H&M; The Garden Collection - My Picks!

I've been to two different H&Ms in the last couple days (Herald Square and Queens Center Mall), so I can safely say that I have seen most - not all - of the new H&M Garden Collection.  Basically I saw everything except for the rose dresses and the neon print skirt + tunic, which may have sold out.  I was never one to fall for H&M collections right after they come out, especially the designer ones which require you to stand in line forever at the crack of dawn.  And that's pretty much impossible because of work anyway.  But since this stuff is slightly more obtainable, I got to enjoy its release.

The Garden collection is made of organic and recycled materials.  Usually their organic cotton line is kind of paper baggish and basic...not always the cutest.  However, I think this collection is a floral dream come true.  It's VERY cute.  And soft.  And sooooo not expensive!  I highly recommend you check it out if you like florals.  There are some items I wouldn't wear, like the shirts with oversized hippie sleeves and maxi dresses (barf).  I will leave that for the moms with beach houses.  Just sayin'...That bottom right dress looks amazing on and is my favorite.  Ruffles upon ruffles.  It's quite perfect. And only $30.

These are my favorite pieces from the Garden collection:

                                  

(photos: H&M)

Winter Into Spring Favorites

Quick changing weather frustrates me because sometimes I get excited and wear new shoes, and the next day I have to wear socks and rainboots.  It can become frustrating.  These days, anything goes, and I am randomly grabbing things.  I think now is the best time (where I live) to start wearing things that I couldn't wear in the winter because before you know it, it will be 90 degrees outside.  Anyways, here are some of my favorite things that I am enjoying right now!

Marc By Marc Jacobs Step Check Coat 

I got this coat from Gilt in January.  I think it's ADORABLE.  And from afar, the colors in the coat blend into what looks like a mint green.  Mint green is one of my favorite colors right now so I had to get this.  My only gripe about this coat is that it has metal snap buttons, and the cute minty buttons are decoration.  I have no problem with the decoration part, but sometimes the metal snap buttons can come undone with little effort.

 Urban Outfitters Twill Trench
I have been on the hunt for a cute trench coat that was spring-y and didn't make me look like a mom.  This one is super cute, but way more money than what it's worth I think.  However, I couldn't pass up the striped lining that peeks through the sleeves when worn rolled up (my preferred way to wear it).

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa
These may be the cutest jelly shoes I have ever owned.  And I have gone through a few Melissa shoes because it's one of my favorite brands for an easy summer shoe. The tortoise bow is the best part of course. They smell like bubblegum and are perfect for warm rain.  My sister got me this pair from the Melissa store in Brazil, where the brand is from. 

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll

A perfect spring scent for me.  I have been wearing it almost everyday now, although I do switch around of course.  It's grapefruity and floraly and is just so light and nice!  I don't have the cap anymore for mine.

MAC Liberty of London

Beauty Powder in Summer Rose 

This beauty powder originally came out with the Rose Romance collection but I didn't buy it at the time.  I didn't even think I was able to pull this color off because I usually stick with peaches and corals.  But I looove this color!  It definitely surprised me.  It gave me a nice flush that didn't look too unnatural. The limited edition packaging also helps in making it awesome too.
 

Essie - Tart Deco

Peachy melon nails are my favorite next to mint green!  Such a cute color.  It was recently featured in Oprah Magazine and I know that whenever something is in Oprah, her minions go out and buy it like there's no tomorrow.  So get it before it's too late!  This is a limited edition color and I think it's perfect for spring...even though my nails are a wreck right now, all breaking and such.  

Richard Alpert Day

I'm not looking to have high expectations. I never do for LOST because I know that as long as it doesn't involve Kate, it will be a solid episode. But tomorrow is a Richard Alpert episode. The first one ever! The fact that they saved a Richard Alpert-centric episode until the final season kind of says a lot. I am very excited.

I am marking tomorrow, March 23, 2010, as Richard Alpert Day. I even baked Nutella Pound Cake for the occasion even though it has nothing to do with anything. I just felt like I had a reason to bake something delicious and bad for you.

Boy Losties should sport their guyliner tomorrow even though for Richard Alpert's case, it's just dark eyelashes mistakenly believed to be guyliner. Also don't forget to blast songs titled "Forever Young" (Alphaville, Bob Dylan, etc.) and I guess Young Forever works too (Jay-Z).

(photo: LOLLost)

Panda Present Day

Today was a great day. It was 70 degrees out. Just a week ago we had a huge storm so this was a treat. I met up with my friend Jewlie today during lunch and she gave me an amazing little present from her mom...a bling'd out rhinestone panda ring! Thank you Jewlie's mom!

Then I come home and I find a package in my mailbox from my friend Nicki in Arizona. I did know a present from her was coming but she also mentioned that I might already have it...But I don't! And I'm so happy because now I'm a proud owner of these cuddly panda mittens! The bad news is that there's a good chance that I might not be able to wear them until it gets cooler again later in the year, but that's okay! Wow, what a panda filled day. I have great friends.

Candy Colored Nails

Now is the best time ever to have candy colored nails...Or at least to stock up on your favorites. They are everywhere and I am 100% in love with this nail trend. To be honest, even during this past winter, I rarely wore dark nail polish. I think neon and pastel creams work best for me. Here's a rundown of my current favorite candy colored nail collections:


China Glaze Up & Away

This is probably my favorite China Glaze Collection so far. It has a mix of both brights and pastels. They look amazing together as a whole and I think aside from the pinks and purples, there are some pretty unique and stand out shades. China Glaze is also one of my favorite brands.

My picks: Peachy Keen - a pastel peachy orange, Four Leaf Clover - a bright teal green, Lemon Fizz - a cute pastel yellow that doesn't look gross and I've never willingly wanted to wear yellow until this one.

Essie Art of Spring

This collection doesn't look that special at all. In fact, it's just a bunch of pinks and purples. But I love it because it has a couple amazing purples.

I usually hate purples that are too dark or vampy. I'm all about light purples and peaches lately. I don't care about reds in most collections, so I pretty much ignored that one. The only thing I hate about Essie is their hit or miss formula for the price.

My picks: Tart Deco - possibly the cutest melon orange ever!, Lilacism - A fun light purple color.


Orly Sweet Collection

I am totally drooling over these colors. Going down the line now, you start to see a trend in these colors. But how cute right? It's kind of like you took half of China Glaze Up & Away and made it into its own collection.


I don't know much about Orly, but I hear good things. These also come with cute little lipglosses attached to them. I say why not.

My picks: Snowcone - this is what I'd consider a perfect pastel creamy blue without being too "baby blue", Cotton Candy - I like that it's a dark light pink. Does that make sense?, Gumdrop - I always give minty greens a chance, and this one seems like a dark mint green. Definitely darker than Essie Mint Candy Apple..Loves it!

Maybelline Sweet Thing

This is my first time trying Maybelline nail polishes and the quality is supreme craptown. Worse than Essie. To make up for the poor quality, Maybelline has delivered with a couple limited edition colors that are definitely ones to hunt down at your local drugstores.

Also, a good top coat (I recommend Posche or Seche Vite) will turn magically transform goopy application into a glassy finish.

My picks: Minty - possibly the best mint green I have ever worn. It is not a Chanel Jade duplicate. It's a true mint green. It's PERFECT! This is my favorite favorite. Pie in the Sky - a periwinkle blue, Sweetie Pie - a light peachy pink.