Wow, what a crazy few weeks it has been!!  It seems as though here in the North East the minute the weather gets nice and the days are longer we jam pack our schedules with outside activities and don't return home until the sun is down.  This is my favorite time of year.  The weather has been absolutely perfect and I am just happier.  This weekend I celebrated my sons First Holy Communion.  It was such a wonderful day to spend with family and friends.  We took advantage of every second of this beautiful day! 

It's that time of year again, when celebrities, wanna be celebs, and kids with too much family money trade in their Louboutins, and other designer duds for knee high gladiators, moccasins, see-through dresses and flower hair garlands to pretend they are a tree hugging, bohemian, flower children for six days.

Remember when music festivals were about the music? I DO!  The two things in life that bring me great pleasure, are music and fashion, but in this instance I take great umbrage. 

In 1993, Pearl Jam performed for over 25,000 people at a venue in the Coahcella Valley to protest Ticketmaster and all of the venues in CA that they controlled.  It was a "F.U." to big corporations and 'the MAN' as they say.  Six years later was the first Coachella Music and Arts Festival.  The creators wanted a European music festival feel with small crowds in a great setting, booking some popular artists as well as more emerging artists.

I have definitely been to my fair share of festivals, and I loved going. It was always about the music.  A day of fun, sun and partying, and for the price of one ticket got you entrance to see a ton of your favorite bands.  I think the creators of Coachella, amongst other popular music festivals (Stagecoach, Bonnaroo) had all that in mind, but somehow over the years it has morphed into something very different.  It is a see and be seen gathering.  As one of my best girlfriends put it the other day it is Halloween in April.  Websites and blogs posting how to dress for a festival.  My question is, why on earth would you dress differently than you normally would?  And why have people settled on the bohemian (which I personally love in my every day life) flare? I look at the line up, and nothing says peace and love like Azelia Banks, the Bixel Boys and AC/DC!

Goodbye to Winter and HELLO to Spring!!!  After one of the most brutal Winters I can remember, we are FINALLY starting to see Spring like weather. I got to spend some time in the Berkshire Mountains this weekend.  With little to no cell service, surrounded by mountains, rushing rivers and nature it was refreshing as well as a great recharge.  With the Red Sox home opener today and a forecast of sun and 70 degree weather for the next few days it is really happening. 

I have always been pretty active and fit, having been a ballet dancer for years, and then by the natural progression of things getting into pilates, core fusion and barre.  Most recently I have coupled those things with T25, after I was told in passing that I had a great body for someone 'my age'.  Ha!  I want to be healthy and fit, and really have a great body for any age... challenge accepted.  With bikini weather only a few short weeks away I have been working out a ton and spending a lot of time in workout clothes, but because of this I have been in a conundrum of sorts. For a while now I have been a little judgy and vocal about people that spend their days in workout clothes, Lulu Lemon in particular, especially when I know those expensive duds have never seen the inside of a yoga studio or absorbed any sweat.    It is my personal preference to spend money on more everyday wear and not clothing designed to be sweat in.  I do own a few Lulu items (because I was given gift cards), and I do think they are quality items, but there are so many other great little known, less expensive sportswear brands.

I do not like spending a ton, but I also like a quality product.  I have items from Nike, Under Armor, Old Navy, Athleta, Lucy, but truth be told one of my favorites is Victoria's Secret.  The fabrics and prints are colorful and adorable, light weight yet durable, and the cuts are flattering.  Also, what better place to get a sports bra, then a place known for their bras?  While their clothing isn't completely inexpensive (bottoms ranging from $44 - $69, tops $24 - $60, and sports bras from $46- $60 almost always offering a 20% off code), it certainly is less expensive then some of the competitors.



My second favorite is the new line Fabletics co-founded by Kate Hudson.  After seeing a promo on social media I decided to check it out.  A little hesitant, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only are the styles adorable, affordable and flattering they offer an entire outfit for $25 for first time customers.  A great deal!



Happy Spring!

XX,
EE

It has been a while since I have written anything for Sparkle and Slippers, due to a very busy and more importantly a very snowy winter. Just this week we hit a record here in Boston for the snowiest winter in recorded history.  I have been unable to put together anything cute, and even more unable to take any blog pics with 4 feet of snow on the ground.  So as we move at a glacial pace into the Spring and Summer, I thought I would tell you about some of my favorite trends for the upcoming seasons.

With record breaking snow fall and freezing temperatures in the Northeast, I have been lucky enough to escape to Florida for a while for some much needed sunshine.  I have always been one to feel the effects of lacking sun, and the isolation that winter brings.  It has been so lovely to be outside in the warmth, resting and recharging.  I hope you are all braving this winter, knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer for we have almost made it to March.

XX,
EE