Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Minty Sweetness

How sweet is this dress from Ted Baker?


It even has pockets!


Outfit Details

Dress: Ted Baker London Wilmana Mint Floral Fit and Flare Skater Dress (no longer available)

Shoes: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Strut Dress Sandals (no longer available)

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Zip of Bordeaux

I think the best thing about this Alice + Olivia dress is the color! It's one of my favorite shades of red, and really compliments by hair and skin tone.

Outfit Details

Dress: Alice + Olivia Inka Straight Shoulder Mock Neck Slit Mini Dress


The dress design isn't wholly original, but the little details -- the zipper, the structured shoulders, the mock neck -- combine to make it really outstanding. You can still buy it at ShopBop and Revolve.

Just walking around the grocery store today, I got several compliments, too.


ShoesMalone Souliers Maureen Pumps 100mm  

I also love pairing this dress with these leopard print shoes. Aren't they fabulous? It's my first pair from the Malone Souliers brand... and it probably won't be my last! ;)

Monday, June 22, 2020

Celebrating Summer

Summer is officially here, and that means it's hot and humid in Atlanta. But it also means anything goes when it comes to your summer wardrobe. You can wear white or black, long sleeves or no sleeves, maxi dresses paired with high-heeled sandals or mini dresses with stilettos.

Today's dress is one I bought months ago but never had a chance to wear. The crochet design works in any season, and it's definitely light enough to wear in the summertime.

Outfit Details


Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Striped Lace Sheath Dress

The dress, in a v-neck body con design, is super flattering, and hits right at the knee. Find the dress (on sale) at 6pm.com, Saks Off 5th and the BCBG.com website.

Shoes: Valentino Garavani Rockstud Pumps

I'm in love with these shoes - they are more like works of art than shoes any day!


I'm 42 now, and I work hard to stay fit and trim. It's definitely not easy with my appetite and sweet tooth. I am still running, weight training and riding a stationary bike. I just recently (this weekend) hit my 750th ride on the Peloton. I have seen a lot of changes in my legs since I got the bike over a year ago - in good ways. If you want to change up your workout routine, and maintain some good (mental and physical) habits at home, it's perfect. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Viva Victorian

Today's dress has such cool Victorian vibes...from the delicate lace work to the scalloped edges. Even the color is a muted ivory, the lace meant to seem old fashioned, almost like the dress itself turned up from another time. It's definitely something different for my closet.


Outfit Details

Dress: Shoshanna Stacia Lace Tiered Polka Dot Dress

You can still buy the dress on the Shoshanna website or retailers like ShopBop.com, but sizes are limited.

Shoes: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Monroe Glitter High Heel Sandals

I found the shoes for sale on eBay, but they are mostly sold out.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Shoulder Pop

This La Vie Rebecca Taylor dress is all about the print, the drop waist and the gigantic, eye-catching puffed sleeves.

Outfit Details

It's windy, with a high of 75, in Atlanta today!

DressLa Vie Rebecca Taylor Firefly Floral-Print Cotton Poplin Dress (no longer available)

A dress with a large, puffed shoulder has the ability to trick the eye. A larger shoulder gives the illusion of a tinier waist, for example. It also draws the eye upward, away from other parts of the body. Why do you think shoulder pads were so popular in the 1980s?

ShoesJimmy Choo Shar 85 Leather Sandals in Ballet Pink

I find these Jimmy Choos very comfortable for a high heel, and the nude color helps elongate the leg. I didn't want a shoe that distracted from the print, since it's so beautiful!

The dress is made of cotton, so it's super comfortable, too.


Monday, June 15, 2020

Green and Gold

Happy Monday! It was (another) relaxing weekend at home for me, Chapin and the pugs. The highlight was probably Saturday night, when Chapin made pizza and we watched Ad Astra in our theater room. The movie was a bit bland, but watching Brad Pitt for two hours is never a bad thing... wink, wink! We also had new furniture delivered on Friday -- finally! We've been waiting for so long, and finally have drawers in our bedroom again.


Today's dress is one I had my eye on for awhile. I refused to buy it until it went on sale, though! I love the flowing silhouette, how it moves in the breeze, and the green and gold color scheme.

Outfit Details

DressTed Baker London Delyla Meadow Long Sleeve Midi Dress

The dress is still on sale at several online retailers, including Bloomingdale's, the Ted Baker website and Zappos. Ted Baker is a British brand, so sizing can be a bit wonky, and from my experience with the Ted Baker brand, it's not consistent. I'm wearing a size 1 for reference, which probably equates to a U.S. size 2. (However, in other dresses I find I'm a size 2, or a U.S. size 4. It can be very frustrating to shop this brand online!)

My advice: Go with your gut, and make sure it's not a final sale in case you have issues with the fit.

Shoes: Sophia Webster Freya Platform Sandals in Gold

Find the shoes on the Sophia Webster website, as well as at Bloomingdale's and Saks. Sophia Webster is also a British brand, and the brand runs very small, so I recommend you go up at least one size when buying Sophia Webster shoes.

AS SEEN ON

Sophia Bush wore the sandals to an event in late 2019:



I've been absolutely obsessed with Sophia Webster this year. The shoes are gorgeous, feminine and glittery -- definitely three things I like in a shoe!

These high sandals are also a good contract with the more uppity vibe of the dress. The shoes definitely help bring a note of fun to what could have been an ordinary outfit.

AS SEEN ON

Buffy/How I Met Your Mother star Alyson Hannigan wore the dress back in March during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Photo by WORNONTV.NET
She's part of one of my favorite celebrity couples, married to fellow Buffy/Angel star Alexis Denisof (he played Wesley) since 2003. They were married just a few weeks before me and Chapin!



Thursday, June 11, 2020

Sweetheart

A sweetheart neckline tends to be flattering on everyone - and is just one reason I love today's Parker dress.

Outfit Details


Dress: Parker Miuccia Print Sweetheart Mini Dress

Although it's hard to see in the photo, the dress has little puff sleeves -- and they are long sleeves, which I adore -- that are just so sweet.

I love the heart print, colors and even the ruffle in front. The ruffle is strategically placed to draw the eye and the ruching helps conceal unflattering bulges at the hips.

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB Patent Leather Pumps in Raspberry Pink


Wednesday, June 10, 2020

With Love

Love should be at the core of everything we do -- whether we're choosing a career path, a spouse, a friend, or how to spend our free time. Life is too short to fill it with anything but love.

Clearly, it's been extremely hard watching everything going on the world right now, but today, through the words on my dress, I wanted to share how we can move forward.


With Love.

By Saying That Black Lives Matter.

By Treating Others the Way You Want to Be Treated.

And that's all I'm going to say about that because, after all, this blog is about fashion and makeup and feeling good about yourself.

So here goes...


Dress: Maje With Love Dress (no longer available)

The straps repeat the mantra "With Love" -- a fitting dress to wear these days, right?

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Lottie Metallic Leopard Print Sandals

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Something Special

There's nothing like a dress you love to give you the boost you need! Today, I'm wearing one of my new favorite dresses - a must for this busy Tuesday.


Sometimes you just know a dress will look good on you, and that's how I felt when I saw this Rebecca Taylor dress. From the puff sleeves to the mock neck to the ruffled skirt, this dress was definitely made for me!

Dress: Rebecca Taylor Celia Lace Dress

Shoes: SJP Nirvana Mary Jane Pumps in Fishnet


Note: Lately, the Rebecca Taylor brand has been running large, so I recommend you size down. I'm wearing a size zero for reference.

AS SEEN ON...
Kelly Ripa! Get all the details via Worn on TV.


Monday, June 8, 2020

Summer White

I've never been a huge fan of white dresses. I'm usually of the school of thought that the only white dress that's really flattering on a woman is her wedding dress.

Today's dress is a little something different from the Milly brand, though, so I wanted to try it out. It's the rare summer/ work sheath dress that is also feminine and delicate. The floral detail and cap sleeves are just beautiful.


OOTD DETAILS

Dress: Milly Carolina Floral Cap-Sleeve White Sheath Dress

Find it at Bluefly (the site, it seems, has been resurrected) and Saks Off 5th. The material will definitely wrinkle -- it did for me after sitting in my office chair all day --  so you may want to size up. I'm wearing a size 2 for reference.

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB 90 Rainbow Snakeskin-Embossed Leather Pumps

With a white dress, I had to wear a colorful shoe -- enter these Manolos!


As you can see, I'm still playing with different locations to take my #OOTD photo -- and different settings on the camera, too. Getting the light right is imperative to a good photo.

I hate that I look so tired in these photos, since it's only Monday! I tried to catch up on sleep over the weekend, but it's difficult when you sleep in a bed with three pugs. Their stomachs usually wake them up around 5:30 a.m., even on Saturdays and Sundays. Good thing they're worth it.

I also probably stayed up too late reading; I just started the new Emily Giffin novel, The Lies That Bind, and I'm excited to see where the plot goes. Fiction has been such a good escape for me lately!

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Scouting

The metallic threads in today's dress from Kate Spade really bring this floral dress to life. I can't imagine a better match for my silver and gold Sophia Webster sandals! They are silver in the front and gold in the back. (Is anyone else singing the Girls Scouts song in their head right now? "One is silver and the other gold...")


Dress: Kate Spade New York Metallic Floral Park Clip Dot Mini Dress

This dress is very "me" - the cut, the floral metallic pattern and even the little extra puff at the shoulders. Plus, it has long sleeves! I just love this outfit from head to toe, and I think the design really flatters my coloring and body type.

I got a nice affirmation from the security guard at the office today, too. He asked me if I was sure I wasn't a movie star. ;) Ha!

Shoes: Sophia Webster Nicole Sandals in Silver and Gold

I'm starting to get the hang of taking pictures at my new house. It's hard to believe my last posts before this week were from mid-March! We moved into the house and I had a birthday over these last few months. I still can't believe I'm 42! Ugh!

On a side note...
There is a lot going on the world these days, but my fashion blog is not the place to comment on these extremely serious issues. I'm trying hard to stay positive and focus on my family and company. Watching old 80s movies, fashion, new TV shows, books... these are the ways I cope with stress. Hopefully you are finding some good outlets, too. Stay strong!

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Me Likely

Today was my second day back in the office since we closed for COVID, and things are slowly starting to feel normal again. Yes, there are Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves and masks everywhere I look, but perhaps that's going to become the NEW normal for corporate America.

Although I miss some aspects of working from home, one thing I'm embracing: wearing makeup, doing my hair and showcasing my unworn dresses. I have a back log I've been dying to wear!



Today's dress from the Likely brand is super flattering. I love long-sleeve dresses, which are actually perfect for the days when it's sunny and hot outside and cold inside (Georgia air conditioning). You can find the dress at Saks and on the Likely website.

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Pink Peep-Toe Pumps

The heels are high and the color is a perfect fit with the dress.

I'm slowly learning the best places for my daily #OOTD photo. Chapin took this one for me after work. Feel free to leave feedback in the comments!

Monday, June 1, 2020

A New World

I'm back! Our office is open so I can finally start dressing up for work again. We also moved, so I'm trying to figure out the best place to take my daily #OOTD photo. There will definitely be a lot of photo testing in the near future.


Dress: Shoshanna Selina Plaid Dress

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB Ankle Strape Suede Pumps

This photo was the only usable one I took today, so even though my hair is wind blown, I have to use it. Oh well!