spring 2016

Top five classic spring fragrances

March 21, 2016 in Beauty / Fragrance tagged bond no 9 / creed / dolce and gabbana / escada / lavanila / national fragrance day / spring 2016 by Bay Area Fashionista

My top five classic fragrance from top left: Creed Spring Flower / Dolce Floral Drops c/o / LaVanila Vanilla Coconut c/o / Escada Turquoise Summer c/o / Bond No 9 Chinatown

Spring has sprung! This means it is time to think about which fragrances to wear in the warm spring months. So, I thought I would share with you my all-time top five classic spring fragrances from my collection; it also happens to be National Fragrance Day 😉

One of my favorite indulgences is fragrance. I love trying new scents, and adding new perfumes to my collection. Over time, I have found I always gravitate towards classic, seasonal fragrances which work for the weather, the occasion, and the outfit I am wearing.

The five spring fragrances pictured above are my top five picks for the spring season. I love these fragrances due to their complex fragrance experiences (with the exception of LaVanila, which is just a beautiful, two note perfume), their long lasting scents, high quality ingredients, and beautiful compositions.

LaVanila Vanilla Coconut is the perfect, everyday scent for the spring season. It has a warm vanilla base, which when combined with the coconut heart, creates the perfect, gourmand scent for the warmer weather. It is definitely my everyday go-to fragrance of the season!

Creed Spring Flower is serious business. It was Audrey Hepburn’s favorite perfume. It is a green floral which is ideal for warm, and hot weather. I love wearing it with dressier ensembles. Creed Spring Flower is great for evenings, and special occasions!

Dolce Floral Drops is such a pretty floral scent! It is my go-to fragrance on casual days when I am out and about. It is great to wear to fundraising luncheons, business meetings, and anytime you want a lighter floral fragrance in the spring. Love!

Escada Turquoise Summer is really a fabulous spring/summer scent. I love the combination of florals and woods. This is a great scent to wear to the beach, a backyard BBQ, a pool party, or a girl’s night out. It is a fun, and lighthearted fragrance. I love fun!!

Bond No 9 Chintown is my heaviest spring fragrance. Actually, I wear this scent throughout the year. It really transcends season. I chose to highlight it for spring because of the pink pepper top notes. There is something springy about pink pepper top notes! I love the spicy floral composition of this fragrance. It really cycles through different combinations of notes. If you like complex, heavier fragrances, this is the spring perfume for you! I reach for Chinatown when I am dressed up, or attending a formal event; but have found myself wearing it on random, casual occasions too. It is simply beautiful.

What are your favorite classic spring fragrances?

My top five classic spring fragrances:

JLSJ fundraising gala gown and recap

March 18, 2016 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion tagged charity / evening attire / formal / fundraiser / fundraising / jlsj / junior league of san jose / outfits / spring 2016 by Bay Area Fashionista

Fundraising gala gown outfit details: Earrings: Kendra Scott / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana / Gown: David Meister / Ring: Amethyst, yellow gold, gift from Mother, (also love this one) / Nail Polish: Chanel Roubachka / Handbag: Chanel (also love SAVE or SPLURGE) / Shoes: Tom Ford

Every two years, the Junior League of San Jose holds a fashion show fundraiser. There are two events held; a daytime luncheon, and an evening gala. This time I only attended the gala. Some years, I have attended both events; because they are so much fun!

The JLSJ fashion show fundraiser has a special place in my heart. From 2002-2010 I was an active member of the Junior League, and worked tirelessly on the steering committee for the fundraiser. I love how many fun ways there are to raise money at this event! There are raffles, showcases, a silent auction, a live auction, a call to action, and games!

Also, many of the retailers who show their lines on the runway will offer a percentage of sales to the league for a a few days after the event. This encourages guests to shop at, and support, our sponsors. It really is win/win!

Now, as a sustainer in the Junior League, I enjoy attending the event and seeing the fabulous creativity of the current actives. They always put on such a great show, and event. I am so proud of all their hard work! I cannot wait to find out the final numbers, and see how much we raised for our charities, and projects!

The Junior League of San Jose works hard in the community to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community. The league improves the community through partnerships, signature projects, and grants for local non-profits, and charities. To learn more about the Junior League of San Jose, and all of the fabulous work we do in the community, please visit JLSJ.org.

Now, this is a fashion blog, so let’s chat for second about my dress! I have fallen in love with one shoulder gowns; I wore a navy one to the last fashion show fundraiser in 2014! So, I decided this was the silhouette for me, but not in navy 😉

I loved all of the structural influences on the spring 2016 runways in New York, so when I saw this one shoulder gown with a metal belt, I knew it was the dress for me! Not only did it reflect the structural trend I loved from the NYFW runways for spring, it had one shoulder! Love!

My black vintage Delman’s have attended their last gala, so after two decades, I replaced them with this pair of classic, black satin pumps. I love the gold high heel! I feel like these shoes are a classic with a twist. Always fun to have a twist!

*These photos were taken with my iPhone. My apologies for the quality.

Love the collection from Azadeh shown during the JLSJ fashion show fundraiser; enjoy the final walk featuring her designs!

Denim shoes for spring 2016

March 16, 2016 in Shoes / Shopping / Trends tagged christian louboutin / espadrilles / jimmy choo / mules / pumps / spring 2016 / wedges by Bay Area Fashionista

From top left: espadrilles / wedges / mules / pumps / floral heeled pumps / platforms

Denim shoes for spring 2016 are a huge trend! Denim on denim, and denim everything, is a trend we have been watching grow over the past few seasons. For the spring 2016 season, it has exploded! This is the season to wear denim on denim, denim handbags, and of course, denim shoes!

With the move towards athleisure, and casual dressing for the spring season, denim shoes are a great alternative to canvas, leather, and suede for the warm weather season. Denim has a casual vibe, which also translates into a “cool” factor. This makes denim shoes a fresh, and easy way to make a fashion statement this spring season. Love that!

I love how denim high heels look with casual clothing. They offer all the benefits of a high heel or pump, yet offer casual flair due to the denim fabric. I definitely need to get a pair this spring season!

Denim espadrilles, and slip-on sneakers are a great casual shoe for everyday this spring 2016 season. They look fabulous with shorts, jeans, midi skirts, mini skirts, and jumpers. I did indulge in a pair of denim espadrilles for spring! I cannot wait to wear them with my warm weather, casual outfits!

Denim on denim is a continuing trend from last year into this year. Denim shoes are a great way to rock the trend if you don’t like a chambray shirt paired with a denim skirt or pants. They give the denim on denim look, without wearing tonal denim. This is my preference. I am not big on wearing tonal denim outfits. I like denim shoes paired with one other denim piece. I feel like it is a fresher take on the trend.

What do you think of denim shoes for spring 2016? Is this a trend you plan to rock as we move into warmer weather? Or will you find another way to incorporate denim into your spring wardrobe? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Denim shoes for spring 2016 online:

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