Classic Colorblocking

I have to admit... I'm a huge fan of colorblocking. I like the mix of different colors, and the designs tend to be simple and chic.

This Kate Spade New York dress is super cute and flattering, and the scuba material means it won't wrinkle as easily as most of my dresses. When you sit on your butt all day in an office chair, that's a plus!

Dress: Kate Spade New York Colorblock Scuba Dress in Ocean Blue

Available at these retail locations:

• Kate Spade Online
• Bloomingale's
• 6pm

Shoes: Sophia Webster Finn Glitter Patent Leather Peep-Toe Pumps (sold out)

Celebrity Sighting!
Taylor Schilling wore these shoes in hot pink a few years ago. She plays Piper on Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Chapin and I are both huge fans of the show.

Mom and Me Time

As I get older, I feel like I appreciate my mom so much more than I ever did as a hormonal teenager or even as a "know it all" twentysomething. My mom and I have really gotten much closer the past few years, and she was there for me on the day I lost George - a day when Chapin was a plane ride away. She is the most kind and selfless person I know, and I love her so much.

Every so often, I can convince her to come into the city for a little shopping, and that was the case this past weekend. We met up at her favorite store, Belk, at Phipps Plaza. I'm a newer Belk shopper, and I will only shop at the Phipps Plaza location because this store has a huge selection of dresses, and brand names that are often featured here on the blog (for example, Trina Turk). 

Saturday, we were bargain hunting, and she treated me to this French Connection dress ($25 marked down from $148). My mom may not understand my addiction to fashion, but she certainly understands the high you get from scoring a great deal!

Dress: French Connection Downtown Grid Black and White V-Neck Dress

It also comes in a maxi dress version.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York

Tonight, Chapin and I are meeting up with our friend, Elizabeth, to see writer/director/actor Kevin Smith at the Atlanta Improv. I'm so excited! I have been a fan of Kevin Smith's for a very long time (about 20 years), and Chapin and I actually first met at a screening of his 1999 film, Dogma. Chapin is now addicted to his podcast, Hollywood Babble On. If I don't have time to change before we leave, I figured this dress would be casual enough for the Atlanta Improv.

Flying Through

This week seems to be even busier than usual, and I feel like I don't have much time to do anything but work. My company is growing and expanding, and while that is increasingly exciting, it also adds more to my already heaping plate.

I don't know how you like to deal with stress, but it makes me feel better to wear something pretty when I'm working so hard. At least I can feel good about myself and add a bit of color to my black and white working world.

I snagged the blue dress below on RueLaLa.com, one of my favorite discount sites. The app makes it super easy to shop. I love sitting in front of the TV in the evenings, just browsing the latest deals on my phone or tablet.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna Remy Dress in Bluebird (sold out)

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Peep-Toe Pumps

Ice Blue

Dress: Shoshanna Ice Blue Fit and Flare Dress

Shoes: Schutz

Like Family

People come in and out of your life, but some will always hold a special place in your heart. I feel that way about the Henard family, whom I considered my "second family" for most of my teen years. I spent pretty much every weekend at their house, babysitting Michael, Robert and Blake. I went on vacation with them (twice) to Hilton Head, and after they moved, I visited them at their home in Texas. They were so wonderful to me growing up, and I loved them so much in return... and still do to this day.

I have seen them only sporadically since they left Atlanta in 1996, and it's still hard for me to believe the three kids are all grown up now. Even Blake, the youngest, has already graduated from college.

The Henards - well, most of them - finally had the chance to meet my husband this past weekend, and we spent several hours just catching up and reminiscing over brunch.

Here I am with Robert, Blake and Mr. and Mrs. Henard. Michael, the oldest, is in Germany with his wife and daughter. I feel so old!

With my second family circa 1995:

My dress:
Trina Turk Wave Print Pleated Dress

Shoes:
Tory Burch Navy Suede Flats

Here is the dress in the same print, but a different silhouette: Trina Turk Zale Dress. It's still available at the following retailers:

• Trina Turk Website
• 6pm

Seeing Clearly

I love the whimsical prints from Eva Franco, and this one is truly special. I'm a nerd at heart - just one who loves fashion - so the glasses here really spoke to me. People seem to like this print, too; I've had so many compliments on this dress.

Dress: Eva Franco Paparazzi Dress

Shoes: Pour La Victoire Carmendy Cap Toe T-Strap Pump

My thoughts are with my sister, Laura, today, who is mourning her pug, Bentley. "Bent Bent," as she liked to call him, passed away on July 29th, 2015. I only hope she is comforted by the fact that he lived a long life (he was almost 15), one where he was truly loved by Laura and the rest of our family.

What is the point of life? In my opinion, it's to love, and to be loved. Bentley loved his mama with his whole heart, and he was loved in return. That is a life with meaning.

Rest in peace, sweet Bentley.

Bentley (middle) with his cousins, George and Izzie, in 2008. All three are now in Heaven together.

Laura and Bentley (2009)

Butterflies From Heaven

My mom recently told me that butterflies can be signs from those who have passed on. They are supposed to represent the freedom a soul feels in the After Life, where there is no pain or sadness. I know it sounds hokey, but it makes me feel better to know that a butterfly could be a signal from George, or one of my grandparents, telling me they are thinking of me. I think that was why I was so drawn to today's featured dress.

Right now, though, my thoughts are with my little sister, Laura, who is having to make a painful decision about her pug, Bentley. He is a very old pug, whom Laura has had for most of her adult life. He helped her through a difficult period when she was in college, was with her when she started dating her husband, Matt, and has been by her side as she became a mom to my two young nephews.

Now, Bentley is showing signs that his quality of life has severely diminished. He isn't himself, and he barely recognizes those around him. Laura is having to decide whether it's time to let him go, which I believe to be one of the hardest decisions a person (a fur-parent) ever has to make.

Laura, I am thinking of you.

Today's outfit details:

Dress: Erin Erin Fetherston Madame Butterfly Fit and Flare Dress

Also available at Dillard's and the Erin Fetherston website.

The dress also comes in a longer shirt dress version and gown.

Shoes: Schutz Adeline Strappy Metallic Sandals in Rose Gold (sold out)

Erin Fetherston is a popular up-and-coming brand, and celebrity fans include Taylor Swift. You can find her designs in most major department stores as well as online retailers like Amazon.