what to add to your spring wardrobe? Item #4 is...

Bracelets, and lots of them!  

Hang up your statement necklaces ladies, it's all in the wrist this season.  Piling on a curated assortment of bracelets in every color, texture and size is a trendsetting look that can effortlessly update a casual daytime look or transform a nighttime ensemble.   A sleek cuff or simple bangle, beads, braids, leather, studs, rhinestones or ropes...layer it on like icing on a birthday cake.  But how many?  In what colors and materials?  So much for effortlessly.

I was delighted to find this "cheat sheet" for stacked arms on Pinterest which can help you get your arms around (heh, heh) this fun trend for spring.   I myself will play with 4+3+1 and completely drop 6.  2, 3, and 4 can stand alone and do the job.   There's really no right way to layer...that's the beauty of it!  You Pile & Play until you find a look you love.  There's no denying an armful of stacked mix and match bracelets that together become so chic.

Image from pinterest.com.

Here are some personal picks that I would love to work onto my wrist.

C. Wonder features their logo bangle at $38.  Look at these fabulous colors!  And equally fabulous prices.  Pick one and build around it.  Choose two or three complimentary colors when working on a color scheme for your stack.

Photo from cwonder.com.

J. Crew has some fantastic bracelets in store but not on line.  Check them out next time you're there.  This bad boy can stand by itself or bring the bling to an armful of wrist candy. Their classic gold bangle is just $28.  

Photo from jcrew.com.

How about a premixed set that's ready for stacking?  The textures on these are so interesting and will mix with just about anything you pair with it.  The Madewell stephan & co. metal bangle 7 pack is only ONLY and only $38.

Photo from madewell.com.

Another great anchor piece from Kate Spade to build around with more delicate, thinner pieces. The Kate Spade triple threat faceted bangle is $88.  

Photo from katespade.com.

Henri Bendel in NYC has a dazzling selection of bangles in all sizes and colors.  The chevron pattern is a classic and the white, a nod to summer.  The Henri Bendel Chevron bangle is $118.

Photo from henribendel.com.

Another fabulous anchor piece that would pair well with so many different looks or shine on its own. The tortoise and hammered gold cuff is featured at C. Wonder for $58.

Photo from cwonder.com.

Add some friendship bracelets - get a kit for your daughter and once she gets in a groove, you'll have a rainbow of custom designs, made with love, worn with sentimentality!  Otherwise, try these:

Love Miansai by Michael Saiger's rope bracelets.  $60 each.

Photo from miansai.com.

Add a shot of color with the indego africa bangle - 100% of profits go back to African communities.  Each is handmade and individual; $10 each at Madewell.

Photo from madewell.com.

I love this little number with Swarovski thrown into the mix. The Girlfriend Wrap bracelet is at Henri Bendel for $78.

Photo from henribendel.com.

Another chain wrapped silk cord for a splash of color! $10.74 at ASOS.

Photo from asos.com.

Mali Africa Bangles are so colorful and fun.  Handmade in Mali, and available at Need Supply Co. for $14.

Photo from needsupply.com.

Leather will add some grounding.  I could build a whole arm around either of these - the Logo Stud Wrap bracelets or the Hook Leather Wrap bracelet both from Tory Burch, each $95 at Nordstrom.

Photos from nordstrom.com.

When J. Crew started making jewelry, I got a chain link bracelet that I still reach for in a pinch.  If you don't have one, Michael Kors makes a pretty good one.  His Goldtone Link Bracelet is $125 at Saks.

Photo from saksfifthavenue.com

Finally, some inspirational photos....

Photo from pinterest.com.

Image from talkingwithtami.com.

Image from pinterest.com.

And from the Queen of the stacked bracelets, Atlantic-Pacific.

Images from atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com.

Happy stacking! ~ LB

...you have an obsession with open-weave sweaters.

Each season, I get a little obsessed with 1 or 2 (or 3 or 4) pieces of clothing that I HAVE to have.  Among other things for this spring (like a perfect wedge espadrille - more on that later), I really want to have an open-weave sweater.  Something with a loose knit, under which you have to wear a tank, etc.  Would be great for transition, then for cooler summer nights.  Throw on a scarf, and you have an updated spring 2012 look.

I started with a 'research' purchase this week.  I was surfing around ASOS, a UK online site, which other fashion bloggers reference regularly (Atlantic-Pacific - that girl is always wearing something from ASOS) to see what the quality of their goods was like.  I purchased this open weave sweater, thinking that it was pretty cute.

Photo from asos.com

It was definitely cuter in the photo (and the 18 year old model) than on me.  A little too boxy and shapeless.  It was only $58, so it was a bargain, but the quality left a little to be desired too.

So the search continues...I saw one beautiful one this week at the W by Worth show here in Wellesley with color-matching tanks for a sleek look.  The pointelle sweater with coordinating tank underneath was lovely.

Photo from wbyworth.com.

Photo from wbyworth.com.

More online research revealed that these open-weave sweaters are everywhere, in many price-points.  Bloomingdales had this great one by Theory that could be worn both a little dressier or more casually.

Photo from bloomingdales.com.

And in an under $80 price point, Nordstrom has one in their own Caslon line, and this color over white jeans really screams spring 2012.

Photo by nordstrom.com

Doesn't this make you excited for spring? ~ JH