Sporty Spice

I'm feeling so sporty today in this polo dress from the Parker brand! The dress is super comfortable and perfect for this crazy busy day in the office.

I also wanted something comfortable because I'm feeling so off today... I didn't sleep well, then struggled through my entire morning workout. Hopefully I can get some rest tonight! I hope I'm just feeling this way because of the time change and not because I'm getting sick. Ugh.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Parker Monty Knit Polo Dress

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals (no longer available)

Wardrobe Fun

Today's dress is one I would describe as casual, fun... and a little flirty. What I love most about this dress is the combination of colors. I love how all these different hues -- blues, pinks and even some silver and gold -- match up perfectly with a day in March that's a little bit cool, a little bit warm, and definitely beautiful.

Dress: Parker Josie Striped Knit Dress

Rent it via Rent the Runway, as it's no longer available to purchase.

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

Shifting Ahead

Today's dress is a shift dress, a type of dress that I don't wear too often because of it's propensity to make me look too boxy. A shift dress, by definition, doesn't really have any definition -- it's simply a layer of clothing designed to hang straight down on your body, giving off the impression that your body is a column.

It's opposite would be the sheath dress, which hangs on every curve.

Since I have curves, I tend not to buy too many shift dresses. Since this shift dress from Shoshanna was on sale for under $50 (original price: $398), though, I wanted to at least see how it looked on my frame.

I actually like the overall look, which is a little different for me. It's an interesting design, with the bell sleeves, large in volume, beautifully contrasting with the shapeless main form of the dress. Plus, the color is gorgeous; this cranberry hue works with every skin tone, and is one of my favorites.

Dress: Shoshanna Cambee Shift Dress in Cranberry

The dress is still available on Amazon!

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals in Currant (no longer available)

You may have noticed that I didn't post any outfit pics last week, and that's because I just recently had my eyebrow microblading touch up appointment at Brows by Milly. I had to endure another ten days of trying not to get my brows wet or sweating too much, which is hard for me with my workout routine. I'm glad to be getting back to normal, even if it is just in time for Thanksgiving.

Let the holidays begin!

Ready to Pounce

When it comes to a good deal, you have to be ready to react -- quickly. I scored today's dress on RueLaLa.com for just $38! It's still hard to believe that I could buy a dress that retails for $298 for such a small price.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Parker Leopard Keyhole Fit and Flare Dress

This dress is so light and comfortable, and I love the color and print, though it does remind me of another dress I own. I cringe looking at some of those old photos, even though I'm a few years younger in them. I don't know what I was thinking not filling in my eyebrows for so long. They are so sparse, and need all the help they can get! Ladies: Don't pluck your eyebrows, because they may never grow back! I'm a victim of over-plucking in my youth.

Where to Buy:

You can buy this exact dress at Saks Off Fifth, or in a pretty blue or floral print at Nordstrom Rack. Unfortunately, although the dress is on sale at both retailers, you won't find it for the price I paid.

If you would like to check RueLaLa.com for the latest deals, let me know, and I will send you an invitation to the shopping site.

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

Perspective

Hurricane Irma made its way into Georgia this week, and Chapin and I suffered through about 44 hours without power. We had to throw away most of what was in our fridge and freezer, and go without cable TV, Internet and other conveniences of modern day life for a (little) while. (I think I most missed my hairdryer.) But we had gas (read: hot water), plenty of flashlights, and decent bottles of wine on hand, so those two days were more than bearable.

I don't want to seem like I'm complaining, because I'm thankful -- so thankful -- that we didn't have to deal with more, and that my entire family and friends/clients in Florida (blame Irma) and Texas (thanks to Harvey) are safe and sound.

It helps to have perspective.

Today will be my only post for the week, so I thought I would wear a dress that I was really excited about. I think this Ted Baker London dress is just adorable. The belt, combined with the stretchy material you see with so many Ted Baker dresses, is ultra flattering, and the colors are distinctly autumn-like. So, even though it's technically still summer, I thought today would be a good day to usher in a new season.

Outfit Details

Dress: Ted Baker London Rowing Stripe Skater Dress

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

See-Through Fashion

I'm trying out my first dress from the Belle by Badgley Mischka line today. It's a little dressy for work, but anything goes on this rainy Monday. I scored a great deal on the dress at Dillards.com. If you're patient, you will see that the department store does some heavy discounting on clearance items every few months. I've nabbed dresses from designers like Erin Fetherston and Eva Franco for under $50. The deals are out there -- you just have to know where to look.

I was drawn to this dress not just because of its unique tiered lace design, but because of the mesh fabric in the lower part of the dress. I've been wanting to try a dress with a peek-a-boo element ever since I saw Gwyneth Paltrow in a hot pink Michael Kors with a see-through neckline at the 2013 Met Gala.

I had my nails done over the weekend, and I think it's cool how the deep maroon (CND Vinylux Nail Polish in Dark Dahlia) almost perfectly matches the dress. It's my first time trying out this nail polish brand, and we'll see how long it lasts. I love dark nail polishes in deep colors that are almost black, yet still have some element of color.

Dress: Belle by Badgley Mischka Fit-and-Flare Lace Valencia Dress

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals in Currant Suede

Dress of a Different Color

If you like the same dress in different colors or patterns, then I think it's fine to have multiple versions of it in your closet. I have this same dress in lace, but I also loved it in this pattern and winter color palette, so now I have both versions. Plus, I couldn't pass up the great deal I got on the dress at my local Belk store!

Outfit Details:

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Jasmyne Striped Dress

The dress is available at a variety of online retailers, including:

• Amazon
• BCBG.com
• Bloomingdale's
• Lord & Taylor

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

Today is the first sunny day we've had in quite awhile here in Atlanta. It started raining late Saturday afternoon (the day of my husband's 40th birthday party), and didn't stop for three days. I know we need the rain after our 40-day drought, but I really missed getting outside and taking the dogs on long walks through our neighborhood. Sometimes, you just need the sunshine.

Scuba Trend

Scuba is definitely a material trend that seems to be here to stay. I like wearing scuba dresses on work days when I know I have to travel for a meeting; scuba won't wrinkle like cotton or, my nemesis, silk.

I like this particular dress, from designer Shoshanna, because it's definitely a more unique addition to my wardrobe. The navy panels are mesh, and I love the detail at the neckline. The pop of maroon makes it stand out, too, and matches perfectly with these Stuart Weitzman sandals. Best of all: it's really comfortable!

Dress: Shoshanna Tom Scuba Beaded Neck Dress

The dress is still available at Saks and on Shoshanna.com.

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

My family was nice enough to celebrate my birthday on Saturday, complete with gluten-free cake. I love any opportunity to spend time with little sister, Laura, and her family. Aren't her boys the cutest?

Darker Floral

I think I probably have this dress in several different versions, but I just can't resist a cute dress at 75% off. Actually, my mom treated me to this dress when we went shopping together a few weeks ago. Our trips to Belk at Phipps Plaza, with a stop at Starbucks for Chai tea lattes, are becoming something of a ritual with us.

Dress: French Connection Gardini Fit and Flare Dress (no longer available)

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

I'm surprised I look at all bright-eyed today, since I did not get a good night's sleep last night. It's my own fault for watching The Fall, a show I just started viewing on Netflix, right before bed. It's about a serial killer who stalks professional young women in their early 30s -- and then murders them -- and about the lead detective hunting him down. Gillian Anderson from The X-Files plays the detective, and since it's a British series, each season is only a handful of episodes. I have two left in the first season, so of course you know what I'll be doing tonight. You'll also recognize Archie Panjabi, Kalinda from The Good Wife, playing a pathologist.

The show rattled me so much I must have gotten up about five times to check to make sure there was no one in the house. I also had to put on The Princess Bride to distract me as I was trying to fall asleep. I'm almost done reading Cary Elwes's book on the making of the movie: As You Wish. It's a fun little read, and since I have it in hard copy (instead of on my Kindle), I've been keeping it next to my bed to read when I'm sleepy... but not quite ready to close my eyes.

Back to Wintertime

It's cold again in Atlanta, but despite that fact, I'm still wearing sandals. I guess I'm just a slave to fashion! The wind was blowing really hard when I was trying to get today's photo, so please excuse the messier-than-usual hair.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Taylor Geometric Print Scuba Fit and Flare Dress (no longer available)

I don't have many dresses from the Taylor brand, but I love this piece's bold colors and geometric pattern, and it was so reasonably priced. Most dresses from this line are going to be around $130, and even lower on sale. Plus, this dress is scuba, so that means it won't wrinkle easily! The tiny cap sleeves are an added bonus.

You can find Taylor dresses at most major retailers (Nordstrom, Belk, Lord & Taylor, etc.), as well as on Amazon. Dresses are available in both miss and plus sizes.

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

Match Made in Heaven

Today's blog post title is not only referring to the fact that my shoes and colorblocked dress match up perfectly, but because we have decided to open our home to a new pug.

First, the outfit:

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Colorblock Drie Dress

The dress is still available (and on sale) at the following retailers:

• Amazon
• Bloomingdale's
• Lord & Taylor

Beware, though: This dress wrinkles easily! I even ironed it before work this morning.

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

These suede sandals, in a port wine color called Currant, are still for sale at the following sites:

• Bloomingdale's
• Nordstrom
• Neiman Marcus
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Stuart Weitzman Official Site
• Zappos (in other color options and patent leather)
• 6pm

I absolutely love the name of these shoes! In high school and college, before the days of iTunes and Pandora, I was obsessed with buying movie soundtracks. I have so many CDs now of soundtracks from a variety of 90s movies, from Aladdin to You've Got Mail. I don't really buy CDs now... does anyone?

Now, the pug news:

As many of my readers know, I have struggled this past year with getting over the death of my first pug, George.

George was extremely important to me. He was my baby, my buddy, my best friend. He was there for me always - never judging, just loving.

Last week, we discovered a pug available for adoption at the Clayton County Humane Society, and today, we are picking him up and bringing him home. I'm excited, scared, and dreading such a big change. Those who know me well know I don't like changes in my routine or my world. Chapin pushed me (hard) to get me to say yes, and I finally relented, because this little guy needs a home. He's thin and has a skin condition, and wasn't well cared for during his short life. He's four years old, fawn-colored, and currently unnamed. I'll keep you all posted!

Maybe he's a gift from George. Tomorrow, George would have turned 11 years old...