My Bendel Girl Fashionista Style

As you know, one of my favorite stores that truly captures the spirit of being a fashionista is Henri Bendel. Every time I step inside, which happens to be at the Short Hills Mall where I hosted a VIP Shopping event during Christmas in 2012, a sense of euphoria rushes over me as I look at all the sparkling, dazzling and just straight up fabulous jewelry and accessories they offer.

Out of all their iconic Bendel Girl illustrations, drawn by Izak Zenou, the Fashionista is undoubtedly me. Their latest Spring catalog celebrates all the vibrancy of color - filled with dreamy blues, signature Henri Bendel stripes and of course, stunning jewelry decked out in sparkle. Henri Bendel is never at a loss for details, and this spring, I am following their lead and rocking some serious color, and style!

My Bendel Girl Fashionista Style wish list includes

(from left to right):

A-List Grommet Satchel

Waldorf Cocktail Cuff in Blue

Cityscape iPhone Case

Buckle Up Bolt Double Wrap Bracelet in Pink

Sole Ambition Striped Loafer

Ray-Ban Aviator Metal Mirrored Sunglasses in Green

Centennial Stripe Kaleidoscope Mini Zip

Stiletto Spike Stack Rings

Have a Henri Bendel wish list of your own? Well, starting Friday, March 20 and ending Wednesday, April 2, with a purchase of $150 or more (in store or online), you'll receive this cheeky, limited edition canvas Henri Bendel tote! 

Stop by your local Henri Bendel store, or ,if you're in New Jersey at the Short Hills Mall, and get Bendel Girl ready for Spring! 

*Henri Bendel has asked me to creature an original post featuring my personal selections of their offerings. I have received a gift as compensation. 

NYFW Day 4 - Street Style

Outfit Details:

Mock Neck Crop Top - Express / Leather Skater Skirt - Zara / Kaleigh Vanston Kate Spade New York / Gina Wedge / Shoemint.com / Peek A Boo Cuff - c/o Sorrelli / Henri Bendel Swarovski Leather Bracelet / Green Statement Necklace - Forever 21 / Lucky Lady Sunglasses - Lulus.com

On Day 4 of New York Fashion Week, I hopped on a train from New Jersey to get my dose of Lincoln Center and all that NYFW has to offer. And of course you know I had to wear something striped... and something leather! 

While I didn't attend any shows, I had plans to attend the RewardStyle party at the Empire Hotel in the afternoon, and caught up with the adorably sweet ladies of Sorrelli Jewelry. In between, I channeled my inner Bill Cunningham for some NYFW street style photos.

One of the highlights of the day was being photographed and interviewed about my bangs  (I'm not kidding) by Candice Lake for a Tresemme feature! She is so lovely, and I have a new found respect for her.

All of the eccentricity I love about fashion was in full force at Lincoln Center. Here are some of my favorite looks.

Love her retro/vintage vibe. And those sunglasses! 

Quite the fashionable clique. 

Taste that rainbow, girlfriend. And again with the sunglasses.

Head to toe - gorgeous. The coat. The heels. Her hair.

Check back tomorrow for my RewardStyle recap! 

Abstract Geo Print

I've been painting my nails in neons all summer... and with the change in the weather, I decided to start transitioning back into fall...but not completely.

This mani was uber easy to do, and was inspired by the top I'm wearing. I painted one coat of Essie's Good as Gold metallic polish, one half coat on the tips only of a Spoiled Nail Color from CVS in 2 Weeks Sober (a pastel purple) and some gold glitter, and that's it! I love how my top, inspired by Dasani Drops Strawberry Kiwi, is so playful and bright! http://on.fb.me/10v4j7H

I have a feeling this weekend might be the last time I get to wear shorts. It's already starting to get cooler by 7:00 at night in New Jersey. I'm really bummed about Fall coming. Sure, it means I get to wear more black, but I've always felt my fall wardrobe isn't as strong as my summer style. 

How are you gearing up for Fall?

What I'm Wearing:

Geo Abstract Print Top - Forever21 / Denim Shorts - Old / T-Strap Wedges - Bongo (similar style) / Affiliate Satchel - c/o Olivia + Joy / Spiked Bracelet - Forever21 / Rhinestone Lanyard Bracelet  - Henri Bendel

Hearts In Her Eyes

I love a quirky accessory on the uber cheap. Heart-shaped sunglasses for $10? Yes, please!

As a blogger, I think there's some weird expectation that you shouldn't wear the same clothes on your blog repeatedly. That you're not really a forward thinker if you have to recycle your looks.

Well, there's something I live in, and it's called reality. 

And that means I wear my clothes, wait for it... more than once <gasp>. Surprising, I know. Go ahead and pick your chin up off the floor. I'll wait...

What I Wore:

Striped Tank - Forever 21 / High Waist Plaid Skirt - Urban Outfitters / New Bond Street Florence Bag - Kate Spade New York / Alexia Sandal - Modern Citizen (formerly StyleStalk) 

Accessories:

Heart Shaped Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

In The Spotlight Double Wrap Bracelet (purple) - Henri Bendel /
Gold Pyramid Stud Bracelet - Forever 21 /  Crystal Lanyard Bracelet - Henri Bendel / Rings - Craft fairs 

Lipstick: Mary Kay True Dimensions Lip Stick in PInk Cherie (c/o Mary Kay Influenster box)

The fun part of personal style is the combinations and outfit options you can create with pieces that become your favorites. In my case, I can find umpteenth ways to wear stripes and skirts. This high-waist plaid skirt is at least three years old, but I've managed to wear it over and over again. As a matter of fact, I wore it last July in my Summer Stripes post - with a striped shirt. 

While the idea of wearing something once might be appealing, I like to get my money's worth. What are you thoughts on bloggers recycling looks?

Spring Awakening

Outfit:

Flocked Skater Dress - Apricot / Blazer - Forever 21 / Tortoise Shell Sunglasses - Forever 21 /

Green T-Strap Shoes - Jeffery Campbell (also seen here on House Of Jeffers) / Two-Tone Satchel  - Primark / Hand Me Down Stack Ring - Henri Bendel / Pyramid Cuff Bangle - BaubleBar.com

Finally, no coat weather! Well, for one day at least. There was a short breakthrough with the weather over the weekend that landed New Jersey in the high 70s. A perfect reason to wear this skater dress that I've been holding out on since I purchased it in October during my trip to England. I literally gasped when I found it at Apricot in Bathe. For me, it's very different in the cut and shape, but the velvet paisley pattern was too striking to pass up!

When the weather gets warmer, the last thing I want to do is stay in the house. I'll usually head up north with my chihuahua Harley to see my parents, or go to my husband's soccer games whenever I can. But, sometimes I wish that my British family lived closer to me. I'm so lucky that I have an amazing family. Since I'm an only child, I always dreamed of the day that I'd get married and acquire brother and sister in laws...  and become an aunt. Lucky for me, my in laws are wonderful people, and I have an adorable niece and cheeky little nephew, but it makes me miss them all the more during certain seasons when I always pictured us doing things together.

But, on the upside, I get to visit England because of their residence, and it makes anything that I wear from England all the more special to me.

Cold Play in Yellow

You know when you buy something that you fall in love with fast... but it doesn't really match with anything in your closet?

It happened to me when I found these shoes. I'd been scouring high and low for a pair of leopard/animal print stems to add a little "bam" to my step, and these BCBGeneration Secret B peepers were the ones. By the way: if you do a happy dance in the middle of a department store, it means you should buy whatever you're holding.

Outfit:

Fit & Flare Dress - Forever 21

Heart Tights - Topshop

BCBGeneration Secret - Secret B Booties

My standard black boots will always be a go-to, but this winter, I want my wardrobe to stay as loud and lively just like my favorite season: summer. Then again, it's been 65 degrees in November in New Jersey. What gives... Of course, the color scheme will change, but I don't think you have to sacrifice what you love to wear just because of the weather. I plan on punching up prints and mixing textures - keep it funky and colorful! 

Accessories:

Arty Ring - Modtoast

Henri Bendel Bow Bracelet

Spiked Bracelet - Forever 21