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

Elevate Date Night

Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing site, challenged me to get creative with date night ideas! Fun destinations and creative twists are what sparked my imagination, and renting a car for the night would make all of that even more special! 

What is more romantic than a luxurious picnic against a setting sun? It would be fun to rent a convertible or Mini Cooper from Turo for this excursion and pack the car with champagne, gourmet sandwiches, and a fruit & cheese plate then drive to a scenic location for a sunset picnic. Go all out with decor, packing a cozy blanket, vases of fresh cut flowers, champagne flutes, and even candles to light as the sun goes down.

I love a little print mixing for a casual date-destination like a scenic outdoor overlook. This stripes and gingham combo is perfect for a picnic, but the voluminous bell shape and pretty jewels keep it dressed up enough for a special night. Easy wedges are practical for walking through the grass while a cute blanket can serve as your dining space.

Top: Oscar de la Renta/similar 1/2/3. Skirt: similar. Shoes: L.K. Bennet. Earrings: kate spade/here. Ring: options. Blanket: here.

Another fun ideas is to have a night out on the town! Throw on your favorite dress and then, to shake things up and make your outfit even more special, raid your bestie's closet and borrow a designer handbag to switch up your look. Swapping closets with a friend makes your option infinitely wider and helps you feel fresh when your own closet gets boring. It's the perfect way to liven up your wardrobe for date night! 

Once you're all dressed up it's time to hop in the car. Pick a fancy luxury car to rent for a night on the town, and try doing a driving appetizer and dessert tour of your favorite restaurants. At each location order an app or a dessert to share and coordinating drinks--by sharing small plates at each location you can fit several culinary experiences into one night!
You'll feel like a new you with a fancy bag on your arm, like this gorgeous Dolce & Gabana gem. An off the shoulder dress is right on trend, and the ruffle detail on this one requires little accessorizing beyond a great pair of earrings. Sleek heels round out the look, and you won't even have to worry about walking far in them when you have a nice car waiting to take you to the next destination.

Dress: Amanda Uprichard. Earrings: here. Ring: Sydney Evan/similar affordable.

What are some ideas you have used to take date night from ordinary to extra special?

xoxo, CC 

Shopping Guide: Anthro Summer Sale

Top L to R: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12

August is the perfect time of year to find great deals on summer styles that you can still get tons of wear out of before the season is over! It's always amazing to me how early fall fashion hits the shelves, but the one upside of that is that summer beauties go on sale! I stopped in Anthropologie the other week and as usual found myself drooling over everything in the store. The only section I really allow myself to shop though is their sale selection. So, I rounded up some of my summer sale favorites here. 

While Anthro can be pricy, even on sale, some of these goodies are incredibly well priced, like the $19.95 monogram ring and bikini bottoms, and the $39.95 tanks. As you can probably tell from this collection, I love a good floral print, lace details, and pretty blue and purple hues. If I had any weddings to attend soon I might get my hands on the gorgeous blue and white lace dress for a girly and sophisticated look. My casual everyday style however, leads me more towards the beaded flatform sandals and lace up tank. And this time of year is definitely the best time for scooping up great deals on adorable swimwear, like this bustier top and matching floral bottoms. In past seasons I have found great deals on swimwear from J. Crew, Trina Turk, and Nanette Lepore that allowed me to afford some of my favorite swimwear pieces ever!! 

The other item I'm really considering right now is that brocade printed tank, since I know a pretty peplum style like that could take me from work to an evening out in the city without a doubt. I just imagine it styles with cuffed jeans, wedge sandals and a dainty necklace for an any-occasion look.

Which are your favorites, and what do you look for this time of year? 

xoxo, CC

Shopping Guide: Club Monaco

Cold Shoulder Top, Skirt, Romper, Dress, Sandals, Bracelet, Ring, Shorts Set, Tank.

Every time I go into Club Monaco I instantly see at least five items that I want.... until I look at the price tag that is, and have to drag myself away before my credit card spontaneously combusts or something. Well, today I thought I would tempt myself again by looking through their new arrivals, and as usual there are a ton of cute styles that I would love to add to my wardrobe! I'm sharing a few of my favorites here.

Off the shoulder tops are so trendy right now, they are everywhere you look. I like this fun checkered one in a pretty sherbert orange shade, and I like that it has a little strap to break up the width of my shoulders (seriously necessary if I want to pull off an off the shoulder piece). I'm also really loving the print on this cute little romper, which is a prominent print in their recent collection. It is summery and sophisticated with just a hint of color, and it's simply adorable on the tie-neck romper.

I've also been drawn to embroidered skirts lately, like the scalloped-hem one above. It reminds me a lot of this one I picked up a few months ago for a much lower price. What do you think, it's a pretty good dupe, right?
If you're looking for a deal, I did find something awesome: have you ever wanted a Chan Luu bracelet? Well, Club Monaco has this knockoff bracelet in several colors for only $35.50. I love the simplicity of a beaded wrap bracelet for summer, it completes any casual outfit with just a touch of sparkle without looking dressed up. I've wanted to attempt making my own one of these days, I just have to buy all the supplies and I think it would actually be pretty easy to make. In the meantime though, I'll settle for this one!

Where have you been shopping for summer? Would any of these styles make your wishlist?

xoxo, CC

Fell in Love at Zara...

Zara set 1
clockwise from top left: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

I popped into Zara the other day to look for cheap teeshirts and, for better or for worse, ended up falling in love with so many of their cute spring pieces. I rounded up my favorites here. I ended up getting a few items including this peplum top and this faux leather skirt, and I'm just waiting for my next payday to scoop up a few more pieces like this striped midi and lace up flats. I've been loving the mix of romantic boho pieces and crisp modern cuts that I've been seeing lately, and am enjoying working both styles into my spring wardrobe. What's on your radar for spring?



clockwise from top left: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

xoxo, CC

Caught My Eye...

Wow, who can believe it is the last day of March already? The good news is warm spring weather is even closer around the corner, so if you ask me it is definitely time to start preparing our closets for sunny days.

The best part about spring shopping is that #taxreturn money helping me out. On my radar right now are lace-up sandals, espadrille wedges, super ripped jeans, and fresh prints. Keeping a pastel & neutral palette makes it easy to mix and match these pieces for a versatile spring wardrobe. I already ordered the J Crew romper which I am really excited about since it seems like such an easy piece to dress up or down and wear all summer long. Next up: find the perfect lace up sandals. I like the option pictured above, but they are super pricy! I linked to a more affordable version below which might be the pair I end up getting...

Which of these items is your favorite for spring?

Shop these looks: J Crew Romper, Espadrille wedges, Distressed jeans, Heeled lace up sandal (affordable option from Chinese Laundry), Anthro Dress, Rebecca Minkoff saddle bag, Old Navy patched denim jacket, Kate Spade ice cream phone case, J Crew lace sweater, 

Valentine's Outfit Inspiration

Just a little Valentine's Day outfit inspiration, since it's already February somehow!

I wanted to do a casual outfit, but something a little different from my regular 'jeans and sweater' look so I chose a pair of break-the-rules white jeans for a romantic feel. With an oversized knit sweater and furry scarf they still look appropriately wintery, and the slight distressing at the knees keeps them casual enough for day time wear. With a nod to Valentine's I picked a playful lip shaped clutch to dress up the look for date night, but the heels betray where my love truly lies.... dessert. Yes, those heels are covered in donuts! (Just give me a box of chocolates for Valentine's and I'll be a happy camper.) I love the way the printed heels and shaped clutch play against each other even though the motif is different they echo each other and create a playful and festive vibe. 

To polish off the look a few stacks of layered-looking rings and sheer lip gloss pull it all together and a warm wool coat keeps things toasty.

MANGO long sleeve top, $43 / Proenza Schouler camel coat, $620 / MANGO super skinny jeans, $57 / Multi-color pumps / Pink handbag / TomTom chevron jewelry, $175 / BaubleBar oversized jewelry / BaubleBar yellow gold ring / Michael Kors heart jewelry, $140 / Adrienne Landau tube scarf / Lancôme lip gloss makeup

xoxo CC

Thankful for Style

Thanksgiving outfit by ccnoordsy featuring carolina herrera blouses

Carolina herrera blouse / Brigitte Bailey red knee length skirt / Vintage Slim Grid Short Dress 15DR00001 / River Island high heel bootie / Kate Spade round pendant necklace

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you are having a wonderful day full of delicious food and family fun. I wanted to share some Thanksgiving Day outfits that I put together. Above I imagined what I would want to wear to a big family gathering. I chose a slightly dressy outfit, but balanced it with a slouchy cardigan and booties to make it totally appropriate for curling up to watch TV too. I love the combination of the textured burgundy skirt with a blush top and neutral layers. 

The second outfit, below, is what I am actually wearing today. We are keeping things low key this year, just hanging out at the house and eating all day long, so I wanted to wear something super comfortable but still cute. This cozy pistachio colored sweater is a favorite, and simple jewelry adds a nice touch.

Which outfit is your favorite? 

Thanksgiving casual by ccnoordsy featuring mid rise skinny jeans

Pilot waffle shirt / J Brand mid rise skinny jeans / Kate Spade pendants necklace / Tai letter earrings / Blair Lauren Brown 14k jewelry / Zara scarve 

xoxo, CC

Spotlight on J. Crew Jewelry

Have you seen the glitzy line of J. Crew jewelry currently on their website? Their recent collections are stunningly beautiful. Every time I go to their site to find links for my blog posts I am blown away by the vibrant and glittering collection. Full of rich rainbow hues, glittering gems, and statement silhouettes, you can't help but be drawn in by them! I have always loved their jewelry selections, and the vivacity of these pieces is no exception. Any of these would make a great finishing touch to a simple dress with heels, or to dress up a cute blouse and jeans combo.

While I would take any of these gems in a heartbeat, the deep teal hue in the top left pieces is a winner in my book. Blue has always been a favorite color of mine! It matches so easily with most other colors in any season. Which of these pieces would you pick?

J Crew iridescent necklace, $175 / J Crew sequin necklace, $200 / J Crew colorful jewelry, $200 / J Crew crystal statement necklace, $185 / J Crew colorful jewelry, $135 / J Crew cuff bangle / J.Crew crystal stud earrings, $40 / J.Crew earrings, $47

xoxo, CC

Blush Pink for Fall

Happy October! 

Since fall is now well underway (even if we're still experiencing some warm days here in NYC) I wanted to share one of my favorite fall colors: blush pink. While this shade is often seen as a more summery color it works amazingly well alongside traditional fall colors too. I like that it is a softer shade than the deep browns and burgundys often seen this time of year, which I personally tend to steer clear of. Keeping to shades of blues, beige, and grey fits my style better when it comes to fall colors, and blush pink updates my looks while still keeping a neutral palette. 

This past spring I finally got my hands on a soft pink moto jacket and I'm loving how it incorporates into my fall outfits now. Today I'm sharing a few other items I've had my eye on in this same soft hue. While the bag, sunnies, and jacket have been on my radar for a few weeks, I just discovered those Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers, and oh boy am I obsessed! Wouldn't those be the perfect finishing touch to a sweet and casual fall ensemble?

Banana Republic jacket / Sophia Webster high heels stiletto / Giuseppe Zanotti low top sneaker, $670 / Rebecca Minkoff crossbody shoulder bag, $225 / Kate Spade round frame glasses, $180 / Kate Spade tech accessory / Miu Miu pink sunglasses, $295 / Essie nail polish 

xoxo CC

Orange Heel, Two Ways

I love a good colored heel, and I have been pining after this pair of coral-orange d'orsay heels for quite a while now. While they will have to wait on my wishlist a while longer, I am dreaming of ways to wear them.

(w's anyone? lol) 

The first look is a casual daytime ensemble that I pictured paired with this heel. I imagine a relaxed jean, long loose tank and a semi-structured jacket to create a casual chic outfit.



The second way I envision these heels is with the BB Dakota Lief Dress, a shift dress with an incredibly flattering fit and slant pockets. Flirty wink earrings and a chic clutch make this a perfect combination for a night out.

Keeping a black and white color scheme keeps the looks clean and really lets the orange heels pop, but it would be fun to pair them with soft pastels or vibrant blues too!

Image 1: Heels: Sole Society. Jeans: 7FAM via Nordstrom Rack. Necklace: Baublebar. Tank: Anthropologie. Earrings: Dogeared. Coat: Tulle. Bracelet: Baublebar.
Image 2: Dress: BB Dakota. Earrings: Kate Spade. Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff. Necklace: Elizabeth and James.

xoxo, CC

Spring Is In The Air

Braids, Buns, and Twists Book: Ruche. Talk is Chic notebook: Kate Spade. Pearl Ring: BaubleBar. Romper: Yumi Kim. Scarf: Kate Spade. Fringe Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Lipstick: M.A.C Sushi Kiss. iPhone case: Kate Spade.

I am SO ready for spring. Fun florals, new 'dos, coral lips, and playful accessories are on my radar as we start to see a little warmer weather. It's a great time to make a bright statement!

What's on your spring wishlist?

xoxo, CC

Vacation Dreaming with Warby Parker

(Daisy in Aurelia Tortoise)

Just a few days ago I happened to be thinking about how a cute pair of glasses can add such a smarty chic edge to an outfit, and wouldn't it be fun to have a pair of stylish glasses to wear even though I don't need them? And wouldn't you know, almost as if they were reading my mind, Warby Parker reached out to me and asked if I would help them announce their new Spring Collection. 

One of my best friends introduced me to Warby Parker as a company that really inspired her with their program of helping those in need: for each pair of glasses sold they donate glasses to someone in need through their non-profit partners. Not only are they a socially conscious company, they make some pretty cute styles too! 

(Brooks in Striped Pacific)

The Spring Collection is full of pretty new hues and touches of nautical inspiration. I put together two looks featuring my favorite new Warby Parker frames: a tropical vacation look (because don't we all want to be somewhere warm right about now), and a New York dreamer look, for those of us who are still stuck in the snow only wishing we could be on a beach by the sea.

I keep seeing images of my favorite bloggers and celebs basking in the sun on a tropical vacation, and it has me longing for warm afternoons by the beach. This look would be perfect for a day in the sun, with the flowy dress, sandy brown glasses, and ocean-blue accessories. The Chalmer glasses in Striped Beach pick up on the sandy hues of the mottled beach, and are the perfect pair to pack on vacation. The light brown shade matches with golden hues and looks fabulous accented with tropical blues and greens. Pretty sandals, a carry-all tote and a pretty little camera to capture the view complete the vacation packing list.

For a more practical winter look I combined classic New York black on black with distressed skinny jeans and a cropped knit sweater. To keep warm, and mix up the color tones a bit, I added a long cozy blush-colored coat with a glamorous fur collar. I picked the Daisy frames in Aurelia Tortoise to add a little unexpected color to the cold winter outfits we're forced to wear here in the North. The pretty coral-inspired periwinkle hue is complimented in the matching clutch, which also picks up on the rosy tones in the frames (and I seriously can't get enough of this clutch). Gold jewels and stylish booties complete this look, while the bright touches and nautical accessories keep our minds dreaming of clear water beaches and warmer weather.

Glasses: Warby Parker, Daisy. Coat: Asos. Jeans: A Gold E. Sweater: Azalea (also love this UO). Clutch: Asos. Bracelets: J. Crew, Kate Spade. Ring: Baublebar. Earrings: One King's Lane. Booties: Eric Michael Berlin via Zappos.

(Chalmer in Striped Beach)

xoxo, CC

Fall Essentials 2014

Now that October is here, fall is really getting underway. My Fall Essentials list for 2014 is full of pretty earthy tones, cozy layers, and fun accessories. Some of the things on this list are ones that I've recently purchased in anticipation of these crisp days, and some are my wishlist items for the season. But, they're all basics you may already have in your closet! All in all this list comprises my top picks and essentials for a cozy, practical, and fashionable fall. Fall is not my favorite season, but I can't say I don't get excited about shopping for and then wearing cozy sweaters, cute booties, and cool jackets.

I have been wanting a good quality leather jacket for some time, and I really love the way that lighter colors such as blush, tan, and pale pink soften the edginess of the biker style. It also helps to keep the color palette light, since the trendy tones tend to get darker as we get closer to winter. Pretty jewel tones and light neutrals are my other favorite colors for this time of year. I am so in love with the deep jewel blue color of the new Rebecca Minkoff bags. The beauty pictured below is definitely on my wishlist…

Layers are important in this transitional weather, as it can be quite cold in the morning, and warm up during the day, and the temps can be so different even from one day to the next. Chambray shirts, cute fuzzy vests, and sweaters are the perfect layers over the skirts and tshirts we've been wearing all summer. Add a touch of shiny gold to this color palette to really make it pop. Besides an excuse to shop for new wardrobe essentials, I am also looking forward to cozying up in these outfits with a warm cup of tea and a homemade pumpkin chocolate chip muffin :) 

Fall 2014

Some more links for options:

Blush colored leather jacket: Vince Camuto at Nordstrom. Faux versions : option, option

Statement booties--how about a touch of leopard?: DSW, Nordstrom, Sole Society, Pixie Market

Chambray: Rails,  J. Crew

Casual fall skirt: H&M option, option.

Fuzzy vest: option, option, option

Cross-body bag in fall colors: Rebecca Minkoff, option.

Fuzzy sweater: H&M option, option, option

Girly, flirty sweaters: option, Ruche

Shiny gold earrings: Banana Republic, 14k at JC Penny

xoxo, CC

My Top Picks: ModCloth

"Take a Standout Dress"

Polkadots and orange…what's not to love?! 

When I discovered ModCloth about four years ago I became an avid fan and I used to visit their site almost every day… I had a running "love list" of over 100 items at a time, and I loved to browse through their new arrivals. For some reason in the past year or so I have let my ModCloth habits slide a bit, so today I decided to spruce up my love list, since it was looking pretty empty. In the matter of one hour I managed to add about 45 stellar items to my list, and I thought I would share some of my favorites. Since ModCloth now carries so much inventory it can take a bit of picking and choosing to find the right pieces for your style. The items I am sharing with you today are all great for spring now that it's warming up and dresses are making their yearly come-back (notice how I picked so many dresses! I guess I'm a little bit excited that I can start wearing them now).

"Free and Cheer Dress"

The nautical feel of this dress combined with the lacy floral skirt is enough to make me want to click the Add to Cart button right now… With a few dainty accessories (I'm picturing light blue jewels and a cross-body bag) this dress would be so cute for lunch by the lake.

"Triple the Charm Bag"

The neutral color-blocking on this structured tote has me charmed, for any season.

"Sunny Side Up Heel"

Lemonade yellow wedges are so fun for spring and summer! And they're by one of my favorite fun shoe designers, Poetic License. These would be so cute with a swingy skirt and a glass of lemonade!

"Sunroom Soiree Dress"

Add a matching blue belt, and this dress is heavenly on a hot afternoon. I love the combination of the robin's egg blues with the coral colors in this print.

"Rockin' and Floral-in' Dress"

Isn't this dress fun!! I just love the bright oversize floral. Something abut this dress is just energizing--with a light cardigan and neutral sandals it could really brighten up a breezy spring day.

"Pop, Skip, and a Jump Flat"

This pastel blue is such a great spring color. I love wearing flats this time of year with dresses or with jeans.

I couldn't resist putting together an Easter inspired outfit with these adorable and whimsical Irregular Choice bunny shoes. I went with a whimsical pastel theme, combining a pearl embellished periwinkle top and a polkadotted chambray skirt with these Spring holiday-appropriate wedges. Add a light sweater or jacket to top it all off! 

Easter 2014: ModCloth inspired by ccnoordsy featuring Irregular Choice

*All images via ModCloth*

xoxo, C.C.