Lately, I’m loving:

• This Lele Sadoughi necklace. Lele was my very first "Behind the Baubles" interviewee and I’ve been obsessed with her jewels ever since. I still can’t believe I pulled the trigger. 
  
  
• A pair of $6 knock-offs of Dior’s double pearl earrings. Obviously I’d prefer the original, but I’ll happily settle on the pair that costs less than lunch.
  
  
• Aquaphor. How have I been without this miracle worker for so long?! Winter leaves my skin dry, chapped and cracked and this balm immediately soothed and repaired the problem areas.  
  
  
• Fit and flare dresses. I’m keeping an eye out for one to wear on repeat this spring. So far, I’ve narrowed it down to this J.Crew dress in “haven blue” (but the sheen of the fabric might be too fancy for daytime wear), a Club Monaco dress in light pink (I like the placement of the seams and the v-shaped back), or this French Connection dress in poppy (I’m unsure about the pseudo cap sleeves).

1. Gap, $40 // 2. Zara, $60 // 3. Lele Sadoughi, $265 // 4. Tory Burch, $195 // 5. Forever21, $6 // 6. Topshop, $84 // 7. Diane von Furstenberg, $300 // 8. Kate Spade, $68

Apparently a seasonal transition was carte blanche to purchase as many spring items as possible. There were so many tempting sales and new releases that I loved too much to risk having sell out, which led to an early dent in my spring/summer wardrobe. Going through a ruthless closet cleanout and then taking the time to work on a comprehensive spring and summer plan has been a huge asset. The pieces I bought so far are exactly what I want; they’re great quality (for the most part—the Gap flats could be better), and they’re very “me.” (Honestly, though, I spent a boatload of money. The next couple of months are going to be sparse.)

A few things to note this time around:

• I started a Pinterest board for my spring/summer purchases, which has already proved to be helpful. Before pulling the trigger, I’ve added items to the board to see how it coordinates with the rest of the items. It helps me stay accountable to my plan and it’s reassuring to see that each item coordinates with each other. 
  
  
• I’m pickier when accepting gifted items and you’ll now see each of those listed below. Quite frankly, I don’t want to waste space in our apartment on an item I’m not smitten with. 
  
  
• I’m adding a quick note about the items I ordered and returned. 
  
  
• If you’re eager to give The French Wardrobe Challenge a whirl this time, send over a link to your progress by the 15th of each month (either in the comments or via email at jessica@bedknobsandbaubles.com). I’ll add the link to this post and share your post on Twitter and Facebook. The challenge isn’t ideal for everyone, but you might want to give it a shot if you’re feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied with your own wardrobe. 

THE RULES

1. Just five standout pieces per season. (There are two “seasons” for this purpose: spring/summer and fall/winter.)
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Basics don’t count.
4. Accessories don’t count, unless you’re spending a lot more than usual.
5. Socks and underwear don’t count.
6. Shoes do count. (I’m not counting shoes, though.)

MY PROGRESS:

Part of my Five:

• J.Crew Factory botanical-print shorts: a flat front with a side zip makes them ultra flattering

Basics:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in navy
• J.Crew merino tippi sweater in heather grey: These are my all-time favorite sweaters. They’re versatile and I wear them with everything. It was also on sale for $30 after shipping.

Bags: 

• Coach small saffiano leather satchel in black: my 2014 tax return splurge (I had a coupon for $100 off of a $300+ purchase, so I also bought the card case listed below.)

Accessories: 

• Eddie Borgo iridescent cone earrings: pre-ordered from Modi Operandi
• Randolph Engineering rose gold aviators (c/o)
• Lele Sadoughi lotus bib necklace: I had a coupon for $50 off a $100+ purchase and couldn’t resist this sale find. 
• Vintage ring from Frippery Vintage: she found this on her trip to Italy
• Coach saffiano leather card case in peach rose: love using these in clutches

Shoes: 

• Gap striped flats: after a coupon and a discount code, these came to $26
• Anthropologie palm-print flats

Ordered and Returned:

• J.Crew 5” chino shorts in white: sheer enough to see the pocket lining

If you’re curious about The French Wardrobe Challenge, I encourage you to peruse the archived posts. 

Stunning doesn’t even begin to describe Meghna Patel’s East-meets-West jewelry collection. Drawing inspiration from her native India, the vibrant, intricate designs have been featured in the pages of top publications like Vogue and earned a starring role on the small screen on Gossip Girl. Each piece is handcrafted by Indian artisans who bring Meghna’s designs to life. The ornate pieces in the Taj Mahal collection are my personal favorite with the Mawi earrings topping my list. 

Shop It: Trisha Earrings, $250 // Asin Earrings, $200 // Textured Druzy Pendant, $140 // Textured Square Druzy Ring, $110 // Mirror Rings, $110 // Jai Ho Earrings, $260 // Mawi Earrings, $308 (my favorite!)

Follow Meghna Designs: Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram

It’s depressing to go through my photos and realize that we barely left the house in February, but it’s even more of a downer knowing that we were shut-ins in January too. Until it’s warm enough to leave the house, here’s another month of at-home highlights:

• Making the most of a sick day in banana-print pjs
• Purchased two pairs of printed flats for spring: stripes and banana leaves
• Kept the cat company
• Dressed up in a lovey-dovey print
• Picked out a new lipstick
• Wore mint and black
• Added a pair of botanical-print shorts to my wardrobe after The Great Closet Cleanout
• Splurged on a classic black satchel with a portion of my tax return (the rest is earmarked for our European vacation)
• Celebrated Valentine’s Day in the best possible way: beer, pizza, and the prettiest bouquet of flowers 

Here’s hoping that March is in like a lion and out like a lamb this year because on March 31, I’m packing away the tights for the season and accessorizing with bright, tropical colors. This pair of earrings by Melanie Auld would be perfect for the transition. They’re nearly three inches long, have a hint of sparkle and come in turquoise, coral or mother of pearl. 

My brother, Nathan, and I are on completely different career trajectories: I’m an event planner and he’s in the Army working with explosives. I’m guessing that this is his official job description, but all I know for sure is that he has a security clearance and we’ve called him Hurt Locker.

So, you’ll understand why I was feeling awfully savvy when Randolph Engineering reached out to me about their American-made sunglasses. The brand is the “Frame of Choice” for the Department of Defense, giving soldiers like Nathan an alternative to the standard military-issued eyewear. They also supply sunglasses to the U.S. Army and Navy and allied Air Forces worldwide. 

I, however, opted to try out the non-military-issued rose gold frames. They’re a glamorous update to the classic aviator style and, as you’d expect from their military partnership, the quality is impeccable. They’re lightweight, sturdy and comfortable. 

A few additional highlights:

• they’re made in USA
• the solder joints have a lifetime warranty 
• they have adjustable silicon nose pads for customized fit
• they’re made with lightweight polycarbonate lenses
• they come with a case, microfiber cleaning cloth, and small maintenance kit (as you’ll see below, the cleaning cloth gives a nod to their aviation heritage)

Featured: Randolph Engineering aviators (c/o) // Coach bag // Coach card case // Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry

1. ASOS, $113 // 2. House of Holland, $450 // 3. Warby Parker, $95 // 4. Tibi, $275 // 5. Tory Burch, $295 // 6. Tory Burch, $95 // 7. Lele Sadoughi, $280 each

Let’s just start by saying that any brand citing Carmen Miranda as the inspiration for its newest collection earns a place in my heart. It’s just a bonus that the design duo behind Holst + Lee creates irresistible pieces of jewelry and, as you’ll see below, have incredible personalities. Natalie Holst and Rochelle Lee discovered their shared passion for design while working at New York’s upscale restaurants and nightclubs. They began creating pieces to complete their own edgy looks for work and soon realized other women wanted to wear their designs. 

Shop It: Under the Sea Necklace, $475 // Papaya Tree Necklace, $235 // Turquoise Mesh Bracelet, $165 // Black Mesh Bracelet, $165 // Glass Menagerie Crystal Studs, $75 // Coconut Earrings, $155 (my favorite!) // Island Paradise Necklace, $225 // Midnight Storm Necklace, $235

Follow Holst + Lee: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Lately, I’m loving:

• D’orsay flats from Anthropologie with a tropical print. I held out on the banana leaf bandwagon last year, but it wasn’t for a lack of interest. I just didn’t stumble across “the one” until now. I’m antsy for warm weather so I can wear them outdoors without fear of salt stains or, you know, frostbite. (They run true to size.)
  
  
• Another retailer with on-trend pearl jewelry. This wrap ring is too cute.
  
  
• A pair of striped flats from Gap. There was talk that the canvas was stiff and uncomfortable, but that wasn’t the case with my pair. They were actually pretty comfy for all-day wear—a nice surprise after paying just $26. The only downside is the synthetic insole. They’re not exactly breathable, so you’ll probably want to slip in a pair of these to keep things fresh when the weather warms up. (Ladylike? No. Honest? Yes.)
  
  
• My latest shopping steal: Kate Spade’s Larabee Dot large rose bowl and the Hopper Dot mini rose bowl for $55 total. Thank goodness for killer sales at the Boston Store. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, they also have the silver and black tidbit plate sets for under $20.