Black Effect.

(Sunnies, Ray-Ban; Dress, Karen Millen; Heels, Sandro - similar chunky heel version here)

I love black. Especially when it is in the beginning stages of spring when your skin looks like it hasn't seen the sun in months. It is tough to pull off pastels when you're in this sort of shape unless they are fully covering the pastiness! Enter: the black dress. It is the color we wear most often and all year round, for good reason. In the midst of transitioning from winter to spring, it allows for some much needed contrast to avoid being washed out (because that ain't cute!). 

Some of my picks under $250 for early spring weddings that either hide or embrace the current state of our skin tone I've linked below! 

1. Lovers + Friends "Cruise Dress" - $170

2. Krisa "Open Back Maxi" - $198

3. Reformation "Manon Dress" - $198

4. Privacy Please "Plaza Kimono" - $238

5. Reformation "Addilyn Dress in Sapphire" - $248

Photography: Jenny Moloney

Sprung.

(Top, Club Monaco; Shoes in Beige Goose Bump Nappa, Stuart Weitzman; Sunnies, Ray-Ban)

In anticipation of warmer weather, I'm absolutely loving off the shoulder shirts for Spring 2016. It is an essential piece that doubles as both playful and fancy (check out those dramatic sleeves!). I'm thinking I will get tons of use out of this silhouette - paired with boyfriend jeans and a casual sneaker or throw on some heels and a silk pant for a dressier look.

I've collaborated on the next few posts with Jenny Moloney Photography, our talented wedding photographer and friend to give you some outfit inspo & tips for this wedding season. T & I have a whopping 12 weddings to attend this year including our own so to tee it up, say "yes" to an off the shoulder top:

Bridal Shower Guest: Try a bodysuit and a maxi

Modern Bride-to-Be: Something blue half tucked into a wide leg pant

Bachelorette: Jumpsuits are always fun 

Nautical Vibes: Rehearsal Dinner | Reception 

LBD: Cocktail Attire | Black Tie

Post-Wedding Brunch: Flowy top and high-waisted linen trousers

Photography: Jenny Moloney

Purple + Grey.

(Jeans, DL1961; Top, Club Monaco (black seen here); Hat, Rag & Bone (also love this in "Shell"); Boots, Vintage)

I was back home this past weekend and decided to grab a drink with my mom at Washington House, an adorably quaint restaurant in the center of Basking Ridge, NJ. I hadn't been back since the night Tommy and I got engaged. This is where we ended the night of our engagement meeting up with both of our families and listening to live classic rock covers. WH has some of the most amazing cocktails. I had the "OMG!" and mom had "Make My Day".  I tend to skim through a drink menu looking first at the ingredients and if mint and jalapeno are paired together, I'm sold. If you are adventurous enough to recreate it yourself, the OMG! is tequila-based and includes the following:

-Tequila

-Solerno

-Pickled Jalapenos

-Lime

-Agave

-Mint

I decided to throw on my most comfortable pair of jeans and my go-to Rag & Bone hat. It always pulls a look together even when I'm in a hurry to get out the door! 

Whistle Stop.

 

(Skirt, J.Crew; Sweater, J.Crew; Purse, J.Crew; Shoes, Vince Camuto but similar here; Jewelry, now on sale at J.Crew, David Yurman, Sunnies, Selima Sun sold out but similar here.) Photog, thanks to Catherine Monaghan.

I spent this past weekend home for some necessary R&R as well as my friend Jen's bridal shower. This was my first shower so I wasn't quite sure what to wear but decided on a skirt and sweater combo, which was perfect for the warm but still crisp weather!