Pretty in peach...

From left to right: Zara bag, $49.90.  Topshop sunglasses, $36.  Cannon Lewis necklace, $180.  Carven skirt, $415.  Phillip Lim top, $550.   

Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, $819.  Hermes cuff, $590.  Aldo bag, $40.  Sonia by Sonia Rykiel pants, $450.  Mark & James skirt, $298.  

Burberry watch, $495.  Miu Miu skirt, $425.  Disney Couture ring, $25.  Proenza Schouler bag, $1,225.  Dior perfume, $99.  

Merle O'Grady earrings, $192.  Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, $895.  Jody Candrian ring, $658. 

Nothing like pretty Spring colors to brighten up a dreary day!  Although bold brights may be all the rage right now, I'm still loving these pale shades of peach, pink and nude.  There's something so romantic and feminine about them!  Perfect for all the Spring weddings and showers that are sure to be coming up!

xoxo

Get to know: SUNO

images via: Tommy Ton for style.com

If you’ve been reading my blog since day one, you might recognize the first image as my old banner background.  I love so many things about this photo, but one of my favorites has always been that stunning black and yellow statement blazer by SUNO.

After launching in 2008, SUNO quickly became an industry favorite, not only for their masterful mix of bold patterns and bright prints, but also for their cool, authentic ethnic vibe.  This is likely due to the fact that their fabric sourcing and production are all done in Kenya, in an effort to employ local Kenyan talent and showcase the country’s artistry.

I love how each piece is unique and interesting enough to stand on its own, but can just as easily be paired with another bold piece and still work beautifully.  These are the kind of quirky-cool, conversation-starting items that will add an exclamation point to your ensemble and make whatever else you’re wearing look like a million bucks.  

Below are a few of my current favorites, but you can view the rest of the collection on their newly launched e-commerce site by clicking here.

 

Easter egg cookie dough truffles

Happy Easter everyone!  Recently I spotted this recipe for cookie dough truffles that sounded too delicious not to try.  These are made without eggs, so they're actually safe to eat (not that raw eggs ever really prevented me from eating cookie dough before, but the fact that I can feel less guilty about it is definitely appealing).  

I decided to put a holiday spin on the treats by molding them into egg-like shapes and covering them in white chocolate mixed with food coloring (hint: after a failed attempt at coating the eggs, Alejandara from Always Order Dessert recommended I thin the melted chocolate with a shortener, like Crisco, and freeze the eggs for 10 minutes before dipping them–both dramatically improved my results).  After I dipped a few eggs into one color, I'd pour the remainder of that dyed chocolate into a zip-lock bag, which I saved for decorating the opposing colored eggs.  I did this by cutting a small hole in the corner of the bag and drizzling the contents over top.  

I finished by placing each egg in a pastel cupcake wrapper, which not only made for a prettier presentation, but also kept the guests' hands from getting chocolate all over them.  Overall they were a huge hit and I will definitely be making them again with different fun twists for future holidays!

all photos by me © Dream & Dress

April flowers...

  

images: Cosmo UK, knighttcat, the glamourai, oracle fox, fashionising, Isabel Marant, jake the cake 

Loving the perfect Spring weather we're having today!  I'm also loving the casual elegance these relaxed knits add to Spring's saccharine styles.  The slouchy shape is the perfect juxtaposition to the floaty layers and prim prints.

DIY: painted necklace

I've recently been lusting over Tom Binns' collection of hand-painted crystal pieces, like the necklace above.  Unfortunately most of them are too far out of my price range to rationalize purchasing, so I decided to do as I did last time and recreate the look myself.  

I decided to start with a plain crystal necklace (which I found at Forever21 for less than ten dollars!) and paint the stones by hand with nail polish.  I had debated using acrylics, but decided nail polish would be easier to use and would likely provide a smoother finish.  I was nervous I'd have to be super precise, but it was actually incredibly easy and foolproof–and I'm loving the result!  

I used several different colors this time, since I was trying to replicate the Tom Binns necklace, but I'm looking forward to revamping another old necklace using just the citrus colors, which I think will look even more amazing.  I'm also looking forward to trying my hand at some of his other pieces (like these earrings and this bracelet!)

photos and artwork by me © Dream & Dress

Easter inspiration

Happy Friday everyone!  With Easter right around the corner, I've been researching different recipes and decorating ideas to try out and decided to share some of the fun things I've come across so far.  Right now I'm leaning towards making the Easter egg cake balls, since my obsession is still lingering from the last batch, but the bird's nest cupcakes and frosted sugar cookies are looking pretty good as well!  What's your favorite Easter treat??

Artwork/layout by me © Dream & Dress

images via: Martha Stewart, Country Times Recipes, Pease Pudding, Jay's Catering

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

Trendspotting: plate collar chokers

jak & jil

streetfsn

Although statement necklaces have been on the radar for a while now, these bold, streamlined versions suddenly feel more current and right for the moment.  They were seen all over the runways this season, where the clothes mirrored the sleek, minimalist vibe.  I spotted trendsetters like Taylor Tomasi Hill (above) already rocking the trend in Paris, but I like that it hasn't quite caught on with the masses yet.  Below are some of my current favorites...

Artwork/layout by me © Dream & Dress

Row 1: BCBG, $68.  Alexis Bittar, $375.

Row 2: Reiss, $115.  Delfina Delettrez, $2,048.60.  Sou Brette, $237.50.

Row 3: Delfina Delettrez, $1,715.  Mark Walsh & Leslie Chin, $550.  Lanvin, $990.

Row 4: Topshop, $28.  Alexis Bittar, $190.  Etro, $460.          

Outfit inspiration: in-between weather

While looking through j.crew’s latest look book, I noticed not only the amazing clothes, but also some really useful styling cues that are perfect for the current bi-polar weather situation.  I’ve talked a lot about transitional styling, because it seems to be the biggest frustration people have with getting dressed these days.  We’re all dying to bust out our Spring wardrobes, but with the constantly changing temperatures, we’re forced to keep our winter staples in rotation.  I decided to group these looks into four tips that will hopefully help ease the transition and provide a bit of outfit inspiration for this state of in-between...

j.crew Autumn 2011 catalogue via RDuJour.  Artwork/layout by me © Dream & Dress

My new Cambridge Satchel...

Middle photo: top, ZARA; necklaces, c/o RACHEL LEIGH and SEQUIN.  All images by me,  © Dream & Dress

Hope everyone enjoyed the sunny weather this weekend.  I had my own little ray of sunshine delivered on Friday afternoon in the form of this fluorescent bag by Cambridge Satchel Company.  The British-based satchel brand has been around for years, but just recently launched their "Fluo" collection, which is available in these four amazing neon shades.

These bags would look equally great paired with contrasting brights and patterns as they would with a neutral ensemble of whites or nudes.  I also love the personalized embossing they offer, which–in addition to the gold color you see on mine–can be done in silver, black or "blind" (no color).  Be warned that they can take several weeks to make and ship, so be sure to order soon if you want in time for summer.  They are definitely worth the wait!

jak & jil

impsrl.eu

impsrl.eu

Affordable art

Happy Friday everyone!  How amazing are these original illustrations and photographs by Leigh Viner?  And what's more amazing–she sells each of them for less then thirty dollars a piece on Etsy!  They're available in various sizes as well, and even the largest prints only cost around a hundred bucks, which is an incredible price for original artwork. 

Can you imagine how beautiful one of the colorful illustrations would be blown up and framed for a pop of color in your living room?  I love the above plane photo as well because it reminds me of the little child's voice in the beginning of Pink Floyd's, "Goodbye Blue Sky".

For a while I've been wanting to create an art wall of randomly placed framed artwork (similar to those done so well in the photos below) but I've had trouble finding affordable art that I found inspiring.  Etsy is a new favorite resource for this, starting with some of these works from Leigh Viner.  

the glamourai

the glamourai

the glamourai

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo