Spring Splurging

After receiving my TeenVogue, Vogue Magazine, and Nordstrom March 2011 Catalogue, I marked up all the pages to which I wished to return, or at least make note of. The articles were all superb, (Vogue et TeenVogue) of course, but those inky ads splashed across every couple pages of text simply steal my heart every month.

Alors! A small dedication to them on She Blogs Couture. Keep in mind while you're perusing that any monetary donations are of course welcomed for 'Elly's Wardrobe Fund', too, but why not eliminate the middle man and just donate the shoes themselves (Kors by Michael Kors Sasha Sandal at right)? Just joking, of course! But only kind of.


Anyway, indulge yourself in the blissful articles of clothing my eyes were drawn to during this particular read-around. And keep in mind how wonderful all of these would look with Spring-splashed neon fabrics.

Très chic.

Kate Spade Flap Handbag (citronella, bone, or hot pink; also in black)



Coach Phoebe Bangle Watch

                                                                                                                                                           

Calypso for Target

Marc by Marc Jacobs Miss Marine Rock

And there you have it. Five items I now feel will fill the vast empty void of my heart (a void that did not exist until I laid eyes upon the aforementioned five items). So, thank you, Nordstrom, TeenVogue, and Vogue. You've done it again.

bagbliss.com, bloomingdales.com, globalintimatewear.com, nordstrom.com, nitrolicious.com

Swim in Style

With Spring Break behind us and Summer right on its heels, Manatee High Students are  reluctantly packing away their warmly-lined Frye boots, favorite North Face fleeces, and beloved Terani scarves. The wardrobe of choice for off-duty students come April includes any and all things swimwear, and this year’s Spring/Summer collections offer plenty in the way of inspiration.

Along with the Mad Men-style tailored dresses from past Fall/Winter 2010 collections comes a swimsuit equivalent. The retro swimsuit look (circa 1950) has been favored by actresses Scarlett Johansson, Marisa Tomei, Megan Fox, and singer Taylor Swift, but despite popularity amongst celebrities, remains a bold hit-or-miss choice for the everyday beach goer. Classically chic and forgiving to one’s curves, the vintage-era bikini is definitely making a conservative comeback, as seen in Peter Som’s Spring 2011 Collection.

If the retro style is not up your alley, another way to keep your water-wardrobe looking fresh is with a splash of pattern. Any pattern will suffice, but ones that seem to be cropping up with the most variation are tropically themed. At one point considered tacky, the tropical palm tree-printed suits are back on the rise, as perhaps designers playfully showcase their sense of irony placing a once-tabooed print onto their high end merchandise. An excellent source for tropical printed suits is the always affordable Urban Outfitters.

The monokini has consistently been a style one either loved or hated throughout the past couple
swimsuit seasons and Spring/Summer 2011 is no different. Though there are plenty of versatile styles the monokini can transform into, the suit still remains controversial in terms of its popularity, but has managed to stay on top for the upcoming swimsuit season. Bringing to mind the image of elegant glamazons who exist only in James Bond movies, the look is a tough one to pull off.
So many options to choose from to liven up our swimsuit collections means there is no excuse to be boring this swimsuit season. Whether you opt for a monokini, tropical print, or the retro-inspired, you’re guaranteed to make a splash!

photos from coolspotters.com

Pin it!

After another couple weeks have slipped out from under me, I'm back- and with fabulous news! A friend of mine at Scene Magazine (where I currently intern) introduced me to Pinterest, a website that is basically your own virtual scrapbook to (as the site eloquently puts it) "catalog the things you love".

Once you become a member the site places a link in your bookmark toolbar to 'Pin It', so that if you're on any site or blog and your eye is caught by a photo- you can save it! Straight to your Pinterest page. The photos are all organized on separate category boards that you create- from Fashion Pics to Future Apartment Decor. I urge you to check mine out- and start one for your own!

It's great for blogging, or even to simply designate a place where you know you'll receive a daily dose of self-planted inspiration.

j. crew mood board from lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com