country and eventually make my way north. I will continue to love life in Oviedo, where my best friend has been living for two years. MG is Spain really ready for this OWU reunion? Do they know there is a Hot Dog suit packed?
So see yaaaa later tap water, free refills, and Chipotle.

Adios Amigos!

Airplane Essentials!

Tomorrow night is take off...here is what I'll need to make it through my flight to Spain...

Book Club Book- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Swedish Fish

Neutrogena- night calming makeup remover cleansing towelettes and Apple- Ipod Touch

Purell- instant hand sanitizer and Brookstone- NAP travel flight kit

Palmer's- cocoa butter formula lip balm and Hot Sox

Nordstrom- tissue weight cashmere wrap and Bazaar- usa march 2011 issue