Black Clothing and Fawn Pugs Don't Mix

It's near impossible to keep a black skirt, dress or sweater pristine... especially if you live in a house full of fawn pugs. I was only wearing today's dress about five minutes before I noticed strands of pug hair clinging to the fabric!

Dress: CeCe by Cynthia Steffe Black and White Bow Dress

The dress is no longer available for purchase online, but you can still shop the brand at stores like Nordstrom Rack. I bought the dress at my new favorite store, Belk, for about 75% off.

Pumps: Kate Spade New York

I paired the outfit with a red bag to match my shoes for a complete overall look. I hate that the dress looks so wrinkled, even though I did steam it this morning. Oh well! I tried my best.

The Return of Late 80s Fashion

When I was in 6th grade, circa 1989, I had big bangs and a permed hairdo. I'm sure it's hard to imagine! I also had a love for those fluffy tiered skirts, and today's dress reminds me of something I may have worn back then.

Dress: Halston Heritage Fit and Flare Printed Dress

The fit and flare silhouette is so flattering, and I just love the little cap sleeves.

Purse: Kate Spade New York

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Bow Sandals

I'm in gray and black, head to toe, and as you can see, I'm exhausted from this week (and the time change). I actually went to bed around 9:15 p.m. last night, which is a record for me. I'm excited it's Friday and looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning.

It's really been a busy week for me. We had a record three people start at my company on Monday, and I've been traveling all around Atlanta (twice to Villa Rica, once to Marietta) for meetings this week. In addition, I had to go downtown yesterday (on St. Patrick's Day) to fight the ticket I received on the night of my recent car accident. Fortunately, the evidence was on my side, and the ticket was dismissed. I was so relieved.

I'm looking forward to a weekend with my family. We are celebrating my nephew's birthday tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a fun, relaxing weekend.

P.S.: My manicure is still intact with no chips in the polish. I definitely recommend this new OPI Infinite Shine collection.

Warm in Wool

I love wool dresses, and they are perfect for cold, windy days like today. But living with two pugs means any fabric like wool is immediately covered in pug hair. Oh well, what can you do? I'm not going to give up my two cuddle bugs. Norman was being especially sweet this morning, wanting to nestle in my lap while I ate my breakfast.

Today's outfit is from my favorite designer, Shoshanna: just a simple blue and black wool sheath dress. Colorblocking is one trend that I have embraced wholeheartedly.

Dress: Shoshanna Noura Wool Colorblocked Dress

The dress is still available on Gilt.com. Click on this link to get an exclusive invite and save 30% off your first purchase.

Booties: L.A.M.B.

Here is a shot with the blue Kate Spade purse that perfectly matches the blue in the dress.

Purse: Kate Spade New York

Feeling Blue

It's so cold here in Atlanta today. I guess I should expect that, with Thanksgiving just two weeks away, but it feels like the temperatures started dropping fairly quickly. I hope we are not in for a bad winter.

Dress: Cynthia Steffe

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

Death for My Samsung

Unfortunately, I spent most of today dealing with a death in the family... the death of my laptop. I am in the process of moving everything over to a new MSi laptop that Chapin picked out for me. Here's hoping this one lasts longer than two years.

In a weird coincidence, I did wear black today.

Dress: 4.Collective

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

Rainy Day Blue

It's raining cats and dogs today, so I thought I would wear a dress to match the weather. I think this blue dress is just beautiful; the pattern and the colors remind me of the ocean in moonlight.

Dress: Shoshanna Blue Metallic Tweed Dress

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Licorice Pumps in Silver

Choosing the Unexpected

Sometimes I think I am a little too traditional when it comes to my style. I have always liked simple, elegant, feminine pieces. So, today I thought I would try something a little different: pairing a green dress with purple shoes. I know it doesn't seem like much, but for this classic dresser, it's (hopefully) a step in the right direction when it comes to taking more risks with my fashion sense. (In Sex and the City terms, I'm definitely more Charlotte than Carrie.)

Outside view from our upstairs balcony. I think the color of the shoes pops a little more in the outdoor lighting:

Dress: Shoshanna Green Peplum Dress

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Licorice Pumps

Hi-Yo, Silver!

I don't normally wear a lot of big jewelry pieces, but my cousin, Alicia, gave me this beautiful piece for my birthday this year, and I was super excited to wear it. I like how the necklace dresses up what is really just a simple navy dress.

Dress: Shoshanna

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

Celebrity Sighting!
Rosario Dawson was also spotted in this navy Shoshanna dress.

Good as Gold

Dress: Moulinette Soeurs

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Pumps

Perfect Symmetry

I've been a fan of designer Jay Godfrey for several years now; he definitely knows how to design for women who have boobs and hips!

Today's dress is no exception. The body-con silhouette still manages to be slimming due to the innovative play on color usage and curvy shapes.

Dress; Jay Godfrey Teal and Black Hewitt Cap Sleeve Body-Con Dress (under $100 at Bluefly.com)

Pumps: Kate Spade New York Piazza Spectator Pumps (on sale)

Red + Gray = Yes

I absolutely love pairing red and gray. It's a great way to dress up what could otherwise be a fairly drab outfit.

Dress: Calvin Klein Suit Separates

Shoes and Purse: Kate Spade New York

The Kate Spade accessories are in that Maraschino Cherry Red - the perfect topping. Ha ha. The Kate Spade New York Nouvo Dress Pumps are still available in a different color scheme at 6pm.

Off We Go

Dress: Cynthia Steffe

The dress is no longer available, but you can browse Cynthia Steffe dresses online (and usually on sale) at stores like Amazon.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

I'm off on a business trip today to Charlotte, North Carolina. If you know of any good restaurants I need to try there, let me know.

Rose Gold Accents

I'm thinking of my sisters today, Gail in Chicago and Laura here in Georgia, so I wanted to wear the Gorjana necklace they gave me a few years ago. The necklace has three circles entwined, as in three sisters. I love these girls so much!

The necklace is made of rose gold, just like these Kate Spade New York pumps. I wasn't sure about pairing a blue dress with black and rose gold shoes, but I think it works. Do you agree?

Dress: Nanette Lepore Chase Me Dress in Azul

The dress is on sale at NanetteLepore.com, but it's also available at the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Cusp
• Neiman Marcus
• Revolve Clothing (in Ivory)
• Zappos (in Ivory)

I love the vibrant sapphire jewel tone of the dress, combined with the sexy but still professional silhouette. Nanette Lepore is one of my favorite designers; I love her feminine style.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Piazza Spectator Pumps (on sale)

Feeling Patriotic

Putting this dress on always makes me feel patriotic - I should wear it on July Fourth, right? - if not a little regal. This dress is a true "fit and flare" dress, with a silhouette straight out of the 1950s.

Each piece that I'm wearing today is Kate Spade New York. I guess that really does make it all American.

Dress: Kate Spade New York Corley Colorblock Striped Sleeveless Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is still available online at the following retailers:

• Kate Spade
• Bloomingdale's
• Avenue K
• Zappos

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Stacie Pumps in Red Patent

Bag: Kate Spade New York Carlisle Street Piper in Maraschino Red Patent Leather

Celebrity Sighting!
Quinn (Dianna Agron) wore the dress on Glee, and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) wore the dress on New Girl. Who do you think wore it best?

Kate Spade Monday

I'm in head to toe Kate Spade New York today, a great way to start off the week.

I have seen this dress on many other fashion blogs, and it's always interesting to see how other women style what is essentially a simple striped dress. I added a navy bow belt to mine (also Kate Spade), blue handbag, and  neutral grey shoes.

Dress: Kate Spade New York Mariella Fit and Flare Dress

The dress is hard to find online, but you can rent it.

Wedges: Kate Spade New York Tenor Wedge Pumps in London Grey Patent

The wedges are still available on 6pm.com in black and camel. They are super cute and comfortable, too.

Purse: Kate Spade New York Irving Place Little Nadine Satchel in Dark Lapis

This particular color is generally sold out online (I originally got it more than two years ago), but you can still buy it in different styles on eBay. The Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Maise bag in Emperor Blue is very similar, and available now at KateSpade.com.

Celebrity Sighting!
This dress was seen in a season three episode of Scandal, and E! News Anchor Giuliana Rancic wore the dress in a recent TV commercial for Ashley Furniture.

Being Carrie Bradshaw

Sarah Jessica Parker - along with her alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw - has become a leading fashion icon for working women everywhere. Before Sex and the City, brands like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo didn't mean much to me; now, styles from these designers and many others fill my closet.

Sarah Jessica Parker's recent foray into design with the SJP shoe line (available through Nordstrom) has helped her transition from wearing new shoe fashions to creating them. Today, I'm wearing a pair of SJP pumps, and like SJP herself, they are fabulous.

Dress: Shoshanna Leighton Tweed A-Line Dress (no longer available)

It's hard to see in the photo, but the dress features tiny green and blue stitching. I wanted to bring out the blue hue by wearing these blue matching pumps.

Shoes: SJP Slim Peep-Toe Pump in Avio Blue (no longer available)

Purse: Kate Spade New York Mint Mojito Scallop Edge Bag (no  longer available)

Celebrity Sighting!
Reese Witherspoon was seen wearing these SJP pumps with jeans this past spring. I love how these pumps go great with a dress or jeans. Although a little on the pricey side, the shoes are very well made, so treat yourself.

When Reese wore the pumps for the first time, her Instagram post read: "Oh @sarahjessicaparker I love you and now I love your shoes." Reese, I totally agree!

Minty Monday

After so much red, white and blue this past holiday weekend, I thought I would start the new week off with a little green.... mint green, to be exact.

Dress: Paper Crown by Lauren Conrad

The tweed Paper Crown Parkside Pleated Dress is available (and on sale) at Anthropologie. The dress has a very large open back, so it may not be office appropriate if you work in a more conservative environment. Beware the wide arm holes as well; I recommend trying the dress on before you decide on a size.

Purse: Kate Spade New York

The Kate Spade Marguerite Scallop Purse is no longer available, but you can find plenty of options on eBay. It comes in a variety of colors, like this mint green and also a beautiful lavender. The purse comes with a long handle as well, so you can use it as a satchel or cross-body. I love a bag with a little versatility!

If you love the color (mint mojito - a fabulous name), but not necessarily this style, check out the Kate Spade Astor Row Palermo. This bag is career chic at its best.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

I rarely wear flats to work, and even though my calves are still a bit sore after running the Peachtree Road Race 10K on July Fourth, today was no exception. These Jimmy Choo Abel pumps in Key Lime are on sale and still available online from Saks Fifth Avenue, but hurry if you want a pair in this color. Most sizes are already sold out.

Here's a close-up of the shoes and bag. The colors are a super close match.

Lauren Conrad actually wore the dress on a recent episode of Fashion Police with nude pumps. I know I went a little matchy-matchy today, but I like my shoes and bag to match.

Photo Credit: E! Online

Follow me on Instagram: @everydayfashionistablog

Outfit of the Day: June 30, 2014

Dress:
Kate Spade New York Cap Sleeve Color Block Adette Dress
This classic black and white dress in the always flattering fit and flare silhouette is a great addition to your wardrobe. It's sold out, but you can rent the Kate Spade New York Adette Dress on Rent the Runway. You can also try eBay!

Purse:
Kate Spade New York Carlisle Street Piper in Maraschino Red Patent Leather
No longer available - try eBay!

Shoes:
Kate Spade New York Nouvo Dress Pumps in Maraschino Red
Available at 6pm.com and Amazon.

Follow Me on Instagram: @everydayfashionistablog