OOTE 2.23.11 {inspired by p. 73, Nordstrom's February Catalog}

I love the cute dotty and hot pink kate spade outfit on page 73 of the February Nordstrom Catalog (browse recent catalogs through this link online):

We had a business casual type event last night so I thought I'd put together something similar from my closet:

Loft cardigan, Loft Spotted Multi Tier Shell, Joe's Jeans black denim, Cole Haan Air Talia booties, silver hoop earrings

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Peche Nacree 515, custom citrine ring

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

Fuchsia & Coffee Bean Lipsticks {+ a little sale shopping}

Revlon Lipstick 030 Fuchsia and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Pearl in 300 Coffee Bean

I noticed a couple lipstick colors in the March issue of InStyle and thought I'd give them a try. I usually go pretty neutral, with Bobbi Brown's Brownie 33 being my current fave -- though for Spring I am switching to the lighter, pinker, more coral-y Jersey Rose 77 by Chanel... post on that coming up, (and thank you to Heidi for this post!)

These are the lipstick pics from March's InStyle that caught my eye. (Later I noticed a picture of Natalie Portman somewhere in Dior's Star Fuchsia which is photographed just to the right of Revlon's Fuchsia):

Here are a couple pics of the two new hues with my two current neutrals - first one with a flash, second without.

L to R: Revlon Fuchsia, Revlon Coffee Bean, Bobbi Brown Brownie, Chanel Jersey Rose

Here is the Fuschia color on... it was difficult for me to photograph the true color and to me it is much brighter IRL than it looks on my screen. My manicure is OPI "Do You Think I'm Tex-y" for comparison. This lipstick is very pigmented and when I wear I'll apply lightly with a brush, blot, and add a little gloss to soften. More of an evening color for me, but a nice bright & happy alternative to my usual neutrals.

Here is the Coffee Bean. Again, more of an evening color for me. Very pearlized and cinnamon-y/copper-y. I don't think this needs a gloss. I like this more for Fall/Winter.

In recent clothes shopping news, my Lands' End Canvas order arrived (quickly!) and the quality is beautiful. I'll post some pics soon. This morning I ordered the Siren Dress from J Crew in the Smoldering Brick color, after seeing some great info on the dress on one of Handbag Aficionado's Polyvore sets. (J Crew is currently offering 30% off Final Sale over at jcrew.com and 1.5% back through ebates.) I'm hoping this will work well for a trip to Hawaii we have this Spring. :)

Anyone else shopping FS?

J Crew's dress, J Crew's picture

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

OOTD 2.16.11 {the Corwin Cardi in Misty Aqua}

Here's the J Crew Factory Corwin Cardigan in "Misty Aqua"... the color is very similar to "Cool Breeze" in the V-neck sweater I had on the day before. This is a pretty basic longer length boyfriend cardi with some different details added - a twisted placket along the neckline and down the front, seaming on the outside, and extended ribbing at the cuffs.

J Crew Factory Corwin Cardigan in Misty Aqua, Loft Marisa Lean Boyfriend Chinos (last year), ON Lace-Trim V-Neck Cami in Light Heather Gray, ON jersey scarf (last year), La Scarpa Paris brown suede ballet flats (Paris '09), Anthropologie Sweetest Hive earrings (last year)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Today's Target Find {stripy scarf}

Mossimo Supply Co. Stripe Scarf Blue 061081449 - $12.99

A while ago the outfit on p. 200 of my Spring Boden catalog caught my eye and I decided a navy striped scarf would be perfect this Spring and Summer...

...but I just wasn't sure about the $48 price tag for a simple striped scarf and thought I'd look around for something similar. Today I found it at Target. The one I bought is a crinkly gauzy poly fabric - different from Boden's 100% cotton jersey Stripy Scarf - but the look is close enough for me.

This will be great with white tees, colorful cardis and denim or khakis all Spring.

I also stopped by the Chanel counter today and picked up a Rouge Coco in a new Spring hue and the *gorgeous* Peche Nacree nail polish which will be my very next manicure. I know I haven't even posted my two InStyle drugstore lipsticks or the rest of my J Crew Factory order yet, but I will hopefully have some time to get a few posts up over the next week.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

OOTD 2.15.11 {cool breeze + cognac}

I am slowly working my way through my recent J Crew Factory purchases. Tuesday it was the linen cotton V-neck sweater in Cool Breeze. I know it's still Winter and this is a lightweight linen/cotton (55% and 45% respectively) but I love the color and couldn't wait to wear it ...and I do like it with the cognac Intyce boot and my hot pink mani.

J Crew Factory V-neck sweater, ON tank, Paige denim, Steve Madden Intyce boots (last year), Stella & Dot necklace, Anthro bee earrings

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

The (Lands' End) Classifieds

So, Lands' End Canvas is running a really good sale this week called The Classifieds... specific items were listed at opening prices on Saturday, marked down 25% on Monday and today they were marked down 50%. On Friday whatever's left will go 75% off.

I scored a $130 cashmere cardigan for $31.50 this morning and a $180 cashmere cardigan for $36.00 (I hope, because now both size/color combinations show as out of stock).

Go through ebates for 2% cash back.

Cashmere V-Neck Cardigan in Deep Sea Coral (still showing as available in M and L)

also available in Pale Coral Pink and S is showing as still in stock online in that color

Reviews when they arrive!

xoxo

pink & sparkle, roses & ruffles {Happy Valentine's Day!}

Happy Valentine's Day and xoxoxo! Today is: school Valentine's parties, volunteering, getting a little office work done, getting a manicure, and running errands. Tonight will be a casual, not-too-late family dinner out (it is a school night).

So here's my OOTD -- featuring pink with a little sparkle for the holiday -- along with my Valentines-y coffee cup and a snap of the pretty roses in my entry.

Loft cardigan in hot pink with bling-y buttons, J Crew Factory tissue garland tank, Paige denim, J Crew Brewster boots, Nordstrom Rack earrings (featured in this post)

my nail polish is OPI's "Do You Think I'm Tex-y" -- a "Dallas dahlia" from the new Texas Collection

my ruby ring was a birthday surprise years ago that my husband had designed when we lived in Thailand

Hope everyone's starting out a great week. I bought a couple new lipsticks at the drugstore today that are featured in March's InStyle... review soon.

xoxo

Honeyed Carrots and Oranges

This super easy side dish is adapted from Real Simple magazine. Original recipe here. I love the color it adds to your plate and it takes very little effort -- especially since I used already cut organic baby carrots from a bag, which I usually have in the fridge for the kids' lunches and snacking.

All you do is place the carrots and some orange wedges on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and honey, and roast in the oven at 375 for about 30 minutes.

Afterwards, sprinkle with some dill (fresh sprigs would be better but I didn't have any handy) and serve.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

OOTE 2.7.11 {featuring J Crew Factory}

Happy Tuesday! Here's last night for dinner out, wearing the Palmera Cami in "soft dove" from my recent Factory sale order. I really like the layered loops on this - a departure from ruffles and rosettes, but still a little fluffy and fun. The leopard print is done in a soft blue-gray. Nice combo.

J Crew Factory Palmera Cami, J Crew Factory Merino Forever Cardigan in a pale pink (last Summer) , Joe's Jeans black denim, Cole Haan Air Talia in Greystone, Michele watch, DY bracelets, Target earrings

Target Sterling Silver Triple Drop Earrings - Multicolor

I also like the cami with hot pink and black:

Hope everyone's starting out a great week.

xoxo