Lip Looks

I popped into e.l.f cosmetics recently in search of a fall berry lip color with a sheer finish (nothing too bold) for a subtle moody lip. I came across some really good finds that I wanted to share! Not only did I find exactly what I was looking for with this sheer deep berry gloss, but I also found an awesome hot pink lip color too - and all at really affordable prices. 

The pink lip tint color goes on really pale and pearly at first, but with a pH technology that reacts with your skin it turns to a brighter shade of pink for a fun pop of color. the stick goes on super smoothly and is great for a quick touch of color at a moment's notice! 

While the berry lip oil looks pretty rich in the tube, it is really so subtle and yet adds just the right amount of deep berry color for me - it's nothing dramatic but looks great with a fall or winter color palette. The gloss goes on easily and isn't too sticky so it wears nicely for just a hint of a fall lip look. And to top it all off these lip colors were only $6 dollars each! A very exciting find when I wasn't sure I'd be able to find a berry color in a soft and sheer enough finish for my liking. 

e.l.f. tinted lip oil in Berry Kiss ($6)

e.l.f gotta glow lip tint in Perfect Pink ($6)

xoxo

Transitional Inspiration

Transitional Inspiration by ccnoordsy
Top L to R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Whenever the seasons start to change I get that itch to go shopping, to update my wardrobe just a bit for the new weather and new trends. Here are a few fun items I've come across on my window shopping rounds recently that stood out as fun and stylish pieces for the transitional period between winter and spring that we are experiencing now. With the official first day of spring a few weeks away on March 20th we may still see some cool temps and even a bit more snow here in NYC, and I'm sure many other regions are expecting the same! So while florals and tees are enticing, we have to dress realistically in traditional pieces for the time being - which means a great balance of colorful shades and thick textured fabrics.

Cozy faux furs, sturdy booties and long sleeve tops keep your style seasonal while pastel shades, elegant floral prints and playful accessories ensure that spring is on the mind as the days start to get a little longer and sunnier. The playful pastels are balanced by deep shades of black, teal and mauve. Wintery chenille and brocade are balanced out by summery tassels, pops of pink, and floral prints. A good mix of spring-ready pastel colors and luxe wintery fabrics is a great way to transverse the two seasons in the transitional months like March.
Any of these items spark your shopping interest? Take a guess at which ones I'm adding to my wardrobe!

xoxo, CC

Floral and Fur

Happy Friday!

I styled this skirt before, for early fall, but since it incorporates so well with darker colors and thicker textures, I wanted to show off how well it works in winter despite the pinks and florals. 

The colorful floral skirt brings a touch of brightness into these winter days, but it is grounded by the balance of a thick faux fur vest reminding us all what season it is. The chambray top draws out the shades of blue in the floral print maintaining a cool tone throughout the outfit. Of course an extra pop of pink with my favorite blush bag was necessary just to defy the winter cold a little bit more. Balancing winter staples with more colorful prints makes for a fun combination to help ward off the winter blues -- while still giving a nod to the season's best staples. 

Also, wouldn't this be a cute look for a casual valentine's day? All that pink would be perfectly appropriate for a day celebrating love--and it's only two weeks away believe it or not! What are you planning to wear? 

Skirt: H&M (get the look 1/2/3). Chambray top: JCrew. Vest: Chicwish. Bag: French Connection via Marshalls. Boots: Sam Edelman.  Sunglasses: anthropologie. Earrings: anthropologie. Wrap bracelet: similar. Choker necklace: similar. Hair clip: similar.

xoxo, CC

Sometimes Backwards is Better

Happy weekend!
While I'm back in snowy cold New York, I want to share one last look from my Cali trip with you. The weather there was a bit chilly as well, so it was necessary to bundle up in cozy sweaters and jackets, like this adorable fuzzy piece I picked up on my trip. Not only is this little jacket adorably chic, but it's actually pretty warm too since it is fluffy on the outside and lined with a cozy sweatshirt material on the inside. I kept getting compliments on this piece everywhere I went! 

This cute little tee from Anthro is super trendy with it's lace up detail, and I just adore the pale blue color. But guess what? I'm actually wearing it backwards! It is meant to be worn with the lace up as a detail in the back, however I thought it looked cuter flipped around. The way the seams run vertically up the top just didn't flatter me when worn the correct direction, but when I put it on backwards the lace up detail draws the eye away from those seams making it a super cute tee! So I say who cares how it is supposed to be worn, if it works better worn your own way then do it, because sometimes backwards is better! Putting your own spin on things can make them genuinely better and more uniquely you, and it's totally trendsetter material. What do you think, would you purposely wear something backwards to get the look you like?

Top: Anthropologie, get the look: 1/2/3. Jacket: Anthropologie/very similar here. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Lip: Marc Jacobs Beauty. Necklace: identical here. Earrings: Anthro.
Please forgive the poor quality of these photos! iPhone cameras at dusk are not the best... :(

xoxo, CC

California Christmas

Happy New Year from California! I realize I haven't blogged in a few weeks (whoops!), but now I am on vacation for the holidays so I thought I would share a few quick recent pics. I flew out to California to spend the holidays with my family and we have been exploring around the area the past few days. It has been sunny here with a slight chill, although infinitely warmer than New York, allowing me to get away with lighter jackets and dresses than I am used to this time of year!

We trekked out to Picchetti winery for a wine tasting at one of the oldest wineries in the state and then had a picnic lunch overlooking the nearby reservoir. I wore this pretty snake print boho dress in shades of pink and purple layered with my cozy pink cardigan for an extra bit of warmth. Tights and booties were necessary, but so were sunglasses! These round lenses are actually a dream to wear since they don't impede my line of vision, but they're also super cute in a retro-glam sort of way. The sunshine felt warm and invigorating but it was definitely nice to have a cozy layer sitting beside the breezy reservoir for lunch.

On the way back from the winery we stopped at the Stanford University Cantor art museum for a quick stroll through a few of their exhibits before closing time. The contemporary section was filled with brightly colored canvasses, which always draw my eye!

Dress: Anthropologie. Cardigan: Ruche (available in beige). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Sunglasses: Anthropologie.

Artwork by Dashiell Manley, an "Elegy for whatever" piece.

xoxo, CC

Chunky Sweater Layers

The weather in NYC has been so back and forth recently, bouncing between warm and cold, snowy and sunny. While last week I was able to wear a skirt with bare legs outdoors in tolerable 55 degree weather, today I am bundling up again layering with a cozy zip-detail sweater. A simple blue thermal makes a great base under itchy or open-knit sweaters and adds warmth with an appealing layered look. I could seriously wear this one every day on its own or layered because it is so comfy and fits so well! 

I added a few prints to the otherwise neutral look with the subtle leopard boots and striped clutch. What I really love about this bag is it's extreme versatility. It is both perfectly summery with its beachy stripe pattern, and equally appropriate in the winter since the colors are muted and urban.
We have experienced such a frigid weekend with negative wind chill temps so outfits like this are on repeat until the weather warms back up again...

Sweater: Anthropologie (available in pink). Thermal: Three Dots (crew neck version 25% off with code PRESDAY). Jeans: Hudson (20% off your first order!). Booties: Matisse (similar/similar). Earrings: similar. Bag: Ruche (similar 1/2). Lip: Lipstick Queen 'Frog Prince' (see my review here).

xoxo CC

Stripes and Skirts

The Little Orange Dress is now two years going! Last week was the official "blogiversary" but I am celebrating today with this dressy skirt and pink jacket look. I wore this top last week with a more casual outfit and edgier vibe by throwing a leather jacket over it, but today tucking it into a midi skirt with pink and cream tones it takes on a softer look. I love the tailored cut of this jacket and the soft pink shade, it's so romantic especially when paired with a skirt or dress. Wedge booties are the perfect addition this time of year for a dressy look while still keeping your toes covered! A neutral and pretty palette is both festive and wintery for celebrating two years of the blog this February.

Coat: Jessica Simpson (1/2). Top: Ruche (similar). Skirt: available here, also similar. Booties: DV. Bag: similar. Sunnies: Urban Outfitters. Necklace: J. Crew (old, similar).

xoxo, CC

Stacks of Sweaters...

'Tis the season for stacks of fluffy warm sweaters! And I'm not joking, since there is minimal storage space in my NYC apartment I have stacks of sweaters all over my room--the windowsill, the floor, my step stool (which literally never gets used for anything other than hosting stacks of clothing)... you get the picture. But it's okay, because winter is all about surrounding yourself with warm cozy things, and if I'm not currently wearing a cozy sweater it's nice to see them piled close by waiting to layer on and warm me up. 

Since many of my favorite winter sweaters are in neutral tones I put together a few outfits featuring ways to wear winter neutrals. Layering with knits, little pops of color or sparkle, and mixing textures are some of my favorite ways to keep cozy neutrals anything but boring. Check out some of the ways I've styled these sweaters:

Sweaters from top left: Vintage Havana, Jamison, Francesca's, Paizlee, Wooden Ships, Athropologie.

Get the look:
1. leggings/sweater/wallet/shoes/earrings
2. scarf/sweater/hat/bracelet/socks/necklace/booties/jeans
3. sweater(or this)/sunnies/bracelet/bracelet/socks/jeans/lipstick/booties
4. sunglasses/chambray/sweater/necklace/lip stain

xoxo, CC