There's so much to love about spring, including how fresh all of your spring/summer clothes feel when you pull them out of your closet for the first time. We finally had the perfect spring day in NYC, with "abundant sunshine" (my favorite weather forecast) and a gentle breeze. While this look is best worn in early spring or in fall, I typically don't wear it without leggings/tights because I've yet to find the best shoes/legwear combination to wear it during any other time of year.

Browns have always been a particularly difficult category of color for me to wear, but I feel most comfortable when I mix darker browns with camels. Let's just call camel my gateway brown.

Pony sweater: Torrid

Skirt: IGIGI (similar available here)

Necklace: Avon (similar available here and here)

Handbag: Marni at H&M

Scarf: Marni at H&M

Bracelet: Rebecca Minkoff c/o TRESemme

Watch: La Mer c/o TRESemme

Pumps: Jessica Simpson

Photos by Tara Shashaty

Sometimes when it gets rainy and a chilly in NYC, the only answer is to dress in all black and face the day head on. Bring out the studs, put some rock in your headphones and don't let the gloomy skies take away your spunk. The key to wearing all black is in the details - the texture, the accents and the fabrics.

Sunnies: Tom Ford Nikita

Faux leather jacket: Torrid (style no longer available, similar available here)

Studded dress: Calvin Klein (available in ideeli's Calvin Klein special sizes sale today)

Leggings: Teggings by Re/dress

Flats: Naughty by Nine West

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Moring After Clutch (style no longer available, similar available here and here)

Wrap bracelet: Gold Nugget Wrap Bracelet by BaubleBar

Lion doorknocker earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane via ideeli (style no longer available, similar available here and here)

Photos by Alia Rajput

After spending a week running around Lincoln Center for Fashion Week attempting to pretend that it was spring, I just couldn't reach back into my closet for the thick knits or the oversized coats any more. New Yorkers are the most seasonally confused once it begins to hit 50 degrees in the spring. You'll see the widest range of outfits, including everything from Uggs to flip flops and bare legs, so I'd like to think that my look was on the more appropriate side of the scale, but even I was cold. Needless to say, I'm so thrilled that it's finally beginning to warm up in the city, even if our 10 day forecasts are still peppered with 30 degree temperatures, high winds and rain.

Anorak: One Stop Plus (no longer available, similar available here)

Ruffled top: Old Navy (no longer available, similar available here)

Skinny jeans: Torrid

Nude bow pumps: Jeffrey Campbell (no longer available, similar here and here)

Bag: DKNY

Bow cuff: Kate Spade (no longer available, similar here, here and here)

Lipstick: Maybelline's Color Sensational in Very Cherry

Nail polish: Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Cry Baby

Photos by Tarah Shashaty

The outfit photo that wasn't supposed to happen - at least that's what I had planned when I woke up at 5am last Thursday. Somehow, as the madness of the day evolved, I decided that my office party was a story that needed to be told. Guessing games were played, mock movie posters hung and FAQs were sent to everyone in the company surrounding our out of office adventure. People asked was there a dress code? Could I wear a ball gown? Were sequins appropriate? The response was to dress casually, because you'll be eating with your hands.

That's right, folks. My office decided that taking 250 people to New Jersey on 5 buses to Medieval Times was the best idea. After surviving two hours of traffic/tunnel confusion, packing my own plastic silverware into my purse and getting into the spirit of things, I'm inclined to agree. When your knight is the one who wins the battle (and really enjoys flirting with the audience), somehow everything comes full circle.

Outfit details:

Faux fur collar: H&M (last season, but the current season ones are great, too!)

Necklace: Adia Kibur

Striped tee: Old Navy (no longer available, but similar here)

Boyfriend blazer: Torrid (no longer available, but similar here)

Sequin skirt: Avenue (no longer available, but similar here)

Black leggings: Teggings from Re/Dress

Grey leather sneakers: Converse (no longer available, but make your own here)

Black watch: Swatch New Gent

Bracelets: Rich Rocks, Forever 21, Bauble Bar (get a closer look here)

Scarf (on handbag): Alexander McQueen

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag (color no longer available, style here)

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of attending Lucky Magazine's Summer Jam, a sweet little soiree for their "favorite bloggers". It was a great excuse to see friends, old & new, have fabulous cocktails and be "judged" by The Bumbys (more on them in a bit). Since I knew I was going to be judged and it was my last day in an office, at least for a little while, I had to go with an outfit that I knew worked well for me. Naturally, I selected one of my Michael Michael Kors maxi dresses. They can easily become dressy or ease into casual with the right accessories. I can't say enough good things about them!

The Bumbys are a best described as performance artists, aka judgement bandits, who sit behind electronic typewriters and produce "honest assessments of your style". They wear wigs, sunglasses and bandannas, so admittedly the experience can be intimidating until you receive your assessment. They are sharp, hilarious and my new obsession. I hope to run into them in the near future.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Tom Ford (I just can't stop!)

Necklace: A present from The Budget Babe

Watch: Michael Kors

Maxi dress: Michael Michael Kors

Envelope clutch: ASOS

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Since The Bumbys were so honest with their style appraisal, I thought I'd be equally as honest & share their thoughts. The first critique I received was from Gill, the male Bumby. His assessment was as follows:

Your bag reminds me of a pillow, but you don't strike me as the kind of gal who takes impromptu naps. If I saw you wandering around in a Broadway theater I'd think you were the stage manager. Because you look like you're on top of your shit. Maybe the pillow bag is for union breaks? Nah. You run the world....no time for snoozing.

Average rating: 9.6

Clearly any man who thinks I run the world is alright by me. Next up was Jill and after observing her for a few assessments, hers seemed to be much more in depth. I was intimidated. I stepped in front of her typewriter and after much scrutiny, I was presented with:

You're larger than life. I think of you on the stage playing the great roles. Lady Macbeth and shit. When you cry, the guy in the back cries. Everybody cries. I love your insoussiant braid, I love the auburn hair, I love the Russian Red lip. I love the necklace made of bullets (?). I could sit down with you at a party and you would say something about science or medicine or an obscure hat designer in Paris and I would be forever transfixed. Get a platform and write a book, please.

Average rating: 9.0

If you ever see two people pounding away behind typewriters, shrouded by bandannas and chugging Red Bull, do not be afraid Go in front of them bravely and with a smile - you never know, you could be running the world, making men cry and shit. :)

Photo by Dina

This is a different sort of outfit post. A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by Iman's team (yes, the Iman), to participate in a styling contest using some pieces from her Global Chic collection. The winner (as voted by their readers) would get to spend a super fab night out with the supermodel herself. Well....let's just say that I wasn't able to get my stuff together in time for the deadline (Memorial Day), however I was so impressed with the pieces that I wanted to incorporate them anyhow.

Since Iman's collection is called Global Chic, I wanted to keep with the travel theme. Truth be told, there's nothing I love more than a good beach, but at the end of the day - I really do love New York, as cliche as that sounds. For Memorial Day weekend, I chose a (working) staycation, but that doesn't mean I didn't appreciate how quiet the city was or how excited everyone was to have the time off.

If you haven't checked out Iman's Gobal Chic collection, I highly recommend that you do. It's available on HSN in sizes up to 3x.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Iman Global Chic (not available online, similar available here)

Hoodie: Iman Global Chic (other colors available, too!)

Leggings: Lane Bryant

Shoes: Torrid (style no longer available, similar available here)

Handbag: Iman Global Chic (other colors available)

Rolling duffel: Iman Global Chic (style no longer available, similar available here)

Last Monday (forgive me, I'm running way behind), I headed to New Jersey to chat with the amazing folks from Unilever. The day started out without the promise of sun (and bonus threat of rain), so I tried to nod to spring while remaining somewhat professional. Naturally, I ended up in the NYC work uniform of all black. What can I say? When in doubt, go back to black (even if it is in an Amy Winehouse kind of way).

Outfit details:

"Maxi" dress (aka I'm 6'2" and nothing will ever actually be a maxi dress on me): MICHAEL Michael Kors

Shrunken blazer: Torrid

Necklace: Amanda Jaron (style no longer available)

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (style no longer available)

Wedges: Torrid (style no longer available, similar available here)

Spring has officially began in NYC. The flowers are blooming, hipsters are making strange outfit choices (aren't they always?) and everyone has spring fever, including me. Getting dressed for today was nothing short of gleeful, especially since I had a chance to wear my new super colorful ruffle top. Who doesn't love any opportunity to wear ridiculously bright colors paired with leopard?

Outfit details:

Cat eye sunnies: Tom Ford

Earrings: ASOS (no longer available)

Leopard cropped cardi: Torrid (no longer available)

Ruffled top: Calvin Klein (via ideeli's Plus Size Perfection sale)

Jeggings: Lane Bryant

Black patent bucket bag: c/o DKNY

Studded wedges: Nine West (via Nordstrom Rack) (no longer available)

Photo by Aly Walansky

Honestly, I can't even believe that I'm typing this - this whole process has been a little surreal. If you happen to pick up the holiday issue of Ladies' Home Journal (Sela Ward, at left, is on the cover) you'll spot a familiar floating head on page 40.

For the issue, I was asked to pick a couple of my favorite holiday pieces from two brands that have always been incredibly supportive of me - Torrid & IGIGI. In addition to inside the magazine, you can find an expanded version of my holiday party essentials online.

From the issue: Torrid's Black Sequin Jacket & IGIGI's Sabina Gown

I'm so honored & blown away that Ladies' Home Journal thought to include me in their holiday issue - and it's all because of you (yes, YOU). Thank you so much for all your love and support (and even the haters). I couldn't have done it without you! xo