Easter

Everyone is looking!!!!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays and this past weekend did not disappoint.  Friday night we had friends over to celebrate the last Friday of Lent with my hubby's fantastic fish tacos, Saturday night my sister, brother-in-law and their children came to spend the night and Sunday we spent all day with my family.  There really is nothing better than a weekend filled with friends and family.  I must admit, I was a bit sad Sunday night to see it all come to an end.

clockwise from top left: Our Easter eggs, cousin's sleepover, the Easter Bunny's tracks on our front porch, a little cousin love

Nana and Papa with the Grandkids

Easter Egg Hunt!

My incredible (and rather large) family

Bettina

As the weather continues to get warmer, I begin to realize two things.  The first is that my toes are in desperate need of some love.  My inability to maintain pedicures has taken its toll and I need to step it up.  It is not about pampering but about not being embarrassed.  Second, it begins the justification of updating my sandal collection as they are the only shoes I live in from now until Fall.  I have been eyeing these Rebecca Minkoff Bettina Flat Sandals for a while.  They are a great price and simple enough to go with everything in my closet. I need to just pull the trigger and order.  My favorite is the nude magic but how fun would the neon pink be?

Nude Magic

Neon Pink

Gold

322 Posts

One year and 322 posts.  I can't believe it.  When I wrote my first post (click here to read it! ), I had NO IDEA what I was doing when it came to blogging.  I really did not expect anyone to read it and thought it would just be a great creative outlet.  I was nervous about exposing myself (I actually thought I would keep this anonymous....silly me) and did not know my writing style yet.  I laugh at some of my first few months of blogging.  It does not even sound like the same person.  It has been fun to see myself "grow up" as a blogger and to share it with the world.

One thing  I did not expect out of blogging are the amazing relationships that I have developed.  Whether it is other bloggers, PR professionals, mommy entrepreneurs, magazines, retailers, or all the women (and perhaps men) that read my blog, leave comments and tweet me, I never considered the impact a blog could have in my life.  It has been a pleasure "getting to know" all of you and I look forward to continuing these relationships while building more.

I want to thank each one of you for all the support you have given Juggling in Heels over the past year.  It means more to me than you know and I am looking forward to seeing what can happen with the blog over the next year.  If it is half as fun as this first year has been, sorry, but I am in this for the long haul and you are going to keep hearing from me (well, unless you stop following but I hope that is not the case!).

To wrap up my day of celebration, I am not only going to eat the above cupcake but am also going to share 10 items with you that you may not know about me.  Weird that I have not shared any of this before but better late than never right?

1. I am the oldest of 6 kids and my youngest sister is only 4 years older than my Oldest.  They go to the same school, which is somewhat strange.

2. I have a major fear of drowning even though swimming was my sport and I was a lifeguard for years.

3. Yes I am 6ft tall but I have never played volleyball (probably the number one question I am asked).

4. My favorite book of all time is Gone with the Wind and Scarlett O'Hara is my favorite literary character.

5. Even though I live a corporate life two days a week, I still get jealous sometimes of women who have a full time job and are still climbing the corporate ladder.  I love being home a lot with my kids but I miss the corporate life sometimes.

6. I have an issue with claustrophobia and freaked out during an MRI (I am hoping I NEVER need one EVER again.)

7. I love to dance.  LOVE IT.  LOVE IT.  LOVE IT.

8. I know (almost) every word to every 80's song.  My hubby says I would be a genius if I empty all that information from my head and put something useful in there. I find it useful.  You never know when you are going to be asked to karaoke.

9. I adore coffee and wine but cannot stand soda of any kind....except for when it is in a Vodka Press.

10.  I talk A LOT (all my friends and family can attest to this).

And with that.....HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JUGGLING IN HEELS!

   

Kate Spade and Color

As a follow up to my last two posts on color and Spring trends, when I think of bright and colorful, the first designer that comes to mind is Kate Spade.  I am not sure anyone does color better.  Every time I see something of hers I instantly think of vacation, summertime and celebrations.  Crazy visualization from a few colorful items?  Perhaps, but there is just something extremely cheerful about her collections.  Pops of color at its best.

Au Contraire Hinged Bangle

Cobble Hill Ellen Crossbody

Baublebox Clip Earrings

"Robin" Sandal

Mina Shift Dress

iPhone case

Spring Trends with Brooke Jaffe - Part 2

As a follow up to yesterday's post, (if you missed it, click here!) after the interview with Brooke, we headed over to Anqi for lunch and the Spring Trend presentation.  Brooke walked all of the attendees through what we are seeing in stores this Spring and how to wear it, using a fashion show to bring it to life.  What I loved most about the presentation is that nothing was too over the top and every outfit we saw was something that would be so easy to transition from "runway to home".  It also confirmed that I MUST get my printed floral pants, I really need a reason for a Great Gatsby dress and I have an obsession with bright handbags, as apparent through all my pictures below.

My two favorite items of the show.  I ADORE both.
Sue Wong Dress and DVF pants.

Remember my post on this here?

I REALLY want to get this.

I want to thank Brooke Jaffe and everyone at Bloomingdale's for having me be a part of such a fabulous event! 

Spring Trends with Brooke Jaffe - Part 1

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Bloomingdale's Spring Trend lunch with host Brooke Jaffe, Fashion Director of accessories and shoes.  Not only did I get to see an incredible presentation on what to look for this season but I was also able to spend a few minutes prior with Brooke to ask some questions on what we are seeing in stores, along with what to expect this upcoming Fall.  Because there are just too many great things to share, I am going to share everything in two posts.  Here is the first part, the interview.

First things first.  How long have you been in the fashion industry?
I have worked in fashion for 11 years.  I began my career at Vogue as the Assistant to the Accessories Director.  After that I moved to InStyle as the Associate Accessories Editor and later moved into the role of Accessories Editor.  After InStyle I moved to Bloomingdale's where I have been for 4 1/2 years.

What are we going to see in stores this Spring season?

With regards to accessories and shoes, you are going to see a lot of ballet flats, kitten heels and color, color, color!  Color is the biggest update for Spring but it doesn't have to be obvious.  It is the time to begin incorporating color combinations into your wardrobe, two at a time.  I am loving cobalt blue with coral and hot pink with yellow.  For example, if last season you were wearing cobalt blue jeans with a white t-shirt, this season, add a neon skinny belt or sandals in color.  You can embrace the color combination trend without going over the top.  You are also going to see earrings making a big comeback this season.  From Betty Draper buttons to chandeliers, earrings are the statement piece to add to your ensemble.  Aqua (exclusive to Bloomingdale's) has some great pieces along those lines.  I also love colored, stacked bangles.  Finally, totes are a perfect statement piece to incorporate color without going over the top.  A tote in lime green is a great example of this.

Do you find that fashion is drastically different between Los Angeles and New York?
It depends.  For example, we see a lot more color year round in the West due to the weather.  In the end though, if a fashion trend is on the runway, you will see it from coast to coast.

For the woman who loves her Tory Burch flats but wants a change from the expected, what would you recommend?

There are so many great options in flats right now.  Sam Edelman has a great lace up oxford, which is a style you are going to see a lot this upcoming Fall too.  Menswear is a trend that continues and will lead your flats from Spring to Fall.

When investing in accessories what are your thoughts on the value of the investment?
A classic handbag is always in style, but it is also functional.  You will definitely get your use out of it.  When it comes to shoes, a great shoe can transform any outfit and completely change it from day to night.  I also believe in making an investment in great ready-to-wear because those pieces will last forever.

You mentioned previously that menswear is going to be big this Fall.  What other trends are we going to see this year?

You are going to continue to see color but it will be transitioned towards more of a jeweled tone.  Ox blood, navy and emerald green are going to be everywhere.  Leather will continue to be on trend but it will veer away from black and tan.  You are going to see colored leather in these jeweled tones as well.  Fur is also back in a big way.  You will also see the influence of aristocracy from todays aristocrats like Kate Middleton to shows such as Downton Abbey.  Classic sophistication is definitely "in".

One personal question.  What is your most coveted piece in your closet?

This is a hard one.  I would have to say the bracelet I received from my Grandmother and my Sergio Rossi boots.  They are my go-to.  When I put them on, everything looks better.

Beyond the above questions, Brooke and I had great small talk on fashion as a whole and what we love about it.  She was a pleasure to speak with and I walked away wishing I had her job (who wouldn't!).  Tomorrow you will get to see all the pictures from the lunch!

Bachelorette Time!

Yesterday I returned home from an awesome bachelorette party in San Luis Obispo to celebrate my Best Friend E's upcoming wedding.  It was a weekend of laughs, drinking, eating, wine tasting and relaxing and I could not have asked for more.  There really is nothing better than being surrounded by some pretty amazing people for three days.  What would a girl do without friends?!  If you have never been to San Luis Obispo, you really must go.  It was not named the "Happiest City in America" by Oprah for no reason.  Being that the majority of us went to college there, it was so fun to reminisce (and realize that we are MUCH older than college students now...oh my they look like children!).  Sort of crazy how long it has been (not too long people....I am not that old!).  Overall, it was an amazing weekend and though I am happy to be home with my hubby and little ones, nothing refreshes me more than a little friend getaway.