A Fit and a Flare

Today's dress incorporates many of my favorite fashion elements into one outfit: cap sleeves, a vibrant blue hue, and a fit and flare silhouette. Sometimes a dress seems made just for you.

Dress: French Connection Whisper Light Cap Sleeve Fit and Flare Dress

This cute black and blue dress is still available at the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Bloomingdale's
• French Connection Online Store
• Lord and Taylor
• Saks Off 5th

Booties: Prada Cut-Out Peep-Toe Booties (sold out)

Chapin and I had a relaxing weekend. Work is even more hectic than usual right now, so I wanted to enjoy my down time. One of the highlights was going out to dinner and seeing the new movie, Ant-Man, with Paul Rudd. It's hard to believe that Paul Rudd is 46 now and that Clueless, the movie that introduced him as a leading man, is turning 20. I still remember seeing it in the movie theater during the summer between my junior and senior year of high school, and how envious I was of Cher's closet. I guess I have a wardrobe that could compete now! I still don't have all my clothes indexed on the computer, though... unless you count this blog!

Lucky Charms

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today I'm wearing green for the holiday, and we just finished up a fun St. Patrick's Day party at the office, complete with green velvet cupcakes from Piece of Cake. It was so difficult not eating one, but alas, they were not gluten-free.

I do not have a drop of Irish blood, but I felt sort of Irish in my green dress and with my reddish hair. I'm really loving the red hair. I think it suits my complexion.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna

Booties: Prada

You may also notice that I'm wearing something new around my neck. Chapin gave me a beautiful necklace from Three Sisters Jewelry for Valentine's Day. The charm in the middle says "George," and I've included a close-up photo below so you can see the beautiful detail.

I have long been a fan of this website for its hand-stamped jewelry. I bought my sister, Laura, a necklace with the name of her son when she had her first baby, and added a new charm when she had her second. I've bought friends gifts from the site as well, some with the names of children, some with their own names!  I love personal accessories that not only look great, but also serve to remind you of something wonderful.

On that note, I want to thank all my blog readers and Instagram followers who have posted words of encouragement and support over these last few months. Reading those comments has meant so much to me. I know I'm lucky to have people in my life - some whom I've never even met! - who care about me and how I'm feeling.

Lacquered

Today's Outfit Details

Dress: Shoshanna Navy Abbie Dress in Navy

The dress is made of a lacquered tweed, so it won't easily wrinkle. I love the faux black leather trip around the neck and arm holes for that little something extra. The dress is also available on Bluefly.com.

A version of the dress is also available in white.

Eye Shadow: NARS Dogon

Shoes: Prada Cut-Out Booties

I know many people had today off for MLK Day, but I wasn't one of them. I don't think I've ever had this day off my entire career. I am currently reading The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd, so I have been thinking quite a bit about our country's early days. This novel delves into the relationship between a slave girl, Handful, and her owner, an early feminist named Sarah. I'm only about halfway through, but both voices are so powerful. I highly recommend this book, and my Kindle version came with notes from Oprah herself. If you liked Ms. Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, which I devoured, you should pick up this book as well.

White Out

Dress: 4.Collective Hampton Lace Cap-Sleeve Fitted Dress

Booties: Prada

Wind in My Hair...

Dress: Shoshanna

Booties: Prada

Cohesive

Dress: Nanette Lepore

Shoes: Prada Booties

Time for Auburn

My post title has more meaning than just a reference to football season; you may not have noticed, but my hair is now an auburn color. Auburn for Autumn on this first full day of Fall.

What do you think of the new color?

Dress: Roland Mouret for Banana Republic Sheath Dress in Chroma Pink (hot pink)

The dress is on sale now, but only select sizes are available.

Shoes: Prada Leather Cutout Ankle Booties

In Fashion, In Vogue, In Death

It's been a sad week for celebrity deaths with the passing of Robin Williams closely followed by the death of Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall. The death of Mr. Williams particularly jarred me because he played such a large role in my childhood, from Mork & Mindy to Dead Poets Society to Hook. If death teaches us anything, it's to live and enjoy every moment. I know I need to do a better job of relishing in the good each day brings me... a kiss from Chapin, a sweet look from George, a call from my Mom, a text from one of my sisters. These are all good things, and I am thankful for them. If I'm working a 12-hour day, or cursing my alarm for waking me up at 4:45 a.m., I at least know I am truly loved, and I love in return. That is what life is about, isn't it?

Now, on to the fashion...

Dress: Nanette Lepore Hot Pursuit Dress in Grape

Amazon has the Nanette Lepore First Love Jacquard Sheath Dress in a different color combination (black/white), and NanetteLepore.com is also selling the Hot Pursuit dress in all black for under $100! Hurry before sizes run out. What a great deal.

Shoes: Prada Leather Cutout Ankle Booties

I'm excited for Book Club today. The topic of discussion: Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Bows and Booties

Dress: Shoshanna Bow Detail V-Neck Sheath Dress in Plum Tweed

Shoes: Prada Leather Cutout Ankle Booties

I love mixing up hard and soft elements, so I think this feminine dress from Shoshanna, with its lower v-neck, soft tweed material, and waistline bow, goes great with these Prada booties. It's the perfect outfit to end what has been a very hectic week!

This Shoshanna dress is several years old, so it's no longer available online, but you can still snag these gorgeous booties at a few retailers:

• Bluefly
• Barney's 

Follow me on Instagram: @everydayfashionistablog