Selena Gomez...who woulda thought?

While reading yet another spring magazine...this one People Style Watch...I found a page with some great outfit ideas.  All of them on Selena Gomez...not my typical fashion icon.  But alas I must admit that she looks great and some of these outfits are way cool.  Is it ok to be 27 and find her style cool???  If not, then I guess for this week I am no longer as cool as you previously thought ;-)

My favorite look is this one below with the snakeskin bustier.  I love me some snakeskin!

I love how this is a snakeskin bustier yet she doesn't look trampy at all.  She looks so cool and put together.  I seriously want to try this look.  P.S.  I think one key to not looking slutty in this is the bra size...those of us in the A and B cups should be ok.  You lucky ladies in the later lettered cups might need have some trouble.

I found this really cute top at Bebe for $98 that has a similar color to hers, sadly without the snakeskin.

And there is also this really cool top from Victoria Secret for $69.50.  It has the metallic flakes on it that you could match with a fun belt like she did in the original picture.

The pants are really simple.  Hers are more high waisted because the bustier is a crop top so the higher waist covers her middle.  So if your top hit closer to the waist, then a regular rise would be perfect.  The best way to figure it out is to get the top first and bring it with you when you try on the pants.  I have these pants from the Gap and I love them! They are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down so easily.  I think these type of pants would be great with either top I found.  Also, they are only $49.50!

And the final touch...shoes and belt.  Any pointy toe black pump will work.  And if you can find one with bows like this, even better!  This one is from Zappos, by Badgley Mischka on sale for $140.

And the belt needs to be a skinny metallic, the color that matches whatever top you choose.  Piperlime and J.Crew both have a great selection of skinny belts.  Express also has some great options too.

Happy Shopping!  And happy last week of February!!!

Spring Inspirations

First off, sorry for the major delay!  I have been feeling uninspired and under the weather lately so I haven't had anything new to post. But, although I am still under the weather, I am getting back in the blog game!

I just recently started getting all my new magazine issues for next month and they are all super thick with spring fashions.  I have just started to read them so there is still a few to go, but In Style has a great issue.  I LOVE this magazine.  And next month has my fav Jennifer Aniston on the cover looking fabulous.  Inside, they have so many good ideas for spring and how to change up your styling once the weather finally breaks.  Color is a big part of the spring fashion, including colored denim! (I am all in for the colored denim, but I have not had a chance to shop for it so stay tuned for that blog soon.)

For today, I came across this picture of Olivia Palermo and I am so excited because I am currently obsessed with these 70s style jeans for the spring.  I have a couple pairs already!  Also, this outfit can so easily be worn while its still cold out and then again when it warms up without the jacket and different shoes.  First is the picture of Olivia, then the pieces I found.

I bought a jacket like this from H&M a few seasons ago for only $14!  Sadly that one is no longer available, but there are similar styles at some other stores.  I found a great one by Michael Kors on Piperlime for $175.
 

And if thats too high for your budget, there are some great options on ebay too.  This one I found is from Ann Taylor Loft for only $9!  You just have to sort out all the Chanel $2000 jackets on there too :-)

I found a perfect pair of jeans from Nordstom by Rachel Zoe.  They are a bit lighter in color than Olivia's, but the style is spot on.  I think any color blue would work great with this outfit.  And if you dare..colored denim would be so fun too!

And for the shoes...if its still cold out when you try this, black platforms would be the best.  Like these Steve Madden pumps on Piperlime.

And if you try this in warm weather, just remove the jacket and wear the jeans with a grey or white t-shirt or tank.  And then swap the black pumps for a cool pair of wedges.  How fun are these by Jessica Simpson???

Happy Shopping!!!

My Happy Shoes

Yesterday would have been my Grandma Maisie's 90th birthday.  So today I wore my happy shoes :-)  They are these pink suede oxfords by Dolce Vita.  

Last year when the one year anniversary since she passed was approaching, I found myself holed up in our apartment, alone because Jon's busy season schedule was insane and kept him at work til 3 am all weekend.  I took the approaching date much harder than I thought I would.  So I rented chick flicks, drank wine, ate too many oreos, and cried for two days.  And then shopped online to cheer myself up!  :-)  And I found these pink oxfords and they spoke to me thru the laptop instantly.  It was like these shoes were meant for me, for that exact moment in life when I needed them to lift my spirits.  Another reason why shoes are my absolute favorite thing!  And now every time I need a little pick me up, I wear my pink happy shoes.  And think of my Grandma Maisie, and how her house was always my happy place.  

They may not all be pink, but here are some other oxfords that I think have the ability to make you stylish and happy when you wear them.

Steven by Steve Madden "Mandee" Oxford

   

Kelsi Dagger "Frances" Flats

And for the designer lust worthy pair...Yves Saint Laurent "Shield" Loafer Pump...AMAZING!

Happy February Everyone!!!

Peplum Tops

I have been obsessed with peplum tops lately.  I think my most recent purchase makes 3...since Christmas! I even picked out a peplum style dress for my bridesmaid dress for my sister-in-law's wedding!  And when I was finally sitting down to read through my newest ELLE magazine, there was a whole section on the shapes coming up for spring fashion.  There is a page for "how to wear" the boxy jacket, knife pleat skirt, peplum top, and maxiskirt.  I am SO excited for all of these trends and some spring weather to try them out.  For now, I am making them work with my winter wardrobe! And wanted to share my new obsession with you all too!

This outfit is by Alice and Olivia...who I LOVE!!!  They have a few peplum styles in their spring line.  The best bottoms to pair with this style top are cropped pants or pencil skirts.  Cropped skinny jeans like these in the picture are my favorite because they work for every occasion!

Another easy option for pulling off this look is to get everything in one...a dress! I am so excited about my bridesmaid dress because I found one with a peplum style and it is so flattering.  This example is by David Meister, found at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The other pieces to make your outfit perfect are shoes and bags.  The best shoes to be on trend are chunky shoes.  Don't do a kitten heel.  And try a colorful bag to spice things up!  Here are some examples that I love.

Steve Madden "Hottness" Pump

Jeffrey Campbell "Nite Hi" Bootie

Elliott Lucca 'Cordoba' Clutch    

All shoes and bags can be found at Nordstrom.  Don't you just love that place :-)

Stay tuned for my blog on each of the other three pieces in the shapes for spring!

Feeling a bit nostalgic this weekend...so bear with me on this one.  Marci and I took the kids to the mall on Friday and, as usual, they all wanted snacks the second we walked thru the doors to Lord and Taylor.   So chaos and loudness ensued for a few minutes while coats were removed and snacks unpacked.  Most people around us were probably annoyed at the increase in volume.  But standing right next to our strollers in the shoe department was this beautiful older lady, just watching us and smiling.  She looked like she was in her 70s, with grey hair done up, flawless makeup, a stylish outfit, and a leopard print faux fur coat to top it all off.  Then she told us she was a great-grandma to 5 kids and thought ours were a handful but adorable.  And she engaged the kids in some sweet conversation about their snacks and how old they were.  She even laughed as Pierson so nicely used the phrase "doo doo."  My mind went right to my Grandma Maisie.  I had shopped with my grandma enough to know that was exactly the kind of thing she would do.  I found myself wanting to hug this complete stranger because she reminded me so much of the grandma I miss so dearly. I reigned in my sentiment and just told her to have a wonderful day.  And spent the rest of the day, and weekend, thinking of my grandma.

So instead of some style tips or health advice, I am just going to share a few photos.  As I have said before, she was always one of my biggest style influences.  She always looked amazing and put together, even if she was just headed to the grocery store.  She had a mink fur coat that she loved and wore with pride...even to that same grocery store!  She was proof that even with age, beauty is endless!  I hope you all can find inspiration in something or someone like I had growing up with Grandma Maisie.

Their wedding day...check out that amazing suit...on both of them!

50th Anniversary...proof love really does last a lifetime.

At our wedding riding the chairlift up to the ceremony.  

Shoes...Tall and Black

I have spent the last couple days trying to figure out what to write about.  Then, last night at the auto show in downtown Detroit, I found inspiration on the feet of one of the models who stand on the platform and talk about the cars. The car was a red Cadillac ASX...very nice by the way.  But I just couldn't help but look at her feet.  So to my husband, who was kindly only admiring the car, I pointed them out and let him know I would really like a pair!  She must have noticed because she came over, so I had to fess up to my staring at her feet and let her know how much I admired the shoes.  She let me know she had on an amazing pair of black patent platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, shown below.

On a complete tangent, I was a bit put off that she felt the need to name drop the designer like that.  As a woman, I am always happy to give a compliment.  I feel like so many women out there react out of jealousy alone and therefore take on a bitchy attitude towards other well dressed women.  And how many of us love a good compliment from another woman?  So I was happy to let her know how fabulous her shoes were.  I just thought she could have smiled and said thank you.  The name drop was totally unnecessary and made me rethink ever having paid her the compliment.  Its one thing if someone ASKS who made them or what store they are from.  I found it super obnoxious.  However, I am willing to admit to some jealousy so it may have put my back up more because of that.  Anyone else???

Here are a couple similar shoes for those of us who can't spend $795 on one pair.
This pair is DV by Dolce Vita from Nordstrom - on sale for only $45!

This pair is by Jessica Simpson also from Nordstrom (but sold at Macy's and Lord & Taylor too).

I think I will be shopping the shoe departments next time I am at the mall!!!  Who's with me??? :-)

Sporty Chic...It's a Real Thing

I just received the newest addition of Glamour tonight in the mail and, while catching up on some DVR, I flipped through it and stumbled on an outfit from Isabel Marant's Spring 2012 runway show.  LOVE IT!  I was so inspired that I went online in search of some more looks.  Here are my favorites so far...

And I love these looks so much, I went in search of some affordable options.  Here is the result...

The top is from M Den (a little shout out to my school) for only $24.  The jeans are by J Brand.  I am not sure these exact pair are still in stock on their site but I found a few options on ebay and a grey pair on Bluefly for $86.99. This pair is on Bonanza for $124. 

This look was a bit more challenging, mostly because of the jeans.  There are not as many affordable options out there as with the tie dye.  But I found this awesome pair on Shopbop for $176.  If you have some extra money to spend, this website has some awesome denim!  It put me in the mood for jeans just looking thru it all tonight :-) The jacket can really be any style windbreaker you like, as long as the color scheme goes with your jeans.  I found this one by Adidas from Dick's Sporting Good for $55.

Let me know if you find any cool jeans like either of these because I am definitely going to get me a pair for the spring!  And if you are not the patterned jeans type, you can still try this look but switch it up with a tie dye top/jacket and some plain denim on bottom.  Happy shopping!!!