Leaving on a jet plane...

Raymond Meier for Vogue UK via Oh Fashion Models

Happy hump day!  I'm at the airport now about to leave for Grenada and wanted to wish everyone a happy early weekend!  I'm looking forward to a fully relaxing and recharging trip, so I probably won't be doing much blogging while away, but I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and am excited to return even more energized and inspired!  Fingers crossed I bring the warm weather back with me! xoxo

Take me away...

Vogue Australia April 2011 by Max Doyle via sunraince

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Tomorrow I finally leave for my Wheel of Fortune-sponsored prize trip to Grenada, and I couldn't be more excited to escape the freezing faux-Spring weather we've been having lately.

I spotted this editorial featuring Anja Rubik and was immediately inspired by the gorgeous palette of light creams and whites paired with pops of neon.  It perfectly reflects the colors of the sand and the ocean, which has also inspired my wardrobe for the trip.  Here are some of my current vacation must-haves...

Clockwise from left: Unearthen necklace, $345.  H&M sunglasses.  Diane von Furstenberg playsuit, $145.

Missoni Mare bikini, $565.  Zara sandals, $49.90.  Emilio Pucci beach towel, $670.  Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, $150.        

What to buy now: cropped sweaters

The last item in this week's WTBN Spring shopping series is deceptively basic.  Ever since skinny jeans and leggings came back in style, tunic-length tops have dominated store shelves.  But with Spring silouhettes favoring wider legs and longer skirts, the tunic length doesn't really work.

Enter: the cropped, slouchy sweater.  These comfy-cool sweaters are perfect for pairing with almost everything, from wide-leg jeans to cropped trousers for our current temperatures, to romantic skirts for Spring, or even as a cover up over white jeans or shorts for chilly summer nights.

Sometimes it's the most basic pieces we neglect to buy because we assume we must already have them somewhere.  This is usually to blame for all those "I have nothing to wear moments".  We shop for pieces that excite us in the store, but don't always consider how everything will work together once at home in our closets.  These styles below will help fill in all those blanks... 

 Row 1: j.crew striped sweater, $128.  j.crew ivy sweater, $158.  The Row cropped sweater, $425.

Row 2: See by Chloe holey pullover (on model), $275.  3.1 Phillip Lim pullover, $325.  Vince cap sleeve sweater, $220.

Row 3: Madewell sweatshirt sweater, $75.  T by Alexander Wang pullover, $180.  

Thank you...

Photo by: Tim Walker

One of the perks, I'm realizing, of having this blog is that it essentially serves as a giant wish list for myself that friends and family have become very savvy in utilizing during gifting holidays.  Several of my Christmas presents were influenced by posted items, and now for my birthday I just received one of the best gifts ever–the Tim Walker Pictures book that I had written about here!

I've always loved this Miss Dior Cherie ad by Tim Walker, but seeing it again as I was flipping through the book, it felt especially appropriate–not just for today–but for how I feel about life in general right now.  If you were to tell me on my last birthday, that this would be the year I'd fly to Paris for fashion week, be on Wheel of Fortune, attain 15 seconds of viral video fame, win enough money to pay off my student loans, be interviewed by Ellen and Anderson Cooper, star in a commercial and start my blog, I would have never believed you...But now I feel like anything's possible!

This has truly been the most unbelievable and enjoyable year of my entire life, and I'm so grateful for the people around me who have contributed to that and for how incredibly lucky I've been.  I'm thankful for my family and friends (especially my mom and dad!) for all the support and encouragement they've given me this year (and every other year for that matter)!  And anyone else who's actually read this far into my babbling, thank you as well for reading and visiting the blog!  You have no idea how much I appreciate you.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

What to buy now: cropped trousers

Today's WTBN item is by far the most necessary.  Cropped trousers have quickly become a staple in my wardrobe due to their incredible versatility and perfect shoe-showcasing length.  I love how they can easily be dressed up with heels and a blouse for work, or dressed down with flats and a slouchy tee for weekend.  And although you get bonus points for rocking brights, the style looks equally cool in black, navy or neutral shades, so why not pick up a few?  You'll literally wear them everywhere!

 Row 1: Zara skinny trousers, $69.90.  Pavonine Peyton pant, $64.  Zara skinny jean, $59.90.

Row 2: ASOS slim crop pant, $71.72.  Zara studio trouser, $89.90.  ASOS belted pant, $57.38

What to buy now: cat eye sunglasses

images: state of grace and brigadeiro

Now that Spring has sprung, it's time to up your sunglass game.  It's amazing how easily you can transform your entire look, just by adding a pair of these statement shades, and leave it to Taylor Tomasi Hill to pave the way.  She was spotted all over fashion week rocking these amazing modernized cat eye glasses, instantly making them the "it" accessory of the moment.

These frames work on almost every face type because of the flattering angles and classic shape.  I just ordered the black House of Harlow pair for my vacation next week and cannot wait to wear them.  I realize the weather today is not that inspiring for sunglass shopping, but perhaps we can take a cue from Field of Dreams... If we wear them, sun will come...?

 Row 1: Urban Outfitters, $16.  Alexander Wang, $365.  Urban Outfitters, $14.

Row 2: Forever21, $6.80.  House of Harlow 1960, $138.  Yves Saint Laurent, $275.

Row 3: Chloe Sevigny for OC, $355.  House of Harlow 1960, $138.  Tom Ford, $360.

Row 4: Linda Farrow, $299.  MICHAEL Michael Kors, $90.  Karen Walker, $180. 

What to buy now: longer skirts

As I mentioned yesterday, all this week I'll be featuring a new What to buy now (WTBN) item, in honor of Spring shopping season.  Today's need-it-now piece is a romantic, longer skirt.  I've been obsessed with this lady-like silhouette since last Fall (as seen here, here and here), but for Spring it feels even more perfect, and the options available now are better than ever.

Longer skirts are ideal for transitional weather, because the extra coverage allows you to ditch the tights without looking like you're jumping the gun for summer.  And while maxi skirts are still being hailed as a big trend for the season, I much prefer this slightly shorter, tea length, which feels more polished and pulled together.  It is a tricky shape to wear, so be sure to try on a lot of options (for example, I learned I cannot wear any styles with elastic waist bands without looking like I'm with child).  For this reason, I've included various lengths and styles to suit every shape and budget...

Row 1: Mango floral skirt, $139.90.  Urban Outfitters knit skirt, $59.  Modcloth lace skirt, $64.99.

Row 2: Mango pleated skirt, $149.90.  Girl. by Band of Outsiders Althea skirt, $648.  Mango skirt, $119.90.    

Row 3: 3.1 Phillip Lim wrap skirt, $425.  Forever21 lace skirt, $19.80.  Rachel Roy print pleat skirt, $475. 

What to buy now: primary bags

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Based on the weather we're having, you would hardly guess that yesterday marked the first official day of Spring, but nonetheless, I'm celebrating by starting a new series on the blog this week called, What to buy now.  If you only have a certain amount of cash to spend, these are the pieces that will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of their wearability, longevity and ability to instantly update your look. 

First up in the series are primary-colored bags.  I've talked at length about brights as a major trend for Spring (as seen here and here), but for bags, it's definitely the bold, primary hues that will be most worth your investment.  The great thing about these saturated shades is that they're rich enough to carry throughout Fall as well.  Below are a few of my favorites at the moment for every price point...

clockwise from left: Zara satchel, $149.  ASOS saddle bag, $43.03.  Proenza Schouler satchel, $1,225.

Marc by Marc Jacobs cross-body bag, $350.   Zara satchel, $149.  Cole Haan satchel, $348.  

Kate Spade shopper, $225.  Forever21 shoulder bag, $20.80.

The journey is the destination...

 

images via Planet Blue and Oracle Fox

Between the wave of warm weather we had in New York today, and the fact that I'm on a plane right now to Los Angeles, my yearning for that breezy, free-spirited feeling of Summer is at an all-time high.  I think this look book by Planet Blue perfectly embodies that feeling, and I suddenly find myself wanting to attend Coachella even more!  For now, Bonnaroo in June will suffice.... and it can't come soon enough!

This post is also dedicated to a special friend of mine who recently followed her long-time dream of moving across the country to the sunnier skies of California.  We all miss her dearly, but it's really inspiring to see someone who's not afraid to create the life they want for themselves.  These photos reminded me of you immediately.  Pukana La<3

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

Paris fashion week diary (Part II)

le carrousel de la tour eiffel

flowers at the Bristol

beautiful floral prints

neon belts at Balenciaga

delicious quiche at Café de Flore

colorful knits at Jean Paul Gaultier

amazing color and accessory layering spotted outside Celine

black, white & bright at Balenciaga

Beautiful light display at the Kenzo show

a lovely mess of locks and ribbons tied to a statue, still not sure the meaning?

stopping to smell the roses...

ceiling details inside Yves Saint Laurent's showroom

sexy sheers and dreamy dots at Stella McCartney

crêpes on the go

inside Jean Paul Gaultier's atelier

visions of white at Yves Saint Laurent

my favorite bridge in Paris, which also inspired the new color scheme for my bedroom

more pretty florals at Lanvin

oversized black balloons and french maids lining the steps at the Louis Vuitton show

breathtaking....

gift bags at Chanel... yes please!

fall look book at Jean Paul Gaultier

perfect fall color palette 

view from the top of the Eiffel Tower

a dream come true...

After spending the past week pouring over thousands of photos from my trip, I've finally narrowed down the rest of my favorites.  Looking at these gets me excited all over again.  I'm still in awe of the whole experience and will forever cherish each and every amazing moment and memory!

I've also created a new album on facebook with even more fun photos, that didn't end up on the blog, which you can visit by clicking here.  I'll be posting videos from some of the shows soon as well, so don't forget to hit "like" while you're there to follow Dream & Dress and get immediate updates! xoxo 

All images by me © Dream & Dress