Current Obsession - Travel Essentials

In the coming months, I'm going to be racking up the frequent flier miles. After twenty-one hours in the air this Monday, I'm currently sitting in my hotel in Singapore! Here are some of my essentials (and some things I've put on my wish list) for a long haul flight.

1. Comfy Pants - You don't want to wear jeans on a 16 hour flight, these printed pants from Diane Von Furstenberg are pretty and cozy.

2. Eye Mask - Inevitably I sit near the person that wants to read and falls asleep with their light on. A sleep mask it totally necessary get some shut eye.

3. Snacks - Yes, you get dinner and breakfast and a few snacks when you're in flight for over twelve hours. Personally, I like to have a few snack options in my bag. One time we were given ice cream bars for our snack. My body clock thought it was 10am, ice cream wasn't really hitting the spot. My faves? Gummy butterflies, Clif bars & trail mix. (Sweet, protein & Salty!)

4. Water bottle - Depending on how much stuff I need to pack will determine which kind of water bottle I bring. Packing light? I go for the pretty bkr bottle. Suitcase stuffed? I go with a foldable water bottle.

5. Passport Cover - My passport needs a pretty outfit too. Nothing says 'cheerful' better than Kate Spade.

6. Pashmina - The temperature in flight is not regulated very well. A pashmina is my best friend. It serves as blanket, scarf and tent - in case my neighbor wants to chat.

7. Headphones - Between listening to music, watching in-flight movies or just drowning out the sound of engines, noise cancelling headphones are magical. Expensive magic. I haven't yet splurged on this pair from Bose.

8. Eye Cream - The cabin of the plane is always super dry. My skin just drinks up this avocado eye cream.

9. Facial Mist - Same reason as above. A quick mist with this facial spray and I feel refreshed.

10. A Cute Tote - You need to carry all of this stuff and you might as well do it in style. I love a tote or a large cross body bag. I usually try to go with a bag that zips, otherwise things tend to scatter.

11. Power - Twelve to sixteen hours in flight, the iPad and iPhone aren't going to make it. I use the Anker power pack to keep everything juiced up. It's powerful enough to fully charge an iPhone up to eight times!

12. Cozy sweater - In combination with a pashmina, I'm never cold. Dressing for style and comfort is difficult, but Helmut Lang always fits the bill.

What are your essentials for travel? What are your secrets?

Floral fun for Spring!

With another snow storm on tap for this weekend, I'm left dreaming of tulips, sunny evenings and outfits without twelve layers. I'm really looking forward to my business trip in two weeks, because I'm heading to Singapore and Singapore is on the equator.  Bring on the heat!

Once spring does arrive, I'm planning on looking like the season itself. Floral everything. I even have my eyes on these Ted Baker rain boots. Maybe we need to start wearing floral and then spring will follow? Do we need to tempt the season out of hiding? Let's all pretend we're tulips and show our springtime colors!

J Crew silk shirt / Milly silk bow blouse, $435 / River Island floral top, $27 / Mango slim jeans, $42 / Topshop skirt / Forever New pleated skirt, $72 / Giuseppe Zanotti leather shoes / Topshop ballerina shoes / Le Silla pink heel shoes, $735 / GUESS tassel necklace / Haskell gold tone earrings / Rebecca Minkoff hinged bracelet / Shaun Leane ring / Floral home decor / Pink bouquet / Green flower bouquet

Current Obsession - Bring on Spring!

Temperatures rose above freezing yesterday and now I'm thinking of spring. This past weekend, the boyfriend and I hit the Upper East side and checked out the spring collections. There was so much floral and pastel and I wanted to take it all home.  I have a rule though. No buying spring clothes until all of the snow has melted and I can put away my winter coat.  Since there is at least two feet of snow on the ground right now, I think everything will be on sale by the time all of the snow if gone.

Here are a few pretty things that I'm loving for spring. Some necessities (rain coat, umbrella, wellies) and some totally unnecessary things (hello Tiffany blue purse!) that might make their way into my closet, if the price is right!

1. MOMA Store - David Wright Umbrella
2. Tibi - Raffia Patchwork Full Skirt
3. BaubleBar - Flower Power Collar
4. TERRA New York - TRIBECA Rain Coat
5. Joie - Clayton Heels
6. Ted Baker - Fieona Dress
7. HUNTER - Original RHS Rain Boots
8. Rebecca Minkoff - MAB Mini Tote in Mint
9. Equipment - Slim Signature Nature White Endangered Floral Print

PS - I want to own the entire Ted Baker spring line. It's just so pretty!

Current Obsession - All Things Winter

Apparently winter is going to be a pain in the ass this year.  That's okay, all things warm and fuzzy are on sale now!  I'm going to stock up on more snowstorm gear, since it seems that the Tri-state is going to be getting hit with winter storm after winter storm.  I have yet to work a full week at my new job!

1. Hunter Fleece Boot Socks - I have one pair, it's so cold that I think I need to layer another pair.
2. Purple Infinity Scarf - Piperlime - Infinity scarves are perfect for wrapping up your entire head.
3. Purple Tights - Old Navy - Because I still want to wear skirts, but I don't want my legs to freeze!
4. Fun socks - J Crew If I'm wearing ankle boots, these are the socks I'm wearing under them.
5. Teal Leather Gloves - C Wonder - So pretty!  They need to make pretty leather gloves with those iphone touch pad fingers.
6. Silver Hunter Wellies These boots would cheer up any wintry day.
7. Faux Fur Hat - Ted Baker - I'm not sure if I can pull this hat off, but it sure is pretty.

Current Obsession - Business Casual

With my new job came a new dress code.  I've been adding new business casual pieces to my mostly casual wardrobe and have decided I really like a few brands for work clothes.  I love all things Diane Von Furstenberg, but mostly her dresses.  For suits, pants & blazers, I tend to find some amazing pieces (and deals) at Elie Tahari and Banana Republic.  As for shoes? I've been scoring some serious finds at the Paramus outlet recently.  I'm talking Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabanna, Tory Birch for 80% off!

Check out some pieces that I'm wanting to add to my work wardrobe!

Diane von Furstenberg Cocktail Dresses · Diane von Furstenberg Day Dresses · Joie Tops

And can anyone tell me the difference between business casual and business for women?  It seems like there is a lot of crossover.

Current Obsession - Workout Gear!

It's a new year and this is the time when everyone is making plans to get healthy, workout more and be a generally better person.  Since it's the second week of the new year, I fully expect half of those people to have already given up on their resolutions.

What do we really need to keep those goals going?  Something cute to wear to the gym.  Seriously.  When I taught fitness classes, having something fun to wear just put me in the right mood.  Yelling at all of my participants really gave the rest of the necessary energy.

1. Brooks - Ravenna - These are my running shoes, the ones I am currently wearing on my outdoor runs.  I went to Fleet Feet in my neighborhood and tried on several pairs of shoes to find the best pair for my feet!

2. Nike Tech - Fleece Funnel - You need something to throw on so you can get from your car to the gym.  Hoodies are perfect, Nike hoodies are always warm.

3. Sweaty Betty - Glisten Long Sleeve Ski Top - I have this in every color available (all two of them) and wear them in constant rotation for my outdoor runs.  Soft, warm and breathable, it's the best workout shirt I own. It's made of bamboo too!

4. Sugar Lip Treatment - I have at least five of these lip balms.  Just what you need for a workout, lip hydration and just a hint of color!  Works wonders for a 5am workout.

5. bkr Glass water bottles - I've mostly transitioned away from plastic water bottles (except when I'm running long distances) and go for these bkr bottles or metal bottles.  I love these bottles because you can get them in so many different colors!  Pretty.
6. Zensah - Running Gloves - I would be lost without these gloves.  I can run, keep my fingers warm and change the Pandora station on my iPhone.

7. Sweaty Betty - Stardust Run Tights - I have these in grey and pink.  They make outdoor runs in cooler temperatures so comfortable!  These tights are lined with fleece, but they breathe.  Magic pants.

8. Nike - Flirty Knit Skirt - I love working out in running skirts!  When I taught BodyStep classes, I only wore running and tennis skirts.  I liked the way they bounced when I rocketed over the step. I do not recommend running outdoors in them right now.  Too cold.
9. Lululemon - Floral Sweatshirt - I bought this last week and have loved throwing it on after my workouts. It's so warm and fuzzy!

When it comes to most of my workout wear, I'm addicted to Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and TJ Maxx.  Seriously, TJ Maxx & Marshalls have some amazing workout gear for low prices.  They're always weather relevant too. Right now you can score some fun hoodies and yoga pants.

Current Obsession - Floral for Fall

If there is one thing I have been totally obsessed with this fall is FLORAL!  The last three things that have made their way into my closet are floral prints.  Have you jumped on the flowered trend yet?  Here are a few of my favorites pieces that I've seen in store and across the internets.

1. Collective Concepts Floral Baseball Top / 2. Ted Baker FLOWTII - Oil painting printed skirt / 3. May28th 12:40 PM Watch / 4. Jagger Edge Spring Fling iPhone Case / 5. Alice & Olivia Tropical Bangle / 6. Ted Baker PETAL - Oil Painting Wellington Boot / 7. BaubleBar Jumbo Bloom Bib8. ASOS Structured Floral Tulip Dress