In preperation for my trip to the South of France

In preperation for my up coming trip to the South of France I felt it necessary to wear a floral print! The Lavender won't be in bloom this time of year, but this skirt can definitely get you in the mood.

With this look I often go-dare I say it BARE legged...so when I put these white "leggings" on it felt odd at first.  These white capri length leggings are from Nordstrom. They have the feel of lace with a bit of stretch. This is the first time I am wearing them this season, and it won't be my last. They will be be one of the pairs I bring on the trip, Nice Grasse, Aix, Arles I am ready!

Which brings me to my dilemma. I am contemplating what to pack for the trip. I will be bringing some hosiery, the weather will be warmer so it will be mostly for evening. I will also be going shopping for hosiery, and don't want to over pack.

My debate begins with my full leather skirt. I have the skirt below in black, do I bring it or is it too dark?

I plan on pairing it with a lace tee-shirt...so is it too much?

The other item I am on the fence about bringing is this pair of off-white lace shorts...can I pull them off?

Of course I "Cannes"

Spring has Sprung...

Finally, it feels like Spring is here!

I have the next month to wear the remaining portion of my NEW spring hosiery. I want to emphasized NEW, as in the tights, over the knee socks and hold ups that I purchased this year or at the end of season last year that I have not worn.

I have boxes devoted to unopened hosiery that I haven't worn, sorted by color, type and brand. There are roughly about 50 pairs that I haven't worn that are for Spring and about 30 pairs for Fall. There are pairs that I have not  yet had the opportunity to wear, and I look at them everyday and hope that it will stay cold a little longer just to wear them...This is in addition to my 300 plus colleciton.

These are from the Spring 11Collection from Calzedonia. In a baby pink floral pattern.

The Royal Wedding- Preparation for THE spring event-Part 1

As I am sure everyone knows, a Royal Wedding is near. Kate Middleton and Prince William are set to tie the knot on April 29th at Westminster Abbey. I personally tied the knot with another lesser known British Prince 5 years ago this September. The Brits have away of making something that seems so romantic both trivial and exciting at the same time. Simultaneously embracing the wedding with endless media hype and lot's of uncomfortable navel gazing

Apparently Kate Middleton will be wearing Aristoc hosiery on the day of her wedding, which is made in Derbyshire England. Good choice for the future Queen of England, keeping the manufacturing in the sceptered Isle. Aristoc is made by the same company that make Pretty Polly, House of Holland and the PP NYLON's collection.

Liberty's is by far the most exciting shop in London-comparable to Barney's and Bendel's. Liberty of London collection for Target was the British invasion of the year 2010. I, like a lot of New Yorkers, flocked to the Pop Up shop last Spring. There floral patterns are right on point for even this spring.

Lucky for me I didn't get bored of them last season. Every-time I go to London, I go to Liberty to check out both the amazing selection of wallpaper and fabrics and of course Hosiery!!

My top is from the Liberty of London collection for Target 2010, and my tights are from a small boutique in East London circa 2006.

My next hosiery purchase - Oroblu Annis Lurex Tights

While browsing on-line, I came across these Oroblu Annis Lurex tights. I will hopefully be adding them to my collection soon!

The Annis lurex tights like all Oroblu tights have an interesting color way; brown with a blue and yellow floral print. They feel as if might have been inspired by William Morris Wallpaper.

They will be the perfect pair for the changing season from winter to spring or even for fall.

Both of these William Morris Wallpaper patterns would be perfect designs for a pair of vibrant tights! 

William Morris Wallpaper

William Morris Wallpaper

Nordstrom has the best Hosiery Department!

Nordstrom hands down has the best hosiery section of any department store.  

Nordstrom has everything from the basics; Spanx, HUE, Orablu and both DKNY and Donna Karen . They also carry their own private label that has some of the best textures patterns that are sometimes equally as great as Europe's Calzedonia. 

At the beginning of each season, I dash to my local Nordstrom and scour both their private label brand and the brand names. Their recent rebranding of their private label packaging is both modern and fresh. 

After my recent visit to the King of Prussia Mall Nordstrom PA, I decided to see what they had for spring. I found a pair of floral leggings similar to a pair of tights I got from Calzedonia spring collection. Usually, Nordstrom private label are made in Italy. This time, the pair I naturally assumed were made in Italy were in fact made in China. 

The fact that they are made in China did not stop me from wanting to purchase the whole range. I did buy 4 pairs, 3 pairs made in China and one pair made in Italy. The quality of some hosiery made in China is not nearly what it is if was made in Italy. I don't know if its the choice of yarn, the dying of the yarn or just the machines that the hosiery is knitted on. But this particular pair was identical to the pair made in Europe. 

This particular pair of black lace floral leggings are right on trend for the Spring 2011 season. A mixture of bold florals with a classic lace. Whenever I wear a bolder tight or legging I am inclined to wear a simple outfit. 

Today, I wanted to wear these leggings as tights, so I paired them with boots to hide the legging aspect.

Now we just need spring to arrive so I can wear my new white lace leggings and 

the rest of the amazing Calzedonia haul Nathan bought me!

Casual Weekend in Calzedonia Floral Tights in Navy Blue

I never really like the color "Navy" especially when it comes to tights. They always make me think of a school uniform, or Horsey Bristish women- So when Nathan showed me this particular pair of Calzedonia tights I wasn't exactly thrilled. They are right on trend for the spring 2011 season, with an all over floral pattern.  I began to wonder if I would have anything to wear with them. I don't wear blue other then denim and I think I might only own one blue shirt...

This weekend we had unseasonably warm weather. I am thrilled with the upcoming seasonal change-  it will be great to move from the heavy opaque patterned tights and into the whimsical floral and open weave patterns! I can't wait to reveal all of my newest spring 2011 additions most of them from Calzedonia of course...

So imagine my amazement when I found the perfect outfit to showcase my floral tights that I now really like despite the fact they are navy! I have the same pair in another color way... By pairing the navy tights with a simple denim skirt, grey sweater and boots one of my newest pair of Calzedonia Tights were ready for a pre-spring debut!