. Oh, So Pretty .

With wedding planning on my mind, I've been completely drawn to everything romantic.  When I'm not thinking about bouquets and wedding dresses, I'm thinking about being romantic - candlelit dinners, moonlit walks, and lazy evenings consisting of conversation and vino are all I want.  Well, it just so happens Valentino's Spring 2012 line completely satisfies my current craving.  The dresses couldn't be more feminine and the and easy floral prints are the stuff dreams are made of.  I really can't get enough of the dusty rose, powder blue, and subtle silver that seems to highlight this amazing collection.

Denimology

"I wish I had invented blue jeans.  They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes." Yves Saint Laurent    

Elin Kling

Olivia Palermo

Christine Centenera

Rosie Huntington Whitely

Keeping Denim Fresh

Avoid washing jeans at all costs.  If jeans aren't visibly soiled, experts recommend throwing jeans the freezer to eliminate odors and get jeans feeling fresh.  

If staining does occur, hand wash with a color protective detergent.  Make sure you use the coldest water possible.

If you're one of those people that just isn't going to hand wash your jeans, try at least to only wash every 4 to 5 wears, and when you do wash them, turn them inside out.

NEVER EVER PUT JEANS IN THE DRYER.  This causes colors to fade and fabric to lose it shape.  Fabric softener speeds up this process as well.  

If you've jumped on the band-wagon of the ultra bright colored jeans, you'll want to wash those babies solo.  They stain everything. 

Dry cleaning is the very best way to care for jeans.  

Dream Jeans

(From L to R)

Gucci

J Crew

MIH

Goldsign

Acne

Rag & Bone

*Author's personal note - I will be purchasing those amazing pink Rag and Bone's.  Seriously in love.  

Dapper & Dashing

Gentlemen, us ladies love your style.  We find you adorable in sweatpants, handsome in bow ties, and rugged in cowboy boots.  We don't want you to change, but you shouldn't be afraid to step out of the box either.  Below are trends every man should try.

Wayfarers have had staying power for a reason.  Completely classic as JFK demonstrates.

Facial hair makes us think you're rugged and hot.  Paul Newman has it nailed. 

We love you in baseball caps.  Backward, forwards, especially with a tie and button down.  

This whole outfit is cool - no socks, white pants, classic polo, sunglasses, and watch.  All boys should duplicate what Steve McQueen is rocking right here. 

Boys, we don't like baggy.  At all.  Never underestimate the sexiness of a fitted shirt.  Or pants for that matter.

Experiment but never forget the classics.  A sweater over a collared shirt will get us every time. James Dean was king of making simple staple pieces look stylish. 

As Chevy is showing, scarves are not just for ladies.  Oh, and make us laugh.  We love that.  

Sweaters that you may think are appropriate for Mr Rogers, we'll probably find extra sexy.  Just an FYI.  

Boys, you can do the retro look too - this button down screams  60's, but it could not be sexier (then or now).

Baby, I'ma Be Your Motivation

Bikini season is right around the corner.   I've learned it's best not to obsess over such things, and for the first time ever I'm actually eating right, working out, and not freaking out about getting fit.   While I normally count down the days till vacay this year I'm taking a more laid back approach, and I'm finding it to be so much easier (and it's actually working.)   Now I'm not one to take part in "thinspiration",  trying to compare myself to models, or trying to be too skinny, I do very strongly believe in getting your body to look the best it can.   That being said, a little fitness motivation never hurt anyone, and what better place to find it then Victoria's Secret.  This video, doesn't just make me want to look good in a bikini, it makes me want to go to a beach and go swimming *so* badly.  

 Pinterest has been a wonderful way to find helpful tips to help keep me on track.  Here are a few of my favorites:

• Drinking water at meals - We all know how important it is to drink water, but I've found if I have water with my meal as opposed to my usual diet-anything-with-caffiene, I eat much less.
• Boost your metabolism by eating! Duh - Foods like blueberries, yogurt, green tea, coffee, almonds, cinnamon, and soy milk all boost your metabolism - don't starve yourself - eat!
• Make your body work - Ice cold water and spicy foods make your body work harder to digest, thus you burn more calories.  So simple.  
• Fiber is your friend - Foods high in fiber make you feel more full and help rid your body of fat as it's being digested.  The natural cleansing process makes you feel more energized. 
• Confusing thirst for hunger? -  If you get a sudden craving, have a glass of water then see how you feel.  Your body can actually get confused and when you think your hungry, you might just be dehydrated.
• Sleep tight, keep your metabolism high.  Getting less than six hours of sleep a night can lower your metabolism by as much as ten percent.  

Sparks Fly

How chic does Miss Swift look on the cover of February's Vogue?  Love the retro look she's rocking - and she's making me want bangs again, very badly.  So fun to see her grow up into such a beautiful woman.

 Images via Vogue.

St. Augustine

The downtown square was magnificent.

This past weekend I enjoyed a little getaway with my sister and cousin in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida.  I was ready for warmer temps and a beachy atmosphere but was amazed at how beautiful and interesting the town of St. Augustine actually is.  Packed with history and tropical charm, visiting seemed like taking a step back in time.    Below are some photos I snapped on the trip.    Highlights included visiting a gorgeous light house, a historical tour via segways (we looked real gangsta), and absolutely amazing food.  This is a destination I will definitely be visiting again.  

Bakeries were everywhere.  And they smelled amazing.

The Senator is a 600 year old tree that has been around since the time of  Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.  

The most quaint little house downtown.  

A pretty little door to a courtyard.

Aviles Street is the oldest street in America.  Wonderful wine shops and stores.  

Trees strung with lights in the town square.

...In Brighton...

I visited Brighton once.  And it really was a bit of a dream.  Perhaps it was because I was so hungover, or maybe I was just exhausted (my days spent across the pond were jam packed), but the little time I did spend in the beach-side town was a magical blur that started with sunning on a rocky beach and ended with an amazing seafood dinner with my ladies.  When I stumbled across Mulberry's SS2012 ad campaign featuring Lindsey Wixson and Frida Gustavsson, I couldn't help but mentally travel back to that darling seaside town.  The whimsical, oversized props and bubble-gum bright attire are perfectly fitting for a resort town that truly could come from a story-book.

My girlies and I at Brighton beach.  

Ready for a Holiday

     

Lately I've been completely consumed with thoughts of beaches and bikinis.  I normally get this way around Mid-January and become instantly depressed when I realize there are still months of winter left.  However, there is hope, and it lies in the form of holidays to sunny destinations.  This upcoming weekend I'm heading to Florida and although the weather is going to be by no means hot, it will be warm, and I'm excited to bust out my Toms and venture outside in no more than a sweatshirt.   I apologize for this post in advance, I really do.  I held off on doing it for a week now, because in all honesty there is just too much winter ahead to get too excited about shorts and sundresses.  However, it's never too soon to start planning (and even mentally packing) for your next holiday.   Here's what I was thinking...

Perfume- Lanvin, Eclat D'Arpege

Nail Polish- Chanel Nail Color, Riva

Bikini- Missoni, Danimarca Crochet Bandeau

Shoes- Lanvin, Two-Tone Leather Espadrille

Top- 3.1 Phillip Lim, Pony Hair Silk Top

Shorts- Christopher Kane, Neon Stretch Denim

Dress- Richard Nicoll, Color Block & Striped Maxi

Coin Purse- Topshop, Navy Anchors Clip Frame Purse

Scarf- Ralph Lauren, 

The Week Ahead

To look forward to...

 

Heading to Florida for a girls weekend with my sissy and cousin.  So excited.

I will be trying sock-bun curls.  If they turn out half as pretty as this, I'll blog about it. Promise

I'll be trying hot yoga with my girl Merryl. Maybe one day I'll be able to do shmancy positions like this.  At sunrise.  

Relaxing with what's most important (and my fiance of course!)