Thursday, August 30, 2018

Drama

Wearing something dramatic isn't something you need to always save for a special occasion. Adding a little drama to your everyday wardrobe can help boost your self-esteem and leave you feeling confident and beautiful.

Today's dress is full of drama -- but in a good way! The one "cold" shoulder, the ruffles, the design... It's an amazing dress. I got so many compliments on it!


Dress: Alice + Olivia Cold-Shoulder Red, White and Blue Striped Dress

The dress is definitely one to wear in summer, especially with the red, white and blue color scheme, so that's why it's making an appearance today. I wanted to feature it on the blog before Labor Day -- the unofficial start of the Fall season.


Shoes: Jimmy Choo Metallic Blue Point Toe Pumps

Lips: Too Faced Tutti Frutti Juicy Fruits Comfort Lip Glaze in Show Me Your Coconuts

I love this new lip gloss from Too Faced. This shade is a warm taupe with gold sparkle -- and it's just fabulous. Buy it now at Ulta.

I'm looking forward to a fairly quiet long weekend, though I will be attempting to make Tiramisu for the first time. I'm excited to try it, but I know it will be a lot of work.

Remember -- there are tons of sales going on all weekend long, so spend wisely.

Happy Shopping!

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Juicy

This melon-colored sheath dress from Black Halo is the epitome of perfect work wear: bright, flattering, professional and chic!


Dress: Black Halo McGowen Sleeveless V-Neck Sheath Dress

Find the dress at Neiman Marcus, BlackHalo.com and Amazon. I think I'm between sizes in Black Halo, so I usually order a size up. I don't like dresses that are too tight on my hips.

It's hard to see in the photo, but this dress has some really nice lines that help flatter a woman's body, and the neckline is not only unique, but helps show off the shoulders.

Black Halo dresses are usually expensive -- upwards of $300 -- so I always wait for a sale to buy one. But you can see why these dresses retail for a higher price; the design and the quality of the work and materials are very apparent when you put one on.

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

I love these brightly colored shoes, and they match perfectly with the dress.

Labor Day is so close, and many retailers are starting their Labor Day sales early. It's a great time of year to shop and stock up for next summer. I can't wait!

Happy Shopping!


Monday, August 27, 2018

Razzle Dazzle

I came really close to returning this dress. While it looked great online, in person, I thought the sparkle was a little too much, the sleeves a little too fluttery, the overall look too "Ice Capades" for the office.


But then I tried it on, and I ended up liking the overall look, so... here I am!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Eva Franco Sequin Wrap Dress

I only paid around $40 for the dress (original price: $188), so that's part of the reason I decided just to keep it, wear it, and see what happened.

What do you think of this dress? I'd love to read some comments.

As I was walking into work, someone from the street yelled, "I like that dress!" So that was a somewhat nice, if demeaning, reiteration that I made the right decision in keeping it.


Sandals: Jimmy Choo Memento Tizzy Textured Leather Sandals

It's hard to believe this week marks the unofficial end of summer, with Labor Day (and Fall) looming. Pumpkin Spice Lattes will be back at Starbucks tomorrow, and I'm already seeing acorns on the ground. How did summer go by so fast?!

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Party Dress or Work Dress?

This Alice + Olivia dress is billed as a "party dress," but I think it works for daytime events, too. It might be a little fancy for the office, but... that's never stopped me before. I love dressing up, and if I don't wear my fancier dresses to work, I'll probably never wear them at all.


Outfit Details:

Dress: Alice + Olivia Joyce Fit and Flare Dress

The dress has a very simple silhouette -- just a typical fit and flare -- but the detailed work on the entire dress is amazing. I love all the colors, too, making it easy to wear in any season.

I've owned this dress for at least a year, but I was "waiting for the right day" to wear it. Well, this blog is all about making every single day special through fashion, so here I am wearing it on just a boring old Thursday. After all, I am the "everyday" fashionista, right? ;)


Find the dress at the following online retailers:
It really is a beautiful dress.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Fearne Glitter Criss-Cross Wedges (no longer available)

I chose to wear wedges instead of strappy sandals to dress the overall look down just a little. The wedge is definitely a more casual shoe -- even one from Jimmy Choo.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Comfortable Dress-Up

Sometimes you just need a dress that you can feel comfortable in, one that doesn't require Spanx or a strapless bra or is so binding you can't breathe! Today's dress is just easy, and I can really appreciate that on a busy Tuesday!


Outfit Details:

DressAdrianna Papell V-Neck Striped Lace Fit & Flare Dress

I bought the dress for just $28 during a recent Dillard's Clearance Sale, which is the best time to shop that online store. There seems to be one every few months, so keep an eye out. You can score some great items at really low prices.

This brand seems to run a little big, so I'm wearing a size two for reference.

You can still find the dress online. It's now $40 at Dillards! You can also buy the dress on Amazon (various prices according to size).


Sandals: Kate Spade New York Idelle Ankle Strap Dress Sandals

These sandals are really comfortable, especially since they have a wide heel, and you can still find them on Amazon in select sizes only.

Today is my second day in a row wearing Kate Spade sandals. Has your view of the brand changed since the original founder, Kate Spade herself, committed suicide earlier this year? I think I just feel a little sad...

Monday, August 20, 2018

Day Dress or Wedding Dress?

When you wear a white or ivory dress, you run the risk of feeling as if you're headed for the chapel instead of to the office, brunch, dinner or out on the town. Fortunately, I'm willing to take the risk in a dress as beautiful as this one from Shoshanna.


Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna Giana Lace Applique Keyhole Ruffle Dress

The dress is super comfortable, and I got compliments on it all day long! I love the high neckline and ruffles, and since it's made entirely from lace, it is so feminine yet still so sexy.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Fresia Patent Platform Sandals (no longer available)


I haven't worn these Kate Spade sandals in quite a while, but I love how the ivory in the sandals goes perfectly with the ivory of the dress. You could also do a gold or nude colored sandal here as well.

Weekend Update

Chapin and I needed a nice relaxing weekend together, and that's exactly what we had. We barely left the house, but did venture out to dinner on Saturday night to one of our favorite seafood restaurants: Goin' Coastal. Afterward, we stopped for some sweet treats at Paolo's Gelato. We first went to this little gelato place in the Highlands during our first year of dating back in 2000. I can't believe that was 18 years ago! We will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary later this year.

We don't go to the Highlands very often since we moved to West Midtown -- we used to take George there for doggie gelato all the time -- so now, when we're there, I just feel awash in memories. I wish time didn't have to move so fast.


Speaking of time, we bought the new Avengers movie over the weekend (Avengers: Infinity War), and I'm now obsessed with trying to figure out the plot of the sequel, due out in May 2019. I know time travel will factor into the story somehow... It will be torture waiting eight more months to see how my Guardians (and other favorite heroes) come back from the dead.

Outfit Details - Saturday Night:

Dress: Nicole Miller New York Red Lace Fit and Flare Dress

The dress retails for $228, but I bought it for just $45 at Belk (online).

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Hesper Strappy Sandals

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

All the Stars

If you love dresses with cutesy prints, Draper James can deliver! The Reese Witherspoon brand, known for catering to Southern women, is more charming than chic, with many items feeling like they would be equally at home on a little girl as opposed to an adult woman. I still like many of the pieces, though, like this fit and flare stars dress that came out right in time for July Fourth.


Outfit Details

Dress: Draper James Oh My Stars Fit and Flare Dress

I bought the dress during a recent Dillard's clearance sale for under $50 (retail price: $135), so I missed wearing it around the Fourth, but I think the stars pattern is one that can still work all summer long.

The stars boast a seersucker print that is not that apparent in the photos, which is why I'm wearing my light blue Schutz sandals to match. Hey, if you're going to go cutesy, you might as well go matchy-matchy, too.

Find the dress (in limited sizing) on the Draper James website, and it's also still available at Dillards.com for just $47.25. If you can, try the dress on to find your best size. I'm wearing a size two, which feels too big in the waist and too tight in the bust. Oh well.

SandalsSchutz Cadey-Lee High Heel Dress Sandals

Monday, August 13, 2018

Looking for Valentino

I can't tell you how long I have wanted a pair of Valentine Rockstud pumps, and I finally have them! I was so excited to slip them on this morning. 


Dress: Alice and Olivia Leslie Floral Tie-Neck Silk Dress

Shoes: Valentino Rockstud Crisscross d'Orsay Pumps in Gold

I really love pairing the hard with the soft, so that's why I love these pumps so much with this feminine, floral dress.


The shoes are no longer available, but try eBay! You can also get the more traditional Rockstud design in gold at Bergdorf Goodman, or try this ankle strap pair at Neiman Marcus.

Weekend Update

Chapin and I had a busy weekend!

The weekend started off on a great note, as I placed second in my age group in the Vinings Downhill 5K. It was my first time running the race, and though it was NOT all downhill -- there were actually quite a few hills -- it was still a lot of fun.

My time was just over 23 minutes, so I'm proud of myself for pushing so hard. I normally don't run that fast.

Here are a few photos from the event. I love seeing the ones that make it look as if I'm flying.



We also saw some lovely friends for lunch at Muss and Turner's. We love seeing our dear friend, Laura, and her family anytime they come to Atlanta.

Photo by A.J. Gallitz

Thursday, August 9, 2018

What Meghan Wore

I was super excited about this dress when I bought it, because it's a comfortable, easy summer dress that looks great on. I was even more excited when Meghan Markle wore it! It seems the new duchess and I have similar taste in clothes, as the Duchess of Sussex donned this exact same dress when she attended a polo match with Prince Harry earlier this summer. While Meghan paired her dress with flat sandals and a hat, I'm rocking some major platform sandals that add several inches to my frame. 


Outfit Details:

DressShoshanna Ashland Sleeveless Belted Gingham Eyelet Dress (sold out)

I bought the dress for just $99 at Lord & Taylor (retail price: $395), but since Meghan Markle wore it, it's been sold out everywhere. The Meghan Markle effect strikes again!


Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Strutting Platform Sandals

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Let Down Your Hair

Today's dress is called the Rapunzel dress, so of course I can't help thinking of that classic fairy tale line, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair!" Rapunzel was never one of my favorite stories, but it does have one important lesson for women today: Never underestimate the importance of strong, healthy hair. (Ha ha!)

I'm in a bit of a silly mood today because I am so tired! I haven't been sleeping well the past few nights (for some unknown reason). I probably won't sleep well tonight, either, because our entire neighborhood has no power, which means no air conditioning. Ugh. I already turn the air down below 70 to sleep, so not having any air on at all is going to be torture.


Outfit Details:

Dress: Alice and Olivia Rapunzel Floral Print Dress (sold out)

I normally don't really like the way I look in dresses that are so fitted at the hips, but I loved the print so much that I had to buy it when it went on sale! (I got a great deal, too.)

You can buy the dress in white (with black trim), as well as a beautiful embellished version, at Neiman Marcus. I also love this icy blue lace version on the Alice and Olivia website. Whatever print or shade you choose, just remember to try it on first or error on the side of caution and go up one dress size when ordering. I found that because the dress was so tight through the hips, I had to go up a size, as that's where I carry a lot of my extra weight.


Shoes: Jimmy Choo Baxen Chain Fabric Peep-Toe Wedge Pumps

Monday, August 6, 2018

Summer Flowers

You can't go wrong in a floral dress, especially one as beautiful as this design from the Nicole Miller New York brand. Although I have a similar Nicole Miller dress in black, I couldn't resist this white summer version -- especially when it was on clearance at Belk. (Sadly, the Phipps Plaza Belk store has now closed for good.)


Outfit Details:

Dress: Nicole Miller New York Floral Sheath Dress

The dress is available at Belk (online), Neiman Marcus Last Call and Amazon. I recommend ordering your normal size. I'm wearing a size two here, only because it was the only size left at the Belk store I visited. (I'd normally be a size four.) The dress is actually a little snug on me. Thank goodness for Spanx!

Sandals: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker

I have worn these heels so much that I might have to retire them soon. The heels are just so worn down! I love the bold coral color, and I guess I have a lot of coral/peach tones in my wardrobe, because I wore them so much more than I ever thought I would. I'm going to have to go on a hunt for sandals in a similar color. If you have any suggestions, let me know!