Loving Rebecca Taylor

Today's dress is just so pretty -- the color, the velvet polka dots, the style -- so it made me so happy  when the dress recently went on sale. I am really in love with so much the Rebecca Taylor brand is producing right now.

Outfit Details

Dress: Rebecca Taylor Velvet Polka Dot Silk-Chiffon Dress

Find the dress at ShopBop (select sizes only) and the Rebecca Taylor website. I'm wearing a size 0 for reference. The dress also comes in black, but I prefer this muted maroon color.

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

I had the hardest time deciding on a shoe to wear with this dress, but you can never go wrong with black. Some of my shoes are in storage right now, so I'm sort of limited in my choices these days. We are starting our packing in earnest tomorrow, but I hope to do a few more OOTD posts before we move. I will miss our patio where I have done these posts for the last few years.

I'm definitely happy today is Friday. Tonight, Chapin and I are doing our traditional Friday night: ordering in Indian food from our favorite Indian restaurant, Tabla, and watching Project Runway. We also have the last episode of Jack Ryan to watch (season 2) on Amazon Prime. It was an intense season with a lot of deaths, including one dog. :(

What are you watching these days? Leave a note in the comments.

Same But Different

Every once in a while, I will love a dress so much that I will get it in multiple iterations. Enter today's fantastic creation from Alice + Olivia.

I have a floral version of this dress, but I could not resist this elegant lace version featuring a velvet collar and tiered lace skirt. Isn't it beautiful? It's feminine, chic and totally me.

Dress: Alice + Olivia Ellis Lace Dress

I know it's a bit fancy for work, but I just wanted to wear it today! Soon, it will be too late in the season for velvet, anyway.

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

Sandro

Today I'm wearing my first dress from the Sandro brand!

Sandro is a French brand, and I'm really loving the pieces in the latest collection. I got a great deal on this dress on Black Friday at Saks. The brand combines feminine touches -- like the collar in today's dress -- with sophisticated silhouettes and quality craftsmanship.

Dress: Sandro Iberia Lace Yoke A-Line Poplin Dress

I love the details on the collar, and you don't often see navy blue and black together. When I saw the dress, I just had to have it!

You can still buy the dress at Saks, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's, and I'm wearing a size 36 for reference. The dress runs a little small, so if you're between sizes, order one size up. (Sometimes the conversion to U.S. sizes doesn't match up exactly.)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Baxen Chain Fabric Peep-Toe Wedge Pumps (no longer available)

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

Fit to Wear?

I was so excited about today's dress -- which I ordered on Black Friday during an amazing Saks sale -- until I put it on. (I had already taken the tags off, or this dress most likely would have been returned to the store.)

Whomever designed the dress may not have been thinking of a real woman, with real curves, during the design process, because the fit is a mess, and it's almost impossible to wear undergarments without them showing.

First, the design of the top is beautiful, made to show off the shoulders... but also part of your chest. It would be much easier to go bra-less in this dress, but that's not an option when I'm going to work. I settled for a strapless bra that wouldn't show on the sides, but still makes me look lumpy on top. It was the best I could do.

Second, the drop waist design means the dress will be tight down through the hips, then fan out. You basically need invisible underwear here; even my commando briefs were showing through, and forget about Spanx.

I did what I could to minimize the fit issues here, but I was really disappointed with the dress, and most likely won't wear it to work again. At least the color (Raisin) got me some compliments.

Outfit Details

Dress: Parker Luana Keyhole Drop Waist Dress

You can also find it at Revolve Clothing and on the Parker brand website.

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

If I look tired today, it's because I haven't been sleeping well the last few nights. I'm under a lot of pressure at work, and George has been on my mind quite a bit. He passed away three years ago today. It's so hard to believe it's been that long.

I still miss him... every single day.

At least it was nice to have my sister, Gail, in town from Chicago. We had a lot of sister time -- bowling, going out to dinner and eating my Mom's Italian food. Here are a just a few photos from our adventures:

Viva Italia

From far away, this Nanette Lepore dress seems like it's constructed of a very delicate lace -- but looks can be deceiving! Actually, this dress is made in a unique crochet style. Up close, you can see so many little details, and I like how the patterns change between the top and bottom. I even think the "holes" at the bust mimic tiny buttons. Nanette Lepore clothing is made in New York City, too, so you know you are getting a quality dress sewn right here at home.

Dress: Nanette Lepore Viva Italia Dress in Nude/Black

The dress is available in a few colors, and you can find it at the following retailers:

• Amazon (in a beautiful emerald green/black)
• Bluefly (nude/black)
• Nordstrom Rack (nude/black)
• Saks (in blush/black)
• 6pm.com (in blush/black)

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

It's been a crazy, busy Thursday, so I'm looking forward to relaxing tonight with the latest episode of Younger and a glass of wine. Woo-hoo! It's almost the weekend.