understated

Train wreck inner monologue: too expensive, too flashy, too many dead animals in my Louboutin. It eats away! This gal just needs simplicity in her luxury. I love a good ruffle, a well placed sequin, lots of extras, but what about one piece of silk, draped cotton, purposefully placed lace. It's neo-luxury. Simply stated.

Cue Lover AW11.

// Lace. Pleat. Bow. Understated. That's it, really.

weekend's end

Wishing you an easy ride into your Monday...

The Sartorialist for "The Hamptons" for Italian Vogue Pelle

sb essentials

You deserve Spring Break now just as much as you did when you were a beer-guzzling 21 year old, right? All I needed back in the day was a bathing suit and a cooler. But now? Eh, I like a little more luxe in my vacays. God willing, I would hop on my sail boat, something bubbly in hand, and let my inner prepster loose for a perfectly preppy spring break...

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 + Apple iPad

2 + 5 + 7 + 8 = touring your city du jour

1 + 3 + 4  = beach side maxin' relaxin' all cool

6 + 8 + 9 = casual lunch after sunning

// annnnd with all scenarios you can go ahead and add + iPad because I want one and can't have one. Even + the bike riding scenarios. Yes, I would be that girl.

red & gray

Oh, hey, cool girls in your red pants! 

1, 2, 3

We've seen red with camel through Fall. Bring it into Spring by pairing those red kicks with that pervasive yellow and gray. Casual red ankle pants are dressed up for work with silk, sling backs and neutral jewelry.

blouse: Joie. pants: BDG. necklace: Anthropologie. belt: Banana Republic.

photo cred: Mackensie Searl 

// Headless Shaina representative of true current mental state. Where'd mah brain go?!

cobalt emerges

Alas, I sell out -- I can't get enough of Garance's now ubiquitous pic of Taylor. That Celine clutch. Those sunnies. And her shirt! Imagine a world where that kind of matching was okay for the rest of us. Predictably, fashion's new it-color for Spring has emerged!

Cobalt!

Gals, run out RIGHT NOW and find yourself a chic little touch of cobalt to brighten your otherwise routine spring ensemb. Take a cue from these lovely ladies, below. It's all in the details.

1, 2, 3

// Pastels are for the birds.

hoops & bows

blouse: Theory. earrings: Anthropologie
photo credit Mackensie Searl

Currently loving extra-big hoop earrings and bow detailing. The hoops help me get down with the 70s trend, and the bows keep my feeling sugar pop girly.

thoughts

things worth thinking about:

1. A bike ride to a picnic is a great night out.
2. Understanding that there is no perfect series of life events is hard to do.
3. Loose, silky pants just might be the most comfortable way to look cool.
4. What Katie Ate has got to be the most beautiful collection of food photography. Ever.
5. A big hug at the end of a long day does more for the soul than, say, lots of ice cream. But less for the hips. Certainly, less for the hips.

Fueled solely by my jealousy of personal style blogger swag and fame, I decided that I want to be one too. So this past weekend, I broke out my Jeffrey Campbell's and borrowed a photog friend. Cue celeb status:

Sweater: f21. Skirt: Anthro. Boots: Jeffrey Campbell. Clutch: Bercamy Paris. Sunnies: Tom Ford. Necklace: The Violet Clover, Winter Park. Belt: Banana Republic. Silk scarf: vintage.
photo credit Mackensie Searl