Betsey is the Best

I don't often have insomnia but last night I was wide awasy at 2am and could not fall back to sleep.  Bad things happen when I'm feeling stressed and wide away with an iPhone and a ton of easily available shopping apps. 

So really, I blame internet connectivity and pre-dawn craziness for this bout of shopping but hey, you always need cute tights, right? 

Lately I've found some gorgeous Cynthia Rowley tights (mostly on Gilt) but I love the cheeky patterns of the Betsey Johnson pairs on HauteLook today.  So much so that I got five pairs.

Love the lacey hearts of the Dear Diary Net Tights...

Could not pass up the giant polka-dots of Do The Polka...

I have a pair similar to these but sweet hearts as dots? Yes please - Love At First Tights...

The creme and pink version of the Bowtime Backseam Tights are a bit understated but sexy, I think.

And these "mismatched" Naughty and Nice Textured Tights may be my absolute favorites.  How fun are these???

Most of these tights come in several color options as well, but they won't last fast so, go and grab some!!!

Imitation = Flattery?

It's been a while since I've done an Inspiration = Flattery post.  Sadly for me, I just haven't had the time to browse so I'm probably woefully out of touch with the latest designs, designer or mass.

But when I was excitedly checking out the new Rachel Antonoff x Bass collection, I stopped dead at the multi-color Maebird clear oxfords.  And not just because of their colorful style.

Nope, it was because they totally looked like the Ground Zero x Alex & Rose clear brogues I almost bought last year.

The colors on the RAxB ones are a bit toned down and simplified but the inspiration is there, I think.  I love the sweetly quirky pieces in the Bass/Antonoff collection but now they're a bit sullied for me.

What do you think?

Breaking Boundries

As you may know from my Instagrams and Tweets, I've just started a new job.  Among all the moving office stuff and learning who everyone is and what they do, I'm also contending with a big shift in workplace style.

It's funny how different each new company is.  They each have a unique personality, character and (not withstanding a few outliers) style.

I've worked at many different extremes along the "professional dress" scale.  At Disney, we had a full Look Book of rules and regulations that applied to office staff as well as those "On Stage". While our creative team had a dispensation and could dress however, the rest of the department was required to at least adhere to the spirit of the law, if not the letter.  Some groups were really picky and some less so, but over all, it was pretty toned down and conservative. On a personal note, I didn't break any rules (I actually kept a copy with me all then time) but I did raise some eyebrows at times.

My now former company was towards the other end.  We did dress up for presentations but on the day to day it was pretty casual.  Let's say that flip-flops, shorts and tees were common year round.  I can't say that I fell fully into this camp either.  I tended to be a bit dressier but I also felt comfortable being a bit experimental too.  One day would be a conservative look but another would be a sequin skeleton dress with laced-up boots, a vintage band jacket or a big pink gingham poofy skirt. 

I can't peg myself as casual or conservative... I'm.... hmmm... whimsical, I guess would capture it best.

But my new place is leaning more towards the conservative side.  We don't have to wear hose as a mandatory, like at Disney but I'm not sure how a crazy glitter sneakers are going to go down.  So I'm starting out with some of my favorite interesting-yet-fun outfits.  A grey belted shirt dress with bright green accents at the collar and cuffs, a lace print shift and a bow sweater top and great patterned tights.

I was really keen to see how others have showcased their style as well.  One lady was wearing the most striking mangenta-y purple nail polish.  Another has great style with perfect tailoring and some of the guys dress quite snazzy with a real eye for pattern, color and detail.  The spirit seems to be all about playing with the parameters not worrying about any boundries.

So I'm doing the same.  Great polish. Great accessories. Great shoes, of course. 

Going forward I'll probably be weeding out some pieces that I liked and hung on to, despite the fact that I only wore them once or twice. I know I'll be making a few purchases that support those I already have.  I've found a great red pencil skirt.  I want cardigan in a good black and white pattern.  And I really have been on the perfect pointed black pump to wear with skirts and jeans and at a height to wear all day.  Jimm Choo has two options but I'm still considering options.

I have a new office to decorate and a new me to decorate too.  I better start shopping my closet with a new eye!

Zoya Polish Promo

It's all nails and shoes around here, isn't it!  I know I've been skewing a bit polish/nails heavy around here but I wanted to make sure you saw this offer.  Zoya is giving 2 free polishes for just the cost of shipping.  Shipping is $6.95, so I think it's a pretty good deal!

Details are:

So from now through 1/9/2012 11:59 PM ET we are going to let you try any* 2 bottles of Zoya Nail Polish for FREE on ZOYA.COM. All you pay is the standard shipping charges.

As a bonus, you can purchase an additional $25 or more of Zoya or Qtica products and get FREE Shipping Too!..Bonus!

Use Code: ZOYA2012

*Promotion Excludes True & Fleck Effect Collection Colors

The two I got are Cynthia (part of the Smoke Collection) -
A smoky, blackened peacock teal with soft warm undertones. A very uncommon shade of blue for a subtle but funky look.  
    

And Barbie - Soft, warm medium baby pink with very subtle hot pink shimmer. An adorable girly shade to accent any outfit.       

I can't wait to try out these polishes!  What ones will you buy?
Disclaimer: Nail swatch images not my own.

Fancying Flowers

It's barely winter here. We're finally getting some really cold weather in North Carolina, but I already have a fancy for these flowery heels from Nine West.

I love that the fabric is so lush and fanciful but that they are paired with a stronger shape and platform.  These would be fun with dark tights and a bright dress to make February less grey but then be even more perfect when it is finally Spring.

Nine West Mellitta - $99

Change of Heart

I went into the drugstore just the other day... the day BEFORE Christmas... and the shelves were already lined with Valentine's Day candy!!!  What the heck, people?!?!  I haven't even started eating the candy from my Christmas stocking yet!

But, while I think it is very wrong to have candy hearts out already, I was very excited and happy to get the surprise my Sweetie brough home to me - the Valentine's Day themed Sally Hansen Salon Effects!

He knows I love these and brought me 4 of the 5 designs (buy one, get one 50% off at CVS, by the way).  These were the 4 I would have picked, so good job!

I love this pink/red/purple graphic design called "How Romantic".

The gradient, holographic pink hearts on white are adorable as well - "Speed Dating"

This swirly pattern is so pretty - "Are You Single"

And how cute are the Xs and Os done as hearts??? - "Cross My Heart"

My least favorite (and the one he didn't buy) is the word design "Love Always"

So not only should you go and grab these super sweet designs, you will be excited to know there are new core patterns coming for 2012 as well! Check them out...

I want to get Sweet Tart-an, Queen of the Jungle, Spring Fever and Love Letter. 

How sweet!!! 

I got my SHs at CVS but they are also available on/at ULTA.

Pretty Much Sums It Up

I've been off of work this past week and on through the New Year.  This is pretty much my goal for every one of those days.  Movies, books, baking and napping are going to sum up my to do list.

I hope you all are having a happy holiday season too!

A Visit to the Lowcountry

As I mentioned before, my grandmother (who was just about to turn 91) passed away last week.  She lived in an area of South Carolina near Hilton Head.  This is where my Dad's whole side of the family lives and where we went often for family trips when I was growing up.

Known as the Lowcountry, coastal South Carolina is so different from where I grew up in Miami and even other parts of the state.  And even though just a few hundred miles away from where we are in NC, it has a totally different personality.

The city she lived in used to be so small and sleepy but, due to it's beauty and history, has really grown over the last 20 years.  Tons of films have been shot here and the population has shot up, as has the number of businesses and traffic.

My Dad, though, lives on one of the many islands that makes up the area and when you are there, right on the water, it's very peaceful.  We spent much of our quick visit hanging around the house, playing with the cats and enjoying the view.  Here's a few quick pics -

The front of the house...

The Kitchen...

The lovely porch...

Lowcountry sunset...

Sweet Tea the kitty!

We got up on Sunday to enjoy the crisp air and the sunrise off of the dock.

And said hello to some of the regular visitors...

I think we are going to head back in a few months.  I want to do yoga on the dock at sunrise and maybe jump in a kayak to have a closer chat with the dolphins!

Le Sigh - Miu Miu Catwalk Noir Sunglasses in Red Glitter

Sometimes I'm a little slow on listening to my wishes.  I mean, I've been sighing over the Miu Miu Catwalk Noir sunglasses for a while, but as I have a perfectly good black pair of Miu Miu sunglasses and the Prada Baroque sunglasses in white, I had no good reason to get them.

But red glitter?????  A must have!

So now, I'm hoping and wishing... will my Christmas dreams come true???

Grammy

My Grammy passed away yesterday.  This was one of my favorite photos of us - my wedding day.

Some of my favorite memories of her:

- She was wonderful with plants and grew the most beautiful tiger lilies and African violets.

- She had a great love of animals and always had pets she cared for... except for the pesky squirrels who would eat her lilies!

- She was an amazing baker and cook. She always made my favorite Sour Cream pound cake when I came to visit and I still have the recipe written down in her own hand. I've made it many times myself to much raving.

- Grits - Southern Grammies make them the best.

- Sweet Tea - you need at least a few cups of sugar per pitcher!

- She one time scared the heck out of me with this monster mask we had. Her sense of humor was amazing

- She had an enviable collection of salt and pepper shakers
 

She was the sweetest lady I've ever known.

Falling for Fair Isle

The other day I mentioned I had been searching for the perfect Fair Isle items to add to my holiday wardrobe.  Well, I've actually been thinking about this since October when I saw the Sally Hansen Nail Effects patterns for the 2011 Holiday collection.

I may have found my perfect items in this tunic and sweater coat from Macy's.

I love Fair Isle in red and white, so that was my first criteria.  When paired with black (and on major sale), this sweater tunic will be great with leggings and boots.

And I'm going to wear it with the Plaid About You decals, plus some saucy red gloves.

And while I wasn't looking for a new cozy cardigan, this Tommy Hilfiger piece was so perfect in pattern and shape, that I couldn't resist.   I mean, what is more holiday-ish than these snowflakes?

And yes, the matchy-matcherson in me is probably going to wear the Snow Bunny decals with it.  Or maybe Peppermint Twist (the candy cane stripe design).

While I have a soft spot for these patterns and pieces on their own, even better is that they combine my two themes for the season.  They fit into the "Clean College Prep" style while using the "Chromatic French" color scheme.

Perfect!

Change is Difficult

I don't talk about my work too much here on the blog but things have been a-changin'.

I have been with the same company for the last five and a half years, and happily so, but an opportunity presented itself and it seemed like a good one.

So I'm transitioning to a new company right after the new year.

I've been a bit absent the last few days and weeks because my head was all wrapped up in the process.   I'm not afraid of change but, even if it's all good, I get anxious and worked up.

So, I have let my current company know about this impending change and now I'm in that weird space between old and new.  Not sure about what's to come while still working on stuff that will be out of my hands soon. 

So the year will be ending along with a chapter of my professional life.  I am looking forward to the new while appreciating the past.  So, I'm sorry about the weird absences but I hope more good things to be coming down the road!