Summer Scouting

I haven't switched out my winter clothes with summer yet, but I really need to before I start buying anything new.  I have clothing amnesia from year to year and undoubtedly will bring home new things that are very similar to what I already have - "oh, I forgot about those white jeans I got last August at 75% off - they look very similar to the ones I just ordered" - whoops!  So I'm just scouting things out until I can get to it...promise.  Here are just a few things on my list - 

I love this oxford dress from L.L. Bean's new Signature line.  Shirtdresses are so versatile - they look effortless yet polished.  Sometimes I have a problem finding them long enough though but this one looks like it hits at the perfect right above the knee spot. 

I'd pair it with this belt to add some interest

and these wedges for some color and fun.

It's Me or the House

This post over at Smitten Design really got me thinking.  For the first 10 years of having the freedom to purchase whatever I wanted, I bought clothes.  Clothes, clothes and more clothes, with some shoes, magazines to read about clothes, a few purses and some jewelry thrown in.  It didn't help that I worked in fashion and was surrounded by it daily.  Now that I have moved on from that job and out of a tiny apartment into a larger house, all I think about is buying lamps and rugs and ottomans...  However, it's harder to get a cheap thrill - maybe Forever 21 will start a home line!

Yesterday I just choose this

over this

so my alliance goes back and forth. 

What would you choose?

Fendi Heels $695 (Net-A-Porter) or Jonathan Adler Rug $720 (Matthew Izzo)

Diane Von Furstenberg Dress $325 (Net-A-Porter) or Ballard Designs Coffee Table $349 (Ballard Designs)

Saarinen Round Dining Table $1613 (Design Within Reach) or Miu Miu Handbag $1650 (Net-A-Porter)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sundress $500 (Net-A-Porter) or Reassembled Mirror $498 (Anthropologie)

Bold and Beautiful

The Satorialist

I love bold jewelry and Banana Republic has so many beautiful statement pieces for spring.

All available at Banana Republic

Lovely Leifsdottir

I am a sucker for anything with a beautiful pattern.  If it also happens to be silk, it must be mine.

Anthropologie's sister brand Leifsdottir now has their own site and they have some amazing options.  These pieces are worth investing in because you will always get compliments on them.  

  

This is neither patterned nor silk, but is it gorgeous...

All available at Leifsdottir

Ready for spring!

I really love a cross-body purse for summer.  They are so great when you are a farmer's market or doing anything where you want to have both hands free and not be hitching up a purse on your shoulder the whole time.  Here are a few of my favorites:

    

Marc by Marc Jacobs    

 

  The Sak     

                             

Orla Kiely

            

          Anthropologie    

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent 

(top: Rebecca Minkoff)

Blush and Bashful

I am loving the new nudes for spring.  Dusty pinks and grays, and the most bashful of all colors, beige.  It's so dreamy and ethereal.  And there's the fact that I love and have always loved beige.  There, I said it.  Beige in all its incarnations - the warm beige of camel, the pale beige of cream.  Tell me I'm boring, I don't care.  It is neutral and goes with everything and you will never regret buying a pair of shoes, a sweater or a couch that will go with everything.  

The nude shoe is something I learned long ago will add leanness and length to your leg.  If they are cut really low on the foot too - it's like an optical illusion miracle!   For those of you who are looking to add a little nude to your life - these capture two huge trends for spring - wedges and grey - and they're a steal!

(above: Chanel Haute Couture via Million Looks, S.R. Gambrel)