In the Spirit of Spring...

Okay, it may only look/feel like Spring in Portland, like, 60% of the time right now...but a girl can dream! And you know what they say, "April showers bring May flowers"! Hoping that sunshine comes early though...as in next weekend...so I can host my birthday outside on the rooftop bar instead of around a crowded restaurant table.

Anyway, here's what's inspiring me for this new season:

My color of the moment is definitely white. It could be my recent discovery of Portland's Organic Bronze Bar and newly tanned skin that looks pretty amaze in the hue...but in my eyes, you just can't ever go wrong with white. Or black.

But for Spring, I'm loving the fresh, bright whites and crispy, clean pieces to update the feel of a wardrobe. Plus, something about white just screams modern day Jackie O and who can complain about that?

Maybe it's my new job at Free People, but right now I'm totally in to the idea of "festival dressing" even though I never find the time to actually make it to a festival...

The whole Boho Chic-Beachy Glam-Nicole Richie-esque style is perfect for this warmer weather we're having...or will be having...soonish.

Home sweet home, refreshed! What's better than a little interior facelift after that crazy Spring Cleaning sesh?

Update your dwelling place with a shot of color on the walls or in new linens. Fresh flowers, patterned pillows and simple, updated accessories are just what the doctor ordered to bring your home into the spirit of the season.

Enough inspiration...let's go shopping.

xx.

Carpet Sunday!

This weekend, it's all about the SAG Awards and there were some definite lookers this year!

 

By far, my best dressed has to go to Rose Byrne for taking a risk on the carpet in a gorgeous Elie Saab Couture jumpsuit. Perfectly fit, amazing texture, and an even better neckline...she looks amazing! Loving the freshly cut bob as well!

My other faves include Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen, Michelle Williams in Valentino and Jayma Mays in Reem Acra. Whether it's with lace, sequins or jewels, texture was present on nearly everyone today. Trending posts to follow. XX.

Emma

Michelle

Jayma

Technology Takeover: Part 2

Between the long awaited unveiling of the newest iPhone as if it was a visit from the President, the overall obsession with "checking in", and our incessant "hash tagging", the Internet and, just as well, the entire world of electronics, is seriously taking over. With hundreds of ways to share, catch up and, inevitably, stalk each other, there is no escaping it! The young digerati is in full force and, to be honest, I love it and I hate it.

It's great to be able to see what your friends are up to, grab information in a matter of seconds, and do practically everything short of eating sushi via cell phone but the reality of it all is sorta creepy! If you haven't noticed, Facebook always seems to know what you're thinking. On the side bar, they're able to post ads for products and services that you may like. And how did they know you wanted to take Salsa dancing lessons last Friday? Metadata. You're checking in to places, commenting on friends' photos, and searching for pages like there's no tomorrow and all of that information is now public - and Facebook - knowledge. By voluntarily providing all of your information to the Internet, multiple sources can now use that data to strategically implement their product or service right in front of your face so that you might click on it and potentially become a customer. Pretty smart, huh? Yep, and somewhat creepy! But that's what happens when our culture is making the shift from personal and private to totally disconnected and public. 

We can't really complain about "lack of privacy" because we're to blame for choosing to blog, tag, and update our status 15 times each day. By the time our kids have kids, there will literally be no such thing as privacy, or paper books for that matter. As a certified nerd, I don't really mind the technology take over because it's just too fun getting in on the latest gadgets but when you sit back and think about it...it's just really crazy how far we've come, even from when I was a kid - and I'm only 21! Imagine the crazy factor for my parents...

Pantone's Color of the Year: 17-1463 Tangerine Tango

Dance into the New Year with this vivacious and appealing reddish orange
CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 8, 2011 – Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a vivacious, enticing hue, as the color of the year for 2012.
The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.
“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

source: pantone.com press releases

I could go on and on and on about my excitement over this lovely color but, as I've said before, it just looks good on everyone - and everything.

With that said, here's some inspiration for you. XX.

Golden Globes 2012

Okay, okay. I'm a few days behind. But, sadly, that's what happens when you're forcing yourself to cram 2 years of education into 1.

Anywho, just a small update on the trends at the globes this year. XX.

Blush Tones For Days


Backless Beauties



Headbands - 3's a Trend



Making a Splash in Fishtail Flares



Sleeves a la Kate



Build Me Up Buttercup

Cheers to a New Year of Color in 2012

Finally - a new year! As fast as 2011 flew by, it also seemed as if 2012 would never come. Aside from the ridiculous "world-ending" drama swirling around with the rest of the new year buzz, this January brings hope for yet another season of to die for fashion. As per usual, there are some new colors to add to your wardrobe - or pull out of boxes from years past. XX

Grandma's Kitchen. Brassy golds, dull greens and ashy browns have an earthy 70's quality that's easy to love.

Damir Doma spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Thakoon Addition pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon Addition; Balenciaga spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Jenni Kayne pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Jenni Kayne.

Neutrals, Neutrals, Neutrals. I personally can't get enough of this. Probably because most everything I own is a sister, brother, or cousin to the ever-beautiful neutral family. Layering grays, browns, and soft nudes creates awesome, easy to wear texture.

Anne Valerie Hash spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; TSE pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of TSE; Burberry pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Burberry; Thakoon pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon.

Pastels, Baby. Girly and fresh, these feel good hues will definitely give your eyes a break from the neon trend of the Fall. Lighten up your outfit in a different way this Spring - with a softer, feminine palette.

3.1 Phillip Lim spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Rachel Roy pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Rachel Roy; St. John pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of St. John; Reed Krakoff pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Reed Krakoff.

Geo-Graphical. Blackest black and stark white, bold geometrics, and splashes of color will add stunning interest to your closet in the upcoming season. A slight ode to the color blocking trend, think big with stripes and graphic patterns.

DKNY pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of DKNY; Ports 1961 pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Ports 1961; Chanel pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Chanel; Zero + Maria Cornejo pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Zero + Maria Cornejo.

Mean Tangerine. Well, maybe not so mean. This shade of orange looks great on nearly everyone and is definitely thee color to covet in 2012. It's sunny, bright, and trendy. Wear just a pop, or devote an entire outfit to this perfect-for-all-seasons hue.

Chloe spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Jason Wu pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Jason Wu; Cacharel spring '12, Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo; Thakoon Addition pre-fall '12, Photo: Courtesy of Thakoon Addition.