Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Add Some Sparkle

This week seems to be flying by in slow motion -- I'm super busy, so the days pass quickly, but the week feels long already -- so I decided to wear this sparkly dress today to inject some extra dazzle into my mid-week doldrums.


Dress: Donna Rico Printed Sequin Dress

I bought the dress on Amazon the day after Christmas last year for just $18.52. I couldn't believe my good luck that I could get such a pretty dress for such a huge discount. It was originally $159, so I definitely scored a deal.

You can still find the dress online -- and on sale -- at Amazon, Bluefly and RueLaLa.com. (Unfortunately, the dress has not been discounted as drastically as it was back when I purchased it.)

Sizing Tip:
It runs a little large, so I would size down.

The dress falls to my knee, which I know makes me look shorter than my five feet, three and a half inches, but it wasn't worth it to me to get it altered. With heels, it still works.

You're probably wondering why I bought the dress ten months ago and am just now wearing it. Well... To be honest, I really debated whether it was work appropriate. It's definitely eye-catching with all the sequins, so it seems more suited for a weekend outing or even something fancy like a wedding. But, I needed some sparkle in my week, so I wore it to work on a day when I didn't have any in-person meetings with clients (or potential clients) planned.

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB Ankle Strap Suede Pumps (no longer available)


Monday, September 25, 2017

Busy in Black Halo

Today has been such a busy day. Local Marketing, Inc. is in growth mode right now, which means my time is not really my own. I'm interviewing candidates for newly created positions, working with the sales team on closing business, and helping oversee a variety of client accounts. It's been a whirlwind month!

So, that said, this post will be short, but sweet. I still have work to do tonight!

Dress: Black Halo Sadie Botanic Sheath Dress (no longer available)

I love dresses that can be professional but still flirty and sexy. In fact, that description perfectly describes the Black Halo brand. I was drawn to this dress mainly because of the tropical print; it really grabs the eye with its pops of red and purple. The straps are adjustable, and the fit is ideal for showcasing a curvy figure.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Nude Tallow Sandals



Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Last Dance With Summer

Summer is coming to a close, and though Atlanta is currently experiencing hot weather, it's still obvious that Fall is on the horizon. The days are getting shorter, trees are starting to shed their leaves, and acorns seem to be everywhere I step. Soon, it will be too cold to wear sundresses like this one from French Connection.


Outfit Details:

French Connection Bluhm and Botero Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is currently available only at a few retailers: Amazon, Belk and Nordstrom Rack. Amazon has the biggest selection of sizes, but it's still full price.

This dress makes me feel like dancing! My parents actually treated me to the dress during an amazing sale at Dillard's, when it was marked down over 70%. (I only recommend buying French Connection clothing on sale.) The floral print is fun and the fit and flare design flattering for any body type (especially hourglass figures). But please note that the dress is made of a stiff material, so the skirt does flare out a bit more than typical fit and flare dresses as a result.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Fearne Glitter Criss-Cross Wedges


I know I mention my parents a lot on this blog, but they are really are wonderful parents -- not just to me, but to my sisters and our husbands as well. In addition to being generous, they are always willing to help out with whatever we need. Just recently, for example, they kept Norman and Wally while we went to Cincinnati. When we stopped to pick them up, my mom had gluten-free lasagna waiting so we could eat before we went home. They continue to surprise and delight me with their thoughtfulness. I think I hit the lottery when it comes to parents. I hope they read this post and know how much I love them.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Cincinnati and a Fairytale Frock

Work has been so busy lately! Today passed by in a big blur, and I'm looking forward to the evening when I can relax a little bit. Chapin and I were in Cincinnati this past weekend meeting up with some of Chapin's "Internet" friends, so we haven't even watched the most recent episode of Project Runway! (More details on our trip below.)

After the long drive home yesterday (about seven hours), I wanted to feel pretty after feeling so grungy. So that's why I chose this beautiful lavender Nanette Lepore dress for this hectic Monday.


Outfit Details:

Dress: Nanette Lepore Fairytale Frock in Lavender/Lilac

The dress is so flattering, especially for women with curves, and you can still find it in select sizes at Amazon (in black), Neiman Marcus (in black), Saks and ShopBop.com.

I see why "fairytale" is included in the name; the frock boasts an empire waist, typical of the dress in many fairytales, and the ribbon ties below the bodice remind me of the ribbons used to play the Maypole Dance.

The color is also simply gorgeous, and I played it up with amethyst jewelry and purple eye makeup.


Shoes: Jimmy Choo Atlas Patent Leather Crisscross Sandals (no longer available)

With their ballerina like design and extra straps, I thought these Jimmy Choos were a good complement to the dress.

Weekend in Cincinnati

Chapin and I took Friday off and spent the weekend in Cincinnati to attend one of the world's largest Oktoberfest celebrations. The locals call it "Oktoberfest Zinzinnati"! Although I couldn't drink the beer, there was plenty of cider available, and I fit in just fine with my new hat!



We also attended a Cincinnati Reds game and ate some wonderful food, including breakfast (twice) at Maplewood Kitchen & Bar (the Pastel Omelette and Hashbrowns are amazing) and dinner at Orchids at Palm Court in our hotel. I also had so much fun drinking the "Patrick Swayze" and playing old video games at 16 Bit Bar & Arcade. We packed in a lot during our short time there.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Perspective

Hurricane Irma made its way into Georgia this week, and Chapin and I suffered through about 44 hours without power. We had to throw away most of what was in our fridge and freezer, and go without cable TV, Internet and other conveniences of modern day life for a (little) while. (I think I most missed my hairdryer.) But we had gas (read: hot water), plenty of flashlights, and decent bottles of wine on hand, so those two days were more than bearable.

I don't want to seem like I'm complaining, because I'm thankful -- so thankful -- that we didn't have to deal with more, and that my entire family and friends/clients in Florida (blame Irma) and Texas (thanks to Harvey) are safe and sound.

It helps to have perspective.

Today will be my only post for the week, so I thought I would wear a dress that I was really excited about. I think this Ted Baker London dress is just adorable. The belt, combined with the stretchy material you see with so many Ted Baker dresses, is ultra flattering, and the colors are distinctly autumn-like. So, even though it's technically still summer, I thought today would be a good day to usher in a new season.


Outfit Details

Dress: Ted Baker London Rowing Stripe Skater Dress

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Fun With Shoes

Today's Alice and Olivia dress is both cute and comfortable -- my favorite combination. The dress is a vibrant coral/poppy hue, and should look great on just about any skin tone. I got so many compliments on the overall outfit, so I guess it worked with my olive complexion.


Dress: Alice + Olivia Textured Shane Short Sleeve Dress in Poppy

It's hard to see in the photo, but the dress has a textured, geometric striped pattern, and it is the perfect example of a true fit and flare dress. The fabric is a heavier cotton, and since it's actually been a little chilly here in Atlanta the past few days, it was a good choice for this beautiful Thursday.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Max 120 Multicolor Suede & Metallic Leather Ankle-Strap Platform Sandals

These shoes... just so  much fun. They are like the cotton candy version of a pump, with multi-colored heels and bright swathes of purple and coral suede. The heels are super high, too; I just love being tall.

This week has been so busy, but even so, it's hard to believe tomorrow is Friday already. The weeks go so fast... is it really almost Fall? Yikes.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Black and White After Labor Day

Those fashion rules about wearing white after Labor Day? Harrumph! I'll all for breaking any rules that try to dictate what you wear and what you feel good in.

This black and white Black Halo dress went perfectly with my Sophia Webster pumps, so even though they are mostly white, yes, I'm wearing them after Labor Day!


Outfit Details

Dress: Black Halo Fatima Sheath Dress

I bought this dress quite awhile ago, but never wore it for some reason. I was glad to break it out today, since it's such a cute yet professional dress. You can still find the dress at Saks Off 5th.

Shoes: Sophia Webster Mika Polka Dot Leather Pumps

As Seen On!

Actress America Ferrera wore the dress when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year. I like how she paired the dress with red pumps for a little pop of color.


Hopefully, everyone had a restful and relaxing Labor Day weekend. I enjoyed spending time with my sister, Gail, who is in town for a short visit. We went to dinner at Colletta in Alpharetta on Saturday night, spent time with the whole family on Sunday, and enjoyed brunch and shopping in Inman Park on Monday.

I have to recommend Colletta if you are looking for a gluten-free Italian restaurant in the Atlanta area. They make all their own pastas in house, including gluten-free pasta, and really fawned over me to make sure I did not have any concerns about my meal. The restaurant is located in the Avalon shopping center, so it's a nice restaurant in a central location, close to tons of shops and a movie theater. I've been there twice now, and we always see the nicest cars parked out front, too. First, it was a McLaren. Next: a Lamborghini. Wow.