A true harbinger of spring in full swing are the sights and scents of lilacs in bloom.  I’ve always been fond of the shade of purple, as I am of most colors in their pastel form.   The color and smell of lilacs conjure a nostalgic feeling transporting me to the springs of my childhood.  Smells often do.  I was a flower girl in my aunt Kit’s wedding when I was 8, her “wedding color” was lilac, I remember the dresses my mother and aunts wore, my cousin Kathryn and I walked down the aisle dropping purple petals in matching Laura Ashley Lilac floral dresses with flutter shoulders and flouncy skirts.  The bride and her maids pictured below, (sorry the picture quality is so terrible you can barely tell that they are wearing Lilac) were so very beautiful in different silhouettes of the same hue.

Back to present day, it’s been pouring rain in the northeast for the past few days, everything is so green, the bright side of all of this precipitation is that the blooms are producing incredible colors which are popping against the grey sky and deep greens of the leaves and grass.  This morning I looked out my kitchen window and was memorized by the blooms on our lilac tree.   I was inspired to share some lilac items I am loving:

The Wedding Guest 

Lovers and Friends makes my list as always, this neckline is one of my faves because it works well on me.  I’ve been eyeing the off the shoulder ruffled mini from Endless Rose for about a month, I would have pulled the trigger on it this am had it not been sold out…le sigh.   I am loving Julie Engel’s new collection named after her blog “Gal Meets Glam”, the flirty and ultra feminine dresses are sold at Nordstrom.com.  This one reminds me of the bridesmaid dresses from my Aunt’s wedding.  This lace mermaid silhouette would be so pretty and so flattering.  For a casual beach wedding or rehearsal dinner,  I love this tiered midi Jcrew skirt in cotton poplin,  I’d wear it with this one sleeved bodysuit and Jeffery Campbell ankle strap sandals.

 

Accessorize 

As I’ve mentioned, I’ll take anything rattan, how cute is this Urban Expressions crossbody, for under $40 at DSW.  How cool are these Meghan Teardrop Post Earrings from Anthropologie, they can be worn three different ways.  Bows have always been my thing, Ted Baker’s handbags adorned with sweet little bows have always caught my eye, this cute lilac clutch is the look for less, such a bargain at under $30. Kendra Scott’s current collection is so pretty, I just gave my mom a pair of the smaller earrings for mothers day.  These opal-esque lilac slabs will be the perfect statement earring for summer.     For dressier occasions snag this pretty lilac print clutch from ANNA RACHELE, it would pop perfectly off a LWD.   The lilac gradient Le Spec shades from Revolve are super inexpensive and a fun accessory!

Get Comfy

This H&M mohair sweater for cooler nights with, the perfect white t-shirt, white skinny jeans and these Dr. Scholl’s perforated sneaks with memory foam soles my idea of the perfect comfy outfit.   I also happen to love these florescent bow sneakers from H&M, they are fun and very affordable.  I’d say I’ve got 2 weeks to do a years worth of working out to get in shape for bikini season, but if I were in the perfect shape, this metallic lilac Tularosa bikini with asymmetric ruffles would be my go to.  Note the high wasted bottom, a very flattering trend!  And now to my favorite article of clothing stitched into existence…le sweatpants.  Bandier is a hotbed for all things active-wear and fashionable fitness wear.  These Cotton Citizen Milan Joggers with zippers come in six colors and are comfy enough for bed and cool enough for street wear.  You can also snag these and these at Carbon 38 another great site for fashionable active-wear.

Pretty thing for the home

My girls are always asking for a bedroom update. While the color scheme will be up to them, how cute would these lilac home items be in a tween’s room.  One King Lane one of my favorite resources for unique affordable home goods did not disappoint on my hunt for lilac items.  What girl would not love this skirted lilac linen ottoman to sit on in front of a vanity.   This pair of vintage bedside tables are tres chic, I’d place this Anthro Wavery between two beds with these tufted headboards from Ballard Designs.  An bench at the end of a bed often ends up a magnet for discarded clothing, that said, these lavender velvet benches would be so pretty at the end of each bed, I love the brass feet.   Finally I would use this lavender agate cheese board on the vanity for perfumes and other vanity accessories.

 

Honorable mentions

+ this beyond adorable lilac seersucker bathing suit from Rufflebutts

+ Always been a fan of Pucci

Thats all

xo

D