Anthropologie: Statement Jewelry (Plus 20% off Sale)

I love wearing a simple blouse or sweater with skinny jeans - and then accessorizing with statement jewelry.  It's an easy way to look and feel pulled together for work or the weekends.  Usually I opt for earrings with either a bracelet or a necklace.  Anthropologie always has great statement jewelry.  Right now these pieces are on sale, with an extra 20% off.

Petal Swirled Drop Earrings @ anthropologie

Plume Pendant Necklace @ anthropologie

How to Wear a Shirtdress

With spring finally here, it's time to pull out your shirtdresses!  The shirtdress is a classic, easy-to-wear, stylish option for spring's transitional weather.  For work, they look great with a pair of flats and a blazer or cardigan.  I prefer a blazer for work as I think it looks a bit more polished, but the right cardigan can work too.  Then for dinner or going out, swap out the flats with a pair of great sandals or pumps and match it with a statement necklace.  Here are some great shirtdress looks!

Ivy & Blu Drawstring Waist Shirtdress, Nordstrom,  $128

This is a bit of an untraditional shirtdress in that there are not buttons all the way down the front.  I like that there is a drawstring waist, giving the dress some shape.  With such a bright, fun blue color, a nice sharp white blazer would look great!  

White Sateen Blazer, Banana Republic, $158

With a bright blue dress and a white jacket, the rest of your look should be neutral colors.  Pair it with a pair of light tan flats and bag.  Flats with an exposed zip and/or ankle strap add just a touch of edge!

Dolce Vita "Agusta" Ankle Strap d'Orsay Flat, Nordstrom,  $148

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Too Hot to Handle - Percy" Crossbody Bag, Nordstrom, $248

How to Wear White Jeans

A spring and summer staple - white jeans - can be a foundational piece in your wardrobe.  Here are some great looks featuring white jeans, as well as some tips on selecting a pair that work for you.

Serena (Blake Lively) on Gossip Girl paired white jeans with a silky cream top.  Notice that these white jeans are bootcut, which look great with either flats or heels.  Also notice that these white jeans are a thick enough material that they don't show any undergarments!

Kate Middleton paired her straight leg white jeans with a grey cardigan sweater and black flats for a polished, yet casual, look.  This could easily transition into an evening look with a pair of heels and statement earrings.  Again, notice the material is a thicker, high quality denim.

Here are some options for white jeans:

Paige makes really nice white jeans, which are available at most department stores and Anthropologie.  For department stores, pay attention to Friends & Family discounts and other coupons.  At Anthropologie, you can sign up to receive 15% off a purchase during your birthday month!

Paige Hidden Hills Bootcut Jeans, Anthropologie,  $189

rag & bone is another cool brand to look out for.  They make great denim!  These skinny, cropped jeans can take you from spring (with booties as pictured), or with sandals in the summer. 

rag & bone "The Skinny" Crop Jeans, Nordstrom, $165

Generally, you can wear your white jeans with pretty much any neutral color pallet - or a splash of color.  As far as footwear, pair them with flats, booties, or sandals.  Generally, I avoid any knee-high boots with white jeans.  (Save the tall boots for the fall and winter with your dark denim.)

Neiman Marcus - Extra 25% off sale through 4/22/2014

Neiman Marcus - extra 25% off sale - through Tuesday, April 22, 2014.

Badgley Mischka V-Neck Draped Gown

Saks Friends & Family April 21-28, 2014

Saks is offering 25% off (select) merchandise with their Friends & Family coupon code FRNFAM.

Milly Tropical-Print Bustier Dress @ Saks, $350, Friends & Family Eligible

Shopping Tip: Nordstrom's Price Match

My favorite department store, Nordstrom, offers price matching.  This is definitely worth it as Nordstrom has an amazing return policy, free shipping and customer service in general.  So next time you find a great deal online, but it's final sale or has a hefty shipping charge, just call up Nordstrom to see if they carry the item and ask for a price match.  I recently did this buying this Tracy Reese dress (as seen on Michelle Obama).  Nordstrom matched the online price I found at RevolveClothing.com.

Tracy Reese

Statement Skirt

If you want to mix-up your wardrobe this spring, a statement skirt is a great piece to add.  Key to making it work, is to pair it with more subtle tops.  Here are some great statement skirt looks and some less expensive options for sale now!  I decided to keep these in a neutral color pallet, which I think lets the skirts' great design and fabric speak for itself.

Blake Lively wearing an Embellished Skirt from the Burberry Prorsum Resort 2014 Collection 

While it's not embellished, this Burberry Prorsum skirt found at theoutnet.com gives you the same polished, glam look.

Burberry Prorsum Duchesse-Satin Skirt @ TheOutnet $398 (retail $995)

Ashley Olsen looks fantastic pairing her leather mini skirt with a boxy sweater and fantastic shoes.

Again, Ashley Olsen pairs a statement skirt with a more basic top.  Here she has a black embellished mini skirt with a black blouse and simple heels.

Here are some great options for sale right now.

Badgley Mischka Geo-Print Crepe Ponte Skirt @ Neiman Marcus  $147 (original $295)

Zara Skirt with Lace Front $69

DVF "Marta" Leather Pencil Skirt, Nordstrom $230 (original $600)

Nanette Lepore Posey Embellished Short Skirt @ Neiman Marcus $166 (original $288)

Mango Leather Miniskirt, $109.99

CUSP by Neiman Marcus 10% Off

CUSP by Neiman Marcus carries all the best contemporary designers and offers free 2-day shipping (and returns).  To save 10% off a full-price purchase, sign up for their email here.  While some of these designers are not typically in my price point, I keep an eye on their sales.  Neiman Marcus lets you sort by discount %, so you can see all of the best deals.  It's not uncommon to find things at up to 65% off - you just have to be lucky that they have your size!

Even if you're not looking to buy, the CUSP by Neiman Marcus has some nice Look Books that focus just on contemporary designers like Alice + Olivia, French Connection and Rebecca Minkoff.

CUSP by Neiman Marcus Spring Lookbook

Parker Printed Strapless Maxi Dress @ CUSP, $286

Blair Waldorf's BCBG Rosette Dress on Gossip Girl

Leighton Meester's character on Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf, has one of the best closets on TV.  I fell in love with the BCBG Max Azria Rosette Dress she wore with the lace tights!  With a black-tie event coming up, I searched online to find the dress but it has long since sold out.  With a quick eBay search, I was able to find it in a couple of sizes - and for a fraction of the price!  Keeping your eye on eBay, Threadflip, Etsy and other similar sites is a great way to get "last season's" looks for a deal.  (And the size of the dress I don't end up keeping will definitely be appearing on eBay soon!)

Statement Coats & Jackets

An investment piece for the spring season is definitely a statement coat.  It's a piece you will wear again and again all season long!  

Blake Lively wore this gold brocade Alice+Olivia coat on Gossip Girl.  I have since seen it pop up on eBay.

Blake Lively on Gossip Girl wearing an Alice + Olivia Gold Brocade Coat

Anthropologie is having a great sale on the Adara Brocade Blazer.  Originally $398, it's marked down to $99.95 right now.

Anthropologie Adara Brocade Blazer

There are always great deals at www.revolveclothing.com.  Right now they have the BB Dakota Joss Vintage Brocade Bomber Jacket on sale for $65.

BB Dakota Joss Vintage Brocade Bomber Jacket @ Revolve Clothing

For a more classic and timeless look, a statement trench is a solid option.  Kate Middleton looks amazing wearing this Burberry coat.  

Kate Middleton wearing a Burberry Coat

A similar style (for full price at $1,395) is available at Nordstrom in navy.

Burberry London Belted Wool & Cashmere Trench Coat @ Nordstrom

There's a similar Burberry style on sale at Bluefly.com, but it's still $680.

Burberry Brit Trench @ Bluefly

If that's not in your price range, here are some affordable options that have the similar double-breasted and belted look.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Double Breasted Trench @ Zappos ($135, original $150)

If you want more of the flare cut, there's a great coat at White House Black Market for $198.

Feminine Flare Trench Coat @ White House Black Market

How to Dress Like Kate Middleton: Issa

Kate Middleton always looks stunning.  Issa seems to be one of her favorite designers.  (Her love for Issa was made famous in her engagement photo.)  Here are some of her best Issa dresses, where you can find Issa on sale, and some less expensive look-a-likes.

The official Issa store can be found here: http://www.issalondon.com.  I've seen Issa dresses on sale at  theoutnet.com.  Their inventory changes over rapidly, so just search for Issa on their site.  Here is what's currently available at The Outnet:

Issa Printed Jersey-Crepe Dress $223 (original $495)

Issa Warp-effect Jersey-crepe Dress $225 (original $500)

Issa Draped Silk-Jersey Dress $310 (original $625)

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl - Get the Look

Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester's character) from Gossip Girl favored the designer Milly.  A white coat like this is a perfect transition piece for the spring weather.

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl wearing a Milly coat

Milly Phoebe Chain Coat in Beige

How to Get Kate Middleton's Look: L.K. Bennett Sledge Pumps

In my fashion book, Kate Middleton can do no wrong!  A classic staple in her wardrobe is her L.K. Bennett Sledge Pumps.  They are an investment piece, retailing for $345.  They are currently on sale at Nordstrom (free shipping, free returns) for $276.  Below are some less expensive options that have the same polished look.

Kate Middleton wearing LK Bennett Sledge Pumps

LK Bennett Sledge Pumps @ Nordstrom

Vince Camuto "Desti" Pump @ Nordstrom $59.99

Anne Klein Wystere Pumps @ Zappos, on sale for $59.99