runway to closet - stripes

While a lot of trends seen on the runway during Fashion Week can seem a little bit out there, some can easily be converted into everyday wear.

Stripes in particular were seen all over the place this season, but these were not just any stripes - the hot variety these days is "Big, Bright and Bold!"

Below are some examples of how this was used on the runway:

{Dolce & Gabbana}

{Christian Dior}

{Oscar de la Renta}

Of course, sprinkled into stores everywhere are fun ways for the everyday girl (and guy, we won't discriminate by gender) to rock this look for spring.

{J. Crew}

{Gap}

{Forever 21}

Even though the first day of spring is not technically until tomorrow, and here in New York the weather is still very much stuck in winter mode, I am just SO excited that I needed to get a jump start on this trend a day early.

{Shirt: Loft, Skirt: Express, Tights: H&M, Boots: Ciao Bella}

While this shirt is from last year, this is inspiring me to think of all the fun striped items that I need for my closet this year.

Are you excited about stripes for spring?

st. patty's day weekend recap

Well, St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2013 was a great success!

Saturday was the start of festivities with my friends. For the first part of the day I had a small group of people over to my house for what I intended to be some fun in the sun.

Little did I realize it was supposed to snow that day.

My friends and I being the crazy people that we are, we all decided that we weren't going to let a little snow ruin our plans.




After hours of snowy beer pong, we headed over to the local bar to meet up with the rest of our friends. Needless to say, the day turned out perfect overall.




It really just goes to show that you can't let silly things, like snow, get you down.

Since Saturday was so wonderful (and a little wild!), Sunday was a little bit more low key.

I spent the day with Bryan and his family, where despite the fact that they are not the slightest bit Irish, they served a traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage.

It was my first time trying this and I was pleasantly surprised to how much I enjoyed the corned beef. There was also potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread, and Guinness to be had - all of which were great!

All in all, this St. Patrick's Day weekend was everything I wanted it to be and more.

Great friends, great food, great drinks, and great fun.

So until next year...

st. patrick's day style

It is worth noting that I love any holiday that involves dressing up, having a few drinks and hanging out in the sunshine with your friends.

This, of course, includes St. Patrick's Day!

Below are some fun outfit ideas for this fun and festive holiday that everyone, Irish or otherwise, can enjoy.

{Made on Polyvore}

This outfit is NOT for someone going on a pub crawl! If you're staying at one party and looking for a trendy and edgy look, this might be the way to go.

{Made on Polyvore}

An outfit like this would be the more casual choice. If you plan to run around from bar to bar, this is the perfect way to look good and stay comfortable for the long day ahead.

While I'm not entirely sure what I'll be wearing on St. Patrick's Day just yet, I'm sure it will include shamrock stickers and necklaces with green shot glasses attached.

The main plan, however, is to get out there and celebrate with my favorite people!

So I say to you, friends and readers:

Drink green beer.

Make green cupcakes.

Mix a boozy Shamrock Shake.

And above all - wear green!

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!

wednesday wants - shoes

This week for my Wednesday Wants, I'm going to focus on the finest accessory that your feet can flaunt: shoes.

So without further ado, the five shoes that I really want right now:

{Cole Haan}

Of all of the shoes I have (and I have a lot), how is it possible that I don't have a pair of classic black pumps?

This should be a staple in every girls closet, and it somehow is not in mine!

Regardless, this pair is beautiful, and Cole Haan footwear is always a good choice.

{Tory Burch}

I love Tory Burch flats (I already have two pairs), and have been wanting nude flats for a while. So it goes without saying that these just seem like the perfect fit!

{Steve Madden}

You give me five seconds of warm weather and my mind is officially on the fast track to summer. With that said, these sandals belong in my collection.

{Steve Madden}

As you've probably gotten from my past entries, I love the color mint. So these flats are right up my alley!

{Urban Outfitters}

I love my black ankle boots in the winter, but this peep toe taupe pair are a perfect way to transition the style into spring.

As if I don't have enough shoes already, I always want more!

But enough about me! What shoes do YOU want for spring?

rainy day fashion

No one enjoys a rainy day. That just seems to be a fact.

But more specifically, no one enjoys how a rainy day can inhibit your outfit choices!

This morning I had an outfit already laid out from the night before, which is a rarity for me, only to realize that I couldn't wear it today since it was not "rain friendly."

And thus began the search.

This morning I chose an over-sized sweater and a skirt with a fun pattern to be worn over leggings with boots. I would've taken a picture, but as usual I was running out the door to catch a train this morning.

And while I definitely love my current clothing choice, especially because I love leggings and any excuse to wear them, my typical rainy day outfit is pretty solid. And pretty stylish!

Top: sweater, a chambray shirt, or both!

{All tops from Madewell}

The name of the game is comfy and cozy on a rainy day, so an over sized sweater is just perfect in my opinion. A chambray shirt is also such a staple, and also very comfortable - and if you're anything like me, you'll instantly fall in love with layering the two together!

Bottom: Colored Jeans

{Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Old Navy}

Now, you may be asking yourself, why colored jeans versus regular denim?

My logic is, it's already a gloomy day. So there is nothing that I like more then finding the light in every day and situation, and if that's as silly as wearing bright pants on a dark and rainy day, then that's what it is.

If nothing else, it'll make someone smile!

Footwear: BOOTS (of course!)

{Hunter, Tretorn, Ralph Lauren}

Now, a neutral pair is always good to have so it can go with any outfit, but if you're like me and have multicolored boots (I happen to have white Coach boots with pink and purple C's), make sure to fit the rest of the outfit accordingly.

Hair: ANYTHING but down!

{InStyle}

My go-to choices are a high bun or a side braid. Basically, anything that's not going to be destroyed by a trip outside is the key.

Also, as obvious as it seems, get a strong and sturdy umbrella.

The only reason that I make a point of saying that is because the wind turned MINE inside out at least 100 times on my walk to the train this morning.

And personally, I did NOT care for that.

my boozy foodie weekend

Well, another relaxing and wonderful weekend is in the books.

In my world, Friday usually seems to fall as the casual night out with my friends. As much as I love how consistent we can be about that, I am so excited to mix it up this weekend with a holiday I love way too much for someone with no Irish blood whatsoever: St. Patrick's Day!

Saturday, Bryan and I went to The Good Life in the Massapequa Park area of Long Island. This evening was set up as a surprise dinner for me which as always, I was more than thrilled to go along with. 

While driving to the mystery destination, we went past this very interesting place that had a classic English telephone booth as its doorway. Of course, I felt the need to point out how interesting I found this to be and got even more excited when I found out that was indeed the spot he had chosen! 

Dinner consisted of an amazing beer selection and some of the best, if not the best, appetizers I've ever had.

If you ever get a chance to go, the Chicken Cordon Blue Balls will change your life. I promise.

After that we decided to go home for some wine, cheese and Saturday Night Live. For everyone else who has not had the pleasure of experiencing it, we make a mean cheese platter.

Of course, the purpose of this blog is not to review television shows. However, the fact of the matter is I watch a lot of TV that I am very passionate about and will probably end up discussing it here from time to time.

It is worth noting that SNL is one of my favorite shows. Not because it is the most funny or smart show on right now, because it isn't. The main reason I love it so much is because of the history that comes with a show that has been on as long as this one, not to mention the comedic geniuses it has produced. 

This reason was reconfirmed in this latest episode when Justin Timberlake officially became a member of the coveted Five Timers Club. To celebrate this occasion, many of the greats that have also achieved this honor such as Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Alec Baldwin all made surprise appearances. Needless to say, I think we could call this the best episode of the season!

On an unrelated note, I must say that I am excited for this week to start if it is going to bring weather similar to this weekend. Because quite frankly, I am over the snow. 

winter woes

Last time I checked, didn't the Groundhog say spring was coming soon? Apparently he's a liar. To anyone else here in NY you know exactly what I'm talking about. THIS was not a pleasent thing to wake up to on this lovely March morning:

 

Thanks, but no thanks. Also, my train getting in to the city 20 minutes late was not a nice start to my day. I was really in the mood for spring too. St. Patrick's Day is next weekend (which I'm SO excited about!) and I even painted my nails last night in the spirit of spring:

{Essie Navigate Her and Good as Gold}

 

Not necessarily well (self painted nails is not my strong suit) but I tried! What are your feelings on the accent nail? I've been a huge fan of the ring finger accent nail for a while but lately I've been trying out the pinky, and am enjoying it!

Hopefully this is the end of snow until next season. I don't think I can take much more!

At least it's the weekend. Happy Friday!