Holiday with Henri

Listen, Henri Bendel is already one of those places that you can walk into with no intention of buying anything and then walk out a thousand bucks less rich. It's like Target on steroids. 

And, don't even get me started on the travel accessories. I started out with the 'Travel Trio" a couple of years ago, and it was all downhill from there. 

Because there's nothing more annoying than un-tangling necklaces...

Centennial Stripe Travel Jewelry Box

Or searching for your Hanky Pankies...

Travel Trio

Nothing more irritating than the baggage claim...

HB Clear Beauty Travel Case

Or sleepless nights...

Lavender Leaves Travel Candle

Or the morning after a glass of wine (or two)...

Cashmere Brown and White Striped Eyemask

Problems? Solved. 

Thanks, Henri!

Verameat.

Verameat first came into my life while I was working as a fashion rep. We "almost" got the line in our showroom about a million times, much to no avail. So, instead of spreading the word about the neat little treats, I longingly stared at the samples for a good month or so.

But, I remember being immediately drawn to the little creatures morphed into quirky, fun necklaces and rings, and envisioning how perfectly they would fit into my jewelry wardrobe.

My memory was jogged last week when my sister told me about the jewelry line she was newly obsessed with. Verameat, it was!

Current favorites below, of course.

Elasamasaurus Lochness

Vampire Duster

Yes, Dear

Eagle Animal Power

Baby Bull

They're just those pieces that will automatically make your outfit, and you, so much cooler... Ya know?

Inspired.

A little reminder to keep creating. 

And, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Leather Craft

I'll never get over my leather phase. Actually, it's no phase. It's a way of life. (Quote that.) 

I love it best in interesting and unexpected shapes, colors, and details.

Currently drooling over the beauties below.

With a pastel tote and a fun and girly pony...

Alice + Olivia, Abby Leather Laser Cut Dress

 With a bright pink, silk blouse and retro-inspired platforms...

Parker, Pleated Leather Miniskirt

 With a sheer, button down and distressed denim...

Tess Giberson, Leather Bandeau Bra

 With a cashmere tee and black, heeled booties...

Vince, Leather Jogger Shorts

With a white pocket-tee and a neon necklace...

Vince, Leather Blazer

 With floral-printed denim and fuchsia lips...

Zero + Maria Cornejo, Leather Neka Top

Gimme. Gimme more. (Gimme, gimme more.)

Black Beauty

Seriously upset with Barney's for inadvertently introducing me to black opal.

Irene Neuwirth Diamond Collection, Black Opal & Diamond Ring

So beautiful. So outrageously rare and precious. I'll be drooling over this piece until the day I win the lottery.

Shop-a-holic

The perfect outfit for a Saturday filled with boutique-ing.


Chunky Sweater + Leather Shorts + Chic Sneaks

Vince, Frayed Open-Knit Cotton-Blend Sweater

Alexander Wang, Leather Shorts

The Row for Superga, Cashmere

Oh, and you'll obviously need a solid pair of sunnies.

Illesteva, Dasha for Illesteva Leonard Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses

Comfy, but killer. 

Wedges For All!

For the Gold-Digger

kate spade new york, lila braided espadrille

For the Free Spirit

Joe's Jeans, Trixie Wedge Sandal

For the Minimalist

Sam Edelman, Sophie Low Wedge Sandal

For the Nudist

BCBGMAXAZRIA, Laurol Embossed Wedge Sandals

For the Life of the Party

Alice + Olivia, Jana Tie Dye Sandal

For the Glamazon

Elizabeth and James, Platform Wedge Sandal

For the Fearless

Rachel Zoe, Emma Suede Wedge Mules

For Mama Earth

Dolce Vita, Jade Nubuck Wedge Sandals

You get the height and you get the comfort. Is there anything better? So glad to see such wedges go beyond raffia and cork!

Candy-Colored Accessories

If you build it, it will come!

Start infusing the delicious candy-inspired colors of Spring 2012 into your life, and maybe spring will come a little bit sooner. (Fingers-crossed for my 4-seasoned friends!)

Don't be afraid of the pop colors, treat them as a neutral. There are no "tone on tone" rules anymore, and rules were made for breaking anyway, right? ;) 

Porenza Schouler

PS1 Small Leather Satchel

Chloé

Madeleine Patent Leather Duffle Bag

Nixon

Time Teller Rubber Watch

Eugenia Kim

Chiara Silk-Charmeuse Turban Headband

Rag & Bone

Keaton D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses

Yves Saint Laurent

Leather Cardholder

Isabel Marant

Pop Color Brass and Silk Tassel Necklace

Alexander McQueen

Enameled Skull Bangle

I know they look good enough to eat, but please... DON'T DO IT! These treats are far, far too pretty. 

www.net-a-porter.com

Color-Coded

We live in a world where sizable purses rule all. We carry everything from makeup to iPads in one black hole of a handbag.

Let's just say, it's easy to get lost in there.

American Apparel has a collection of leather pouches that are about to make your life a whole lot easier.

They come in what seems to be a zillion different colors and sizes, which is perfect for categorizing contents like glosses, hair-ties, pens, and so on. You'll always know where to find what you need in a pinch, and the zipper closure helps with accident security!

Suede, patent, metallic... Neutrals, brights, in-betweens.. They truly suit any style.

The largest size fits a laptop perfectly, a nice way to transition your goodies from handbag to carry-on and still be cohesive.

You can snag 'em at http://store.americanapparel.net/.

Sundays Done Right

Treat yourself to a little r&r...

Coffee in Cali Dreaming, of course...

Happy lazy Sunday from Palm Springs!

8 Bottoms To Carry You Through Spring

1 | THE LEISURE SHORT

 (Rory Beca, Crissa Lace Running Short)

The way to make these work is by pairing them with unlikely partners. Add a killer pump or sleek bootie to make this runway trend work for everyday.



2 | THE LEATHER SHORT

(Vince, Leather Short)

In black, brown, or tan, these puppies will you take you from the office to dinner to cocktails, and then all over again. The outfit opportunities are endless. Wear them with a stream-lined pair of sneaks and a chunky sweater for a day of shopping, or kick it up a notch with neon pumps and a nude blouse for a nighttime affair.


3 | THE UPDATED CHINO

(TEXTILE Elizabeth and James, Iggy Jeans)

Not just for soccer moms anymore- and TEXTILE Elizabeth and James nailed it with this cut. Unlikely pairing is they key again here; add neon accessories and bright lips.


4 | THE FLORAL MINI

(Alice + Olivia, Riley A Line Skirt)

This cut is SO slimming and flattering, and I love how Alice + Olivia tied in Spring's floral push.


5 | THE ACCORDION MAXI

(Tibi, Maxi-Pleated Skirt)

The perfect distraction from a lazy maxi... much more refined and fresh... and much LESS pilled cotton.


6 | COATED DENIM

(Rag & Bone/JEAN, The Legging Jeans)

More polished than everyday jeans, the latest coated denim is coming in beautiful colors, patterns, and shapes. Top them off with a blazer for a day-friendly option.


7 | THE RELAXED ANKLE JEAN

(Paige Denim, Skyline Ankle Skinny Jeans)

I've been rolling all of my pants to the ankle lately. It's so much more feminine, and looks great with both flats and heels.


8 | PRINTED DENIM

(AG Adriano Goldschmied, Stilt Cigarette Leg Jeans)

Denim is being printed with some amazing and unexpected patterns this season. Floral, houndstooth, ikat... Ahhhh-mazing!


And, guess what you can top all of these off with? You guessed it... A plain, white v-neck!

Get 'em all at www.shopbop.com.