Celebrate: St. Patrick's Day!

Photo Credit

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is one of my favorite holidays... who doesn't love celebrating with green beer??  Unfortunately for some, my team takes today very seriously and you WILL get pinched if you are not wearing your green proudly.  Hardly a challenge for me since I wear green at least 3 times a week since it matches my hazel eyes and light auburn hair... anyway, for those who are feeling less than inspired, I've compiled multiple looks incorporating green from a little bit to the whole shebang.

 Dogeared Wishbone Necklace, $70

Forever 21 Ruffle Sleeve Dress, $12.80

Michael Antonio Trinity Sandal, $41.25

Vera Wang Multistrand Bracelet, $32

The first look was inspired by the fierce cage sandals I found shopping around on Endless (who's having a sale by the way on orders of $100 or more...)  Pairing them with an easy dress and a charming wishbone necklace has got to increase your chances of getting lucky.

Madewell Postcard Cardigan, $68

Gilly Hicks Broken Bay Tank, $24.50

Abercrombie & Fitch Piper Skirt, $35

J Crew Capri Sandals, $49.50

Outfit 2 is a laid back version still using just a pop of color.  The skirt feels fresh & spring-y while the cardi will keep you warm during the chilly mornings.  Now for a more work-friendly version (for those of you with grown up jobs!)

Aldo Streat Wedge Heels, $110

Carlson Slub Cardigan, $58

The Limited Sheath Dress, $98

Apt. 9 Floral Tights, $5.99

Yet again, the details are what complete the look... in honor of spring, sheer floral tights paired with color blocked wedge heels make this corporate look feel young & fun!

Pasmina Silk Scarf, $30

Gilly Hicks Flip Flops, $15.50

OPI Gargantuan Green Grape, $8

Claddagh Ring, $45

Repeat after me:  Accessories.  Complete.  The Look.  Above you'll find a few easy & inexpensive ways to St. Patty-fy your outfit.  No matter what you wear, remember that everyone is Irish today!  Cheers!

Lustworthy: Spring's "It" Dress for Less

All photos from Bloomingdales

I'm sure by now, you've all heard about The Dress.  It's an easy-waisted dress from Parker, comes in multiple iterations and retails for about $200... I don't know about you, but I have a lot more pressing expenses to take care of before I can justify spending this amount of money on a single piece... no matter how beautiful and well-made they are!

This prompted me to find similar frocks for less

1 - Collective Concepts Polka Dot Dress, $64

2 - Collective Concepts Tea Rose Dress, $63

3 - Greylin Ruffle Dress, $99

4- Express Ruffle Front Belted Dress, $55.93

The first collection is still on the more pricey side, but they capture the delicate and flowy nature of Parker's dresses featured at the top of this post.  Additional options below are less expensive.

1 - Lush Racerback Dress, $44

2 - Forever 21 Simple Woven Dress, $17.80

3 - Mimi Chica Ruffle Hem Tank Dress, $44

4 - Go Jane Cut-Out Detail Tank Dress, $27.60

Here's how I would style my Parker-inspired look:

Modcloth Wine & Rosettes Dress, $69.99; Betsey Johnson Dita Pumps, $89.95; Forever 21 Tiered Earrings, $4.80; Breda Abigail Boyfriend Watch, $23.10

Recipe of the Week: Mocha Scones

For every birthday, my work team will bring in a delicious spread of breakfast & treats.  My specialty has always been my Mocha Scones; there are never any leftovers when these are brought!  I follow Sandra Lee's recipe (find it here), but I make it my own by using cinnamon chips instead of white chocolate and mini chocolate chips instead of the regular size!

I Dare You: Follow Up

I found this to be more challenging than I first expected.  Update your ruffles?  Sure, easy, no sweat... boy was I wrong!  Using just what I had in my closet, I tried to find three ways to seasonally update pieces I had bought as long ago as last winter... here's what I came up with:

Additional layers help to cover up this flirty dress for chilly nights and belting adds some flair

My favorite new spring shoes help give this sweet, girly top a little edge

A little leopard print goes a long way... don't be scared to mix and match blues and blacks!

How did you do on this dare?

The Week Ahead...

Sundays always seem to be the worst day of the week because of the impending doom that is an entire work week looming ahead in mere hours... so I've decided to start keeping track of the things to look forward to in the week ahead.  While I'm sad to see my weekend coming to an end, here's a few things making me happy right now...

Spring Flowers coming up outside my window

Finally updating my collage frame with photos from the Bahamas

Souvenirs from my travels displayed on my desk

A yellow rose from my boyfriend cheering up a gloomy day

Spending quality time with Scooby Doo

I Dare You: Update Your Ruffles

Each Friday, I'll post a new Fashion Dare inspiration and follow up on Monday with how I outfitted my challenge over the weekend.  As I'm sure you're all aware of, ruffles are still going strong for the Spring & Summer seasons... but how will you update yours so they're not so last season?

Victoria's Secret Ruffle Tank, $48; Forever 21 Long Beaded Necklace, $5.80; Guess Skinny Knit Jeggings, $79; LC Lauren Conrad Gold Branch Bracelet, $13

Outfit #1 updates the classic ruffle with a bold colored tiered top and earth inspired jewelry.

Claire's Peacock Ring, $8; Yumi Paper Bag Waist Shorts, $25; Forever 21 Ruffle Cami, $15.80; Steve Madden Carlsen Bootie, $59.90

Inspired by spring neutrals, outfit two features your carryover winter boots with a fun statement ring.

 Modcloth In with the Neutral Dress,$79.99; Dune Tetris Wedge Boots, $163; Fossil Crossbody Bag, $78 

Check back Monday for a peek in my closet for this week's fashion dare!

Trendspotting: Weekly Fashion Roundup

Jade Earrings have been showing up on the ears of various Celebutauntes... they can give your outfit a nice pop of color that feels right for this Winter/Spring season the Midwest is in currently.

Jessica Lowndes, Minka Kelly, Shantel VanSanten

For inexpensive jewelry, I always head to Forever 21...

Beaded Hoop Earrings, $1.80

Marrakech Earrings, $3.80

Faceted Dangle Earrings, $7.80

While we're on the earring topic, another trend du jour is the feathered earring.  This trend is much easier to get to than the feathered hair extensions idea... but who knows, maybe the accessory is the gateway drug to multi colored hair a la Carrie Bradshaw in the first SATC movie.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Biel

Again - all items below are from Forever 21

Feather Earrings, $3.80
Peacock Teardrop Earrings, $3.80
Dangling Feather Earrings, $4.80


Speaking of overt embellishments... I'm totally feeling the 3D embellishment movement.  Especially if it's soft flowers.

Dianna Agron, Jessica Alba, Katy Perry

Many retailers have jumped on this bandwagon

Abercrombie & Fitch Dawn Top, $38
LC by Lauren Conrad Rosette Top, $27.99
Gilly Hicks Beaconsfield Sweater, $49.50
Modcloth Gardens of Versailles Dress, $119.99

The final trend goes along with the floral direction and is a personal favorite of mine:  Tulip skirts.  The tulip skirt drapes around the hips and cinches in at the natural waist for a flattering, womanly shape.

Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexis Bledel

Tulip skirts are just beginning to bloom in retailers, but some options are still available to thrifty shoppers.

Modcloth Drape Work of Art Dress, $64.99
Forever 21 Classic Knit Tulip Skirt, $10.80
Chelsea & Violet Polka Dot Tulip Skirt, $78