Spring may not officially begin for another week, but we are definitely feeling the sunshiney love here in Arizona. This has me embracing pastels in a major way, so I’ve devoted this week’s Friday Finds to some favorite picks that are sure to inspire visions of an upcoming Easter Egg Hunt.

 Style Notes: Ruche Palolem Beach Colorblocked Wedges $35.99 / Club Monaco Wisteria Statement Earrings $69.50 / Gap perforated oxfords $69.95 / Ruche Up Before Dawn Peplum Top $39.99 / Club Monaco Marianna Lace City Short $69.50 / Boden Clara Dress $218 / Forever 21 Aviator Sunglasses $5.80 / Gap Striped Academy Blazer $88

There is a time and a place for practical purhcases that help to build your wardrobe, and there is also a time and a place for fun purchases that help to enhance your wardrobe.  Whether you are working on establishing a well stocked closet or picking up some pieces for special occassions, you should always be on the lookout for garments and accessories that are well made, classic in cut and shape, and have a little something extra that makes them unique and interesting.  For this week’s finds we pulled some pieces that will not only help build your wardrobe, but will also add some special touches through their classic shapes and feminine details.

Style Notes: J. Crew Refined Crystal-Bow Buckle Belt $49.99 / J. Crew Jewel-Neck Top $79.99 / Tailor and Stylist Twiggy Umbrella Skirt $34.99 / ASOS Bow Chain Handle Across Body Bag $49.11 / Kate Spade Get the Show on The Road Idiom Bangle $88 / J.Crew Linen Short in Safari Cat $39.99 / Forever 21 Opaque Rhinestone Necklace $12.80 / Anthropologie Barnegat Shades $38 / Anthropologie Harper Striped Day Dress $58 / Sole Society Stella Peep Toe Pump $49.99

Christmas is just a few days away, so today we’re bringing you sparkly gems for your holiday celebration that will have you looking as pretty as one of the presents under the tree. If you are shopping online and want your goodies to arrive by Christmas Day, be sure to place your order at Nordstrom and Anthropologie today, and by noon tomorrow at J. Crew and Madewell (there’s no word on holiday shipping on the websites of ASOS, Forever 21 and H&M, so I would hit up the stores instead).

Style Notes: Sole Society Peony Flat via Nordstrom $49.95 / Stylestalker Richie Rich Skirt via ASOS $119.61 (sale price)/ H&M Top $24.95 / J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Metallic Floral $99.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Glitter Round-Buckle Skinny Belt $19.99 (sale price) / J. Crew Polka-Dot Sequin Top  $79.99 (sale price) / Forever 21 Glitter Minaudiere $24.80 /  Anthropologie Crystalline Bug Brooch Set  $29.95 (sale price) / Madewell Lily Lace Dress $168 (everything online currently 30% off)  / Madewell Frankie Pump in Suede $198 (everything online currently 30% off)

How has your week been, dear reader?  Even though it was a short week for me (we had Monday off for Veteran’s Day and I was out Wednesday taking students to a conference) it still has felt…well, endless.  It’s weird how short weeks can seem twice as long as a normal work week, isn’t it?  Throw in that this coming work week consists of two days and you are looking at one rather anxious Style Tutor!  So for this week’s Friday Finds I thought it would be fun to celebrate what we are all really working for, the weekend, with quirky heart prints and accessories. (They seem to be cropping up everywhere this fall.)

Some of the pieces are mere pipe dreams (hello, $188 heart print denim) while others are much more accessible and easier to adopt for those of you who cannot see your gams bedecked in hearts anytime soon!  The cardigans are great layering pieces for a business casual work environment and are fun enough to keep on wearing into the evening with a quick change into some killer skinny jeans or cords!

Style Notes: Forever21 Heart Pattern Tights $8.80 / J.Crew Factory Printed iPad Case $24.50 / Madewell Striped Heartnote Cardigan $49.99 (currently an extra 30% off) / Anthropologie AG Stevie Ankle Hearts $188 / J.Crew Heartbreaker Sweater $98 / Ark & Co. Heart On Your Sleeve Blouse Top $59 / LOFT Tossed Hearts Print Pima Cotton Cardigan $54 / ban.do Heart Shoe Clips: $25

The themometer has finally dipped below 80 here in Arizona, which has us pulling out the layers and dreaming of apple picking and hay rides!  In honor of our first real taste of  autumn, we selected some fun pieces to help spruce up your weekend look as you take advantage of the beautiful weather and go on long walks, hit a pumpkin patch, visit a farmers’ market, or meet friends for drinks at one of the valley’s outdoor lounges!

Style Notes: J.Crew Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot: $89.99 (currently an extra 30% off) / Bulldog ring: $20 / Forever 21 Faux Leather Tote: $34.80/ Gap Herringbone Academy Blazer: $98(currently 25% off) / Pim + Larkin Square Jeweled Necklace: $44 / Loft Color Pop Modern Skinny Jeans: $59.50 (currently 30% off) / Nine West Sosie: $99.50 / Cara Accessories™ Jewel Bead Stretch Bracelet: $12

Friday evening I attended the Lulus Style Studio Event at the monOrchid. The night’s festivities were co-hosted by Erin from Calivintage and Mara from M Loves M and included numerous giveaways, a style contest, a fall favorites report, shopping, and plenty of local fashionistas.  It was a fun evening and a great opportunity to meet some new people and reconnect with others I had not seen in a while.  More importantly, it was so awesome to see such a big turn out for a fashion event in downtown Phoenix.  Slowly, but surely, Phoenix is staking a claim on the fashion map! Be sure to scroll through to see what I wore to the event!

When it came time to get ready for the event, I knew I wanted to go with something on trend for fall but also something super comfortable as I was coming off of a full day at work, so I didn’t want to deal with a lot of fuss or something that would require a lot of work (sucking in of various body parts) throughout the evening.

This outfit ranks high in ease of wear, but it also manages to remain super stylish…something every woman can get behind, especially when your work clothes need to carry over into the evening.  The leather tuxedo piping down the leg of these pants is spot on for fall and is an appropriate way to incorporate the leather trend without veering too far into the realm of dominatrix.

 The pant’s leather trim also helps to add a masculine twist to the overall look, so to further draw out the contrasts between the masculine pants and the feminine details of the sweater  I opted for some accessories that would accentuate the glittery sleeves.

 And last, but certainly not least, I could not resist an opportunity to wear my beloved Kate Spade heels.  While adorable, they are not practical for periods of extended wear, but they are just special enough to don for fashionable soirees. (I may have spent the rest of my weekend in flats after a few hours standing around in these shoes!)  Oh the things we ladies are willing to suffer for fashion!

Style Notes: The Limited sweater (summer 2012; currently on sale w/ an additional 25% off) / Ann Taylor pant (summer 2012; currently 30% off) / Kate Spade shoes via Last Chance (summer 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade bag via Last Chance (summer 2012) / Banana Republic statement ring (fall 2011; similar style) /Forever 21 bracelet (fall 2011; similar style) and Macy’s bracelet (fall 2005; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style)