Steven Alan dripping with simple chic for Spring 2014

These are some of my favorite looks from Steven Alan's Spring 2014 Lookbook and some great items below that I love. Steven Alan is always great material, cut and the piece that you go to in your closet.

Spring 2014:

cropped car coat

Soren shift dress

Winona dress

2 strap sandal

Patti cotton sweater

the denim pencil skirt

For those of us who are not into mini skirts the denim pencil is a great way to wear a skirt comfortably. This season there are some good ones out. Here is the look and how to wear:

me in my current elliot denim pencil skirt:

current elliot the stiletto distressed skirt 
sister by sibling polkadot denim skirt 
jcrew denim pencil skirt 
Current elliot the soho zip pencil skirt

how to wear:




alice and olivia boatneck boxy raglan top
saint laurent studded mini betty bag 
alice and olivia heart buckle belt 
urban outfitters necklace 
alice and olivia harris leopard canvas flat current elliot the stiletto distressed skirt

Sam and Lavi Spring 2014

This super chic, LA based label Sam and Lavi has so many great pieces.  Here are some I love: to purchase check out Sam and Lavi here!

Catherine Malandrino Spring 2014

I think Catherine Malandrino gets it right when it comes to dresses.  They are always chic and have interesting detailing.  Looking fashionable is always in the small things.  Here are some of my favorites this season via Cusp by Neiman Marcus:

puff sleeve shirtdress with faux leather trim

chevron pointelle dress

chevron pointelle dress

puff sleeve shirtdress

The Outnet: Raoul dresses

The Outnet has great Raoul dresses right now.  Check out more Raoul here! They are made of beautiful material, are cut well and these are super well priced. Great dresses for spring! 

Raoul:

Raoul a la outnet:

Raoul cotton lace and leather dress

Raoul viola printed silk and cotton blend dress

Raoul silk crepe draped dress

Building a Spring Wardrobe

These are a few things that are great key pieces for building a Spring/Summer wardrobe: Since these are building blocks, some are investment items--always look for the look for less within your budget--there are some great price points in there too:):

1. A well cut t-shirt to wear with everything in spring colors:

joie maddie linen tee

j crew linen tee (love all the spring colors)

2.  Ankle length jeans:

AG stilt jeans (perfect ankle length)

3. Great sandals with a block heel:

Jeffrey campbell borgia block heel

4. Pastel jeans:

 

gap legging jeans

5. Eyelet top:

eyelet hideaway top

Ella Moss eyelet top

6. Cropped little jacket

Zara short printed jacket

7.  slim fit boyfriend jeans

Frame denim le garcon jeans in main street

8. Perfect cut white jeans

J brand white moto jeans (love the detailing on the knee)

9. Spring weight leather or denim moto jacket

Rebecca Minkoff wes moto jacket 

Look for less:

gap denim moto jacket (this is awesome)

10. Crisp white shirt

gap swiss dot shirt 

11. mesh detailed piece: 

Rebecca taylor novelty textured top (this is pricey but really super chic and the perfect cut)

mesh look for less:

Steve madden garissa sandal

12. A beautiful spring sweater:

Vince linen sweater tee

13. Perfectly cut silk top:

Joie rancher silk top

14. fun shoe to add a pop:

Loeffler Randall sawyer d'orsay flat (wait list in certain sizes-these are my favorite go to this season)

15. A fun bag:

Loeffler randall industry perforated leather bag 

Rebecca Minkoff mini affair convertible crossbody bag

16. Great accessories:

Vince camuto studded open cuff bracelet (this looks Valentino and I have bought it for many clients)more colors too!

House of harlow chevron leather wrap bracelet

17. Show stopper spring summer dress (this is awesome and looks like Rebecca Taylor)

Loft square cotton eyelet dress

The Big Transition: Winter to Spring/Summer

I have been working like crazy the past few weeks helping clients transition from Fall/Winter to Spring/Summer.  This is the most labor intensive season change as winter clothing tends to be more bulky with sweaters and coats.  Below is my process to get the spring/summer wardrobe up and running and winter all packed away, also stay tuned for the essentials that I have picked for building a spring wardrobe:

Here is a peek at Gwyneth Paltrow's spring wardrobe for a little inspiration: via dailymailuk

1.  Get at least 3 big, clear storage bins with lids and label "Fall/Winter"
2.  Go through your wardrobe and pull out everything (I mean everything, including shoes/boots) that you will not wear for the next 6 months (in LA Fall does not start until October so it is a long stretch of spring/summer).  
3.  Be honest with yourself: If you did not wear those fall/winter items this past year, decide if you are ever going to wear and LOVE these pieces.  If the answer is no, put in the donate pile.  Unless it was an investment there is no need to keep things that are not serving you in your wardrobe. If it was expensive hang onto it and re-evaluate in September when you are transitioning again.
4.  Pack up those winter items: coats, boots, dark coated jeans, corduroy, heavy wool, dark long sleeve tees, turtle necks, wool blazers and skirts, anything with fur, and put neatly in the bin with cedar bars (moths are not your friend!).
5.  Pull out your spring/summer bins and honestly evaluate what you have.  Do these things fit? Are they faded? Are they out of style? If yes, donate.  Spring is about new beginnings and SHEDDING! 
6.  Organize your spring wardrobe.  I do short sleeve tees in 1 drawer, long sleeve another drawer, and then hang up in the following order: top left: little blazers and light jackets, silk tops, silk tanks, cotton more casual tops that need to be hung.  jeans that can be hung organized by cut or color (boyfriends together, skinnies together, washed out together, white together, ect.), skirts.  Long hang up area: dresses, pants that need to hang long and longer skirts, and bathing suit cover-ups.  I like to get crazy and color code things but clearly this is not for everyone! 
7.  Find out what is in style now and make a list of the things you want to add to your spring/summer wardrobe.  P.S. stay tuned because this post is coming up! 
Happy spring summer! xo