Spring Picks

Have you seen J.Crew's spring line on Style.com yet?!?! It's too amazing for words, so I will let the photos do the talking....

xoxo

The Canary Diaries

Serena & Lily

For some unknown reason, I get quite a few children's magazines. Usually, I toss them in the recycle bin without a thought, but the other day we got the Serena & Lily catalog and just had to take a gander. Admittedly, it's not all about babies in this one. They have all sorts of great furniture and cool fabrics to special order, but their baby bedding and accoutrement is the really fantastic part.

No typical boat-and-ducky or all-pink decor here. The designs are all cute, but not overwhelmingly saccharine. I love the Kate and Dylan collections (elephants, squeal!). They also have great baby gifts and functional Moses baskets. Stylish mamas, take note!

xoxo

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Loafing Around

One of the first blogs I ever read was Scott Shuman's chic yet graciously understated blog, The Sartorialist. It is constant inspiration and a must read for anyone interested in fashion or street style. This week, he posted this amazing shot of a woman in Madrid. Everything about this outfit is wonderful to me. She seems slightly preppy with the blazer and loafers, but a little bit laid back as well with her tousled hair and the lace dress or skirt. And, she has a silver and turquoise bracelet. This girl is cool.

Speaking of loafer-esque shoes...I just bought Minnetonka's kilty driving mocs seen here and I just don't want to take them off. I don't care that my feet resemble those of a grandpa while shod in the shoes. They are wonderful! They remind me of the Cole Hahn's I wore in middle school, which got me thinking, where does a mature person buy loafers?

Cole Hahn's Air Grant Penny Loafers seem just refined enough to fit the bill.

I also love these amazing driving mocassins from Tod's. What a fun color! Available at Saks.

Any other great recommendations?

xoxo

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Benji Wednesday

Have a cozy day!

xoxo

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I'll just have a glass of Missoni, please...

Recently bought a few bottles of Pellegrino and was delighted to see a collaboration between the water purveyor and Missoni. It even comes with a decorative sleeve!

xoxo

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Uniform Dress

As the weather cools, I find myself gravitating toward sartorial comfort and safety in the form of my winter uniform...the black sheath dress paired with tights and (usually) black shoes. As last count, I had more than 20 such black dresses. I know, I know, I have a problem.

For anyone that is looking for a good dress, Ann Taylor makes some wonderful, inexpensive dresses that are comfortable and chic. I particularly love this one....

Ann Taylor's sheath dress.

Most of these such dresses I have are winter weight and work so well either on their own (like the one above) or, for sleeveless dresses, with a cardi or a blazer. The only problem with uniform dressing is that by mid-November it starts to look, well, uniform. People start to wonder if you have anything else in your closet.

Like so many wardrobe questions, the answer lies with accessories. Particularly interesting necklaces, as the sheath dress has the perfect neckline for showing a necklace off. A few great options:

Anthropologie's Bead Abundance necklace. A modern take on the classic pearl necklace.

Fenton/Fallon for J.Crew Carrington necklace. The name reminds me of Krystle Carrington of Dynasty fame, and the necklace itself is surely a nod to '80s excess, with just a touch of restraint. I mean, the bows could have been fuchsia.

Anthropolgie's Unexplored Pyramids necklace. Awesome name and even better necklace. I love that you could throw this on after work and head out for a Champagne cocktail and look completely polished and put together.

And, because yellow and black just look so amazing together (just avoid stripes in that scheme, bumblebee attire is cutest on toddlers) Anthropologie's Beaded Swag Bib necklace. Amazing! Just the remedy for dreary winter days.

xoxo

The Canary Diaries