Cheryl Shops

When it comes to skirts, I have a type: above the knee, tiered, with a slight A-line shape. Off the top of my head, I can think of five of these already in my closet, although I probably have more. There's a reason I have a type—it's the most flattering on my body—but the downside is that my wardrobe starts to look the same after awhile. This was the argument that ran through my mind as I was contemplating buying this skirt, but I decided screw it, I really love it—plus I had a Free People birthday discount to burn. Once the weather started to cooperate, I ended up wearing this skirt three days in a row, which I almost never do, but that's how much I'm into it. Long story short, just wear what you love.

Wearing a dress over jeans is one of those next-level styling tricks that you see on street-style blogs during fashion week—it looks amazing but seems way too complicated to actually pull off. I, however, was up for a challenge, and after some experimentation, think I landed an outfit that works. It's all about proportion and strategic unbuttoning so you don't look like a big old blob. Here's how I styled a maxi shirtdress over white skinny jeans.

I saved the best spring trend for last: shoes! More specifically, slingbacks, which I wouldn't normally qualify as a trend, but there are so many amazing ones out there right now, I had to feature them. The good news for my over-40 feet is that the best ones have low heels, many in that 1-1/2–2" sweet spot. The even better news is that there are slingbacks with all manner of fun colors and details. The best news? You can wear them right now.

When it comes to shopping, I don't always get things right the first time. It took me several tries to find the right gray jeans (more on that later), I'm still looking for a ribbed black midi skirt (I've bought and returned two so far), and I have yet to find the perfect white summer dress in spite of trying at least one new one every summer. This is probably the third or fourth linen blazer I've purchased, and it still might not be the best, but I think I'm getting pretty close. It's one of those pieces that I plan on living in for much of summer; I've styled it here with jeans and a tee—very classic—but think it will look just as good with a T-shirt dress and sneakers. It's the ultimate dress-up, dress-down, dress-however-you-want piece.

Spring is a time of year that sounds better in theory than in reality. After months of cold, clouds, and rain (or in most cases, snow), all I want to do is break out the bare legs and sandals. And yet some days are in the 60s and gorgeously sunny, and others are...kind of just like winter. When I lived in New York, I'd totally jump the gun and break out my summer clothes as soon as the thermometer hit 50 degrees, but now that I'm a Californian, I've learned to ease into spring. My wool coats have been put away for the season, but sweaters are still around; tights are back in my drawer, but I haven't busted out the sandals just yet. Spring transitional outfits are all about balance; here's how mine are coming together.

This next trend is a bit kooky, but it's fun, and I think it transcends style—you can wear feathers in an edgy way or a feminine way, or in many ways in between. It's also a bit easier to find on the higher end (Net-a-Porter has a wealth of feather-trimmed stuff), but there are lots of affordable options out there too. Here are my favorite feather-trimmed pieces for spring 2019.

When I was in high school, there was a certain segment of the population that wore tie-dye. They also wore cargo shorts, peace necklaces, and Birkenstocks; they listened to the Grateful Dead; and yes, the stereotypes were all true. So of course I avoided wearing it like the plague…until years later when I saw this Proenza Schouler tee at Barneys. I love layering it under a blazer—it's an elevated take on tie-dye—and I've had it for years. So when I saw that tie-dye is a big trend for spring 2019, I jumped at a chance to style it here. This is more of a weekend look—I went with a long cardigan instead of a blazer—but still hopefully a more polished, ageless way to wear it. In other words, leave the Birkenstocks at home.

As I mentioned last week, I've never been a a big fan of lavender...until now. It's the color that's everywhere this spring, in varying warm and cool tones. with all kinds of different finishes, patterns, and textures. I hate to say that there's something for everyone, but...there's literally something for everyone. Here are my favorite lavender pieces for spring.

I first fell in love with the idea of split-hem pants after seeing this photo of Leandra Medine, a.k.a. the Man-Repeller, at Fashion Week last September. Her pants are Céline, which are likely long gone (and a bit out of my price range), but I've been obsessed with them ever since. While there are a bunch of similar styles flooding the stores, I have yet to find a pair that looks quite as good as hers (then again, it might help to have her rail-thin legs too). What I ended up with is a pair of thick-knit straight-leg pants from Zara, and since they are completely unlike anything else in my closet, styling them has been a challenge—although one I'm completely up for. Here's what I've been wearing with my split-hem pants.

Now that it's officially spring, let's talk spring 2019 trends. Animal print was a big trend for fall, and it shows no signs of slowing down, but for spring, snakeskin prints are the most appealing for me, especially in lighter, more pale shades of blush, gray, and beige. It's a subtler, softer way to wear it, especially in warmer weather. Here are some of my faves.

We've been having a heat wave in San Francisco the last few days—it's been sunny and in the upper 60s, which has felt like heaven after months and months of rain. I have a feeling winter still has a few weeks left, but in the meantime, I'm all about spring. So this week, I put together a transitional look—the colors are very springy, but the layers are a little more realistic for the weather this time of year.

Ok guys, spring is coming. I can feel it in the air. I actually wore bare legs this week for the first time in months, the sun is still out when I leave work, and the night jasmine is blooming. After what has felt like a very long, cold, wet winter, I am really happy about this. So just as I switch to lighter clothes when the weather warms up, I also change up my beauty routine in favor of more citrusy scents and lightweight formulas. Here are the five products I'm obsessed with right now.

White boots are a trend that I thought would die a swift death, but to my surprise, they show no signs of going away. I resisted, thinking they'd make my size 8.5 feet look huge, but after much hemming and hawing (as my dad would say), I finally decided to give knee-high white boots a try. I bought these on major sale and almost returned them—they do look rather enormous, but I like the heel and the shape. They feel very spring-forward yet I can wear them while the weather is still on the cooler side. So obviously, I kept them. Here's how I'm styling them.

I don't know about you, but I am really tired of winter. Like, really. I am already plotting what I'm going to wear when the sun is out again, the temperatures are back in the 60s, and all is back to normal. I have a feeling you're on the same page, because this month's most-pinned look from my Outfit ideas for ageless style Pinterest board is a very spring-transitional one. Which is all very responsible and rational of you. So let's re-create it and hopefully spring will get the memo.

Kate Moss has been my style icon for as long as I can remember. She's only four years older than me, which makes her the perfect age to idolize—she's old enough for me to look up to, but close enough in age that we're of the same generation. While some may criticize her for not evolving her style over the years, I love that she remains true to herself and doesn't feel the need to "dress for her age." At 45, Kate looks just as cool and sexy as ever. She also has some go-to outfit formulas, and a Who What Wear story dissecting one of them, Kate Moss has been wearing the same outfit for 15 years, inspired this post. The two key pieces are a leopard-print faux fur coat and a little black dress, but I made a few adjustments for winter (and the fact that I don't roll around in a chauffeur-driven car like she probably does). Here's how I recreated one of Kate Moss's most iconic looks.

The Russian River flows southward through Mendocino and Sonoma Counties in California, eventually into the Pacific Ocean. It's also flooded at the moment, due to all the rain we've been having. Thankfully, Sean and I were able to enjoy a long weekend there a few weeks ago before things got totally out of control. Once the waters recede—and the weather warms up—I'd definitely recommend a visit. Here's where we ate, drank, stayed, and explored.

I have been searching high and low for the perfect fur vest for years. I thought I wanted a longer one in a lighter color, but that just made me look like a polar bear. Then I tried black and drapey, but that made me look strangely...well, like a black bear. In true Goldilocks fashion, the third vest I bought was just right, and now that I have it, I find myself wearing it constantly. It's like a nice, warm hug. And god knows I could use one this dark, cold, wet time of year. Here's one of my favorite ways to wear a fur vest.

Last weekend when I was talking to my mom, she asked what I wanted for my birthday, which made me realize yikes, my birthday is next weekend! And also, I hadn't thought at all about what I wanted. I usually do my taxes right before my birthday, then treat myself to a nice pair of shoes with my refund, but I haven't done mine yet (full disclosure: without getting into politics, I'm apprehensive about what my refund is going to look like this year after the new tax caps, because I live in California, a state with very high income and property taxes). Long story short, it got me thinking about what I want for my birthday, and while there's nothing I truly need this year, there are a few things I have my eye on. Some are within reach, some are not. But, hey, a girl can dream! Conveniently, they all would work together as an outfit. Here's what's on my birthday wish list this year.