How To: Shorts & Tights for Spring

Winter is probably the more common season to find fashionistas rocking the shorts and tights look. It’s so easy to streamline an all black ensemble by pairing an opaque black tight with shorts and boots, but when it comes time for budding trees and blooming flowers, the combination isn’t quite as simple. There are ways, however, to dawn this fashion forward fusion without looking like you’re stuck in Narnia (or winter for those of you unfamiliar with the movie). The keys to making this transitional look spring-ready are colored tights, casual, frayed denim and flowy shorts.

We’ve taken three tops (a casual burnout tank, chiffon blouse and light sweater) pairing each with the shorts/tights combination to show you the varied ways this look can be created.

You can still go for the black tights/black shorts mix, just make sure to wear a bold pop of color, like this Robbi & Nikki blouse, and a bright, spring-inspired shoe (we couldn’t think of a better way to incorporate floral into this outfit).

When going casual try a high-waisted short that offers a bit of refinement. This keeps the overall look from appearing too messy (save the ripped shorts for a solid blouse or sweater, it’s all about balance). Have a little fun with sheer colored tights, we’re thinking something terra cotta colored, and then finish the look with a neutral flat.

Light sweaters are the crème de la crème of transitional pieces. They always have a way of polishing even the most relaxed of ensembles, so we thought we’d show you how to blend their classic nature with casual denim and tights. Go for a cuffed, slightly worn short (something similar to the ones we chose here) and a sheer black or navy tight (don’t be afraid to try color too). We adore the platform sandal as a cake topper to this layered look.

These are just a few of the ways you can begin incorporating tights and shorts into your everyday. Don’t be afraid to experiment on your own, just keep in mind the pointers we’ve shared!

Featured Outfits:

Left: Top: Robbi & Nikki (available at Cerato Boutique); Shorts: Marc Jacobs; Shoes: Nine West

Center: Top: BB Dakota (available at Cerato Boutique); Shorts: H&M; Shoes: Chloe

Right: Top: Oxmo (available at Cerato Boutique); Shorts: Rag & Bone; Shoes: Steve Madden

How To: Spa Week

Today marks the beginning of spa week (or should we say our favorite week next to fashion week) and as an ode to its brilliance we’ve dedicated this post to everything Zen-like. From dresses with hues that instantly send us into swirls of relaxation, to products that spoil your skin with soft luminosity, we couldn’t be more excited to think and write about the pampering we all deserve.

Suspending our busy lives for the selfish pleasure of a calm euphoria isn’t exactly something we’re used to. However, we see the importance in (occasionally) treating ourselves, and what’s more convincing than a week when pampering doesn’t come at the expense of our purse strings?  Yeah, we can’t argue with that either, so here’s some spa-like favorites we’ve found that will surely appease your tranquil appetites.

Spa Week Prep List:

This Robbi & Nikki maxi exudes ease and effortlessness, the perfect match for your post-massage easygoing attitude. Its radiant color will pair well with your beaming smile as you gracefully glide down the glittering sidewalk (we imagine you’ll be transported into a state of such bliss that even gray will look more like gold).

If you opt for a facial (though we think you should get one of everything), these skin care lines by Comfort Zone and Benefit are the ultimate in upkeep.

Comfort Zone offers organic scrubs and body butters to relieve your youthful glow of dead, dry skin while retaining moisture and keeping the silky smoothness of a body wrap treatment. We also love when products are created without all the harmful chemicals, so we couldn’t pass an opportunity to feature one of the best.

Also within the Comfort Zone family is the Renight facial line, featuring moisture boosting creams and derma-fillers. Talk about products that will keep you from ever walking into a plastic surgeons office. With the help of these essentials you’ll be able to put off that follow-up facial for months at a time!

Benefit is also on the skin savvy train with products like this B.right six-piece starter set, the ideal kit for testing their most beloved in skin care maintenance. Their focus is keeping your face looking young and vibrant, allowing your makeup to be less of a cover-up and more of a means for enhancement. We love a makeup company that keeps our skin’s health at the top of their list, even when we may not.

These are our must-haves for kicking off (and maintaining the radiance of) spa week! We can’t wait to pamper ourselves rotten this week, and we can only hope you do the same—we know you deserve it!

*Robbi & Nikki maxi is available at Cerato Boutique, or online. Comfort Zone skin care lines are available at Fuga Salon & Spa (ask for advice from their Estheticians, not only are they wonderful, but incredibly knowledgeable!)

How To: Belts

Don’t be afraid to belt it out.

The one accessory grossly underutilized: belts. We all know how to stack on the bracelets and lay on the necklaces, but for some reason, we neglect to consider our belting options. Perhaps this has something to do with the overexposure to horrible belt trends in the 90s (we’ll admit they even managed to bleed into the Millennium). Belts were (too) often slung around our hips neither accentuating our waists nor keeping our pants up.  And if they weren’t belts, they were sashes covered in sequins or seashells. Oh, and let us not forget to mention the seatbelt/bottle cap trend—yes, we’re still trying to figure out why that one didn’t stick. Our point is, belts (no matter how they’re fashioned), will always be on-trend. It’s just a matter of figuring out how to wear them, when it’s appropriate to wear them and most of all, to remember to wear them.

Here are some helpful tips:

1)    We love the loose-fitted nature of a great blouse, especially during the day. However, we think it’s important to recognize how easily a belt can transform your look from safe to striking. Not only are waist belts figure flattering, but they can be just as effective as a statement necklace. Don’t be afraid to mix prints and patterns, patent leather skinny belts or wide woven bands, gold or silver, neon or neutral—your options are endless. A simple belt is the key ingredient to recreating a piece again and again

2)    We all own and adore slouchy sweaters, but sometimes they look a little more boho than chic. These instances are when belts really prove their worth. A way to add definition to a hidden waistline, a skinny belt (or really any belt for that matter) is the go to accessory for an open, closure-less cardigan. Aside from the obvious practicality, they can add sophistication and refinement to an effortless day look.

3)   A belt’s most apparent use is, not surprisingly, as adornment. They can add edge to a feminine frock or polish to a plain LBD. Though they can be utilized in a functional way, we’re completely okay with their decorative nature. We’re in love with their playfulness and endless possibility, an accessory that truly epitomizes the word “timeless.”

How To: Pastels

Pastels can be problematic, especially around Easter time. Looking like you fell face-first into the multi-colored paper shreddings of an Easter basket is so 90s. Actually, we’re  trying to remember when this was ever a good look–for anyone. With that said, we’re here to give you full disclosure on how to wear your pastels (yes, you can wear more than one without looking like a dip-dyed Easter egg) and remain on-trend.

Tip #1: As demonstrated in the image above, pastels are a great addition to bright, contrasting colors. Lay your bright blue (red, yellow, or purple) pants on your bed, grab a bunch of solid colored pastel blouses or tanks and just start mixing them up. We’re guessing your first thought wouldn’t be bright blue and light pink, but it works flawlessly. Tie this look together with another pop of color  (we’ve chosen an orange wrap watch with gold detailing) and neutral shoes.

Tip #2: This suggestion is especially helpful when tackling those pastel jeans everyone seems to be obsessing over. It’s almost too easy to pair your pants with a neutral top, so consider mixing it up with a print. Bold prints work extremely well, especially leopard, geometric blocks of color (go for bright, rich hues) and florals. When accessorizing, stick to multi-toned metals and lots of them!

Tip #3: Our final tip is probably far from what you’d expect: layering pastel on top of pastel. We weren’t exactly sold on the idea at first either, but after observing the style cue in Vogue, we changed our minds. The key to wearing this correctly is in the pieces you choose. Pastel itself is feminine, so mixing pieces and accessories that seem to balance a feminine flare with a structured sense of edge is how you achieve this look. Try a pastel pant with a structured, pastel blouse (look for something with interesting detail) and clutch (a pastel clutch with studs–perfect). Definitely stray from matching, picking pieces that offer contrast through detail and structure rather than color.

Now, who’s up for a pastel party?

Get the Look:

Pants & Top: Robbi & Nikki 

Watch: Kristin Hassan