Spring into Bare Leg Season...

What is not to love about Spring!? Sunshine, Fresh Buds, & of course months-days-weeks closer to Summer!  What I also adore about spring is actually my spring wardrobe- I love bright colors, light fabrics, & most of all: Bare Legs.  This is an unheard of spring for us in MN (think temperatures reaching the 80's in March!) but I am more than accepting of packing away my tights for awhile...

I love a chic summer dress & I am obsessing over florals & lace this spring...

The best part about baring your nude legs this spring, is pairing them with an equally adorable spring frock.  I chose a few of my favorite florals & lace dresses for you & I want to explain how I would dress the look up or down depending on the event at hand...

I love this {Miu Miu} rose lace over nude fabric dress! Perfect for a late spring bridal shower. Pair with a skinny belt & corked wedges & you cannot go wrong...

This emerald lace tea length {JohnLewin} dress would be perfect for a casual day at work. I could easily get away with this fun dress at work- add a nude flat, a sheer fabric sweater & some coral accessories & you're good to go...

This yellow {warehouse} dress is much more formal with a boat neckline & cinched waistline. Perfect for Sunday Easter or a Spring Wedding- pair with pearls & a lightweight wrap...

Moving on to florals! I love this {D&G} belted dress- this is another dress that I would definitely wear to work! Colored blazers are so chic this season, but I would suggest a cropped blazer that sits right above your hip bones so that it doesn't take away from the flair of the dress. Since the dress already has a lot going on + a bright blazer, keep the sandal or flat simple in black...

I picked up this {H&M} 3/4 sleeve dress this winter, in anticipation for spring to arrive!  A perfect spring dress for a night out- again the dress already is a lot to look at, keep the shoes & accessories neutral in black or nude...

{ToryBurch} always amazes me with the patterns & color palette each season! I am obsessed with maxi dresses because I think they are so versatile for MN weather! I pair sweaters, off the shoulder T's, flats, sandals, wedges, chunky necklaces, bold bangles- anything & everything with my maxi dresses...

So you're probably thinking- we're barely in to April, there is no way I am baring my pasty white legs yet...

Ok- let me help! Go to your local drug store & pick up these 4 things & you'll have perfectly sheer stems in no time! In your next steamy shower, start by exfoliating your dead gross winter skin off & start fresh! I know you're thinking you can skip this step, but no! you cannot! Exfoliating helps the color apply better in our upcoming steps...

Next, obviously shave your legs silky smooth! 

When you get out of the shower, pat your legs dry & apply this Natural Glow Foam. Most women are petrified of instant tanners, but I can promise you- this brand will not turn you orange, nor streaky, nor blotchy. It's foam! How can you screw up foam? Put it on exactly how you would if you were putting lotion on your legs & wash your palms afterwards.

After you let the tanner dry for about 10 minutes, lube your legs up good with baby oil. It brings out the tan, adds shine & overall dimension to your legs. And you're done! For about $15 you can clean up those wintery legs & bare them in no time!

One last little trick- this stuff is my new fav, it is seriously a miracle spray. It's a mist, so it is a bit trickier, but on the mornings that I don't have time to do the above 4 steps, then I quickly mist my legs with this stuff & out the door I go in the shortest skirt possible my new spring dress! You can get it at {VS} for about $12...

Go show off your revamped stems!

xo, kjl

Seeing Spots...

Retro spots are definitely trending this spring...

If you're like me, you're a bit weary of the overall trend due to the fact that it is quite easy to 'over-due' it on dots, but with subtle hints of the trend, I find it fashionably chic!

Start small, with bright colored accessories adorned with polka dots...

 {Brahim Handbag}

 {Marc Jacobs Animal Dot Embellished Belt}

{Kate Spade iPhone case} 

 {J.Crew Tunic}

 {Forever 21 Fedora}

 {Max&Chloe Bangle Set}

 {Forever 21 Scarf}

{Old Navy Lace Up Flats}

The Perfect LBD for Your Body...

Little Black Dress. 

Every stylish woman should own one. Even if you have nothing to wear it to, someday, out of the blue, you will wish you had invested...

The double with the LBD is that there are endless styles, but the real question is- Which Works Best on Your Body Type?

I typically hate these classifications, but let's be honest, they work...

Let's start with Apple Shape:

(Round & Full in the Middle)

The perfect style for your shape, is a Shift Dress or Empire Waist Dress if you're in between. A shift dress is intended to draw attention away from your midsection, while keeping the flow of the dress equally dispersed. This body type is often the most difficult to fit, but women with an Apple Shape, often have the most beautiful necklines. Draw attention to your neck (not waist) with pattern towards the top. If you try an Empire Waist, keep the waist high (appears smaller). Try these styles:

1. Shift Dress with Lace Embellishment along Neckline

Intended For: Apple Shape + Conservative

Features it Plays Up: Arms 

Features it Plays Down: Chest, Tummy, Thighs, Booty

2. Empire Waist Dress with a Bare Neckline

Intended For: In between Apple & Pear + less conservative

Features it Plays Up: Chest & Arms

Features it Plays Down: Tummy, Hips, Thighs

3. Shift Dress with Lace Embellishment 1/2 Sleeve

Intended For: Apple Shape

Features it Plays Up: Neckline

Features it Plays Down: Arms, Tummy

Let's Move into Pear Shape:

(Fuller in the hips & booty, smaller on top)

The perfect style of dress for your body type is A-Line. An A-Line dress will draw attention to your tiny waist & distract the eyes away from your plentiful derrière. The idea is to draw the eyes upwards, as opposed to downwards. Try these styles:

1. One Shoulder A-Line

Intended For: Pear Shape + Sex Appeal

Features it Plays Up: Shoulders, Chest, Arms, Waist

Features it Plays Down: Hips, Thighs, Booty

2. Sheer Top A-Line Tea Dress

Intended For: Pear Shape 

Features it Plays Up: Waist, Arms

Features it Plays Down: Hips, Thighs, Booty

3. Pleated A-Line

Intended For: Pear Shape + Conservative

Features it Plays Up: Arms, Neckline

Features it Plays Down: Tummy, Hips, Thighs

Moving On To Hour Glass Shape:

(Curvy- Busty on Top, Tiny Waist, Curvy on Bottom)

The perfect style dresses for an hour glass body shape are often wrap dresses or bandage dresses. This body shape often works best with a more fitted style dress to make sure that both curvy sections are equally proportionate. Try these styles:

1. Simple Bandage Dress

Intended For: Hour Glass

Features it Plays Up: Waist, Arms, Neckline, Legs

Features it Plays Down: Chest

2. V Neck Bandage with Sleeves

Intended For: Hour Glass

Features it Plays Up: Chest, Waist, Legs

Features it Plays Down: Arms

3. Strapy Bandage Dress

Intended For: Hour Glass + Sex Appeal

Features it Plays Up: Neckline, Arms, Chest, Waist, Legs

Features it Plays Down: None.

Lastly, a Rectangle Shape:

(Little definition between bust, waist, & hips)

There are actually quite a few dress styles that work for this body shape as long as you define the waist & play up your best features. Use belts, cinching, or drapery around the midsection to 'fake' curves! Try these styles:

1. Deep V Neck Wrap Dress with Belt

Intended For: Rectangle Shape

Features it Plays Up: Neckline, Chest, Legs

Features it Plays Down: Hips, Booty, Arms

2. Boat Neckline with High Waisted Belted Bow

Intended For: Rectangle Shape + Conservative

Features it Plays Up: Arms, Legs

Features it Plays Down: Chest, Hips, Tummy

3. One Shoulder Draped Dress

Intended For: Rectangle Shape

Features it Plays Up: Chest, Arms, Booty

Features it Plays Down: Hips

Play around with these different styles for your own body shape. Very rarely are women defined to specifically that body shape, but the best part is, YOU know what are your best assets & what are not. Work with those & you cannot go wrong :)

Dear Miss Cheeky Chic...

How can I achieve the look of an inspired workspace, while maintaing a professional manner?

Love, 

Stressed, yet Chic Working Woman

Dear Darlings, 

It is quite possible to maintain your chicness while still having a day job! I find it terribly important to be motivated & inspired daily by beautiful & chic things! How dull of us to believe our weekday workspace cannot be as dashing as our weekend social lives!?

I adore a unique office & am equally obsessed with organization...

Strong believer that everything has a place, in it's place (thank you, mama!)...

Here are a few of my tips! 

(Disclaimer: I love cheeky spaces & I love an overall shabby look! It works for me- figure out what works for you, whether it be more contemporary, antiqued, or sophisticated, use these tips to work with your personal style!)

Keep Everything Fully Stocked & in it's Own Individual Space:

I love mason jars for this purpose! I actually have a few jars on my desk right now- 1 with pens in it, the other with colorful gum balls (sugar-a-holic)...

I swear by this: Buy an Expensive, Ridiculously Overpriced, Day Planner:

I can promise you, you will use it! I do not go anywhere without my planner- it helps me stay organized & attentive. Plus, hello! this gorg item on your desk instantly adds overall appeal...

Bring Your DIY Project to the Office:

I know cork boards are out dated, but I love them & they are so easy to make! I often go to the GoodWill, purchase terribly ugly pictures for $3, go home & tear the picture out to be replaced with cork, & paint the unique frame! Perfect for hanging reminder notes in your office...

Don't Be Boring, Be Bold:

100 push pins for $2 at Target? Nah, I'd rather spend $15 on 20 at Anthropologie!! Am I crazy? As bizarre as it sounds, sometimes little splurges like these are totally necessary for an office make over...

Incorporate Your Weekend Style in the Office:

At home, I am obsessed with my jewelry storage. I have tons of little antique trinket dishes for storing rings, earrings & other small accessories. Who says these dishes can't be uses as paperclip, rubber band, and memo pad holders? So utterly chic on your desk...

OK, Tone it Down a Bit:

I would totally have that cute saucer+tea cup holder on my desk, but most aren't as ridiculous daring as me.  Opt for smaller unique dishes for those misc. office items...

Keep your Overall Theme Going:

Again, I love shabby chic, it's kind of my thing. Owls- totally my thing. Find statement items that fit into your personal style... (Btw this is a pencil holder)

Go Local:

Here in MN, we have this gorgeous organizational & stationary shop, called Russell + Hazel . They have so many different options for your to make your stationary uniquely yours. Find your local stationary boutiques & give them the business they deserve! I love this notepad storage...

(Keeping with theme- keep your notepads personalized & chic) 

Add Personalized, yet Useful Touches:

So everything is not all for looks! Office items need to be deemed as useful as well as chic! Vamp up your space with distinct hardware, like this pretty coat hanger...

A Polished Woman is Always on Time:

It is not cute, nor cheeky to be late. Something I am constantly working on = time management! Remind yourself of appointments, meetings, & conference calls with your new chic Kate Spade Planner & Be On Time with a fabulous pendant clock. Both professional & chic...

Much Much Love, 

kjl