Jump

Chapin and I had so much going on this weekend that I feel like we barely had any time to relax. I was very happy to sit at home last night and watch the Oscars. I love rating the fashions coming down the Red Carpet. If you're interested, my favorites from the Red Carpet included:

1. Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein Collection
2. Halle Berry in Marchesa
3. Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture
4. Hillary Swank in Gucci Premiere
5. Anne Hathaway in Tom Ford (her last costume change during the show)

I also loved Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott, but I didn't like the heavy necklace on top of the heavy dress. Her hair was divine, though. My favorite hair style of the night was definitely the soft waves. I wish I could get my hair to do that!

Who didn't make my list?

- I liked every aspect of Cate Blanchet's Givenchy dress except for that weird middle part. The detail was amazing, but I kept thinking something was going to jump out of her chest. Yep, that's gross. Others disagree and are putting her on the Best Dressed list.

- Reese Witherspoon, with her 60s style hair and black and white Giorgio Armani Privé dress, was a complete snooze, and looked way too much like Julia Roberts at the 2001 Oscars. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so.

- I usually have such high expectations for Nicole Kidman, but she failed to impress in her white Dior Haute Couture gown.

As for me, back in real life...

Since I'm pretty light on meetings today, I dressed casually in this black dress from Tahari. I've had this dress since 2008, and it is so comfortable! Tahari is a great brand for chic work clothes. I love their suits and dresses. You can always find something from the brand on sale at stores like Macy's, where I actually purchased this dress.

The weather today required something floaty like this dress, too -- it's incredibly windy out, and we are expecting thunderstorms and maybe even tornadoes later today. I keep hearing, "It's a twister! It's a twister!" over and over in my head, like in The Wizard of Oz.

The shoes, the Frye Margot Studded Flats in black, are also incredibly comfortable. You can still get them in white or yellow over at 6pm.com, one of my favorite discount shoe sites.

Even with the weather, I've had a good day so far. I got to bring George with me to the office for a little while this morning, and then we met Chapin for lunch at Schlotsky's Deli. I love those turkey sandwiches!

Crazy for You

Chapin and I had a great weekend, mostly due to the gorgeous sunny weather and family coming into Atlanta for a weekend visit. My sister, Gail, was in town with her husband for a belated birthday celebration for my mom and my other sister, Laura. Chapin's father, Louie, also stopped by to show off his new Audi (and new girlfriend). We all hung out together at Park Tavern by Piedmont Park, listening to live music and taking in the sun. It felt like a true Spring day. Later that evening, we all went out to dinner for the birthday celebration and -- later -- cake at my parents' house.

Here is a picture of us going out to dinner. I'm wearing the Jay Godfrey Halter Dress in a beautiful purple, as well as black mesh Betsey Johnson pumps. I could not find the exact style online, but here is a similar Betsey Johnson mesh style pump from the brand.

I'm in Here

I love my dress today! It's the Black Halo Jacket Dress in Olive, which you may have seen on celebrities like Jennifer Morrison (House) and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty). It's a fabulous, comfortable, chic dress that is great for work, play... or both!

I am also wearing my L.A.M.B. Gorgeous Peep-Toe Pumps in Bronze, which are quickly becoming one of my favorite pairs of pumps. I love how bronze and olive compliment each other.

I'm glad it's Friday, because this weekend my sister, Gail, is coming to visit from Tennessee, so all three sisters will be in the same city at the same time. Lately that is a rare occurrence, so it's just even more special when we can all get together. Tomorrow we'll be having a belated birthday celebration for my Mom and my other, sister, Laura, who share a birthday. I just can't wait.

I also have to give a shout-out to my best friend, Katie, who is about to give birth to her second child. I'm thinking of you, Katie.

Finally, I want to mention that a friend of mine, a guard in our building, recently suffered a stroke at the age of 41! I talked to his fiancee last night, and he is stable, but needs to get to the point where he can have another surgery. When things like this happen, you just have to take a moment to be thankful for everything you have, all the wonderful people in your life, all that you've experienced... because it could be gone in an instant. I am thinking of my friend and hoping that he can recover.

I hope all my readers have a great weekend. And remember: live everyday to the fullest!

Wouldn't It Be Nice

With the weather continuing to be Spring-like here in Atlanta, today I'm in another casual Springtime outfit: BCBGMaxAzria's sapphire blue dress with Jimmy Choo Izzy pumps. I love the cut and style of this dress, as it cinches in at the waist but is very loose in the hips, and is thus slimming. Although the material does wrinkle easily, this dress is easily a favorite of mine, and I don't think I've worn it in a while, so thank you Fashion Challenge.

Jewel-tone colors have been dominating fashion for the last few years, and I, for one, am thankful. I love ruby, sapphire, amethyst and emerald colored clothes, because no matter what your complexion or body type, these colors definitely breathe some life into your wardrobe. I especially loved the gorgeous emerald dress that Angelina Jolie wore to the Golden Globes in January. It was just fabulous!

With a blue, you can also wear a myriad of different shoe color options, although I tend toward wearing blue with brown or camel colored shoes. These Jimmy Choo Izzy pumps are a mud color, so I think they work great. Pointy-toe pumps are also a trend that seems to be coming back in style this season. Stay tuned!

What You Know

It's been an interesting start to the day. I don't mean to disgust anyone, but while I was emptying the dishwasher this morning, George decided to go in the bathroom and rifle through the trash can. He soon found one particular dirty item that he decided smelled good enough to eat, and I just managed to get said item out of his mouth before he could swallow it. (Any guesses as to what this item might have been?) It was very gross, and I freaked out thinking he had actually swallowed some pieces. But we don't think he did because he did not seem to be in any discomfort. The way my heart started pumping... it was terrible. I hate to think of George in any kind of danger.

Today I'm dressed fairly casually in a Juicy Couture navy empire waist dress that I've had for a few years. It's very comfortable and I like the cute bow on the front of the dress. I paired it with one of my favorite pairs of shoes: the Charles David Forward pumps in navy and red. I always get a bunch of compliments on these shoes as being "very cute," and they are comfortable as well since the heel is fairly low.

I had to go for my annual gynecologist exam today, which is part of the reason I chose this dress. I talked to the doctor about my age, having a baby, birth control, etc. From what she said, I really need to start thinking about whether or not I want to have a baby, because at 32 (almost 33), my chances for conceiving a baby are under 25% each month. By the time you reach 40, that number goes down to 5%. I think in 2012, we will start trying. I just have so much going on in my career right now that I'm not sure if I can really concentrate on the whole baby idea. But who knows what the future will hold...

Do You Want it All?

It's amazing the difference I feel in my confidence level between yesterday, when I didn't like my outfit so much, and today, when I love it. Maybe it's the heels, but I just feel like I am walking taller. Clothes really do affect the way you hold yourself, and how others perceive you. I just wish I had learned that earlier in my career. My first job out of college, I probably wore jeans to work three or four days a week. Once I started taking more interest in my career, and wanting to excel and advance up the ladder, I began taking more time with my appearance. Many past managers have mentioned that appearance does count... If you are dressed well and look professional, your clients and colleagues will see you as someone to be taken seriously. That's just my advice for all the working women out there.

Today's dress is the Milly Phoebe Triple Chain Dress in Smoke. I found the dress on sale at two online stores -- albeit in some other colors, though:

• Neiman Marcus (in almond)
• Milly Designer Site (in black)

I am such a huge fan of this brand! (It doesn't hurt that the founder's name is Michelle, either.) All the pieces are so feminine, chic and classic... I would wear just about any dress from the Spring collection, which is rare for me to say about any designer. The trouble with Milly: the price. Most dresses retail for over $300. I myself have never purchased one at full price, but that's pretty rare for me in general. I'm definitely a discount shopper! I have to be!

I paired the dress with my L.A.M.B. Gorgeous Peep Toe Pumps in Bronze, which are quickly becoming favorites of mine.

Firework

It's President's Day today, and while many companies are off, sadly I am here at the office. I didn't remember it was a holiday for many businesses until I drove to work and realized that there were not as many cars on the road as usual. Then I glanced down at my outfit today and felt pretty silly. I am wearing red, white and blue on President's Day. I swear I didn't plan it this way!

I bought this BCBGMaxAzria dress back in 2009. I found it on heavy clearance at Macys.com and thought it would look so cute. This was also during my red and blue phase, when I was obsessed with wearing red with navy. (Don't ask.) I think I've worn it once since first purchasing it, and you can see why. It really doesn't do that much for me... I look like a big firework. 

Good thing I don't have too much going on in the office today. With many of our clients' offices closed, I don't have any meetings, and can focus on knocking out a few things that I desperately need to finish.

Have a good day!