Pink Pomenade

Cardigan: F21, Dress: H&M, Blouse: Vintage, Scarf: Gifted by a friend, Knee Highs: Target, Boots: H&M

I need some inspiration to get me through these dreary winter months. The snow keeps falling and I feel like this is the longest winter on record. I am craving warm sunny skies. As a result...I have had a hard time getting out and taking pictures for blogging. I rummage through my closet thinking LAYERS and more than often fail (and freeze my ass outside). Is anyone else in a style rut because of the weather? I am green with envy of those bloggers on the south and west coast that are wearing light jackets and flowers in their hair. Inspire me ladies, Inspire me.

Inspire Me: Fashion Foodie

Images via Weheartit, Shabby Apple, Cake Central, FYeahCuteFood, The Food Channel

What a perfect combination of fashion and the beauty of food. I wish I could get all "dolled" up to go out for dessert. I think there may be a future post brewing...

I hope you all have a weekend full of delicious food and glam!

Deserted Wonders

Coat: La Vintage Amor via Etsy, Dress via Chicswap, Cardigan: TJ Maxx, Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth via Etsy, Boots: Chinese Laundry, Tights: Cynthia Rowley, Socks: Target, Handbag: Linea Pelle c/o The Sale Rack

Apologies for the photo overload! I always try to stick to about 5 photos per post but I just loved the way these came out!

My boyfriend and I went to Northampton for dinner and a Led Zeppelin cover band show, called "Get the Led Out". They tour nationally, and if you enjoy Led Zeppelin, you will LOVE this band. It's unreal how alike the lead singer is to Robert Plant.

These photographs were taken in an abandoned building's parking lot. There is something creepy and mysterious about a building that has been abandoned that I love.

This jacket=pure love and bliss. I fell in love with it while I was browsing Etsy the other day. You can be sure I will be wearing it during New York Fashion Week in February. Speaking of...who is going to NYFW and what events will you be attending? Let me know if you'll be there so that we can meet up!

Spring is in the Air

The long days of winter after December are always difficult for me. The freezing cold weather, multiple snow storms in one week, hours of travel to work all add up and have me looking for spring to save me. It's not that I wish I lived in a state with warmer weather year round, I love my four seasons-I just dread January and February (with the exceptions of my birthday and V-day). I have compiled a list of items that I find myself yearning for spring. Bring on the April showers, May flowers and flowing dresses!

1.) Dress, Topshop, $90

2.) Dolce Vita, Jade, Solestruck.com, $180

3.)Sweater, Anarchy Street, $50

4.) Earrings, Forever 21, $6

5.) Paul and Joe Handbag, The Outnet, $143

6.) Belt, Shop Ruche, $15

7.) Givenchy Lipstick, Fuschia Light, $22

8.) Olive Wide leg Trouser, Topshop, $80

9.) Ship and Anchor Necklace, Topshop, $25

10.) Swallow Print Blouse, Warehouse, $90

11.) ADAM pleated crepe shorts, The Outnet, $103

Inspire Me: Gillian Zinser

Image via

Item details here.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway with Lisa Chow Illustrations here.

A wish for snow

Cardigan (T.J. Maxx), Skirt (Lulus), Striped Top (Gap), Booties (Urban Outfitters), Handbag (Kate Spade)

I discovered Lulus awhile back and fell in love with their affordable and chic clothing and accessories. I love having an alternative option to the $300 skirt that I adored on...let's say The Outnet. For a limited time (until Jan. 21st) you can enter the code "FOOTSTEPS" at checkout at Lulus for 15% off :)

There is something so quiet and peaceful about just fallen snow...

Giveaway with Lisa Chow Illustrations

I fell in love with Lisa Chow's illustrations on Etsy a few weeks back and would love to put a few of them in my office (my new home makeover project).

Lisa was kind enough to offer you all an illustrated print OF YOUR CHOICE from her shop. Some of my favorites include:

RULES:

1.) Visit Lisa Chow Illustrations and tell me what your favorite print is

2.) Follow this blog with bloglovin and/or google friend connect

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1.)Vote for me to walk the runway for Boy Meets Girl in NYFW! Vote here

2.) "Like" Sparkling Footsteps" on Facebook

3.) Follow on twitter

4.) Tweet this giveaway with the following: "I entered to win a print from Lisa Chow on @sparklingsteps' blog http://bit.ly/dFyO5X !"

Good Luck and giveaway will end on January 27th!

Bedroom Makeover

I have desperately wanted to change my bedroom (which still consisted of furniture from when I was a youngin') forever. After months of saving and finding the perfect pieces...it's all come together! I have to admit that I am a bit embarrassed to show you the "before" pictures of my bedroom-they are shameful. The walls are bare and crayon yellow, while the furniture was basically falling apart. Without further ado....

You can see the paint swatches I was playing with on the wall. These are the color combinations I choose in the end. The bed was actually inherited from when I lived in New York City. I moved in with 5 roommates and the guy who was moving out sold all his Ikea furniture to me for dirt cheap. The bed frame is cheap as sh!t but the Ikea bookshelf is amazing and I will have to post pictures of it sometime.

My walk in closet is to the left in this picture and is not nearly ready for all to see just yet. I have to come up with a way to organize everything. Although it is a walk in closet- I still seem to have NO space. If you have any organization skills for closets, PLEASE let me know.

Ah, to be a grown-up and actually make money that can afford you nice things...I decided to go with one celery green wall and the rest are white. I was a bit skeptical at first, but I love the way it turned out. I am still searching for the perfect mirror for over my bed.

The floor length mirror off to the right side needs a new place/home because it no longer fits here.

This is the infamous "fireplace console combination piece" I was telling you all about in an earlier post. It heats up my bedroom easily in 20 minutes. Tweezers insisted being in all the photographs but only managed this one.

This antique piece was found at the Brimfield Flea market. I saw it from afar and was in awe of the condition it was still in. As I asked the seller how much she would let it go for, I expected a response that was totally out of my budget...instead she responded with $40. FORTY DOLLARS? Uhm yes please. Turns out that her friend was actually the seller and she had gone to lunch and the gal covering her had no IDEA that this piece is easily worth hundreds of dollars. I almost feel like a thief...almost.

A Marching Band

Cape, Skirt, Shoes: Forever 21, Blouse: H&M, Necklace: J. Crew, Knee Highs: Ann Taylor

#3 of 52 Resolutions for the year: to try new hairstyles. Today's new hairstyle, the high bun, is inspired by Kim from eatsleepwear. I have always adored the way she effortlessly wore her pretty little bun but was afraid to try it on myself. Thanks for inspiring me Kim!

If you have any ideas for new hairstyles I could possibly try, let me know-I will try them all ;)

I worked this entire weekend and so today is considered my "weekend", although I go back to work tomorrow...yippee. Can't we all just make money while sitting in bed and conversing via twitter?

I worked last night and missed the Golden Globes (tear). What was your favorite ensemble of the night? Update me! :)

Inspire Me

I want to start a new weekly post that features an outfit that inspires me. I absolutely love how this romantic lace dress is paired with edgy over the knee boots and a navy blazer. I would love to incorporate these items in my closet, they would be so easy to mix and match. Here's to hoping that I can transform my closet this year. I hope to save more and only purchase items that will make a statement in my closet and last forever (aka not trendy items).I have always thought to myself "It's better to buy MANY cheap items for my closet instead of one or two pieces that I would treasure for a much longer period of time." What a stupid way of thinking, no?Don't get me wrong...I definitely love myself a cheaper item from Forever 21 or Target once in awhile, however, I think it's about time that I start saving for bigger and better items.What do you think? Do you like to buy several cheap items to fill up your closet OR splurge on one of two items?

Item details here.

A Wind Brought it in...

Ski Lift Poncho (Modcloth), Hat/Leggings (TJ Maxx), Boots (purchased in NYC 5 years ago-unsure of boutique name)

As you may well know, the Northeast was hit with an enormous blizzard yesterday. I believe they said it was comparable to the Blizzard of 1967. I woke up to white windows, unable to see trees or streets. The blustery winds kept it up all morning, making it nearly impossible to see outside. We have snow banks more than 6 feet high and no where else to put it.

I enjoy being snowed in, especially when I wasn't scheduled to work. Unfortunately my job never encounters "snow days" because I work at a hospital. We go to work NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. Thats the only downside....

I took advantage of not being able to leave the house and did a winter cleaning (my house desperately needed it).

P.S. This snow is from a previous snow storm. I will have pictures of the blizzard from yesterday in a few :)