Monday, April 30, 2018

A for A-Line

This Pink and Black A-Line Dress from Milly is a fun way to start a new week. It's finally feeling like Spring in Atlanta!


Dress: Milly Pink and Black Floral Print Mini Dress

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Patent Leather T-Strap Sandals


I had a great weekend, attending a baby shower for a friend on Saturday and the CURE Childhood Cancer Lauren's Run 5K on Sunday. I won the bronze medal for my age group (women in their 30s), and got to spend some quality time with my parents. Now when I see pictures of us together, it's so clear I'm their daughter. I love you, Mom and Dad!

 

Friday, April 20, 2018

The Meghan Markle Effect

Meghan Markle, a soon-to-be American Princess, is having a huge effect on the fashion world. Items she wears will sell out the same day, with women all over the world loving (and wanting to emulate) her California cool style.

Meghan was recently seen in Black Halo, one of my favorite brands. She wore the infamous Jackie O dress, which has been available in a myriad of colors for almost a decade, and is the brand's original "claim to fame."

CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

I originally bought the Black Halo Jackie O Dress in 2011, and blogged about it in September of that year.

Wearing the Black Halo Jackie O Dress in 2011.

Today, since Meghan made the dress so popular again, I decided to pull it out of my closet.

Wearing the same dress in 2018.

Comparing the me of today with a version of myself from almost seven years ago is a little strange. I have more lines on my face, more meat on my bones, and my hair is darker and longer, but overall, I think I'm holding up well. What do you think? Who wore it best? Michele 2011 or Michele 2018?

One thing that hasn't changed? My pose. Ha!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Sunshine Day

The week started out extremely cold in Atlanta, which is very weird for April. Today, we are due to reach 80 degrees for the high, so I'm celebrating by wearing this sunny yellow dress from Black Halo.


Outfit Details:

Dress: Black Halo Pravella Ruffled One Shoulder Dress in Daisy Yellow

Find the dress in multiple colors at Amazon and on the Black Halo website, or in black only at Saks and ShopBop.com. The dress fits like a typical sheath dress, and you'll need to wear a strapless bra since it only has one shoulder.

I got so many compliments on the dress today -- even the hubby liked it!

I used to think that yellow wasn't a great color on me, as it brought out the yellow undertones in my Italian skin, but I'm liking it more and more as I get older.

Shoes: Schutz Meera Beaded Sandals


As it's my first post of the week, I have to mention the fun time I had this past weekend at the Atlanta Women's 5K event. My mom and sister, Laura, joined me for the race, and we met up with my friend, Katie, and her mom and daughter. Female power was in full force!

Here are a few photos. I didn't run too fast, but still managed to place #57 out of 2,394 runners. The photos of me running just crack me up. No one looks their best while running and sweating.









Thursday, April 12, 2018

The $15 LBD

Today's dress is another one I purchased recently at Mint by Sandpiper... for just $15!


Dress: Rachel Zoe Black Fit and Flare Dress (no longer available)

I like how this little black dress is a little shorter than most. It hits about mid-thigh on me.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Black Peep-Toe Ankle Strap Pumps

You can never have too many LBDs in your closet... especially at that price!


Tuesday, April 10, 2018

All Good Things

I don't shop in actual stores very often, but when I do, one of my favorite stores to frequent is a little boutique in Inman Park called Mint by Sandpiper. I found some amazing things in that store for a fraction of the retail cost. This location, however, recently announced it is going out of business, and while I'm upset at that thought, I'm still reveling in all the great things I bought there this past weekend. (Just don't tell my husband.)

For example, the dress I'm wearing today. It's a Nanette Lepore dress, retailing for $398, and purchased for just $25.


Outfit Details


You can still buy the dress at 6pm. The empire neckline is extremely flattering, especially for women with curves. The tweed is adorable, and up close you can see the different threads of black, ivory, gold and taupe woven throughout the fabric.

The tweed is a little heavy for Spring in Atlanta, but since today started out fairly cold, I'm not thinking twice about it.


Shoes: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals

It's been awhile since I mentioned anything I'm reading or watching right now, so here goes...

Reading
I just finished Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter, and I absolutely adored this novel. It takes place in multiple time periods, and the author does an excellent job weaving in and out of the main narrative. I also loved the inclusion of a little Hollywood glamour. Highly recommend!

Watching:
Lately, I've been watching old episodes of Mad About You. The show originally started airing when I was in high school -- the first season coincided with my freshman year -- so to watch now as someone who has been married for almost 15 years... let's just say I'm addicted. Some episodes capture marriage so perfectly it's like watching a scene from my life with Chapin. I guess most marriages are alike in a lot of ways, each with their own nuances.

Here are two of my favorite scenes:



I'm also watching The Resident, a new Fox show that just started airing this past January. I'm liking the show's story lines and characters, and for a little added bonus: they film in Atlanta. They are actually using the High Museum as a stand-in for "Chastain Hospital," which is so funny to me. I think I either roll my eyes or laugh every time I see that wide shot of the High.

If you're looking for a laugh, check out Nailed It on Netflix. I love cooking shows, mainly because I'm in awe of how people can take ingredients and create such mouthwatering dishes. I can't cook, but I can bake, so that's why Nailed It was particularly appealing. This show takes ordinary bakers and compels them to make very professional cakes and cookies. The results are hilarious, and I hope they make new episodes soon.

Let me know what you're reading and watching in the comments!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

The Velveteen Dress

It's been a weird few days, weather wise, in Atlanta. This morning when I went to work out, it was only 39 degrees... and it's April!

I took the opportunity to wear a dress that would be too heavy to wear when it's warm outside: this velveteen dress from Trina Turk. I think it may be the only velveteen dress I own.


Dress: Trina Turk Dazzling Astor's Garden Velveteen Dress

The dress is extremely comfortable, and it must run large, because I am wearing a size two. I like that the sleeves are over-sized and only three-quarter length; that's very different for me.

Buy the dress on Amazon or 6pm.

The print is big and loud, but somehow it works. There are so many colors, and I love the beautiful shades of reds, pinks, purples and greens working together to create this beautiful print. I think it's smart that the designer placed the largest flower on the chest area, as it really draws the eye. (You don't want the eye drawn to your less favorable bits, like the hips.)

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Didin Wrap-Around Leather Sandals

You could wear a lot of different colored sandals with this dress, but I chose these hot pink Manolos to bring out more of the pink tones. I also just love pink for Spring.


Another great thing about this dress? I bought it for only $40. (Original price: $298.)

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Something Wrinkled This Way Comes

I adore this dress from Karen Millen, but the satin fabric gets so wrinkled! It's times like these I wish I knew PhotoShop, so I could erase those pesky wrinkles from these pictures.


Dress: Karen Millen Satin Halter Neck Pencil Dress

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Lottie Metallic Leopard Print Sandals


Sunday, April 1, 2018

Happy Easter 2018


Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!

Love,
Chapin, Michele, Norman and Wally