Hearts on my Sleeve...Or Sweater Vest, Whatever

I'm a total sucker for Valentine's Day and all things hearts and flowers.  And if I have an excuse to wear a heart-printed sweater vest....Well, I take it.  

 

Vest: Forever 21 | Jeans: Anthropologie | Shoes: Chuck Taylors | Jacket: Old Navy | Bag: Jigsaw London |  Shades: Urban Outfitters

The boy and I are planning on staying in on Valentine's Day and avoiding the crowds, though we may go out and see the new Die Hard movie...Very romantic, huh?  Do you have any plans for V-day? 

Jigsaw London's Valentine's Day Shoot

HI All!  I just had to share this video I put together for work.  A weekend ago, I orchestrated a little photo shoot for Jigsaw London showing off our newest, most romantic outfits modeled by some of my favorite bloggers and friends!  Here's the behind the scenes video I threw together to show just how much fun we had together.  Enjoy!

Also, be sure to enter the giveaway on Jigsaw's blog for one of their most adorable pink bags! 

Anjolee Earrings - Holiday Sparkle!

When it comes to jewelry, my style is a bit of a mish-mash.  I have a bunch of jewelry that I got from my grandmother, quite a few vintage pieces I've collected over the years and then of course, a lot of cheap costume-like jewelry that I've bought myself, which are all very trendy. 

But even though my style is a bit all over the map, I love accessorizing my outfits with unique pieces that stand out and convey a little bit of my personality.  I love jewelry that's at once delicate and bold, chic and colorful.  

So you can imagine how excited I was to learn about Anjolee.  Anjolee is the only jewelry website that allows you to customize any of their gorgeous jewelry designs to your exact preferences, taste and budget. Anjolee’s product line even includes fine diamond and bridal jewelry, all of which can be customized to your heart's desire!  

Some of my favorite items from their site include their diamond wedding bands, and they have several diamond bridal sets that are simply heavenly.  But as you know, the boy and I have long since exchanged rings and aren't really in the market for that now.  So I was especially interested in customizing my own pair of jewel hoop earrings.  

I found a pair of gorgeous Three Stone Diamond Hoop Earrings on the Anjolee site, but I didn't really want something with that much bling.  I wanted to create something festive and fun - Something I could wear to all those holiday parties we have coming up over the next 2 weeks.  But with Anjolee's customizing options, that wasn't a problem.  

I was able to replace the diamonds with ravishing red garnets and in a matter of weeks they were delivered to my door!  I love my new Anjolee earrings and am sure to wear them to plenty of Christmas affairs and throughout the year!  Be sure to check out the Anjolee site - if you're in the market for something special and want to put you're own spin on it, they are your one-stop shop for making your jewelry dreams happen! 

Sweater: Gap | Snood: Arthelia's Attic | Earrings: c/o Anjolee | Necklaces: Vintage

Too Much Tulle to Pass Up!

I have worn plenty of tutus in my day.  I even own a few, but yet I still couldn't resist splurging on this gorgeous full tulle skirt from Anthropologie.  It fits like a tutu, but is fully lined and actually, not quite as tulle-y as a real one, making it perfectly acceptable to wear to parties and fancy events out.   

It's a bit tricky finding a top to pair with it however.  I tried a bunch of different options, but resorted to a basic spaghetti strap top because that just felt right to me (closest thing to a leo.)  In any case, it's a fancy piece that is probably the single most impractical clothing purchase I've made in my life. But what can I say?  Sometimes a girl just needs a tutu.  

I'm pretty sure they no longer carry this skirt online, but here are a few other tulle skirts Anthropologie has to offer.

Christmas Can't Wait!

I'm already in the holiday spirit.  I know you're probably thinking to yourself, "Halloween just ended Heather, what is the matter with you?"  And to that I'd say, yes, you're right.  I admit I'm a bit of a fanatic nutcase, but I can't help it!  I love Christmas time and I really can't wait to start getting in the spirit.  I mean, a month of celebrating just isn't enough, so I am sort of starting to think about it now.  I won't be putting up any decorations yet, or start singing any carols, but I can start planning gifts and crafts can't I?  (Don't answer that, because there is only one correct answer...YES!)

I absolutely love retro, semi-tacky Christmas decor and vintage Christmas Cards.  Something about that esthetic reminds me of the holidays of my childhood and I instantly feel nostalgic.  Here's a few images of retro decor and cards that I've been collecting on Pinterest....

See more on my Christmas Pinterest board!

Additionally, how great is this dress as a Christmas party frock?  Looks like music to my wardrobe! 

 

Source

Are any of you excited for Christmas yet?  Or am I the only jingle-bell nut out there? ;)

At Work: Jigsaw London

I'm actually really quite proud of Jigsaw London's new Fall collection.  There are so many pretty feminine looks, great layering pieces and brilliant boots!  Here's a look at their September Look Book...Which I am happy to say I had the honor of putting together!

Open publication - Free publishing - More autumn

Designer Crush | Wild Fox

I know I am certainly not the first blogger to wax on about how magnificent and adorable the Wildfox clothing line is, but I couldn't resist the urge to gush.  I love Wildfox.  And recently spent an evening getting lost in co-founder Kimberley Gordon's beautiful blog.  If you haven't explored their site, I must insist that you do - Their line is inspired by  "sleepovers, beautiful books, fairies, dreams, vintage T-shirts, and the friendship" between designers Kimberley Gordon and Emily Faulstich.  They also site 90's movies like Clueless and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet as sources of inspiration.   It's like a clothing line designed with my 15 year old self in mind.  In other words - Awesome.  Here are a few items I am currently lusting after...

**All photos and information taken from Wildfox Couture's site**

Orla Kiely with Fall Foxes

I suppose I've always liked Orla Kiely's designs (what's not to like) but I've never considered myself a "fan" until now.  After seeing these looks from her upcoming Autumn/Winter line on British Vogue I am a completely smitten kitten! Not only do I love all the cuts and stylings, but I simply adore her new Fox Print!  I simply think it's the best print ever!  Love me those foxes you know!  

See more of the looks here....

Barefoot in the Park

I was having a somewhat rough day not so long ago and the boy and I got in a bit of a marital tiff over something so inconsequential I can't even remember what it was now.  But after we made up, the boy suggested we watch a nice movie on Netflix.  He chose Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park and it was pretty much the perfect choice.  I loved it from start to finish.  And I totally related to Jane Fonda's character Corey - As I watched her I thought to myself, "maybe I'm not such a crazy wife," cause Neil Simon's lines for her mirrored my own silly augmentative words in so many ways!  Clearly, the humor is in being able to relate.  At one point Robert Redford says: "I love you!  Even when I didn't like you I still loved you!"  And that is, in my opinion, a wonderful summation of marriage. 

The movie was fun, silly and sweet.  Just what I like to watch.  And it was a refreshing view of being a newly wed which I can still relate to (even 4 years in!)  PLUS - Jane Fonda's clothes and hair styles were so incredibly cute!  I am now on the search to find a pink coat like hers and I plan to try to adopt her casual up-do this week.  Tres retro chic!  

If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it!  It's Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, young love and plenty of laughs!  

This is the pink coat I mentioned before - sorry for the poor quality photo, but you get the idea!

Etsy Designer Crush: Alice Nightingale

Her designs and product photos are like peering into my fashion dreams...All of these pieces from the Alice Nightingale Etsy shop are on my Wishlist!

Go Shopping Here!

Seeing Chevron

It's no secret, chevron patterns have been all the rage for a while now, but I still can't seem to get enough of 'em!  At the moment I just adore this ipad case from Kailo Chic:

Heavenly, huh?  Be sure to check out the rest of the lovely zig-zagging goodies in Kailo Chic's shop!

Bridal Ballet

Ballet seems to be so popular right now.  On TV, in films and in fashion - Ballerinas seem to be taking center stage in a plethora of new mediums and I personally think that's terrific.  I mean, why not go with it?  If ballet is cool at the moment, then let it be cool.  I'm all for it.  Well, I'm cool with it for the most part.  

I'm cool with ballet being sort of an inspiration trend in fashion, but I'm not so cool with seeing models who maybe danced once, back in the day, but clearly aren't ballet dancers, prancing around in pointe shoes.  As if it's like slipping on a pair of wedges or something.  I can't help but be annoyed when I see advertisements of people "pretending" to be ballerinas and standing in pointe shoes that they can't even get fully up on.  As if it's so easy.  And did no one mention to the art director just how crappy that looks?  I find it insulting in a weird way.  

I'm also annoyed by ads with people just doing sort of half-ass attempts at ballet por de bras.  I feel like I can always tell if the model actually studied ballet or not, just by the curve of their arm and the placement of their fingers.  And there is a good reason for that.  Ballet is not just about pretty tutus and satin shoes.  Ballet dancers have worked their whole lives to craft the lines you see on the stage.  So I guess, I'm just sensitive to any display that cheapens that sacrifice.  This is about the time the boy would tell me I am taking this too seriously, so I'll stop now.  

But I will share some displays and adverts that have used the ballet-inspired trend mostly in a good way....I have a few complaints, but I'll let you make up your own mind on these!  They are all tied into to bridal wear, which I think is fitting.  Wedding gowns and tutus actually do have a lot of similarities.  (In fact, as much as I loved my wedding dress, I wasn't really all that blown away by the gowns I tried...I've worn quite a lot of stunning tutus in my day and it did seem remarkably similar, and therefore, not that out of the ordinary...I know, I'm very lucky!)

Monique Lhuillier corset dress worn by real Boston Ballet dancer Keenan Kampa {source}

All three images above are from the Monique Lhuillier West Hollywood window display {source}

Have yourself a Corps de Ballet Bridal Party! {source}