I love: summer totes

Things I stuff in my bag:
-wallet
-umbrella
-sunglasses + case for sunglasses
-a pouch with kleenex, lipstick, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, mascara
-my laptop
-school stuff
-my lunch
-various snacks
-a water bottle
-my phone

So you see, a tote is just non-negotiable for me. Otherwise we're talking one overstuffed bag. Here's a few cute summer ones I have my eye on...

This bag is made from recycled sails. How cool is that?

This is the classic "Boat and Tote" from L.L. Bean. I had one last year (which I had to let go due to an unmanageable ginormo stain) and it is THE. BEST.

The pop of color on this tote is so prepster. Love it.

Stripes are cute too!

Totes can be leather too. AND have color. I happen to love this kelly green one.

Neutral colors go with everything, which makes this one a winner.

I love: coral

When I was young, I feel like I filled out a lot of questionnaires asking for my favorite color. And I always felt super cool and different when I wrote none (before my vocabulary included none, I wrote 0 or -).

I don't have a favorite color. I think it's a case by case thing, like if there is a shirt available in two colors, I'll pick the color I prefer of the two (I don't have a favorite color but I do have colors I dislike). If I'm picking bedding or towels, I base it on the look I'm trying to achieve.

Simple as that. I'll never buy something because it's a certain color. It's all about the article itself and the look/feel I'm going for.

Why am I rambling on about this? Because now you understand that expressing my love of coral is a big deal. A really big deal.

This fall, I bought a coral coat. Again, only because the options were coral, green, beige, grey, or black and a) I already have a black jacket and a grey jacket, b) the green was that same shade as hospital scrubs aka no thanks, and c) beige washes me out. So I bought a coral coat. Here it is, actually:

This baby is the new love of my life. P.S. Don't freak out, I didn't pay $400 for it... I have my ways.

Well anyways, this gorgeous jacket (which always gets me compliments) sent me down a giant coral spiral. Case and point: notice the coral tidbits on this blog. I just think coral is a great pop of color! And it just so happens that you can have coral lipstick, coral nail polish, coral clothes, coral accessories, coral shoes...

But then I got this via Snapchat:

Eddie's over it.

So I guess it's time to go to coral rehab (according to Wikipedia, teal is my rehab, as the opposite of coral).

Anyways, here's a few coral faves of the moment:

Coral bridesmaid dresses! GREAT idea!

This cardi is adorbs with the lighter trim

Aldo says this is peach but I saw it in person and it was definitely a bright coral (I'm totally the coral police now)

Pop of coral in a necklace! I'm telling you, the possibilities of coral are endless!

Coral bedding. Don't think I wouldn't. Plus it's an ikat pattern, which is another obsession of mine.

Or maybe I'll just sip tea out of a coral cup with coral-colored nails.

Not gonna lie, I hoped this post would cure my coral craze, but the more I see it, THE MORE I LOVE IT.

I love: mint green

A new year is upon us, full of new hopes and dreams and possibilities and all that starting anew crap. All I know is, I'm over this winter situation and I'm dreaming of sunnier days while looking at pretty pastel-colored things. Newest obsession for this spring: mint green. Looks awful on me, but I'll find a way to make it work anyways.

This is the niftiest little thing... An extra battery for when you forgot to recharge your iPhone and it's about to die. Just plug that in and talk/text/play away. And it's just so so cute. Another win by J.Crew.

My love of bracelets hasn't gone away. And perhaps this is a touch of mint I could pull off without looking ill.

The more I look at it, the more I love the mint-navy combo. I may do an outfit version of this clutch.

The detailing near the shoulders makes this sweater less sweater-y. More spring-y. I know, my lingo is very technical.

Kate Spade can do no wrong. These shoes included.

If, like me, you have a porcelain-like complexion aka your mother constantly reminds you that you look sickly, a splash of mint on the bottom half (like these pants) might be a good plan.

I love: outerwear

I must preface this with a little story: years ago, I was really into The Hills (who am I kidding, I still love it). In the second or third season, Lauren goes to Paris to help with this amazingly ritzy ball, complete with gowns and a ballroom. Then a gorgeous Frenchman whisks her away in her gown (and a really cute coat) on the back of his moped. If my memory serves me right, there's champagne under the Eiffel tower in there somewhere too. Anyways, at the end of her perfect night, she runs up the steps of her hotel and when she looks back at him over her shoulder (how coy), it's like a giant love slap in the face: HER COAT IS GORGEOUS (and has a bow). It's in that moment that I discovered that love at first sight really does exist.

In my search for true love (aka finding this coat or a similar one), I've seen a LOT of coats. Here's a few that have inspired a bit of love lately.

I ordered this jacket in smoky coral. Results TBD, but I'm excited.

A bow!

I loooooove how the sleeves are black like the top.

Okay so Black Friday was a little too successful, I also ordered this one. Basically in my mind, a camel toggle coat looks exactly like that. So shouldn't I reward myself for finding a perfect mind match?

I love: desert boots

Desert shoes, my new obsession. I discovered them last winter, but now this fall they are everywhere (making it easier for me to buy and love).

Enjoy.

As I will.

J.Crew - They can do no wrong.

These babies are the ones that sparked my passion for desert boots.

Love the details.

They're a bit quirky, but I heard they're incredibly comfy. Might need to try them on...

I like the sporty feel of these.

I love: pristine white

Sometimes, all you need is a crisp white shirt to spruce up any outfit. Work and play.

Obviously I'd pick one with a bow.

I want this for work. NEED.

I love this one. I feel like it works for every occasion I can think of.

Peter Pan collar. Scalloping. AHHHHH.

Ruffles!

Puuuurdy

I love: jumpsuits

A jumpsuit, for the confused, is basically like a dress but the skirt part is pants. A jumpsuit refers to one with long pants, whereas a romper has shorts.

Basically, jumpsuits are hard work. Hard to design, hard to pull off... Different leg lengths, elastic waistband location, sleeves or no sleeves, solid or pattern: these are all factors that make the difference between looking like a child, a glamazon, a hoochie, and a fatty. I feel like a designer could decide to specialize in jumpsuits, and that would be enough work for an entire career.  The other problem is that the average woman will run away when presented with the challenge of a jumpsuit. It's not that it's soooo fashion-forward, I mean they've been around since the 70s for Pete's sake, but it's risky.

BUT. When they're rockin', they're rockin'. Big time.

I convinced myself to try one on last year, and I gotta say I luuuuuuuurve it. It's a whole lot of curvy me, but it's such a thrill! I also remember making a friend try one on at Forever 21 a few years back, and in 30 seconds she morphed from childish to a 50s pinup hottie. Obvs I made her buy it and she proceeded to get a lot of compliments on her slammin' body after that.

And that's the true beauty of a jumpsuit. If you find the right one, THE ONE, you will look amazing. Like truly AH-mazing (see rockin' comment above).

So here are a few picks... They're mostly dark material or black, and that is simply because it's a one-piece. If you're gonna wear the same color head-to-toe, sometimes less is more. Plus more room for fab accessories. Obvs.

Yes, that is an anchor pattern. DROOL.

I love jumpsuits (or in this case rompers) that look like separates. Also, duh. BOW.

I've had this picture for 4 months, not even gonna lie.

This+red blazer+work = jealous ladies at the office.

WHITE! SCALLOPING! AHHHH!

This one has been "winter-ized" aka see black tights there? The perfect jumpsuit/romper will do that for you. Hot legs in the summer, playful new outfit in the winter.

I love: chambray

Firstly, I wikipedia'ed chambray to give you guys a better understanding of the fabric. Turns out it goes by cambric on wiki. I didn't get much out of that searching experience, so I will just tell you it's not denim. But it kinda looks like it. Also I love it. So there.

I have a vision of these with a loose white button down and a long braid.

Date outfit including the shoes?

This shirt also comes in green and purple. Just educating you on the fact that chambray is not only blue (though it's the most common, popular color)

When I finally decided I should buy this to wear with very dark denim, J. Crew ran out. WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME LIKE THIS J. CREW!

I bought these, not even gonna pretend like I have an ounce of self-restraint.

I love: Peter Pan collars

For those unaware of the term, a Peter Pan collar is rounded at the edges as opposed to a typical shirt collar. It's weird because Peter Pan's collar is totally not rounded. I think you'll find this collar is closer to the one on the dress of Caillou's little sister, Rosie.
So really, below I've picked my favorite Rosie collars.

It's hard to see, but the collar is lace. Amazinggggg!

The collar + black lining on the sleeves = I died.

I need this. I neeeeeeeed this.

The berry color is stunning.

I totally bought this shirt, not gonna lie.