looks i love: new years eve

{image via}

I always have high expectations for New Years Eve plans—sometimes they pan out, other times they don't.  No matter where I am, I love to celebrate with friends by my side and a glass of champagne in hand.  Here are some looks I would love to be in when ringing in 2011...

a pretty lace dress to wear with killer heels...
{image via nordstrom.com}

an embellished sparkly top to pair with jeans and flats...
{image via shopbop.com}

sequined pants in winter white with a casual top and fun jewels...
{image via asos.com}

and for a more conservative affair, this simple grey dress with a beaded necklace.
{image via nordstrom.com}

Hope you have some fun planned for Friday.  All the best for a Happy New Year—cheers!

fall/winter trend: faux fur

fall/winter trend: faux fur by wakincloset featuring a faux fur vest

There's a whole lot of faux fur around these days... and I love it! It makes its appearance in a variety of neutral colors and textures on vests, as scarves, lining even the most casual pieces like hoodies.

Last season I got myself a faux fur vest which I've put to great use already this season, pairing it with flowy tops, jeans and boots. I also picked up a sweatshirt at Old Navy with a faux fur hoodie which is so comfortable and so cozy.

These are some of my favorite faux fur items I've seen this year. Bundle up and stay warm!

new favorite shoe(ties)!

 

{image via shopbop.com}

I was on the hunt for a new pair of black heels and came across this pair of "shoeties"on shopbop.com.  While the heel height was lower than what I originally wanted, I bought them to try them, since they were on sale and Shopbop offers free shipping on returns. 

They arrived a few days later and the minute I slipped these beauties on my feet, I was in love and absolutely thrilled with how comfortable they were!  Honestly, it felt like I was wearing running shoes... I also adore the lace-up, making them more unique vs. a traditional black pump.  Thanks, Michael Kors!

tips n' tricks: packing for a weekend getaway

 {via}

A few weekends ago, my fiance and I went to Santa Barbara to location scout for our wedding.  It's called the "American Riviera"—a perfect way to capture this quaint city next to the Pacific!

I get a little obsessive about packing (ask any of my closest friends) and usually start the process several days (sometimes up to a week...) before I leave.  I used to be an over-packer, then started not packing enough, and now I think I've got it just right. 

For this 4-day/3-night trip, I knew I needed outfits I could layer, since the temperatures were hovering in the low 60s.  Here's what made my list:
- pair of Habitual jeans (darker wash so I could dress them up or down)
- pair of Citizens of Humanity black jeggings (these are my most comfortable pair of pants)
- Madewell dress
- grey slouchy tee
- Madewell silk blouse
- white v-neck tee
- grey J.Crew Infinity cardigan
- black Aritzia boyfriend blazer
- black J.Crew utility jacket
- black J.Crew lace top
- black Elizabeth & James laser-cut suede flats
- black patent Via Spiga mary jane pumps
- Bensimons
- Havaianas

My philosophy is always to pack things that are neutral in color so you can pull outfits together quickly and easily, and accessorize with colorful scarves and jewelry. 

Our trip was so much fun—Santa Barbara is such a pretty place and we even made a day trip to Los Olivos (in the Santa Ynez Valley) for a hike and  a delicious dinner in wine country.  More importantly, we accomplished our goal and found a place to get married!

inspiration: j.crew collection catalog

Fall is my favorite time of year to shop---I think through years of being a back-to-school tradition, I have never been able to let go...  

This year, I'm looking to several sources of inspiration, and (once again) J.Crew is at the top of my list.  I received a tabloid-sized mailer featuring signature pieces from the J.Crew Collection and fell in love!  The upscale feel and unexpected newspaper-esque format make for a great lookbook, not to mention the chic, polished-meets-punk looks that they pulled together.  I'm excited to get my hands on some thigh highs!

look i love: rocker chic

look i love: rocker chic by wakincloset featuring blue skinny jeans

As many of my friends know, there's nothing I love more than accents of hardware (chains, zippers, sequins, studs) on my shoes, bags and even shirts. Lucky for me, these accents are everywhere these days!

When you pull these together with a leather jacket (real or faux—mine is faux, from H&M) and accessorize appropriately, it's a super easy look to achieve for a night out with the girls—casual with a little bit of zest. I'm loving the pop of color that the Rebecca Minkoff bag brings to this outfit.

bridal bliss

{image from jcrew.com}

  

I recently got engaged to my boyfriend (fiancé!) on my 30th birthday.  Not 2 weeks after he proposed, I was on the hunt for a dress—of course, it was the one item on my list that I had no questions about—I knew exactly what I wanted.  

J.Crew has, undoubtedly, upped the game in their bridal department over the last couple of years so it was my first stop.  Not only do they offer an amazing and diverse selection of styles, but they are priced so reasonably!  It was important for me to find something simple, and elegant, so I quickly fell in love with the Silk Tricotine Goddess Gown.  Having worn a bridesmaid dress made of the same material last year, I knew it would be flattering and, most importantly, comfortable.  I am so excited about it—now we need to set a date!