Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Tightly Sheathed

French Connection is certainly a brand that enjoys showing off a woman's body. Most of the dresses are very short, even on me -- and I'm just five feet, three inches tall (and change). People always think I'm taller than I actually am because I wear heels, but I'm just average height. I can't imagine wearing this dress if I was actually tall!


Dress: French Connection Canyon Sands Sheath Dress

The dress is not lined, so I definitely recommend wearing Spanx underneath. French Connection clothing tends to run small, so size up -- especially with this dress. It's quite tight.

Shopping Tip:
Amazon and Belk are two good places to find French Connection apparel on sale. Never buy this brand full price; it's just not worth it.


You can still find the dress online at the following stores:
If you like the pattern, it's also available in a more subdued fit and flare version.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Lang Sandals in Flame

This shoe design is a popular one for Jimmy Choo; it's available in a variety of different colors, but the Flame color seems to be retired.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Webbed

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing up, and it's become a tradition to dress up the dogs in my life as well. Although last year was tough without George, I am learning to move on and to not feel so guilty feeling happy without him. So... I am super excited about this year's costumes for Wally and Norman. There's a theme that includes me. Stay tuned!

I'm getting into the holiday spirit today in this Eva by Eva Franco crochet dress. It's a bit fancy for work, but the crochet pattern reminds me a little of spider webs, so I thought it was appropriate. Plus, it's actually very comfortable. The dress runs large, so size down.



Dress: Eva by Eva Franco Crochet Black and White Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is no longer available, but here's a similar style.

You can find Eva Franco designs at a variety of online retailers, including:


Sandals: Sophia Webster Micah Angel Wing Satin Ankle Strap Sandals

I adore these sandals, even though the heel is lower than usual for me, because they are so dainty and feminine. They are a perfect match with this Eva Franco dress!

Friday, October 21, 2016

A Star Is Born

When I was in elementary school, I went through a brief phase when I wanted to be an actress. Well, more specifically, an educated, Ivy League-trained, serious actressOf course, I had no idea if I could actually act, and I soon found out that, of course, I could not. I loved losing myself in books, movies and my favorite TV shows, and I idolized the women I saw on the big screen, but I was painfully shy at that age, so I can't imagine why I thought acting was even an option for me. Oh, to be young again, with a limitless imagination!

Even so, when my husband and I found out that a movie was going to be filming in our neighborhood, we jumped at the opportunity to be extras.

Today is October 21, 2016, which means that it's not only Back to the Future Day, but the film that Chapin and I appeared in, Keeping Up With the Joneses, is finally in theaters! I am so excited to see if we appear onscreen, even if it's only for a second. Look for me in this plaid dress. Poor Chapin is wearing an Oktoberfest costume, complete with lederhosen and little hat.
 


I'm not sure we will see the movie this weekend, since Chapin has to work, but we will be definitely be seeing it very soon!

Today's dress is a fun Friday dress with one of my favorite designs: polka dots!


The dress is appropriate for today, the day of my "movie debut," since I spotted Mindy wearing it on The Mindy Project, and it's apparently been on some soap operas as well.


Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Red Polka Dot Print Sweater Dress (no longer available)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Alana Patent Leather Sandals

These Jimmy Choos -- don't worry, I bought them on sale at Saks Off 5th -- are the latest edition to my closet, and I just adore them. They also arrived on a day that was very busy and stressful for me at work, so Chapin opened the box and had them all posed and ready for me to try on by the time I came home. I am so lucky to have a partner in life who not only loves me, but supports my fashion habit. ;)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Lacy LBD

Lace is definitely "in" at the moment, and this Shoshanna dress ups the ante with an ultra-feminine floral lace design. You can see the flower design especially well at the bottom of the dress, where it's touching skin -- a subtle but oh so sexy detail that I just adore. Plus...You just can't go wrong with a little black dress (LBD)!


Dress; Shoshanna Vienna Lace Dress (no longer available)

Sandals: Prada Platform Sandals - Black with Tan Bows (no longer available)

I found the sandals in a different color (ivory) on TheRealReal.com, a luxury consignment site. I've never purchased anything from this site, so if you do, let me know about your experience!


It's been a good day so far, highlighted by a good run outside early this morning, sushi for lunch at Hoki, and a really strong sales meeting. I think the summer-like weather has reinvigorated me. I'm just not a fan of the cold!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Floral Decorum

Today's dress is one that I have (sort of) worn before. It's extremely similar to another dress from the BCBGMaxAzria brand -- one that I wore just last week -- and yet the two dresses are still so different.

Take essentially the same silhouette (the neckline here is more v-shaped), change the fabric and print, and you have a brand new dress -- one that is definitely more suited to sunny days. The meteorologists are saying that Atlanta is returning to late August weather this week, and it was about 85 degrees out when I went to grab lunch this afternoon, so I guess we're putting Fall off a little bit longer!


Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Caron Floral Peplum Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is still available online at the following retailers:

Sandals: Loeffler Randall Piper Wedge Scallop Sandals in Periwinkle

The wedges have been seen on celebrities like Megan Fox and Reese Witherspoon, and I just adore them. You can still find them for sale at online stores like Amazon, LoefflerRandall.com, Saks and ShopBop.com. The sandals come in a variety of colors.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Last Call for Summer Wear

I bought this tropical summer dress back in June... and then completely forgot about it. I discovered it this morning when I was searching for a casual Friday dress, and thought I should probably wear it now while the weather was still mild enough.



Dress: London Times Tropical Print Fit and Flare Dress

Sandals: BCBGeneration Jakalyn Gold and Clear Ankle-Strap Sandals

I love the fit of this dress -- it's so flattering! -- and it's a great dress for a more laid back day at the office. It's still hard for me to believe we're about midway through October. I definitely feel like it should still be summer.

I'm looking forward to this weekend, when I will be catching up on sleep and meeting up with some high school friends to drink wine and paint a picture. The place: Pinot's Palette in Johns Creek. I reconnected with these amazing women at my high school reunion in August, and we made it a point to try to see each other more often. We will be painting a scene that reminds me of one of my favorite holiday movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Plus, I love any excuse to hang out, drink wine and chat with old friends... even if I don't have an artistic or crafty bone in my body.


I also hope to try to see the new movie, The Girl on the Train, since I read the book when it came out last year. I've seen some mixed reviews, but I still want to watch the film and see for myself if it's a good adaptation.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Parker Here

Today I'm wearing my first Parker dress. The brand is new to me, but I have seen it on some of my favorites shopping sites, as well as on numerous TV shows, and have always liked its overall design aesthetic. For some reason, though, I never purchased anything.

But then I saw this dress! 

I had my eye on this beautiful dress all summer, and when it finally went on sale on RueLaLa.com, I scooped it up. I love all the detailed embroidery, and the intricate criss-crossing of the white, blue and red threads. The main design on the skirt reminds me of a Gothic cathedral or the windows of a church built over a century ago. It's fashion, but it's also art.


Outfit Details:


The dress is extremely flattering. The neckline shows off the shoulders, and the fit and flare design shows off a small waist. I wore a strapless bra, and am wearing a size small for reference.

You can still buy the dress, although it's listed at full price, on the Nordstrom website.

For the first time in months, I actually wore a jacket into the office this morning. I didn't need it by lunchtime, when I took a leisurely walk  with Wally around our neighborhood (Norman is at daycare), but I'm still sad to know that cold weather and long nights are on the way. I worked until 7:30 p.m. the other night, and drove him in the dark. Ugh!

Sandals: Betsey Johnson Lavant T-Strap Sandals

The sandals are no longer available. I've had these sandals for about six or seven years at least! Sometimes I like browsing through the old posts on this blog, especially when I spot George in a photo, but then I'm reminded of how old I'm looking! There's definitely a big difference between 38 and 32.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Unexpected Success

I remember when I first saw this dress, I immediately thought: NO.


I didn't think anything about the dress was really me: the cut, the little flare at the bottom of the skirt, the pattern... But I kept seeing it pop up on all my favorite shopping sites -- Amazon and RueLaLa, to name two -- and after reviewing it a few more times, I decided to go for it. It was on sale, and I could always return the dress if I didn't like it.

Well, it turned out to be a great outfit for work, and something very different for me. I love trying new looks and having them turn out so successful. I just wish the dress fit me a little better. I got a size 4, my normal size, but I probably could have gone with a size 2. The dress runs a little large -- though with my hips, it's better to go larger.

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Suni Feather Jacquard Peplum Dress

Sandals: Manolo Blahnik Black Patent Leather T-Strap Sandals

Friday, October 7, 2016

Plenty by Tracy Reese

One of my most favorite things in the world is finding a dress I like on sale... and if it's a good sale, then that's even better. I found today's dress on Amazon for just $23!


Tracy Reese is an African American fashion designer favored by prominent women like Michelle Obama. Her Plenty by Tracy Reese line is lower priced and has a younger, sportier feel. This dress could be dressed up or down depending on your footwear and accessories. It's comfortable and very flattering for all body types, and pairs great with a cardigan if you're in an area of the country where the weather is starting to cool. (Here in Atlanta, it's been in the high 70s, low 80s all week, so no sweaters for me just yet!)

Sandals: Manolo Blahnik Chaos Metallic Mesh Ankle Strap Sandals


Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Flirty, Flouncy, Fun

The weather has been so beautiful here in Atlanta, and while I'm sad to see the end of summer, I'm going to enjoy this mild Autumn weather while I can.

Chapin has been working a lot of weekends, so we decided to go out to a casual dinner last night to one of our favorite haunts, Six Feet Under. It was so nice to sit outside, talk, and enjoy a meal without sweating profusely! (It was such a hot summer.)

I didn't have any client facing meetings today, so I thought I would wear something a little more casual on this gorgeous Tuesday: an Eva Franco dress my mom recently got me. It was on sale at Anthropologie, and I just can't resist anything with polka dots, especially when it comes in such a unique silhouette. I don't have too many things that are free flowing and ruffled like this dress, but it's been so much fun to wear. Best of all, this dress is so comfortable.


Dress: Eva Franco Ruffled Clipdot Polka Dot Dress in Red and Blue

It's still available in select sizes at Anthropologie.com and in select stores. Use the link above.

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Lang Sandals in Flame

Monday, October 3, 2016

Pug Weekend

We've started sending Norman to doggie daycare at Bark and Board in Westside (Atlanta) once a week. Our trainer recommended it to help him expend some of his extra energy, so he would be less focused on Wally (and on starting fights with him). It's worked for the most part; while we still keep the boys separated, it's been weeks since we have had any real incidents.

That said, since Norman gets to leave the house for socialization once a week, I thought Wally might benefit from an outing all his own this past weekend. I took him with me to Pampered Pet Care's 10th anniversary party in Canton, Georgia, where I met up with my sister, Laura, and my nephew, Cole.



With my sister, Laura, and her son, Cole on October 1, 2016

Wally had a great time at the outdoor event (and the weather was perfect). He peed on everything in sight -- he is such a marker! -- and he was very well behaved even with all the other animals around. Some alpacas were particularly intrigued with him! Maybe they have never seen a pug before.

The alpacas kept looking at Wally!

Here are my outfit details for today:


Dress: Shoshanna Black and Gold Glenda Dress

Although the dress is sold out on Shoshanna.com, you can still purchase it on Amazon or 6pm at a discounted price.

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals (no longer available)

I'll end today's post with this photo I took of Wally yesterday afternoon. He is such a little sweetheart.
Wally, also known as "Wallykins," at home on October 2, 2016