Girls Night Out

Trying on dozens of outfits, pouring over which shoes will maximize style with minimal discomfort, soliciting texts about whether shimmery eyeshadow is too much... and that's just getting ready.

Rachel Roy captures the spirit of the evening adventures of a trio of female friends in her video "Girls Night Out." The animation is both quirky and fun, exactly what a night out with friends should be.

Some girls night out essentials:

• A crossbody bag (or clutch) just big enough for the essentials: phone, credit card/cash, and lip gloss.
• A camera to document the evening's shenanigans.
• An outfit that makes you feel pretty and a little rebellious.
• Shoes that make you smile.
• Over the top accessories.
• Amazing friends.

And the Oscar Goes to...

Well, not that Oscar. It's hard to be in the mindset for New York Fashion Week's fall ready to wear collections while waiting so impatiently for spring, but beautiful clothes are season-less.

Oscar de la Renta is known for his classic silhouettes and feminine detailing, as well as bright pops of color and print. He credits his youth in Santo Domingo for influencing his design asthetic, "My great strength is knowing who I am and where I come from – my island.” While his fall collection featured more neutral colors and an abundance of fur, there were still plenty of patterns. Some of my favorite looks:

Karlie Kloss could make anything look good, but I love the fur topper and patterned coat paired with leather boots. It feels very Dr. Zhivago (read: elegantly beautiful) to me.

 I love the feminine details on these two pale-hued dresses. The silhouette of the first is incredibly figure flattering, and the second is very whimsical and fun. Though the styling of the second makes it a bit too "Ice Princess" for my taste, I think it's a lovely party dress.

You can see OdlR's signature love of bright colors and prints in this gorgeous gown. It manages to balance sophistication with an eclectic touch.

I love the detailing of this neckline. Simply beautiful.

Images via Style.com

Peachy Keen

I love the inspiration that comes from an unexpected pop of color. I'm presently fixated on the color peach; it's both warm and fresh. Of course, nothing says spring like a bright skirt. I'd love to celebrate the upcoming season in any of these skirts.

Herve Leger

Miu Miu

Naven

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I happened to walk past a fruit stand on the morning of Valentine's Day, and I saw the most beautiful strawberries at an unbelievable price (especially considering the season!). Of course, immediately I knew that in honor of the holiday, I'd put them to good use with the best of counterparts: chocolate.

First, I washed and patted the strawberries dry. Use a paper towel to make sure the berries are completely dry, as excess moisture will prevent the chocolate from sticking.

 I don't like the fuss of a double boiler, so I opted to melt the chocolate in the microwave. Be sure to warm the chocolate is small increments, decreasing the time as the chocolate is nearly fully melted. Chocolate burns easily, and there's nothing worse than ruining something so delicious.

I dipped each strawberry in the melted white chocolate, then placed them on a baking pan that I had cooled in the refrigerator. I'd recommend lining it with parchment paper if you have it on hand, as it will make the removal easier.

 

To decorate, I melted a small amount of dark chocolate in a plastic bag (again in small increments of time), then snipped a small hole in the corner to use as a makeshift pipping bag. The squiggles are the easiest design, but I also played around with letters, hearts, and panda faces. 

The final product was delicious. Unsurprisingly, they hardly lasted the day. As soon as my Valentine's Day sugar rush wears off, I'll be on the lookout for more fruit to cover in chocolate. After all, that makes these somewhat healthy... right?

Heart on Your Sleeve

You can wear your heart on your sleeve for Valentine's Day... but why limit yourself? Here are some of my favorite holiday themed pieces. Whether or not you choose to wear head to toe hearts is entirely up to you.

 

 A cheery printed cardigan (Forever21, $22.80)

 

A flirty pink skirt (See by Chloe, $125).

 Heart printed tights (Topshop, £8.50)

Sparkly shoe clips (Ban.do, $25).

Here's to an excuse to wear head to toe pink!

Love and Life

"Where there is love there is life." -Gandhi

Gearing up for Valentine's Day. Be on the lookout for a fun new recipe Monday!

Image via weheartit

Tortoise Watches

When it comes to sunglasses, a tortoise pair is timeless, elegant, and chic. Tortoise isn't just reserved for one type of accessory, however, as these watches demonstrate.

Michael Kors seems to be the king of tortoise watches (1. $180, 2. $195, 3. $195).

 If you're looking for a less pricey version, this Anne Klein watch is equally versatile (4. $65).

Finally, for those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic, this Nixon version is perfection (5. $60).

No sense in being fashionably late when you can be on time with such stylish watches.