time for a little wednesday rant.  normally, i look forward to spring and summer not at all – i’m just a girl that likes to layer, and loves her scarves, and summer just does not allow for either of those.  and then, there’s the fact that i strongly dislike being above 70 degrees.

but even in the depths of my despair, i always know that even when spring fashion disappoints, i’ll have all of those lovely spring sandals to fall back on.  sadly, not this year.  this year, they’re just…yuck.  woven peep toe boots, *more* gladiators, prep school oxfords and clogs?!  (okay, the oxfords may not be all bad.)  normally, the unveiling of all of those warm weather shoes put a definite spring in my step, but this season’s “hot” shoes have left me pretty cold.

the source of this rant?  an email this morning from saks, telling me to check out all of their hot new contemporary shoes for spring.  to-wit:

those were the first four shoes that came up.  are you depressed yet?  seriously, am i expected to wear these messes?

(okay, so maybe those elizabeth and james sandals on the right are actually kind of cute. but what exactly are those shoes on the left? they’re like keds…gone very, very wrong.)

personally, i’m rebelling…if this keeps up, i’ll spend the summer in my sperry topsiders (oh, and those luscious loeffler randalls i nabbed a few weeks back…), and not a single new shoe box will enter my closet until next fall.

what do you think of this season’s choices?   i’ll admit, there were a couple of styles mixed in that didn’t make me want to hurl (and don’t worry – i’ll be weeding them out for you)…but for now, i’m a little blue.

maybe it’s just because i went from looking at steven alan’s new spring arrivals to checking out the latest at the gap, but i couldn’t help noticing some pretty striking ‘inspired by’ pieces in the gap’s spring line:

are you seeing it too?  not that i’m complaining…i actually love that breezy plaid/floral thing, especially if you put them together – and layering contrasting patterns is going to be huge for spring.  i can rarely afford to splurge on the real deal at steven alan, but most of the gap pieces are under $60.  even better, this week you can score 25% off all new arrivals with code GAPNEW25 through sunday (2/21).

i think it’s a day worth mentioning when the weight on your driver’s license is no longer a lie…and may even, in fact, be a bit of an exaggeration.  amazing stuff, really.

for those of you on new year’s resolution diets, i don’t recommend my method of weight loss (nor do i think it would be possible unless you were lucky enough to contract some sort of rare south american tapeworm), but there is definitely some excitement involved in going down a size (or two…).  at this rate, i might even be able to wear mcqueen by the end of the year.  because, you know, size is the only thing standing between me and a $2,000 blazer.

in more realistic retail therapy news (see? you said you wanted more frugal finds – it’s like ‘i dream of jeannie’ in blogland), i happened on the rodarte for target collection on last sunday’s target trip, and ended up bringing their navy lace tee home with me:

(hmm, maybe my new hobby should be learning to take photos that don’t suck…)  it’s sold out online, but if you happen to spot one in the store, it’s a worthy buy, which is saying something, as i’d more or less given up hope on the entire target/designer collab thing after so many misses of late.

but lacy lingerie is everywhere for spring, and if i can nail the look for $16.99, i’m a happy shopper.  the layering options are endless – over a dark tank and under a cardi, under a summer dress, peeking out under a v-neck sweater or a menswear vest…you get the idea.  (i actually did take a photo of the layered look, but it makes the first one look like ansel adams.)  sizing was a little on the narrow side…buy like you’re buying juniors, and you’ll be safe.

with that, i’m off to take a few highly invasive medical tests.  but i have brownies waiting for me when i get home.  so that’s something.

now that fashion week is behind us (let us all heave a collective sigh!), i thought i’d share a few looks that caught my eye.  not an exhaustive study by any means…but there were some pieces worth pointing out.

to sum up:  flirty little dresses, florals, ruffles and pastels galore (especially lilac and all shades of yellow), nothing new there.  more black, white and tan than i’d expect for spring – am i the only one who wants color when the sun comes back in april?  in other news, the jumpsuit seems to have exited stage left (thank god), and hemlines are finally inching slowly back toward the knee.  those bold shoulders are more subdued this season, which means they’re on their way out (another fashion blessing).  and blazers still abound, though not nearly as much as they did for fall.

the bad news? i spotted biker shorts throughout, and bare midriffs at thakoon (his dresses, however, were stunning).  here’s hoping they aren’t here to stay.

all photos courtesy of style.com

the moment i win the lottery, stop one will be at the oscar de la renta boutique for a beautiful dress.  there is simply no one who does what oscar does.  the shades of bold lapis, orange and chartreuse running through his show were a welcome change from the pastels, and i love that my favorite shade of blue will be the star of the season!

we’ll still be raiding the closets of the men in our lives, but i like the look much better for spring.  consider grabbing an old pair of your dad’s pleated trousers (the baggier, the better), chopping them off at the knee (your drycleaner can easily hem) and folding over the waist – you’ll have the chicest shorts in town, not to mention the cheapest!  from left:  look 8, isaac mizrahi; look 5, 3.1 phillip lim.

keep mixing those patterns – the anna sui show was one of my favorites of the week (i highly suggest a full view here), and the bold, crazy pattern-mixing was definitely the highlight of her show.

neither here nor there, and i normally detest the shorts-suit, but anna sui’s version is utterly perfect.  it would even be perfect as separates (note the shorts on the model in the pic set above).  definitely splurge-worthy!

last spring, it was all about pairing your floral sundress with gladiator heels to create the girly biker look.  next spring, designers have done the dirty work for you, and the results are undeniably feminine silhouettes done in big, bold prints that will make even the girliest ruffle feel bad ass.  from left: look 16, diane von furstenberg; look 12, proenza schouler.

so, that’s my take.  if you’re after a more serious synopsis, i loved refinery 29’s take on the hot trends from the runway.  and if it’s eye candy you’re after, i think love made visible did an amazing job picking the best looks from the best shows.

happy weekend, everyone!  and don’t forget our fab contest this week – entries close sunday, so get those comments in!

this skirt from brooklyn industries manages the impossible – it’s as frilly as can be, but work the look the right way, and this is the ultimate hip spring floral.  and it’s on sale for $58.

no question, florals are tricky – and in the spring, you risk looking more laura ashley than kate moss if you play them wrong.  but, done right, they’re ideal for the season, and end up looking oh-so-stylish, with that “i just threw this on and look amazing” perfection we’re all seeking.

so, the how to:  first, drop the girly quotient from the rest of the ensemble.  instead of pearls, think heavy chains.  bare legs will work with a bold shoe, but black tights are even better (with the blue, that is – stay bare with the black skirt).  for footwear, my choice is an edgy heel, but heel or flat, stick to black or a bold, bright and non-matching color.  red or hot pink with these cool floral skirts, for example, would be fantastic.  layer a couple of tanks or tees, and pair the whole thing with a blazer or a menswear vest (not a cardigan, unless it’s very oversized and a neutral shade) – maybe even a plaid or striped scarf to top things off.  let your inner tomboy/rocker chick come out to play when you don flowers, and the end result will be stunning.

check out this fantastic piece from whowhatwear with even more ideas for updating a floral.  incidentally, these ideas are also a great way to do the old “shop your closet” bit – you should be able to unearth a floral skirt or two from the ’90s, no?

* editor’s note:  last day to enter that amazing mother’s day giveaway!  don’t miss this one…i’m so loving hearing your mom stories (though i promise not to tell if you keep the prize for yourself!).

i’m tiptoeing through my bookmarks this morning, and lo and behold, i came up with a bargain-full ensemble that i’m pretty excited about.  

i’ve been searching high and low for a blazer i liked that (a) wasn’t too expensive, (b) was a little bit unexpected, and (c) was the right cut for my body type.  the reality is most boyfriend blazers are just not that flattering unless you’re very petite.  they eliminate any hint of a waist or hips, and bulk up your shoulders considerably – resulting in a look popular with linebackers the world over. but this three-button twill blazer from old navy is just $25, and i think it might be perfect.  the buttons are high enough that the lapel won’t bulge if you’re well-endowed up top.  the waist is nipped in, and the length is great for layering.  plus, it’s $25.  roll up the sleeves and leave it unbuttoned to get the boyfriend blazer look without the disfiguring side effects.

i’d pair it with a classic, liberty-style floral print top – this topshop version is a great option for $50.  the floral is a great balance against the more structured jacket, and the colors blend without being sickeningly matchy.  you could also try this top from forever 21, though i’d probably go with a floral that doesn’t include yellow if you pick the yellow blazer (the seersucker would be fun, though).  

pair it with one of these beautiful floral tin necklaces from the little black rabbit, which i’ve been coveting something fierce. the dogwood (right) is perfect if you’re nervous about the mix-and-match, but i love mixing florals, and this is a great, safe way to give it a try!

add all of this to your favorite denim, or an a-line or pencil skirt (royal blue would be great, as would black or white), or even a slouchy cuffed short that’s already in your closet, and you have a pretty fantastic outfit for right around $100.  not a bad shopping trip at all, i’d say!

there’s a possibility i’ve been living in the land of fleece and birkenstocks too long, but i have to confess:  the fashion world wants me wearing blazers and shoulder pads, but all i want is a cozy, easy-to-wear fleece to throw on when an evening chill sets in.

now, before you get all worried that i’ve lost my mind, and remove me from your reading list, i’m not talking your standard zip hoodie…i’m guessing none of us need much advice on those (although this one is pretty damn cute).  i’m talking about a fleece that manages to stay at least moderately stylish, and maybe even completely hip.

that fleece biker jacket, for example – i love it so much more than the leather versions that are resurfacing (i clearly remember a frightening denim version i had in the ’80s…yikes).  it’s fitted, streamlined, light as a feather…all qualities that sound pretty fantastic when i remember the bulk and sheer weight of the real version.  whether you use it for your weekend lounging or get bold and mix it with a graphic tee and trousers for day (which, by the way, i think would be fantastic – i might even add a small silk scarf at the neck), i’m convinced this would be your go-to all spring.  grab it from adidas, of all places, for $160…steep for fleece, but it’s such a great update on a classic that i’m willing to consider it.

for a more relaxed look, this short-sleeved pullover from brooklyn industries is marked down to $35, but i have even more reasons to love it.  those big, pleated sleeves are almost dolman in their slouch, and are sure to result in a flattering silhouette – as does anything with wider shoulders that narrows at the waist.  the high pocket placement just emphasizes that look – it’s pretty perfect, actually.  the side drawstrings give it interest, and make it easy to style it your own way.  plus, they’ll be perfect to turn it into a swim coverup later this summer.

in both cases, i thought it was worth showing you the final, styled look…it just goes to show that even fleece can be hip if you spend a little time making the style work (and because the photos of the pieces alone were just not good).  these definitely fall under the category of higher maintenance, as you’ll have to work to show these are more style than slouch.  but i know you’re up to the task!

wow, this is a seriously damaged economy – lucky us!  

saks just announced a friends & family discount online for today & tomorrow only (in stores apr 16-19) – use code SFAFAM10 to score 25% off (20% off jewelry and 10% off cosmetics).  their site is so clogged, i had a hard time getting on – but now that i have, the completely irresponsible side of me is dying with cute overload from these sweet prada flip flops – yes, it’s $150 for flip flops, but it comes with a matching case! what, that doesn’t make it reasonable?

tobi is running 25% off sitewide too, including on sale items – use code 25EMAIL through friday.  some awesome deals to be found in the sale section, particularly if you happen to be a 25″ waist or a size small.  i’m thinking hard about these sweet nude heels from sigerson morrison – down to $206, plus another 25% off…so, about $150.  on paper, i realize i should hate these – but i’m oddly attracted to them.  i can never come up with heels i like to see with spring dresses, and these would work so perfectly!  loads of great tops from velvet, too – they’re getting a little pricey for me these days, but the sale is making them cuter.

and shopbop is running its annual tax day promo, in that annoying, staggered-spending way that tricks us into spending more than we meant to.  save $25 on $200, $75 on $400…and so on, with code TAXBREAK09, through thursday.  this rebecca taylor dress was literally the first thing i saw on the site, but i was so excited by the non-crotch-skimming hemline that i nearly keeled over.  and what a great all-purpose summer sundress, provided you’re not overly endowed in the chest department.  other than that (and the usual adoration of all shoes, bags and jewelry), this elizabeth and james plaid shirt is exactly the look i want this spring – i’ve had enough of the 80s revival and the endless shoulder pads.  pair this with faded jeans now, a cuffed blazer and shorts later in the spring, and leave it open over a lacy cami and maybe an eyelet skirt in the summer – talk about a multitasker.  of course, you’ll have to find a way to spend another $5 to get the deal.  see what i mean?  they’re tricky, those shopbop marketing people.

so, what do you think – is all of this discount madness going to shock us out of our spending hiatuses (what is the plural of hiatus, anyway?…hmm).  ahem.  anyway, will you be partaking?

when diane von furstenberg debuted her shoe collection last fall, i had a feeling she was onto something.  and sure enough, her spring collection has me all aflutter.  in fact, i have more DVF shoes on my “must have” list for spring than any other brand…sort of a blessing, since most of her shoes top out around $200, rather than my beloved loeffler randalls, which are usually $400-500. sadly, most of my shopping is virtual these days, but there’s definitely fun to be had in wishful thinking, right?

that turquoise beaded flat sandal is a great nod to the ethnic print trend that’s so hot right now, but it’s not so obvious that you won’t be able to wear them next year.  ditto for the bright woven leather pattern on the leeds mini wedge (another huge trend for summer).  but the pair i’m really, really coveting is this fab flat “rialto” espadrille - the chunky gold nuggets and orange leather are endlessly versatile, and so classic you’ll turn to them for years of warm weather to come.  i am having such lovely visions of these sandals accompanying me on some exotic beach getaway…hey, just because i can’t even afford the shoes doesn’t mean i can’t dream!

check out all the styles at shopbop, saks or nordstrom – just one more of the many fine qualities of this collection:  accessibility!

this ladylike skirt from tory burch is exactly what i’m in the mood for today.  i love the crisp, tailored styling, the perfect at-the-knee length, and the flattering pressed box pleats and a-line silhouette (which i vastly prefer to the almost-never-flattering shape of the tulip skirt that’s so hot this season).  i love the light cotton/linen blend.  and i love that the bold, ethnic print is balanced by sweet spring shades of navy and pink.  in all, this might just be the perfect skirt for dressier spring occasions.  

grab it on sale at saks for $195.