Color Crush :: Chartreuse

I always go through fazes of colors I am in love with. My newest obsession is Chartreuse; this mix of lime green and yellow green is perfection in my book. From nails to shoes, the citrusy color adds a fun pop to any outfit. The hue is a great addition to a nuetral outfit but it can also be fun to mix with other colors like blue or even pink! It’s a good time to mix it up as the weather gets warm:

Pants / Satchel Bag / Nail Color / Skirt / Sweater / Heels

What do you think of this fun PoC?

Images via Chictopia, LaurenConrad.com, and Pinterest.

To New Chapters

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Sorry I have been so out of blogging lately. I have been crazy busy all of a sudden with non stop little trips and events on the weekends and my weeks full with working. But I really love being on here and blogging, even if no one even reads it. But for anyone who does read my blogs, Hi :)

So updates: I am still working at my same job but have started to crack down on the job hunt. I’m really excited about where a new job is going to take me. At the end of this month, it will officially be 1 year working at my current job. It’s been a great experience but I am so ready for a change. I can’t wait for a new job, new coworkers, new friends, new adventures, new sights and sounds. My dream is to move to NYC but my Dad is all about pushing me to really get out there and do whatever I want wherever I want since nothing is tying me down. My cousin lives in Southern California and he is always bugging me to come visit him. And my Dad thinks its a brilliant idea to crash with him for 6 months and work out there to get new experiences. I’m torn between my dream of the city and my love of sunny Cali. Either way I need a new job. Bad.

While I have been busy with that, my boss has been busy downsizing our shop and getting rid of the retail side. She just wants a small office and to just do interior design and work with big clients. So basically I am going to be transitioned out as she won’t need me full time in a month or so. Everything is coming full circle and everything happens for a reason right? As busy and stressed as I am with all the change, I am mostly excited. Send me some luck in finding the next path to go down and the new adventures it will take me on!

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Images via Tumblr.

Spring Style Staples

The weather has finally started to become warmer and I am looking forward to these temperatures becoming more consistent. In celebration of finally shedding our loads of layers in exchange for lighter wares and bright colors, I put together some of my spring essentials:

Florals

I have a bad case of floral fever and these fun pants just might help to cure my addiction!

Strappy Sandals

If my feet wouldn’t freeze, I would wear sandals all year round! I love these chartreuse colored ones from Miu Miu; the crystal detailing is so chic!

Lace

The crisp white color and floral patterned lace of this top by Spool 72 is perfect for spring.

Ballet Flats

Ballet flats have become my go to shoe in the spring season. They can be dressed up or down and are comfy to run around in or get through a work day in. I am currently coveting these Dalia Flats from Coach in a gorgeous mint color!

High-Low Dresses & Skirts

I love the long silhouettes of dresses and skirts that are high in the front but long and flowy in the back. The style is so springy I can’t wait to try out a skirt like this one I stumbled upon on Fabulous And Style!

Polka Dots

So dots may not be just a spring thing, but I am excited on new ways to pull the fun pattern into my spring looks, like these adorable LC by Lauren Conrad shorts!

Images via Psbydila, Miu Miu, Coach, Spool 72, Fabulous And Style, and LC by Lauren Conrad.

Spring Stripes

The number one go to classic print has always been stripes for me. The timeless appeal of a good stripe will never go out of style. From small stripes to wide stripes, the look can be dressed up or down. For Spring 2013, stripes were popping up everywhere down the runway last month during NYFW. So you know stripes are going to be everywhere as the new spring lines come out in stores!

There is a misconception that horizontal stripes make you look wider, when in fact studies have shown that horizontal stripes are in fact more flattering for your figure. Just make sure you don’t distort the shape of the line by skipping more fitted pieces. Whether you are all for the stripe style or may be a little wary of the print, there are options everyone can try. There are so many variations in stripes from small to big to striped trim to color blocking, a trend that is a good transition into wearing stripes!

Check out some stripe styles to try out as we move towards spring!

THIN STRIPES

MEDIUM STRIPES

WIDE STRIPES

Which stripe style is your favorite?

Images via Fash Boulevard, Wear In LA, LC by Lauren Conrad, and Pinterest.

Wristwear Style Tips

Jewelry is always a big part of an outfit and can really pull it all together. But piling on the right bangles and bracelets isn’t always the easiest thing to do, it can sometimes be a bit of an art. But don’t fear, once you get the hang of it, it is fun to mix and match your collection of wrist flair to work for every outfit!

The pieces you choose to gather on your wrists can tell a lot about you. Whether you love gold bangles, a chunky watch, or studded bracelets, don’t be afraid to express yourself in your wrist accessories! For me, I can’t go a day without my aquamarine and gold Anthropologie watch. I have started to morph my wardrobe around this one accessory… and I fall in love with anything I see that is aqua. So whether its your favorite color, a certain style you have, or that one accessory you always wear, that can be a starting point to base your wrist wear around. You can stick to a style or just mix it all up to keep them guessing:


Classic. This style is all about clean lines and geometric shapes. The classic look can be nice for the office since it isn’t too distracting. Classic goes with everything, so its hard to go wrong!


Feminine. It is all about sparkle and girly touches! Pair your favorite statement pieces with more dainty and understated bracelets to keep the look grounded. Little romantic details like bows and jewels bring in that femininity.


Edgy. Think studs, chains… and more studs! Don’t be afraid to mix metals and to add in a few leather pieces to tone it all down. Edgy wristwear can be fun to throw into a more feminine outfit and take it up a notch!


Mix It All Up. If you can’t pick just one style, mix them all! This look works when you want a fun, casual look. Just be sure to mix different widths and textures in your pieces.

Images via Indulgy, LaurenConrad.com, Wear In LA, and Pinterest

My Best Dressed List Oscars 2013

If you asked me my favorite season of the year, I wouldn’t say summer or winter, I would whole heartedly reply with “Award’s Season!” The Sunday nights of celebrities, glitz, glamour, and winners are my absolute favorite time of the year. And the creme de la creme of all award shows, The Oscars, was just this past Sunday. It is the night all the actors have been waiting for and when everyone pulls out all the stops. And the very best part of the whole show is the red carpet, where you anxiously await to see all your favorite stars and show off their gorgeous gowns.

This year’s 85th Annual Academy Awards’ red carpet proved popular with soft pale colors, blues, and pinks making lots of appearances. Pops of purple were spotted as well from dark, rich shades to more muted lilac tones. Metallics made an statement on many stars from gunmetal to gold shiny hues. Pales, creams, and even bright whites seemed to be a trend, giving a look forward towards spring and fresh palettes. And when it came down to the hair, loose updos were a popular style making celebrities look carefree and casual on the breezy LA evening. I thought the red carpet looks as a whole were pretty on point; just about all the woman really brought it! But I had a select handful of standout looks I fell in love with the second they stepped out on the carpet. My favorites of the evening came down to these top five:

5. Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen

The “Les Miserables” star looked very glamorous in this custom McQueen gown in light lilac with floral embroidery.

4. Jennifer Garner in Gucci

Jennifer may have came to support her “Argo” director husband, but she was the standout of the couple in a beautiful plum colored dress with a ruffled train and a knockout statement necklace to really make it pop! And having Ben Affleck on her arm wasn’t a bad looking accessory either : )

3. Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta

Looking like a modern day princess, “The Master” actress glowed in her feathered ball gown in light purple, keeping the accessories simple in favor of leaving the dress to say it all.

2. Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé

The red head “Zero Dark Thirty” star radiated in this toasted peach colored form fitting dress. You would think the nuetral tone of the dress would camouflage into the her pale skin tone but her auburn hair and red lips made the whole look come together quite stunningly.

1. Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture

My very favorite look on the red carpet was Jennifer Lawrence. The 22 year old “Silver Linings Playbook” actress looked absolutely amazing in this blush color gown with an billowing mermaid cut. And she may have started a fashion trend with her backwards necklace that dangled down the back of her gown, trailing along with her train. She truly was the winner in just about everyone’s book, winning best dressed on Twitter and E!’s Fashion Police , and winning her first Oscar ever for Best Actress! She may have fell on her way up to the stage, but that made me love her even more! :)

Such a gracious fall : )

Such a graceful fall : )

Who were your favorite looks on the red carpet?

Images via Abc 7, Entertainment Weekly, and E! Online.

Stately Homes By-The-Sea Designer Show House 2013

Designer Show House 2013: The Hartshorne Mansion

It is that time again: time for the Stately Homes By-The-Sea Designer Show House! The design firm I work at will be participating again after the first time taking part two years ago. In 2011′s Show House, Porter Design designed a bedroom on the second floor in bright hues of orange and turquoise:

This year we are excited to be designing the Guest Suite in the Hartshorne Mansion right on the Shrewsbury River in Little Silver, NJ. This year’s show house will take place April 30 – June 9, 2013 and all proceeds will benefit the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group. We will be taking part as 1 of 50 of the tri-state’s leading interior designers, decorators, and landscape artists to revitalize the 11,000 square foot Tudor estate.

I will keep you up to date on happenings of the Show House, our design, and more, as it gets closer! Right now we are at the early stages of figuring out our design scheme.

Images via Stately Homes By-The-Sea Designer Show House.