Perfect Pockets

Dress: H&M

Necklace: BCBG Max Azria

Bracelet: A gift

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I’ve only worn this dress one other time. I’m ashamed to admit that considering that I love this dress. And when I say that I really mean that I love the pockets. Of all my dresses, those with pockets are by far my favorites. And this dress might have the best pockets. That gives it all the makings to be one of my favorite dresses. How could I ever forget it?

Art Inspired Manicure

I don't know about you, but I can't get on a plane without an arsenal of reading material. This usually breaks down to one book and three magazines, two fashion and one trashy. I grabbed the April issue of Nylon before heading to Costa Rica, and I was delighted to find page after page of nail art inspiration. I brought the magazine back with me, having already decided on the design I'd try first. Of course, by the time vacation ended, nail art was the last thing on my mind and it wasn't until I finally unpacked my carry on (don't judge me) that I remembered all this.

The feature included designs inspired by several artists - Monet, Pollock, Matisse - but the Ellsworth Kelly design called to me. The graphic print is simple but the clashing color combinations keep it interesting. While I was happy with the results, I fear my version looked more juvenile than artistic. What do you think?

Spring Styling

Jacket: Gap

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Necklace: Sheila B Jewelry (Mira Mira)

Watch: Michael Kors (Nordstrom)

Shoes: DV by Dolce Vita (ModCloth)

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

When warm weather hits San Francisco, I don't hesitate; I go straight for dresses that I think look best without tights. And, this is definitely one of those dresses. Sure, I’ve accepted that tights are (sadly) in rotation all year round here, so I’ve worn this dress several times with tights. But what I love most about this dress is that it’s easy. It’s comfortable and flattering (a far too rare combination if you ask me), and it has pockets. Tights somehow complicate all that. So, I jumped at the chance to wear it and show off my quickly fading tan while I could. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t worn pretty much this exact outfit before…several times before. Though I did take advantage of the neckline to showcase my new shark tooth necklace. I might be a little obsessed with it...

Lace Pants

Shirt: J.Crew

Pants: J.Crew

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: Sam Edelman (Piperlime)

Bag: See by Chloe (a gift)

I eyed these pants at J.Crew for a while, but because they’re quite similar to this DVF dress, I convinced myself there is a limit to how much mint lace a girl needs. But when I found them on sale and with an extra 30% off, I lost my self-control.

This outfit is two parts spring and one part prep with a splash of Florida retiree, and I wasn’t quite sure that I could (or should) pull it off. But in the end, I can never resist a look that makes me giggle, and this one definitely did just that. When it came time to style my new pants, I quickly pulled together several outfits but I actually went with the one I put together in the dressing room. Of course, I didn't head to the dressing room thinking that I wanted to wear the items in my hands together, but once on, I quite liked the combination. Fashion fate? I think so.

Speaking of fashion fate, do you ever feel like the fashion gods are smiling down on you when you find a pair of designer shoes at a serious discount and in just one size (yours)? And do you love it? Of course you do. Well, if you live in the Bay Area, then be sure to enter to win two tickets to the Gilt City Warehouse sale this Saturday, May 18th by leaving a comment on this post!

Cloudy Skies Manicure

Sephora by OPI Havana Dreams// Essie Mezmerised // Sally Hansen White On

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably grew tired of hearing me complain about my "vacation hangover". Of course if you follow me on Twitter, you also know that the vacation hangover was soon overshadowed by the more familiar "why-did-I-drink-so-much-whiskey" hangover. Hangovers aside, it's been a struggle to get back into my hectic schedule, and I've felt a little off my game. I've found myself daydreaming about Costa Rica a little too much for a girl who just returned from an amazing vacation, and I think that "heads in the clouds" daze lead to this manicure.

This wasn't first time I've done a cloud design, but like almost every manicure, I like this one better than the last and I'm sure I'll like the next better than this one. It's so easy, and since clouds are imperfect in shape, there's very little room for error. To apply this design, I started with a base coat and then two coats of the light blue color. I allowed that to dry before creating a gradient with the darker blue polish and a makeup sponge. Then, using a dotting tool, I applied overlapping dots of white polish to create the clouds. Once dry, I finished it off with a top coat.

And, if you live in the Bay Area, be sure to head over to this post and leave a comment to enter to win two tickets to the Gilt City warehouse sale next weekend!