[shirt: jcrew (another sparkly mint option) // skirt: jcrew (similar) // kicks: valentino // baubles: michael kors, stella & dot, jcrew (love this one) // sunnies: rayban // bag: tory burch (similar)]

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! I hope you are spending the day celebrating this grand Irish holiday.  For this look, I opted for a less traditional green on green option.  Today, I'm rocking a more traditional take, but I couldn't resist the urge to push the boundaries a little bit.

Last week, the New York City Ballet announced its pairings for the third annual Fall Gala Event on 23 September.  I love when ballet and fashion collide and this year's designers are absolutely to-die-for: Mary Katrantzou, Sarah Burton (Alexander McQueen), Carolina Herrera, & Valentino.

The gala has been spearheaded by the one and only SJP, who sits on the board and is an ex-ballerina herself.  Previous designers have included Prabal Gurung, Olivier Theryskens, & Iris van Herpen.

I say what a beautiful way to contribute to the arts. I cannot wait to see what this year has in-store (and what I wouldn't give to attend).

[image via]

[top: jcrew (similar) // pants: rag & bone // kicks: valentino // baubles: michael kors, house of harlow // sunnies: ray ban]

I've been hearing the praises of Rag & Bone for what seems like forever, but when I tried on a pair at Nordstrom, I fully understood the hype.  Comfortable and fits-just-right; I've been practically living in them since I brought them home.  My other go-to: silk tops; they are such an easy way to fancy-up a pair of boyfriend jeans, while still being comfortable.

I know, I know another florals and stripes combo, but I can't help it.  Besides, this skirt is simply parfait - from the fabric to the cut; I really think it will be a go-to in my wardrobe this summer.  I'm also really loving the continued french thread that JCrew is doing this year. Graphic tees + french sign me up any day.

[sweater: jcrew // pants: jcrew // kicks: valentino // baubles: michael kors, stella & dot, jcrew// purse: kate spade // sunnies: kate spade]

As much as everyone waxes poetic about Spring, it's this time of spring that I just don't like - the wishy-washy-on again-off again relationship that we all wish we hadn't had at some point in our lives.

That's why sweaters like this one come in handy this time of year - they are warm enough to give you just the right amount of cozy while mother nature is making up her mind on where the temperature is going to fall that day, but cool enough to make sure that you don't sweat to death by the end of the day when the weather has reached its max.

[top: anthropologie (on sale) // skirt: jcrew // kicks: valentino // baubles: michael kors, jcrew (on sale), blee inara // sunnies: prada // clutch: kate spade (similar) ]

Hey kids! Whoa last week was a doozie!  Between the erratic weather (which thankfully resolved itself by the end of last week) and my work load, I could not have been more ready for the weekend.  This weekend we were thrilled to help some old friends celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary.  The event was so lovely and styled by the Mrs (who happens to be the owner of Simply Southern Wedding & Event Design) and the company could not be beat.

This peplum top was hanging out in my closet just waiting to be brought out.  If you are looking for drama, the peplum is definitely that, but paired with skinnies or a pencil skirt, it's just the right balance.  I cannot wait to break this bad boy out more this spring.

 [coat: gap // sweatshirt: madewell // top: jcrew (near identical) // skirt: corilynn // baubles: michael kors, kate spade, jcrew // kicks: valentino // sunnies: prada]


Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is actually 6 inches shorter in the Winter than it is the rest of the year? I can tell you from anecdotal experience that those 6 inches don't make a difference in Paris in the Winter. And that's where I found myself, 10 years ago, with my then-boyfriend shivering our way up the Eiffel Tower on Valentines Day at night with all of the other tourists because the French hate the Eiffel Tower.  It's worth mentioning here that I was in college, we hadn't been dating but a few months when we took this trip, and though I was wearing a long wool coat, under it, I had thought it was a brilliant idea to wear a cute LBD.


That was 10 years ago, now said-then boyfriend is my now husband and I'd like to say that I've gotten a little wiser in relation to dressing for the weather, but I can't exactly say that (as noted by the Valentinos in the snow), and we have an almost-two-year-old.  It's crazy how time flies and how much though things have changed, a lot of it remains the same.  Tonight, I'm not quite sure what we'll be doing as, well there is like a foot of snow on the ground which is crippling to the state of North Carolina.  But whatever we do, we'll be celebrating 10 valentine's days together.  One that started on the tippy top of the Eiffel Tower, one very cold night in Paris.

If someone had told me 6 months ago that I would have purchased a pair of red (velvet) pants AND decided one blustery day to try an entire monochromatic look in red, I would have told that person that they were crazy.  But on a blustery day just last week, I found myself doing that.  So let's chalk that up to going outside of your comfort zone and trying something new.


A few tips if you are going to try out the monochromatic look (in any color): don't be afraid to mix fabrics - this will help give your outfit more depth since you are working with a singular color; it doesn't have to be the exact color - again, it speaks a bit to the depth thing, but just make sure they are close enough; breaking it up can be a good thing - like this look, try adding a scarf or different color jacket, especially if the singular color thing is still a little outside of your box.

 [shirt: jcrew (on sale) // skirt: jcrew // kicks: valentino // baubles: jcrew, michael kors, stella and dot // sunnies: prada]

I think everyone is saying this, but I simply cannot believe that it is SEPTEMBER already.  September brings  a lot of really great things: Scott's birthday, football, PSLs, my sister's visit from LA, and hopefully a new home for us.  (Fingers crossed people).


And speaking of September, this little skirt happens to be from JCrew's September release.  I'm really digging it, but what I'm most excited about is pairing it with opaque black tights and a moto jacket come cooler weather.  Always looking the transition ;)

Hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend! Welcome to September!

[top: jcrew // pants: jcrew (on sale!) // kicks: valentino (similar) // baubles: jcrew, michael kors, stella and dot // sunnies: kate spade]

There's something about putting on a pair of Aviators that makes me break out into 'Highway to the Danger Zone' (and if you are anything like me, you just read that to the tune of the chorus and with the proper syntax).  Top Gun references aside, I have to speak to this swing sweater that is currently gracing my wardrobe with the right mix of comfort and color.  It's a great transitional piece and something that I plan on rocking for the rest of the year (read: get ready for it's appearance in many future posts) as I transition from Summer to Fall to Winter with a mix of scarves, skinnies, and boots.  Now that's a hard-working piece.

I have to be honest, I'm a little late to the party on the peplum trend.  I've always liked peplum tops, but I could never quite find the right proportions for my petite height.  Well I finally tracked down this number at J. Crew and I am really loving it.  Especially when it's paired with seersucker.