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I guess I couldn't go a whole week without wearing dress! I was planning to wear pants today until I started looking through one section of my closet and discovered this dress. I knew I hadn't yet worn it for the Fashion Challenge, because I hadn't yet worn it at all. I bought this dress over a year ago, and for some reason never ended up wearing it. Maybe it was the puffed sleeves. They definitely make a statement.

ABS Dress for Fashion Challenge Day 145

I could not find the dress online, but here is a similar style from the same designer: ABS by Allen Schwartz. Although I try never to wear all black, the jeweled belt helps break up the black color a bit. I also had to wear my BCBGMaxAzria Michelle Jelly Wedge Flats, since they are jeweled as well.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend for two reasons: (1) so I can rest and (2) so we can be finished with this dreary weather. It's been cold, rainy and overcast everyday, and it's starting to get to me. I'm also swamped at work, and after finishing a full day at the office, I usually spend at least two hours in the evenings working from home. I am hoping to take a break tonight, but we shall see... If there's a deadline looming, there's not much I can do.

I also tried something different today with my makeup, and I wanted to see if my readers noticed any difference. Although usually I use Pur Minerals 4-in-1 foundation (SPF 15), today I tried a free sample of Miracle Skin Transformer (SPF 20) I got with my last Beauty.com order. It went on so smoothly, and I am thinking of buying it to use long-term. It's very hard for me to find foundations that work for me because I have light skin but very olive undertones. Most foundations either look too tan or too light on me. I've been using Pur Minerals foundation for over four years now -- I managed their marketing at one time in my career -- but I have been wanting to try something new. Perhaps I've found it!

Express Yourself

Springing forward always makes the weekend (well, Sunday) pass by in a blur. I slept a good deal yesterday, too, and also spent a good chunk of my evening working on my laptop, so it seemed even shorter than usual. I just needed the sleep! I don't know how new mothers (like my friend, Katie) get through it. I am a wreck and basically can't function when I've had under six hours of sleep.

Overall, though, it was a good weekend. Saturday I had lunch with my mom and sister, Laura, and we did a little shopping as well. On my way home from Perimeter Mall, I stopped at a cupcake place I've been wanting to try called Gigi's Cupcakes. As you know if you read my blog, I am a huge fan of cupcakes, and CamiCakes in Buckhead is currently at the top of my list. But the cupcakes at Gigi's Cupcakes were good enough to possibly tie for first! Chapin and I split the Wedding Cake cupcake last night, and it was delicious! My sisters and I love wedding cake, so I definitely thought of them when I was eating it. Next time I hope to try the Grasshopper flavor!

As for my outfit today, I'm wearing another dress from the "I'm too lazy to make it in to my alterations lady" pile. This ABS by Allen Schwartz belted dress is a little big up top, but overall is flattering. I love the studded belt and bold hot pink color. Bright dresses are definitely "in" this season.


Belted dresses work great if, like me, you are "Hipcentric," meaning you have a small waist and carry your weight in your upper thighs and hips. I recently discovered this website from Gwyneth Paltrow's personal trainer, Tracy Anderson, and I hope to purchase the workout DVDs soon. (If you have tried them out, I'd love to hear about your experience.) The website describes the many different body types -- in addition to Hipcentric, there is "Omnicentric," "Abcentric" and "Glutecentric" -- and how she tailors the workouts to each one.

I also have on L.A.M.B. Platform D'Orsay Pumps in Black. You will notice I'm not wearing my Michele watch today, and that's because I still haven't set the time ahead. That's on my agenda for this evening after work. Have a great Monday!