An ode to Giverny

Yes, for the millionth time, I am about to pen a blog post about my severe love for Kate Spade.  If you're completely over it, tune out.  But, if you would love to witness the beauty of true love, read on.

Fashion dictates itself.  In the world of fashion, we occupy ourselves with a spiraling constant of themes: abiding by rules, hurriedly seeking new trends, exploring the zeitgeist of the current -- a mad rat race of sorts.  Designers and retailers hurry to be the first on the scene.  It produces some madly gorgeous results.  I think by now we can safely say that we have perfected the skinny jean.  A Hudson Nico will always and forever be my staple.  And airy blouses?  Thank you, Joie, Antik Batik, etc.  Designers run hand in hand to bring us the most beautiful of the day's mode.

And then there's Kate Spade.  In a "Honey Badger don't give a $#!^" flair, Kate Spade is a bit like a daydream, a brief escape into fantasy, the pause that follows a deep exhalation.  Yes, a trend will be seen here or there, but, to me, most of what they create involves more art than trend.  I think the accessories of their new Giverny collection prove it to be so:

kate spade new york Giverny Floral Scarf (see more kate spade scarves)

kate spade new york Giverny Floral Bangle (see more bangle bracelets)

kate spade new york Giverny Floral Mesh Bracelet (see more bangle bracelets)

kate spade new york Giverny Floral Linear Earrings (see more pave bangle bracelets)

kate spade new york Giverny Floral Multi Strand Necklace (see more bangle bracelets)

Monet's Giverny

Calling upon the soft and beautiful garden tones of Monet's Giverny garden, Elegant enough for a black tie affair, and also perfect in cooperation with a beat up gray tee (and probably those Hudsons), this line is elegance, simplicity, grace and FUN at once.  I absolutely love that anytime I cruise over to shop her site, I can be sure to find pieces that outglow winter, that outstep boundaries of current trends, that call to me. 

At least I know I am mad.

The Power Duo...

One of my favorite things in the world is jeans.  After that comes black clothes.  They're just so EASY!  If you take the same t-shirt in pink and in black, the black just automatically looks more polished.  Nothing against pink, I love it dearly, too.  Black and denim together is like a cosmic alignment of right-ness that makes for chic and polished outfits brought to life by accessories. 

Top: Gap || jeans: Aero || shoes: Steve Madden || wristlet: Coach || belt: Gap || bracelets: various and very random!

See how the black shirt and jeans kind of make a great canvas for whatever you throw at 'em?  Especially on mornings when you doubt that you'll ever be able to throw a decent outfit together again in your life, black and denim makes it work.  So, cheers to packing for a weekend trip with a sloo of it!  

Also, something VERY exciting is starting next week.  Can't wait for you to see it.

My Favorite Things: Accessories Edition

Accessories are like the punctuation (and expletives) to words.  They are the sprinkles on top, the cream filling!  Accessories have the power to take an outfit and boost it up to the next level of fabulous.  There are some accessories that seem to do this many times in many circumstances.  These, friends, are my favorites! 

The trusty sunnies! These sunglasses have been in my wardrobe for at LEAST a year. That's big for me and sunglasses. I love the classic shape and the tinting. I love them so.

Forever 21

These stacking bangles are on my arm at least once a week. They're great alone or bundled into a stack.

World Market

This is my most popular necklace. As in, when I wear it, EVERYONE asks about it! The best news is that I paid less than $10 for it... now that's the icing on the cake.

Forever 21

These. Shoes. I got them to wear in my best friend Lauren's wedding last summer, and knew that they would be saved for special occasions. They're ridiculously fabulous, and every time I wear them I feel 10 feet tall.

Dillard's

This lovely silk scarf. It's HUGE! When you unbunch it, it's enough that I could probably make it into a dress if I felt like it. It's perfect for taking along to places with super cold a/c. It's light enough for summer, but heavy enough to block the wind in the winter. This thing will never leave my side.

Gap

Balancing heat.

When it gets to be as warm as it has been recently, all I want to do is walk around dressed as lightly as possible.  It may seem perfectly acceptable to go out in mini-shorts and a teeny tank, but that really doesn't do much for your fashion!  For staying fashionable in the summer heat, a balance must be present!  If I decide to wear short shorts, I'm definitely going to have something that has more coverage up top.  The other day was just the case.  My tunic, though technically bigger than a little tank top, did a great job of offsetting my short shorts while still keeping me cool. And, as usual, my cats were sharing in the photo love.

top: Gap || shorts: Aeropostale | sandals and earrings: Target || bangles: F21, antique'd

Remember, too, that accessories are a great way to be fashionable when the layers get light. My silver bangles and earrings gave me just that extra touch I was looking for.

The real life.

I had to keep pinching myself yesterday to make sure that it was really happening!  I went for an a-mazing run in the morning, relaxed in the afternoon, and then Mike and I went to the riverwalk and played frisbee in the park AND ate ice cream!  We topped off the night with pizza and watching Saving Silverman.  I'd definitely say yesterday qualified as the best day of the MONTH.  Life seems to give those to you when you need them most!  

With the long days and my lighter-than-normal schedule, I've been embracing simplicity in my life and in my clothes.  In the summertime, I stick to basics and fun accessories -- there's just too much activity and heat to be smothered in fabric! 

Our tasty ice cream!

cardigan: Loft || tee: Old Navy || shorts: Target || sandals: Bakers || scarf: a random stand in Paris! || earrings: World Market || bracelets: F21