pantone color report

I just love, love LOVE these colors from pantone's fall 2012 color collection. Especially rose smoke... how gorgeous it would look with french roast or, my favorite stand-by, black. It's refreshing to see some brighter colors too, such as tangerine tango. I will feel confident wearing these gold earrings well into December! Now, I'm on the hunt for a cozy fall sweater in honey gold or rhapsody. Aren't these colors such fun...

image via pantone

oh, wear! noir

Black feels so comfortable and familiar to me. Wearing black makes me feel safe and sophisticated even if I'm having a bad hair day. Black seems so rote when it comes to party or evening attire, but I always find it classic and appealing. After all, it's not called a little black dress for nothing. Here's my sparkly version... an ode to noir.

to have and to hold

Hero Hubby and I will be celebrating the union of two friends in September. I love weddings and a destination fall wedding in New England is the loveliest of times. Yes, a weekend without the littles means my clothes have a fair shot at not being stained by food, poop (sorry, but it happens) or any other goo you don't want to be wearing, never mind cleaning up. For two days and two nights I get to be an adult... eating hot meals, having conversations (and finishing them) reading a book, drinking hot beverages without peril of being burned or burning someone, wearing earrings, and, my favorite, bathing on a whim.

So, what to wear for this glorious weekend of sanity? Here are a few compilations to inspire...

the last two sets were created by amandammorris 

currently crushing on: colorful sandals

I must have a pair of these seychelles sandals. They are everything I love in a summer shoe. The trouble is deciding which color combination I like the best. I'm leaning toward no. 1... but then there's no. 4. What's your pick?

enter april

I like the month of April. Not just because it's my birthday month or the month I started this blog. No, I like April mostly because it's the light at the end of the winter tunnel here in New England. Usually. This year it looks like we will actually have a spring and these images are the perfect palette to celebrate the budding leaves and sprouting flowers. Soon enough sandals and sundresses will replace the wool sweaters and corduroys that hang in closet. They've had a long winter and are ready to rest in storage for a few seasons and I'm oh-so-willing to give that to them!

images from W magazine via fellt.com

stripes and skirts

I've been seeing a lot of combinations of striped tops and sold skirts lately. The look is effortlessly chic and offers a million ways to layer in accessories. I'll be adding a nude sandal, a bright over-sized bag and, of course, some Marissa B. jewelry!


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currently coveting: unmentionables

Actually, these undergarments are so very mentionable. Maybe it's some post v-day daydreams, but these "unmentionables" from Anthropologie have me thinking about doing some early spring cleaning of my top dresser drawer. 

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oh, wear! winter neutrals

The snow forecast for this weekend has me thinking about the put-together elegance of neutrals. I particularly like these boots - they look like they will hold up well in all sorts of weather and they are stylish to boot (pun intended). Do you like the newest pearl earring design? It just would not feel right to be all bundled up without some kind of trinket hiding beneath those fuzzy ear-muffs.

sweater | pants | coat | boots | mittens | ear muffs | pearl earrings

how to win these earrings!

What better way to start the new year than with a pair of Marissa B. earrings? Bonbon Earrings in sky blue quartz, to be exact. These are *spanking* new from the spring collection and I know you'll look just lovely in them. Here's how to win:

• Visit our Facebok page, like Marissa B. and share this post (url: http://sideofsparkle.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-win-these-earrings.html )
• Tweet about our Rue La La promotion, word for word: Love gorgeous jewelry? @MarissaBjewelry is offering a $25 for $50 deal on @RueLaLa: http://www.ruelala.com/product/detail/eventId/43577/styleNum/4112791740/viewAll/0

Then, just post a comment on this post letting me know about your tweet/FB share. One winer will be chosen this Saturday, 1/14. Feel free to enter more than once. Thanks for participating!

spring dreamin'

Even though the temperature outside is reading 9 degrees, I am keeping up a warmer climes state of mind as I finalize the spring 2012 collection for marissab.com. I'm loving the colors seen spilling down the runways (hello pistachio!) and can't wait to see some of those same colors spilling out of my closet in the next several months. Who can resist a powdery blue called "ballgown?" Here's a look at what's in store for spring color 2012.

oh, wear! Thanksgiving style

My rules for dress these days are simple: items that I will make it into the Goodwill bin in about two years (oh, and nothing that requires dry-cleaning...or that I would hate to see food imbedded into). Until Violet and Laela master the art of using utensils, I've shoved my finer clothing items to the back of my closet. But, a girl can still dream, right? Here's my pick for this Thanksgiving's festivities. Finding a less expensive cotton version of the dress shouldn't be too difficult. Wrap dresses are my go-to lately since they make nursing a cinch. Some lipstick in cranberry cream, a few feathers in the hair (such twisted humor - my apologies to turkeys everywhere) and some semiprecious jewelry punches up any outfit.

hair pins | dress | boots | bag | lipstick | pyrite earrings

oh, wear! {if I were going to the gala...}

November marks the annual Julie Fund gala, a benefit to raise awareness and funding for ovarian cancer research and assistance for women and their families affected by this devastating illness. Each year, Marissa B. jewelry donates toward the fundraising efforts. Though I always feel like my contribution is small, I hope the the phrase "every little bit helps" rings true. This year I will not be attending the benefit (I will be home covered in baby puke). Nevertheless, I could not resist day-dreaming about the perfect gala attire.

coat | dress | heels | clutch | ring | earrings | eyeshadow | eyeliner | perfume

oh, wear!

It's a good thing I'm not actually being forced to choose one pair of boots for this lovely wool cape that begs to be donned while strolling through the countryside whilst arm in arm with your love. Alas, I do not have time for strolls in the countryside nor do I have the extra funds for the hefty price tag on this darling number. As investment pieces go, this is well worth its price and it is so very versatile. Sigh.

wool cape | one | two | three | four

oh, wear! midi madness

After seeing this post on one of my favorite blogs, Lucy Laucht, I was inspired to drag out my black midi skirt that has been living in the back of my closet for the past several years. It's perfect for these last few warm fall weeks. I wore mine with a cream colored dolman sleeve top and peep-toe wedge sandals. A scarf is a must have for me this time of year and I'm really liking this leopard print pictured above. I love the color combo of tomato red and tan leather. It might be necessary to invest in a second midi skirt!

skirt | top | shoes | bag | bangles | scarf | sunglasses

wordless wednesdays

 

 

 

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oh, wear!

 

Just thinking today about the (almost) weekend with Hero Hubby and the girls and how nice a crisp and sunny fall day is. Not quite overcoat weather, but a warm sweater will do just fine. Have a cozy weekend!

sweater | jeans | flats | bag | earrings | scarf | lipstick

wordless wednesdays

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baby shower chic + enter fall

One of my dear friends is having a baby this month and we celebrated with her over the weekend at her baby shower. In my dreams I would have worn this ensemble to the event. I actually wore a dress similar in color to the one pictured... not quite ready to let go of summer yet.

Speaking of showers, it's going to be raining here for most of the week and I could not help but ogle over these unique umbrellas.

The close of Labor Day weekend seems to signal the unofficial start of fall. I stepped outside my front door and caught the sight of several leaves twirling their way down to the ground. The days remain warm and sandals and knee-skimming shift dresses in sunny patterns are still breezing about town. Window-boxes continue to overflow with bright flowers and it doesn't really feel like fall yet - but, I guess you can't argue with the leaves.

hair clips | dress | clutch | bangle | sandals | earrings | lipstick | perfume

leaves image unknown

wordless wednesdays

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wordless wednesdays

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