Thursday, July 30, 2015

Seeing Clearly


I love the whimsical prints from Eva Franco, and this one is truly special. I'm a nerd at heart - just one who loves fashion - so the glasses here really spoke to me. People seem to like this print, too; I've had so many compliments on this dress.

Dress: Eva Franco Paparazzi Dress

Shoes: Pour La Victoire Carmendy Cap Toe T-Strap Pump

My thoughts are with my sister, Laura, today, who is mourning her pug, Bentley. "Bent Bent," as she liked to call him, passed away on July 29th, 2015. I only hope she is comforted by the fact that he lived a long life (he was almost 15), one where he was truly loved by Laura and the rest of our family.

What is the point of life? In my opinion, it's to love, and to be loved. Bentley loved his mama with his whole heart, and he was loved in return. That is a life with meaning.

Rest in peace, sweet Bentley.

Bentley (middle) with his cousins, George and Izzie, in 2008. All three are now in Heaven together.
Laura and Bentley (2009)


Monday, July 27, 2015

Butterflies From Heaven

My mom recently told me that butterflies can be signs from those who have passed on. They are supposed to represent the freedom a soul feels in the After Life, where there is no pain or sadness. I know it sounds hokey, but it makes me feel better to know that a butterfly could be a signal from George, or one of my grandparents, telling me they are thinking of me. I think that was why I was so drawn to today's featured dress.

Right now, though, my thoughts are with my little sister, Laura, who is having to make a painful decision about her pug, Bentley. He is a very old pug, whom Laura has had for most of her adult life. He helped her through a difficult period when she was in college, was with her when she started dating her husband, Matt, and has been by her side as she became a mom to my two young nephews.

Now, Bentley is showing signs that his quality of life has severely diminished. He isn't himself, and he barely recognizes those around him. Laura is having to decide whether it's time to let him go, which I believe to be one of the hardest decisions a person (a fur-parent) ever has to make.

Laura, I am thinking of you.


Today's outfit details:

Dress: Erin Erin Fetherston Madame Butterfly Fit and Flare Dress

Also available at Dillard's and the Erin Fetherston website.

The dress also comes in a longer shirt dress version and gown.

Shoes: Schutz Adeline Strappy Metallic Sandals in Rose Gold (sold out)

Erin Fetherston is a popular up-and-coming brand, and celebrity fans include Taylor Swift. You can find her designs in most major department stores as well as online retailers like Amazon.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Orange You Glad...

Today's dress is one I haven't worn in quite a while (probably a few years).  Honestly, I think I purchased it to put me over the free shipping requirement on a department store website. But it's a cute little dress, and definitely one that is perfect for Casual Friday at work. Yes, a dress is still my idea of "casual."


Dress: Yoana by Yoana Baraschi

Shop the designer's creations on her Yoana Baraschi website or on major retail sites like the Yoana Baraschi Store on Amazon (where you can score some great deals).

Sandals: Jimmy Choo

I love how the red-orange color of these sandals perfectly matches the belt on this dress. Of course, I had to make my lipstick match as well.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Color Explosion


I think you can tell -- if you're a regular reader of this blog -- that I love colorful dresses. Today's dress from Shoshanna combines my love of color with my love for a fit and flare silhouette. The fantastic print is filled with neon stripes in greens, blues, pinks and more.

Dress: Shoshanna Bridgette Prism Tweed Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is still available at the following retailers:



Shoes: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker


Monday, July 20, 2015

A Fit and a Flare


Today's dress incorporates many of my favorite fashion elements into one outfit: cap sleeves, a vibrant blue hue, and a fit and flare silhouette. Sometimes a dress seems made just for you.

Dress: French Connection Whisper Light Cap Sleeve Fit and Flare Dress

This cute black and blue dress is still available at the following retailers:


Booties: Prada Cut-Out Peep-Toe Booties (sold out)

Chapin and I had a relaxing weekend. Work is even more hectic than usual right now, so I wanted to enjoy my down time. One of the highlights was going out to dinner and seeing the new movie, Ant-Man, with Paul Rudd. It's hard to believe that Paul Rudd is 46 now and that Clueless, the movie that introduced him as a leading man, is turning 20. I still remember seeing it in the movie theater during the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, and how envious I was of Cher's closet. I guess I have a wardrobe that could compete now! I still don't have all my clothes indexed on the computer, though... unless you count this blog!


Friday, July 17, 2015

Style for Style


I love it when I can pull something out of my closet that I haven't worn in awhile, and it almost feels brand new. I probably haven't worn these red BCBGMaxAzria peep toe pumps in two years, but I love how they look with this Shoshanna dress. A red shoe never goes out of style!

Dress: Shoshanna Fannon Striped Jacquard Dress (on sale now at Shoshanna.com)

Here is the same style dress in a different pattern (available now at Amazon).

Shoes: BCBGMaxAzria Red Peep Toe Pumps

As Seen On:

Actress Radha Mitchell wore the same dress with black booties (a slightly darker look), and actress/singer Katharine McPhee wore the crop top version.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Eyelet Summer


Dress: French Connection Pale Yellow "Floral Flirtation" Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress

Celebrity Sighting!
Taylor Swift was seen wearing the dress in white.

Sandals: BCBGeneration Clear and Gold Sandals

These sandals are surprisingly comfortable, and I love how the straps are see-through! I wasn't sure about pairing them with a pale yellow dress, but I think it works. I got so many compliments on this outfit!


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Classic Style with a Twist


Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Jessica Colorblock Dress

This dress is truly unique; I love the white part of the skirt that seems like it will just fold out from the rest of the black dress. It really shows off a girl's curves, too.

Shoes: Sophia Webster Mika Polka Dot Leather Pumps

Elizabeth Banks was recently seen in these shoes while promoting Pitch Perfect 2 (she directed the film and has a small role as a judge). In addition to the Pitch Perfect films, you may also know her from The Hunger Games series, What to Expect When You're Expecting, and many more.

Here are some other shots where you can see the shoes a little better. I absolutely adore these shoes! Tip for buying Sophia Webster: SIZE UP! I am normally a 38.5 in designer shoes, and in Sophia Webster, I wear a 39.


Monday, July 6, 2015

Fun on the Fourth

One of the best holidays for relaxing is, in my opinion, the Fourth of July. This year, with the holiday falling on a Saturday, most people were off Friday as well, resulting in a wonderful three-day weekend. Here are my holiday highlights:

Friday:

I didn't leave the house on Friday, mainly because I wanted to get in a full day of rest before I ran the Peachtree Road Race. I squeezed in one last run, binge-watched Season 1 of Silicon Valley (totally hooked), and enjoyed sushi from Hoki as my 'big meal' the night before the race. Chapin was sweet enough to go pick it up for me. I love my husband!

Saturday (July Fourth):

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for the Peachtree Road Race. It was my third time running the race, and the first time running it in the rain. The last two years, the weather has been great, so I guess I was spoiled. This year, the rain definitely slowed me down. I finished the 10K race (6.2 miles) in 54 minutes, which means I was almost four minutes slower than my best time (50 minutes, 35 minutes). I took a nasty fall earlier this year, and have been having problems with my right knee, so I was not surprised to see the results. I was glad to come in under an hour.
Here I am before we started running the 2015 Peachtree Road Race. I love the flag waving in the background. I'm glad I got this photo in during a brief lull in the rain, P.S.: I don't have a speck of makeup on - just sunscreen!






We enjoyed the evening of the Fourth at a casual barbecue. It was our first time meeting Chris and Emily's baby boy, Max. He is such a cutie at just four months old! Chapin made an amazing gluten-free macaroni and cheese dish for the occasion. I think it had four different types of cheese in it!

To end the evening, we ate ice cream and watched fireworks back home with Norman. We were worried about him getting upset at all the noise, since he currently shakes every time the smoke alarm goes off (always when Chapin makes pizza), but he seemed fine with all the firework sounds. I was missing George all day long. Our first July Fourth without him.

Here I am in my July Fourth outfit with all my makeup on. I'm wearing the Shoshanna Sand and Navy Striped Crepe Valencia Fit and Flare Dress (no longer available). My arms look pretty muscular here. (In addition to running, I lift weights, too.) I think it's the cut of the dress that shows them off a little more than usual. 

Dress by Shoshanna
Sunday:

I spent the day finishing up Season 2 of Silicon Valley and getting a little bit of work done. I was feeling blue, really missing George, so I went over to Phipps Plaza to cheer myself up. Saks is having an amazing sale, and I bought myself a new pair of pink Christian Louboutins for 60% off. For this fashionista, that's a great way to end a three-day weekend.