M.M.LAFLEUR: Mela

Being in London has really made me tune into my inner understated-chic persona.  Despite the unexpected chill in the air and shocking snow storm yesterday, I am braving the cold sans tights or stockings.  Rocking out in my new Mela from M.M.LAFLEUR with my awesome LKBennet Sledge heels and a statement Loft necklace, I'm pretty psyched with my nod to the Brits (my heels are frequently seen on Kate Middleton's duchess feet  ;)

A new work classic - M.M. LAFLEUR

I recently reconnected with an old friend and she was telling me about a new designer's trunk show that she was going to which struck my fancy, because... well duh, shopping and supporting local small businesses makes me happy.

Anyway, I stopped by M.M. LAFLEUR's truck show on Saturday and really just fell in love with the concept of throwing out your pantsuit and getting yourself into a work dress.  I'm not going to go into details about the company because you can just read about it on their blog, but I will tell you that I'm anxiously awaiting their online retail opening so that I can virtually try on more dresses and have others recommended to me.

I did snag this gorgeous black dress on Saturday since it was a sample.  The elbow length sleeves with the split cuff and the split collar that isn't too revealing was right up my alley.  The jersey knit is comfortable and really holds its shape while not being too warm.  I can see this being a 3-season dress for me and one of the staples that I throw into my suitcase on my transatlantic flights.

Today I paired it with a super long pearl necklace and my superfluity pink heels.  They're currently available in ivory on BHLDN for an additional 40% off, read $72!

Stay tuned for other M.M. LAFLEUR outfits because I'm sure I'm not even nearly done with this brand.

Going Au Naturale

I have been eyeing these all natural products for a while and when my company announced that they're ending our corporate Amex program for another card, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use up my points and scoop up some of these items that I've been dying to try.

The Rosewater Balancing Mist seems like the ideal thing for those on the go.  Perfect to slip onto a carry-on and refresh mid flight or after you land.  And while my luggage may be grounded for the time being, I see a trip to Des Moines in the not too distant future.  Also, the 

This Rose Moisture Cleanser smells amazing.  My combo skin gets SUPER dry in the winter and it's a chore to moisturize without getting oily and I'm hoping this will do the trick.  

Anti aging?  Sign me up for Herbal Recovery and any other serum that has antioxidants and protects my skin against nature and aging.

Reminiscing about Rugby

I am super bummed that Ralph Lauren has decided to sunset Rugby.  Along that vein, I decided to buy up everything that I want from them and have loved from them so that when my skinny jeans finally wear down, I'm not super depressed I can't go buy another pair.

My faves from their site right now, which have just come in the mail and I'm already rocking:

1) Open Cable Knit Cardigan, 2) Super-Skinny Rinse Jeans, 3) Locharron Plaid Scarf

This cardigan is going to be by far one of my favorites.  It's a pretty rainy New York day and I'm feeling all warm and snug in my cable knit cardy.  Bring it on winter!  You can't scare me!

Lusting for Tulle

I'm not typically a fan of tulle, or overly girly items for that matter, but this dress caught my eye on Pinterest the other day and I just can't stop thinking about it!  It's a little edgy with the sequin top and super romantic with the tulle bottom.  I'm on the hunt, so if any of you see something like this, please send my way!

Image found here

Gift list... for me!

I'm seeing posts all over about the best gifts to give people, and while that's all well in good, really it's going to depend on who you're buying for right?  And I always find it easier to buy something I know people want.  So I've done the reverse and put together the top 10 things I'm checking out right now.

1) gloves by Coach, 2) Belt by Loft, 3) Scarf by Loft, 4) Gold monogrammed necklace, 5) JCrew tweed jacket, 6) Jurlique rose mist, 7) earrings from Anthropologie, 8) JCrew sequin polka dot tee   9) bracelet from JCrew, 10) Audrey Hepburn image from Conde Nast

What's on your wish list this season?

A pop of pink

I saw these super cute shoes on Atlantic Pacific a little while ago and couldn't help but fall in love.  Bright pink - check!  Bows - check!  What more could I ask for?  Nothing!  I was even more pleasantly surprised that the Superfluity in Fuscia from BHLD were on sale for only $80, down from $300.  Unfortunately, the fuscia is sold out, but you can still snag them in ivory here.

My new LBD

I absolutely love BHLD, and I guess that's no surprise since I love Anthropologie too.  During one of my previous trips to Chicago, and the BHLDN store, I went a little crazy snatching up everything I fell in love with.  I wore the Battened Down Dress to I&Y's wedding in Jamaica two weekends ago and received so many compliments on it.

So of course, the following week while I was in Chicago, I took my assistant to BHLD to try and find a dress for her boyfriend's brother's wedding right before x-mas.  We both fell in love with this cute Nexus dress with the all business front and the sexy back with bow detail.  The fact that the dress has pockets doesn't hurt either.  I've already taken mine out for a spin to a charity event for Little Baby Face Foundation, but I plan on wearing it to a lot more events in the not so distant future.

Lo and Sons Sale!

You may remember a post of mine from a couple of months back about Lo & Sons, this amazing company with super cute travel bags.  I took the splurge and bought the OMG in raspberry and am so thankful that I did because now it's sold out and I literally use it all the time!  Maybe it's because I cart my laptop around with me quite frequently, or I've been spending more time on the road than in my own city, but let's face it, a good bag is a good bag is a good bag.  And this my friends, is a pretty darned amazing bag.

With an extra zippered pocket that you can store shoes or other items you don't want touching everything else and two cell phone slots including a place to put both my cell phone chargers, my laptop charger, and my wireless mouse, an iPad slot separate from my laptop slot, and a nifty lobster claw to catch my keys, the bag is surely a keeper.

I was ecstatic when they came out with the OMG in plum, but post wedding brokeness has me really weighing my purchases and buying the same bag, albeit in another bright color, just seemed extravagant and not something I want to explain to the hubs.

HOWEVER, Lo & Sons is offering an additional 30% off from now until the end of January and extending their return policy for 45 days.  This is good news my friends. Use Code: Holidays2012 at checkout and receive your 30% discount.  Go.  Shop. Love.

Obsessed with Lulu

On my last trip to London, Christina introduced me to Lulu Guinness.  Frankly I'm surprised at myself, shocked really, that I hadn't stumbled across her fabulous items in any of my numerous shopping sprees.  However, while introducing my shopaholic self to Burlington Arcade, they had the cutest little boutique there where I fell in love with this. 

Lulu Guinness - similar found here.

I walked away because it was my first day in the city and who knew what other fabulous items I'd find, plus if I could buy it in the US why buy it in London?  Oh how wrong I was!  By the end of the week, I couldn't stop thinking about it and thought to go back and purchase, where to my dismay it had sold out of all the London locations!  Quickly I checked online for the US and it had sold out there too, because who wouldn't want a cross-body, super soft black leather, with gold studded bow bag?!  Luckily I have a great future-sister-in-law who let me buy it on the UK site and ship it to her.  Woohoo!  Although I had to wait until my current trip to get it, a mere 5 weeks, I'm SO excited that it's finally in hand.  

To further my addiction, and not to spoil myself, I picked up this for the future mother-in-law

Found here

I did get one for Christina too, as a thank you for putting up with my crazy touristy self, but unfortunately it's no longer on the site.  

Arm Yourself for a Cause

I'm always up for a purchase that supports a worthy cause and I found these really cute bracelets at Links that support the Feed Project, an organization whose mission is to create good products that help FEED the world. They do this through the sale of FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories by building a set donation into the cost of each product. Thus the impact of each product, signified by a stenciled number, is understandable, tangible, and meaningful.

I purchased the water drop which provides one child with 500 days of clean drinking water and the Feed which provides 50 meals to a child in an area that has been affected by a natural disaster.

How do you support causes that speak to you?

Taking a Walk on the Wild Side

Last week I saw this outfit on young married chic and decided to take a walk on the wild side and invest in some snakeskin other than for my feet and my accessories.  I absolutely love them and can't wait for our next Natty Nosher's dinner to rock the outfit post London.

Joe's high water snakeskin print jeans

{Shopaholic: BHLDN}

I was in Chicago for the past couple of days and of course had to stop in at BHLDN since I've been eyeing so many of their cute items online.

Since I had so much time to kill, I tried on a TON of stuff, however I reined myself in and only purchased a few items, but there's quite a few things on my wish list for the future.

Items purchased:

 

Clockwise from top left:  To-The-Air Shorts - $280; Battened-Down Dress - $250; Repetto Polka Dot Ballet Flat - $310; Scalloped Spot Garter - $85

Wish List: 

Clockwise from top left: Persephone Shift - $400; Textured Tuxedo Pants - $220; Sunroom Dress - $220; Drip-Drop Necklace - $280;  Pastel Fireworks Necklace - $300; Lustrous Lace Dress - $750

{Shopaholic: Jitney Tote}

This is absolutely adorable, although I'm not really sure why it's named after the bus to the Hamptons  ;)  AND you can monogram it too!  Of course in this cute canvas accented in Tiffany blue... woohoo!  This jitney tote is a must have for the summer.

{Shopaholic: My new Coach}

I spent this past weekend down in Celebration, FL with KMR for her bachelorette and 30th bday.  It was so good to get out of the city, but I've realized I'll always be a city girl at heart; both in fashion/style and the pace of life I like.

We spent Sunday afternoon doing a little outlet shopping and boy did Coach have some amazing deals!  I snagged this super cute, winter white bag for only $169 (listed for $398!) and a white wallet with gold accents for only $34.  This bag is SUPER cute with its navy satin lining and gold hardware, it's perfect for my stylish preppy look.  Add in the color scarf with navy accents and it's a great add for the summer time.

{Shopaholic: Products}

The right thing to do is to switch up your beauty regimen with the changing seasons.  Despite the fact that it's quite chilly in NYC even though it's almost May, I've taken this to heart and have recently gone on quite the product shopping spree, from hair care, to facials, to all over body items, I'm addicted to products and am always up for the latest thing.  That and the fact that I'm trying to get my skin into bridal shape, not only the skin on my face!  If you're as into products as I am, I would highly recommend Natura Bisse's line and my fab new find, Hourglass primer and mascara.  This is the FIRST mascara I've ever had, in my entire life, that hasn't smudged during the day.  I can even wear it for an intense, sweat amped workout, and it doesn't budge.  Miraculous I tell you!

 

Clockwise from top left:

Aveda Scalp Benefits - $14

Kiehls Grapefruit Scrub - $26

Kiehl's Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion - $20

Natura Bisse Cure Toner - $57

Hourglass Veil Primer - $52

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - $52

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Fluid - $105

Natura Bisse Glycolne - $140

Natura Bisse Eye Contour - $75

{Shopaholic: Kate Spade F&F Sale}

I LOVE a good sale  :) and I can't wait to pick up some wedding jewelry and just some fun things.  I have my eye on the Mrs. necklace, but that'll just have to wait for another time.  Enjoy!