Day Dress or Wedding Dress?

When you wear a white or ivory dress, you run the risk of feeling as if you're headed for the chapel instead of to the office, brunch, dinner or out on the town. Fortunately, I'm willing to take the risk in a dress as beautiful as this one from Shoshanna.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna Giana Lace Applique Keyhole Ruffle Dress

The dress is super comfortable, and I got compliments on it all day long! I love the high neckline and ruffles, and since it's made entirely from lace, it is so feminine yet still so sexy.

Shoes: Kate Spade New York Fresia Patent Platform Sandals (no longer available)

I haven't worn these Kate Spade sandals in quite a while, but I love how the ivory in the sandals goes perfectly with the ivory of the dress. You could also do a gold or nude colored sandal here as well.

Weekend Update

Chapin and I needed a nice relaxing weekend together, and that's exactly what we had. We barely left the house, but did venture out to dinner on Saturday night to one of our favorite seafood restaurants: Goin' Coastal. Afterward, we stopped for some sweet treats at Paolo's Gelato. We first went to this little gelato place in the Highlands during our first year of dating back in 2000. I can't believe that was 18 years ago! We will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary later this year.

We don't go to the Highlands very often since we moved to West Midtown -- we used to take George there for doggie gelato all the time -- so now, when we're there, I just feel awash in memories. I wish time didn't have to move so fast.

Speaking of time, we bought the new Avengers movie over the weekend (Avengers: Infinity War), and I'm now obsessed with trying to figure out the plot of the sequel, due out in May 2019. I know time travel will factor into the story somehow... It will be torture waiting eight more months to see how my Guardians (and other favorite heroes) come back from the dead.

Outfit Details - Saturday Night:

Dress: Nicole Miller New York Red Lace Fit and Flare Dress

The dress retails for $228, but I bought it for just $45 at Belk (online).

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Hesper Strappy Sandals

All the Stars

If you love dresses with cutesy prints, Draper James can deliver! The Reese Witherspoon brand, known for catering to Southern women, is more charming than chic, with many items feeling like they would be equally at home on a little girl as opposed to an adult woman. I still like many of the pieces, though, like this fit and flare stars dress that came out right in time for July Fourth.

Outfit Details

Dress: Draper James Oh My Stars Fit and Flare Dress

I bought the dress during a recent Dillard's clearance sale for under $50 (retail price: $135), so I missed wearing it around the Fourth, but I think the stars pattern is one that can still work all summer long.

The stars boast a seersucker print that is not that apparent in the photos, which is why I'm wearing my light blue Schutz sandals to match. Hey, if you're going to go cutesy, you might as well go matchy-matchy, too.

Find the dress (in limited sizing) on the Draper James website, and it's also still available at Dillards.com for just $47.25. If you can, try the dress on to find your best size. I'm wearing a size two, which feels too big in the waist and too tight in the bust. Oh well.

Sandals: Schutz Cadey-Lee High Heel Dress Sandals

Looking for Valentino

I can't tell you how long I have wanted a pair of Valentine Rockstud pumps, and I finally have them! I was so excited to slip them on this morning. 

Dress: Alice and Olivia Leslie Floral Tie-Neck Silk Dress

Shoes: Valentino Rockstud Crisscross d'Orsay Pumps in Gold

I really love pairing the hard with the soft, so that's why I love these pumps so much with this feminine, floral dress.

The shoes are no longer available, but try eBay! You can also get the more traditional Rockstud design in gold at Bergdorf Goodman, or try this ankle strap pair at Neiman Marcus.

Weekend Update

Chapin and I had a busy weekend!

The weekend started off on a great note, as I placed second in my age group in the Vinings Downhill 5K. It was my first time running the race, and though it was NOT all downhill -- there were actually quite a few hills -- it was still a lot of fun.

My time was just over 23 minutes, so I'm proud of myself for pushing so hard. I normally don't run that fast.

Here are a few photos from the event. I love seeing the ones that make it look as if I'm flying.

We also saw some lovely friends for lunch at Muss and Turner's. We love seeing our dear friend, Laura, and her family anytime they come to Atlanta.

Photo by A.J. Gallitz

What Meghan Wore

I was super excited about this dress when I bought it, because it's a comfortable, easy summer dress that looks great on. I was even more excited when Meghan Markle wore it! It seems the new duchess and I have similar taste in clothes, as the Duchess of Sussex donned this exact same dress when she attended a polo match with Prince Harry earlier this summer. While Meghan paired her dress with flat sandals and a hat, I'm rocking some major platform sandals that add several inches to my frame. 

Outfit Details:

Dress: Shoshanna Ashland Sleeveless Belted Gingham Eyelet Dress (sold out)

I bought the dress for just $99 at Lord & Taylor (retail price: $395), but since Meghan Markle wore it, it's been sold out everywhere. The Meghan Markle effect strikes again!

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Strutting Platform Sandals

Let Down Your Hair

Today's dress is called the Rapunzel dress, so of course I can't help thinking of that classic fairy tale line, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair!" Rapunzel was never one of my favorite stories, but it does have one important lesson for women today: Never underestimate the importance of strong, healthy hair. (Ha ha!)

I'm in a bit of a silly mood today because I am so tired! I haven't been sleeping well the past few nights (for some unknown reason). I probably won't sleep well tonight, either, because our entire neighborhood has no power, which means no air conditioning. Ugh. I already turn the air down below 70 to sleep, so not having any air on at all is going to be torture.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Alice and Olivia Rapunzel Floral Print Dress (sold out)

I normally don't really like the way I look in dresses that are so fitted at the hips, but I loved the print so much that I had to buy it when it went on sale! (I got a great deal, too.)

You can buy the dress in white (with black trim), as well as a beautiful embellished version, at Neiman Marcus. I also love this icy blue lace version on the Alice and Olivia website. Whatever print or shade you choose, just remember to try it on first or error on the side of caution and go up one dress size when ordering. I found that because the dress was so tight through the hips, I had to go up a size, as that's where I carry a lot of my extra weight.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Baxen Chain Fabric Peep-Toe Wedge Pumps

Summer Flowers

You can't go wrong in a floral dress, especially one as beautiful as this design from the Nicole Miller New York brand. Although I have a similar Nicole Miller dress in black, I couldn't resist this white summer version -- especially when it was on clearance at Belk. (Sadly, the Phipps Plaza Belk store has now closed for good.)

Outfit Details:

Dress: Nicole Miller New York Floral Sheath Dress

The dress is available at Belk (online), Neiman Marcus Last Call and Amazon. I recommend ordering your normal size. I'm wearing a size two here, only because it was the only size left at the Belk store I visited. (I'd normally be a size four.) The dress is actually a little snug on me. Thank goodness for Spanx!

Sandals: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker

I have worn these heels so much that I might have to retire them soon. The heels are just so worn down! I love the bold coral color, and I guess I have a lot of coral/peach tones in my wardrobe, because I wore them so much more than I ever thought I would. I'm going to have to go on a hunt for sandals in a similar color. If you have any suggestions, let me know!

Jennifer Aniston's Guide to Aging Gracefully

I recently came across The Bounty Hunter, the 2010 film starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, and after some quick research, realized I'm about the same age now as Ms. Aniston was during filming. Although her everyday fashion trends veer more toward California casual, Ms. Aniston has become my style guru (of sorts). I love how she mixes high-end and low-end pieces -- check her out in Dr. Scholl's sandals -- and I have always admired her red carpet style and dedication to staying fit and trim.

So it got me thinking... Does Jennifer Aniston know the secret to aging gracefully? After all, she looks about the same now as she did almost a decade ago! Here are some things I've picked up just taking note of her fashion trends and other choices.

Plastic surgery should be subtle.
While some celebrities look like a piece of molded plastic, Ms. Aniston, who most likely has had some work done (Botox? Laser Treatments?), looks more natural. She has wrinkles on her forehead and her face moves when she talks, but she still looks beautiful... and human.

Eat healthy -- but still indulge every once in awhile.
Being on a perpetual diet isn't fun, so you have to give in to your cravings. In interviews I've read with Ms. Aniston, she has admitted to being a big fan of Mexican food, not exactly low-fat food fare, and having the occasional cheat day. I try to follow that same philosophy, and have a "cheat meal" once or twice a week. It usually involves an abundance of sushi or chips, salsa and guacamole.

Regularly exercise.
Change it up, try different workouts, even different times of day, but do what you have to do to stay in shape. Ms. Aniston likes yoga and other activities. I run, lift weights and use the elliptical machine at a very high resistance. You have to get your heart rate up if you are going to burn calories. I stick with an exercise routine that works for me, going strong six days a week, and taking Sundays off.

Tanning is not an option.
Ms. Aniston always looks tan, and she has admitted to loving spending time in the sun. While I don't think that's the best way to look young -- the sun will age you faster than a pack of cigarettes -- she is somehow pulling it off. If I look tan right now, it's only by accident, via walks with my boys and from running outside on the weekends. I rarely go to the pool in my neighborhood, and always have a hat on to shield my face from the sun when I'm outdoors. Still, a tan, whether natural or bought in a salon, helps create that rosy, youthful glow.

Wear black.
Ms. Aniston is known for favoring black -- and there's nothing wrong with that. You don't have to automatically be going to a funeral (or feel like you are) if you step into a black dress. Black is slimming, it's easy to dress up or dress down, and it works on just about every skin tone. Yep, there is nothing wrong with wearing black.

Outfit Details

Today, I'm following Ms. Aniston's example and wearing black to the office, in a dress that I bought for just $39 on Amazon!

Dress: Trina Trina Turk Pernilla Perforated Scuba Dress

There are only select sizes still available -- I'm wearing a size two for reference -- and the price is now higher, but it's still an amazing dress. Remember, when it comes to Amazon, you have to know when to buy to get the best deal.

Shoes: Alexandre Birman Lolita Striped Sandals

I chose to wear these multi-color sandals to add a pop (actually, several pops) of color to today's all-black outfit. It's my first pair of shoes from the Alexandre Birman brand, and so far, I'm in love!

So, fair readers, what are your tips for aging gracefully? I need all the help I can get if I want to follow in Ms. Aniston's footsteps...