Impatiently:

Waiting for Spring.... by nsaich featuring a bow shirt

      I've said it once, I will likely say it 1,000+ more times but I am SO looking forward to Spring time. The frost melting away to reveal fresh floral print dresses, pastel polishes adorning my nails, and warm weather produce surfacing at the local farmer's market. Valentine's Day is also around the corner which is one of my favorite holidays! I never really need an excuse to tell others how much I adore them but Valentines Day makes my habits seem less unusual. I also believe that February 14th is one of those days toward the beginning of Spring where I get to create a ton of goodies to satisfy any sweet tooth! For example these peanut butter cups or some baked mini donuts. For now I'm waiting out Winter wrapped up in cozy blankets with a warm drink and picking out my favorite Spring style selections on Polyvore. 

     How are you hibernating these chilly days?

Yours,
Nico

PS: There are new ways to follow along with Satin&Salt! You can like me on facebook by clicking here, if you're into twitter you can follow me here, and on pinterest here! 

Walking On Flat Ground:

Walking On Flat Ground by nsaich featuring wedge shoes

      Do you ever feel like this world is filled with a little too many twists and turns? Too many hills and mountains to climb? Me too, that's one of the reasons that I like to wear flats (the second being that I am already 6'1 and heels aren't necessary)! I also know that even if I'm wearing flats, it doesn't mean that I have to look any less fashionable. From bold prints, delicate ankle straps, or even animal motifs, flats are no longer boring or dull! Take a look at a few of my favorite selections by clicking the link below my collage! I think that you will find life's hillsides much easier to handle while standing in a pair of these shoes!

Yours,

Nico

Top it off

Top it off by nsaich featuring a leopard print long sleeve shirt

      Recently while rifling thru my closet I realized that I own quite a few separates that don't really have any tops that go with them which is when I thought to myself... what are the essential shirts every girl should own? Every woman knows that she should own a "little black dress," but does she know what tops she simply MUST have in her closet? As a result I got brainstorming and here is what (I believe!) are the essentials:

1: White Sequin Tank- Ideal for layering under blazers for a night downtown or for wearing with colored denim during the day! I feel like dressy sequins mix perfectly with casual white for a truly versatile piece. 

2: Striped Top- Stripes are a forever print that never goes out of style and can easily be worn year round. I like three quarter sleeves because the cut works in both the Spring and Summer as well as a layering piece in the cooler months. (See how I styled stripes with florals in this post, and click here for a windy weather look)

3: Leopard Print Silk Button Up- Great day to evening top! Wear it buttoned to the top with a cami under neath and a blazer over top for the office. At night, remove the blazer and roll up your sleeves! 

4: Red (Slightly Sexy) Top-  Like walking into the room wearing a red dress, I feel like a sexy red top evokes the same effect. I like the idea of choosing a style that isn't too dressy so that it can be worn during the day as well with skirts, jeans, or slacks and a blazer. 

5: White Silk Button Up- I don't think I need to speak much on how a white button up is an excellent multitasker in your closet. However, I LOVE how overly sexy items (like my sequined gold disco shorts!) are instantly made classy by pairing them with a white button up and conservative heels. 

6: A Uniquely You Top- The example I have above might not be a universal style but it is very much me. I think its important to have a couple of pieces that don't follow trends but rather, what you would naturally gravitate toward. This is what makes personal style. 

7: Floral Print Blouse: Floral is another print that always returns each spring, find one you love and wear it for years! I prefer darker floral prints because then you can wear them in the Winter as well and still look seasonally appropriate. 

8: Polka Dot Blouse- (Yet again!) Another print that is never really out of trend. Dressed up, polka dots can give off a pin up vibe. Dressed down, polka dots seem effortless and casual. Stick with black and white color combinations, they tend to match more! (See how I styled polka dots: 1 & 2

9: Chambray Button Up- Just like your denim jeans, a chambray top will match everything. For spring, I'd love to wear one with colored denim or as a light weight jacket over sun dresses!

*Tip- Please click the link below the photo for details on each item!

Yours,

Nico

Butter... YELLOWS

Butter... YELLOWS by nsaich featuring silk pants

      Lately I find my wardrobe is influenced more and more by the dishes I prepare and the ingredients I use. For spring I am lusting after shades of butter yellow and this neon yellow ipad case/purse/clutch is climbing to the top Nico's most wanted list. 


Yours,
Nico


PS: For more fashion and food tips and tricks you can follow me on twitter by clicking here or check out my facebook page

Slippers

Slippers by nsaich featuring slipper shoes

     There's nothing better than spending xmas morning unwrapping presents with your loved ones. However, keeping your feet toasty in a warm pair of slippers is also high on my holiday fun list (especially if the slippers happen to be in the form on zombie's like the pair featured above!). Some of my other favorite Christmas related activities include:


-Baking up over 6 POUNDS of butter this month.
-The smell of orange zest filling my home after dishing up these bad boys
-Devouring a holiday meal at Dad's house (this year should be a classic stunner!)
- Sand Angels
- Hot drinks to cut thru the crisp coastal breeze of Santa Cruz, like my spiced cider.
-Taking walks downtown to listen to carol singers and street musicians


      Okay I didn't really make sand angels on the beaches of Santa Cruz, but it was a nice idea! Just two days until Christmas! Are you ready for it?




Yours,
Nico 

Handbag Haven:

      My blogger friend Paris and I like to do something called "pretend shopping." Meaning we scour all our favorite web sites essentially "window shopping" from the comfort of our own homes and at the end of the venture we swap our favorite online finds. Anyway, while "pretend shopping" for vintage handbags on ebay.com I decided to check out my own personal handbag collection and I realized I really don't need anything new! Sometimes instead of looking at all the things you don't own, its better to "shop within your closet." Rediscover items you forgot about or sell the items you no longer use at a consignment store! 

These are the hidden gems found in 

my stash of purses that I have been 

collecting over the last several years:

Handbags clockwise from top middle:

1: Lavender snakeskin embossed Michael Kors drawstring bag

2: Grey leather bag with gunmetal hardware by 

Betsey Johnson

3: Chocolate brown leather vintage Gucci bag

4: Marc Jacobs studded "Large Single" bag 

(featured here)

5: White patent leather Kate Spade clutch (seen here)

6: Vintage BCBG Maz Azria gold clutch

7: Red vintage coach bag (last worn here)

8: Brown leather coach clutch

9: Hayden-Harnett for Target tan and gold 

shoulder bag (see what I carry in this bag here)

10: Random grey faux fur studded clutch scored 

at a vintage shop

11: Large black leather Chloe bag 

Yours,

Nico

PS, don't forget to store your purses in their dust bags to reduce damage!

Hibernating for the winter:

      I'm not actually going to be hibernating this holiday season but I have been stocking up on cold weather items. Here's a handful of my style supplies for Autumn:

Black hat adorned with a Macaw feather perfect for covering up dark roots in between salon visits:

Something Old (Marc Jacobs bag, similar here) and something new (Missoni for Target sweater skirt, can't wait to pair it with tights and oxfords):

I have a massive obsession with all things jewelry (see examples here, here, and here). Honestly my adoration has gotten slightly out of hand so instead of looking for new gems for fall, I decided to explore "the archive" (my treasure chest filled with pieces I have collected over the years) and I ended up rediscovering pieces that I think will work perfectly with my winter wardrobe:

I picked up this tassel at Beverly's Crafts for less than $2, when looped thru a zipper pull, this red tassel gives a basic bag a fresh update:

Found a sleek glass jar at Dollar tree recently and have been using it as a "catch all" for my clothing nick nacks. I keep extra buttons from jackets and pants in here (ever wonder what to do with all those spare buttons? and they always go missing when you need them, right?). Needles, thread, and safety pins are kept handy in this location too. A pretty yet practical way to keep odds and ends organized:

Yours,

Nico

Feeling the blues:

       Ok so I'm not feeling the sad kind of blues but I am feeling this blazer in an electric blue shade. I wore this outfit this past Saturday to see Hall & Oates preform at the Saratoga Mountain Winery:

Blazer: Forever 21

Black Cami: Gap

Jeans: Alloy (available in petite and tall inseams!)

Shoes: Banana Republic (Old style, similar here)

Handbag: Kate Spade (on sale!)

Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples (similar style here)

Ring: Marc Jacobs "Lola" perfume ring

Lipstick: Impassioned by Mac

Watch: Michael Kors (similar here)

Earrings: Aldo (old style)

(image c/o this myspace user)

The concert venue was spectacular! Gorgeous mountain views, picturesque grape vines, and a killing sound system. I plan on seeing a few more concerts at this venue before the end of 2011!

Yours,

Nico

Shoe In.

Functional shoes: 

Basics for every outfit/occasion 

and wardrobe staples for life.

(prices range from $79 to $285)

(Functional Shoes)

Statement Shoes:

They may not go with everything but they sure are pretty!

(Prices range from $130 to $1,495! I hope the shoe 

box also doubles as a studio apartment!)

(Statement Shoes)

Which would you choose?

(Valentino vs. Jeffery Campbell)

The Jeffery Campbell's are the clear winner for me. Not only is the price tag much easier to look at, but I love the black and nude color combo!

Yours,

Nico