Fashion Bit: Loafing Around

I love heels - platforms, stilettos, peep toes, pumps - but sometimes my footsies need a break.  They want to feel the earth beneath them and be able to walk 3 blocks and not need a cab to bring them home.  My style is constantly evolving and it is now evolving towards flat footwear, and the loafer has become a favorite.  Though I sometimes feel as if I should be wearing a robe and velvet pjs with these puppies, my feet are so grateful after a full day, who cares if I am channeling Hugh Hefner.  Leopard and glitter, a la the above pic, have gotten me through this winter, but I am itching for these pairs below to get me through spring.  You're welcome feet. 

1. Christian Louboutin Rollergirl Tartan Canvas Loafers

2. Charles Philip Shanghai

3. Stubbs & Wootton Black Skull Loafers

4. Charles Philip Shanghai

5. J. Crew Toni Oxford Loafers

6. Dolce & Gabanna Velvet Loafers

Fashion Bit: Twinkle Toes

This weekend I secured my wedding shoe - yes I know it was supposed to be many months from now, but unforseen circumstances had me make my shopping trip early.  Nonetheless - finding a dress was a snap (pics will come soon), but deciding on a shoe took a village.  A village of department stores and a few days traipsing up and down 5th avenue.  After countless sparkly, strappy, platformed options graced my feet (and wore out the sales people) - I finally decided upon this twinkly pair.  Since I am an investment shopper - and my purchases must earn their keep - these Jimmy Choos filled a void in my shoe collection that can be fulfilled on my wedding day as well as for various and sundry occasions.  And now a closing lullabye - Twinkle twinkle little choo, how you are my new favorite shoe!

A Bit Obsessed...

 1. My cherry blossom I bought at the union square market

2. My Banana Republic striped blazer

3. Fresh Brown Sugar Shower Gel

4. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Cleanser

5. My new PNY Lavender Flash Drive

Bits and Pieces: Blaze the Trail

Armed with only a white tee and dark jeans, I accepted my mission. Blazers. The key wardrobe staple that inspires confidence and who's versatility is unmatched. Night, day, work, or play - the blazer always has your "back". (get it? I'm here all week folks). Every season we see it reemerge with a twist. But whether you like your blazer straight up or on the rocks, there's no doubt it's here to stay. Here's my tribute to this great legend. Forward march!

Outfit 1: Banana Republic Blazer | Club Monaco Tee | J.Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jeans | Sergio Rossi Pumps | Cambridge Satchel |Outfit 2: Madewell Blazer | J. Crew Mona Pumps | Outfit 3: Club Monaco Blazer



Bits and Pieces: Grown up prep school

I never dressed up as a naughty schoolgirl for Halloween, but I do enjoy the look with a slightly more refined edge.  Enter - the above en-sem-bleh (I like to say it with a french accent - "zees one, zees one").  With its almost kilt-like appearance, the skirt plays the flirty role in the outfit, while the denim button down demands more respect.  It's like flirting in the boardroom - quel horreur!  And well I just threw on the booties to mix the whole thing up - outfit stew.  Grab yourself a bowl.....and eat it in the cafeteria.  

Blouse: Club Monaco | Skirt: Club Monaco | Belt: Club Monaco | Boots: Madewell 

Bits and Pieces: Pretty in Pastels

 

Spring has arrived for a brief moment in NYC, so I took advantage and threw on my new colored jeans.  Paired with a crisp white blazer, patterned scarf and nude flats, its a great way to bridge the winter gap.

Gap blazer | Madewell white tee | Gap scarf | Madewell jeans | J.Crew flats

Beauty Bit: Members Only

Beauty product subscriptions! I want in!!!!  I have recently been turned on to this novel concept where different companies have membership programs that you join and receive monthly gift boxes FULL of goodies.  Yea - Mr. Mailman soon begins to take on a portly shape and grow a white beard in this mirage.  Is that a sleigh or a mail truck?  Who cares - he's got a package with my name on it!  Here's two of my newest finds: Julep Maven program and Birchbox. 

I stumbled upon Julep nail products while perusing Vogue.com.  The rich purple shade they were featuring for spring was just gorgeous - and the bottle was incredibly chic.  So on the hunt I was - to find these julep jewels and see if I would love the rest of their colors.  To my dismay, they were not sold in NYC (imagine that - isn't NYC the center of the universe? says all New Yorkers), but since I do have a black belt in online shopping - I was pleased to find I could buy them direct from their website.  Founded by Jane Park, a former Starbucks executive, Julep is a small chain of nail salons in Seattle that now carries their own line of nail and beauty products.  And here is where the story gets good - while browsing (hunting) through their website, I came across their Maven program - a membership program that sends you pre-selected full size nail polishes monthly accordingly to your style.  I chose the $19.99/month program and each monthly box contains over $40 worth of full sized nail and beauty products.  My first box arrived just a few days ago - and it was just a little piece of beauty junkie heaven.   

Birchbox is an online beauty company that sells various beauty products, but also offers this simply addictive monthly sampling program.  Frankly, I am not a sample gal.  Don't want 'em, don't need 'em - I put them in the knick-knack, doo-dad category of crap that can clutter my apartment and subject me to a future submission on an episode of Hoarders.  BUT - when I took a look at this lil' diddy of a program - I gladly found space for more stuff.  Though they have many different membership programs available, the one that I chose was the $10/month deluxe beauty sample program.  And while they say sample - these buggers are often full sized or a large travel size - and run the gamut of products.  My first box that arrived this evening contained a full size Essie nail polish, full size Tarte lip stain pencil, travel size Shiseido blotting papers and a Annick Goutal fragrance sample.  Knick-knack patty wack - give Maree a Birchbox!!!!

Beauty Bit: Scent of Spring

Cruising around today in the gorgeous west coast weather couldn't help but make me long for spring to make its arrival in NYC.  New Yorkers yearn for nice weather so much so that when it finally arrives, there is never a need to be indoors.  But when you do eventually peel yourself off your picnic blanket in the park, or come home from afternoon brunch at a quaint sidewalk cafe, you want to continue your spring love affair indoors.  Though this Seda France Japanese Quince candle is one that I could burn all year round, it is the perfect way to introduce spring into your home.  I first stumbled upon this elegant brand while getting a facial at my favorite spa.  The soothing and pristine atmosphere of the spa came alive with this glorious, sweet scent that was wafting through the halls.  Almost immediately after my appointment, I found the nearest store and picked up this cult classic.  Where had I been that I had not heard of this  must have delight?!  The beautiful pagoda box packaging made it even more special - as if I was gifting it to myself.  Since then I have spread the love, gifting to friends and family, confidently knowing that no one can resist this intoxicating scent of rhubarb, passion fruit, white fleshed peach with a hint of white jasmine petals.  The weather in NYC may still feel like winter, but my home will have the scent of spring.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

  

I travel quite frequently for work, and I absolutely abhor packing.  Detest, despise, dislike - well I just can't stand it!  So I try to keep things as quick and easy as possible - enter the plethora of travel sized toiletries packed and ready to go at a moments notice.  Here is a peek at my favorite pint sized pieces.   Bon Voyage!

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil | Molton Brown Shower Cap | Pantene Conditioner | Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer | Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish | Molton Brown Shower Gel |  Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer | Molton Brown Shave Cream | Secret Deodorant | YSL Babydoll Fragrance | Jergens Body Lotion

Market Fresh

Dear New York,

Thanks for the nice weather today.  I am no longer holding my grudge against you for all the "off duty" cabs you sent my way the other night when I wanted to get home.  I figured you would appreciate these photos I took of you at the union square market.  Don't worry, your eyes weren't closed in any of them.

Sincerely,
Maree


Etc: A Beautiful Mess

The fiance sent me this photo from his lunch the other day at Mile End in Brooklyn.  Though my first reaction was "you are soooo going to need a TUMS later", once I stopped to look at the photo I came to appreciate the beauty in this seemingly sloppy mess.  The perfect lines in the wood table, contrast the smooth, round, white plates. The color of the beets make me long for a new pair of patent leather pumps.  Everything is arranged in such a haphazard way, that it almost seems to make sense. While I am sure this meal gave him a massive stomach ache,  I thanked him because it gave me inspiration.  Beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder.