Summer Shoes

I've been thinking about getting some sort of summer tennis shoe. While I love my black chucks, they just don't seem very summery. I could see myself riding bikes and kicking around in the shoes below. I think they would fit the bill perfectly and they look oh so comfortable.

Decorate Your Dome

Well, Katie may love nail polish, but my accessory crush is on headbands. I tend to wear pretty simple clothes (hello, jeans + tshirt), so I love that headbands can pretty up an otherwise boring outfit so easily.

'_'

courtesy of Clara McAllister

I feel like headbands have been making a little comeback recently, but I must say, I am kind of over the feathered look. I also don't really know what the deal is with wearing them over your forehead. Sorry, hippies, I just don't think it's cool.

'Day Seventy One'

courtesy of fearless_mess

What I'm interested in is something pretty, feminine, and fun. I love unexpected pops of color, maybe a little bit of shine, and flowers are always nice.

Spring Style Essentials a la Katie

Katie again. Because I'm bored, and sick of the snow, and wishing for warm weather, I decided I should think about spring styles. I was laying in bed dreaming of better weather and chic wardrobes: nights out with friends in skirts, beer on patios in strapless tops, strolls through Dupont Circle in sundresses. I curled up with my collection of Anthropologie and J. Crew catalogs and went through them lusting after spring and gorgeous clothes, carefully studying each page. As I was doing this, I realized I should probably make a look book with all of my favorites, and then decide what essentials I was missing from the looks that I love. I started by cutting out all my favorites:



And then arranged them by work and play. The work looks should take up most of my wardrobe, since I've got some exciting things happening in my career, both full-time and my freelance writing. Both of my jobs require stylish, upscale looks, and so that is where I put most of my focus. These are the looks that really stood out for work.



I also pulled out a few play outfits. Outfits to wear out at night, or outfits to do things in on the weekends.



The first thing I did was pull my overall favorites. The must-haves, the absolutes. I loved this work look, and want to replicate it with pieces I already have in my own closet.



I also love this cardigan. SO MUCH. I am buying it just as soon as it goes up on sale. Rebecca promises to keep an eye out for me. I think it's perfect for spring and summer, I just can't bring myself to spend $128 on one piece that isn't a suit or another lifetime investment.



Everyone who has met me knows that my signature style is large cocktail rings. I buy them cheaply because I go through them crazy fast, I've got some favorites that I'll wear over and over, but mainly they're like a firework, large, sparkly, pretty, and then I'm over them. So I tend to buy them all either on sale, or from Forever 21. It's a strategy I've learned to love since it always keeps my feeling trendy without being broke. Anyways, I'm newly obsessed with this J.Crew glass cut ring.



I searched around a little to find a replica. This one in blue is not quite it, but it's still gorgeous, I might need to make it mine. And then I found this Vast Square ring, and if you get it in the cream, it's very similar to the J.Crew look.

After that I started looking for patterns in what I liked. I noticed that I was drawn to the brown belts over cardigans.



So, of course, I went off in search of one that would be like those, but not quite as spendy. I came across this wide, woven belt from Forever 21 (where else!?) (God bless you F21 for replicating all my favorites.) I also fell in love with this more unique Jennie Woven belt that looked similar to some of the Anthropologie styles.

The next thing I noticed was that I love the long cardigan. It was in tons of the pictures that I pulled.



So, off I went to find a cheaper alternative. (This snow storm is giving me way too much free time! Gettin' spendy over here.) So I headed to Target. Cause Target is great for basics. I found this Converse cardigan that looks a bit weather worn and is the perfect length and color. Good ol' Forever 21 had this really cute ruffle sweater that I think I might HAVE to try... how cute is this?

My final must-have of the spring is a ruffle blouse. While I have lots of them from Winter, I think a pale pink is in order for summer.



On the back of my US Weekly this week (there was all kinds of dirt on Bachelor Jake's final four ladies that I HAD TO READ.) Target advertised a super cute ruffle blouse that they still have in black. But I am sort of stuck on this coral color of spring, so I kept looking. I found the PERFECT Dramatic Ruffle Blouse from Ann Taylor Loft, it's work and weekend appropriate. The spring coral will look fine with my pale winter skin and it's exactly what I'm looking for.

Basically, this was a super productive afternoon. I identified all my favorite looks, found them for less, and am on my way to sipping margaritas on the roof of Lauriol Plaza looking stylishly sophisticated. If only this snow would melt... like, now.

Oh. Right. I forgot about this:



"I am unimpressed with your shennanegans, all you need is fur. Kthanks."

Important Issues Of Our Day: Nail Polish

'08/24/09'
courtesy of 'B_Zedan'

Lovely to meet you, I'm Katie. And while I usually write about food, I'm happy to have an excuse to write about the subject that has been weighing heavily on my mind recently. Nail polish. Not just any nail polish, generally I have conquered nail polish, like traditional pinks, reds, even dark purples and blacks. I feel naked in the winter without a nice red (I love Essie's Lollypop red right now.)but I'm ready to branch out into uncharted nail polish territory.

Lately I've been feeling yellow. I realize that this is going to make me lose credibility, but I got inspired after seeing Callie on The Real World: DC, with her cute yellow nail polish she wears all the time. Now, before you go getting all weird on me and thinking I'm crazy, I'm not thinking neon yellow. None of this:


'Too bad shadows are always gray.'
courtesy of 'Giulio Menna'

More like this: (Forgive the weird flickr picture, but the yellow is ahhhhdorable.)


'Precision The Next "It" Girl'
courtesy of 'aprilrobin'

You see what I mean? Isn't that so cute?! AAAHHH.

The other thing I'm dying to try is different colors on different nails. I've got two examples for you - the first from BleuBird Vintage (must-read blog)



And then look at this example from American Apparel.



I'm dying of the cute. (Well, and cabin fever, but we're focusing on nail polish here people.)

Also, I'll have you know Lauren Conrad from The Hills (she may not be able to write for crap, but I enjoy her fashion sense) was pimping it recently too, with navy and red alternating.



Oh, and this was the picture that started it all for me:




So, between yellow and multicolored, the possibilities for spring nail colors are endless, and far more creative than I ever thought I'd be. Who is up for a painting party?

Timeless Vixen Dresses

While searching around Etsy for something completely different (isn't that how it always is with Etsy?), I stumbled across the most amazing vintage couture gowns and dresses. Someday when I make enough money to survive, I will dress like Betty Draper every day of my life. I can't even imagine how graceful and timeless these dresses look in person. It would definitely be a unique purchase for a wedding or special event.

1950's Vintage John Mack Dress

1950's Vintage RubyRed Dress

1950's Fiery RubyRed Drape Dress

1950's Vintage Julie Miller

1930's Antique French Flapper

1950's Vintage PolkaDot Dress

1950's Vintage Helena Barbieri

1950's Tulip Dress

Check out Timeless Vixen's Esty Store for more beautiful dresses.

Boden Spring Line

Don't you love it when you forget about a brand and then all a sudden somebody or something reminds you. Well thats what happened with Boden, a UK based clothing store. They had completely slipped under my radar until one of my friends sent me a link to their spring collection. And swoon. Now you have to be careful with Boden because some of their clothes and patterns have a momish Talbots look. But some are down right adorable. They are already making me dream of warmer days.

Must Have Shift

Embellished Sateen Dress

Fun Dress

Scallop Trim Coat

Fun Cardigan

Corsage Flower Necklace

Hotchpotch Top

All I want for Christmas: Jewelry

Simmering Ring $62

The-In-Crowd Necklace $38

Tiered Plumeria Necklace $32 (this necklace matches the earrings I just bought)

In-Good-Time Necklace $58

Scalloped yellow gold band $250 (yes i know this is more wedding bandish but I think it would look adorable several stacked)

Horsetail Necklace $55

Gift of the Sea Necklace $60

Coral Ring $120

Reminder Bow Ring $35

Hummingbird Necklace $38

30% Off J.Crew Outerwear

I have an unhealthy obsession with J.Crew coats. Ever since I invested in my first cold weather staple three winters ago, a black double cloth lady coat, I've never looked back. I now own three J.Crew winter staples and my original black coat still looks crisp, timeless and brand new like the day I bought it.

I have to put a plug in for the wool/nylon material they use in many (though not all) of their coats because it is amazing. All my past winter jackets would pill and attract all human and dog hair in a 10 mile radius. By the end of the season my coat had seen a much better day and I had to make the investment all over again the next winter. This is the third winter I've pulled out my black coat and you would never know that I wore it for about 4 straight months last winter and the winter before. So you my scoff at the price of J.Crew's outerwear, but I'm averaging less than a dollar a day on wear. I also always say during the winter months most people see your outerwear, not what you are wearing under it. So you might as well make it cute.

So now on to the outerwear sale. I'm a bit ill with myself because I know that J.Crew does an outwear sale every year around this time. Always 30% off all their coats and jackets. And yet I just HAD to purchase my tan ruffle coat a few months ago, because I just couldn't live without it. True I've gotten a lot of good wear out of it over the last few months, but they don't say good things come to those who wait for nothing. So for those of you who were patient, I highly recommend this ruffle-front coat below. It isn't as thick as some of their other coats, which is fine for DC. But I absolutely love the fit and length. Looks great with minis and tights, which is 80% of what I'm wearing these days.

Wool ruffle-front coat originally $268 now $187.60

Stadium-cloth Winnie jacket originally $245 now $171.50

Double Cloth Lady Coat originally $298 now $208

This is the coat that started it all for me. The cut is very classy and timeless, which is obvious as they keep bringing it back every year. A great investment for your winter wardrobe.

*I'd recommend if you have your eye on a J.Crew coat in a popular size and color to purchase it now. Discount wise this is usually as good as it gets. And the discounts don't get any better unless it is a more unusual color. For staple colors, go for it now.