Friday's Fancies: Spring Must-Haves

I can't believe it's Friday again - with yet ANOTHER snow day and my boss being out of the office, the week flew by. I'm not complaining, though - it was really nice to be busy enough to not mind that the boy left me alone for 10 days while he jetted off to Brazil for a "school trip". Sometimes, MBA students have the life, seriously.

While he is off in warmer climates and I am trying not to let my seasonal depression get the best of me, I've been lusting after quite a few new spring/summer necessities. Here are a few items I'm dying to add to my closet to fill some gaps.

Panama Hat / Rebecca Minkoff Ankle Strap Sandals / Madewell Leather Satchel / White Tweed Jacket

Celine Sunnies / Sperry Woven Topsiders / Michael Kors Luggage Tote / Madewell Chambray 

J.Crew Scarf / Tory Burch Sandals / Michael Kors Ankle Strap Wedge / Kate Spade Wicker Tote

Tory Burch Wallet / Sam Edelman Scalloped Flat / Tory Burch Dome Tote / J.Crew Scalloped Shift / J.Crew Dress

I may or may not have scooped up the scalloped dress and the chambray shirt last night (after two years of searching, I FINALLY found the perfect fit in a chambray - about time!). I'm going to need to pick up the panama hat soon (countdown to Hawaii, 2 months!) and I've been on the hunt for a feminine tweed jacket to throw over some of my knit dresses to give them a little more formality (and warmth). At $70, this might be the answer - and I love that it's a little edgier than a traditional lady jacket!

I can't wait until it gets warm enough for open-toed shoes (how amazing is the cutout detail on those Tory sandals?!), but in the meantime, I recently realized that I do not own any nude flats. Nude leader + scallop + bow = sold.

What are your spring must-haves? There's plenty more spring prettiness going on over at {long distance loving}!

Currently Coveting: J.Crew Spring 2013 Arrivals

Hide ya kids, hide ya wallet…

J.Crew’s long-awaited spring arrivals hit the web yesterday morning, and I have been drooling ever since. That one little email in my inbox legitimately made my entire day (rain, stomach ache, stressful phone interview and all). Call it what you want (shopping addiction, unhealthy brand obsession – judge me), this collection is just perfection.

I found myself clipping literally every other item, so I figured putting them all into boards would organize my lusts and let me stare at the prettiness all at once instead of flipping endless from tab to tab in Chrome…all day. 

Like I said…every other item had me drooling. The tipped oxford, peter pan collar stripe sweater, and pleated shorts WILL be mine.

Killing it with the jewelry, per usual. And I die over contrast leather ANYTHING. That tote might have to happen.

I have never been hugely into J.Crew’s shoes. I always like them enough, but not enough to drop $200+ on them…until now. I mean, the flats have me ready to spend $150+..on multiple pairs. How could I ever choose between scallops, seersucker and sailor knots? 

Are you as crazed over the new arrivals, or do I just have a TERRIBLE case of spring fever? 

Techie Thursday: iPhone 5

My new iPhone 5 arrived in the mail today and I could not have been more excited for this shipment. My iPhone 4 (not 4s) was getting more and more senile by the day; I had gotten use to my Home button not functioning (annoying), but its overall sluggishness - ie taking 30 seconds to load a new text message when unlocked - was insufferable.

And, okay, if we're being honest - I was really sick of having a black phone and had been dying for the white ever since Apple released it for Verizon about 4 months after I upgraded.

And of course, like the good little consumer I am, the thing I'm most excited about is updating my case.

I've been rotating between two monogrammed cases from Etsy for the last two years, and I'm not sure I'm ready to fully give up the monogram, but it's time for something a little different too. I've been loving a lot of prints and photography from Society 6 recently (how adorable are those macarons?) but I am still stuck on the idea of special overspecialization. Below are a few of my faves lately:

Confetti | Pink Diamonds | Herringbone | Nautical Stripe

Gold Glitter | XO Phone | Macarons | Tortoise | Green Speckled

Gold & Navy Stripe (SWOON) | Glitter Flag | Multi Glitter | Ombre Gold Glitter

I think I'm going to go with the confetti dots in a custom blush with gold dots and black initials, but I might not be able to resist adding the tortoise and the navy & gold strip to my collection...

What kind of iPhone covers do you go for? Which one is your fave?

Wednesday Wants: Gold, Glass & Dots

wednesday wishlist 10.31 by collectingsparks featuring gorjana

J.Crew ballet flat / Flat shoes / Kate Spade tote handbag / Gorjana / GLAMOURPUSS / Beauty product / Almoco Flatware (5-Piece Setting) / Marc Blackwell Southern Hemisphere Double Old Fashioned Glass / Votive Cups - Set of 12 / Beaded Pumpkins & Gourds / Gold Athena Tray / Kamal Snow Dots Dinnerware / Kamal Snow Dots Dinnerware / THE SEDGEWICK / Split-A-Wish Jewelry Holder

I don't know if it's the holiday (and I'm not dressed up), my early Christmas cheer, or being locked up in my apartment for three days while the power at work has been out, but on this spooky, gray and cloudy Hallow's Eve, I'm craving glam. 

These gold, glass, polka-dotty luxe fancies are just the beginning of my growing birthday/Christmas list (I'm one of those (un)fortunate December babies). And yes, I've already started my list.

What are you craving lately?

Tuesday Tuneday: Currently Spinning

Most people that know me well would tell you that I have a lot of obsessions. Many of them are fleeting (snake print, neon peach, gold skulls) and some are lifelong (nail polish, stripes, Orbit Sweet Mint gum) – and music is no exception.

I go through crazy phases with certain bands, albums, or even a singular track that I will listen to in repeat for 5 days straight (most recently, Rihanna – Diamonds, but one of my worst attacks of all time was with Jose Gonzalez’s cover of Heartbeats; basically single-rotation for all of winter 2006).

I (unfortunately for my wallet) have the same problem with shopping, whether it be clothing, housewares, beauty products, etc, I’ll get reaaaally into nauticalia for a few weeks and all of a sudden decide that I actually want my living room to be Hollywood Glamour instead (sound schizophrenic? It’s possible…).

Here’s a peek at what I can’t get out of my mind lately:

Juvenile Schmuvenile

A very mature title for a very mature post.

As the move-in date gets closer and closer, I have (almost) abandoned my clothes shopping fetish (sorry, fall collections) for all things interiors. And while looking at lovely rugs, couches, lamps, mirror...you name it - is exciting and I have 893405689340 different plans for our new place in my head, the reality is: furniture/decor is more expensive AND more permanent than a pair of heels (for me, anyway).

So I'm being forced to make more thought-through and carefully planned decisions about the our soon-to-be home, many of which unfortunately revolve around my (sad) financial situation. The absolutely #1 on my list for the new place is a rug. The one in my current apartment is not only not mine, but it is high-pile and therefore perpetually disgusting, no matter how much vacuuming I do.

I've been lusting after Jill Rosenwald rugs for MONTHS now, but they are pricey, even when they're on sale. I just know that I need a low-pile or dhurrie to complete a few of our (all hardwood) rooms, but purchasing multiples is out of the question.

Enter Land of Nod. Yes, it's a children's decor store. Am I embarassed? You tell me if I should be after you see these prices.

I mean, right? The rugs are gorgeous - and of course I stumbled upon equally amazing accents like that nautical curtain panel and adorable finial. They'd be perfect with that navy chevron rug in the nautically-inspired office I've created in my head (to appease the male half of my living situation). Don't even get me started on that gold hex lamp. $69, bam. I've paid more for lamps at Target.

So tell me: are there really children out there with impeccable taste? Or did is this an amazing hidden gem for adult accents? 

...or am I an 8 year old stuck in a 26 year old's body trying to decorate a Boston apartment? Really, judge me. I need it.

Cohabitation Creation

I just realized (okay, I am actually counting down) that in just a month and 10 days, I will be in the process of hauling ALL of my crap (and loved items, of course) into a big empty apartment...and the boy will be doing the same. Luckily, he probably has less than 50% of what I'm going to be hauling around, but like I mentioned before, his current setup has no defined style whatsoever, and my current place was shared with a roommate and I invested very little into styling my place (aside from my bedroom) once I knew that the boy and I were "in it for the long haul," as they say.

All of this comes down to two things: 1. this move-in is a huge (and my first) opportunity to really decorate a space to my taste, and this freedom is the biggest motivation behind my spending freeze, BUT, 2. I have NO idea how to style for men's tastes - I can't pick out his outfits without making him look at best, bisexual, let alone create entire living space that doesn't scream "single 20-something  fashionista."

I want the space to have a defined style, but I am seriously struggling to curb my tastes and instincts to be less uber femme. I am fairly preppy by nature (I have had multiple people tell me in the last few months that I am the preppiest person they know...seems like a gross overexaggeration to me, but whatever), and I think prep often has a girly feel. So that said, I am thinking the best way to tone down the Lilly/Kate Spade/Trina Turk color splash extravaganza, I might try to steer in a more nautical direction; pun 100% intended.

Regardless, I can dream, right? I have been a complete click monster on every One Kings Lane and Joss & Main email I get. I'm literally making some marketers day by shooting up their click through rates on every. single. promo. Here are a few things at the top of my wish list for the new place:

I love a good nailhead trim headboard - and definitely makes the cut for masculinity, no?

Okay, so maybe a little girly, but less than the light pink option. I've been dying to add a pouf to my living room setup, eventually as a footstool for a fun patterned accent chair (preferably wingback, thank you very much!)

I know this is a pricey option, but I am DYING for this Society Social bar cart in our massive living space (and to style it up-but more on that later). 

But on that note - I am a total toroise whore and am dying for these Design Darling tumblers.

I do need to decide on a coffee table before I can make this investment, but a laquer tray is CRUCIAL. I'm obsessed with iomoi's patterns, but definitely can't afford them. I guess it will be more worth it when our initials are finalized (yeah yeah, getting too surrious over here) but I dream of this:

Brown popped with orange is stylish, but manly enough for a living space, no? My couch is a cocoa brown suede, so I'm thinking this pallette might be the way to go, in spite of my intense draw to nauticalia (damn myself for not going with a lighter couch!).

Speaking of initials, I am in love with these S&P shakers but I fully realize that this is an impractical purchase pre-nuptials (and pre engagement...I mean, who am I kidding?!)

On a more practical note, I am definitely planning an investment in a pair of these Design Darling topiaries to spruce up my black lacquer entry table in the new place. They're not too femme coupled with a tray for keys, a few candles and a gold mirror hanging above, right?

What are you rules for boy-friendly decorating? I'm clearly in need of some help!

J.Crew-splosion

I have literally been dreaming of this day for at least a month now - so much so that it has become a nightmare amidst my spending freeze: J.Crew's Fall '12 line. It's here. And it's armed and dangerous.

It's no secret that I am obsessed with J.Crew (here, here, here...and it goes on) - and I have been simultaneously yearning for and terrified of this batch of new arrivals. I knew it would bring a HUGE amount of  temptation to splurge; autumn is my absolute favorite season, and no one ever does it better than J.Crew, so I anxiously awaited the impending doom. Seriously, I was ready to lock myself in a closet and mail my credit card to my mom to keep me from spending.

Now that it's here - as much as it pains me to say this - I'm okay. Which roughly translates to: "entirely underwhelmed." I always look to J.Crew to create those items that scream FALL to me and conjure memories of apple picking, cider, cool nights, and turning leaves (cheesy, I know, but I'm am idealist) - and I am finding almost none of that with the new arrivals. Disappointment for me, victory for my bank account. I guess you need to lose to win.

Let's go through the good and the bad, shall we?

LOVES (most of these I do LIKE but there's something not quite right....):

Mint, sequin, amaze. I would honestly wear this in any season - and for that, $138 doesn't seem SOO unreasonable.

Perfectly on-trend, a great "replacement" for those Zara pumps I can't find anywhere, pretty much all-season  appropriate. If only I could justify $250 on shoes.

Per usual, they are completely on-point with their jewelry...BUT, I don't see myself braving a sunny, bright yellow in the fall.

I need this field coat. Like, NEED - it's so autumn-y and delish. Oh wait, this is actually Barbour - 1/2 point, for taste, I guess. 

Navy and white with a hint of red stripe shift dress in silk? Easy win over me, but it would take the right accessories to make this a fall pick. Points for being a transitional piece.

Even though this dress is a neonish mint, it SCREAMS Betty Draper to me, and therefore I love it, regardless. Even at $300...

I tried on harem pants just like these at Zara back in May and haven't stopped thinking about them since. Super impractical, but I still love.

Herringbone is always fall-approved.

THE UGLY:

Just kidding - jewelry fail. Why? Kate Spade made their gumdrop studs almost a year ago - and they are about 100% cuter and look much more expensive...even though they're cheaper. Anyone who pays $45 for these is out of their mind.

I always look forward to fall pencil skits and the color palette they go with, but these are so...underwhelming. Too bright and/or boring.

If there's one item that says "fall" best, it's cords. Tucked into riding boots, with a cute pair of flats, you name it. J.Crew's cords are always perfection with the right mix of forest greens, rusty oranges, muted blues - the pallette of these Matchsticks makes my heart cry.

These are all adorable and the colors are on-point. Next time, use these in non-cashmere sweaters so I can afford them? Thanks.

This blouse has become one of my all-time favorites - they are so easy to wear, but totally polished. Literally none of these Blythe colors read like fall to me, and therefore, worth zero of my money.

Don't get me wrong, I love this blouse. But when the Equipment version is only $8 more, there's no way I'm spending $250 on this. Sorry, JJ.

LOVE this tee - remind me why this wasn't released last month? Or at the beginning of summer, for that matter?

What did you think of J.Crew's newest?

PS: The Fall Collection lookbook hit the nail on the head for me - the pallette is rich and warming, there are nods to winter, and it's prep thrown together with nods of current trends and high fashion. I really can't decide why  they couldn't do that for us commonfolk.Rude.

Currently Coveting: Bing Bang Jewelry

I'll be the first to admit I'm late to the game on this one. I actually kind of ignored the Bing Bang Designer Pop Up Shop on BaubleBar when I first saw it, but something about the arm stack on Jacey (of Damsel in Dior) caught my eye. I'm totally crushin'.

I love the hint of edge that all of their pieces have – and more that it’s not too in-your-face. As much as I like to think that I am edgy and fierce, I wear Jack Rogers 5 out of 7 days a week, my wardrobe is 90% J.Crew, and my go-to jewelry is modest studs, DY rings and bracelets, and a monogrammed ring – basically the polar opposite of fierce.

What I love about Bing Bang’s designs comes down to the wearability of them – for me, they have just enough gothy-ness (coined it!) while also staying delicate and feminine – so I’m convinced I could pull them off. I’ve actually been dying to add some skulls and spikes to my jewelry routine (to get back to my high school emo roots…more on that later), but I’ve been shying away from it, convinced I can’t make it work with my wardrobe.

To really seal the deal, their baubles are super affordable - around $30 for studs, and the posts are sterling (I am super lazy and sleep in my earrings so this is essential for my sensitive skin), and the bangles are not entirely out of reach for something so versatile.

Now I just have to wait out my spending freeze (KILLER – I am almost crying at my desk unable to scoop up the ShoeMint Lambert’s I have been dying over since April that are no on sale for $50) until September so I can add some of these lovelies to my jewelry box. 

Love at first sight when I saw this on Jacey.

Adorable crosses.

This ring is so dainty and fierce at the same time.

Nautical love, obviously.

Sometimes I'm not sure I can pull off the skull trend (hilarious when I think about how many skulls, guns, bleeding hearts, etc etc I wore in high school), but these are just enough edge.

 

The perfect gold baby spikes.

Absolutely love the idea of these feather hoops wrapping around my earlobe. 

 Tiny gold clovers are the perfect homage to my Irish heritage (and my current residency in uber-Irish Southie).

Which Bing Bang cuties are your favorite?

Dress Decisions

I'm super into dresses lately.

I realize that's somewhat of a strange thing to say - because really, what's so out of the ordinary about a dress? I'll tell ya.

For me, working in a casual office environment, and more times than not feeling tired and unmotivated when I wake up, I wear jeans and some sort of tee, sweater, blouse, whathaveyou - pretty much every day. It's easy, comfortable, and...easy. Throw on some jewelry and you're good to go.

That said - at least 75% of my recent purchases have been dresses. Who knew they were so easy and comfy? Just one piece and you're done. Maybe I have finally gotten over my fear of forgetting to cross my legs, or maybe I finally decided I don't like having something tight/denim-y wrapped around my legs at all times. The latter being much more likely as I've been eating/drinking like crazy and probably packing on the pounds - but hey, guess what? A dress can fix that.

Enter my dilemma of the moment. #1, I am very, very poor right now. I blame it on my (twin) sisters have a birthday in the same month of my boyfriend and Father's Day (which are coincidentally the same day), and just summer spending in general. #2, as much as I love a good dress, and you can definitely accessorize them for different looks, it really is just one outfit - and I've always been one of those people that obsessively clocks time between wearing certain pieces so that I wait long enough.

So, now that I am head-over-heels in lust for TWO dresses, I clearly can't justify buying both. What's it gonna be?

I mean, it's chevhttp://rstyle.me/huswe7neu6ron. And maxi. And insanely comfortable jersey. 

OR

Adorable, lemon yellow striped skater dress. Super flattering structure on this, and I basically want to eat it. Oh yeah, and it's on sale.

Which would you choose? I'm in dire need of a second (and third, fourth fifth...) opinion!

Currently Coveting: Monograms (all day, e'ry day)

I have always been one to love a monogram.

Okay, that's a lie - when I was in my emo teenage years, I "despised" them and I had to physically force myself away from my ever-preppy sensibilities in rebellion (mostly against my parents). That said, you can find me in photos sporting a Dashboard Confessional t-shirt with shorts and a pair of Jack Rogers, so you tell me how successful that endeavor actually was...

Anyway, flash forward 8 years (heart stopped for a second after calculating that one...) and I am as in love with monograms as ever. I want to put them on everything (excessive) and am basically as insta-hooked on them as I am with anything and everything striped (which is saying a lot).

Here are some of my recent faves

:

(clockwise from top left): Pottery Barn Julep Candle Pots | Pottery Barn Weekender Duffle | Lampshade | Throw Pillow (only $75 and totally customizable) | Notepad Stack (via Etsy; so many colors and combos!) | Jack Rogers Sandals | PB Doormat | J.Crew Rail and Wharf 48-Hour Duffle (loving the diamond mono) | Monogrammed Glass Cutting Board (also totally customizable on Etsy) | Jennifer Zeuner Initial Ring (wear mine EVERY day)  | Plum Street Prints Links iPhone Case | Pottery Barn Glass Canisters (adorable for bathroom essentials) | Leotine Rayford Linens (in my dreams - these are a great alternative)

Totally excessive, and yet completely necessary? Yep, I thought so too.

Currently Coveting: Piperlime Edition

I have always thought of Piperlime as a source for shoe shopping, and I am a pretty faithful endless.com customer (for their service and selection), so the buck stopped there.

Recently, I stumbled upon these jeans, sourced from Piperlime, and that was all, folks. I got sucked into browsing and I'm a total convert. They have so many fun options that you don't find everywhere else online, a lot of it is super budget friendly, but still (at least seems) very well-made.

I've needed a good, quality (NOT F21, though I still adore you) alternative to J.Crew for my recent blouse addiction (aka trying to not look 12 years old) and I think I've found it (the prices are even better!). Don't even get me started on how clutch the Olivia Palermo, Rachel Zoe and Rachel Bilson picks sections are. Talk about perfect marketing/easy (wallet draining) inspiration...

Here are MY current picks (because you obviously care as much about them as Rachel Zoe's...).

1. Animal Ruched Blouse (can you say most flattering shape ever?) | 2. Polka Dot Blouse | 3. Lace Shift Blouse | 4. Roberta Roller Rabbit Kurata | 5.  Trina Turk Chara Silk Dress | 6. 7 for all Mankind Crop Skinny Jeans | 7. Leopard Print Blouse (this WILL come home to live with me - it's the perfect subtle leopard print) |  8. Pleated Front Blouse (still in love with this vermillion hue - plus chevron nod)

Currently Coveting

I am FINALLY getting around to starting this series that I have had on my to do list for months: Currently Coveting. If you've seen my Pinterest, you know that I use it more like a wishlist than for browsing for inspiration - and it was quite frankly getting out of control.

If for nothing else, this series is to help me organize the list of all of the things that are threatening to plague my credit card bill (and that list of MANY grows daily). So with that - here are the things I just can't get out of my head this week...

1.  Marley Lilly Monogram Ring | 2. TOMS Crochet Classic (will be my first!) | 3. Michael Kors Tortoise Chain Watch | 4. Chevron Shift Dress (confession: this is in the mail!) | 6. Tory Burch iPhone Case | 7. Karen Walker Perfect Day Sunnies in Crazy Tort | 8. J.Crew Tillary Tote (reminds me SO much of the amazing Celine bag | 9. J.Crew Enameled Giraffe Bracelet | 10. ZARA Mint Coated Trouser | 11. Tory Burch Kendrick Haircalf Driver (on sale!)