Orange Crush, cont...

Versace bag

The more orange I see infiltrating the stores, the more I want the color to infiltrate my wardrobe.  I love the pop of the sunny shade against summer whites, khaki, chambray... It's just the right combination of sporty and jet-set. 

Celine Spring 2011

I am lusting after a big (maybe even oversize) tote in the bright hue. While I previously posted (Orange Crush) about the citrusy Tods bag I am considered taking out of retirement, I am now leaning towards new one -- in more of the Hermes-y orange that was so chic on the Celine runway.

Celine

 

Celine

Celine

I love this lightweight Celine leather tote I saw hanging on a mannequin at Saks the other day. Structured is always polished but I am feeling more of the soft, slouchy style for my everyday, around-town, casual warm-weather look.

Akris

Maybe this amazing Akris bag strikes the perfect balance between structured and soft. (Who would have thought that possible?)  Now, if I only knew someone at the company....

Going Wide

Derek Lam

I've been going skinny for a few years now... squeezing myself into the tightest jeans I possibly can -- even when I was very pregnant. Despite my husband telling me that even Kate Moss doesn't look good in skinny jeans (I beg to differ), I persisted. And since I've gone skinny, I'm not sure I can ever go back. 


I admit that I recently bought a pair of J.Brand bootcuts to wear over a pair of high Louboutin boots. I tried them on for my sister, who gasped and said, "What is this 1998?"! Back to Saks they went. I even tried the whole "boyfriend" jean thing -- and just felt sloppy. Sticking with my skinnies.


But maybe now is the time to go to the other extreme -- super wide-leg denim. There is something chic for spring about the flared jean -- seventies jet-set. They actually can be quite flattering, if worn right. Heel height is important -- unless you are supermodel tall, the higher the better when it comes to footwear. And I love a platform with wide-legs. I'm into the high-waisted style, too, with a blouse tucked in or even a basic tank or tee.

Notify jeans

MIH jeans

A look from the new Rachel Zoe collection

So, I'll give wide a try this spring -- but I am not giving up my skinnies! 

Dreaming of Studs

In the mist of yet another snowstorm here in New England, snow piling on top of snow (with more blizzards in the forecast), I strangely can't stop thinking about studs. Studded sandals, that is.

A pair of Prada strappy flats studded with pointy spikes caught my eye the other day at Saks and I immediately imagined my jet-set-with-an-edge summer look. Maybe with my sailor top and white jeans, with khaki shorts and a basic tank, with a little black short shift -- adding a slightly hardcore twist to the classics. I'm obsessed.

Prada sandals at Saks

Now all I see are studs. I also love the Valentino gladiator style and think the brown or nude leather version might be more versatile for summer than the patent black.

Valentino sandals from saks.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

Oooh. But the Balenciagas are slightly more downtown -- I like that and love the creamy color. And the powder blue option is adorable if I had the budget for more than one pair.

Balenciaga sandals from Balenciaga.com

I definitely cannot picture myself in the dominatrix-y platform Louboutin that the celebs seem to be into (think Kardashian). Although, when styled with simple looks, the result is pretty cool. But the flat version is more my speed.

Louboutins on display at Saks

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Heidi Klum in studded Louboutins

Louboutins from Net-a-Porter.com

And I am kicking myself that I never bought the Alexander Wang bag with the studs subtly peaking out from the bottom when it came out a few seasons ago.

Mary-Kate Olsen with an Alexander Wang bag, also right.

Burberry showed trenchcoats bedazzled with studs in the spring 2011 collection. Doesn't quite jive with my mom-on-the-go look but the concept is cool nonetheless.

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear from style.com

Emma Watson in studded Burberry from popsugar.com

While I wouldn't wear more than a single studded piece at a time, I am not sure I can buy just one. A girl can never have too many studs in her life, after all.