In Spades

Style... in abundance

Edgy Florals for Spring

Alice & Olivia Floral Print DressAlice & Olivia Floral Print DressAlice & Olivia Floral Print Dress Alice & Olivia Floral Print Dress Alice & Olivia Floral Print DressAlice & Olivia Floral Print Dress Alice & Olivia Floral Print DressAlice & Olivia dress (similar here and here) // Nordstrom sunglasses
Elizabeth Cole x Banana Republic earrings (similar here)
Banana Republic heels (similar here and here)

If you’ve been reading In Spades for a while, you know I’m not much of a dress girl.  I prefer good denim, killer shoes and a statement jacket.  Anything that toes the line of masculinity, excessive volume and structure is number one in my style book.  But as my due date draws nearer and nearer, pants (denim especially) don’t work.

Thus, I’ve become a dress girl.

When I saw this Alice & Olivia dress I immediately fell in love with the print.  The exotic birds and florals set against a black backdrop is the perfect spring touch without being too girlie.  It’s not normally a silhouette I would wear (when have you seen me in bodycon?) but at this stage in my life, it’s so flattering and comfortable.  Major score.

For spring I’ve been all about white accessories, and these $14 sunglasses are a steal.  Can’t you just picture them poolside in Palm Springs?  Definitely adding that excursion to my summer bucket list!

If you’re looking for great quality jewelry at an affordable price, I highly recommend Banana Republic.  They do amazing collaborations with higher end designers like Elizabeth Cole (pictured here) and Giles & Brother, and always have a sale going.  Their collection is extensive so you don’t have to worry about sporting the exact same earrings as 10 other girls when attending an event.

My earrings are just about sold out, but the matching necklace is still available and would look amazing with a simple white tee and jeans.  Currently an investment piece, hold out for a sale – I guarantee Banana will have one soon!

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The Ultimate 3-in-1 Belt Bag for Spring

Missoni dress & Prada handbagMissoni dress & Prada handbag Missoni dress & Prada handbagMissoni dress & Prada handbag Missoni dress & Prada handbag Missoni dress & Prada handbagMissoni dress & Prada handbag Missoni dress & Prada handbag Missoni dress & Prada handbagMissoni dress ($56 version here) // Stuart Weitzman sandals ($80 version here)
Prada bag ($25 version here) // Le Specs sunglasses

Last week I talked about circle bags and this week I’m all about the belt bag.

With spring in full bloom and my due date three weeks away, my wardrobe has transitioned to be exclusively about dresses.  Although I have a couple pairs of maternity jeans, pants are just not something I’m interested in tackling right now – hah!  Thankfully, this is California and it’s not the dead of winter.

I picked up this dress prior to our Miami trip and have worn it several times since.  Shocking I know, as its metallic knit leans a tad dressy, but trust me when I say it’s perfect for daytime outings too.  I’ve styled it with a low, block heeled sandal for weekend brunch (it’d also be great for Easter) and with a stiletto for evenings out to dinner.

The accessory it’s constantly paired with is this amazing crossbody bag.  A “3-in-1”, the gold chain is removable and the bag can be carried as a clutch.  It also comes with a belt attachment to be worn as the most stylish fanny pack ever.  Stay tuned for what this beauty looks like as a belt bag.  Even with a pregnant belly, it works!

I’ve been eyeing a belt bag for quite some time and finding out I was pregnant was actually the perfect excuse (blame it on the baby, hah!) to pull the trigger.  I know after Baby P arrives being handsfree will be key.  Belt bags are the perfect alternative for moms on the go who just need their essentials, while the baby’s gear can go into a diaper bag.

If you follow me on Instagram you know I teased my search for a non-conventional diaper bag.  Stay tuned next week for the reveal – trust me, it’s a good one!

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Circle Bags for Spring

Vasic New York Circle BagVasic New York Circle BagVasic New York Circle Bag Vasic New York Circle Bag Vasic New York Circle Bag Vasic New York Circle Bag Vasic New York Circle BagVasic New York circle bag (c/o) // Marques Almeida dress (70% off) // Haider Ackermann boots
Love Tatum initial necklace // Banana Republic earrings (similar here)

I’ve been wanting a circle bag for ages, so when I laid eyes on this pretty white number from Vasic New York, I knew it would be my spring handbag go-to.

The white leather (it also comes in black) combined with the straw/raffia effect gives it a perfect casual yet elegant vibe.  I’ve written before about my love for Vasic New York and if you’ve yet to check out the line, put it on your must list.  Now carried at major retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Shopbop, Vasic is not to be missed.  The quality of their bags is topnotch, their designs fashion-forward, and their pricepoints incredibly reasonable.

You may remember my green suede number from last fall that also made an appearance at NYFW in February.

What I love about circle bags for spring is the feminine shape.  They remind me of the 1950’s when women carried hat boxes and train cases.  Dainty and eye-catching, they evoke the soft vibes I often associate with spring.

This bag comes with a detachable crossbody strap (something I rely on more and more with handbags) making it the perfect bag for travel and running errands.  Not many circle bags out there come with a hands-free option, so this feature is key (especially with a baby on the way).

With lighter bags I like to pair pieces that really make them pop, so instead of going traditional spring florals or pastels, I chose this vibrant cobalt sweaterdress.  Not only is it a pregnancy wardrobe dream, but the bold color really highlights the beautiful white leather.

My earrings were a major sale score as part of Banana Republic’s designer collaboration, and while they’re still available, I found a similar pair under $40.

What do you think of circle bags for spring?  Let me know your dream list in the comments!

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Not Just Another Maternity Line

Matron Saint Queen V-Back DressMatron Saint Queen V-Back DressMatron Saint Queen V-Back DressMatron Saint Queen V-Back Dress Matron Saint Queen V-Back DressMatron Saint Queen V-Back DressMatron Saint Queen V-Back dress c/o (non-maternity option here)
Sunset & Sprint faux leather jacket (similar here)
Nordstrom sunglasses // Rebecca Minkoff ankle boots (similar here)

Well, we’re in the home stretch.  Only 5 more weeks of pregnancy to go before I reach full-term.  I’ve been incredibly lucky to feel great throughout this pregnancy.  One aspect of feeling great is looking great, and finding comfortable clothes that fit is essential with a growing bump.

I’ve talked before about my aversion to maternity clothes and was thrilled when Matron Saint reached out to me.  Their philosophy is to encourage women to rock their personal style, baby bump or not.  Being pregnant doesn’t mean sacrificing what you love to wear or conforming to a societal “mom uniform”.  Their clothes are designed to be worn post-partum too, allowing you to mix and match accessories and layers as your body changes.

This long sleeved dress is so comfy I could sleep in it.  I love the deep “V” detail in the back and the soft grey is perfect for transitioning from winter to spring.

To play up the arrival of spring, I paired it with white accessories.  These sunglasses come in three colors and are only $14!

I first acquired these white booties prior to NYFW September 2017, and they haven’t let me down since.  There are so many fabulous white boot options out there right now – I’m loving the slouchy look, the knife boot silhouette and the kitten heel (all linked below).

As I near closer and closer to my due date, I’ll be sharing more pregnancy style tips and thoughts.  If there’s anything specific you want to hear about, let me know in the comments!

Stay tuned for a post on my new diaper bag.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know it’s a stunner!

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NYFW F/W18 Day 5

NYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTD NYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTDNYFW FW18 Day 5 OOTDShop the Post

And thus, we’ve come to the bittersweet ending my friends.

Almost 5 years ago we booked a trip to NY two weeks before fashion week.  We had zero connections, no plan or strategy and probably 200 Instagram followers.

But I knew we had to be there.  That I’d find a community that shared the same profound love for something I take very seriously.

In the time since, we’ve made lifelong friends, met up-and-coming and established designers, had our work appear in Nylon, InStyle, Pop Sugar and reposted by Net-a-Porter plus countless designers, witnessed the final collections of legendary American masters like Betsey Johnson and Donna Karan, and seen NYFW go from an editors only elite club, to the heavily saturated influencer audience it includes today.

I’m eternally grateful for being able to say I’m a very small cog in this wheel of beautiful, chaotic creativity.  Especially since I get to do it with my forever partner in crime.

Not a bad dream come true for two scrappy kids from San Diego.

Each season NYFW gets better and better.  F/W18 ended on the highest note yet.

Bevza

Bevza FW18Bevza FW18 Bevza FW18Bevza FW18Our final day of NYFW had the most varied designer lineup.  I loved the diversity.

First up was Bevza, a Ukrainian line that excels in minimalism.  Razor clean silhouettes, soft color palettes and clothing that is both structured, yet appears to float on air give the brand an almost aristocratic feel.

Continuing with the theme of the week, Bevza showed a F/W collection that could have easily applied to spring as well.  From mint to ivory to deep navy, the collection featured puffer coats in animal prints giving the illusion of exotic skins without the ethical conundrum.

Dresses and separates were created in the highest quality silk.  Slinking down the runway with nipped waistlines and accented with belt bags, they looked incredibly comfortable and regal.

I adored the oversized blazers with strong shoulders and form fitting dresses with corseted bust lines and bodysuit etching.  Understated yet sexy.

Backstage with CND for LibertineCND Libertine FW18 CND Libertine FW18 CND Libertine FW18

From pristine minimalist to the height of maximalism we went.

Prior to the start of the Libertine show, we went backstage with CND to check out the nail art.

Fun fact: two years ago my husband sat next to CND Co-Founder Jan Nordstrom Arnold on a plane.  They struck up a conversation about the work that goes into making fashion and beauty all look effortless.  We’ve followed CND’s next-level fashion week creations ever since.

Libertine head designer Johnson Hartig dives deep into every aspect of the NYFW creative process.  He insists Jan wear the entire collection before it walks the runway to better create her artistic vision for the models’ nails.  Not just an accessory to the clothes, the nails take on part of the message.

For F/W18 it was about tender love and cozy rebellion.  4000 feet of silk fringe flown in from South Africa was hand dyed, comprising 400 hours of craftsmanship.

Fringe dripped out of pockets and dragged on the floor creating texture that was so visually alluring you wanted to reach out and touch it.  Matte textures were created with boomerang nail files and powder that looked like sugar coating.

It was all insanely amazing.

Libertine

Libertine FW18Libertine FW18Libertine FW18 Libertine FW18 Libertine FW18

Libertine’s F/W18 show can be described in one word.  P-A-R-T-Y.

If the closing walk is any indication, this show was FUN.

It’s not too often the husband and I have to split up during NYFW, but this was one instance where it happened and boy was I bummed.  If only I could have been in two places at once!

What I love about Libertine is the way it’s equally whimsical and edgy.  From bold colors and bejeweled watch appliqués to studded skulls over black wool, the collection made you take serious notice but with a smirk.

The fringe detail on jackets and dresses flowed seamlessly with the nail art.  I adored the lace and sequins pieces, especially the Cher jacket that said “Do You Believe” on the front.

When the models danced down the runway for the finale, everyone in the audience was dancing along in their seats.  Libertine F/W18 was an ornate display of fabulosity.

Veronica Beard

Veronica Beard FW18Veronica Beard FW18 Veronica Beard FW18Veronica Beard FW18While the husband danced along with Libertine, I headed over to Veronica Beard.

I first attended her show in September, and it was that collection that inspired my velvet headband from Day 1 of NYFW F/W18.  From the tropical S/S18 vibes of 1970s Aculpoco to 1980s Dallas we went.

Dubbed “Denim & Diamonds” Beard explored a time when style was dominated by socialites and cowboys.  Iridescent fabric was found on leisure suits and cocktail dresses for the socialite crowd, while lace-up flares, crisp denim separates and suede prairie dresses represented the cowboy set.

It was the little details that made the collection for me.  Plaid neckties, diamond encrusted belts, fur sleeves and leather trimmed lapels all added a level of design that was exciting and fun.

That’s a wrap.  Until September 2018 my friends!

ICYMI: here is my coverage of NYFW F/W18 Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.

Bevza and Libertine photos by Matthew Passiglia