Oh the rain! Actually, I don't mind the rain itself - it's the mud, the slipping, the sliding, the puddles and the spots on my Chanel glasses th at kill me. The rain itself is a symphony and reminds me of one of my favorite songs, Bic Runga's "Drive". Even though it's nearly April, the weather here keeps pulling us back into the depths of Winter. Refusing to submit, I decidedly wore a white floral print, paired with my favorite studded accessories.

Earrings: Unknown

Top: Target

Studded belt: Lane Bryant

Pants: Slim Leg Ponte Knit Pant from Lane Bryant

Ankle Booties: Divine Studded Shootie from Avenue

Photo by Felicia Sullivan

The weather in NYC has been absolutely gorgeous. Over the past couple of weeks, it's been this amazing mixture of foggy, rainy, sunshine and wind that reminds you that weather outside of COLD exists. I want to wear everything I have been prepping for Spring at once and twirl into the streets (though that sounds a bit dangerous).

Top: Lane Bryant

Skirt: IGIGI

Booties: Avenue

Photo by Felicia Sullivan

Eye Shadow / Pro Palette Refill Pan

$11.00 at M·A·C

(Warning: there is a possibility that I will share entirely too much about my personal life in this post.)

I remember the day my best friend Katie and I went to the MAC counter in our local Dillard's. There was probably a new collection on counter that day or we had the itch for something new and exciting. To be honest, I don't remember what products I purchased that day. It was probably Cedar lipliner, Nymphette lipglass, Mulch eyeshadow or something else unassuming. That day, Katie purchased Bitter and Electric Eel eyeshadow.

Something about the color has stuck with me throughout the years. I'm not sure if it's the shade, the name or the way the shadow made us feel whenever we considered wearing it. I remember how feisty she looked whenever she wore it all over her lid - something about the shadow at the time intimidated me (even though I'd wear Pink Pearl pigment like no one else).

Electric Eel is a satin textured tropical inspired turquoise. The finish has just enough sheen to make you feel like this color could have been taken directly from the back of an eel, especially when you swatch it on the back of your hand and it falls in the crevices and cracks of your skin.

There are a lot of things I struggle to remember about Katie - the different ways she wore her hair, her style philosophy when it came to hats or even the last thing she ever said to me. What I can remember is how much she loved MAC's Electric Eel eyeshadow and how looking at Electric Eel somehow brings a piece of her into the present.

What beauty products recall memories for you?

It's a big statement, calling a product "life changing", but that is exactly how I felt when I used MAC's Shell Pearl Beauty Powder. Every Spring, I go through the same journey. I search for a peach-driven powder with a hint of pink, a hint of sheen and that never identifiable x-factor. I FINALLY found it in Shell Pearl.

My description might lead you to believe that it's similar to NARS' Orgasm blush. It is - in theory. The difference (for me) between Orgasm & Shell Pearl is that while Orgasm brightens my face and gives me a wonderful flush of color, Shell Pearl warms my face in preparation for a more warm-based neutral in a way that no other powder has been able to achieve.

Not to mention, have you seen MAC's Liberty of London packaging? It's breathtaking! The shiny white cases, decorated in classic Liberty floral prints and the most amazing dusty, heathered, jewel-toned colors. The collection's colors are directly derived from the iconic prints and could not be more perfect for Spring.

Don't let this collection escape your clutches, especially if you were one of the unlucky who let Target's Liberty of London collaboration pass you by.

Aaaah....Balenciaga. Something about how the name just rolls off your tongue as you say it is entrancing. The house's designer, Nicolas Ghesquiere, is as intriguing as his name suggests and has helped place Balenciaga at the forefront of fashion. In fact, it was Ghesquiere who decided to bring fragrance back to the house of Balenciaga after a 12 year absence.

Balenciaga Paris is the house's triumphant return to fragrance. Developed by perfumer Olivier Polge (you might know him from Burberry's The Beat, Dior's Pure Poison, Giorgio Armani's Code and Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb), the fragrance unfolds in a series of moments of April. Notes of violet, pepper and mossy wood evoke feelings of sunshine and calm.

The bottle is fascinating to me - especially coming from a house who is known for their hardware-laden handbags. Balenciaga Paris is contained in a simple, blown glass bottle, without any decoration aside from the curves and angles of the glass.  After the fragrance develops into a soft, sensual and definitely Spring scent, the bottle's simplicity becomes a statement - the fragrance doesn't need the pomp & circumstance of overly designed packaging.

Balenciaga Paris retails for $95 (1.7 oz) and $130 (2.5 oz) at fine retail stores nationwide.

Heartbreaker Lip Shine

$19.00 at Smashbox

As you get older, the expression "Spring has sprung" takes on a whole new meaning. Shedding Winter layers for Spring's flirty looks generally only leads to one thing - take that where you will. Smashbox has aptly named their Spring color collection Heartbreaker, full of bright, flirtatious colors and bold, California Barbie-inspired packaging. How can you say no to a lipgloss named Berry Hot?

The Lip Shine is a great addition to a Spring color collection - it starts off sheer but easily allows for buildable color. Berry Hot is a fantastic plum-influenced fuchsia that can build to the color you see in the tube.

In addition to great pigmented lipglosses, the collection also includes a Fusion Soft Lights (a personal favorite of mine) and great eyeshadow palettes.

Of course, this collection also makes me think of Mariah Carey & Jay-Z's super catchy single, Heartbreaker.

Heartbreaker, you've got the best of me....

Mariah Carey - Heartbreaker

(Photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman's Facebook page)

I hate to say that I almost missed the Akris celebration at Bergdorf Goodman. I had my doubts, and as per usual I was tired. Fortunately, I had convinced Eileen of Miss Whoever You Are to join me at the event (every girl needs a wingwoman, right?).

After fawning over the Bergdorf Goodman spring catalog on a table by the elevator on the first floor, we entered the elevator. Directly to Eileen's left, stood Daphne Guinness, with her trademark black & white Cruella Deville hair, accessorized with a baby blue headband that perfectly mimicked the blue of her Birkin. After she exited the elevator (and I sent my OMFG tweet), we lost her in the crowd.

After making a loop through the party (and admiring the beautiful Akris clothing), we found her leaning up against a wall, chatting with her friends. Admittedly, Eileen and I stared like fan girls (and I even attempted to take a photo that inevitably turned out to be blurry). During this time, I made a few key observations that once digested, taught me key lessons.

• The subtleties of her accessories were not lost on me. Hello - her headband matched her Birkin. I love how the baby blue pieces that seemed to be orbiting her outfit somehow brought it all together. True style is always in the details.
• She was wearing heel-less shoes (which potentially were Nina Ricci) and walked effortlessly in them. As the evening went on, she was resting comfortably against the wall. Even the chicest and most accomplished ladies of style succumb to the discomforts of fashion.
• Although she was wearing black lace gloves, Eileen and I witnessed Ms. Guinness enjoy hors d'oeuvres at least twice during our short stay at the event. Imagine that - beautiful people actually need to eat to survive - they just sustain with style.
• Throughout the evening, Ms. Guinness was not burdened with her Birkin. Off to the side stood a woman whose duties consisted only of holding the baby blue treasure. As much as I love a beautiful detailed clutch, they aren't the most practical. Big bags aren't just for the commuter - sometimes a gal needs more than a breath mint and an AmEx to make it through an evening.

If you had an opportunity to share space with your style icon, who and where would it be?