Must Have Winter to Spring Shoes (My Birthday Looks + Dessert Recipes)

 

It’s my birthday and I can wear cute shoes if I want to! ;) While January through March may be a time that many stay inside and hibernate, I try to look at these months as an opportunity to get out more often and focus on change. I like hitting the gym to help me pull me out of my post ‘holiday funk’ and taking the time to spoil myself a bit more. The holidays are a time I focus more on others so I intentionally try to spend the cold and dreary months of January-March getting more in touch with what I need. New year, new goals, new outlook so to speak.

One of the things I love to do more than anything during the long winter months is to get out of my sweats and instead dress up & go out. It doesn’t have to be a fancy outfit that I’m wearing or anywhere special that I’m heading to, just getting out of the house and taking part in life is enough. I love throwing on a little black dress & heels, a pair of jeans with a cute sweater & sandals, or a pair of leggings with booties and a cozy cardigan. Every look and style goes during this time of the year and I love that!

Do you have a favorite go-to outfit for the January-March months? Are you getting excited for the warmer weather of Spring? Let me know in the comments below.. I’m lucky to live in the San Francisco Bay area where it’s never really “freezing”. We are fortunate enough to be able to wear all styles of clothes and shoes… year round.  From a North Face vest to a cute pair of strappy heels in January!

To help me celebrate my birthday in style Nordstrom has asked me to pick out a few of my favorite winter to spring shoes & outfits. Excited with the task I selected several pieces that I know you will love & find versatile for every type of outing. Keeping the winter to spring theme in mind I specifically chose shoes with a suede element. It’s amazing how a tiny detail like suede can take every shoe, even a sandal from summer to winter… everything looks different with the texture and cozy feel of suede.

My 5 new favorite shoes : Blue Suede Mules (Comes in 6 colors) •  Blush Sandal Heels (Under $100) • Suede Mule (Comes in 3 colors) • ‘Fancy Flamingo’ Heels (Comes in 17 other colors & styles) • Suede Bootie (Comes in 3 colors)

 

Black Tie-Wrap Dress • ‘Fancy Flamingo’ Heels (Comes in 17 other colors & styles) • Blush Clutch (40% off & under $25) • Earrings (40% off, comes in 5 colors & is under $22) • Lipstick (Color: Half N Half)  • Lip Topper •

The first look I’m sharing today is a classic little black dress with a fun twist.  I love the tie-wrap. It’s such a flattering style, and works on almost every body type. I paired it with the adorable Vince Camuto heels  for a pop of ‘Fancy Flamingo’ color. ;) The name itself made me want to buy the shoes! I decided to match my accessories to the shoes with my little blush clutch and the tassel earrings.

 

Blush Sandal Heels (Under $100) • Grey Sweater Top (Comes in 3 colors) • Black Skinny Jeans • Pink Clutch (Under $25) • Earrings (They are sold out but I linked a similar pair) • Druzy Cuff Bracelet •

My second look with the ruffle sweater and black jeans is how I like to dress when getting together with friends. The sweater is cozy yet stylish and dressy with the chic cold shoulder ruffle detail. I loved introducing a splash of color with the rose gold/blush velvet sandals. The textures in the shoes look beautiful together and the chunkier heel is so me. I could wear these all day long. The color goes with everything, day or night. My black skinny jeans are another new favorite I have shared with you before.

 

Cold Shoulder Ruffle Dress • Suede Mule (Comes in 3 colors)• Rayne Tassel Pendant Necklace (Brand new color) •

Elegant and feminine is the perfect way to describe my new teal blue ruffle dress.  Just because I’m wearing a dress doesn’t mean I have to go high on the heel. I paired my dress with these new suede mules for a more casual daytime look. The color is perfect and the heel height is one of my favorites for comfort.

 

Cozy Cable Knit Sweater (Comes in 2 colors, this is a similar style) • Yoga Pants (My go to leggings) • Suede Bootie (Comes in 3 colors) • Teardrop Earrings (Just $22) • Rayne Tassel Pendant Necklace (Comes in many colors) • Book (Click here to join our book club)

When it comes down to feeling comfortable and cozy I love wearing a favorite pair of yoga pants, a warm cardigan and booties. I dress up all the time but when I want to really relax while keeping warm then this is how you’ll find me… My new black suede booties are so comfortable I have been wearing them almost every day this past week! The tiny cutouts give the shoe an updated seasonal look and the heel is the perfect size. I could wear these year round.. If you’re looking for a shoe to carry you through the day then this is it!

 

//1// Phandra Bootie. I’m obsessed with these because they have the small geometric cutouts along with the topline that dips into the side of the ankle. It’s a modern take on the bootie – which I love. It comes in Black Suede and a Taupe color as well.

//2// Poppy Sandal. Of course I’m obsessed with blush, and my wardrobe will reflect this (especially in the springtime!). I love the rose gold along with the suede on this adorable sandal, and it’s perfect for a casual daytime look. It also comes in grey metallic and a taupe color as well for a night out!

//3// Rheta Mule. I love mules, and I think the suede on these are perfect for a cute winter mule look. They come in pink and a black/white stripe as well (So cute! Almost bought all 3 pairs but had to settle on just one). Also so comfy!

//4// Sally Wedge Sandal. I’ve been hunt on the perfect wedge to wear for a while now – and I think this sandal is the one! First of all, this pair comes in 6 different colors, and they are super comfortable for all day wear. They also look super cute for a daytime look, or at night! You can ever wear them to pool (once March/April rolls around).

//5// Corina Ankle Strap Sandal. While I love the ‘Fancy Flamingo’ color, I know that the bright pink may not be for everyone. Well, you’re in luck because this shoe comes in 17 different colors & patterns. Really, 17 different colors. They even have a cork pattern! (Need them for spring break! Click here).

//6// Petty Chelsea Boot. These shoes are 25% off (and come in black & taupe). Under $100 – such a steal for a cute pair of booties. Since it’s still freezing out in many parts of the country, I wanted to add a pair that many can wear now!

 

Shop the shoes from my collage:

 

 

Birthday Dessert Treats

Emma always bakes me the cutest little treats for my birthday. This year, she told me that it’s my choice so I picked 3 adorable birthday treats and linked their recipes below. She plans to surprise me… :)

 

Don’t ‘Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars’ sound amazing? One of Emma’s favorite recipe bloggers is The Busy Baker, who came up with these delectable treats. Click here for the recipe.

 

Another yummy dessert I found comes from Chelsea’s Favorite Apron… Such a cute recipe blogger!  Her Miniature Cinnamon Roll Cheesecakes… look AMAZING! I’m going to have to have Emma make these for us no matter what. I love cinnamon and Jeff loves everything cheesecake!  Click here for the recipe.

 

Last, but certainly not least is “Lemon Chess Bread Pudding“. I am a huge lover of all desserts lemon related, and this bread pudding looks amazing! Click here for the recipe.

Click here, where I rounded up all my new favorites from Nordstrom’s newest markdowns. (Everything’s on sale!)

xo,

Kristy

 

Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.