I need a Monday morning pick-me-up, how about this adorable floral silk dress by Yumi Kim -

It’s so pretty! And so wearable, with fun jewelry and shoes for a summer wedding/shower, with a cardigan for work, perfect!

Or perhaps like me, you’ve ruled out silk as an option these days, this Gap dress is perfect -

And even better get 20% off today with code GAPFUN.

Happy Monday!

Happy tax day! Looking for something to spend your refund on? Or maybe a pick-me-up that won’t break the bank (in case you didn’t get a refund…) I am in love with this Marc by Marc Jacobs scarf -

I particularly love the color combination of pink and plum, it would be an amazing accessory for 3 seasons (in Winter you might want a heavier scarf). It would brighten up pretty much any outfit, excellent retail therapy!

I absolutely adore a cute full mini-skirt, but they are hard to wear when you are over the age of, oh, about 22 I’d say, and not stick thin. Hard to wear, but not impossible, I swear! The trick is to find one with the correct proportions, the length and fullness need to balance each other out to make sure it doesn’t look too young or too puffy (when in doubt, go less full). I tried one last year from Club Monaco that I so badly wanted to be able to wear, but I just couldn’t  – because of where the waistband sat and the fullness began, I looked like I was pregnant. Not a good look when you aren’t.  But I did just find one elsewhere though that works for me, and there are so many adorable options out there in denim, chambray, layered cotton, all kinds. The fabric you choose will make a difference as well, so try on a few.

I like these -

1. a pleated denim skirt from Levi’s -

2. a Chambray skirt from Pretty Penny, it’s a little less full making it easier to wear, but still adorable -

3. Colorblocked mini from Collective Concepts -

4.Pleasure Doing Business banded high-waisted skirt -

5. 10 Crosby Derek Lam striped mini

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs finch mini -

Happy shopping!

With Spring fever I’m not just interested in clothes, pedicures and nail polish colors are also bright new and fun – and less expensive than new clothes I suppose. I’m loving the blues and greens that are popular for the season, here are a few favorites -

It’s a big change from my usual watermelon red, change is good…

I’m on a mission. Buying something fun and bright for spring. It was so warm and sunny yesterday (and supposed to be near 80 today!), I took Nate out in the stroller which these days sometimes requires a bribe, I use his favorite snack, I’m not above it. Anyway, we wandered through Lincoln Park and stopped in stores I’ve been meaning to look in for months.  I tried on shoes, but nada. I tried on some dresses, again, nada. And then Nate through a fit and I remembered why I don’t shop with him. So I came home, put him to bed and assumed my position, i.e on the couch in front of the TV (watching Bethenny by the way) and shopping online.

Why couldn’t I find something like this on my shopping trip -

I probably wasn’t looking in the right shops to find Elizabeth and James, it’s a beautiful dress, but I’m not really ready to spend so much on a dress right now. If you are though, it is perfect!

This Nanette Lepore dress is significantly less expensive and so adorable -

It’s got  vintage vibe from it’s shape, maybe like a naughty Betty Draper, don’t you think? It’s so fun with the fitted bodice and full skirt, plus the cherry print on the fabric.

A fun first day for my search for spring clothes…

It’s in the 60′s and 70′s here this week, I’m inspired to pull out warm weather clothes and shoes which means putting away all the boots and bringing out flats and sandals. I am also still so inspired by bright bright colors, and would love to add them to my wardrobe through accessories (I think they are easier to wear that way) and they go with everything – or at least i wear them as though they do!

I’m loving these flats by DVF -

The cobalt color of the leather is amazing.

Then there are these adorable red print canvas flats -

I really would wear them with pretty much everything, how cute are they? Now I’ll go out and enjoy the warm weather.

I am obsessed with Pinterest. Every day during Nate’s morning nap I pin all the amazing things I wish I had the time to blog about, so please follow me on Pinterest to see them!

One of my favorite things I found this week and pinned (and clearly others felt the same as something like 40 people repinned it within 10 minutes) were these amazing shorts by Susana Monaco -

I think it’s the color and the sash that I love, and with those silver shoes, amazing.  Maybe because it’s cold outside, I’m only interested these days in pretty spring colors and prints – wishful thinking that we’ll be able to wear them soon here.

I’d wear them with silver flats, a white tee or tank, and this necklace -

You can find them both on Shopbop (or on my Pinterest boards!)

I’ll admit it, I watch the Real Housewives shows. New York and Beverly Hills, and there was an episode where Jill Zarin had a focus group about her new shapewear line. I didn’t pay attention enough to see if they ever made it to stores, but then this morning I got an email from Bare Necessities about the new SkinnyGirl line of Shapewear, yup, “by” Bethenny Frankel.  It doesn’t look too bad, camisoles, slips and loungewear -

So, yet another layer to the busting up of their “friendship”? The drama of shapewear…who knew?