Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Push It

Hey, Did You Hear...

Mindy Kaling visited the Vogue closet - Vogue

Kristen Stewart has gone cowgirl in her ads for Chanel - Fashionista

Neiman Marcus may be coming to NYC - Refinery 29

You have to dress nicely if you want good service in lux stores - Fashionista

Another great brand in the H&M family is coming to the U.S. - Racked NY 

Happy Saturday!!

Thursday Night Cocktail: Spring Fling

Recipe and Image via Absolut

Ingredients

4 Parts Tequila
2 Parts Orange Juice
2 Parts Pineapple Juice
1 Part Triple Sec
1 Slice Lime

 

Directions

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lime.

 

Cheers! Please God let there be no more snow this year!

Keds for Kate Spade

I got an email this morning from Kate Spade that brought me right back to my childhood. Keds! When I was growing up my favorite summer shoes were white Keds slip-ons. 

These to be exact:

Champion Slip On

Street Chic: Erica Pelosini

The first thing that drew me to Erica Pelosini, a Vogue contributor/editor, was the fact that she is teeny tiny. The reason that stood out to me is because I am a petite girl myself (5' 1''). When you find yourself having to take six inches off the bottom of designer pants it's always inspiring to see short girls pulling off the designer looks that are usually reserved for longer legs.

I know that everything can be hemmed and altered to fit, but some clothes just don't work when you're under 5'5''. So how do I determine what fashion trends and styles would work for me? I see what my favorite petite fashionista's are wearing, and I will most definitely be adding Pelosini to my watch list.

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: They Told Me I Couldn't

Hey, Did You Hear...

Cathy Horyn's moving tribute to her friend L'Wren Scott - New York Times

Kim Kardashian finally landed the cover of Vogue...and the Twitter reaction was hilarious - Fashionista

Kate Upton is the new face of Bobbi Brown - Fashion Foie Gras

Reese Witherspoon is starting a lifestyle brand - USA Today

L'Wren Scott's business was not in trouble at the time of her death - Vogue

Tory Burch Private Sale

Tory Burch is having a private sale and they have plenty of great things that are perfect for spring at a big discount. These are my top picks from the sale.

Jessie Dress

Spring Fun in Boston

Happy first day of spring! 

The first half of March has felt more like January, but we've had a good start to spring with some much needed sun here in Boston. I feel like the cold weather has kept me cooped up inside all winter long and I can't wait to get out and start enjoying the city again.

These are the spring things that I'm looking forward to most here in Boston.

Watching the Red Sox play at Fenway. Buy single game tickets here.

Thursday Night Cocktail: Gatsby 7

Image and recipe from The LCL Bar & Kitchen via Town and Country

Ingredients 

.5 oz lime

.5 oz Simple Syrup

1.5 oz Apple juice

.5 oz Apple brandy

1.5 oz gin

Directions

Shake, pour into a Collins glass over ice, top with soda.

Cheers!

Discovered by J. Crew

I was perusing J. Crew online yesterday in search of some spring sandals when I noticed a tab under features called Discovered. It turns out that this "new" offering debuted way back in August and I just wasn't aware of it. For anyone else that missed the J. Crew Discovered boat, it's a special collection that features unique, limited edition clothing, accessories, makeup and even stationery. It would remind you of an online sample sale in the sense that quantities are limited and things sell out quickly, but the collection is very well-thought out and fairly cohesive. 

I think the concept is great because it gives them an opportunity to reach shoppers that are looking for more unique, one of a kind-type items that they won't find other places. I love J. Crew and I think their designs are great, but some people automatically shy away from them because of the fact that so many other people will own the exact same thing. Their Discovered collection is most definitely a departure from the mass-market clothing and accessories business. 

These are some of the pieces that caught my eye.

Women 

Varsity Jacket

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

Kate Spade is having a surprise sale on lots of great accessories that are perfect for pre-wedding event outfits for the bride, bridesmaids and guests. Time to stock up, wedding season is just around the corner.

Happy Shopping!

 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: An Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Anatomy of a Stacked Wrist

Why wear one bracelet when you can wear a whole armful. A well-stacked wrist is made up of a mix of sizes, colors, widths and textures. I'm a yellow gold girl when it comes to my bracelets and watches, so I chose to use gold pieces in this post, but silver or rose gold stacks look great, too.

You can wear as many bracelets are your arm can hold, but these pieces are great to start with.

Hey, Did You Hear...

Sarah Jessica Parker answered 73 questions at her Vogue video interview - Vogue 

Fashion and celeb photographer Terry Richardson has been accused of even more sexual misconduct - Refinery 29

This is a must read! -- 26 Fashion Hacks Every Woman Should Know - Who What Wear

The New York Times has rounded out their fashion team - New York Times

Marie Claire has debuted a "Pop-Up Magazine" - Fashionista

Happy Saturday!

Thursday Night Cocktail: Latte with Baileys & Orange

Despite it being March, the weather today here in Boston feels like January. Looks like I have one last opportunity to feature a warm drink for Thursday Night Cocktail. 

Chanel Dror, the managing editor of Camille Styles, did a post last month on espresso with Baileys and a hint of orange. I'm not even a latte drinker and it looked amazing to me.

Recipe and Photo via Camille Styles

Ingredients

1 shot espresso

cold skim milk

Bailey’s Irish Cream

orange extract

ground coffee and orange zest for garnish

Directions

In a milk frother or steamer, combine 1 part milk with 1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream. Froth until combination reaches a foamy consistency.

While milk combination is frothing, add 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract to espresso shot.

In a large mug, pour froth over orange-infused espresso shot.

Garnish with freshly ground coffee beans and twist of orange zest.

Cheers! Here's hoping spring comes soon!

Fun St. Patrick's Day Recipe Ideas

St. Patrick's Day is less than a week away, but that's still plenty of time to put together a little party for your Irish (or not Irish!) friends. Things like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie and Irish stew are always popular St. Patrick's Day recipes, but this menu is more geared for a cocktails and hors d'oeuvres soiree rather than a full meal.

Street Chic: Daisy Lowe

Daisy Lowe has been on the international fashion scene for a long time, but it only just recently occurred to me to include her in a Street Chic post. I kept seeing the same picture of her last month during London Fashion Week and I kept going back to what she had on. It was a gingham shirt tied up in a knot and a pair of high-waisted light-colored skinny jeans topped off with spike heeled pumps and cat eye sunglasses. It was very 1950's glam, but just slightly undone. It wasn't something I would have thought to wear myself but still, I loved it.

Shopping Locally with Boutikey & Pretty Reckless

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a local Boston company that recently launched a shopping app called Boutikey. Being the shopaholic that I am, I jumped at the chance to review the app for two reasons: one, it gives me discounts when I shop, and two, it helps connect local buyers to local retailers.

  The app is designed to make shopping at your favorite local boutiques and shops easier and more rewarding (literally!). 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Salvador Dali

Hey, Did You Hear...

Anna Wintour sat in the second row at the Valentino show - New York Magazine

Find out what's next for Janie Bryant after Mad Men - Fashionista

Even interior designers love a bargain - Refinery 29

Vogue has collected the best street style looks from the Fall 2014 shows -Vogue

The Cynthia Rowley Boutique on Newbury Street

A few weeks back Marissa, the blogger behind The Well-Appointed Catwalk, was kind enough to invite me to her shopping event at the Cynthia Rowley boutique on Newbury Street. I had never visited one of Cynthia Rowley's boutique's, so I was thrilled to get the chance to check out the shop and try on some cute outfits.

Paris Fashion Week Fall 2014: Top Picks from Days Seven & Eight

We've made it to the end of Fashion Month, and what a month it's been! I think the Fall 2014 shows are going to me known as The Coat Collections. I saw so many beautiful winter coats in every style, fabric and color. Isn't it great when style can also be functional?

My favorite collection from last few shows was definitely Valentino, but the look book from Zuhair Murad was a very close second. Check out the rest of my top picks from days seven and eight.

Valentino

Valentino

Thursday Night Cocktail: Rose & Raspberry Cocktail

Recipe & Image via Luci's Morsels

Makes four drinks

Ingredients

1 bottle rosé wine, chilled

2 cans (24 ounces) lemon lime soda, chilled

raspberries

1 lemon, juiced

sugar

Directions

Place lemon juice in small bowl and the sugar on a shallow plate. Dip rim of glass in lemon juice and then into the sugar and repeat for each glass. 

Place raspberries in bottom of each glass. Fill one-quarter to one-third glass with lemon-lime soda. Fill glass with rosé wine.

Cheers!!

Paris Fashion Week Fall 2014: Top Picks for Days Four, Five & Six

My favorite collection from the last few days has definitely been Saint Laurent. I love the mod feel with adorable suits, short hemlines and boots. It is a very youthful collection that I think we'll be super appealing to the younger shopper.

I was slightly disappointed that some of the shows I was looking forward didn't quite live up to my hyped expectation. None of the collections were bad by any means, but I found myself not loving collections from designers that I'm usually head over heels for. On the upside, I did discover some other designers whose collections I really loved, like Martin Grant and Nicolas Andreas Taralis. 

These are my top picks from the past several days:

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent

Street Chic: Fall 2014 Paris Fashion Week

It's the last Street Chic post of the Fall 2014 shows! I have been so enjoying the street style from fashion month, as it really goes back to where "street style" all started. The looks from the ladies in Paris have, overall, been classic, chic and elegant, which is just as it should be in the French capital. These are my favorite looks from the week so far:

Oscars 2014: Best Dressed at the After Parties

 The dresses don't stop after the awards are handed out! There were some amazing looks at the Oscar after-parties, particularly at Graydon Carter's Vanity Fair soiree. These are my picks for the best dressed ladies:

 Paula Patton

Sienna Miller

Oscars 2014: Best of the Red Carpet

I have to say that I was blown away by the looks on the red carpet tonight. All awards season long I have been slightly disappointed by the lack of "wow" dresses, but that couldn't be further from the truth tonight. These are my top picks from the ladies:

Cate Blanchett in Georgio Armani

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Commitment

China Patterns for Spring

Spring is (hopefully!) just around the corner, and if you've been using your favorite holiday or winter themed dishes, it's officially time to make the switch. Yes, I know that many people choose to use one set of china all year round (my mother is quite faithful to her Wedgewood Nantucket Basket pattern), but some like to freshen up their table by switching patterns with the change of seasons. 

I know that if I had the cabinet space (and the budget), I would own half a dozen sets of china so that I could match them to my mood or party theme. These are some of my favorite patterns for spring that would be perfect to pull out for Easter, Mother's Day and any old time when you feel like dressing up your dinner table. 

Floral

Hey, Did You Hear...

Vogue Paris and Printemps teamed up to create a fabulous cafe for Paris Fashion Week  - Olivia Palermo

Sarah Jessica Parker's shoe line has arrived at Nordstrom - USA Today

Georgio Armani is angry at Anna Wintour for skipping his show - The Telegraph

Looking ahead to Graydon Carter's post-Oscar's party - New York Times

Meet the sylists dressing the Oscar nominees - Vogue 

Happy Saturday!!