FASHION FRIDAY: CALIFORNIA CHIC

Ever since our trip to California two weeks ago, I have been dying for the warmer weather to get here pronto!  I loved the sunshine and warmth in San Diego, and I loved having the chance to wear things that I can't wear right now back at home. I actually got to put on a tee shirt, cropped pants, shoes without socks and no coat...it was amazing!  I also love this new necklace I got from Stella & Dot recently and this bracelet from Sira & Mara, I think they both compliment so many outfits, and I see myself wearing them all spring and summer long!  It's supposed to be nice here this weekend (upper 40's)...it's not California weather, but I'll take it!  Hope you all have a great weekend!

Tee: GAP
Tank: GAP
Chambray: GAP
Pants: GAP (bought in-store, similar here)
Shoes: GAP
Bag: Philip Lim for Target (old, available on here on ebay)
Bracelet: Sira & Mara
Necklace: Stella & Dot
Sunnies: Fendi (old, similar here)

FASHION FRIDAY: MILITARY JACKET

I had been looking around for a military jacket as a transition piece into spring.  So when I saw this at J. Crew I knew I wanted it, and I was absolutely psyched to get it during their 40% sale!  This jacket is great to layer, and will be the perfect jacket to take with me on our upcoming trip to California!

Jacket: J Crew

Sweatshirt: H&M

Shirt: GAP

Jeans: LOFT

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Hello Fab

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Earrings: Stella & Dot

Ring: Stella & Dot

Bracelets: Stella & Dot 1, 2

JET SET NAUTICAL

Old man winter really gave us a lot of snow in New York and New Jersey this week, and so I am dreaming about warmer weather and all things nautical.  After yesterday's post where I wore a nautical looking striped dress, I figured I would continue with that trend and highlight some of the new stuff from Stella & Dot's spring collection. (Remember, I'm a stylist for Stella & Dot, so feel free to ask me about any pieces that you like).  The bracelet, scarf and bag are all from Stella & Dot, and I think they are great pieces to use now and into spring.  Each piece in this set is under $100, and some is under $50.  The trick is to wear something nautical in the winter, and keep your fingers crossed that it will get warmer fast!

JET SET NAUTICAL by jetsetsmart featuring red jewelry

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: CLASSIC STRIPES

Last weekend I went to a girlfriend's baby shower at Mitch & Toni's and this is what I wore.  I picked up this fit and flare dress at the GAP recently after I was drawn to the figure flattering cut of it, the classic stripe pattern, the 3/4 length sleeves and pockets!  I always love pairing the colors blue, white and red- it's classic and timeless- so that's why I added the belt and the bag.  I also think this dress will be good for spring (sans tights and with strappy sandals).

Coat: Anthropologie (old similar here or here)

Dress: GAP

Belt: J Crew Factory (similar here)

Tights: Merona for Target

Boots: Dolce Vita

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Ring: Stella & Dot

FASHION FRIDAY: CAMO

When camouflage came back in style this fall, I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to get on board with it- I don't think it's a style that looks good on everyone- me included!  But, when I saw this vest at Forever 21, I completely changed my mind.  I love the non-traditional black and white color of it, plus it is heavy and warm and of a really good quality.  I often layer it under my winter coat when I walk the dog on cold days and it really helps to keep me toasty!  Here, I put it over a dress that I bought when I traveled to Iceland (read more about that here) and thought that the bag and necklace really helped pull it all together.  By the way, when we took these pictures it was starting to snow (hence the white stuff in my hair- it's not dandruff- lol! :-)

Vest: Forever 21

Dress: RYK Boutique in Iceland (read about it here)

Leggings: LOFT

Boots: UGG (old similar here)

Bag: GAP (old similar here)

Earrings: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Stella & Dot

NEW HOPE & IVYLAND PLUS WHAT I WEAR TO WORK

A couple of weekends ago we headed to New Hope, Pennsylvania to take a ride on the Ivyland Railroad- a restored vintage passenger train from the 1920's!  We all had so much fun riding through historic and beautiful Bucks County- it's a great little day trip from New York or New Jersey.  Plus, the towns of New Hope, Pennsyvania and Lambertville, New Jersey have cute shops and great restaurants- so you can really make a nice day out of it!

Now on to What I Wear To Work...well, as a stay-at-home mom of two, I don't have a need to really dress up everyday, so I thought I'd show you an outfit that you can find me in most days.  Here I'm just wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but because the jeans are rolled up and paired with fun motorcycle boots, and because the sweatshirt has some sparky jewels on it- I think it helps it look a little more dressed up.  I added a fun flannel shirt from last year and tank top underneath for some layers...grabbed my diaper bag...and "whale"...I was ready for work!

Sweatshirt: JCrew Factory (similar here and here)
Top: JCrew (similar here and here)
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: GAP (similar here and here)
Boots: Vince Camuto (similar here and here)
Sunglasses: Fendi
Diaper Bag: Prada

COLOR ALL THE TIME

There is no such rule out there that says pastels can only be worn in the spring and summer, yet so many of us comply to this...myself included!  Well, not anymore!  I found this dress recently on the sale rack at Old Navy and I fell in love with both the color and the price.  It was probably marked down because it's "out of season," and that was just perfect for me!  I say wear what you want to wear, when you want to wear it, if it makes you happy!

Dress: Old Navy (similar here)

Jacket: Current Elliott

Tights: Hue

Boots: Carlos by Carlos Santana

Bag: GAP (similar here)

Sunnies: Marc Jacobs (similar here)

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

ACCESSORIZING FOR TEMPLE GOURMET

After growing up in New York City, I am always hard-pressed to find good bagels, good pizza and good Chinese food.  Sorry if any of you guys disagree, but I just think the Big Apple does these things right.  Well, I have to say that I found a Chinese restaurant- in NEW JERSEY- that serves some of the BEST Chinese food on the other side of the George Washington Bridge...Temple Gourmet Chinese Restaurant in Red Bank, New Jersey!

This BYOB, located on Broad Street, serves killer dumplings, ribs, and mu-shu pork.  We've also tried their chicken imperial (like a General Tso's), sesame chicken and beef and broccoli which were all tasty as well.  The ambiance is a little more upscale, but thankfully the prices are not.  Service is also great.  We've been there twice already, and I'm sure we'll back back again soon!

Here is what I wore to Temple Gourmet Chinese Restaurant...I am a big fan of accessories!  I love everything from jewelry to scarves, belts, and hats...you name it- because I think they can add that extra bit of pop to an otherwise dull outfit.  Here are some of my latest accessory purchases (all under $20 each) that I feel my wardrobe was just lacking- a black floppy hat, a faux fur scarf, and a leopard-print belt.  I was just wearing jeans a black top to lunch, but with these extra accessories, I think the outfit looks a little more finished!

Hat: Target

Scarf: Windsor

Belt: J Crew Factory

Jacket: LOFT

Top: H&M

Jeans: GAP

Booties: Vince Camuto

Bag: Louis Vuitton

FASHION FRIDAY: EAR FLAP HATS

When I jet setted to Iceland in November, I noticed that many people were wearing earflap hats to keep warm. Since it was chilly, my friend Laura and I went ahead and each bought a furry earflap hat from the popular store there for cold weather gear- 66* North.Their slogan is "Keeping Iceland Warm since 1926," and they live up to their words. They carry hats, gloves, scarves, coats, etc., and you see people all over Iceland wearing their stuff. My friend Laura and I couldn't resist when we saw almost every woman walking around downtown Reykjavik in one of these hats. It cost about $70USD for one, but we both wore ours the entire trip, and we figured, even if we never wear them again after leaving Iceland, who cares? We've gotten our money's worth.

Well, fast forward a month- and here it is now freezing in New York, and I'll tell you I have not taken this hat off! Walking around the city these days, you will see everyone (women, men, and even kids) wearing furry earflap hats. My sister told me that my 8 year old niece even wants one. So I went on a search to see what cute styles are out there and this is what I found:

1- Free People has this cute Faux Fur Hat: $68

2- TOPSHOP has a couple of cute styles and colors: Around $35













3- Forever 21 has this adorably cute Pom Pom beanie: $8.80
4- Eddie Bauer has a Faux-Fur Bomber Hat: $39.50
5- And for the kids...Gap has this cute Furry Trapper hat: $19.50
(Gotta find this one for my niece before X-Mas!!!)