Spring has Sprung

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Simply Styled

The sun is out, the weather has been warming, and you know what that means! It’s time to break out the sundresses, sandals, and light weight clothing! It also makes me REALLY want to go shopping with all the cute spring lines hitting the stores. The color of the season?? Tangerine Tango!

Pantone – the authority on color – voted, and here it is in all it’s summery glory! Now that you’ve seen it, you will start seeing it everywhere! I took to Polyvore to create an inspiration board for this color – if Tangerine Tango doesn’t scream summer, I don’t know what does!

Tangerine Tango by beckyc1923 featuring a magnetic clutch

Oasis lace dress, $145

Party dress

Wallis halter neck top, $52

Alaïa pleated skirt, €1.750

Balenciaga high waisted shorts, $498

HUGO red pencil skirt, $230

Jimmy Choo strappy high heels, $1,295

Kate Spade high heels, $328

Tory Burch strappy flat sandals, $195

ANNIE high heels, €54

Reed Krakoff leather tote handbag, €860

Lanvin magnetic clutch, £825

J Crew straw beach hat, $35

Blush

Tangerine Tango Ikat Pillow Cover 12×20 lumbar pillow Featured on Nate…, $45

Some of more Pinterest favorites below…

Kate Spade’s Gold Coast Meadow Bag in Coral

kate spade gold coast meadow bag... adore this color for spring

Bloomingdales

This fun sheer color blocked top – now if only I knew where it was from!

via Pinterest

Kate Spade Dotz Bib Necklace

Piperlime

A fun polka dotted scarf – and only $15!!

spottedmoth

This fun combo of neon orange and floral prints

http://lareveusee.tumblr.com/post/20587171930

Big Apple Tunic Dress

Jcrew

Scallopped Short – Chili Color

Jcrew

Gianni Bini Candy Colorblock Dress

Dillards

Capelli of NY Ombre Scarf

Nordstrom

Coral Suede Wedge

Steve Madden

Pretty Little Things

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Simply Styled

So today I want to talk about thoughtful storage and pretty displays. In a teeny tiny apartment, we don’t have the luxury of a lot of storage, so I’m always looking for pretty ways to display the things we can’t hide. Not only am I a girl, but I’m a girly girl, so that means I come with a lot of stuff.

In an attempt to streamline our hallway closet, I’ve decided to pull out my prettier products for display, which will free up more space for the practical things I don’t really want out in the open – toilet paper, laundry detergent, and the economy size bottle of Aloe Vera that Kris insisted we purchase because it was a “better value”. Boys!

Anyway, I’ve been on the hunt for a pretty vanity tray to display my perfumes, jewelry, and lotions. I want to be sure it is large enough to contain the clutter, and I am looking for something with sweet decorative details to accent the room. The lovely antique vanity tray (like the above) was my inspiration, but as you can imagine, they are hard to come by without sacrificing a whole paycheck, so I took to Pinterest to seek out some alternative solutions that are just as pretty!

Take a look!

Pick up a weathered picture frame:

You can use fabric, wallpaper, wrapping paper, drawer liners, etc to accent the frame (pink paper above), and give a little character to your new “tray”.

Use an antique looking mirror:

For a SUPER affordable alternative: the Ung Drill mirror from Ikea has a similar look – paint it white and then lightly sand or rub on a bronzing treatment for that aged look.

Repurpose an antique tea tray:

Think about using different words in your Craigslist search, since items with the right look could have had a different function in another life.

Look for modern alternatives:

If antique isn’t your thing, this breakfast tray does the trick! Target has some similar options, and the high sides will let you stack even more in there – bangles won’t clatter out!

Give a second life to an old serving tray:

This is so similar to a serving tray my mom has! Perhaps once used to serve Turkey at Thanksgiving, it’s nothing a bit of silver polish can take care of!

Wise Words: Princess Diana

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Simply Styled

On this particular Monday… my thoughts exactly

Engagement Photos: Balloon Save the Date

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Simply Styled

I have a total obsession with balloons.

I once saw this wedding show (I think it used to be on TLC) where a couple’s friends planned a wedding for them in 24 hours with the help of a wedding coordinator. I distinctly remember the wedding planner vetoing the use of balloons, saying that they were tacky, cheap, and meant exclusively for children’s birthday parties.

I could not DISAGREE more! I think that balloons are charming, whimsical, and just plan fun! Take that TLC! This photo is so simple and I am in love!

Enjoy the rest of the wedding / engagement photo’s I’ve pulled together that involve balloons.
xo

Kind of amazing… right?!?!

Grey Trellis Rug: I Pulled the Trigger!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Simply Styled

That’s right! The Homespun Moroccan Trellis Charcoal Rug is mine all mine in 7-10 business days! (Just wait until Kris finds out *devilish grin*) The decision to get this rug has been a long time coming and I could not be more excited!

Rugs USA Homespun Moroccan Trellis Charcoal Rug

My love affair with this rug started with a few rooms I stumbled upon online – several admittedly coming from A Well Dressed Home‘s blog.

A few Google Searches later, I was officially obsessed and needed a grey trellis rug in my house ASAP. Unfortunately, this rug was on back-order indefinitely! I hemmed and hawed over other colors, but kept coming back to the grey! All the reviews said it was a very pretty grey with blue undercurrents – so perfect for our space! I had accepted defeat, but on a whim, I decided to check the site last week. What do you know?! It was back! In less than five minutes, the order was placed, and I was sitting back happily at my desk, flushed with excitement!

(Side note: remember this post and Inspiration Board I created several months back? This was completed just before I learned that I couldn’t get my hands on that rug!)

Anyways, since creating the above inspiration board, I’d say that I’ve fulfilled about 80% of the ideas! Of course, as things have been hung, bought, and moved around, I have a few other ideas that I’d like to try, so the inspiration will need some tweaks. The owls are on hold along with the star-burst mirrors. I am actually now contemplating a gallery wall and a few sea fan art installations… more on that later!

We are also STILL looking at pillows (the seemingly never ending conversation) but I want to put any pillow decisions on hold until we get the new rug. I think it will really transform the space, and maybe I’ll end up hating all my initial pillow options!

Also on the table? A new sofa. Macys is having a sale (again) and I am kind of loving the Chloe Fabric Velvet Metro Living Sofa. Here it is in the sample photo and again from DecorPad.

Macys Stock Photo

DecorPad

The sofa is a great deal, and truth be told, I am dying to get rid of one of the love-seats we currently have. A nice long sofa will be so nice to stretch out on.

Another secret? As much as I hate Kris’ black love-seat from his bachelor days, I’m almost willing to let him keep it for now, and sacrifice mine because his provides better back support! Wow, I’ve never sounded more like an old lady. We need a new mattress, and a slew of other things before a new love seat, so I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Replacing the cushions on mine seems daunting, and re-upholstering his seems WAY out of my league.

Anyways, the rug will make me happy in the short term! Stay tuned for updates on my little sea fan project 🙂

Puppy in the Rain!

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Simply Styled

I have a total soft spot for dogs wearing clothes, and this is no exception!!

It’s been raining here, so last night Leo and I went on a very wet walk after work. As you can see, he was pleased as punch with himself in his little raincoat. Look at that sassy face! I may just keep him 🙂

Paris Vacation: Outfit Inspiration

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Simply Styled

Kris and I have been toying with the idea of various vacations this year – on the table is Bali, Thailand, or Paris (right out of left field in comparison to the other two, right??) For whatever reason, this year I have been totally romanced by the idea of eating cheese, drinking wine, getting lost in the Parisian streets, and sitting out late at a cafe in the warm summertime air (those that know me, know that my idea of a vacation entails a suitcase of bikinis, a beach, and many MANY pina coladas – thus, my daydreams of Paris are a total 180 for me).

While we continue to debate the options, I continue to daydream about our hypothetical trip to Paris. Half of the excitement for me is imagining where will we go, what will we do, and most importantly, what I will wear! When I think of Paris, I think of black and white, Audrey Hepburn, stripes galore, cute little flats and kitten heels, classic silhouettes, and feminine details – full skirts, peplum, accented waistlines, fresh colors, and impeccable tailoring. No bohemian maxi dresses here! No abstract prints or floaty tops… and nothing TOO trendy. Here are a handful of looks I’ve put together for a jaunt in Paris!

Taking Paris’ Nightlife by storm

Paris Dresses by beckyc1923 featuring a white day dress

Oscar de la Renta organza dress, $5,690

Prabal Gurung mini dress, $827

Print dress, $1,982

White House Black Market strapless evening dress, $398

Embellished dress, $218

Wallis white day dress, $70

Oasis white day dress, £35

Vintage black dress, $48

Rare body con dress, £25

Christian Louboutin high heel shoes, $1,395

Tokyo Milk beauty product, $11

The evening calls for black, anything elegant, and something with a little mystery. I’m envisioning the scene with pressed white table tops, candles, fairly lights, and fancy french food. I’m thinking of twirling in a plaza to a small ensemble playing La Vie en Rose. I’m thinking of sitting atop a wall at the Jardins de Trocadero and watching the Eiffel Tower glitter at night… moonlit strolls along the Siene, and lingering kisses in quiet alleyways.

Picnicking Alfresco – in front of le Tour Eiffel Perhaps

Paris Outfits – Picnic Day by beckyc1923 featuring prom skirts

Topshop sleeveless dress, $80

T Bags sleeveless top, £38

By Malene Birger striped top, £89

Ruffle top, £75

Hollister Co vintage top, $30

Mulberry prom skirt, $435

MARC CAIN zip pants, €137

Polka dot skirt, £48

H&m pants, £25

Chloé flat heels, $450

Butter shoes, $330

Valentino wedge heel sandals, £275

Tory burch shoes, $235

H&M flat heels, £15

With warm summer days, I imagine that there will be plenty of picnics on the lawns in front of the Eiffel Tower. A bottle of rose, a large picnic blanket, and a wide assortment of meats, cheeses, fresh baguettes should keep us plenty occupied. I’ll want something light with the heat, and practical for sitting on the ground. Full skirts and cropped pants in summery colors will fit the bill here.

Sightseeing and Cafe Hopping

Paris Outfits – wandering the city by beckyc1923 featuring hanes tank tops

Alexander McQueen lace top, $2,115
Alexander McQueen sheer blouse, $995
Floral print shirt, $71
Wallis short sleeve shirt, $35
Lipsy top, £32
Old navy tank top, $23
Hanes tank top, $4
Roksanda Ilincic full skirt, $830
Etro wide leg pants, $710
Balenciaga high waisted shorts, $498
Sandro mini skirt, $195
Silk skirt, €139
Coast black pencil skirt, £80
Monsoon pleated skirt, £42
Vila high waisted pants, £30
Miu Miu high heels, $630
Butter leather sandals, $268
Oasis flat sandals, $35

Wandering the city streets, cafes, and museums, I’ll want some combination of fashion and function. Low heels or sweet flats will keep my feet happy, while florals, wide leg trousers, and short skirts will keep the look dressy. No running shoes and fanny packs here my friends!

I left My Heart in San Francisco

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Simply Styled

One day if I go to heaven, I'll look around and say it ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco!

– Herb Cain

What a lucky girl I am to live in such a beautiful, cultured city.

Spring Fashion: Neon Pink

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Simply Styled

Jcrew Spring/Summer 2012

Neon Pink is making a comeback kids – back from the 80’s and hotter than ever, its a huge spring trend that you won’t be able to ignore! Not that I can pull off a neon pink blouse with neon pink lace pants, but if Jcrew says it’s all the rage, then you KNOW neon is going to be making a splash.

The look above is for the ultra fashion forward, but for the rest of us fashion minions, here are a few baby steps to making neon work for you!

Neon Top:

Pair a hot pink slouchy t-shirt (LA cool) with a sweet lace skirt for a weekend appropriate brunch with girlfriends look.

Neon Mini:

Or… take the above concept and flip-flop it – “demure” lace on top, and shocking pink mini on the bottom – perfect for a night out dancing. Note: NOT appropriate for daytime.

Neon Waist:

Anne Taylor
Give your work look a splash of neon with a skinny belt – to be worn with high waisted trousers, a pencil skirt, or to cinch in a cardigan sweater.

Sexy Neon:

Take neon sexy all the way with a backless ruffled dress – wear it on vacation (a total compliment to a fabulous tan), or just feel like you are vacation trotting about town.

Neon Tote:

DVF via Shopbop
Carry it around – a bold neon pink stripe brings this otherwise very safe bag to life.

Neon Toes:

Green Wedding Shoes
A fun DIY: neon tipped pumps. Grab a can of spray paint, and treat your toes to a fun pop of pink.

Neon Skinnies:

Hot pink skinny jeans is another statement for the adventurous dressers – another side note: if your legs, hips, and/or thighs are your problem areas, do not try to pull this off

Neon Lips:

Wake up your face with some bold pink lips – minimal eye make-up required, so this is the perfect look for days when you are running late

Neon “Dress”:
<img alt="Pink neon skirt
Splended via Shopbop
Brunching, lunching, and shopping… here I come! How can you not feel pretty and set for spring in this simple dress (yes it’s a dress – not a skirt). LOVE.

Happy Monday!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Simply Styled

Hope you all had a great weekend!

We had such a lovely weekend with family and friends – lots of food, and lots of warm spring sunshine! This picture is of the cutest pup in the world – Leo – who was all dressed in his Sunday finest for Easter. He’s unfortunately not mine to keep – just puppy-sitting until Wednesday.

Happy Monday!