Happy Spring!! Despite the impromptu snow shower we experienced last night, I am incredibly excited about the warmer days to come. In the spirit of shorter sleeves and sunnier skies, today's "Monday Must-Have" is ballet flats. when the weather heats up I love nothing more than ditching the socks and slipping into ballet flats. Whether worn with jeans and a t-shirt or a skirt and button-down, ballet flats are endlessly classic and always appropriate. As someone who favors timeless looks that can be worn across all seasons, ballet flats couldn't be more perfect. Not only do these shoes go with everything, they can be dressed up or down effortlessly and never leave me with sore feet that can distract from an otherwise wonderful day - after all, how can you live life in style if you're aching to get home and ditch your shoes? So while the final snow flakes melt I am pinning my favorite flat shoe combinations and sharing the ballet flats I have tried and loved for you here.

ballet flats outfit inspiration spring outfit.jpg

spring outfit inspiration ballet flats.jpg

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Until next time!

Throughout my journey streamlining my wardrobe, I have found that effortless essentials are absolutely crucial for making the most of less. These carefully selected pieces work together to create a foundation for a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched effortlessly without a ton of time or thought. While I often tout that quality over quantity is the name of the game here, I also pride myself on only purchasing items that are not only fantastic, but also a great value. In other words, when adding pieces to my wardrobe I think it is critical to strike a balance between high and low, and do so without breaking the bank on any one item. So, in the spirit of this mentality and the influx of spring shopping on the horizon, I want to share the 4 essentials that I think are worth the splurge. In addition to these pieces and why I think they are worth the splurge, I have included some similar options that are available now in case you want to check them out in more detail. Also, stay tuned for a save post coming soon!

Splurge 1: Purses

My first splurge is without a doubt purses because I own so few making it super important for each one to go the extra mile. I have found that when I invest in a high-quality handbag it not only lasts longer because of the superior quality, but also because I take better care of it. Also, rather than purchasing countless cheaper equivalents of my ideal purse, I have had much better luck and saved more money long term by saving up for what I really want and know will work with all the outfits in my closet. That said, I do not think you should go out and spend a fortune on your handbag just because it is a splurge. Rather, I encourage you to scour eBay, TheRealReal.com and Etsy for vintage or pre-loved designer handbags at nearly half the price of a new one. Not only are these options cheaper, they also add some personality to your look. My only word of caution for going this route would be to do your research, know how to authenticate any designer item before you buy it and do not hesitate to ask the seller as many questions as necessary.

In total, I have 5 purses and 1 carry-all - a vintage Louis Vuitton crossbody, a Louis Vuitton clutch, a Dooney & Bourke satchel, a vintage Gucci Kelly bag, a J. Crew crossbody satchel hybrid and a Longchamp for travel and those days I need to carry everything and the kitchen sink. Below, I have linked some options that are similar to mine and currently available online in case you want to check them out.

Splurge 2: Forever Jewelry

My next splurge is forever jewelry. While you know I LOVE costume and vintage jewelry, I have chosen to invest carefully over the years in some key forever pieces that I wear every day. For me, this has worked out fantastically and I couldn't be happier with my minimal collection of pieces which include a simple antique gold bangle that I wear every day and found with my initials already engraved inside of an anchor, a collection of three David Yurman classic cable rings that I wear stacked nearly every day, a small pair of pearls and a simple pair of diamond studs. All-in-all, I think forever jewelry is definitely worth the splurge because these pieces are classics that I know I will wear forever. Also, not only have I thoroughly enjoyed carefully collecting these pieces over the years, but because they required extra thought before purchasing I can say with certainty that I truly love and wear each and every piece enough to justify the cost.

Splurge 3: Shoes

Like handbags, I only have a few pairs of shoes so I think they are definitely worth the splurge. Not only can cheaply made shoes hurt your feet, they can also wear out a lot faster than their well made, high-quality counterparts. For this reason, I have chosen to invest wisely in a few pairs of shoes that I wear constantly and care for well so that they last ages. In this category I have splurged on my favorite pair of Gucci loafers (which were so worth the money and are by far the most comfortable pair of shoes I own), a classic pair of vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Vara flats and riding boots, Ralph Lauren Riding boots that retail for more thn double what I got them for at Century 21, Jack Rogers sandals, Madewell ankle booties and Stubbs & Wootton needlepoint loafers. Like handbags, I encourage you to scour eBay, Etsy and the like for vintage or pre-loved versions of the shoes you're coveting if their retail price is a little steep for your pockets. Also, with enough searching you can often find the exact pair you're looking for brand new in the box for a fraction of the price like I did with my beloved Ferragamo boots! I'll be doing a round-up of my top eBay and Etsy tips and tricks soon, but in the meantime I have linked some similar items to my favorite splurge shoes below for you to check out.

Splurge 4: Sunglasses

My last splurge that is totally worth the elevated price tag is sunglasses. I have found that investing in sunglasses ensures that they not only last longer but that I spend less money long term from having to constantly replenish them with cheaper alternatives. In this category I own three pairs that can be worn with every one of my outfits for a different effect and I can honestly say the cost per wear of each has be infinitely justified over the years. My first pair is a pair of RayBan Aviators that I wear constantly. The classic design with dark shades and gold trim is not only timeless and chic but also incredibly durable - I have had them for going on 10 years and they still look brand new. My next pair is from Persol and I love them for their chic tortoise shell rims that instantly add a sophisticated touch to any look. Like my RayBans, these sunglasses are incredibly well made and have lasted for years of constant wear. My final pair is from Dior and they are also my newest (I purchased them in Rome on my honeymoon last year). This pair filled the void in my collection for black sunglasses and I couldn't be happier with them. Like my others, the design of these is timeless and chic and I have already worn them enough to validate the elevated price tag.

Until next time!

Nauti(cal) By Nature

Monday Must-Have: Ballet Flats

Word On The Street: March 18, 2016

Essentials Worth The Splurge

Splurge 1: Purses

Splurge 2: Forever Jewelry

Splurge 3: Shoes

Splurge 4: Sunglasses