It's All an Illusion

Details like an illusion neckline always seem to be in style. In fact, I wore one to my senior year Homecoming dance in the Fall of 1995! Was that really almost 23 years ago?!

Today's dress, from Trina Turk, is a sweet little LBD that can work for day or night. Since I'm wearing it to the office, I dressed it down with ankle booties, but you could easily dress it up with strappy sandals and some bling.

I am a big fan of Trina Turk, but this dress wasn't completely in line with other dresses from the brand, and the first time I tried it on, I didn't love it. There's a lot of material at the hips due to the deep pockets, so it threatens to make you seem bottom heavy and hippy. I think maybe I had the wrong size, though. Size down here -- I'm wearing a size two -- and hopefully you won't have that problem.

Dress: Trina Turk Andy Dress in Black

I ended up buying the dress when it was marked down at Belk during the Phipps Plaza store closing. I think the store is open until the end of July, so hurry if you plan to go one last time. I will miss that store so much, not just because of the great sales, but because it was so much fun going with my Mom (and sometimes my Dad, too)! The last time I went, there wasn't much left, so I doubt I will go again. I'm glad I can at least still shop Belk online.

Similar Style:

This Maggy London dress on Amazon also has an illusion neckline if you like that style, but want something a little more formal. It's longer than the Trina Turk dress as well.

Shoes: Prada Leather Cutout Ankle Booties (no longer available)

What You Love

I feel like I have worn so many BCBGMaxAzria dresses lately, but this season, I'm just so in love with the brand. Here I am in another BCBGMaxAzria lace design.

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Jasmyne Striped Lace Dress

The dress is still available for purchase online and in stores:

• BCBG.com Retail Site (in blue/black or beige/black)
• Bloomingdales.com (in beige/black only)
• Belk (in beige/black only)
• Nordstrom

Sandals: Coach Monica Scalloped Heeled Sandals in Chalk

The sandals, a gift from my parents on our recent shopping trip to Belk, are still available to purchase as well. (I got these on clearance.) Hurry, though, because most retailers have only a few sizes left. Find them here:

• Amazon (in black only)
• Bloomingdales.com (in black, nude or chalk)
• Belk (in chalk only)
• Coach (select sizes available in petal pink only)
• Dillards.com (in petal pink or chalk)

These are my first sandals from the Coach brand, and they are not only cute and chic, but comfortable, too. The heel is fairly low for me, which might help!

Here is a similar style available at Macys.com.

Summer Pink

It's officially summer, and I'm kicking off the new season in a bright pink dress I purchased for 75% off on Belk.com.

Dress: Taylor Dresses Jacquard Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is also available for purchase at Amazon -- where you can find it in aqua, yellow and hot pink -- and Nordstrom Rack.

Sandals: Kate Spade New York Isa Ankle Strap Dress Sandals in Bronze

Clothes Should Make You Happy

I have a hard time letting go of things... including summer. Although this pink eyelet Trina Turk dress is probably better suited for a hot spring or summer day, it's still a fun outfit to wear on a casual Friday in fall. Fortunately, although it's already mid-October, we are having some beautiful weather here in Atlanta, so it's still the perfect time for a sleeveless dress. It's also the perfect month for pink; it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Plus, I don't believe in fashion rules. I believe you should wear what makes you feel good, what makes you happy. This dress makes me smile.

My smile gets even bigger when I think about how much I paid for this dress. I recently snapped it up for just $20 at Belk (yes, the Belk at Phipps Plaza). The dress was originally $298! I certainly do love a bargain.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Trina Turk Elin Pink Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress

It's on sale at several other retailers, though not for the price I paid. (Belk.com doesn't have nearly the same selection as the Phipps Plaza store.) I love this dress so much I would have paid a lot more for it!

Find it here:

• Bloomingdale's
• Cusp
• 6pm

Sandals: SJP Sarah Jessica Parker (no longer available)

You can find SJP shoes at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, and occasionally... Nordstrom Rack. Keep an eye out for the good sales.

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!

Dress: French Connection Downtown Grid Black and White V-Neck Dress

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.

Dressing Up in 2012

My Mom drew my name in Secret Santa, and since she knows me so well, she bought me a dress! (I'm really not that hard to please when it comes to gift giving.) The dress, from the designer Vince Camuto, features a side zipper and came in this beautiful burgundy color.

Vince Camuto Zig Zag Seamed Sheath Dress:
It's on sale now for right around $50, marked down from $140, at Dillards.com.  You can also find the dress in select sizes at Belk.com for the low price of just $35! That's quite a deal, so scoop it up now while you can!