loeffler randall resort 2013

{ from top left: mint rider bag, water snake rider bag, skye gladiator sandal, starrett platform sandal, mini rider in nude, white and neon orange, electric mint lock clutch, and cobalt mix rider bag }

the general consensus is that structured bags are the only kind worth having this season. my slouchy 5-year-old marc by marc jacobs hobo may suggest otherwise, but believe me, if i could drop $500 on one of these loeffler randall beauties, i'd be a proud new member of the bags-that-look-like-briefcases brigade. these are clean, modern and sleek, but nowhere near as boring as some of the other iterations out there. shiny closures, smooth piping and mixed textures add plenty of necessary interest. 

these bags are also really... resort-y, as the name suggests. in pastels, pale beige and even pure white, they were literally made for jet setters who plan exotic december getaways. but i can see a lot of these bags looking just fine with standard winter wardrobes -- it's all about finding balance. wear the minty number with greys and camels, or let the emerald clutch pop against an all-black ensemble. and that tan, black, and python number would function absolutely perfectly all year round -- it's the perfect mix of neutrals.

but the shoes... the shoes should probably be reserved for poolside parties and barbecues. i'm not one to encourage frostbite. but they're definitely worth scooping up now if you have that luxurious vacay in mind (or, you know, if you're already planning your spring break outfits).

II emily

beauty moment: baby pink

i've loved pale pink pretty much my entire life (save for a brief phase in which i told my 2nd grade class my favorite color was black in an attempt to be rebellious...) and find it acceptable on almost anything -- pants, dresses, bedding, flowers, accessories, jewelry, walls, art, tees... and of course nails. a pale pink manicure is the epitome of chic, but until recently, most of the pale pink polish varieties had been decidedly sheer. kind of 'your nails but better' and so subtle -- almost colorless.

i wasn't so into that timid 'pale pink.' it wasn't until i discovered the opaque, cotton candy goodness of butter london's 'teddy girl' lacquer (pictured below) that i became instantly re-obsessed with my girlish pale pink past. finally, real pale pink nails were back in the most saccharine of ways, and i had a sneaky suspicion nail polish was just the beginning.

my personal obsession continued when i snapped up my beloved ysl  sheer candy lip balm in 'cool guava' -- basically the best tinted balm that has ever existed. it's ultra-moisturizing, perfectly tinted and a little bit shiny; all in all, the perfect amount of color for daytime errands. and it comes in a sleek silver bullet of a tube, so you still feel like you're applying lipstick.

 then i spotted the MAC ad {below} in this month's  issue of vogue and couldn't contain my excitement (nor could my best friend, betsy). baby pink nails and baby pink lips? is it sickeningly sweet? way too cute? maybe, if you pair the look with a gingham dress or glittery flats. super-sugary lips and nails like this look best with simple, streamlined ensembles that aren't girly in the least. but as the proud owner of more florals and bows than i can physically count, i'm not one to judge how you rock this look.

 

{ image: MAC advertisement for the new st. germain makeup range // products: MAC nail lacquer in st. germain / MAC lipstick in st. germain / butter london nail lacquer in teddy girl / YSL volupte sheer candy glossy lip balm in cool guava }

II emily

candy-colored inspiration

{ lavender wedges: aldo / pointy heels: aldo / yellow wedges: aldo / pink & yellow necklace: bauble bar / sunglasses: karen walker / monogram necklace: bauble bar / nail polish: essie 'to buy or not to buy' / rope bracelet: bauble bar }

these punchy accessories illustrate my three favorite colors right now: pale lavender, bright pink & neon yellow. they're cheerful, feminine, and shockingly versatile; i wear pieces like this all season long, day and night. i'm still dying for a pair of lavender jeans (like these) - i think they would become my go-to outfit-maker, plus i could transition them into next fall with a chunky sweater and boots!

side note: do you think it's any coincidence that easter is coming up? i'm loving the same hues as my favorite robin's egg candies, and while i'd like to think this is purely me being trend-focused, i know in on some level this was a subconscious reminder that the holiday is approaching :)

II emily

mastering pastels

as a major proponent of pastels (also evident here and here), i've been playing with different ways to wear them. though the colors themselves are quite versatile, there's only so many ways you can wear colors like "baby pink" and "soft yellow" before you feel like a legitimate easter egg. luckily, i've found one foolproof way to elevate the look: mix in lots of gold. the slick shine contrasts perfectly with the cotton candy hues, creating the perfect balance of sugary and chic. 

{from top left: geranium necklace, chloe bikini, current/elliot jeans (i'm also in love with these solid ones), asos bracelet, dolce vita sandals, mr. kate ear cuff, asos clutch, topshop sandals, topshop tee}

II emily

tibi spring 2012

oh hey, tibi... my closet is this way.

#simplicity

#chictothenextlevel!

this is perhaps the best use of pastels, soft structure, and tailoring i've seen all season. exactly what i want this spring.

also loving the simple shoes - those single straps and tiny little bows. (quite refreshing after so many ugly clunkers this fall.)

II emily

more spring

so obsessed with j.crew's spring collection. i want to pre-order everything!!
 j.crew has come so far from its ultra-preppy polos and chinos days... this stuff is pure glamour. jenna lyons, you are a genius. the spring line consists of uber-chic, beautifully made classics mixed in with the best of the current trends - now that's a formula for effortless style. peep a few of my favorite picks above.

II emily