J.Crew Collection Spring 2012

J.Crew Collection Spring 2012 available now @ J.Crew.

Hello, Color! J.Crew's Spring 2012 collection look book is here with bright hues, stripes, neutrals, and pastels.  I like the idea of pairing bright orange with peach, but I'm not sure I could pull off a monochromatic look. That said, I am fully ready to embrace color this season, but I'll probably stick to color blocking contrasting colors and pairing neutrals with neon.  I would love to add the following J.Crew items to my spring wardrobe:

Toothpick jean in garment-dyed twill $108; Café capri $89.50; Cashmere boyfriend sweater $248;  Cashmere Isabel sweatshirt $248; Edie purse $238; Tillary purse $148; Italian leather skinny belt $39.50;  all @ J.Crew

Sweet Messages From Our Paper Shop

Aren't these cards from Our Paper Shop lovely?

pure love cards $4-18.50; you are sweet card $4; you're kind of great card $4; for you card $4 all via Our Paper Shop

Send a sweet message with these to your valentine or to someone special just because! See more great things from Our Paper Shop on their blog or in their shop.

Runway Report: Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture Show

Looks on the runway via Style.com

A sea of dreamy pastel gowns marched down the runway at the Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture show in Paris. I am awestruck, and think it is safe to assume pastel is going to make a big splash on the red carpet this year.

Looks from backstage {source}

View more photos from backstage here.

The looks were paired with sleek wrapped pony tails, dewey complexions, peachy-pink eyeshadow & blush, a thin wing of liquid eyeliner, individual false eyelashes on the outer eye, and M.A.C.'s Pink Plaid lipstick topped with gloss. 

Watch the looks on the runway below:

Take Nordstrom's Fun Valentine's Day Personality Quiz!

For Valentine’s Day, Nordstrom has an online quiz, to help customers find lingerie to suit their personality and style. Simply answer a few fun questions to determine your "lingerie personality" then shop personalized picks based on your profile.

My quiz results labeled me as a playful flirt, so this pink Betsey Johnson chiffon babydoll may be in my future. Take the quiz here, and shop your personality profile at Nordstrom.

Hunger Games Capitol Couture & China Glaze Capitol Colours Collection

Effie Trinket, Hunger Games via Capitol Couture

I am a bit obsessed with the Hunger Games and have been eagerly awaiting the film starring the gorgeous Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, but more recently I've been intrigued by the stunning Elizabeth Banks' turn as Effie Trinket. In previews she looks pretty freaky, sort of the Lady Gaga of the Capitol, if you will.  In anticipation of the film, the first issue of Capitol Couture has launched and features character profiles, images, and style & beauty tidbits inspired by the film.  Elizabeth's character favors over the top beauty fashion choices as do many of the Capitol's citizens. Capitol Couture highlights a few of the looks including some of the shoes spotted in and around the Capitol including a gold pair of Alexander McQueen booties worn by Effie herself in the film:

Images via Capitol Couture

Additionally, China Glaze will be launching a new line of nail polishes in March to coincide with the March 23rd release of The Hunger Games. The Colours From The Capitol collection features 12 shades and will be available at retailers including Sally Beauty Supply and Ulta. Check them out below:

 

{top} Dress Me Up; Foie Gras; Fast Track; Hook and Line; Stone Cold; Smoke and Ashes; 

{bottom} Agro;  Mahogany Magirc; Harvest Moon; Riveting; Electrify; Luxe and Lush

This is certainly a Hunger Games inspired collection, but the Capitol is flashy, so I half excepted more spring colors thrown in and less neutral hues. Riveting is the only one that reads spring/summer to me, but they are all lovely and they get the mood of the story. Harvest Moon & Electrify are already on my wish list as I think they would look nicely paired together. I never fail to be drawn to glitter!

 
In the meantime, get your Hunger Games fix over at Capitol Couture's tumblr page! 

Cheap Thrills: Emma Roberts' Heart Blouse Is A Must Have

Emma Roberts in ASOS , skinny jeans, and VC Signature Booties at SundanceCute Heart Top $34 @ Lulu*s; Ikat Heart Blouse $38 @ Nasty Gal; Love Ballad Top @ Mod Cloth;

Emma Roberts was spotted at Sundance wearing some fierce red lipstick, and an adorable heart printed ASOS blouse. It isn't very often a celeb shows up on the red carpet wearing something affordable, so I felt this needed a special shout out. The ASOS blouse Emma is wearing is no longer available, but you can get a similar blouse in the $35-40 range just in time for Valentine's day. Pair your choice blouse with vivid red lips skinny jeans or a cute mini skirt and you'll be ready to take February by storm. 

Bright Idea: Ballet Flats

City gals rack up a lot of miles running around town, so if you see a girl who is someone other than Serena van der Woodsen wearing sky high platforms, chances are they have a chic pair of ballet flats patiently waiting in their bag for the big switch. There is no need to settle for the basic black flat when you can have them in bright eye catching hues. These are begging for center stage, and our feet can always use a break from those towering stunners we usually favor. Here are some of my personal favorites: 

Row 1) Tory Burch 'Reva' Ballerina Flat in Red Volcano $195 @ Nordstrom; Cece leather ballet flats in gallery green $138 @ J.Crew; The Suede Sidewalk Skimmer in Crystal Blue $88 @ Madewell; Diane von Furstenberg Abby Printed Canvas Ballet Flats $175@ Saks; Trinket Flats, Tennis Racket $98 @ Anthropologie;

Row 2) Diane Von Furstenberg Abby Blue Bird Flats $175 @ Zappos; Vera Wang Lavender Label Lara Embossed Snake Ballet Flats in Orange Mix $175 @ Shopbop; Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan 'Air Bacara' Flats  in Porcelain Green $148 @ Nordstrom;  Cece suede ballet flats in Oasis Green $128 @ J.Crew; Jil Sander Suede Elastic Topline Flats in Salmon $450 @ Shopbop;

Row 3) Diane von Furstenberg Botswana Leather and Zebra-Print Calf Hair Ballet Flats $198 @ Saks;  Jessica Simpson Madisen Ballet Flat Brule Bermuda $45.99 @ Endless; Cece suede ballet flats in Retro Lemon $128 @ J.Crew; Dolce Vita Lucca Flat in Pink $74 @ Revolve Clothing; Tod's Suede and Patent Leather Buckle Ballet Flats in Raspberry $445 @ Saks;

Row 4) On-Your-Toes Flats, Yellow $138 @ Anthropologie; Bloch London Women's Alia Ballet Flat in Carmine $125 @ Endless; The Suede Sidewalk Skimmer in Green Garland $88 @ Madewell; Yosi Samra Patent Flats in Lime $66;  Cece suede ballet flats in Wild Berry $128 @ J.Crew; On-Your-Toes Flats, Turquoise $138 @ Anthropologie;

Style File: Tangerine Prints

2012 is bound to be a colorful year, with orange, coral, neon, and jewel tones fighting for top billing. These lovely tangerine printed dresses have me longing for warm weather and sun kissed skin. New York has been terribly cold, so while I'm knitting & sitting hot cocoa I'm dreaming of wearing one of these sooner rather than later!

Side Sweep Dress $48 @ Francesca's Collections (TOTAL STEAL!);   Pleated Optic Maxi Dress $248 @ Anthropologie;

Pair these with a belt, sandals, a statement necklace, and pile on the bracelets and you'll be set for a lovely summer-y day.

1/25/12 Style File Update: Vanessa Hudgens was spotted wearing a similar maxi dress in Australia a few days ago. No word yet on the designer of Vanessa's dress.

image source

My new love: DVF iPad case

I received a shiny new iPad as a birthday gift, so as any respectable fashionista I set out to find the perfect case to protect it. There are so many beautiful options, but I decided on this zip around python embossed case from Diane von Furstenberg in the color "reef". The case stands on it own and could pass as a clutch. The iPad fits securely inside and the case can be converted to a stand in the instance you want to watch videos or use a keyboard.








This particular case also comes in slate with orange contrast, and DVF has several printed iPad cases that are quite lovely as well. Shop the selection at DVF.com.