"Um, they're... bright."

One pleasure of mine that my mother has never understood is brightly colored and/or patterned shoes. True, she was an adult from the '70s through the '90s, when shoes were practical, neutral, and matched most things in your closet, and you had about 3 pairs. Same goes for purses. Those were also decades of practical, matchy-matchy fashion in which no one mixed patterns, everyone's belt matched their shoes, and hardware always matched the jewelry.

Terrible, I know.

Perhaps it was the wild shoe-fetish fantasyland of "Sex & the City," or maybe it's the easier access to runway shows and designer fashion because of the internet... but either way, it's safe to say that many of the fashion rules of yesteryear no longer apply. And thank heavens, because a bright bag, punchy heels or big colorful statement necklace dress up an outfit with very little effort. As long as you don't combine all three!

So I am home in Westport this weekend to visit the family, and I came home from shopping with many items my mother loved, but when I pulled out my on-sale, apricot-yellow round-toe flats, and told her how fun and springy I thought they were, I got "Um, they're... bright. What on earth are you gonna wear that matches that??"

So even though I've tried to take dear Mummy on shopping trips and convinced her to just try a multicolored shoe, a polka-dot pump, or a bright red sandal, she's always going to go with her stand-by shoe colors of black, brown, tan and gray. But that doesn't mean there's no hope for the rest of us! Spring is a great time to tell everyone, "Screw this wind and rain business. Spring is here. I can prove it! I'm wearing yellow shoes!"

Here are some of my favorite yellow shoes on the interwebs, all at semi-affordable prices:

Sperry, $74.85



rsvp, $99


Ralph Lauren, $108.95


Pierre Dumas, $49


Mystique, $139


BCBG, $110


Anne Klein, $78.95

What a Tease!

Today was positively gorgeous. 64, sunny and breezy (OK, windy)? Spending today in the city would have been wonderful, but I scammed a ride out to Long Beach, on Long Island, to walk on the boardwalk and enjoy the weather. What a great day! It's not the most gorgeous boardwalk I have ever seen, but the sandy beach is an awesome change from Connecticut. There is NO sand in the Long Island Sound - just rocks and mud! And the waves out there were so much bigger. Here are some pictures of the ocean!

Lemon Favorites

I am home at the moment. Yes, at 10:30 on a Friday night. You would be too, if you were one of the many people in New York incubating the black plague (aka my first cold of the year). As I sliced a wedge of lemon for my fourth mug of tea, the sweet, tart scent managed to get through my impenetrable sinuses. Maybe it's been a while since I've smelled a fresh lemon? But regardless, the scent struck me as so fresh, clean, beautiful and bright.

I prefer lemons to citrus medleys, because the pure scent of one fruit seems less, well, fruity, than spritzing on a scent that smells like Sprite or Tropicana candies. I went through a pink grapefruit phase in college, wearing Gap's Pink body spray every day for about 18 months. But I tired of it, and the grapefruit seemed to become ubiquitous. But lemon is sharp, distinct, clean and sweet. I love the sharpness of lemon, and I hate when people try to change it. I scrape the meringue off the pie, I steer clear of lemon yogurt (too vanilla) and stick with hard candies, lemon drop shots and Italian ices. Adding sage, "cream" (whatever that is), lavender or anything else just waters down the dominant lemon.

I have always believed (well, since I worked at Bath & Body Works during college) that scents can change your mood. That's the philosophy behind the whole perfume industry. But it doesn't have to just be a scent you wear. I've found that when my Irish nose inhales pure lemon scents, I feel cheerier, happier and more energized. What more could you ask for during a gray, cold, lethargic winter?

Here are some of my pure lemon favorites!


Henri Bendel Lemon Verbena Candle, $26 at Bath & Body Works


Philosophy Powdered Sugar Cookie Body Souffle, on eBay
(Don't let the name fool you - this scent is 90% lemon and 10% sugar cookie - one of my all-time favorites, and the body souffle is an amazing light moisturizer - like a gel!)


Davies Gate Lemon Made Travel Set, $30 at Bath & Body Works
(Includes Body Wash, Body Scrub, Hand Salve, Hand Lotion and Lip Balm)


Philosophy Powdered Sugar Cookie Lip Shine, on eBay
(The perfect clear, subtly sparkly lip gloss, great scent and works on everyone!)


Bath & Body Works Kitchen Lemon Antibacterial Hand Soap, $4.50 or 3 for $10
(Pure lemon goodness, and guys don't mind using it either!)


Philosophy You Are My Sunshine Two-Piece set, Shower Gelee and Lip Shine, $30


Philosophy Lemonade Salt Scrub, $25


C. O. Bigelow Lemon Body Lotion, $24 at Bath & Body Works


Lemon Reed Diffuser, $19.95 at girlsjustwanttoshop.com


Italian ceramic plate, 4.5" diameter, $16 at ceramicadirect.com
(Doesn't smell like lemon, obviously... but how pretty for the wall!)


C. O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Wash, $12 at Bath & Body Works


Philosophy Lemonade Lip Shine, $12


Lemons, cheap at your local grocer, the ideal garnish, necessary for sangria, beautiful in a bowl or sliced on a saucer. Cut, inhale and enjoy.

Summer Top Ten

OK, two posts on warm weather within a week of each other, and a snowstorm predicted for tonight. Can you tell I'm sick of winter?

I relish living in the northeast because of the seasons. I love the autumn leaves, the winter wonderland snow, the spring thaw, and best of all, the mid-May warm-up. There's no comparison to that first day on which the air is clear, the sun is warm, there's a light breeze, no humidity, and you head outside to your car, realizing on the way that you don't need it. You toss it in the back seat, and drive to work with the windows open, feeling a natural breeze on your arms for the first time since October.


The iced coffees become appealing again, we start to eat lighter, and life gets a little lighter. And of course, our clothes change. But the change isn't only in weight and coverage; everyone's style gets a little more laid-back in the warmer months. Somehow structure and trendiess feel right in fall and winter. But in the spring and summer, the materials are lighter, the cuts are more relaxed, and I personally move away from the trends for a bit and go for the classics.

The classic clothing I wear in spring and summer hasn't changed much from what I wore growing up, since I always go for my favorite staples that feel light, keep me cool and have staying power for several seasons. Keeping up with trends is an activity I use in the winter to keep me interested in getting dressed beyond avoiding hypothermia, and it goes well with the edginess of the seasons. But once late April hits, I'm all about the basics.

In recently moving and taking stock of my wardrobe, I realized I'll need to replace a few of these. So I'm making a list of my ten favorite options for spring and summer, and I'll keep an eye out for spring preview sales and coupons as opportunities to buy them. Buying out of season usually gets you a great deal, and making lists keeps you from making too many impulse purchases.

1) 3/4-sleeve Oxford shirts. Definitely white, probably a pink and a blue also, definitely the Horse. Soft cotton, comfortable structure and a classic look.

Ralph Lauren Solid Cotton Oxford, $89


2) Fresh polos. Short-sleeved, two-button, collars down. Navy, light pink, hot pink, sky blue, yellow, kelly green, red, black, white, orange - check. Looking for: light green, royal blue, maroon. Definitely some of the Horse, maybe a Lilly thrown in. Absolutely no A&F.

Lilly Pulitzer Rugby Stripe Polo, $68


3) Linen pants. Got white, would like beige. Traditional Easter - Labor Day rules apply.

Robert Rodriguez linen pants, $119.99


4) White linen/cotton/eyelet skirts. Never work appropriate, but a great jeans substitute for a night out. Pair with a polo or deep-V tee and flops for a casual look.

Alvin Valley Cotton Miniskirt, $99.99


5) Solid sundresses. Florals are fine, and I've got black linen. This summer I'm looking into everything linen, solid navy, green and pink.

White House | Black Market Drapeneck Cotton Dress, $148


6) Long-sleeve tissue tees. The best coverup on the boat - sun coverage without warmth.

J.Crew Perfect Fit Tissue Tee, $24.50


7) Tailored chino shorts. Modest hem (7" - 3" at the least), neutral colors. To wear with Oxfords, polos, tanks...

J. Crew Twill 5" shorts, $39.50


8) Denim jacket. To wear on weekends when the sun goes down.

American Eagle Vintage Denim Jacket, $49.99


9) Twill skirts. Dress up for work, down for play.

Vineyard Vines Twill Skirt, $68


10) New aviators. The $8 ones from Chinatown last maaaaybe one summer!

Kirra White Aviators, $15.50

Cheers to summer - only five months away!
Hayley

Looking forward to spring

This is the time of year in which many of us fall into a rut. Resolution determination has worn off, we're being inundated with Valentine's Day merch just a bit too early, after a six-week-long Christmas season. And while paying off the bills for said season, we're often practicing self-restraint whether we like it or not. And I don't like.

But one of my favorite things to do to avoid seasonal affective disorder, winter pastiness and midwinter paunch is admire spring clothes. No need to buy just yet, especially as most of the pieces are overpriced right now. But with recession sales rocking, you could score a good deal. And even if you froze your credit cards in a block of ice, just looking at clothes that are lighter and brighter will do the same for your mood.

Here are some pieces I love for spring. Some I intend to buy, some will have to wait for a sale, but all of them help me lighten up and look ahead to sunnier days and outdoor happy hours. Make a wishlist of your own, and allow a little late-April-walk-in-Central-Park fantasy, featuring the guy with the nice arms you saw in the Greek sculpture garden in the Met. Feel your mood instantly lift!

JCrew camp shirt, $59.50


JCrew straight skirt, $49.50

Gap hip-slung pants, $54

Gap cropped trench, $78

L.L. Bean chino blazer, $74

L.L. Bean anchor wellies, $59

Gap belted cotton dress, $59.50

Gap striped skirt, $59

The Best of Lucky Jeans

Summer is officially here, now that Memorial Day is behind us, and I am completely ready to trade in my stilettos for thongs and my blazers for babydolls. For those of you who are ready to shift your look into a calmer, but still stylish gear, check out my latest favorites from Lucky Brand Jeans. This brand isn't over-worn (Anthropologie, anyone?) and has great pieces for laid-back, made-in-the-shade guys and girls who want to express their inner flower child. The prices are not exactly hippie-friendly, but you can hunt through vintage shops for similar items, or pick up just a few things to accentuate the classics in your wardrobe.


Sundown Wide Leg Jean, $130
Great basic jeans with more flare than usual, for a nod to bellbottoms without bringing back 11th grade.


Inspirational Charm Bracelet, $52
I love the way this bracelet drapes over the top of my hand, and the charms really are beautiful. I wouldn't wear it while trying to type, though!


Peace Heart Tee Shirt, $34
Modern, yet ornate and beautiful.


Rosary Raw Edge Shirt, $48
A cool version of those jewelry shirts your aunt used to wear. The rosary graphic makes a statement, but the shape of the shirt is classic. Just don't clutter the graphic with necklaces - try a bracelet instead.


Stained Glass Peacock Earrings, $38
Stunning! You can pull these off at work with an understated outfit, or with jeans and a breezy top.


Sultana Belt, $58
The pattern of this belt reminds me of the paint on those swings at carnivals... the white looks clean against jeans and adds style to a basic outfit.


Cap Sleeve Sud America Tee Shirt, $38
Made of organic cotton, and has lots of colorful illustrations to look at. Wash it inside out!


Chain Link Ring, $38
I've always thought masculine rings look beautiful on slim fingers with manicured nails. This chunky ring makes a cool statement with a feminine outfit.


Daisy Crochet Babydoll Shirt, $130
Perfect for an outdoor concert, or with skinny jeans at a trendy bar. Also feels great against your skin!


Denim Mimosa Wide Leg Pant, $120
Combines the new wide-leg look with the flared look of the 70s. The dark wash keeps them easily dressed-up.


Horseshoe Ring, $38
Another big, manly ring looking hip on girlie fingers. The turquoise is best in summer.

Peace, Love and Style,
Hayley