SPRING OUTFIT FOR WHEN IT'S NOT QUITE WARM YET





Last week on Instagram, I mentioned that I had been wearing lots of outfits lately that looked springy but still felt nice & warm! Today I'm sharing another example of how I do that & my tips to pulling off a spring inspired outfit when the weather is still so chilly!

1. Wear Spring Shades. I haven't stopped wearing long sleeves & sweaters yet, but that doesn't mean I haven't fully embraced pastel shades & spring colors. I have been wearing a TON of blush pink & adding brighter shades of blues & reds into my wardrobe during the last couple of weeks. I am super excited to wear yellow this season too! (It's my favorite color & I'm so excited that it's finally becoming a trend!)

 2. Wear Spring Accessories. Just because you can't go pulling out all your spring clothes, doesn't mean you can't start wearing your spring accessories. I have started styling my lighter colored bags & open toe shoes with my outfits! Bold jewelry is another way to add a spring pop to your looks!

Top: Free People (love this print & this one) | Jeans: c/o DL1961 | Shoes: Vince Camuto (size down one full size) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Ray Ban
XO,
Michelle Paige
PS. Below are some additional examples of 'winter to spring' outfits that I've worn recently:
Sweatshirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Top: Banana Republic (also available as dress or scarf)


Sweater: c/o Topshop (similar)


Sweater: LOFT | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff 

TRENCH COAT + EMBROIDERED CAP





We have been having quite a rainy few days around here. I wore this look over the weekend on my first day out of the house after being sick. I wasn't quite feeling up to doing my hair or make up so a cute cap & sunglasses did the trick! (Although to be honest, even when I've been having 'good hair days' lately, I've been wearing this cap, because it's SO cute!) 

Even though it was rainy, the temps were warm enough for me to wear just a trench coat! I don't mind this type of weather & am ready for some of those April showers. I mentioned my trench coat as a wardrobe staple in this post & here's another example of how perfect this coat style is. A trench instantly makes an outfit look more put together. I love, love my Burberry one. It's a classic color & style, but you don't have to spend a fortune for a great trench coat. Shop styles under $150 below!




Trench: Burberry | Shirt: Forever 21 | Pants: Zara (similar) | Sneakers: Adidas | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Hat: c/o Topshop ($30!) | Sunglasses: Ray Ban
XO,
Michelle Paige
Shop Trench Coats Under $150:


SHOE STYLES TO TRY THIS SPRING





One of my favorite, favorite, favorite items to shop for is shoes!!! I love trying on new styles & updating my pairs for each season. I  love that a great pair of shoes can transform an outfit, upgrade an outfit or totally change the styling of a look. Some of my favorite shoe styles for the spring include: sneakers, loafer slides & wedges. On my blog this week, I'll be showing how I style all 3 of these shoe styles. Today I'm starting with the one I was most hesitant to try: slides! 



I loved the look of slides & knew how easy they would be to literally, slide on, and walk out of the house in the morning, but a part of me couldn't get over the idea that I would be walking down the street and kick one off! When I saw this Sam Edelman pair, my mind was made up that I needed a pair of slides for spring (& I would just need to take small steps while wearing them!) I love that this pair has mixed prints which makes them a bit girly in what is typically a more masculine shoe shape.



I've been pairing these slides with all things black, white and blue lately. Mostly jeans & fun tops because it's still too chilly for dresses, but I can't wait to slide these babes on with a little white dress in the summer. In the meantime, how amazing is this blue & white stripe top? I showed you guys a sneak peek of this top on Instagram stories last week (along with the other 3 blue & white striped items I got...you could say I'm obsessed!) & this piece is definitely my favorite. I love the cut out shoulders, ruffle neck & hello to those bows! Note - I did need some help tying them so that they laid perfectly (thanks Mom!). Bows that size can be slightly high maintenance but I think the tying & retying was worth it ;) 
Top: via Amazon  | Jeans: American Eagle | Slides: Sam Edelman | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Lip: c/o Juice Beauty (shade: Venice)

 Be sure to stop back on Wednesday & Friday to see how I style sneakers & wedges!

 XO,
Michelle Paige

SPRING DATE NIGHT OUTFIT





In my 3 years of blogging, I don't think I've ever been late to get a blog post up! I pride myself on sticking to my editorial calendar and having as much new content as possible for you all during the week, but Thursday afternoon I got really sick (finally starting to feel better this morning) so this post is coming at ya a day later than I had planned! Better late than never right?! Hopefully you all think this look was worth the wait ;)


As soon as the spring season starts to roll around, I want to wear all the pastel colors! As soon as I saw this cute off the shoulder shirt, I knew I needed it! It is the cutest top for spring date nights & includes so many trends that I am loving right now: blush pink, off the shoulder & bows! I can't wait to style this top with denim shorts & sandals this summer.




Top:  via Amazon | Jeans: American Eagle | Booties: Vince Camuto (on sale now) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (love these colors) | Lip: c/o Juice Beauty (shade: Venice - new fav!)

 XO,
Michelle Paige

LONG, THICK LASHES - NO EXTENSIONS REQUIRED

Today I'm letting you all in on a little beauty routine secret that I've been using for the last month or so: Rodan + Fields Lash Boost Serum! I am really lucky to have long lashes but they lack volume & at times seem to be scarce. I had contemplated getting eyelash extensions or a lash lift, but every time I read about them, it seems like a lot of money and a lot of upkeep. 

with mascara

no mascara
When I heard about the brand Rodan + Fields, started by the doctors behind Proactiv, I was instantly interested! They now have a skincare line that focuses on using the right ingredients with the right formula in the right order for your skin! Since I am currently pretty happy with my skincare routine (although I did try the micro dermabrasion paste to exfoliate my skin!), I decided to see what additional products the brand offered! 

As soon as I came across the lash boost, I knew I had to try it! It was so easy to use - simply apply a bit of the serum on your upper lash line before bed every night. It didn't sting my eyes & dried really quickly so I barely even felt the serum after application! 

the most surprising change to me was how long my lower lashes got! 

my eyes look so creepy here, but you can really tell how long my lashes are! I need to use a Q-Tip to wipe mascara off my eyelids!

I have been applying the lash serum for just over a month now & will continue to apply it nightly, but I wanted to show my results! My lashes are definitely longer & I think I have more of them than before. I even feel like they stand out more in some of my latest blog posts - really highlighting my eyes more than before! Sadly, I was so excited to start using this product, I didn't take any before photos! But this post includes some 'after' photos.

full posts: 1 | 2 | 3


Purchase Rodan + Fields Enhancements Lash Boost here!



XO,
Michelle Paige



TOP 20 WARDROBE STAPLES



It's officially spring cleaning season! Slowly & surely, I have been making it through the different sections of my closet & have been purging, selling & donating styles that are worn out, don't fit or just aren't my style anymore. It feels so great to narrow down my closet & get rid of old styles & trendy "what was I thinking?!" pieces. Spring cleaning is also the time of year that I use to evaluate what I have in my closet & what I need. It's often a time that I refresh & replenish my wardrobe staples. Today I'm laying out 20 of the wardrobe basics I can't live without...


 1. Trench Coat - A trench coat is the ultimate in classic rain coats. I personally love a classic beige trench but black gets the job done just as well. Burberry makes expensive but really great trench coats. I have had mine for over 5 years, so I can definitely say the quality holds up well, making it worth the price tag. (also worn here)

 2. Dark Wash Skinny Jeans - Honestly, any shape of denim that you feel comfortable in is worth investing in but for me, skinny jeans are my favorite style to dress up & dress down.  I've talked extensively about how much I love American Eagle jeans; their jegging styles are my favorite because they don't lose their shape even after wearing them over and over and over again.  (You can see & read more about my AEO jean styles here)

3. White Blouse - I have more white blouses than I can count but for me it's worth having a large selection because I wear them so often! (see how I style white tops here, here & here) A classic white blouse looks great with jeans, skirts, leather pants & work trousers. Banana Republic & Ann Taylor make great blouses.

 4. Tailored Blazer - Another piece that looks great with everything from work day looks to weekend styles. A blazer automatically ups the sophistication of any outfit. I love the J Crew blazers - they come in classic colors & shapes, plus the quality is fantastic!

 5. Black Leather Jacket - Even if you wouldn't consider your style to be 'edgy,' I still say a black leather jacket is a must have. It's great for those transitional weather days from winter to spring & from summer to fall. If you're like me, you don't like your style to fit into one cookie cutter so I love pairing a leather jacket with a girly outfit to balance it out. The best leather jacket for under $100 is by Blank NYC. I wear it all the time (seen here & here)

6. White Tee - I go through white tee shirts as quickly as I do shampoo LOL. I wear them to death & then buy new ones, so I don't like to spend a lot. Forever 21 makes great basics & American Eagle tees are SUPER soft. (Black & gray tees are good to stock up on too!)

 7. Black Pumps - If you invest in one pair of heels, make it a black pump. I have fun colored heels & trendy styles and no matter what else I buy, the pair I end up wearing the most are my black pumps. They go with everything! Depending on your price point, you can go for a designer brand or a more affordable pair like Sam Edelman.

 8. Denim Jacket - Once summer hits, I wear my denim jacket just about everyday. It's the ultimate warm weather jacket & matches that easy, effortless vibe of the summertime. Not surprisingly, my favorite denim jacket comes from my favorite place to buy denim: American Eagle! (seen here & here)

 9. Striped Tee - As I mentioned above, American Eagle makes great tee shirts but my favorite striped tee is actually from Madewell. It's a classic shape & print at an affordable price! (I talked about my favorite tee shirt styles in this post)

 10. Little Black Dress - Perfect for work, weddings, date nights, weekends, etc, a little black dress is truly the one piece you can wear anywhere and pair with anything. ( I will be doing a post later this week about LBD's under $50! Stay Tuned)

11. Neutral Sweaters - Being from NY, I have a lot of sweaters! After all, I feel like I end up wearing sweaters for almost 6 months out of the year. The ones that I recommend splurging on & the ones that I wear most often year after year are the neutral shades. White, black, beige & gray are staples that you will wear over & over again, season after season. I love Free People sweaters for cozy, slightly oversize styles.

 12. Classic Watch - If you want to be taken seriously, you need a good watch. OK, not really, but I love when someone asks me the time and I don't need to check my phone! I switch off between wearing my Michele watch or my Michael Kors watch daily. 

 13. Black Trousers or Jeans - A classic pair of black pants or black jeans are guaranteed to become one of your most worn pairs of pants. My favorite tailored trousers come from LOFT & my favorite black jeans are by DL1961.

 14. Neutral Ankle Booties - During the fall & winter, I am constantly wearing ankle booties. I love that they keep me warm but look stylish with lots of different outfits. For a splurge pair, go with Rag & Bone or for more affordable pairs try Vince Camuto.

15. Chambray Top - I know you might be questioning this one, but a chambray top has become my go-to top when I'm not sure what to wear. I love that it's easy & comfortable but makes me look like I put effort into my outfit. Double blue denim is one of my favorite looks but you can also pair a chambray top with black or white jeans. (worn here & here)

16. T Shirt Dress - A t shirt/casual style dress is a weekend staple in my book. Once the weather is nice, I wear a casual dress with sneakers or sandals almost every day. I love how comfy they are. 

 17. Neutral Flats - Working in NYC, I am definitely more of a flats gal than a heels gal. I have a few favorite brands for flats & lucky for you all, they come in at different price points! I love Tory Burch for a more expensive style. They last a while & are really comfortable once they are broken in. Sam Edelman is another favorite for flats - the Felicia is a stand out. I love that they are mid-priced  & come in endless colors! Steve Madden is my favorite to shop for trendier style flats since they are often under $100!

 18. White Sneakers - Sneakers have always been a favorite shoe style of mine but thanks to athleisure being a huge trend, I wear my sneakers more than ever lately. While I love wearing colorful pairs for workouts to get me motivated, I love a classic white pair for daytime since it leaves a clean palette for a fun outfit. My favorites are the Nike Juvenate or Adidas Stan Smith.

19. Tote Bag - I'm sure you're like me and have more than one bag. I actually could probably do an entire post just on bags, but if I was to narrow it down to one must have, I would definitely pick a tote. Toss all of your essentials into it and you're out the door. (Cross body bags for weekends & clutch styles for date night would be my other 2 must have picks!)

 20. Dainty Jewelry - While statement jewelry pieces definitely add an element of boldness and fun to an outfit, dainty jewelry is perfect for everyday occasions. I love layering my pieces for a unique look. My favorite daily jewelry pieces are my David Yurman 5mm bracelets & necklaces by Gorjana. Lately this Taner Bar necklace has been on major repeat!
Trench: Burberry (shop more styles) | Top: Forever 21 (shop more styles) | Jeans: American Eagle | Bag: Reed Krakoff (similar) | Flats: Steve Madden
I'm sure I forgot SOMETHING. Let me know what pieces you consider to be staples!

 Happy first day of spring!!! 

 XO
Michelle Paige


FIVE WORK WEAR BASICS


Talking 9 to 5 looks again today (woo hoo)! These posts have actually been pretty fun because they push me to dress up a little extra in the mornings and to buy pieces that I normally may not, so I hope you all are enjoying reading them as much as I am enjoying putting them together! Today's post is all about 9 to 5 basics.

I've been doing a bunch of spring cleaning lately & have really been thinking about the colors, shapes & pieces I wear most. I'll be doing a larger, more general wardrobe staples post next week but for today I thought it might be helpful to some of you if I shared my top five work wear basics.

 They include:  1. Shirt Dress, 2. Pencil Skirt,  3. Black Trousers, 4. Silk Top,  5. Blazers

 These pieces can be mixed & matched to create tons of different looks for endless work day outfit options. The easiest of course is to toss on a shift dress; one & done & out the door. Pencil skirts & black trousers are classic, fitted pieces that will always look professional, especially when styled with a silk top. I love printed options just as much as I love solids! Top off any of these looks with a blazer & you'll instantly look like a boss ;)

 I want to point out that even though I'm referring to these pieces as 'basics,' they definitely don't have to be basic. This shirt dress from Banana Republic has the cutest ruffle detail & banker stripe print making it a stand out piece for the office, but it's simple in shape & can be worn over and over again for work days, meetings or even an interview! I love finding classics with a twist that are professional for a work day but allow my personality & sense of style to shine!
Dress: Banana Republic (on sale now) | Bag: Tory Burch | Booties: Steve Madden | Sunglasses: Ray Ban
XO,
Michelle Paige

Shop Work Day Styles: 



TBT: SPRING OUTFIT IDEAS

I am itching for some spring weather! We aren't quite there yet in the NY area (and by not quite, I mean not even close!) so instead I'm just over here dreaming of sunny days & taking a look back at some of my favorite spring looks from past years.


Style Tip: Add gingham print back into your wardrobe (& then go on a picnic!)


Style Tip: Swap your jeans for an alternate denim piece for spring. Try a chambray top, denim skirt or denim dress.


Style Tip: If you stopped wearing your white jeans for winter, it's time to pull them out again!!!

camo & blush outfit
Style Tip: Pair your favorite prints (plaid, stripes, camo, etc) with girly shades like blush pink.

ladylike midi dress
Style Tip: Floral for spring might not be groundbreaking, but they always, always are in style.



Which throwback look is your favorite? 
What styles do you want to see me wear this spring??

 XO,
Michelle Paige


@michelle_orsi
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