BLUE + WHITE FLORALS: GRANDMA OR GLAMOUR?

The combination of blue and white - especially come summer time - is nothing new. But this year it seems to be popping up even more, and in all sorts of patterns and trends. The most recent manifestation being of the granny-inspired variety...

Whenever I see blue and white florals, I instantly think of grandma's fine china. It's classic, but is it fresh? Can we make it modern and glamorous? I'm beginning to think it might be possible! With a heavy dose of white combined with clean lines to counteract the antiquated pattern, it could work. Would you try this trend?

*sources: bedroom via designspiration on pinterest, mirror and chaise at house of hackney dalton rose collection, lingere at topshop, bowl by maria kristofferson, paul & joe t-shirt, pyne hollyhock print at schumacher

FLOWERS IN HER HAIR...

If you haven't noticed - hippie is the new hipster. And the look can only be topped off by these serious flowers-in-her-hair crowns that have been popping up in many a fashion editorial lately...

I remember putting little daisy chains together as a kid, which makes me a bit enchanted by the sweetness of this look... although really, it's only appropriate for photo shoot or vacation moments (as opposed to rockin' this look on the city streets).

I do however, really love this interpretation the best...

This, I can do! It's totally inspiring me to scheme up some flowery fete just to have an excuse to try and make my own. Perhaps a garden party with my girlfriends where we all make each other crowns of roses, sip champagne, and gaze on this centerpiece?

*fashion images via here, here, here and here. floral arrangement photographed by charley*star for the ban.do + bashplease + drybar event

MISS MILITARY

While I'm not one to hop on trends too quickly, I have to say that I've always been a big fan of military inspired style - perhaps it's my affinity for a good olive green? About a year ago I blogged about olive green as the new neutral paired with various shades of pink, pops of citron and silvery blues. Today? I'm loving these fresh combos as well...


Call me convinced that this will indeed be my summer-to-fall wardrobe staple! The trick is to pair this masculine piece with an overly feminine dress. I love the lacy white or cream as a strong contrast, and the watercolour + ruffles is completely unexpected! Here's how I'd do it...

My favorite color to pair with olive is a rich fuchsia, so the dress must have a bold shade of pink in it. This one from Forever21 is perfect with the brights against a grey and olive tone background.  Gold hardware on the accessories is a must as it pops so well against that dusty green, but aviators would be almost too obvious of a choice - instead a neutral colored pair of wayfarers will match the casual attitude of the jacket.

*streetstyle via the sartorialist.  jacket at anthropologie, wayfarers, dress at forever21, bag by marc jacobs at piper lime, sandals pour la victoire

BEAUTIFUL SHABD

Yesterday's water+color post reminded me of a collection I've been meaning to highlight...

I'm sure many of you have heard of the artist and designer Shabd Simon-Alexander, but fer work is so so lovely and perfect for spring, that I've completely fallen for this collection of watery, tie-dye pieces in simple organic shapes, I had to share...

For those of you ready to rock the trend, be brave and don some leggings! For the faint at heart... accessorize with a perfect weekend tote. The softly colored dresses? Well, those look good on anybody.

*view the full collection on shop shabd

FABULOUS FACETS

Why limit gorgeous geometric facets to your gems when you could have them everywhere?

*wall clock on by oscar and victor on etsy, dress versace atelier, artwork by jaimers on etsy and restless things on etsy, mui mui bag, room by pamplemousse, bangle by stella mccartney

SPRING ACCESSORIES REPORT: MY FAVES

Earlier this week I shared a few of the trends spotted for spring accessories, but these are some of my absolute favorite finds...
Simple, supple leather bags (top Alexander Wang, bottom Jil Sander) that will look even better after being worn in throughout the years... these are always a weakness for me. Add in a gorgeous turquoise statement necklace by Philippe Ferrandis and a pair of killer Balenciaga sandals, and I'm set for the day...

Obviously my love for soft leather extends to shoes too (hello gorgeous Manolos in perfect sherbert shades). And a little fringe? Never hurts! Rather than floral prints (I just can't do 'em) I'll take my flowers in a stunning Erickson Beamon necklace and a fabulously fun Chanel clutch. Oh, and the D&G white bag? Definitely a classic in the making.

SPRING ACCESSORIES REPORT: TRENDS PART 2!

I showed you some of the more colorful trends from the Spring Accessories Report yesterday, but today is all about neutrals!
Wovens! By far the strongest trend I saw, woven fabrics - especially in their natural color - are everywhere for spring! I especially love how they've been combined with some more sexy or luxe accents for a little personality. *clockwise: chanel, jimmy choo, missoni, bottega veneta, d&g
High Shine Metallics: Metallics have been the new neturals forever, but taken up a notch this spring, these high gloss heels take center stage. *clockwise: roger vivier, louboutin, devi kroel, dvf, aperlai
Bold Shapes + Deco Influence: Black and white is going no where but up my dears - despite the throngs of color! Expect to see bolder contrasts and deco-inspired shapes everywhere! *clockwise: kirkwood, armani, trussardi, tom binns
Blushing Nudes: If you don't already have a pair of nude heels - get them now. Trust me, they will go with everything you own, all summer long. A blush of pink or peach is even better! I bought a pair of peach ones years ago and still have them around. *clockwise: viktor & rolf, balmain (love love love), fendi, mcqueen and prada bag

My final favorites for spring tomorrow!! I think you'll get a hint for my true style direction these days... a little laid back bohemian glam. Keeping things simple!

SPRING ACCESSORIES REPORT: TRENDS PART 1

Yes, I'm one of those people that start dreaming of spring the second the holidays end. Especially today while the rain pours down in Seattle (bleah). So, I figured it was high time I go through the Spring Accessories Report to pull out some of my favorites and see what trends I should be looking for when making purchases for the coming months...
Blue + Tassels: Pops of true blue against other colors like greens, lilacs, pinks and reds seem to be everywhere. Hopefully this is the fading of the color... it feels like it's been around on the runways for quite some time now and I'm ready to move on (not that I don't love it!). Tassels, however, I'm completely enamored with! *clockwise: louboutin, lam, lowe, louboutin
The Global Effect: A return to traditional prints and crafts from around the world. If you had told me that I would see Peruvian-inspired Louboutin boots this season, I wouldn't have believed it in a million years... but here we are! *clockwise: aurelie biderman, louboutin, trussardi, ralph lauren
Modern Psychedelic + Hippie: Welcome to the return of serious fringe and psychedelic patterns. Dig it? *giambattista valli + givenchy
Brights + Brights! They're everywhere. Every single decor and fashion magazine I've read is calling this the 'trend of the year'. Well... actually brights have been making a comeback for quite some time now, but whatever. I think what we'll be seeing more of is that kaleidoscope of combined color that I've so been loving. *clockwise: binns, nicholas kirkwood, louis vuitton, valentino

More of these trends to come tomorrow!! Any favorites so far??

*resources and images via style.com

KALEIDOSCOPE

Totally, completely obsessed with colorful geometric patterns right now...


A kaleidoscope of color - not too much, not too little - it's perfect.

*rug design by fiona curran for the rug company, dress by jonathan saunders

The Need For Tweed

I love tweed. Well, not real tweed (I mean, unless it's Chanel...) but more like the idea of the tweed-like pattern as expressed in the following pieces...
So so summery, yes?? YES! Love the blue. Love the sunglasses (have no idea where they're from, so don't even ask because they're probably vintage!). But the skirt and top are both Lina Rennell and very available.
Still in love with these pillows from Henry Road that I've been coveting for years now. Perhaps they will be a purchase for the new condo?
A skirt to wear into early fall for sure... this one is from Urban.

Feathers and Frills

I think we've all been smitten with the feather-in-the-hair accessories in the last few months (my current favorites being right here), so when I stumbled upon these photos from photographer Greg Kadel, I felt instantly drawn to the feathery goodness and the Native American vibe...





Which is probably why I completely fell in love with the Spring RTW collection from DVF.


How sweet are the hair accessories? They add a hippie feel to the sophisticated yet breezy designs by Von Furstenberg.


The entire collection is absolutely amazing.

A Spring In My Step

The Spring 2009 Ready-To-Wear shows last week were fairly impressive! I'm still making my way through them, and attempting to keep up with this week's as well, but I thought I'd share a a few of my favorite looks so far...

For any day... (in love with the top!)

Derek Lam

For feelin' like a girl...

Charles Nolan

For peachy keen coppery dreams...

Chado Ralph Rucci

A few trends I'm in love with... frills, pleats, and fringe and gorgeous textures like unfinished edges, lots of sheers, and rich satins. More to come soon!

Beaded Boho Chic

Speaking of grandma style...


This collection makes me want to raid my grandmother's goodies. Apparently, the next step of boho chic is granny goodness. (For sources, go here.)