'Cause it's Wedding Season and the Bride is Jumpin', Jumpin'

There ain't no denying that wedding season is officially in full swing, and with this joyous and debaucherous time of year comes brides-to-be who are experiencing what I can only describe as the best state of e-commerce affairs: the mother of all justifications, otherwise known as the well-I-only-get-married-once-(I hope, lolz)-so-I-might-as-well-buy-it-cuz-I-gotta-look-phenomenal rationale. Perhaps you're not shocked to learn that I rode that justification pony 'til the cows came home (in this case, I'm the hefer returning home from a Belizian honeymoon that happily consisted of zero dieting/exercising). So I'm more than honored when asked by my engaged friends to help them find some worthy additions to their trousseau as their personal shopper/enabler, if you will

One of the most frequently requested items is the bridal jumpsuit - whether it be for the rehearsal dinner or to change into at the reception. As someone whose closet holds equal amounts dresses to rompers/jumpsuits, I can attest to the fact that there's something about rocking pants on the bottom that alters the chemical composition of the noggin. Just knowing you can freely give in to every impulse to squat, bend over, break out into the fire hydrant move on the dance floor or what have you, releases endorphins into the bloodstream. How does the saying go? Ah yes - happy is the bride whose legs have free mobility. 

Q: What should I wear to a Napa wedding? A: How do you take your grapes?

I was recently popped the question of what to wear to a springtime wedding in Napa. For the record, I do not play hard to get with such proposals - the answer is usually always a resounding YES! so feel free to pepper me with some here

Also for the record, I've never been to Napa. And while I continue to ride this confessional train, I might as well add that I'm no vino connoisseur neitha'. My knowledge of Napa Valley can be equated with my knowledge of the Parent Trap, and I'm fairly certain my dependable inability to tell a cab from a merlot from a pinot would make a Grand Sommelier question whether my taste buds and sense of smell are functioning at all. BUT that's not to say my sophisticated mastery of the language of wine (red, white, pink & bubbles) can't be put to good use somehow (besides the nightly I-just-got-home-so-'Ima-pour-me-a-big-one ritual).

So having just really impressed you all, I'll leave you with these four different looks, each styled so that the curtains match the cup. Even if you gotta whisper "I'll just take the house wine, porfavor," you can still look like you know what you're doing - fake it 'til ya make it, baby.  

Metallic Earrings - J. Crew// Silk Organza Off the Shoulder Top - J. Crew// Skirt - Zimmermann// Woven Clutch - Ted Baker// Pink Suede Heels - Alexandre Birman// Beaded Bon Bon Earrings - Rebecca De Ravenel// One Shoulder Dress - We Are Kindred// Cage Sphere Clutch - Asos// Denim Pearl Heels - Stuart Weitzman

Flower Earrings - Ken Samudio// Floral Dress - Nicholas// Red Bucket Bag - Rebecca De Ravenel// Velvet Ankle Tie Heels - Gianvito Rossi// Green Agate Earrings - Bauble Bar// Pink Lace Dress - Nicholas// Leopard Clutch - Serpui// Gold Heels - Zara

Red White & Wood

Why are Monday mornings always as brutal as they sound? The first day of the week rightfully gets a bad rap - and when they follow a weekend of shenanigans I feel no compulsion whatsoever to defend the underdog of weekdays (sorray hunny bunny). This past weekend's antics led me to Richmond, VA to celebrate a friend's wedding at the Commonwealth Club. Much like many of the old, historic social clubs in my beloved college state, the Commonwealth Club gives off the breeding-ground-of-Presidents-of-yesteryear vibes: dark wood, mahogany smells, classic American decor, framed portraits of the Founding Fathers and their all white male posse, and an "if these walls could talk" aura of an impressive red brick building that's been around since 1890.

And while it's too early in the day/week to get on my soap box about how this Club needs to (srsly) get with the program and quit its current "only-gentlemen-allowed" policy (tell 'em boy, bye), I do feel compelled to say this: the female reception attendants (my posse) gave those red brick walls life, our heels gave the wooden dance floor the best beating it's ever had, and our beautiful bride made the dudes in those framed portraits wish they were back from the dead. So this post is dedicated to the ladies, who wear and thrive in the red, white and wood much better than (or just as good as, since #hashtag equality) the rest of them, darling. 

Leaf Earrings - Asha//White Dress - Reformation// Red Flower Clutch - Etsy// Cork Heels - Stuart Weitzman// Wood Sunglasses - Panamera// Red Top - Marques' Almeida// Flower Skirt - Sea// Round Straw Purse - Free People// Red Pearl Heels - Stuart Weitzman// Feather Earrings - Lizzie Fortunato// White Crop Top - Asos// Striped Culottes - Tanya Taylor// Raffia Tote - Folk Fortune// Wood Heels - Vince

Wardrobe of the Weekend Warrior

Iโ€™m not FOOLinโ€™ anyone today - while I may spend my waking hours day dreaming-up outfits for my fantasy glam life, the reality is when Iโ€™m not in work clothes Iโ€™m a walkinโ€™ talkinโ€™ athleisure flauntinโ€™ machine. So todayโ€™s post is about keeping it real and giving the brands that help make my weekends feel easy-breezy-lemon-squeezy the credit they deserve. 

Honorable mentions go to Sleepy Jones, which get me jamminโ€™ in ma jammies (ainโ€™t nothinโ€™ like a sofa par-tay), Outdoor Voices, whose work out gear must be made of magical fibers because they do all the tightening and lifting work for me (spin class full today? that's just too, too bad), and All Birds, the sneaks made of wool that make me feel like Iโ€™m walking on a cloud (both literally and figuratively). I wear the aforementioned on repeat, sprinkle in the rest pictured below, and keep the liquid elixirs on rotation all. weekend. long. 

Stripe Pajamas - Sleepy Jones (Top, Bottom)// Orange Throw - Biscuit Home// Orange Shoes - Llani// Slouchy Tee - Eberjey// Workout Leggings - Outdoor Voices// Sneakers - All Birds// Corkcicle Canteen - Define Body & Mind// Flower PJ Top - Sleepy Jones// Coral Mug - Anthropologie// Gingham PJ Shorts - Sleepy Jones// Silk Slippers - Kumi Kookoon// Black Dress - Nordstrom// Monogram Tote - The Daily Edited// Black Shoes - Llani

Venezuelan Shoulder Dusters: Katherine Cordero

Maybe it doesn't surprise you I'm a big fan of big earrings. And maybe you're thinking another pair of 'em is the last thing the both of us need (we're all in this together, amiright?). But maybe, just maybe, you haven't heard of Katherine Cordero, the Venezuelan artist/jeweler who is taking the Miami ear candy scene by storm. With Frida Kahlo as her muse and the magic of mythology as her inspiration, Cordero is designing creative, hand-made statement pieces that will make your ear lobes feel like they're the life of the fiesta (which is exactly what they deserve after rocking work-approp studs during your weekly 9 to 5).

Since her website is currently under construction (fear not, I'll Paul Revere the news once it's up and running - the party earrings are coming!), I sent my sister to a Camila Canabal trunk show in Miami last week to get the scoop (I ain't too proud to beg). Miamians can also visit Cordero's Wynwood store (deets below) to get their hands on the one of a kind shoulder dusters. So maybe a pair of fun earrings is exactly what you're in the market for after all. And maybe, just maybe, you need some evil eyes to ward away the haters that tell you differently.