Monday, August 31, 2015

Inside the Lines


Today's dress is definitely memorable; I love how the black netting fits right over the floral pattern to create something wholly unique.

Dress: Trina Trina Turk Renita Bonded Floral Dress

The back is open, so it's definitely more casual than most of my work dresses, but I decided it was alright to wear today since I didn't have any formal meetings.

The dress is still available (and on sale) at 6pmAmazon, Dillard's, and Revolve Clothing.

Sizing Advice: The dress fits true to size, but the straps are a little loose on me. I have narrow shoulders, though, and will probably end up getting the dress altered.

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB Patent Leather Pumps

These BB pumps have been so popular, especially with celebrities, that I think Manolo Blahnik made them in just about every color. I love how the hot pink hue of these pumps just sets the rest of the outfit afire. You could wear any brightly colored pump with this dress and it would work!


Thursday, August 27, 2015

Leafy

Today's dress, a lace fit and flare dress from Shoshanna, is in a gorgeous green color. I'm not sure the pictures do it justice.


I love the cut of this dress, and though it feels a little fancy for a typical workday, it makes me feel so happy to wear it. (If green isn't your color, the dress is also available in black from the Shoshanna website.)

I accented the luscious green hue with rose gold accessories, namely these Schutz Adeline Strappy Sandals and my Gorjana rose gold necklace with three circles my sisters gave me a few years ago. Wearing rose gold jewelry used to be "trendy," but I think it's here to stay. What do you think?

The title of today's post is named after a scene in one of my favorite Friends episodes: "The One With the Embryos" from Season 4, when Monica and Rachel lose their apartment to Chandler and Joey. I especially love Lisa Kudrow's performance in this eposide and throughout the season. I guess I wasn't the only one; she won at Emmy for her work that year. Check out the clip below for the reference.

 

I'm not sure what I would have done if Friends had not appeared on Netflix this January. It was the only thing I could stand watching after George passed away. I watched episode after episode like a zombie, but it helped me get through those first very difficult few days. If I ever meet any of the cast members, I will thank them for helping me laugh during the most difficult time of my life.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Body and Sole

Yes, I'm a fashion addict. And while I love dresses, shoes come in a close second. You may notice the special red soles in today's outfit photos. These beautiful pink pumps are Christian Louboutin pumps, only my second pair to date.


Outfit Details

Dress: Black Halo Mariana Mini Dress

Black Halo is best known for its tightly fitting, body-con dresses, like the Jackie O, but occasionally the label will release a more traditional silhouette, like the fit and flare. Wearing this dress is like wearing a soft blanket. The material is quilted and so comfortable, making it a perfect outfit for days when you don't feel that great but still need to drag yourself to work.

The dress is currently available at Shop Bop and Bloomingdale's. It's on sale at Bloomingdale's, and most sizes are available.

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Private Number' Pink Peep-Toe Pumps

It's a rare day when you can find Christian Louboutin shoes on sale. I scored these delicate pink pumps in the recent Saks Designer Sale in July, but I haven't had the opportunity to wear them... until now. I am just so in love with them. Dresses and shoes make my fashionista heart sing.


Close-ups:



Friday, August 21, 2015

Make New Friends...

Last night, I went out with my Book Club for a fun evening. We ate some amazing food at Better Half, talked about our lives, and drank several glasses of Pinot Noir (from The Pinot Project). Yes, we're one of those Book Clubs that only talks about an actual book every other time we meet.

I have made friends with these amazing ladies only in the last few years, and I am so thrilled to know each person in our group. I'm sure you will agree: As you get older, it does get harder to meet people. I have Chapin, of course, and my mom and sisters, and a few other friends I've had forever, but I wanted the kind of Sex and the City camaraderie that comes with just hanging out with people who enjoy your company and who like you just for you.

I had a group of friends that I was close with during my 20s and early 30s, but the group sort of ostracized me over time as I made different choices... mainly, having a career over having a family. The ladies in my Book Club are all highly educated, and have a wonderful work/life balance. Some have kids, some don't - and I'm never made to feel small because I don't have any children.

Life is too short to waste time on people who would rather criticize and belittle you than celebrate your choices. That's just my two cents for today.

The Outfit:


Dress: Trina Turk Patterned Organza Fit and Flare Dress in Candy

The dress is a size four, my normal size, but it's honestly a little big on me. If you choose to get it, I would size down.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Atlas Patent Leather Crisscross Platform Sandals

I absolutely adore these Jimmy Choo sandals: the color and the style. They look like fancy ballerina slippers!

Clutch: BCBGMaxAzria Lulu Square Stone Clutch

I love this little clutch, and I can actually fit my iPhone in it. Not all clutches are big enough for some of the new phone sizes. The clutch is available in a different color on Gilt.com (message me for an invite), or you can check out this similar style.

The Meal:

My dinner at Better Half was all gluten-free! The restaurant was extremely accommodating when I explained I have Celiac. The waiter even brought me cucumber slices instead of the normal crackers (standing in for the bread basket), which was served with a black bean butter (so yummy).

Appetizer: Crispy gordita, duck confit, white cheddar soft scrambled egg, hot pepper jelly

Entree: Roasted wreckfish with shrimp, shellfish tapioca, creamy polenta, charred tomato

Roasted Wreckfish at Better Half in Atlanta, Georgia

Monday, August 17, 2015

My Favorite 80s and 90s Movies Currently on Netflix

Like the rest of the country, I am a big fan of Netflix. Having so many TV shows and movies at my fingertips, instantly available for my viewing pleasure, has been wonderful. I watch Netflix almost every morning when I'm on the treadmill, and I frequently have some classic movie on in the background if I'm home and doing other things, like working on my computer or washing dishes.

As I business person, I am also in awe of how the company completely changed its business model and is now more successful because of it. Let me tell you, this kind of turnaround is rare. (I definitely need to read the Harvard Business Review write-up on Netflix. If you've gotten your MBA, you are well aware of these case studies!)

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) with Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee Montgomery

I recently talked with some of the younger staff members in my office, and it was so funny to me that they had never seen movies like Can't Buy Me Love or Girls Just Want to Have Fun - movies that were staples in my childhood and teen years. Many of these movies are now available to watch on Netflix streaming, and I recently made one such staff member, who was home sick, watch Can't Buy Me Love. Surprise, surprise... She loved it. That experience has inspired me to create this list of my favorite 1980s and 1990s movies currently on Netflix.

Can't Buy Me Love (1987) with Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson

As you know, Netflix often changes its roster, so watch now before they're no longer available for streaming. This list is also comprised of movies that I consider favorites/classics. To me, that means I can watch them multiple times without wanting to scream. Movies that win Best Picture, or are highly critically acclaimed, are most likely not on this list.

*Movies listed in alphabetical order.

1980s:

  1. Baby Boom
  2. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
  3. The Burbs
  4. Can’t Buy Me Love
  5. Coming to America
  6. Dirty Dancing
  7. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  8. Footloose
  9. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
  10. Grease 2
  11. Heathers
  12. Mr. Mom
  13. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
  14. Stand By Me
  15. Teen Witch
  16. The Terminator
  17. Terms of Endearment
  18. Three Fugitives
  19. Top Gun
  20. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
  21. Witness

1990s:

  1. The Big Lebowski
  2. Chasing Amy
  3. Clueless
  4. Forrest Gump
  5. Ghost
  6. Hook
  7. Jerry Maguire
  8. Muriel’s Wedding
  9. My Best Friend’s Wedding
  10. Scream
  11. Shakespeare in Love
  12. The Sixth Sense
  13. Sleepless in Seattle
  14. Sliding Doors
  15. Soapdish
  16. Strictly Ballroom
  17. While You Were Sleeping

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Classic Colorblocking

I have to admit... I'm a huge fan of colorblocking. I like the mix of different colors, and the designs tend to be simple and chic.

This Kate Spade New York dress is super cute and flattering, and the scuba material means it won't wrinkle as easily as most of my dresses. When you sit on your butt all day in an office chair, that's a plus!


Dress: Kate Spade New York Colorblock Scuba Dress in Ocean Blue

Available at these retail locations:


Shoes: Sophia Webster Finn Glitter Patent Leather Peep-Toe Pumps (sold out)

Celebrity Sighting!
Taylor Schilling wore these shoes in hot pink a few years ago. She plays Piper on Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Chapin and I are both huge fans of the show.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Mom and Me Time

As I get older, I feel like I appreciate my mom so much more than I ever did as a hormonal teenager or even as a "know it all" twentysomething. My mom and I have really gotten much closer the past few years, and she was there for me on the day I lost George - a day when Chapin was a plane ride away. She is the most kind and selfless person I know, and I love her so much.

Every so often, I can convince her to come into the city for a little shopping, and that was the case this past weekend. We met up at her favorite store, Belk, at Phipps Plaza. I'm a newer Belk shopper, and I will only shop at the Phipps Plaza location because this store has a huge selection of dresses, and brand names that are often featured here on the blog (for example, Trina Turk). 

Saturday, we were bargain hunting, and she treated me to this French Connection dress ($25 marked down from $148). My mom may not understand my addiction to fashion, but she certainly understands the high you get from scoring a great deal!


It also comes in a maxi dress version.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York


Tonight, Chapin and I are meeting up with our friend, Elizabeth, to see writer/director/actor Kevin Smith at the Atlanta Improv. I'm so excited! I have been a fan of Kevin Smith's for a very long time (about 20 years), and Chapin and I actually first met at a screening of his 1999 film, Dogma. Chapin is now addicted to his podcast, Hollywood Babble On. If I don't have time to change before we leave, I figured this dress would be casual enough for the Atlanta Improv.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Flying Through

This week seems to be even busier than usual, and I feel like I don't have much time to do anything but work. My company is growing and expanding, and while that is increasingly exciting, it also adds more to my already heaping plate.

I don't know how you like to deal with stress, but it makes me feel better to wear something pretty when I'm working so hard. At least I can feel good about myself and add a bit of color to my black and white working world.

I snagged the blue dress below on RueLaLa.com, one of my favorite discount sites. The app makes it super easy to shop. I love sitting in front of the TV in the evenings, just browsing the latest deals on my phone or tablet.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna Remy Dress in Bluebird (sold out)

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Peep-Toe Pumps


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Monday, August 3, 2015

Like Family

People come in and out of your life, but some will always hold a special place in your heart. I feel that way about the Henard family, whom I considered my "second family" for most of my teen years. I spent pretty much every weekend at their house, babysitting Michael, Robert and Blake. I went on vacation with them (twice) to Hilton Head, and after they moved, I visited them at their home in Texas. They were so wonderful to me growing up, and I loved them so much in return... and still do to this day.

I have seen them only sporadically since they left Atlanta in 1996, and it's still hard for me to believe the three kids are all grown up now. Even Blake, the youngest, has already graduated from college.

The Henards - well, most of them - finally had the chance to meet my husband this past weekend, and we spent several hours just catching up and reminiscing over brunch.

Here I am with Robert, Blake and Mr. and Mrs. Henard. Michael, the oldest, is in Germany with his wife and daughter. I feel so old!


With my second family circa 1995:



My dress:
Trina Turk Wave Print Pleated Dress

Shoes:
Tory Burch Navy Suede Flats

Here is the dress in the same print, but a different silhouette: Trina Turk Zale Dress. It's still available at the following retailers: