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? 

Friday's Fancies: Black & White

I can't believe it's Friday already - or that January is almost over, for that matter! The beginning of 2013 has absolutely flown by; I guess traveling every weekend and aggressively searching for a new job (and a new condo...) can really do that to a girl.

Yet again, this week's Friday's Fancies theme of black and white really hit home; I have been favoring simplistic neutrals lately - especially since I have resolved to bring my wardrobe and future purchases back to basics in 2013.

Of course, I couldn't settle on just one outfit - here are two black and white looks (ultra femme vs. uber tough) that I'd love to sport.

Femme: 

Coat | Scarf (currently wearing, but sold out) | Dress | Bag | Bracelet | Flats | Sunnies

Tough:

Blouse | Jacket | Sunnies | Arrow Cuff | Cone Cuff | Jeans | Tote | Boots

Which way would you rock the black and white look?

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?

Friday's Fancies: Cape Crushing

I honestly haven't been able to get over this image since I stumbled on it on Pinterest months ago.

{via Claudia Fessler}

It truly is the epitome of winter chic in my mind; gorgeous winter white wool, polished patent pumps, luggage leather gloves, a classic satchel and of course, a deep red lip.

I am a long-time cape lover, but I have yet to invest in one. It's one of those "tipping of the scale" problems - every time I look, my favorites are (of course) extremely pricey, and all of the budget options I find are just not quite what I'm looking for. I just can't justify splurging on such an on-trend item, but at the same time, spending around $60 on something this is "just okay" is a complete waste.

And so, after three seasons of lusting, I am still cape-less.

Then, on a recent online cape hunt (which I'm apt to do from time to time), I started coming across a slew of $50-$100 capes that I consistently loved - all of them coming from a single retailer: SheInside. I had never heard of it, and the site seemed a little weird to me, so I decided to do some research.

Though I'm glad I looked into it, I have to admit that I was a little heartbroken. I found horror story after horror story about endless issues with sizing, quality and returns. Even for my dream cape, I'm not ready to risk $45 in shipping costs to return it to China (and potentially won't even get my money back). It is pretty gorgeous though, no?

Sigh, the hunt continues.

Cape | Dress | Eyeliner | Necklace | Tights | Satchel | Gloves | Chanel "La Sompteuse" (seriously the best deep red for brunettes) | Pumps | Tote (I couldn't pick just one!)

{more inspired goodness over at {longdistanceloving}!)

Do you rock a cape? Any good sources? I'm desperate!

Friday's Fancies: Elegant Emerald

It's no secret that I am obsessed with the color green. I'm not discriminatory; I love almost every shade of the color out there (currently sporting mint jeans, though!) - so I couldn't be more ecstatic that it has finally come back into fashion in the last year in the saturated hue of emerald.

Now that Pantone has named it the official color of the year, I'm expecting even more retailers to be jumping on the trend - especially the less couture and more affordable ones - which means danger for my wallet, but happiness in my closet!

I, of course, was beyond excited for this week's Friday's Fancies to be focusing on emerald - I love it so much I have actually done a past Friday's Fancies board on the same hue! My last green love board was based on a casual, everyday look, so I thought this time around I'd class up the color for a fancy nighttime ensemble.

Fur Stole | Maxi Dress | iPhone Case  also love this | Earrings | Bracelet | Leather Gloves | Cream Eyeshadow | Dome Satchel | Feather Pump | Gold-Flecked Emerald Polish (amazing one-coater; absolute favorite!)

While I might not rock all of these pieces together (I have to admit there is a possibility of too much green!), I would absolutely pair the gown with that (gorgeous) bracelet, the stole, and of course, the perfect polish.

Are you a green lover? What's your favorite way to sport this trendy hue?

Get more emerald inspiration over at {longdistanceloving}!

Wednesday Wants: Gilded Neutrals

So, it would appear that I'm just still not over gold. Shocker.

Here are a few goodies that I can't seem to shake from my mind lately...

Snood | Blouse | Bracelet (Gold cable and anchors? Slay me, J.Crew) | Floppy Fedora | Coat | Jodphurs | Monogram Ring Necklace | Turtleneck Sweater | S&P Shakers | Match Striker | Buckle Bootie | Cap Toe Flat

Hey, at least they (soft of) fit the back to basics mantra - glitter cap toes are totally basic, right?

Friday's Fancies: Back to Basics

What better time is there to re-evaluate your wardrobe than the start of a new year?

I have been frivolous with my clothing purchases more than ever this year - often inspired by things I see on blogs that I don't truly need - and now my closet is (literally) overflowing.

{via Atlantic-Pacific}

I fell head over heels for this look on Blair the other week (I literally cannot stop thinking about it). It struck me how polished she looks, and yet the entire outfit is comprised of basics, from a boyfriend-style oxford to black sunnies and a simple, trim coat.

This year, I think it's time to take a step back and look at what I have, and where the holes are in terms of basics in my wardrobe. I can't tell you how many printed silk shirts I have, or pairs of colored denim (okay, I can - it's 5, and they're all the same exact style from J.Crew). But I don't even have a basic cashmere hoodie or a denim jacket - both of which I have had on my wishlist for over a year.

It's high time to cut back adding "wants" on a whim and spending time finding true "needs" - even my explosive nail polish collection will benefit from this mantra - not to mention my wallet. While a leather weekender may be pricey, as someone who travels almost bi-weekly, it is the definition of a justified investment piece.

Oversize Fedora | Oxford Tunic | Streamlined Coat | Sunnies | Dainty Rings | Distressed Skinnies | Essie Lollipop (all-time favorite red) | Monogrammed Studs | Basic Booties | NARS Jungle Red Lipstick | Leather Weekender

Head over to {longdistanceloving} for more 2013 closet revamps!