Flared Floral

Over the weekend I brightened up a grey rainy day with these awesome floral pants! You may recognize them from my Zara round up last week-- although they are a little outside of my normal "fashion comfort zone," they were just too fun and amazingly flattering to pass up. I actually went with a size small, which I was amazed I could even fit into, and believe me they are very tight but they looked so much more flattering than the medium. Floral pants are the perfect solution for these cooler spring days we've been having lately, when you want to wear something fresh and springy but it's a little too chilly for a dress or shorts. A fun floral print is a perfect spring pick me up. 

I dressed up these pants for a Friday night happy hour by pairing them with a sleeveless black top and white chiffon jacket. A heeled sandal gave the height necessary for the flare and tied the look together. The combination creates a slightly dressy yet totally relaxed look that was perfect for an evening out with friends in the city. 

It has been years since I last wore a flared pant of any sort, but since they are back in style I have been seeing flares everywhere lately. This pair, in a flowy silky poly, felt like a style I could feel good about and not frumpy in. I like that they are high waisted and super tight through the thigh because it creates a slimmer silhouette and the flared leg doesn't consume my shape (as I find denim flares generally do). 

How do you feel about the flared leg trend?

Top: Zara (similar 1/2). Jacket: Fate. Pants: Zara. Bag: H&M. Shoes: Dolce Vita. Necklace: Kate Spade.

xoxo, CC

Subtly Smoky

Hello! I just wanted to do a quick follow up to last week's post where I talked about the Mally makeup kit that I tried out, and how much I like the eyeshadows. Somehow the photos I took then didn't show the color very well (plus I forgot to use an eyeshadow primer which probably didn't help it with lasting). So I took a few quick photos to really show the eye palette better. 

In these photos I am wearing both of the eyeshadow colors and the mascara from the kit. I forgot the lipgloss at work or I would have thrown that on too for the total look! The darker eye color is a smoky bronze that is a little deeper than I would normally wear for a daytime look (or at all really!) but by blending it with the lighter shade in the inner corners and a bit across the top it really softens up the look. I like that even though it is dark the shade looks pretty natural and not like I got punched in the eye! I feel that a lot of smoky colors just look too dramatic on me, but this one I really like.  The eyeshadows have just a touch of sparkle but nothing too crazy! I am also loving the mascara, it is dramatic and lengthening without being too clumpy. 

(and sorry for the random background with the waterbottle... the lighting was jsut really good right there lol)

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

In Bloom

What's the best way to spice up a white on white look? Floral sneakers of course! I have been all about finding that balance between dressy and casual lately, by pairing pretty tops with comfy sneakers (like I did here). Adding a belt in the middle of this look ties together the dressier top and the more casual bottom half. I wore this faux leather and chiffon jacket last week as an indoor layer, but today it was finally warm enough to wear it as my outdoor jacket! I love the way it looks layered over a white chiffon top, almost as if they were a set.
The grass is green, the trees are in bloom-- spring is definitely here in the city! I wasn't originally excited about the fence in the background of these photos (I really just wanted the pretty flowering trees!), but I actually don't hate the way they came out since it adds a grittier feel to the scene that fits well with the outfit's casual meets girly vibe.

I also tried out a new makeup kit by Mally, and I really love the way the eyeshadows look! They are darker than I typically wear so I was a little apprehensive, but I ended up loving the look. It is subtly smoky so that it is still appropriate for daytime wear. The kit includes two eyeshadow sticks, a mascara, foundation, and a lip gloss. I am wearing the full kit plus a little bit of blush in these photos :) 

Top: Zara (old). Jacket: Fate. Jeans: H&M. Sneakers: Gola (similar). Belt: J. Crew. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Earrings: Gorjana. Makeup: Mally 'The Good Life' kit in Fair.

xoxo, CC

Ruffle Sleeve & Stripes

How adorable is this ruffle sleeve tee?! 

I love a little extra flounce to spice up a simple striped top. It really makes this piece so much more versatile since it can transition from a casual weekend outing to workwear or a classy dinner with just a few accessories. With a statement necklace and trousers it is definitely dressy, but pairing it with ripped jeans and bright sunglasses takes it down a notch to a cute but casual everyday look. 

If you follow me on snapchat you may have seen my encounters with a local Central Park raccoon while I was out taking photos last week. Not only did I see him in the woods as I was packing up my camera, but I first saw the little guy earlier in the day perched in a tree above me as I was catching some sun in the grass by the north pond (apparently called Harlem Meer). He was attracting all kinds of attention from up in the tree and people kept stopping to watch and take pictures as he hung out in that high perch. He had the cutest little ears and eye-mask, but don't worry, I kept my distance, don't need to risk getting rabies!

Top: J. Crew (30% off currently with code TIMETOSHOP). Jeans: Sneak Peek. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: J. Crew. Sunglasses: amazon. 

xoxo, CC