The Red Bag

Jenna Lyons with a Celine bag from whowhatwear.com

Red bags have been catching my eye lately...  I love how the punch of color can perk up any look. (Notice how Jenna Lyons, above, matches her lipstick to her bag.)


A Celine tote, like Lyons', is on my wishlist... I know I would carry it everywhere. 


But I also really like this smaller, very prim shape. It's a little grandma-y and I am not sure when or where I would carry it, but I think it's kind of chic.


The Celine version from a few seasons ago is a true classic.

Celine

I've been eyeing these from J.Crew and Zara:

J.Crew

Zara

While, I've never been a real purse person, I think I could try and work one into my wardrobe in an edgier way and give this retro-style a more youthful flair.

Spotted: Canvas Totes

Saw a really cute canvas tote on my friend the other day -- low-key with an equestrian/Hermes-y feel. Loved it. Loved it even more when I found out it was from Zara (and under $30).

Zara

I have been happy toting my straw bag around this summer, but finding that it gets pretty stretched out when overloaded (which inevitably happens when I'm plus kiddies and stuffing in water bottles, sunblock, bug spray, dolls, etc...).  So, I think I also need a basic bag with a touch more structure.

J.Crew

Chic Colorblocking

Pippa Middleton looks great in this little frock from Zara... So into the kelly green and navy pairing. More and more I am loving the idea of easy summer dresses. Simple, fuss-free and instant polish. What could be better than that? 

Denim I Can Do

Stella McCartney

Derek Lam

These new takes on classic denim are pieces I defintely could work into my wardrobe.

J.Crew

J.Crew

Zara

For the mini mes:

Zara

Zara

BabyGap

The (White) Denim Diaries, Part IV

Found a great pair of white jeans!  Tight, skinny and with gold ankle zips -- from Zara. I have the same pair in navy blue (see prev post New Nautical) and thought they might work in white too. Had to call the store everyday to track a pair down. They are light weight (maybe a tad on the thin side) but at $39.99(!) they don't have to be perfect.  


Now summer can officially start! 

High-Low Princess

The day after donning two Alexander McQueen custom-made gowns, Princess Kate threw on an $89.90 Zara frock to make her post-wedding appearance and be whisked away in the royal helicopter.  Makes me like this girl even more...Officially fancy yet keeping it real.

Zara

Adorable dress -- no doubt sold out in a flash.

New Nautical

Zara

I'm slowly getting my wardrobe warm-weather ready and recently made a couple sailor-inspired purchases.... Nautical is a perennial favorite. (see my prev post It's a Classic). I bought these skinny cotton pants, (jeans, really), above, with gold ankle-zippers from Zara and am loving them -- with just a simple white tee on top. Cute and easy. They come in other colors, which I might have to consider.  

And below, this striped tee with a side-tie was on sale and I couldn't pass it up. Wore it with my dark-wash denim and plan to also pair it with white jeans (if I ever find ones I like) and shorts. Would look cute with army-green, too. 

J.Crew

I just saw this super casual dress at J.Crew and think I need to go back and get it. Perfect for playing in the backyard with the kiddies or as a pool cover-up! Love anything fuss-free for summer!  

J.Crew

I am on the hunt for a cute pair of red flats to go with my new navy.  I completely have worn through my last pair.  Has anyone anyone seen anything good?

Now, if it would only stay nice outside...

Brights, Brights, Brights

I went to a charity fashion show the other night. It featured clothes that are in store now. The overall story? Bold, bright party dresses.  Now, I look around and that is all I see. Candy pink, kelly green, royal blue, electric orange. Everything in solid shades. At Saks, there were racks of bubble gum pink Prada that was impossible to resist. I know I've been going on and on about color lately (see previous posts Pink Cocktails, Orange Crush, Seeing Red, Blue Wave) and this just reinforced it: Must get a fun frock in a shocking shade for summer.


I popped into Zara for my trend fix and there were bright dresses galore.

 

Now, I just need to start my warm-weather entertaining!




Oh, and I couldn't resist these for the minis:

The (White) Denim Diaries, Part II

I went to Zara in search of white jeans (see my previous post on my hunt for this summer staple). They had none. I ended up with this...

A white cotton tiered minidress.  Looks much cuter on than in the pic. It has an exposed zipper in the back which adds a little character. Will probably wear it with flat sandals for summer nights or afternoon parties. Need to experiment with accessorizing it.

Love this mini -- has a retro feel to it. The stiff fabric and slight A-line is really flattering. Again, will wear with flats and maybe topped with a simple tank. 

Pretty blouse in blue...  wish it was an even deeper navy but I like it nonetheless.  Seems like it will be versatile in my wardrobe.

I liked the slouchy casualness of these tanks. The colors are fun and the zipper is a cool detail. Will wear with white jeans (if I ever find them!).

I can't even explain how comfortable these little canvas-y flats are!  They have a rubber sole so, they are perfect for the playground and running around with the kids -- I will not worry about ruining them because they were literally less than $30!

Note: I tried on lots of poppy red pieces (see Red Alert), and had no luck. Maybe the hue is just not for me? 

While my search for white jeans continues, I am making some great discoveries along the way!

Red Alert

Need a little inspiration to get your bright on?  Natalia Vodianova radiates in her little red jacket and matching Chanel bag.   

The stores are full of this poppy hue for spring... I stopped into Zara the other day and saw racks of pieces in this spirited shade. I love buying on-trend pieces there because it is not a big investment or a commitment.  Wear it just few times during the season and it is no big loss.  I'm thinking of going back to get a one of these dresses and the basic tank.

I bought this for my mini-mes (wish they had it in my size!):

A cute cotton short or skirt in this tomato red might be an simple/sweet way to wear it -- with just a white tank or tee. 

J.Crew

J.Crew

A slouchy tote or flats in red would no doubt end up being summer staples...I like the matte leather in this shade of red.

Marc Jacobs

J.Crew

I think a little poppy could go a long way, no?

The (White) Denim Diaries, Part I

White jeans are always the hardest to track down...  I think the challenge is in finding the right combo of a not-too-thin denim and a tight enough fit. Last year, I spent the entire season trying on white jeans and never ending up buying a pair. I gave up when it started snowing. Now, I am on the hunt again.  I am going to start with the J.Brand pencil leg that I've been wearing in dark denim lately and go from there... Maybe try J.Crew, the Gap, Current/Elliot... A friend told me she found a good pair from Notify. And I actually like the look of the Victoria Beckham jeans!

Victoria Beckham "Mid-rise skinny" jeans

J.Brand "912 low-rise skinny" jeans

Current/Elliott "Stiletto low-rise cropped  skinny" jeans

Zara

J.Crew "Matchstick" jean

J.Crew "Toothpick" jean

I do have a pair from Zara that I've worn for years now but they are just OK, not great. I know that the perfect-fitting pair is out there!  Let's just hope I find it before the season is over.