spring breaker

i may not get a spring break anymore, but i'm lucky enough to have a sunny vacation booked for later this week. after an epic, endless east coast winter (and just as epic fashion month!), i'm seriously craving some vitamin D. but i have to admit -- i feel feel totally unprepared! i can hardly remember what it's like to be on the beach and will probably pack all the wrong things. fortunately there are a few items i've relied on for so long that i could never forget them.

for starters, my beauty regimen changes pretty drastically in the summer. i wear less makeup since i usually have a bit of a tan, and just use bare minerals original mineral veil for a fresh, matte finish. i still moisturize obsessively in the summer and have tried just about every face oil out there, but tarte's pure maracuja oil is the only one that seems light enough for a hot, humid day. 

in that same vein, i just learned that bobbi brown makes a body oil version of her classic beach fragrance... is this a new development, or am i really behind? i don't wear beach anymore, but my friends and i always packed it for vacation in high school and loved it. ahh, nostalgia. body oil is the perfect thing to slather on after a day at the beach (post-shower, of course); my skin gets dry from the sand and water, and the oil leaves a slight sheen as well.

i do love a slight tan, but i always wear sunscreen too. i'm especially diligent about my face, and borderline-OCD about my lips! mario badescu's eye and lip sunscreen is amazing; it's slightly thick so you can really feel it soaking in. (bonus: it doesn't taste horrible like other sunscreens you try to put on your mouth!) 

i don't own these loeffler randall sandals yet, but once the weather warms up a bit i'll be adding them to my cart immediately. metallic gold sandals are literally the only shoe i wear during the summer because they go with everything and compliment tan legs! (i've worn j.crew's flat thongs religiously for years)

and last but not least: simply put, j.crew makes the best swimsuits, and at good prices too. i've built up a collection over the years, and not only are they flattering, but they never pill, stretch, or wear thin... all of mine still feel brand new. (this french top is pictured above)

II emily

stock market

images via pinterest

i've had a pair of taupe birkenstocks for at least 7 years now - i actually can't remember when or why i bought them. potentially for a high school trip to greece? but  since i never ended up wearing them (sorry mom), they are essentially still in mint condition. i pulled them out last summer just as the ugly-shoe trend began in earnest (and after i saw mary-kate olsen wearing some with jeans), but after spotting these photos above, it's clear my suede slides won't be making the cut this season. i love the stark black and white leather versions with a super simple outfit, like a cotton dress or blazer - and a nice tan wouldn't hurt either. now i just need to decide which ones to buy. they even come in patent leather! and the comfort factor cannot be beat.

pre-spring acquisitions

 

with fashion month winding down, all anyone can talk about is what they're going to buy for the coming season. my favorite luxury websites are starting to stock my favorite SS14 pieces, like these chloe sandals, this phillip lim sweatshirt, and this givenchy tote, among countless other temptations. talk about a wish list! while i generally stick to more affordable options,  i'm treating myself to some splurges that will not only revive my spring wardrobe, but will look chic throughout the entire year (and many, many years to come).

first on the list was this black-and-gold fall '14 mansur gavriel tote, above, which i pre-ordered on moda operandi (sadly the trunkshow is now over). i love mansur gavriel's simple, sleek bags, but it seems like everyone is buying one -- and i mean literally everyone. i wanted something different from the variations i see every day, and the metallic gold interior on this one is a super cool update.

next... ringing in at $65, these le specs sunnies weren't exactly a splurge, but i felt they needed to be included! mirrored sunnies have been a huge for some time now, but i think they look will especially chic with this season's clean, minimal shapes -- especially in neutral tones (or even better, all white).

i've admired erica weiner's jewelry for a while now, and was especially drawn to the tiny, precious gypsy spark yellow gold and diamond earrings. they are handmade in new york and were inspired by an antique in the V&A museum in london. not only are they beyond lovely, but they're also versatile enough for every day. i finally pulled the trigger and can't wait to see them in a few weeks.

and last, but certainly not least... the m2malletier "fleur du mal" bag. i've been crushing hard on this brand for over a year -- i first spotted one of their bags in a street style photo and immediately tracked them down. a couple of weeks ago i was lucky enough to meet the two designers, marcela and melissa, and naturally they are just as cool as their timeless designs. my black bag is being handmade in barcelona and is due to ship later this month; suffice it to say the anticipation is killing me!

what are you splurging on this season?

II 

emily