Fashion blog from an Atlanta marketing guru who loves dressing up for work. My style is feminine, chic and fun. Get online shopping tips and info on favorite products.
Showing posts with label Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals. Show all posts
Happy Monday! I feel like I got so much done this past weekend, even though it wasn't really much. Highlights include brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen, seeing Terminator: Dark Fate with some friends, baking chocolate chip-walnut-banana bread, finishing a book (The Islanders) and spending some good quality time with the hubby and our dogs. I love being a mom to three pugs, even though I will never get to sleep in again. Tulip is usually up by 5:30 a.m. -- demanding her breakfast -- no matter what day of the week it might be!
Today's dress is one I thought I would wear while the weather is still decent. Although the mornings have been cold, by afternoon it's in the 60s... but that all changes tomorrow when an Arctic Blast moves in. UGH! Outfit Details
Shoes: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals (no longer available)
P.S. Since today's dress is called Poppy Field, I immediately thought of that scene from The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and her friends must trek through a field of poppies to get to the Emerald City. The name of today's post is a lyric from the song that plays when they finally head to that infamous gate.
Amazon is going to rule the world one day. The company seems to have its hands in every industry -- even fashion. Today's dress is from the Amazon brand, Ali & Jay, and was purchased for just $30.
When it comes to summer dresses, I'm all about ease. I want to put on a dress, no ironing required, and have the flexibility to wear it with any type of shoe (flats, sandals, etc.). This dress hits all the right notes... and it's super cute, too.
Sizing advice: I've never bought anything from the Ali & Jay brand, so I wanted to pass on some sizing information. In my opinion, the dress runs true to size. I got an Extra Small, but probably would have been fine in a Small, too. The top stretches and the material flows easily over the hips, so either way, you should be fine. But I would order your normal size.
Shoes: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals (no longer available)
The neutral color scheme of the dress, with black, ivory and beige stripes, means it will work with black, nude or even white or ivory shoes. I had my pick of shoes to wear with this dress today, but I liked these Prada platform sandals best. They help 'dress' up the look, while wearing flats may have made it too casual. I can definitely see myself wearing this dress not only to work, but for weekend outings, too.
If you like this design, it's also available as a wide-legged jumpsuit. You can shop all items from the Ali & Jay brand on Amazon's website.
Wow, it's hard to believe the long Thanksgiving weekend is over already. Chapin and I had a wonderful time visiting family in Fairhope, Alabama, where we had beautiful weather on Thanksgiving Day and a delicious feast, complete with turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and more fixings!
My two nephews, Grayson and Finn, are getting so big, and we had fun chasing Norman and Wally around my in-laws' backyard (I adore the lemon tree you can see behind me), playing Bocce Ball and Villainous, and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and National Dog Show.
Superman: The Movie
I also saw my own parents when we returned to Atlanta. I met up with them yesterday to take in a Sunday showing of Superman! It's back in theaters for a limited time to celebrate the movie's 40th anniversary. It's one of my favorite movies, and when I was little I thought my dad looked just like Clark Kent. The movie originally came out on December 15, 1978, when I was around seven months old, so I never had a chance to see it on the big screen. It's still such a fun movie to watch.
Outfit of the Day
Although we had decent weather over the weekend, the temperature in Atlanta has fallen, so I'm trying really hard to keep my teeth from chattering in today's photo. The wind was blowing so hard!
Fortunately, I chose to wear this gorgeous black sheath dress from Rebecca Taylor today, which is made of a heavier material than many of my other dresses. I love all the detail that went into the making of this dress, from the high neck to the fluttery lace cap sleeves to the scallop edge at the hem.
Today's dress is another example of how you can create an optical illusion in fashion. Your eye really goes to the shoulders, and the wide angle on top tapers down to make the waist seem even smaller.
I don't shop in actual stores very often, but when I do, one of my favorite stores to frequent is a little boutique in Inman Park called Mint by Sandpiper. I found some amazing things in that store for a fraction of the retail cost. This location, however, recently announced it is going out of business, and while I'm upset at that thought, I'm still reveling in all the great things I bought there this past weekend. (Just don't tell my husband.)
For example, the dress I'm wearing today. It's a Nanette Lepore dress, retailing for $398, and purchased for just $25.
You can still buy the dress at 6pm. The empire neckline is extremely flattering, especially for women with curves. The tweed is adorable, and up close you can see the different threads of black, ivory, gold and taupe woven throughout the fabric.
The tweed is a little heavy for Spring in Atlanta, but since today started out fairly cold, I'm not thinking twice about it.
Shoes: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals
It's been awhile since I mentioned anything I'm reading or watching right now, so here goes...
Reading:
I just finished Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter, and I absolutely adored this novel. It takes place in multiple time periods, and the author does an excellent job weaving in and out of the main narrative. I also loved the inclusion of a little Hollywood glamour. Highly recommend!
Watching:
Lately, I've been watching old episodes of Mad About You. The show originally started airing when I was in high school -- the first season coincided with my freshman year -- so to watch now as someone who has been married for almost 15 years... let's just say I'm addicted. Some episodes capture marriage so perfectly it's like watching a scene from my life with Chapin. I guess most marriages are alike in a lot of ways, each with their own nuances.
Here are two of my favorite scenes:
I'm also watching The Resident, a new Fox show that just started airing this past January. I'm liking the show's story lines and characters, and for a little added bonus: they film in Atlanta. They are actually using the High Museum as a stand-in for "Chastain Hospital," which is so funny to me. I think I either roll my eyes or laugh every time I see that wide shot of the High.
If you're looking for a laugh, check out Nailed It on Netflix. I love cooking shows, mainly because I'm in awe of how people can take ingredients and create such mouthwatering dishes. I can't cook, but I can bake, so that's why Nailed It was particularly appealing. This show takes ordinary bakers and compels them to make very professional cakes and cookies. The results are hilarious, and I hope they make new episodes soon.
Let me know what you're reading and watching in the comments!
It's 2018, also known as "The Year I Turn 40." Eek!
Today I'm wearing a Christmas gift from my sister, Gail. We didn't get to see her this Christmas, but she, Rich and Max were definitely with us in spirit.
This dress is a little different for me, since it doesn't have a lot of structure to it. It's the perfect dress to wear on a freezing cold day right after the holidays. I've definitely been eating more sweets than usual the past few weeks, so I don't mind the shift silhouette.
I love the ruffles, the neck tie, and... the SLEEVES. So many of the dresses I own don't have long sleeves, but it's really nice to have a dress that covers up my arms when it's so cold out.
NANETTE Nanette Lepore is the designer's lower priced line. Dresses generally retail here for about $150-180, as compared to the main label, where dresses are priced $250 and higher. The dress is still extremely well made, with buttons, ruffles and other details that show how much work was put into it.
You can still buy the dress on Amazon, or check out this similar style on Belk.com.
Shoes: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals
I know I'm crazy to wear sandals today, but we all suffer in the name of fashion... right? ;)
Today's dress is by the always fabulous Ted Baker London. While I have a lot of black dresses hanging in my closet, I thought this dress was a little different -- and a little daring. The color you see at the waist and the hem is actually skin (with no lining). It's sexy in a subtle way... my favorite way.
Ted Baker London dresses are expensive -- most will say too expensive -- so I will only purchase them on sale. I got this one for about 60% off at Nordstrom, but like most good sale items at Nordstrom, it sold out very quickly. You really have to keep an eye on the things you want. That's when your online bookmarks come in handy!
In honor of Throwback Thursday (#TBT), I decided to wear this long-sleeved DVF dress today. The Chevron print and mix of bright colors -- especially that shade of orange/brown -- really take me back to the 1970s. A colleague of mine actually said it looked like I'd stepped off the set of That 70s Show, so I guess I'm not the only one thinking of disco balls and bell-bottoms.
I'm not a huge fan of fashion from the 1970s, but today's dress, which seems straight out of that era, is an exception. I think maybe I've been inspired by FX's The Americans, which takes place in the early 1980s. Chapin and I have recently been binging seasons 3 and 4, which are incredibly well-written and compelling, and seeing the fashion from that time is an added bonus. (I also spotted a box of Banana Frosted Flakes on a recent episode. Who knew that was ever a thing?)
I like how the dress has a 70s print but definitive modern vibe, with the fitted waist and long sleeves that I've been seeing on a lot of dresses lately.
According to one of my favorite websites, WornonTV.net, the dress was recently seen on Abigail Deveraux on Days of Our Lives. I used to sporadically watch this soap in the early 1990s, and apparently Abigail is the daughter of Jack and Jennifer. They were my favorite couple on the show.
Diane von Furstenberg is primarily known for designing the wrap dress, which she wore on the cover of Newsweek in 1976. I have one DVF wrap dress, but I don't wear it very often. It's form fitting and really better suited for women who don't have curves. (It can actually help create them.)
Diane von Furstenberg - Newsweek - March 22, 1976
I've been pleasantly surprised by recent DVF designs, though. I haven't worn the brand in years, and suddenly I want everything I see. Fashion works that way, I guess!
As you can see from this second photo of the dress, it is WINDY today in Atlanta. After a slew of storms hit yesterday, one after the other, today we woke up to lower than average temperatures and high winds. The wind succeeded in knocking another tree down, so I'm going home to a house without power (the whole neighborhood is out). Hopefully it will be back on before the sun sets; I don't want to spend another 20 hours without power.
You will be pinched today if you are not wearing green, because it's... St. Patrick's Day! I love that the holiday is falling on a Friday this year, because it just makes this day a little more fun. I am not Irish, and don't know much about the holiday other than it's named for a saint, so I've been reading up on it. Apparently, wearing green (and pinching people who aren't) is an American tradition.
I knew when I saw this dress that I just had to have it. I love the ruffles at the neck and sleeves, and the whole silhouette is so flattering. It's also perfect for wearing on St. Patrick's Day!
Sandals: Prada Bow Tie Platform Sandals (no longer available)
Jedediah Bila wore the dress on The View this past fall. I have seen maybe one or two episodes of The View, but I am a fan of ShopYourTV.com. This site, as opposed to WornonTV.net, tends to have a lot of outfits from daytime television, so if you're curious about what the anchors wore on Good Morning America, check out ShopYourTV.com.
Update: Amy Robach wore the dress on a July 2018 episode of Good Morning America! She's one of my favorite anchors.
I'm absolutely exhausted from this week. I guess now that I'm getting older, any change to my sleep schedule is a big deal. I've been having a hard time falling asleep and an even harder time waking up now that time has shifted an hour earlier. I'm all for more daylight in the evenings, but the change is just killing me. I'm hoping I can catch up on some sleep and fully adjust to the new schedule this weekend.
My style isn't ultra conservative, but it is definitely feminine and fun, and that's probably why I fell in love with this velvet bow tie shirt dress from Alice + Olivia. It's professional but still sexy, showing a little leg through the multiple slits in the skirt. I also think the cap sleeves and small bow tie are sweet little touches on what is overall a very simple LBD (little black dress).
The bow tie is even removable if you're not in the mood for it!
Alice + Olivia is one brand where I'm often between sizes, so I decided to size up for this particular dress. (I just never know how something that is snug in the hips will fit me.) I think I chose wisely, although the dress did feel a little big.
I often feel like Alice + Olivia dresses are designed for tall women with tiny busts -- so not me -- so be sure to try on a piece from the Alice + Olivia line if you're really not sure about your size. For reference, I am normally a size 4 in Alice + Olivia, but I went with a size 6 here.
You can find Alice + Olivia in major department stores like Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdale's, and Neiman Marcus, and this particular dress is still available online at the following retailers:
Of course, I don't watch either of these shows, but I did see the reference on one of my favorite fashion sites, WornonTV.net. It is a source of great inspiration for me.
