Lovely in Lilac

Despite the fickle weather, we're desperately trying to incorporate spring colors into our wardrobe. One of our favorite shades for the spring is lilac (or violet... we don't really know the difference). It's fresh and sweet, and can really brighten up your wardrobe. Ignore the weather, and add some spring to your step!

We call this dress the "Sexy Easter" dress. This two-tone color block dress from American Apparel is an ideal look for the spring. May we suggest a cropped black blazer to give this a retro 80s feel?

Don't have much uses for tight, sexy pastel numbers? Then try this grey / lavender skirt from The Limited. It's a professional but feminine, and is a great way to freshen up your wardrobe.

With all this rain we've been getting, you need to protect your tootsies! Grab a pair of these short rainboots by Ilse Jacobsen and you'll be singing in the rain! Oh, and did we mention they have fleece lining?

 This sleeveless tea dress from Top Shop is perfect for work or play. Add a fitted blazer and pearls and you're set for work, or throw on a pair of gold hoops and strappy sandals and you're ready for a hot night on the town.

Tired of the regular old smokey eye? Add a pop of color with the purple smokey eye set from Sephora.  It will be sultry and romantic, just what you need for perfect "come hither" eyes.

Every girl needs a versatile dress that can be work at the park, out to dinner, for a garden party, whatever! This tiered ruffle dress from Old Navy definitely fits the bill, and will guarantee you a few compliments.

These lilac pumps are a must have this spring. They will look wonderful with a light gray suit, white dress, or black capris. We would steer away from pairing the pumps with a matching lilac dress and / or blouse. The most matchy-matchy we would do is matching jewelry, and even that's pushing it!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Holiday Style: Red and Green Are the New Black

 Celebrate the first full week of December by dressing yourself in the colors of the season -- red and green of course! These two colors can pretty much only be worn together during the month of December so be sure to get your fill of this combo before the Christmas season passes us by!  While we're not huge fans of dressing up for holidays (i.e. wearing red on Valentine's day), adding some select red or green pieces into your wardrobe is definitely the easiest way to incorporate a little holiday spirit and get you feeling festive. Plus we love coordinating outfits and cohesive themes so wearing one of these shades is a great way to compliment all the holiday decor!

Nothing quite says Christmas like a bright red, warm and cozy sweater dress.  This one, from Victoria's Secret, is modest enough for your family party but also looks very sexy with the thin black belt.  Pair this with some black leggings and cute flats and you'll be ready to deck the halls in no time!

Look picture perfect in front of the tree this Christmas in this beautiful red and green (ish) print dress from Urban Outfitters. This dress is reminiscent of the dress you wore with the velvet bow in your hair to your great Aunt Mildred's house on Christmas Eve... but in a good way! Add some loose curls, maybe a headband, and definitely some black tights, and you're on your way to looking like your very own Christmas card.

 You can be Santa's sexy little helper in these ruffled peep toe pumps.  Add them to any basic black dress to jazz up your outfit, and get ready to sashay onto the dance floor... or kitchen floor, same difference.

This green satin dress from J. Crew is definitely at the top of our winter wish list, and just may be our dream dress for the holiday season. The rich jewel hemline adds just the right amount of sparkle to this simple satin dress, making it bright and festive, without being over the top. While it's a bit pricier than the picks we tend to share on our blog (we are pretty modest girls, after all), we just loved it so much that we had to share.

Feeling the holiday spirit, but not the satin or frills? Then try on this checked embroidered skirt from Mod Cloth. While the skirt is decorated with horses, not reindeer, we think this skirt would be perfect for Christmas eve with a cute little cardigan and black tights. 

Brighten up your gray December morning with this warm, green, cowl neck sweater from Macy's.  The extra long sleeves and layered neckline is exactly what the doctor ordered this winter.  It would look great with a pair of straight leg black dress pants and a chunky bracelet or ring and don't forget the red lipstick to really pull the look together! Also, you can recycle this sweater for St. Patrick's Day, so everyone wins!

Dressing up in a red satin dress is not for everyone, but dressing up with a red satin clutch is totally doable. Add on some glamor this holiday season with this red, satin rosette clutch available at Macy's. Dress up a beaded black or silver dress, and you'll be set for any holiday party.

For a more subtle way to show your holiday spirit, try out this silk, jeweled bracelet from Anthropologie. It's simple, elegant, and our favorite shade of green!

Stand out from the crowd in this red satin halter top by Ann Taylor. For a casual look, wear it belted with black pants (shown above) or dress it up with a pencil skirt for a chic and polished look. It already has some shimmer, so opt for minimal jewelry, such as small stud earrings or a sparkly bracelet.

Or, looking for a more laid back, casual look?  Show your Christmas spirit while being extra cozy in these fun green leggings!  Paired with a simple cream top and flats or boots, these cheerful leggings can be a really great way to wear holiday colors and ensure you have plenty of room for all those Christmas cookies!



Remember to comment on today's post to be eligible to win a prize in the Paper Doll Romance 12 Days of Christmas!  We picked up some really great items this weekend that we're so excited to give away!  Winners will start being announced once a day starting December 12th.  Best of luck!



'tis the season to be jolly!



XOXO

Jen & Saira

Hot Gloves for Cold Weather

The Christmas lights are up, the snow is falling, and pretty soon we'll be waking up early to de-ice our windshields and salt the sidewalk.  As much as we hate to admit it (except Jen, because she is actually a crazy winter lover), the chilly winter weather is fast approaching.  Don't get stuck fumbling for your keys in the bitter cold, or shivering as you try to drive your car with the ice cold steering wheel!  Keep your digits free from frigid temps with a warm and soft pair of gloves or mittens.  Know someone who needs a little warming up?  A great pair of gloves or mittens can be really handy (pun intended) and would make a really cute gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season.  And, speaking of gifts, don't forget to comment on today's post for another chance to win a prize during our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Promotion!!

Black and elegant, these gloves from Anthropologie are the perfect pair to shield your fingers from the winter chill.  The pearl and jewel embellishments are very retro chic, perfect for your dressier occasions or if you're just feeling fancy.

These teal gloves from Modcloth are bright and fuzzy, perfect for keeping your hands warm and dry on a brisk winter morning.  Plus, not only are the lightweight and practical, they are adorable with their sweet ruffle detail on the cuff.

Beads and bows are just so classically girly that we can't help but adore these Milly gloves. Available in 3 colors, these wool gloves are as warm as they are charming!  Also, bows kind of remind us of Christmas, and, well..if the glove fits..

Send a text or keep your fingers?  Is this what our world has come to with the advent of the iphone and the touch screen?  Well, lucky for you, we just might have found a stylish solution.  Avoid the risk of frostbite with these dainty and super colorful gloves. These pretty gloves are fashion friendly and have a special touch pad on the thumb and ring finger so you'll never have text while glove-less again!

These cute knit gloves from Urban Outfitters remind us childhood fun with their bright gold color and bit of sparkly glitter.  Best of all, these gloves are super thick and warm, with a furry lining to keep your fingers extra cozy.  Let the snowball fights begin!

You'll be saluting in style with these gray military inspired gloves.  The gray cable knit pattern is classic and understated, but the three rows and gold buttons give these gloves just the right amount of personality that we think will pair perfectly with some black boots and your navy blue pea coat.

Planning ahead for some serious blizzards?  We suggest a great pair of gloves like these by Dakine.  Sure, they may be bulky and unattractive, but gloves made for winter sports are waterproof and are particularly designed to keep your hands completely warm and dry for hours!

And, finally, is it a glove? a mitten? It's both! The perfect marriage of glove and mitten, the "glitten" gives you the dexterity of gloves and the warmth of mittens all in one. Target seems to have the largest variety of colors and styles, but you can really find a pair of these pretty much anywhere these days.

Baby, it's cold outside.

XOXO

Jen & Saira

Orange You Lovely

A good wedding guest will show up on time, not run up the drink tab, and compliment the decor or theme... at least that's our theory. Fall weddings means lots of orange details, and your attire should be no exception! While wearing orange is usually a pretty bold choice, especially at a more formal event, here are some ways to wear the color du jour and still look on fire:

You definitely won't be mistaken for a pumpkin in this sexy burnt orange dress by Elie Tahari.  It's soft and feminine enough to wear at a wedding or formal event, but add a blazer and you're all set for work or a night out. 

If orange isn't exactly your color, you can still look festive with this gorgeous floral necklace featuring orange tones in tiger lilies and hibiscus.  Wear it with a solid colored dress, and allow your accessories to speak for themselves.

Every gossip girl knows that you must have a headband of power to coordinate with every outfit.  Dress yourself from head to toe with this handmade headband designed with flowers and feathers. It's not too over the top, but it's definitely a fun and bold choice. Whether you have a cute pixie cut our luscious locks, your hair will thank you.

While not exactly subtle, this plaid dress plays up fall colors in a more understated way.  The geometrical neckline is only for the bold, but if you can pull it off, you will look sweet and sexy at the same time, as well as very fashion forward.

We're big fans of wearing bold shoes, like these orange satin pumps pictured above (which by the way are identical to the shoes Jen wore at her wedding!) We think it looks best with a more muted color dress, but if you're a New York Mets fan and want to pair these shoes with your royal blue dress, who are we to stop you?!

We're going to throw caution to the wind and say that you can pair this handmade clutch with a number of different colored dresses. Don't worry too much about matching... just focus on not clashing! We love this fabric because it shows different shades of red, orange, and yellow depending on how you hold it. So while you can definitely pair this with your LBD, why not accessorize your cute purple halter dress as well?

Your wrists deserve to be adorned with the warm and rich colors of fall!  We like this pumpkin/squash colored bracelet by Tooli.  At just $30 the price is right, it would look great with any color of the season, and it has little touches of pearls, perfect for brides and bridemaids, that add a refined touch of class.



Orange you glad we didn't say banana?



XOXO

Jen & Saira



  

Back to School: Laptop Chic

If you're on-the-go like us, then you're used to toting everything around on your shoulders: money, makeup, cell phone, and laptop. With the ability to type your class notes (or more likely to distract yourself from a boring lecture by checking out the latest PDR post), a laptop is a fundamental accessory to just about all college students. And, to keep your laptop safe and sound as you tote it around town, you need to invest in a sturdy, but stylish, laptop sleeve. Here are some laptop sleeves that will keep your computer warm and snug, but will still look good in the process:

Nothing says girly like a pink laptop sleeve!  For all your computing on the go we like this retro looking sleeve by be.ez.

Who said class is boring?  Obviously someone who did not have this fun and stylish laptop sleeve.  Choose a fun print that expresses your personality, like this one, handmade by Etsy seller bertiescloset!  

You can never go wrong with polka dots!  The colors on the sleeve will certainly brighten even the most intense study session. Available on Amazon.

 Just because you're stuck in NJ studying for your midterms doesn't mean you can't at least pretend you are sunning yourself in the tropics.  Add a little summer to your fall with this warm and bright sleeve, available at Target.

Calling all fashionistas!  The search for a chic case that can turn your laptop into a stylish accessory is finally over thanks to our finding this beauty, exclusively available at Urban Outfitters.

Vintage charm, bold colors, and the unique Navajo print make this sleeve, from Zappos, really stand out from the crowd!

Talk about practical!  This case is fun and casual, but still fashionable enough to take you from class work to class act in no time. We especially love this designer case, for sale at Walmart, for it's separate storage pocket that can safely secure loose items.

Time to surf the interweb!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Summer Style: Beach Bags

Summer is all about relaxing days at the beach (or park, if you're a city dweller). In order to make the most of your day in the sun, you need a whole lot of accessories. We're talking sunblock, towels, blankets, reading material, water bottles, snacks, etc. Clearly you'll need a pretty durable bag to tote around all of these "essentials." So, here are some of our favorite picks for summer fun that have both form and function:

This bag from Walmart is cool and neutral and is certainly large enough to hold a thin blanket, towel, and then some! 

Looking for something a little more wild?  Try this reversible Billabong tote! One side is more subdued and  features a graphic screen print of a cheetah  while the other is a definite statement, with a full and brightly colored cheetah print!

You can never go wrong with bright colors on the beach.  We love this spacious, golden yellow bag by  Urban Outfitters.  It just screams summer sunshine.

Oversized graphic prints are a fun way to add personality to your beach wear. Anchors and nautical prints are perfect for summer and this simple white bag from Anthropologie features a bold red anchor that we adore.

When it comes to beach bags, size matters.  And, the bigger the better! We really like this extra large black, white, & pink bag from Roxy for it's size and retro style.

And, what better way to admire the beauty of mother earth's beaches and parks than with an eco-friendly beach bag! This one, by ikabags, is made of 100% cotton canvas and is sturdy and durable enough to use as a beach bag, laptop bag, or general tote.

These cruelty free bags, by ShopJessBecause, that are made from fabric remnants and re-purposed burlap/jute coffee sacks. This material is very durable and the bag itself is modern, bold, and big enough for all your essentials. Don't forget to pack your sunblock, otherwise you might end up getting dark roasted yourself.

Make waves!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Sex and the City Character Inspiration: Miranda Hobbes

It's almost here!  The second Sex and the City movie comes out this Thursday, so here is our second to last character inspiration -- Miranda Hobbes!  Miranda's style has definitely progressed from her boxy suits and button downs worn in the early seasons. Now, she is a fashionista in her own right, brightening up her work attire with bright colors, varied prints, sexy separates, and of course, her gorgeous red hair. While always the professional at work, her play clothes tend to be more fun, comfortable, and vibrant. Here are some looks that we're sure Miranda would have no objection to:

Miranda always knows how to dress her shape, and this flirty V-neck dress available at Mod Cloth would flatter her curves and help show off her romantic side. We love when Miranda wears jewel tones, because it really sets off her peaches and cream complexion and her bright blue eyes. Plus the soft linen dress is both sexy and casual, just like the fiery red head.

Miranda often sports long, casual dresses to stay cool in the summer heat, which is why we love this maxi dress from Victoria's Secret. It's both comfortable and fashionable, plus green is definitely Miranda's color!

Like her gal pals, Miranda loves accessories, although they tend to be more understated than some of the other ladies' choices. We think this beaded stretch bracelet from Target reflects Miranda's bright color palette, but is simple enough to wear at the office.

Always the working girl, this simple cotton sheath dress is perfect for Miranda, as it  can easily be worn both in and out of the office. She would likely accessorize it with a blazer and the jeweled bracelet, shown above.

The verdict is in -- Miranda looks stunning in jewel tones!  We love this beaded scoop neck top for it's brilliant color that will perfectly contrast her bright red hair, but also for the shape and detailing that make this top professional enough to wear with a suit or high waisted pencil skirt for work and fun enough to transition right on into the evening.

Or, what about a casual top that would be a great addition to Miranda's weekend wardrobe?  Every Manhattan mommy needs a great day at the park outfit, and for Miranda we like this breezy, embellished top available at New York and Company. This great blue and green top has some fun embellishments on the neckline and would look great with some chunky earrings and gold sandals!

And, of course, children have a lot of needs, so you can bet she's stashing a little more than lipgloss and a credit card in her purses. Here we have a large structured bag perfect the professional mom on the go.  It's  chic enough for work, yet large enough to tote around some snacks, baby wipes, and a toy or two.  Plus, the material makes it extra fashionable and appropriate for the season.

Stay tuned for our final Sex and the City post!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira