Color Crush: All Things Blush

This week's Friday's Fancies is focusing on color trends.While winter is certainly not over, I can't help but find my mind wandering to spring. The spring runways & lookbooks show that pastels are having a big comeback- and my favorite hue is this blush color. It's airy & feminine, and can be worn with both light colors and dark for a deeper contrast. Tell me, what color trends are you loving for Spring?

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Be sure to stop by Long Distance Loving for even more color inspiration!

Editorial:Clemence Posey

I stumbled upon an image from this editorial on Pinterest and fell in love with it. After a little research, I found the whole spread- which is actually from the February issue of Glamour UK. I think Clemence looks absolutely gorgeous & the styling is superb. My favorite photo is the fourth one, but I think each of them does a great job creating a girly & fun aesthetic. And for some reason these photos have me itching for springtime in Paris.

 

Currently Coveting {Bright Ballet Flats}

If you've been to J.Crew's website or seen their catalog recently, the image below will look very familiar. If you read my blog, you'll know I am definitely a high heel person when it comes to shoes. But, I can't deny I've been lusting after a chic pair of ballet flats in a bright color (specifically Red). I found them at three different stores all at varying prices and to be honest, I can't decide if this is one of those times to save and get the cheap ones or splurge and get a really nice pair. How do you decide whether to save or splurge? 

  

      ASOS Lucy Patent Ballet Shoes $37

     Jcrew Classic Leather Ballet Flats $125

Repetto Patent-Leather Flats $265

I'd love to know: Which one would you pick?

Wedding Films

nick+maria • england wedding from Paperback Weddings on Vimeo.

I don't know if I would actually call this a wedding video, because that word does not do this justice. I stumbled upon this via Apartment 34 and since then have spent hours watching the wedding films of total strangers. I've always heard that wedding videos are something you can cut out of your budget, but this one by Paperback Weddings is certainly worth the extra costs. I realize this is fairly long but take a sneak peek- I promise it's worth it!

Sale Alert: Shopbop Farwell Winter Sale

The Shopbop Farewell Winter Sale is well underway and they've added a lot of great new things. Here a few of the things in my shopping cart currently (all under $150!). Happy Shopping!

    

Equipment Blouse  $145       J Brand Skinnys $123      Dolce Vita Platform  $133     Juicy Mesh Bracelet $69

Balancing Act

I'm not sure why, but this week I feel like I'm all over the place. I am having a tough time balancing work, family, boyfriend, friends, getting to the gym, and getting my life organized in general (the list goes on and on). While perusing the internet last night, I found a few quotes that really resonated with me. I need to pick one thing to focus on at a time & realize that not everything will get done at once. How do you get your focus back? I'd love to know!



image via

"I always try to balance the light with the heavy: a few tears of human spirit in with the sequins and and the fringes." - Bette Midler

"Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance how much of ourselves we give away." - Barbara de Angelis

Bottle & Bottega

I've lived in a suburb of Chicago my whole life (with the exception of the 4 years I spent away at school) and I feel like this city always has new surprises in store for me. This past Saturday a friend & I went to a public painting class at Bottle And Bottega in Lakeview. Let me preface this post with the fact that I am by no means an artist and have not worked with acrylic paint since 8th grade art. That being said, it was a fantastic experience. The store was bright and welcoming, the staff was friendly and helpful, and despite my lack of art skills- I think my painting turned out quite well. They do private parties, parties at your home, or even parties at a restaurant (with restaurant approval of course)- the possibilities are endless. I would definitely recommend you grab your favorite bottle of wine and go check it out! Here's the class schedule & a few photos from my visit (I apologize in advance for my Blackberry photo quality): 

{Before}

{Plenty of vino}

{Step 1}

{Step 2}

{Tah Dah! Finished product}

images 1 & 2 via