SKETCHING IN THE SUN

We've come back to the office yesterday and today kicking and screaming. Who can blame us? With this amazing weather outside and the sun, sun, sun... we're definitely wanting another Sunday. Around the Krupp-dom, the start of spring is celebrated only after the official opening day at our favorite homemade Italian ice and ice cream stand, Uncle Louie G. Alas, Sunday was an absolute dream.

With our Bubbly Bubble Gum Italian ice in hand, we headed out for some serious spring shoe shopping. We're ready to bare some pale skin, well on our feet of course, and these brushed gold metallic Vince Camuto Rito gladiator sandals are definitely going to hit the spot.

We love that Mr. Vince Camuto is asking all aspiring designers to submit a sketch of their dream shoe for a chance to get it produced and sold in the fall 2010 collection! Posted on the Vince Camuto Web site, visitors will vote on which designs they like best with the top 10 voted designs judged by designer Vince Camuto and President Louise Camuto along with an editor from Lucky. The best shoe design will then be highlighted in the September issue of Lucky and the designer wins a trip to New York City to meet Vince himself!

So grab your sketch pads cupcakes, and let's head to the park to sketch in the sun!

SPRING SHOPPING IN YOUR SNOW BOOTS

Don't you just love getting magazines in the mail? It's kind of our favorite thing on Earth. The recent issues of Nylon and Lucky have us dreaming of military inspired gear.

I'm sure you, like us, are always confused when spring is already in stores when it's still snowing outside.

We're obsessed with this fall faux fur-lined United Bamboo jacket. So rustic and ready for a hike... in Central Park... or Prospect Park. (Little fun fact: Prospect Park was built by the same landscape architects as Central Park, but just a few years later. Rumor has it, the designers worked out all the kinks the second time around. Ask any Brooklynite and they'll tell you, the city's most popular borough has the better urban oasis.) Any way... what were we saying...

Ahh, yes. With this detachable lining, we can't think of a better way to transition into spring. Maybe they'll have one at the sample sale. This Rachel Comey Passenger Coat is the perfect layering jacket to wear with your Hunter Wellies while you splash fearlessly around the city's jungles.

Some military love for the fellas? Check out Aloha Rag's own 1965 Jacket in-store next month.