Finally, Spring.

via Everly True

We made it! The thermometer might not reflect it quite yet, but today's the First Day of Spring and the temperature will soon be looking up. I love those first few spring days when the breeze is more warm than cold, and you can care-freely break out the sandals and t-shirts.

Here's a little First Day of Spring outfit inspiration for you... I hope to be wearing outfits like these soon (either wrangling it over my baby bump, or in May, after Bea makes her appearance). I'm dreaming of...

Maxi skirts & slouchy tees:

via Icon Jane

Light jackets and baseball caps:

via Madewell

Heathery sweatshirts & cut off shorts:

via Pinterest

What are you just dying to wear as the weather gets warm?

The Red Carpet Project

My dad is the king of sending me links to things that he knows I will love. Whether it's movie news, an amazing photograph, or a silly comic strip, whenever I see an email from my dad with the subject line, "I think you'll enjoy this..." I know it's going to be good.

The other day, he sent me this: The New York Times' Red Carpet Project.

A catalog of dresses worn by celebrities on the Oscars red carpet over the past 15 years -- and you can sort it by person, color, or dress style. FUN right?! Go look!

PS: For those of you still disappointed with Anne Hathaway's dress at this past Oscars, take a look at this. It's a little pathetic that she felt like she had to apologize for her choice, but it's nice to see she did have a previously awesome Valentino picked out (I'm guessing in the end it was too much like Amanda Seyfried's?).

The Curse of the February Sandals

via Target Does It Again

It's not my fault. It's because of those sneaky 60 degree days that just pop up all of a sudden in the middle of February and early March and remind you that there is life after snowstorms. I. I. I. Just can't help myself. Especially when rows of new sandals at Target whisper their summer siren song, begging me to try them on... to smell their fake leather new shoe smell... to take them home...

The past two years, I've been suckered. I bought sandals in February, convinced that when April or May rolled around and I could finally wear them, that I would LOVE them. That I would wear them with EV-eryTHING. That I would be SO glad I grabbed them at the store before they went out of stock.

Not so. It is a curse. But still, I buy them. I buy those sandals, convincing myself with thoughts like, "It's a promise of SPRING! It'll remind me that warm weather is coming! They'll bring happiness! They'll break the monotony and despair of 40 degree days!"

And then something happens between the rest of February and throughout the cursed month of March. The wait for spring seems interminable. The weather continues to be frigid. And the brilliance and perfection of the promise-sandals die a slow sad death as they wait in my closet.

Then one day, when it's balmy and perfect, I try on everything I possibly can in an effort to make those dang sandals work. And they don't. I wear them once or twice, trying to appease my buyer's remorse, all the while mourning my muddled winter-headed stupidity in buying those ridiculous sandals. I swear I won't do it again next year.

But so like these sandals just showed up at Target, and I like you know like really like them and think they'll be like so versatile and I can already picture what I'd wear them with and I think I should buy them now even though it'll be weeks before I can wear them, but I know I'll regret it if I don't, and it was so warm this weekend...

Besides, it's March now, not February, so I'm safe, right? Good, because I bought them. Now all I need is a pedicure!! Aaaaand sandal weather. But that's beside the point. Reckless abandon here.

Happy Monday; go get yourself some sandals!

The Imperfection of True Style

via Pinterest

Somewhere on the style spectrum between "impeccably tailored" and "saggy baggy," there is a happy medium called "imperfection."

I've been thinking a lot about what takes an outfit from being just "clothes" to being "stylish." Why do certain people get stopped on the street in New York by fashion photographers while millions of others don't? I know a lot of it comes down to the fact that they broke the rules, or they're wearing something incredibly one-of-a-kind or expensive. But I think there's something to be said for imperfection as well.

I think the difference between "getting dressed for the day" and "having style" can be as simple as personal details. Cultivating your style requires an odd mixture of caring enough to consider carefully what you're putting on, while at the same time disregarding that well-dressed voice of perfection in the back of your mind that says, "But you don't look like ______." It's the imperfect details that make your style unique and what it is. The un-tucked shirt hem. The unevenly rolled pant cuffs. The half-untied lace. The purposefully messy hair. An out of place but favorite necklace. Mismatched earrings. Things that trigger a "wait... what?" reaction.

Accepting imperfection allows clothes to be clothes, allows the fabric to bunch a little oddly, un-tuck a bit, blouse and pouf, trail on the ground. Online we see things styled just so, captured by cameras held just so. In reality, you move a million times a minute, and your clothes move with you, constantly changing your look throughout the course of a day. In reality, shirts and pants and shoes should kind of melt into your personality and daily living.

So wear your scuffed up sneakers with a dress and a baseball cap. Layer a hot pink blazer over a hoodie. Tuck your shoelaces willy-nilly or wear a black earring in one ear with a turquoise one in the other. If it makes you smile a little to yourself, if it makes you feel like you, if it causes a few double takes on your morning commute, if it's happily imperfect... congratulations. You've got style, and it's all your own.

For Monday.

In honor of Monday, since we're all probably feeling a little off our game, I offer you this:

David drew this last week and I can't help laughing whenever I see it. And a laugh is definitely needed right now... it's all fevers and flat tires over here today!

All You Need is...

via Pastel Fables on Etsy

Have a beautiful day loving those who love you... and maybe even those who don't love you but in your dreams they do and one day your unrequited love will be the dream because they will eventually declare their love for you...

The morning started off with exchanging valentines with David & Viley in bed, sitting under the covers, with messy hair (because that's real love). Soon Violet and I will be off to deliver valentines around our apartment (the leasing lady gets one, and Vi's little buddy a few floors down). And tonight, sundaes and burgers and staring into each other's eyes await David and I. It should be a good February 14. Hope it's the same for you!

Happy happy Valentines Day!

The Sartorialist & Co.

via Style & The City

You know what's cool? The revolutionary way that street fashion is starting to shape the fashion world and what's seen on the runways.

Photographers and blogs like The Sartorialist, Style & The City, and Jak & Jil feature pictures of fashionable people in their everyday element: walking to work, drinking coffee, talking on their phone, looking fabulous (and maybe even a little odd). The fashion world has become slightly obsessed with the ease, history, and imperfection behind the clothes and outfits worn by the people captured in these photos.

I often wondered what makes street photographers stop and take notice... Then I saw this article about New York street photographers during Fashion Week: where to find them and how to make them find you (i.e. what are they looking for when it comes to the subjects of their photographs). It's pretty fascinating!

via Jak & Jil

via Jak & Jil

via Jak & Jil

Currently Loving: February

I always misspelled "February" growing up (kind of like how I still misspell the word "misspell"). It's got that tricky, nearly silent "r" in the middle. So I'd just write, "Febuary." I actually still say "Febuary." Probably because pronouncing that first "r" is a little pretentious, okay?

Let's talk lovelies and love and all that. Here's what I'm digging this month, from the top.

• Spicy Mexican Quinoa Soup: I found this recipe last winter, and it's become a cold-weather go-to around here. It's a spicy tomato-based soup, but it's served over quinoa and with sliced avocado which break up the heat. It's mild enough that Vi can still eat and enjoy it (and me too... I'm not exactly adventurous when it comes to spicy). Seriously perfect for sniffly noses and February temperatures. Highly recommend. (As does David.)
• Finding the Perfect LBD: Truth is, I've bought a couple little black dresses over the years -- for weddings or last minute holiday parties -- but I've never truly loved any of them. As of last week, I was still on the hunt for that wear-all be-all and end-all elusive LBD that everyone always talks about. And I found it. Perfect length, versatile fabric & style, can be dressed up or down, gorgeous sleeves, and amazingly on sale for 50% in the store. Yeah. I love this dress.
• Loving it Up on Valentines Day: My mom always made Valentines Day special for me and my siblings -- heart stickies on the windows, candy and a little present at the breakfast table, and after dinner we'd have a huge family valentines-making soiree. The table would be covered with pink & red paper, doilies of all shapes & sizes, gluesticks, glitter, markers, and stickers (usually Snoopy ones), and we'd all set to work constructing the cleverest, funniest, inside-jokiest valentines we could manage, to be distributed while we ate dessert. I have the sweetest memories of Valentines Day. This year, David and I plan to keep to our tradition of eating Five Guys, making sundaes, and watching a movie on the couch -- all our favorites. Ah, love.
• New Ankle Booties: It's kind of hard to sound mature when you're talking about "booties." It makes it sound like I'm referring to some kind of irreverent baby shower gift. Whatever their name implies, they are tres chic. These ones were added to my closet just recently, and I love them enough to share them with you here, even though it required me to write "booties" multiple times.

Are you loving anything in particular this month? Do share!

Home Styling: Corner Shelf

We've made a few subtle changes around Apartment 607: the new year and my anticipation of spring made me antsy (and apparently creative to some degree). I like to switch things up every couple of months... if I feel inspired, that is.

This is just a little shelf in one little corner, but I like the way it turned out:

Here's what's on display:

• Photograph of a pair of traditional Japanese sandals, taken by my late grandmother.
• Antique copy of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, a gift from David.
• Little floral cup, also my late grandmother's. 
• Coral from our last trip to Hawaii.
• Blue candle box, given to us (along with the candle!) as a wedding gift from a friend. 
• Framed "HOME" artwork that I threw together last year using paint chips & Scrabble letters (it's a little rough, but from far away, I like how it turned out).

Little corners filled with memories make me happy.

Currently Collaging: Prints for Our Little Girls' Room

When we found out that we're expecting a second little girl, I began thinking through ways to update the current nursery (Vi's room) into a place for two little ladies. We didn't find out Violet's gender, so the kids' room was decorated neutrally, with a few girly touches added on once Vi came. But since we know that little Beatrice Severn Somerville will be joining us in the spring, I got to work designing the space and picking out prints to frame (for David and I, our vision for any room begins and ends with the artwork on the walls).

In addition to a few other pictures, the two above will be added to the mix: a collage, made by me (ampersands are a little part of the room's theme), and a graphic print featuring a favorite quote from Lemony Snicket, designed by David (since we inadvertently named both our daughters after characters from A Series of Unfortunate Events, we thought it was appropriate. What can I say? I like slightly macabre, old fashioned names). It's always sweet to be able to add a little personal touch to a room, especially a room that our daughters will play and dream and grow up in.

People Watching: SAG Awards

Taking a quick break from our series on petites to talk about favorites from the SAG Awards red carpet!

Melanie Lynskey in Tadashi Shoji: Anyone else notice the amount of emerald-ish greens at this show? Color of the year, anyone? I loved this dress in particular because of the bodice design and the print. It's almost celtic.

Marion Cotillard in Dior: I admit, I'm not crazy about the top of this dress, but the skirt's color, fabric, and cut made me stop and stare. And it's perfect with the simple pointed toe black pumps.

Nina Dobrev in Elie Saab: This one is my all-around favorite. The cutouts & the sleeve length plus the color really made it stand out. Her hair and accessories work perfectly with the dress. Very chic.

Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen: The skirt on this gown is what won me over. The piping details around the mermaid flare are just gorgeous.

Which were your favorites?

A fun little something...

My post about styling for Bittersweet was featured on their blog today! If you haven't made your way over to their site to learn more about their magazine and their cause, this is a great chance to do so... the work they're doing is inspiring and worth reading about.

Currently Loving: January

I've got a number of Girl Friday interviews lined up for the next couple of weeks, but today, we're going to take a break for the January edition of Currently Loving!
Just a few things that are making the winter a little prettier and a little more colorful:

• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: Despite the mouthful of a title (and the fact that I just typed "Just Bitten" like some Twi-hard), this is my favorite lip balm/stick/etc that I've found yet. I love that it goes on like a chapstick (no heavy lipstick feeling), the color stays on for a fairly good amount of time, and I can kiss David without leaving a Hollywood-starlet lipstick stain on his cheek. I currently have it in both "Honey" (shown above... a neutral pinkish-nude color) and "Cherish" (a fun, light & bright pink).
• Crispy Black Bean Tacos, by Smitten Kitchen: We've made these tacos about 6 times in the past 2 months. They're that good. I made them for dinner one evening when we had friends over, and they loved them so much I had to get up halfway through dinner and cook up another batch (which, thanks to the simplicity of the recipe, took just a few minutes!). If you try them, you won't regret it! (Thanks to Becca for the recipe recommendation.)
• Citron: Such a good color for gray days. It hints at spring while livening up winter wardrobes. Plus the brightness transitions into summer really well. I'm currently loving it on this sweater from Target, and on a new v-neck tee I picked up the other day.
• Muk Luks Boot Socks, in Mint: A sweet Christmas gift from my sister-in-law, Marjorie. These socks are perfect for keeping feet warm while infusing a little March/April/May into an outfit, and will be cute with boots well into the spring, thanks to their fresh colors and feminine details. (Thanks, Marj!)

What are you loving this January? Share with the rest of us!

People Watching: The 2013 Golden Globes

Let's talk Golden Globes! I'm kind of a real girl when it comes to Red Carpet events -- the dresses are just too fun to look at... and ooh & ahh/gag over with friends via text (ahem, Elise, Janet, Kelley). Let's start with favorites:

• Michelle Dockery's regal gold & white Alexandre Vauthier gown caught my attention especially -- the colors and style were perfect for her and the occasion. Flattering in every way.
• Kate Hudson's Alexander McQueen dress came in second for me -- the gold detailing at the unusual but rockstar collar and the classy black silhouette worked really well.

While the above were my favorite style-wise, I also loved the following dresses for their color schemes and detailing: 

• Julianne Hough in a Monique Lhuillier gown: Along with her hair, the combination was girly and princess-y. Sometimes you just can't beat a super girly dress... if you can't wear something like this on the red carpet, where can you wear it?!
• Lucy Liu in Carolina Herrera: Definitely a bold move on her part, as this was pretty much the only (colored) print I saw last night. I love both the color scheme and how different it is. Again, the way her hair is styled completes the look. 
• Carly Steel's gown made the list because I loved the contrast of the colored beading/sequins up top with the simple flowy white skirt. It's different, sophisticated, and fun in an indie glam kind of way.
• Jessica Alba in Oscar de la Renta: The color/cut of her dress plus the color of her lipstick, and that necklace? Pretty much flawless. I could do without the clutch though.

And my picks for worst dresses of the night?

• Sienna Miller in Erdem: She looks like a 5 year old's birthday party meets the worst mother of the bride dress ever.
• Taylor Swift in Donna Karan: Umm... the top. I wanted a dress with straps like that when I was 14. Need I say more?
• Rosario Dawson's toothpaste-blue peplum number was cut oddly at the top. Plus it didn't do her middle/hips any favors.

And then there's Emily Mortimer's silver sequin gown, for which there are very few words. And those words are "armor," "eww," and "why?"

Which were your favorite dresses? Which would you never, ever wear?

Clothes for Cheap: Really, Old Navy?

Yet another "This is so painful I just had to share." It's Monday, so you're kind of already groaning, right?

Ohhh Old Navy. Just because you can copy J.Crew doesn't mean you should. I personally don't like J.Crew's blue plaid print at all... but Old Navy upped the ante and made it 10x worse in their copycat version. The J.Crew red medallion print I don't mind as much, but Old Navy's version is, again, pretty awful.

Sorry if these types of posts bore you, but lookalikes like this get me every time. The fashion industry, bless its heart, is a marvel.

Old Navy Plaid Skinny Ankle Pant  //  J.Crew Etched Plaid Pant
J.Crew Café Capri in Silk Scarf Foulard  //  Old Navy Red Print Skinny Ankle Pant

New Year, New Hair!

It was time. I guess my current thirst for color isn't limited to just clothing and just fuchsia (spelled it right the first tiiiime). There is no way I would go fuchsia on my hair. At least. Not all over my head. But the point is: my color craze has manifested itself in a new way!

Ombré highlights might not seem crazy to you, but as a hair color virgin, let me tell you this is the result of a year's worth of me hemming and hawing. I know, it's a little wimpy of me. But I did it, and I love it. Kind of liberating.

Up dork factor to 10, I know.

Excuse me while I freak a little and do a happy dance. And bring on 2013! Happy New Year!

Hot Pink Upgrade.

We've spent most of the past month talking about holidays and all they bring: sparkles, red, gold, etc. blah blah blah. I have to admit... I'm on holiday outfit overload at this point. Anyone else? Ready for a switch up? Upgrade? Trade in?

(via Purse Blog)

Please come now, Spring.

Underneath the veneer of holiday blogging, I've been secretly longing for warm breezes and bright colors (like fuschia fucshia fuchsia. Drat. Someday I'll spell "fuchsia" correctly on the first try. Today is not that day). This happens around January 1 every year... After the holidays, I have no use for Winter and its gray, dreary, shivery existence.

(via Viva Luxury)

I'm ready to pack away my browns & grays & creams and bust out the color! Which is probably why I've been wearing my fuschia fuchsia (DANG IT) loafers most days. I haven't gone so far as to binge on pictures of tropical locations yet, but the only clothes I seem to be able to see currently are brights.

(via Atlantic-Pacific)

April? May? June? Are we there yet?

Merry & Bright

Here's wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas!

We're still hoping for some snow... we saw some flurries Saturday, but we're holding out for the real deal. Vi is doing her part to encourage it: she's got the boots. She's got the sparkly pom-pom hat. She's got the attitude. And she got her Christmas present (a doll stroller) 3 weeks early because I couldn't wait any longer...

Now all she needs is a white Christmas. How can the Universe say no to that face?

I'm off to make a coffee cake... merry merry.

Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve

Happy Friday! We made it to December 21 without the world ending. Those prankster Mayans.

Any fun weekend plans? Ours kicked off yesterday (if you count Thursday as a little pre-weekend)... I went up to my mom's and made seven different kinds of Christmas cookies with my siblings all day. We made the classics (for us, anyway): sugar cookies, chocolate chip walnut, orange glazed, cranberry white chocolate chip, ginger, raspberry jam thumbprints, and the family favorite -- chocolate blossoms. Last night we visited the Downtown Holiday Market in DC with friends after a warm dinner of pho (my first time trying it... and Violet's. She downed that stuff like it was candy). Tomorrow we get to catch up with my long-lost brother who's home from college for the holidays, and then before we know it, it'll be Christmas Eve, which brings a buttload of presents to wrap because traditionally, I leave wrapping for Christmas Eve. In between all that, we'll be wishing real hard that this dratted rain will somehow turn into snow before the 25th. Or just sometime before March. We're not that picky.

On serious note, whatever you end up doing this weekend, take some time to love on your close friends and family. A week ago today, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary occurred. Those sweet children and their families are very much on my mind, especially as the holidays approach... instead of wrapping and cookies this weekend, they're facing the task of burying their 6- and 7-year-olds. I know... it's such a harsh reality. But I really feel that, even as the headlines grow smaller, we should continue offering our support and love. If you pray, pray for them.

Wishlist

Just a few things I'm wishing for this Christmas...

1: UO Rug: Something bright and colorful to put at the foot of our big armchair. 

2: Sequin skirt: For outfits like this. 

3: Amour necklace: You can never have too many circle gold pendants. Plus this one spins! 

4: AE Tank: Sadly, no longer available. But isn't it pretty? Perfect under a cozy cardigan. 

5: Lemon Zester: It's what my kitchen is missing. And I hate washing out my grater. 

6: Striped Washi Tape: For collaging and wrapping and stuff. 

7: Essie's Beyond Cozy & Mango Bango: Neutral + sparkly & bright coral nailpolish for gray winter days. 

8: Anorak jacket: Styled with jeans, socks, and boots... a great throw-on Fall/Winter/Spring jacket. 

What are you hoping for this December? Share a link in the comments if you've made a wishlist too so we can all see the pretty things you love.