Shower Ready

By Whitney

My sister’s shower is coming up this weekend (yay!) and besides finding the most perfect blush + gold paper theme (love this Etsy shop), I wanted this tea party to be Pretty Polished Perfection.  However, my home ownership is rapidly approaching so my budget is LIMITED (an understatement).  I had my eye on the periwinkle Shoshanna dress below and thanks to my awesome friend Abby, I saw it was on RTR.  While on there, I found some other lovely frocks that I debated so wanted to share my thought process.

ML Monique Lhuillier Blooms Dress (the back!) – $90 // Theia Gradient Dress -$85 // ERIN Erin Fetherston Crossing Florals Dress – $75 // Yoana Baraschi Pepin Sheath – $65 // Shoshanna Lace Siera Dress – $75

Splurge vs. Steal – Textured Girly Skirt

By Whitney

Ugh.  This Tibi skirt.  I dream of it.  It’s so perfect and would look so gorgeous with a matching neutral top or a black sweater or anything.  J’adore.  What I don’t love is the $550 price tag so when I saw this version of the skirt at JCrew I knew it was a must!!!  I showed it in pink because it’s the easiest color to see the cool texture but it also comes in a crisp white.  These skirts require heels in order to really pull them off but they are the perfect spring addition.

Splurge:  Tibi Ribbon Bow Skirt – $550

Steal:  JCrew Laser Cut Midi Skirt – $128

Little Yellow Dress Request

By Whitney

One of my favorite colleagues Jenny requested I find her some options for a little yellow dress to wear to her boyfriend’s graduation.  Jenny is  an adorable and an eensy skinny person so she can pretty much wear whatever she wants especially in such a cute color (as long as it comes in size XS or 00).  Since parents are involved in this type of event, I went with the more ladylike look and came up with some suggestions ranging in price.  I love the sweet crochet detail on the Laundry dress and the DVF lace is just gorge.

Top Row: Madison Marcus Double V Lace Dress – $198 // DVF Barbie Dress – $325 // Pim & Larkin Bright Tweed Dress – $65 // Suzi Chin Crochet Dress – $160

Bottom Row:  Tinley Road Belted Tank Dress (I love that she can wear this to work too with a navy or white blazer) – $70 // Dolce Vita Ritsa Dress (the cut out in the back is so cute!) – $121 // Laundry Sleeveless Lace Cotton Dress – $265

Work to Weekend – Travel Style

By Whitney

A lot of times I’ll take flights for the weekends straight from work…not an easy thing to plan for when you have a three day weekend packed into a carry on.  This means that whatever you’re wearing to work that day is an option for the weekend if you’re strategic in your packing (as I clearly believe in).  This upcoming weekend is a wedding one which means a rehearsal dinner/luncheon dress might be something I can wear to work before my flight on Thursday.  I have had my eye on this tweed Kate Spade number since it came out and it is just darling once you have it on.  It fits perfectly and while it is pricey right now, it was on sale at Bloomies last week and I have a feeling will drop its price soon…

On the left you’ll see how I’d take this dress to work…the key is neutrals.  I might spice it up with a pretty scarf or a pastel necklace but for the most part I’m rocking some nudes and light grays.  On the right is how I’d dress this up for a wedding event.  I love the idea of pairing this gorgeous mintey turquoise with a bright pop of color like yellow, pink or cobalt.  Such a polished way of wearing brights.

Dress:  Kate Spade Terri Dress – $450

Work:  JCrew Collection Windowpane Cashmere Cardigan – $270 // Adia Kibur Knot Necklace – $50 // Lauren Merkin Reece Croco Tote – $425 // CWonder Wool Gauze Rose Scarf – $68 // LK Bennett Sledge Pump – $345 // Adia Kibur Short Stone Necklace (woops two necklaces by the same designer but they are both so great for the price!) – $45

Weekend:  Tory Burch Spectator Clutch – $345 // Rachel Roy Gardner Pump – $180 // Tory Burch Neon Snake Cross Body Bag – $295 //BaubleBar Ivory Sun Bloom Necklace – $36 // Bounkit Sunstone & Lapis Button Earrings – $300 (also love these for much less)  // Juicy Couture Gina Pump – $130

Weekend:

New Site Alert – Mark and Graham

By Whitney

The Williams Sonoma Company has a new member and I welcome Mark and Graham with open arms.  Their products are classic and affordable.  The best part?  Pretty much every item can be personalized in some way.  Monograms, phrases, addresses…just about anything can be added on to these great gift ideas (for you too!).  The bright colors sucked me in immediately so I wish you the best of luck keeping your credit card in your wallets for this one.

Perfect for a munchkin’s Easter basket…or yours because they look pretty yummy.

Personalized Easter Egg Cookies – $28

I love the idea of these to keep at your table (even if you barely use it like mine).  I also wouldn’t rule out placing one under my jewelry box to break up the monotony of my furniture.

Grosgrain Border Placemats (set of 4) – $59

These are just classic and a great gift for any hostess (including those that you don’t quite know their style).

Hammered Coasters (set of 4) – $39

I’ve already ordered a bunch of these in porcelain blue to keep as back ups for when I’m bringing a bottle of wine (which is quite often).  I embroidered mine to say “XoXo” but “Cheers” would also be a good one.

Linen Wine Bag with Grosgrain Tie (set of 3) – $39

Mint Mallard

by Lauren

For two days now, Whitney and I have been obsessing over the Tucker Mint Mallard print featured on Gilt.   This design combines our favorites – for Whitney, that is mint, for me, that is a-n-i-m-a-l-s – and makes a cute statement and perfect conversation starter.

The top would look great with a crisp pair of white jeans or navy pants; tucked into a pencil skirt for work, or into a fun, flouncy mini for play.  The conservative cut and fit of the dress makes it appropriate for the office, a bridal shower, dinner date, or even a night out in D.C. this summer (I guarantee those southern gents will come a commenting on this hunting inspired motif).

Which version do you love?  Help us pick one!

Here is a photo of my dog, Summer, since she plays well with the hunting inspired theme of the print.  Hello, Summer, the Golden Retriever who does not retrieve anything (& would be more worthless than myself on a hunting expedition):

Some Lilly Love

By Whitney

I was with a friend at Bloomies looking for multiple outfits for a beach wedding weekend and we spent a large chunk looking at the Lilly Pulitzer section.  We found some pretty adorable stuff for a ton of different places you’re headed this summer (casual wedding events, bridal showers, beach parties, barbeques…you name it).  I thought I’d share a few things especially with the Bloomies Private Sale going on now.

1.  Cammie dress – $108

This is one of those dresses that you’ll throw on when you have nothing to wear on a Sunday.  It runs big but I love the High Tide Toile print.  Riviera chic!

2.  Alexi Dress (high tide toile print again!) – $188 or in white with pink polka dots – on sale for$138

This dress is classic with a modern twist with the zipper.  The crossback straps are my favorite.

3.  MarieKate Dress – on sale for $265 (originally $378)

This dress is amazing.  I pretty much stole it from a girl in the dressing room and I know it’s going to be my go-to for the rest of the summer.  I’ll throw on a pair of low wedges (it’s short for those of us that aren’t comfortable showing off too much leg) and a bright statement necklace.

4.  Georgie Dress – on sale for $132 (originally $188)

The silhouette of this is darling.  The store has this in other prints as well and if your chest can fit in it, I highly recommend.

Girly Frilly Fun

By Whitney

A few years ago I went to Nicaragua (don’t ask) and I saw two things of note…T shirts that congratulated the Patriots for winning the Superbowl that year (they, in fact, had not won the Superbowl) and these amazingly adorable frilly half aprons the townies (is that the word I am looking for?) wore.  There really isn’t much to bring back to your family when you go to Nicaragua but I did manage to find these half aprons and bring one back to my sister.  It was a gift I wish I had bought 10 of for the women in my life getting married, moving to new apartments, etc.  Enter Jessie Steele.

I have never heard of this brand but thanks to Daily Candy’s deal of the week, I am in love.  This would make such a great bridal shower gift, mother’s day present or the perfect gift for a hostess with the most-ess.  Pajamas, aprons, tote bags, GARDENING HATS, rubber gloves, oven mitts, towels…pretty much girly and frilly everything. I love it.

Jessie Steele

DailyCandy Deal – Spend $60 get $100 credit or Spend $25 and get $45 credit.  Deal lasts through May 21st.

Anthropologie Spring

By Whitney

Just like Nordstroms, Anthropologie has produced some star stunners that I would love to add to my collection.  Apologies for the abundance of pink and green but what I love about both of these colors is how perfectly they pair with navy, a color I am pushing for this season.

The four dresses up top are all ladylike and perfect for a spring day.  I’ve had my eye on the Crawdad Dress ($188) since I saw it in a magazine a few months ago.  I’d love to wear this with a jean jacket and some espadrille wedges. The black Ruffled Ainsley dress ($128) can be worn with a bow at the middle to show off your waist or undone in an unstructured ruffle.  Such a versatile little black dress.  The Watercolor Gems Shift  ($168) could take the watercolor trend to a tea party.  The Melon Ball Dress ($158) is what I define as perfectly pink.

The hot pink Broken Pleats Skirt ($148)  is an awesome color to take pleats to.  The bottom half of the skirt just makes it interesting.  I’m really tempted to pair this hot pink Draped Snail Tank ($128) with the blue tweed JCrew skirt I featured before.  I’d love either a navy or cornflower cardigan and an ivory patent skinny belt to pair with it.  I’m obsessed with the subtle pleats in the neckline.  From far away the Ping Pong Tank ($68) looks polka dotted but up close those are actually cute ping pong paddles.  I’m always looking for fun prints that aren’t too loud and this would be perfect with a navy pencil skirt for my office.  The Jade Slant Skirt ($128) takes a ballerina look to the asymmetric hemline in such a graceful color.

I’m letting myself have one of the items featured above but by the time I make up my mind, it will be winter again.

Nordstroms Spring – Part II

By Whitney

I’m trying to be really good about my cash these days which means that yes, I can buy some of these amazing new trends for spring like Lauren just featured but it means that I’m going to buy a lower priced version of everything I want.  Nordstroms has really made my life easy.  Name a trend, they have something for you.  These eight dresses are all under $130 and I would wear each and every one of them.

1.  The nautical stripe trend – Try the skinny stripes for a work look with the navy and white striped Donna Rico Dress ($128).  Take this trend to the daytime fun world with the thicker striped Splendid Nautical Stripe Dress – $108.

2.  Green!  Kermit has taken over and green is everywhere this season.  The gold buttons are such a great contrast to this emerald Eliza J Crepe De Chine Shirtdress ($118).   This Calvin Klein Belted Dress ($108) screams “MEET THE PARENTS” to me.  So classy and nips you in all the right places.

3.  Non-Bridal White – This black and white Trouve Pleat Front Collared Silk Chiffon Dress ($98) is adorable.  The collar, the pleats, it’s all perfect and you don’t look like you’re saying “I do”.

4.  Color Blocking – Black and white done in an entirely different way, this Calvin Klein Colorblock Sheath Dress ($118) could be worn on a 25 or 65 year old.   Jessica Simpson Sleeveless Chiffon Dress ($128)

5.  Floral Print – This is floral done right.  You look like a darling not a grandma.  I love this.  Eliza J Print Smocked Smock Waist Dress ($118)