Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I...


1. Was invited to a 'Media Maven and Mimosa' spring trend preview event at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Galleria, VA. They graciously provided breakfast and mimosas while they explained and showed spring trends that will be huge for 2012. Florals, pastels, neons, tweed, clutches, and yellow (the new neutral, referred by Ken Downings) are where it's at this spring. Get on it people.

2. Met with Melanie for dinner at our favorite Korean fried chicken place (BonChon) to catch up on life happenings. Good food+good conversation= good night.

3. Unexpectedly scored Le Creuset items from TJ Maxx for a great deal! I imagine making hot appetizer dishes in these...yum. I was debating between yellow and red and decided to buy the red colored ones. I'm such a sucker for red.

4. Finally took the plunge and bought the Louis Vuitton leopard scarf. I've been lusting after this scarf for over a year now because of the hefty price tag on it and decided to take advantage of Saks Fifth Avenue's reward point system they were having last week and buy the scarf. It's beautiful, soft, and luxurious and am excited to start debuting her in my outfits for you. I see this as another investment piece because leopard is here to stay, indefinitely.

5. Came across a dog recipe that I will be making today. It's my dog, Mandu's bday today (!!!) and he will be spoiled even more then usual. If these treats get the Mandu stamp of approval, I will be posting this recipe for you guys soon!

How was your weekend?

Chambray+Tweed

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Chambray shirt-Old Navy

Tweed jacket-Tory Burch

Pants-Banana Republic

Purse-Chanel

Shoes-Pour La Victoire

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Bracelet, ring-David Yurman

Several posts ago, I wore my newly purchased tweed jacket: http://nomnomblingbling.blogspot.com/2012/01/classic-tweed.html Since then I've been wearing it nonstop and most recently I paired it with my chambray shirt. I mentioned that pairing the tweed jacket can be a bit tricky because it can have the tendency to make you look older, especially when you wear it with trousers. I wanted to look formal but unfussy so I downplayed the look by wearing the jacket with a chambray shirt. By itself, the chambray shirt has a very casual look to it, and when you pair it with something a bit formal like a tweed jacket, both pieces play off each other well. I also couldn't resist adding a punch of color from my purse;)

Do you have any suggestions on how to wear a tweed jacket more casually yet still look semi-formal?

Winter Accessories

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Blazer-Alice & Olivia

Sweater-Banana Republic

Skirt, Hat-H&M

Bag-Hayden Harnett
Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Shoes-Via Spiga

Last year around December, I took a trip to Vienna, Austria and was greeted with a winter wonderland. The Christmas markets were breathtakingly beautiful and festive, the food was amazing, but the weather was blistery cold. Vienna is a very walkable city that doesn't require taxi rides/subways to get around in, but during the time I was there, it snowed unexpectedly on most of the days. At that time I didn't own any winter hats, so the first thing I wanted (and needed) to find was a hat to keep me warm. I walked into a nearby H&M while exploring the city and was immediately drawn to this hat because it had flaps to cover my ears (function rather then style was more important to me at that point) and I loved the faux fur element to it. I ended up paying about $15 for the hat and served its purpose because I wore it constantly throughout the trip=)

The east coast was greeted with below freezing temperatures a couple days ago which prompted me to take out that hat. It's not exactly the most fashionable winter hat to wear like those big, floppy ones you see in clothing shops and magazines, but wearing it with a fitted blazer versus a winter coat can help it look casual chic.

Do you have any winter accessories that help adds a bit of style to your outfit?

 

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend I...

1. Dined at District Kitchen for the first time with several of my friends. It was our first time trying out this restaurant and all 14 of us enjoyed it. The interior has exposed bricks all throughout the restaurant which gives an industrial look to it, which I love.

2. Bought an orchid thing-a-ma-jig from T.J. Maxx. for my bathroom. Ideally I want my bathroom to have a spa like feel to it and thought this orchid would give a sense of serenity. I love finding random home stuff at that store because it can be a treasure hunt with a very affordable price tag.

3. The boy took me to see La Cage Aux Folles at the Kennedy Center. Unlike me, he's not really into musicals but he said he liked this one haha. It's the story of a gay couple who have a son that wants to bring his fiancee and her ultra conservative parents home to meet them. Along the way there are entertaining and funny adventures the couple has to encounter.

4. Finally had the chance to finally wear this necklace I bought from Neiman Marcus a couple months ago out to dinner. The iPhone picture does it no justice on how it looks in real life. It really is such a gorgeous piece.

5. Overdosed on sushi with the family. Enough said.

6. Dined at BLT Steakhouse with the boy. They gave complimentary popovers and chicken liver pate to start with and both were delicious. I ordered the filet (which was cooked to perfection) and the truffle mash and well, let's just say I was savoring each bite of the mash. I mean, it's truffle--how can anything taste bad when adding truffle?

7. Received home made gummies from a good friend. How amazing is that?

How was your weekend?

Pink+Green

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Blouse-Sigrid Olsen

Jeans-Paige Denim

Jacket-Juicy Couture

Shoes-Alice&Olivia

Bracelet-Sequin

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Purse-Chanel

Can we talk about how this weather can change from 60 degrees to 30 degrees within one day?? I wore this outfit when it was obviously warmer because the jacket is light and was enough to keep me warm under the comfortable temperatures I experienced a couple days ago. I've always been attracted to coats/jackets with interesting details whether it be from the cut, color, pleats, cute buttons, etc. I love it all. 

The colors of this outfit, along with the super feminine shoes (which I'm madly in love with) can all together be perceived as "girly." I chose to wear cargo pants instead of just plain denim because I like to incorporate something that sets it off a little. Cargo pants are very casual--boyish even, so I chose to wear them because sometimes things can't always be perfect.

Do you do something to your outfit to slightly set it off?

New Years Eve

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Leather jacket-Andrew Marcs

Shirt-Splendid

Jeans-Gap

Shoes-10022 Saks

Bag-Balenciaga

Scarf-United Colors of Benetton

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Necklace-Banana Republic

Hi everyone! I just wanted to do one more quick post before the new year is upon us. I have lots of errands to run today before meeting up with friends tonight to celebrate NYE and wanted to share the casual look I'm wearing while I run my errands. I bought this scarf a couple months ago and was immediately attracted to the bright, cheery color it exuded (not to mention the soft texture of it). I love using scarves to brighten up an outfit because it can immediately spruce up a plain white shirt. The color is fitting to the mood I'm currently feeling because I'm pretty happy and excited to see what 2012 has in store for me. This year was definitely a great year for me for various reasons and I feel blessed for the things that has happened so far, whether good or bad. I'm a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason.

I sincerely wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year and as always, thank you so much for reading.

Casual Luxe

Photos courtesy of Sung Shin

Shirt-Old Navy

Skirt-Express

Belt-Banana Republic

Purse-Chanel

Necklace-Lee Angel

Sunglasses-Stella McCartney

Shoes-Marc Jacobs

I wore this outfit to Bloggers Night Out last night that took place at the DC Bloomingdales and it was fabulous time meeting with old and new local bloggers. I bought this skirt over the weekend and am so in love with it because I have several different looks I want to share with you on how to style a sequin skirt. I wanted to wear something casual on top so the skirt could be the star of the outfit but couldn't resist adding a bold statement necklace as a finishing touch;) I bought this necklace last year at Neiman Marcus and I always get stopped by strangers whenever I wear it out, asking me where I purchased it. It reminds me of holiday ornaments and it is one of my favorite statement necklaces I own because it's so fun and dramatic.

Ladies, do you have any favorite statement pieces you love to wear?

Bling: David Yurman

When it comes to accessories, jewelry is a definite weakness I have. I believe in investing money with certain pieces because they are something that you can continue to wear for years to come and possibly pass down to your children. Don't get me wrong, I adore shoes and bags, but, I think that jewelry means the most because there is always a story behind each necklace, ring, bracelet, etc. Whether it was gifted by your significant other, passed down from family members, or bought for one's self, it has a story to tell. For me, I grew up watching my mom wear David Yurman pieces. As a kid I didn't think much of it because it looked too "adult like" but as I grew older I understood why she appreciated each sophisticated Yurman piece.  He has now become one of my favorite designers and a staple in my outfits. 

14mm Pave Diamond Infinity Necklace

I've been searching for a simple pendant for awhile now and I came across this necklace. I love that the design of the pendant is simple and not too extravagant yet the pave diamonds adds an elegant and "bling" factor to it;) It had to come home with me...