The Birds

No, not the creepy kind that attack you in a Hitchcock film. I'm talking about the gorgeous swallows and sparrows that seem to be turning up everywhere I look, in subtle forms with an almost abstract quality.

The inspiration? No surprise, Taylor Swift got me again, this time in an adorable bird print dress from H&M. As an aside, I love how even with all her millions, Taylor's street clothes tend to come from affordable retailers like ModCloth, Zara, Topshop and H&M, so even paupers like I can attain her style ;)

I also need to learn how to attain her perfect side braid.

 Here are some of my favorite avian influenced finds so far :) 

I found this adorable navy bird print skirt online at the Korean mega store Yes Style. I first spotted the skirt on Bare Style and was super excited when I stumbled across it.

Can you blame me for falling head over heels?

This darling Lulu's dress may not immediately appear to fit the bird theme, but it's whimsical horse print is actually composed of tiny flocks of birds.

How cute is this River Island dress from ASOS? Sequins and beaded embellishments make it extra special.

If silver jewelry is your thing (I wear gold almost exclusively) this trio of earrings (also by River Island) are a steal at about $13!

Rain Rain Go Away

Ah, we've been so bogged down by the rain that I'm starting to feel like spring dress season will never come! As a compromise, I'm now picturing the flouncy dresses I've been dreaming of wearing paired with slouchy oversized cardigans like Miss Taylor did in Paris.

How darling is Taylor Swift in a Mod Cloth dress, oversized cardigan and bow-adorned Zara pumps? 

 

 

I've been trying to be good about my spending (I swear), but couldn't resist picking up a few items from Forever 21's website over the weekend, as all proceeds went to Japanese earthquake relief. A noble reason to shop if ever there was one.

I can't wait to wear this dress with a skinny red belt.

I also couldn't resist snagging this dress from ModCloth. It's not the mirror image of the dress Eva Mendes wears in Hitch, but it has a similar color scheme and according to reviews, a pencil fit. Fingers crossed!

I need to make a trip back to Zara stat to check out this oversized cardigan. It's tricky to find one that enhances your look, rather than making the whole getup frumpy and this one might just fit the bill.

Since we have quite a few more rainy days slated on the horizon, I'll be pulling some inspiration from my fashion fave Eva Mendes. I loved her travel attire the other day. She looks fab does she not?

Current Craves

Here are a few pictures currently inspiring my spring wardrobe, as well as a few items I'd love to get my hands on...

Right now I'm obsessed with pretty much everything Clemence Poesy wore during her stint as Eva on Gossip Girl. The styling was classic, feminine and very me :)

The gorgeous white gingham wrap dress Jessica Alba wore last year to a Hugo Boss show, including the belt and platforms...

Now on to the covet list. After hungering for boots for what seems like forever, my spring switch has been turned on and now all I want are cute, retro inspired footwear to pair with dresses, skirts and flares. Here are 2 pairs of shoes on Zara's site that caught my eye. Sorry the images are so tiny!

White "untacky" heels are surprisingly hard to come by. If these are as comfortable as they are cute, it's going to be very difficult to pass them up. For a better look check them out on Zara's website. 

Cherry red pumps to go with the vintage clutch I found on Etsy and previously posted about. 

I can see myself wearing this darling eyelet dress with a tan belt and matching espadrilles, as well as with both of the aforementioned pumps. 

Love the scoop back!

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Who else is ready for spring? 

The End All Be All...at least as far as my closet is concerned

If I could add only one item to my closet for the rest of the year, or one purse to my collection for the rest of eternity, this would be it. This is the type of purchase that a person can use for the rest of their life, which very nearly justifies the hefty, hefty price tag.

A Medium Chanel 2.55 Black Classic Flap Bag in Caviar with gold hardware

Isn't she pretty? Although I don't have the funds to currently support such a purchase, my mind is made up that I will eventually find a way to make it happen. There is hardly a single outfit that wouldn't look better paired with this purse. I've also learned that the caviar leather is far more resilient than lambskin, which scratches easily.

The only competition for my dream purse would have been this gorgeous vintage Chanel bag.

Whoever snapped up this vintage purse is a lucky girl indeed!

Oh well, a girl can dream right? 

Diagnosis Dress Obsessed

Have you ever been mesmerized by a dress? We're not talking just an, "Oh, that's cute," reaction. We're talking so awestruck that you remember this particular dress (in vivid detail) for years to come. I find myself suffering from this affliction several times over. Case in point? The gorgeous blue and white cobblestone print pencil dress Eva Mendes wears at the end of Hitch. I've wanted this dress for almost 5 years now. Sadly it's vintage (Alex Colman of California) and impossible to find.

Not a full length shot unfortunately but this gives you a little glimpse at its perfection.

 Speaking of Eva Mendes, who incidentally is one of my long time style idols, I am also deeply infatuated with this dress. The full skirt, low dipping back and deep forest color are a few of my favorite things. Why are green dresses so impossible to find?! I need answers!

Do you not want to steal that perfect floral clutch away from right this second?

Another dress I've been fixated upon is the gorgeous dress Zooey Deschanel wears during the rooftop scene of 500 Days of Summer. I would give way half the contents of my closet to get my paws on this dress, but alas, it too is vintage and impossible to acquire. I'd give away the other half for JGL, but that my friends is another story. ;)

I'd be lying if I said I didn't watch this movie twice last night.

Going back a bit further, another dress I'd do unmentionable things for is the white belted dress Elizabeth Taylor wears in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She was absolutely perfect in it.

 The last dress I'm hooked on is the yellow dress Kate Moss wore back in 2003. The mussed hair, careless off-the-shoulder strap, and fitted bodice transform a yellow dress into an unforgettable fashion moment.

And there you have it folks, my sick, sad dress compulsion.