80s Throwback

This dress immediately takes me back to my preteen days in the late 1980s, when ruffled skirts were all the rage. I love the modern twist that the Alice + Olivia brand has given this simple little black dress (LBD), with a sheer neckline, fitted bodice and short hem. It's probably more suited to a cocktail party than the office, but I just have to consider my work my own private runway. Where else would I wear such a fabulous dress?

Outfit Details:

Dress: Alice + Olivia Janice Ruffled Black Dress (no longer available)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals

Windblown

It's suddenly very windy and cold in Atlanta, so out come more long-sleeve dresses! I adore this black, gold and silver dress from Rebecca Taylor, although I'm not sure I chose the right shoes to wear with it. I was in a big rush to leave the house this morning, so I didn't really think things through like I normally do! Oh well...

The dress is so lightweight and delicate, and you can see in the windblown photo above that it flows really well when I walk.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Rebecca Taylor Scattered Tulip Clip Dress

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals

In other news: RIP Luke Perry. I was so sad to hear of the actor's passing today. A certain zip code will never be the same...

Black in Summer

Black can be a difficult color to wear in summer, simply because it is just so damn hot out. The heat and humidity have been awful the past few weeks here in Atlanta, and summer has just started!

Anyway, today's dress may be black, but it's also an extremely breezy and simple dress to wear any time of year. I love the way the dress moves around me when I walk, and the leg slit is subtle but still sexy.

Chapin called today's pose my Angelina Jolie look.

Dress: Nanette Lepore First Mate Midi Dress in Black

The dress is available at just a few retailers right now: Amazon, Saks Off 5th and Bluefly.com. The dress is also available in red from RueLaLa.com.

The brand has started running big -- I'm wearing a size 2 for reference -- so just beware if you've never bought Nanette Lepore before.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals

Spring Arrives

Today is the official first day of Spring. While I love some things about Winter -- baking, making a fire, getting cozy under blankets with a mug of coffee and a season of TV to binge -- there is nothing quite like Spring. I love seeing the trees and flowers come alive again, the way daylight lingers long into the evening, sitting outside with my boys just reading and listening to music.

Spring is a time for renewal as well as reflection.

I recently learned that a friend of a friend, just barely older than me, is dying of cancer. Hearing a story like this one definitely makes me pause and analyze my life. I am  proud of what I've accomplished, proud of the woman I've become, but I know I could be doing more.

I want to volunteer. I want to watch less TV. I want to write more.

These are attainable goals that I hope to tackle over the next year. 40 is looming and there is no time to waste.

Outfit Details

Today's dress is one I bought from Belk on clearance. I was immediately drawn to the ultra flared skirt and black/gold design (I love these two colors together). 

Dress: Tahari ASL Metallic Jacquard Black and Gold Fit and Flare Dress

Although it's sold out at Belk and on Macys.com, you can still find it online at the Tahari ASL website.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals (no longer available)

The skirt really flares out, so you need to love that type of style for this dress to work for you. The dress runs a little large, too, so I recommend sizing down. I'm wearing a size four, but a size two probably would have worked here to help eliminate some of the puckering at the sleeves.

But since I bought it on clearance, I'm not complaining.

Asian Inspired Sheath Dress

Buying this dress was sort of an accident. You've heard of drunk dialing, right? Well, welcome to the age of drunk shopping. I should never be allowed to browse retail sites on my phone when red wine is involved.

It was even more of a surprise, then, to realize how much I love this dress. To be honest, I wasn't sure it would even fit, but it seems made for my body, and I love the see-through cap sleeves, mock turtleneck and overall Asian inspired design. Drunk Michele did well!

Dress: Alice and Olivia Marya Scalloped Hem Black and Gold Lace Sheath Dress

The dress can be purchased online at the Alice and Olivia retail site, Farfetch, and Neiman Marcus. I also found it for sale on eBay.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals (sold out)

Pug Weekend

We've started sending Norman to doggie daycare at Bark and Board in Westside (Atlanta) once a week. Our trainer recommended it to help him expend some of his extra energy, so he would be less focused on Wally (and on starting fights with him). It's worked for the most part; while we still keep the boys separated, it's been weeks since we have had any real incidents.

That said, since Norman gets to leave the house for socialization once a week, I thought Wally might benefit from an outing all his own this past weekend. I took him with me to Pampered Pet Care's 10th anniversary party in Canton, Georgia, where I met up with my sister, Laura, and my nephew, Cole.

With my sister, Laura, and her son, Cole on October 1, 2016

Wally had a great time at the outdoor event (and the weather was perfect). He peed on everything in sight -- he is such a marker! -- and he was very well behaved even with all the other animals around. Some alpacas were particularly intrigued with him! Maybe they have never seen a pug before.

The alpacas kept looking at Wally!

Here are my outfit details for today:

Dress: Shoshanna Black and Gold Glenda Dress

Although the dress is sold out on Shoshanna.com, you can still purchase it on Amazon or 6pm at a discounted price.

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals (no longer available)

I'll end today's post with this photo I took of Wally yesterday afternoon. He is such a little sweetheart.

Wally, also known as "Wallykins," at home on October 2, 2016

A Little Extra Sleep, A Lot of Good

I'm in a great mood today, maybe because I had a little extra sleep (and cuddle time with the hubby) this morning. Instead of my usual workout, which can last anywhere from 60-90 minutes, I did a short Jillian Michaels video and ran with Norman outside. It was a quick workout, but I think I needed the extra sleep more than the extra time in the gym. As people tend to say: Listen to your body!

If you need to squeeze a workout into 30 minutes, I highly recommend two videos from Jillian Michaels: Ripped in 30 or 30-Day Shred. As Jillian likes to say, there are no excuses; you can find 30 minutes to exercise. Working out is not only good for the body, but it's good for the mind.

After George passed away, I was a wreck. I didn't want to do anything -- even exercise. But when I finally got myself up and at the gym again, I found that I did feel better after a workout. The endorphins put you in a better state of mind, and you will feel your confidence increase as you see your body become toned and lean. I know I don't have children and that many people have crazy, hectic, busy lives, but I think exercise is greatly underrated as an essential part of daily life.

This dress was a good choice for today, mainly because Chapin was working from home this morning. There are two buttons in the back of this dress that I can't quite reach on my own!

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Ericka Grommet Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is still available at just two online stores:

• Amazon
• Saks Off 5th

I bought the dress during the recent Amazon Prime Day, which I tend to call "Christmas in July." So many retailers took advantage of people's "summertime shopping spirit" with sales of their own. It's amazing the influence that Amazon has on online shopping behavior.

The dress actually reminds me of an outfit I wore back in 6th grade, from a store called 5-7-9. I am not sure this franchise still exists - I believe it was bought or taken over by another brand called Rainbow - but I have fond memories of going there on special occasions to pick out "cool" outfits for school and social events. The outfit I'm thinking of was a black jacket and skirt combo, and there were large gold grommets on the jacket. I'm sure my family remembers it!

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals

These sandals are no longer available, but here is a similar style.

National Lipstick Day 2014

Yes, today is National Lipstick Day! In honor of the special day, I decided to go a little bolder with my choice of lip color. What do you think?

Dress: 4.Collective Metallic Tweed Cap Sleeve Dress

Amazon and Saks Off Fifth still have the dress, and it's on sale!

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bronx Black and Gold Buckle Sandals

These gorgeous sandals (yes, they are among my favorites) are no longer available, but you can still find a few pairs on eBay.

Lip Color: Christian Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Pandore

Celebrity Sighting!
Glee star Naya Rivera wore these same Jimmy Choos to the American Music Awards last year.