FFF - Kate Spade Tahitian Florals and Farm visits

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Pattern Highlight
This year is the year of print for Kate Spade (and for so many other designers too, it seems!)  This month's print is the Tahitian floral print.  I like how it seems like an interplay between two patterns - a black and white, more sedate pattern marries with a colorful, tropical one.  It makes for a pattern that is both classic and unexpected!  I definitely see it working well in Sidney tote for trips to the beach or the Eliana dress for a tropical touch at a weekend brunch.

Otherwise this weekend I am...
...going to a farm!  I know, it is quite a random weekend trip.  But my friend found an operating farm on the far side of town and it seemed like a cool thing to visit (hmm are we really that bored during the weekends now?)  I suppose the city girl in me wants to take a little break from this little concrete jungle.  I hope they sell some good vegetables!  Otherwise, I can still say I made the trek and saw the farm!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend (and happy Mother's Day to dear friends that are moms!)

Savvy vs Splurge: Kate Spade and Juicy Couture Cockatoo Bangles (both hot under $150)

That Kate Spade is always creating one cute thing after another.

The present subject of cuteness: cockatoos.

Seriously - tropical birds?  Yep, these spiky haired birds are in a few places through out the Kate Spade website and now the bangle is most definitely on my wish list.  But I also happened to find a similar version of the bangle for Juicy Couture in which the bird is much more pronounced and the bangle itself is just under $100.  I'd still go for the Kate Spade for the slightly subtler effect.  Which bangle would you pick?

Kate Spade Kissing Cockatoos Bangle, Kate Spade, $148

Cockatoo Bangle, Juicy Couture, $98

Photo Love: Beyond Black and White with Kate Spade Spring 2012

Black and white is standard, right?

They make up the colors of a classic uniform.

They are the hues that you will see most at a formal event.

But I love how black and white can take on a totally different feel when they are paired with just a pop of color or combined in a funky print.

The newest Kate Spade collection uses black and white in a vibrant and lovely way; prints are pulled from the archives of Australian recording artist Florence Broadhurst and the cuts/styling are a little retro while remaining contemporary.  Black and white doesn't have to be standard after all and you can go beyond black and white too!

{Source}

Thank you to blogger buddy Kim for posting this campaign!  I know what items I'll be stalking now (ahem floral print dress, pink shades, and white trench with black piping!)

Have a lovely week!

FFF - 25% off Kate Spade sale, 2 free bottles of Zoya Nail polish and Fish tacos

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Online {Fashion} Discounts
Kate Spade, purveyor of all things cute and feminine, has 25% off their sale items with code NEWYEAR25.  I'm already stalking the accessories I would love to get for next year.  The promotion ends Jan. 10, 2012, 11:59 pm PST.

Sparkler Missy, Kate Spade, $69.75

Bow bridge thin bangle, Kate Spade, $48

Save!
- Go to Ebates first and get 3.5% cash back on your purchase!  Here is my invite if you need it!

Online {Beauty} Discounts
Zoya, one of my favorite nail polish manufacturers, has a promo so you too can add to your collection or start collecting some of their beautiful, formaldehyde/camphor/toluene (ok I don't know what the last one is, but if it's strangely scientific sounding, it probably isn't good) free polish.
Use code ZOYA2012 at checkout and get two free bottles of nail polish - all you have to pay is the $6.95 for shipping.  They also have free shipping if you buy $25 or more from the site so it is a great time to stock up on colors as well as other nail prep and treatments!  The promotion ends Jan. 9, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.

I'm thinking of stocking up on a nude, intense metallic silver (Trixie), black, and perhaps a red shade. What colors strike your fancy?

Isn't Sooki such a pretty red?

Otherwise, this weekend...
...I am thinking of making healthy fish tacos at home.  While we don't have corn tortillas at home (which my husband insists are essential), I just having a craving for a nice, fresh, crisp taco!  I can't wait to get some when I go to LA soon!  Oh and if you have a nice recipe, pass it over!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Designer Thursday: Hand in Hand for Kate Spade (by women in Bosnia and Herzogovina)

I have a soft spot for shopping that benefits a cause.  Hand in Hand was an organization that I briefly worked with in graduate school; we helped them develop a marketing plan for one of their regions.  They are an organization dedicated to promoting the native handicraft skills of underprivileged women in different areas all over the world.  Now their artisans in Bosnia and Herzigovina have partnered with Kate Spade for a line of hand-knit collectibles.

Hand in Hand rose gold bangle, Kate Spade, $58

Hand in Hand Pom Pom Scarf, Kate Spade, $175

Hand in Hand hair pin, Kate Spade, $48

Hand in Hand knit necklace, Kate Spade, $98

See the full collection here.

I'm definitely thinking about the rose gold bangle (also available in white and yellow gold and 25% of the proceeds go towards the organization).  The other items are a bit pricey, but I definitely admire the artisans and cause so this would be one of the first places I would turn if I wanted a knit necklace!

Designer Thursday: Kate Spade and Current Elliot create Westward

You wouldn't necessarily think to combine preppy chic Kate Spade with boyfriend jean queens Current Elliott (stylists and designers Emily Current and Merritt Elliott), but that is exactly what happens in the new collection Westward.  These two sets of designers meet in the middle to create a collection of leather goods that isn't perfect, but still lovable (how could you not love purse names like wanderlust and runaway).
Texture and sparkles collide in Westward making this an unexpected collection for Kate Spade.  The prices are a bit higher than typical Kate Spade, but I am intrigued by the slightly edgier feel and use of ostrich embossing.  Of course I'll also wait and see if prices end up coming down as well.

What do you think of this collection?

Westward ingénue clutch, Kate Spade, $545.00

Westward adventurer satchel, Kate Spade, $795.00 

Westward curiosities satchel, Kate Spade, $1,095.00 

Westward runaway duffle, Kate Spade, $1,295.00

Fun Finds: Kate Spade green bicycle

It's not just about bags and baubles at Kate Spade, it's also about functionality (the bags in front and back are perfectly designed to clip on to the bike) and form.

Kate Spade New York for Adeline Adeline Bicycle, $1100

I can imagine riding this around Soho.

Actually I'm too scared to bike in the streets of Manhattan but either way, this is a Sartorialist-worthy and fun ride (though not cheap, it's certainly retro chic!)

Fun Finds: Great Expectations Clutch

Literary love + fashion forward fun = Kate Spade's Book of the Month Club clutch

Great Expectations Book clutch, Kate Spade, $325

Why not make a literary statement as a fashion statement?  This could totally fit my Kindle too - nice!

Do you have any unexpectedly fun possessions?

Wardrobe staple - tweed jacket

As I mentioned here, my love for Chanel is definitely due in large part to their flawless (and sometimes fanciful) execution of the classic tweed jacket.  While I think a lovely Chanel tweed jacket is worth the cost, the reality is that it will take a while to save (or be willing to spend) for one!  The good news is that there are many options for tweed outerwear ranging from the classic jacket to modern cardigans.

I love contrast trims...

MM Couture Miss Me gray jacket, Revolve Clothing, $114

Marc by Marc Jacobs metallic tweed jacket, Revolve Clothing, $349

BB Dakota Herringford tweed jacket, Revolve Clothing, $110

Rebecca Taylor sparkle tweed jacket, Revolve Clothing, $395

Contrast Sweater jacket, White House Black Market, $118

...but a solitary color blend is also great

Tweed peacoat, Gap, $29.99 (on sale so unfortunately most sizes sold out!)

Tweed cardigan, Ann Taylor, $59.99

Juicy Couture Metallic tweed Jemma jacket, Shopbop, $398

...as is a jacket with an extra touch of embellishment (the collar is amazing though I wish the jacket came in another color)

Galleria Addie jacket, Kate Spade, $179

Do you have any favorite tweed jackets?

Fashion Forward: My favorite picks for Seeing stripes (under $100)

Patterns weren't always for me.  I used to stick to solids and neutrals.  But life is too short to be dressed in basic black all the time (ahh the steroptypical New Yorker in me.)  I've since converted to wearing everything from a skull and butterfly printed DVF dress to oversized floral prints on a no name kimono sleeves silk dress (shout out to random designers found in the Loehmann's back room.)

Stripes have recently struck me ever since I saw this wall.  Stripes don't just signify a French or nautical theme, they also represent a fun and clean way to pair colors unexpectedly; also remember width of the stripe and contrast can also make a huge difference in the overall look.  I've picked some of my favorite striped apparel and accessories and they are each under $100 - savvy and chic (Shopbop and J. Crew also have some fabulous options too in this range for just a bit more!)

1. Striped tunic by Wall G, Topshop, £21.00 

2. Lead me Straight to you Striped Blazer, Ruche, $84.99

3. Plains Zebra Cardigan, Modcloth, $52.99

4. Lady with dog compact, Henri Bendel, $30 (classic, classic Bendel!)

5. Forever and ever striped top by Many Belles Down, Ruche, $34 (who said stripes are just black and white?)
6. Shipshape up dress, Modcloth, $69.99
7. Shirting stripe anklets, Kate Spade, $12 (the first time I've considered wearing socks and a skirt)

8. Going Green stripes shorts, Ruche, $32 (these shorts make me actually want to wear shorts)

9. Pink Studio Paradise t-strap wedges, Ruche, $69.99

What striped items have caught your eye lately?

Happy Thanksgiving and Decor Thoughts via Kate Spade

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

To my friends elsewhere, I leave you with pictures of Kate Spade's home which also evoke the feeling of Thanksgiving...
...hanging out at home

...laughing together

...creating and collecting memories

...breaking out your fine silver

...heading towards loved ones

...relaxing

...making sure your home looks its best

Picture source

I love how her home also reflects her warm, whimsical, and lovely brand!

{Fashion} Fun Finds: A day with Kate Spade Broome Street jeans

What is it about the Kate Spade campaigns that are just so adorable?  I love the innocent and playful photos for Kate Spade's first foray into the denim game.  The company has launched a single product - the Broome Street jeans which they created in collaboration with the last remaining denim mill in the US (and one of the oldest and prestigious in the world).  They showed the jeans and its versatile possibilities throughout the day.

  

They seriously tempt me to get these jeans and frolic around too!

Other cool touches in these jeans:
illustrations on the lining,

spade on the back pocket,

pink stitching throughout that you can see when you roll the jeans up!

All pictures from katespade.com

I am seriously, seriously tempted!

What do you think of these jeans?  What are your favorite jeans?

Cocktail ring loves

Sometimes size totally matters...especially when it comes to cocktail rings.  I remember seeing a vendor at an old job and being totally mesmerized by her pink cocktail ring.  So bright, fun, and shiny.  Since the season of bright shiny rings is coming up, I wanted to post some of my favorite rings:

This Kate Spade Les Fleurs ring gives me a happy spring feeling.

How adorable is this Marc Jacobs Mouse ring?

 Love the wow factor of this emitations ring - halo settings rock!

 

Finally a happy lily from Anthropologie and a happy birthday shout-out to Jeannie from Lilies and Grapes - this is for you babe!

 

What I'd wear...for an interview at a beauty company

I've been inspired by a cute little piece from Kate Spade below and an interview tomorrow for this week's "What I'd wear..."

First of course, gotta have a jacket. I don't know why but I just love bell sleeves and I love Nanette Lepore.  I think a little more drama on clothing is also ok at a creative company.

Then of  course I'd need a simple and elegant dress to go under the jacket.  A blouse and pencil skirt dress- brilliant!

Slightly punchy shoes like these from Asos would be nice.

Finally the accessories - some sweet pearls like this Kate Spade Park Avenue Triple Row Necklace.

Finally a talking point and "Why you should hire me at your beauty company!"  This Moon River Charm Bracelet also from Kate Spade.

What else would you wear?