wish list - birthday edition!

happy march everyone! it's hard to believe that we are already two months into 2012, it seems like it was just new years eve! march brings two important days for me- my birthday, (march 9th) and my blog's birthday (march 4th, i swear i didn't plan for the two days to be so close together)!  anytime there is an event where people will possibly be giving me a gift i've got a wish list.  actually i've always got a wish list, whether its my birthday or not.  check out my b-day list!
 

1. free people bustier dress, 2. elizabeth & james layafette cat eye sunglasses, 3. ked's for madewell blanket stripe sneakers, 4. madewell harrison trench coat, 5. free people laguna pullover, 6. jacquie aiche hand chain

while i've had the blog for 3 years, i wasn't blogging regularly until about a year and a half ago.  i will also be 26 years old this year.  that sounds so much more grown up than i feel, which i guess is good.  does anyone remember when you were a little kid and it would seem like an eternity between birthdays?  now it comes before i'm ready!  anyway, i suppose this could/should serve as my spring wish list, since i want all the same things for spring!  whats on your spring wish list? 

minty fresh (spring '12 color obsession)

unless you've been living under a rock, you probably have heard that pastels are hot for spring '12.  yay!  pastels!  i'm much more of a pastel girl than a neon girl.  don't get me wrong, i love a little neon on my nails, but i don't think i could pull of a pair of neon yellow or green skinnies!  one of my favorite pastel colors for the spring season - mint green.  honestly, i'm not sure why its call mint as the actual leaf of the mint plant is not this color.  i suppose mint toothpaste is this color.  but really, who wants to wear something that is toothpaste green?  so i've rounded up a few of my favorite mint colored spring '12 pieces:

1. paige denim verdugo ultra skinny in mint, 2. asos pyramid metal tip clutch, 3. zara pleated trousers , 4. splendid striped jersey t-shirt, 5. topshop drop back sleeveless shirt, 6. essie nail polish in mint candy apple, 7. 7 for all mankind minty pump

if you follow me on instagram (@stylextraordinaire, if you don't you should!) you may have seen that i already bought those paige jeans (love!!).  what are your thoughts on the pastel color trend?  will you be wearing any minty green this coming spring?

floral obsession

i've kinda always had a thing for floral prints - whether its big, bold flowers or tiny, subtle flowers i will wear it!  so i'm especially excited about all the floral prints popping up for spring on everything from shoes to blazers to denim (yes!!!).  check out some of my favorite floral finds:

1. citizens of humanity mandy roll up jean natural floral, 2. citizens of humanity mandy roll up jean navy, 3. minkpink wisteria lane jeans, 4. asos blazer in floral print & asos cropped pants in floral print, 5. asos marley floral print espadrilles, 6. joie eleanor shadow floral blouse, 7. aldo menches floral backpack, 8. jack by bb dakota magdalena dress, 9.  rodarte for opening ceremony floral high heel booties  

i definitely will be adding some more floral prints to my closet for spring!  i think i need some floral denim for sure, its much cuter than the tie-dye denim (i saw a yellow tie-dye pair.  who though yellow stains on white denim was cute?!?!).  i how do you feel about the floral print trend?    

trend watch: spring 2011

it seems like every year lines come out earlier and earlier, and i always find it difficult to look at fall when its 80 degrees outside, or swimwear when its 60 (which is cold for us socal people). the spring 2011 shows have be over for awhile now, but now that the weather is so warm i've started looking into what i need to add to my closet. i came across an article on style.com with 10 tips to update your closet for spring. while the average person can't really afford the suggested items, i've managed to find some great alternatives at a few different price points, all of which are more affordable than the suggestions.

1. a touch of YSL - you can get the same ruffle effect for a fraction of the price with the marc by marc jacobs cotton stripe dress ($ 248, shopbop), jen's pirate booty cha cha mini dress ($110, revolve clothing), or the layered ruffle dress from rare ($72, topshop).

2. something white - while i can't afford the minimal white dress from the calvin klein spring 2011 show, there are plenty of dresses that are just as cute and won't break the bank - indah cold shoulder dress ($148, planet blue), bb dakota terry draped dress ($70, revolve clothing), or the slice of heaven dressshop ($48, nasty gal).

3. a crazy print - prints are big this spring, and pretty easy to wear if styled right! i especially love the mixing of prints! - joie marika abstract floral top ($188, revolve clothing), french connectionvintage print top ($89.65, asos), topshop hawaiian print short sleeve shirt ($70, topshop).

4. the new length - this will be the hardest trend for people to adopt, probably because its just a hard length to wear. i will only be adopting it if i actauly go to a store and try it first - which doesn't happen often (love my online shopping!). t by alexander wang modal rayon over the knee skirt ($125, revolve clothing), minkpink crossroads long dress ($80, shopbop), polka dot calf skirt ($60, topshop).

5. a hit of color - wearing all colors can be difficult and daunting, but like prints, if the right pieces and accessories are chosen can look amazing! achieve a look simlar to gucci's without going broke - red crepe fold over hareem trousers ($80, topshop), splendid scoop neck shirting tee ($68, shopbop), gold driven jacket ($99, modcloth), chiffon and satin ruffle clutch ($34.48, asos), elegantly waisted studded twist belt ($49.50, shopbop).

6. a shirt borrowed from the boys - crisp, white, and collared, every boyfriend will have one in his closet, but if you don't feel like sharing (or he doesn't) you can get your very own - funktionaldraped silk button down ($86, shop nasty gal), white viscose grandad shirt ($70, topshop), oversized pocket boyfriend shirt ($43.10, asos), stole-n glances scarf ($33.99, modcloth).

7. sheer, not shock - add a little lace to your closet without looking like you're wearing your underwear on the outside - black lace kimono sleeve dress ($100, topshop), chandelier lace waisted fishtail skirt ($60.34, asos), free people embroidered lace top ($58, revolve clothing).

8. trouser jeans - a higher rise and a wider leg, the trouser jean will be replacing skinnies for spring - 7 for all mankind the trouser ($169, revolve clothing), free people sailor relaxed flare ($98, freepeople.com), rio blue high wasit kickflare ($60.34, asos).

9. a platform wedge - definitely the best shoe to wear with a trouser jean is the platform wedge - jeffrey campbell daisy wedge platform ($168, freepeople.com), jeffrey campbell i got sole heel ($130.99, modcloth), sam edelman wynn open toe platform booties ($126, shopbop), matiko mari wedge ($90, revolve clothing).

10. an envelope bag - oversized for daytime or smaller for night, the envelope clutch is versatile and you can carry all you need in it - bcbgeneration charlie ($118, piperlime), burgundy faux sting ray envelope clutch bag ($50, topshop), portfolio envelope clutch ($34.48, asos).

happy shopping readers!