somethings about to bloom...

well LOTS of fantastic things are happening, we've got baseball season underway, finals and graduation, birthdays ( one very important one being mine )! no no i'm just kidding - but that being said spring is certainly on the WAY! 

for us new yorkers its truly a blessing in disguise. our winter was brutal and quite honestly march was awful too. and april, she's isn't panning out so well either! we had the "april fools" snow storm warning and that i will leave in the PAST. but yesterday it was 75 degrees! felt absolutely delicious, like florida! in true mother nature form... (bipolar form, for all of you who aren't aware!) today its cloudy and rainy. now there may be no leaves on the trees and no flowers in the garden BUT it's almost here !

and what better way to show it then in your clothing. i remember how some of my gals were complaining "its not time, we have nothing to wear, whats the point of shopping" well it's true! this in between seasons is the WORST! but cheer up dolls! 

it's time to retire the sweaters and put the damn ugg boots away ( that especially goes for me ) go get a pedi and bring in some platforms and wedges and BRIGHT colors. its certainly daunting and i know you think i'm lying to you, but lets step it up! FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT, RIGHT?!

so please sit back and relax as i give you the go to spring fashion must haves!

1 - the "drapey" short...

 

i know many people frown upon shorts - i am one of them. i'm not talking "underwear" looking shorts - i'm talking; sleek and cute and even a lil baggy! shorts are not just for running anymore! so try this look and all you'll need to take this look from daytime to playtime is very simply with a necklace or even a change from flats to heels! stores from gap - old navy - forever 21 and my personal fave jc penny will have the perfect pair for you!

2 - espadrilles or wedges...

i think this shoe is CLASSIC. i remember my mom saying she wished she had kept hers from "back in the day". they are more versatile then you think : shorts, maxi dresses, even a cropped dress pant and skirts! dress it up or dress it down, i dont care, but wear the WEDGE ! 

another plus with this trend is combining 2 into 1... get it in nude - save some money and realize you can pair a nude shoe with "almost" everything in your closet. this will be my next "must have" purchase. i normally don't recommend shoe shopping online - it's a pain in the ass and shipping is annoying if it doesn't fit BUT look at what piperlime has to offer & see if you are into it! 

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=66762&tid=plembl5096&ev=PWMP3152011&di=56428481

3 - colorful dresses...

boy am i a sucker for a dress! i love little black dresses, suit dresses for work, sweater dresses, and the simple beach throw on dress! but the colorful - print embossed dress is so perfect & so spring! pair it with flats, heels - whatever you wish. but it is very low maintenance. the dress speaks for itself! many people steer away from a BOLD print but i think its edgy and makes a statement! we all can tell - the good and the evil of prints! 

i say the best place to look is online again, just get a feel for how daring you want to be! and of course stores like forever 21 will be CLUTCH for a good deal and a great piece but it is mind boggling shopping in there sometimes! and you all know i'm a sucker for TARGET. some of my favorite pieces are from there! check out targets collection of dresses. i promise you will NOT be disappointed. in fact, the dress i'm wearing in my picture on the side is the same dress from ABOVE and from TARGET. and it is indeed a COLORFUL DRESS! 

http://www.target.com/Prints-Patterns-Dresses-Clothing-Womens/b/ref=sc_iw_r_2_1_256138011?node=299234011

now ladies - don't go too crazy into trends and don't feel overwhelmed by what you see in every magazine. don't be afraid to be daring and try some new things out! but also keep in mind that you have to maintain your original sense of style HOWEVER perk it up and throw in some "oh my god, where did she get that" pieces. 

i'm a big believer in comfort and beauty. my personal style ranges from yoga pants and a mens white v-neck to a great dress and ballet flats. fashion is ever changing and you can be too. pick your favorites and incorporate them into your daily wardrobe. i know we are leery on when spring will officially arrive but if you pretend its here in your closet maybe thats better then nothing!

i hope enjoyed my "return blog" and that this piques your interest! more importantly i hope you hit the mall this weekend, okay i'll settle for you shopping online BUT add some of these trends to your closet! let it BLOOM thanks for reading dolls ; )

if the shoe fits....

maybe drake said it best  "heels hurt to walk in, but they go with the clutch that you carry your lipgloss in" ;)

if your anything like me and coordinating your accessories to the already gorge outfit your rocking is as normal as brushing your teeth.... then here is by far the greatest tips i have become the new owner of!  

got a great new pair of heels that hurt like hell? well; life wouldn't be normal if that weren't the case! however, it is beyond brutal at times. and all the doctors remedies just don't cut it! our logic is that this new nude peep toe pump looks amazing and our pedicure is just as fabulous - so we're out to conquer the world right? face it girlfriend, you won't make it but 2 blocks! 

now mind you this isn't about how to walk in heels, what heels look best with your height or what the correlation of the arch does to your posture and all the other tid bits. this is for the lady who refuses to leave dsw without those new shoes and will do ANYTHING to make it work once she gets home. hell, as a woman i've always thought the motto "pain is beauty" is perhaps an essential quote to live by.

first things first, and this is dare i say (the obvious) if the shoe is uncomfortable in the store, it is not going to change much once you "break them in". tips to try if you're a bit too enthusiastic and can't live without them...

SLIPPERY WHEN WET - baby powder will do wonders for your "slippage" no one wants white powder puffing out of their shoes when they are walking! however, the "non traditional" method i have tried is DEODORANT. no don't re-read that, i was quite serious! the antiperspirant stops the sweat and swelling of the feet which lead to BLISTERS. ugh.

HEAT IT UP - no literally! my aunt shared this with me and i am eternally grateful.

leather shoes - sure you can walk around and break them in for days but for a quick and easy job. take your blow dryer, place it inside your shoe - and heat up the leather, then put your foot in and let the "hot shoe" mold to you foot. DONE deal.

TO TAPE OR NOT TO TAPE - i read this once in a magazine...  and yes i'm guilty. i have yet to try it simply because the thought of being constricted bothers me... you are to tape your 3rd and 4th toe together. ( i hear you all laughing now and going this b*itch is nuts. ) but its true! it's supposed to make the ball of your foot more steady! try medical tape not scotch tape or duct tape!

and last but certainly not least....

DR. SCHOLLS - doesn't matter where the pain is - balls of your feet or heels. there are orthopedic inserts, ( i tend to get these - they come in a unisex size and i cut it to fit my foot or my shoe. they are the closest equivalent to walking on a cloud while in 5 inch heels! ) fitted womens insoles, gel pads. oh my! there isn't anything else to really say about it other then its is the cherry on top of the sundae. oh and you can find them in ANY drugstore - personally i think its the cheapest way to make that $150 dollar pair of shoes - NOT sit in a box!

also most importantly, you should limit your heel "usage" you don't need to frequent flyer mile those steve maddens. don't wear heels everyday, give your feet some recovery time. treat yourself to a bath/foot soaking and moisturize at the end of any "painful" shoe experience. and while i'm on this, don't purchase it because you need it. 

*most of my friends are gasping for air after reading that, but its true. if its not practical and cannot be worn with jeans, leggings or a simple black dress then you don't need those BANANA yellow pumps. waste of money and space in your already crowded closet!

now go off and be happy feet, it is the weekend after all!