SPRING PASTELS: GREEN KNIT BLAZER & CELINE BOX BAG

(The lovely mural of Twin Peaks is by local artist Amos Goldbaum) 

The arrival of spring brought many beautiful, sunny days here in San Francisco. After so much time spent indoors, I was thrilled to go on a nice stroll outside while being mindful of keeping appropriate distance from others. It was easy to discover all over again, and appreciate, the charm of this city; blossoming flowers adorning the iconic victorians, the colorful walls and homes, the quirky, local street art. Although this post is meant to be focused on spring fashion, I hope that the photos also pay homage to the small, simple pleasures of an idyllic spring day.

SPRING PASTELS: OUTFIT DETAILS

If I am being honest, it felt strange to put on jeans after lounging around in leggings and joggers the past few months. I will also admit that I had a ton of fun dressing up and strutting around my (very hilly) neighborhood in heels. It incorporated a little bit of normalcy and I realized I miss dressing up to go out. Below are some pieces I excitedly pulled out to wear.

GREEN CAMBRIDGE KNIT BLAZER

This light-weight, double-breasted blazer from Daniel Rainn is perfect for spring and warmer weather. The pastel green pairs well with other light undertones and also works great with darker colors. The small shoulder pads don’t make me look boxy like I feared, because of the way the rest of the blazer drapes and moves freely with my body (vs a very structured design). The material is stretchy so that it looks good both buttoned and unbuttoned with layers underneath. Because this blazer is so soft, it is also very comfortable to wear.

What I love most about this blazer are the pockets. They are deep enough for me to actually stuff things in, a rarity in the design of the majority of women’s clothing (I’m rolling my eyes at you, jeans with shallow, useless pockets). I wear an XS and fits me well – long but not too oversized, fitted but not too tight. Overall, this blazer is versatile and well-made -I wish this came in more colors so I can snag some for fall and winter.

PINK LACEY CAMISOLE

I matched by blazer with a pink camisole (similar here) that also matches perfectly with my blush Celine Medium Box Bag (scroll for review below).

MADEWELL JEANS

It is no secret I love Madewell denim. High quality and flattering, I pulled out my light-wash straight-leg jeans. These pants are rigid, meaning they don’t have much stretch. However, I am surprised to say that they are still quite comfortable. I also like the rigidity because the fabric holds my midsection in, and slims my thighs.

STUART WEITZMAN MIRA MULES

I have raved about these Stuart Weitzman Mira mules in my post review here. The bright yellow suede never gets old and they keep getting comfier (yes, even hiking up and down steep hilly streets) as I continue to break these in. (Similar suede style here).

CELINE MEDIUM BOX BAG (Mini-review)

This timeless Celine bag is one of my favorite luxury items. The clean and classic design of the bag will continue to stand the test of time. I also love how understated and non-flashy this bag is compared to my “loud-and-proud” monogrammed or logo heavy pieces. I am obsessed with luxury goods and pine over Louis Vuitton and Chanel as much as the next bag-addict. However, there are times I feel self-conscious when carrying ostentatious designer pieces.

Most of my investment luxury bags are black. I generally play it safe and purchase colors I know will retain the most value. However, I saw this Celine bag in a beautiful pale pink paired with gold hardware. I wanted it for warmer seasons and to add some more color to my bag collection. The leather lining on the inside is a pale, creamy yellow. I chose to get this in a smooth calfskin (versus the textured and hardier liégé leather) and it feels so buttery and luxurious.

As for the size, I decided to go with the biggest, which is the medium (there are also the small and the teen). I like my bags to be roomy in general, and luckily the medium size does not overwhelm my smaller frame (I’m 5’4 and weigh 110 pounds). For those wanting something more petite but still able to hold many items, I would recommend the teen size. Personally, I found the small to fit way less items compared to my Gucci Soho Disco bag.

Lastly, I love how the straps are not only adjustable, but also removable. There are only two settings for the straps, short or long. To me, the longer straps work great both as a crossbody and on one shoulder – they both hit around my waist. I’ve never worn this bag without the straps, but I do love the way it looks as a clutch.

Something I am weary of about this purse is how much I have to baby it. The smooth leather is easily prone to scruffs and scratches. Also, since Pheobe Philo stepped down as the creative director of Celine, the price of this classic bag decreased slightly. It is extremely rare for huge fashion houses to dip costs on classic lines. Although not great from an “investment” standpoint, I will be holding onto this bag for a long time regardless. I just enjoy carrying it so much and it is a beautiful, elegant bag!

(Buy pre-loved here)

What are some of your spring favorites? Comment below!