{February Picks = How Shall I Reward Myself?}

It's the beginning of the month and you know what that means - time for my February Picks:

1 - I tried this J.Crew necklace on last weekend and it laid on my neck like it belonged there. I ended up getting this rhinestone necklace, but the one above is currently on my wish list.

2 - I've been eyeing these stud earrings for quite some time now - is it time for me to purchase?

3 - I'm into the color mint like big time right now. This nail polish (mint candy apple) is currently on backorder, but I can't wait to get it!

4 - This skirt is everything! I tried it on at J.Crew last weekend, and as I mentioned above the rhinestone necklace won, but the outfit possibilities with this skirt are endless!

5 - I don't think I need to add a description for these. All I can say is - these will be on my feet this spring!

6 - Don't you love this tortoise shell iphone case? Yea, me too - lol!

As this is the season of tax returns and bonuses - we all deserve a little reward. Don't you agree? What's on your wish list lately?

{The Perfect Accessory}

Something that I usually never leave the house with, other than earrings and chapstick, are my bangle bracelets. I have a ton of them, but surprise surprise, I'm lacking color. So while shopping at J.Crew I came across all of these lovely and bright colored bangle bracelets, and while I didn't buy one {as I'm working on my impulse spending} I really think I need at least one. There's only a few left online unfortunately, but there are still tons left in the store...at least here in Raleigh. I think I'm going to get the hot pink {4th from the top} and maybe even the skinny royal blue. 

What do you think? Any that you feel like you need to go to the mall during lunch this afternoon for?
via

{What's Not To Love About This Outfit}

Seriously, what is not to love about this outfit. In my eyes, J.Crew can do no wrong, and this outfit is certainly proof. To shop this entire look - click here - and remember my birthday is not too far away (lol)...

{The Making of a J.Crew Italian Leather Shoe}

J.Crew is one site that I visit several times a week - and yesterday I was pleasantly surprised {being the shoe addict that I am} when I saw the front page feature of a trip that Jenna Lyons and her team took to Italy to watch their shoe creations come to life. Click here to watch the video ~ some of the scenes definitely remind me of my lovely trip to Italy several months ago. Below are some pics from their trip...check em out:

{I Need A J.Crew Employee Discount...}

This weekend was a tax free holiday here in North Carolina and I had every intention in helping out the economy. I am still on the hunt for the perfect shoes for Italy {I've found several that I like, but nothing that's...perfect, ie. cute AND comfortable}, and I need lots of tops {the hardest thing for me to shop for} - I have the solids, I need some pattern and a little color. Why is it every time you have money and go looking for something, you can never find anything. Frustrating right?

Now one place that I know I would be able to find something is J.Crew - but because I'm trying to not break the bank before I get to Italy, I didn't even walk in. I did, however, drool and stop for a moment of silence at the jewelry in the window display. I mean seriously, can J.Crew do any wrong?

Just fab! I think I need to get a part-time job there just so I can get the employee discount. They wouldn't even have to pay me - just put my check on a J.Crew card and I promise to spend every cent in the store. Kind of genius right? 

{Pretty In Pink}

This past weekend I watched Pretty in Pink - and it made me realize how much I miss the 80s (click here if you grew up in the 80s - can you relate? lol!). Pretty in Pink is such a classic {Wait a minute! We don't got none of this... we don't got doors on the stalls in the boy's room, we don't have, what is this? What's this? We don't have a candy machine in the boy's room! lol - gotta love Duckie...} and I love how Andie was sort of a misfit but she always stayed true to herself and her style. So as a tribute to one of my fave Brat Pack movies....check out my Pretty in Pink wish list - just kicked up a notch {make that a couple of notches...check out Andie's dress for those of who haven't seen the movie - gasp!}

{1. Emersonmade Necklace; 2. Tory Burch Clutch; 3. Vintage Blush Pink Ring - Good Girls Studio; 4. Handmade Off the Shoulder Shirt - Chicca Style; 5. Tretorn Pink Sneakers; 6. Vintage Clip On Earrings - West & Plum}

PS. That ring is mine...don't even think about it!!

{Spring/Summer Must-Haves}

I have blogged about my love for J.Crew before, so it's no surprise that I'm writing about my fav store again (and this won't be the last). After my Nautical Stripes post, I've received several questions about what additional items are must-haves for this spring. Below are J.Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons' must-haves for spring/summer 2010, check it out...

In Jenna's words:

1. Floral Romper - "This is just darling – I’d wear it to the beach with my denim shirt, and Cuban-style hat"

2. Cuban-Style Hat - "I love a simple straw hat. I’d wear it with some jeans or shorts, a soft oversize t-shirt and strappy flat sandals"

3. Nautical Stripe Shirt - "Such a versatile, easy shape. I love the classic striped shirt to add a graphic element to every outfit. I want to wear it with every piece I already own"

4. Light-Weight Scarf - "I can’t live without a scarf in the spring when the weather is turning but you still never know how chilly it will get. Scarves can be used as belts and even head wraps, if one is feeling particularly bohemian that day"

5. Denim Shirt - "The denim shirt is back and is a year-round wonder. It’s comfortable, practical and classic worn with white shorts, espadrilles and a straw hat or hemp belt in warmer weather. It’s also the shirt you can’t travel without"

6. Cardigan - "I couldn’t resist. I like to wear cardigans oversized. So I’ll buy a size bigger and wear it slouchy with shorts or a little skirt, then throw on some high platforms. I love the play on proportions"

7. Skinny Belt - "I’ve been mostly into neutral colors the last couple of seasons, so I love this belt because it will go with all my grey, beige, and nude basics – but it will also liven them up for spring"

8. Oxford Shoes - "These are the girls’ version of the boys’ oxford shoe, only narrower in width. I can’t wait for them to get a little beat up and worn-in looking. I’ll wear them with a floral dress, a grey sweat top with leggings, or a stripy top with skinny jeans – all worn with socks"

9. Denim Cut-Off Shorts - "I would have to restrain myself from wearing these every day, I’m all for anything that is super-comfortable, super-cute, and goes with everything"

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Hope this posts helps you as we start to look forward to the upcoming spring/summer months. Most of these items you probably already have in your closet - so now it's all about how you mix-and-match, and show your personal style.

Have a good one - make it lovely!

{DIY Day}

Today starts one of the several DIY projects that I plan to share with you. DIY projects are great because there is no other way to show ingenuity and inspiration than doing a project on your own. There's something about making one-of-a-kind pieces that are not available to the masses. Today's project is a necklace that I purchased in LA at Madewell 1937, which is the casual sister company to J.Crew.

At first glance I immediately loved the various silver and gunmetal chains, and of course the crystal clusters, but I didn't care for the green neon beads dispersed around the necklace. But because the necklace was on sale, and I really liked it, I decided to buy and reconstruct it.

I started with taking apart the entire necklace by cutting the wire and removing the neon green beads (as shown below)

Once I had the necklace completely taken apart, I took some time to figure out how I wanted it to look. While at Madewell 1937 I saw another necklace (much more expensive, btw) that had the crystals clustered together on one side and strings of chain on the other. So to create the-look-for-less, I started to wire all of the pieces back together...

...and here's the final piece!!!

So...what do you think? Please leave a comment - I would love to hear your thoughts!