Chambray for Spring!

I don't know about you, but I have been itching for spring lately. Maybe it's the warm-ish weather we've been having in Seattle, or the fact that florals and bright colors are making their way into some of my favorite stores; but either way, I have spring fever!

I was out shopping last weekend for home decor for my new place in Seattle (more to come on that soon, I promise!) and noticed chambray is BACK and clearly going to be a popular trend this spring season. Stores like Madewell, J. Crew, Macy's, Nordstrom and more are all carrying some great chambray looks, from traditional Oxford style shirts to dresses and even shoes...all at affordable prices!

What I like about this trend is that you can dress it up or down. For example, pair a chambray button down shirt with dark-washed jeans for a comfortable and casual weekend look (yes, you can wear jean-on-jean as long as the colors are clearly contrasting). Or, try a chambray dress with a brightly colored cardigan and accessories for the office.

I have included some of my favorite chambray pieces for your viewing pleasure. :) Leave a comment below if you plan to rock chambray this season!


Keep shining!

EShakti Ruffled Chambray Dress
Amazon.com - $59.95

Chambray Boyfriend Shirt
Madewell.com - $69.50

Chambray Oxford Shirt
Topshop.com - $58.00

Guess Ombray Chambray Shirt
Lordandtaylor.com - SALE $49.49 (normally $89.00)

Calvin Klien Jeans Belted Shirt Dress
Macys.com - SALE $60.99 (normally $79.50)

Leith Colorblock Chambray Shirt
Nordstrom.com - $64.00

TOMS 'Desert' Chambray Wedge Bootie
Nordstrom.com - $83.95

Life Changing News! I've Moved to Seattle

First, I want to apologize for my many weeks of silence. I have been a bit busy lately, which leads me to my next piece of news and big reveal...I have moved to Seattle!! My husband's job relocated us this past month, and we are now getting to experience life on the west coast. 

With that I'm sure will come new restaurant and food experiences for me to write about and beauty and fashion finds (hint: rainy day fashion tutorials). Don't worry, I'm not planning on going all "grunge" on you!

I'm also sure that there will be MANY unique differences between Seattle and NYC, which will also be an interesting topic I plan to point out on EatShopShine. 

To kick us off, here are a few things I've learned about Seattle thus far: 

1.) Pike Place Market is legit and absolute heaven for any food lover. I'm talking about fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables and various other prepared foods and goods.  A must visit if you are in the area. Another cool attraction in the market is the first Starbucks (don't forget to get your souvenir mug)!

2.) Washington state is the second largest wine producer in the U.S. after California, and I'm told there are several great wineries right near where I live in a magical land call Woodinville! Hooray!

3.) When you tell a local Seattleite that you just moved to the area from NYC, they will look at you sympathetically. I am still trying to figure out why. If it is weather-related, which I suspect it may be, I say: I'll take the drizzle and fog any day over storms Nemo and Sandy!

4.) There are a ton of coffee places here. Yes, there are Starbucks galore, but there is also Peet's Coffee! 

5.) People have commented on my wardrobe, in a good way, but assume it's because I had the previous fortune of shopping in NYC. This my friends, is a myth. As many of you know, I get most of my clothes online. Secondly, pretty much every major designer and store that can be found in NYC can also be found in Seattle! There is Bellevue Square and The Shops at the Bravern in Bellevue that have everything from Hermes to J. Crew. Not to mention downtown Seattle where the flagship Nordstrom is located (swoon). 

6.) There are phở restaurants in Seattle (a Vietnamese broth-based soup) like there are pizza shops in NYC.  

7.) The area is very dog-friendly. I am told there are even establishments where you can bring your furry friends, like Norm's Eatery & Ale House! Now, if only I can find a city where they let you bring your cat everywhere...(goal for next move).

8.) People are very fit here. On that note, off to the gym!

Stay tuned for more Seattle finds, and keep shining!

Color Blocking Fashion

I've recently been inspired by color blocking, maybe because it's been pretty drab outside, and I can't seem to get myself to wear much color (it could also be the New York-er in me that just likes to wear black all day, everyday!).

Not too sure about this trend? I've put together a few items I'm coveting, ranging from bold reds and purples to muted shades of chambray and denim. 

If you want to try color blocking but don't know where to start, pair a bold, pleated skirt with a simple sweater. Or, if you're feeling extra sassy, try statement shoes and accessories that mix colors and patterns instead of matching.

I hope this gives you a little "stylespiration," (style+inspiration) for your Sunday afternoon!


-Keep shining!

Front Row Shop Color Block Knit Pullover
frontrowshop.com, $29
I love this color blocked knit pullover that features a boat neckline, dropped shoulder sleeves and the contrast of beige,red and dark blue. 

ASOS Color Block Denim Shirt
asos.com, $66.84
This lightweight shirt is perfect for a person who wants to ease-in to the color blocking trend. Pair it with a pair of black jeans (yes, you can wear jean on jean), or tuck it into a bright orange skirt.
 

Dorothy Perkins Color Block Skirt
dorothyperkins.com, on sale for $27 (from $59)
This orange pleated skirt has a black and white band at the waist, giving it a simple yet flattering touch. Wear this with a tucked in long sleeved top. 

 

Charlotte Russe Ankle Wrap Wedge Shoes
charlotterusse.com, $40
A staple wedge shoe that could go with just about anything!

Jessica Simpson Wedge Sneaker
lordandtaylor.com, $110
Recently, I had a very in-depth conversation with my girlfriends about the wedge sneaker trend...it is taking off, people! Pair them with skinny jeans or leggings for a comfie and cool look.
 

Diane von Furstenberg Mimosa Color Block Leather Clutch
forzieri.com, $475
Add a pop of color to your wardrobe with this chic DVF bag! I am dying over the dash of purple reptile leather in the middle!
 

Zorana's Stacking Bangle
fantasyjewelrybox.com, $19.95
Wear this bright and colorful bangle on its own, or stack it up with bracelets  of different patterns and colors.
 

Dior 'Vernis Color Block' Nail Lacquer
nordstrom.com, $24
This vibrant color is perfect for adding a little pizazz to your nails. Give yourself a french manicure using this color as the base and turquoise for the tips. Or, paint this color on every nail, but choose a different color for your "party" finger (aka your ring finger) for an unexpected combination.

Seeing Green - Emerald Green Fashion

Happy new year! I hope everyone is gearing up for what I think is going to be a fantastic year!

As I sit here wearing my bright tangerine J. Crew Bubble necklace, I can't help but think of all that is to come in 2013. For fashion, the new year brings another Pantone color of the year which, if you haven't already heard, is a favorite of mine: Emerald Green!

I put together a little "green with envy" inspiration to help kick off the season. Here's to a great year and many exciting things to come!

-Keep shining!   

Halston Heritage Sleeveless Top
$295 - farfetch.com

Vanessa Bruno Platform Wedge
$315 (70% off the original price of $1,050!) - ssense.com

Emerald Green Statement Necklace
$48 - etsy.com

Swarovski Nirvana Emerald Ring
$190 - swarovski.com

Coralia Leets Emerald Teardrop Earrings
$177 - otteny.com

Sephora by O.P.I Nail Polish in I Come in Peas
$14.99 - ebay.com

New Beauty Find: Cargo Cosmetics

Two days post-Christmas, I was perusing the Macy's beauty department after making some returns and decided I needed a new foundation. I wanted to try something new (I am currently using Clinique Redness Solution), so I asked one of the beauty advisors for help. We tried two different lightweight-to-medium foundations on my skin (one on each side of my face): the Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer and the Cargo Liquid Foundation. I must admit, I was hesitant to try Cargo since I had never heard of it before, but I'm very glad I did!

After conducting our little test, I decided to purchase the Cargo foundation because it gave me slightly more coverage without being too heavy (both were equally moisturizing which is a major bonus since I have dry skin). After doing more research on the brand, I wanted to share my findings.

Cargo is a Canadian cosmetics company that was founded in 1996. Based in Toronto, it is now a multimillion dollar company with makeup sold in five different countries. The company prides itself on creating extremely wearable and smartly packaged products.

The foundation I purchased is unique because it comes in a pouch instead of a traditional  bottle (a first in the industry), which allows you to access every last drop of the product while also being eco-conscious. If you carry makeup in your purse, then this type of packaging is definitely beneficial as it takes up less space and is very lightweight. The formula is oil-free, offers medium coverage and contains conditioners to hydrate the skin. I like how easily it blends and how natural it looks on my skin.

Photo courtesy of Cargo

Overall, I am very happy that I gave this new-to-me brand a try, and am excited about trying more of Cargo's line of products. I am particularly curious about their PlantLove Collection that is 100% natural and made with organic ingredients (including packaging made entirely out of corn!), the Reverse Lip Liner intended to keep lip gloss in line, and their blu_ray Collection that is makeup made for high-def filming and photography.






-Keep shining!


 

Swine is: Devine (Review)

photo from Swine

First off, I apologize for falling off the radar for a few weeks. With the holidays approaching, it has been a bit nutty, and I haven't had a lot of time to devote to posting! The craziness of the season, however, led me to my latest food adventure: Swine restaurant located on Hudson Street in the West Village, NYC.

If you are looking for decadent comfort food and don't care about the calories (as I was after a hectic work week), then Swine is the place for you!

We started off with what Swine is famous for, which is their charcuterie (platters of delicious meats, cheeses, pickles and condiments). For our selection, we chose the duck prosciutto, tongue pastrami and the twin maple "Hudson red" cheese with brandied cherries. I was a little hesitant at first about the tongue, but it turned out to be similar in flavor to roast beef with pastrami spices and paired nicely with the dill pickles.

Following our taste of meats and cheese, we moved onto an item on Swine's "snack" menu that took me to my "happy place": the potato chip nachos. Picture homemade potato chips drowning in fondue cheese and covered with bits of tender pork belly, jalapenos and green onion for extra flavor and crunch. You have now entered heaven. 

photo from Swine

After licking the bowl clean, we shifted gears to our main courses. Because everything on the menu is intended for sharing, our waiter suggested we order a few selections from the "plates" section. Side note, I thought our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and helpful with guiding (without being too forceful) our food and beverage selections.

Now, back to the food. We went with the bone marrow & brisket burger and the bacon braised rabbit leg. The burger was one of the best I've ever tasted. The bone marrow, while scary for some, was mixed into the meat so you couldn't really tell it was there; however, it made the burger extremely juicy and tender. I was also surprised by how much I liked the rabbit. It wasn't at all gamey like you might expect!

For dessert, we splurged on the bacon ice cream topped with a chocolate covered piece of bacon. If I'm being honest, it was a little much. The bacon flavor came on slowly, but left a pungent/smoky aftertaste in my mouth. Even the chocolate piece of bacon was difficult to swallow.  My husband commented that it was like chewing a tough piece of beef jerky after a while.

All in all, if you want to treat yourself I highly recommend Swine. Just be prepared with the Tums!




-Keep shining!