Glitter and Organza

Dressing up for work in a beautiful new dress is the best way to start a week.

Outfit Details

Dress: Kay Unger Navy Organza Glitter Fit and Flare Dress

I was drawn to the dress because of the neckline -- I just love how a square neckline shows off your cleavage in a more conservative way-- as well as the beautiful navy and glitter organza fabric.

You can find the dress at Bluefly and Saks, but only limited sizes are still available.

I secretly refer to the Kay Unger brand as the "mother of the bride brand," because most dresses look extremely upscale and are modestly tailored. Every once in a while, I will see a Kay Unger dress -- like this one -- that I would wear.

Unfortunately, Kay Unger dresses are extremely pricey. Today's dress cost around $500, but I nabbed it for $99 at RueLaLa.com. I just had to have it, and that's a pretty good deal.

You can find Kay Unger dresses online at these and other retailers:

• Bluefly
• Dillard's
• Lord & Taylor
• Neiman Marcus
• Saks

You can also rent Kay Unger dresses on Rent the Runway.

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Claudet 100 Lamé Sandals

Chapin and I had a relaxing weekend, which is a good thing, since I'm gearing up for a very busy week at work. We treated ourselves to breakfast at West Egg Cafe on Sunday, and Chapin made me dinner Saturday night: roasted Branzini (a whole fish) with a tomato and pesto salad. Yum! (He was so proud he took the picture below. Isn't he cute?)

Get Your Beauty Sleep

Chapin and I treated ourselves to a Sleep Number king-sized bed this past Christmas, and one of the perks of having a "smart" bed is getting updates on your sleeping behavior. Not surprisingly, I don't get eight hours of sleep every night, and I actually fall well below even Sleep Number customer averages.

I normally go to bed around 10:30 p.m. and wake up at 5 a.m. to get a workout in. That's about six hours (and change) of sleep per night. I know that's not enough. So when I have a weird/scary dream and wake myself up from a deep state of REM, I'm usually exhausted the next day. That's what happened last night... and why I look so tired today! (I dreamed there was a feral cat in the house. It was about to attack Chapin when I woke myself up. Strange, I know.)

I chose today's dress because I was in a rush and it didn't need to be ironed. The dress is also semi-casual for a Friday.

Dress: BCBGMaxAzria Val Triangle Print-Blocked Dress

I actually bought the dress over a year ago and have worn it just one other time: on the girls trip to Charleston I took with some friends and my sister, Gail, last summer. I actually forgot I had it! The lines of the dress are very flattering, and I always appreciate a fit and flare silhouette!

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Henna 100 Leather Open-Toe Ankle-Wrap Pumps

I will be excited to catch up on some sleep this weekend. I feel like Chapin and I have had a lot going on lately, and I am excited for a weekend where we can take it easy.

The Key to a Plump Pout

Today's dress is so easy and simple: black and white, fit and flare, perfectly tailored, and wrinkle-free. (Not having to iron or steam a new dress is a big win for me. It's so annoying when dresses you order online arrive stuffed in a small package. Thankfully, RueLaLa.com ships items in large boxes with hangers.)

Outfit Details

Dress: CeCe by Cynthia Steffe Sleeveless Contrast-Bow Dress

RueLaLa.com sold out of the dress, so it's only available -- from what I could find -- at Neiman Marcus Last Call. Fortunately, it's on sale.

This brand tends to run a little big. I'm in a size four, but I think I could have easily fit in a size two.

Shoes: Prada Black and White Striped Bow Pumps (no longer available)

With a simple black and white outfit, you can easily add a pop of color via your accessories -- most notably, your shoes. Today, I decided to go with black and white pumps and adds that pop of color via my lips. I love a good red lip with a black and white dress.

Plump Up Your Lips by Brushing Them

I recently learned that "brushing" your lips before you apply lip liner and lipstick can actually irritate them enough that they puff out a bit. It really works, and also helps slough off dead skin. (I tend to pick at my lips, so that is a good tip for me.)

Step 1: Prime your lips with lip moisturizer or Vaseline.

Step 2: Use a toothbrush -- your own or that extra one they always give you at the dentist -- to actually brush your lips. I would not do it for more than 30 seconds or so.

You will see them plump up and even redden for a natural pout.

Using lip liner is also a good idea to help get your lips extra full.

Designer Doesn't Always Mean Quality

I have to admit: I was very disappointed when I put on this Diane von Furstenberg dress. It's a beautiful dress, and I love the blue and green colorblocking elements, but the dress just isn't well made. I honestly felt a little swindled. The dress doesn't fit well, and isn't lined. The material is thin and cheap. I expect more from designers like Diane von Furstenberg!

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Sleeveless Tailored Colorblock Sheath Dress

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BB 105 Metallic-Striped Leather Pumps (no longer available)

This week is going to be a busy one for me, so I'm glad I had a restful weekend that included taking my parents out for a special Italian dinner (I definitely recommend Colletta if you're in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek area) and finally watching the movie where Chapin and I make a brief appearance (Keeping Up with the Joneses). It was weird and surreal to see myself on screen, even if it was only for a few seconds. The movie is streaming now on HBO, and the scene where we appear takes place about 15 minutes in.

I also baked some cookies so I could give my father a sweet treat for his birthday. (I blame him entirely for my sweet tooth.) I tried a new recipe for the first time, and just modified it a little, adding semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter and substituting gluten-free flour for regular flour.

I also shared the cookies with some friends, neighbors and my staff. So far, I am hearing good things, so I'll probably make them again. If you like peanut butter, you will definitely like these Peanut Butter Butterfinger Cookies.

Pink Lady

It's been a very busy Friday. I didn't get to eat lunch, and I'm starving, so today's post will be short. (I signed a new client, though. Hooray! What a great way to start the weekend.)

Outfit Details

Dress: Ted Baker Taliia Embroidered Skater Dress in Fuchsia Pink

I bought the dress when I recently visited the Ted Baker store at Lenox Square Mall. I was passing by on my way to Sephora, and just sort of wandered in. Just my luck, I ended up finding a ton of beautiful dresses on sale. Normally, Ted Baker dresses are around $300 each, but I nabbed this dress for 60% off. You know I love my deals!

You can find the dress at a variety of different retailers, though some stores only have specific colors in stock. The dress is gorgeous in any color, though!

• Asos (red)
• Bloomingdale's (pink)
• Nordstrom (navy)
• Ted Baker (pink)
• Zappos (navy)

Shoes: Schutz Margo Wraparound Sandals

These Schutz sandals, in the bright pink and blue, and featuring scalloped wraparound fabric and tassels, always seem to grab a lot of attention whenever I wear them. (Unfortunately, I don't get to wear them very often, since they don't go with everything.)

I have the Margo style in the pink and blue (sadly, they are no longer available), but they also come in black and cream. You can find the Schutz Lisana Sandals in the black/cream color scheme at Nordstrom, Saks and ShopBop.

This weekend, I'll be focused on helping celebrate my father's 66th birthday. Chapin and I are taking both he and my mom out for dinner on Saturday night as a special treat. I treasure any time with my parents, since I just love them so much. (What can I say? I will always be a dorky good girl at heart.) They instilled so much in me: a belief that I could do and be anything, a love of reading and education, a strong moral core. I had such a wonderful childhood. Although their Republican ways drive me crazy sometimes, they are two of the most important people in my life.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

How to Wear White

Summer is the best -- and some would say only -- time to wear white. While white is definitely a lighter, cooler color to wear in searing summer temperatures, white clothing does have a few drawbacks.

Here are a few tips for how to wear white:

Find a Cut That Accentuates the Positive

There is no slimming effect when it comes to white clothing. In fact, white can actually make you look wider. White tops will work well if you have a small chest and want to make it look larger, but most women won't want anything on their bottom half looking too big. The best option is to find a cut that can mask your flaws; for example, a fit and flare silhouette will downplay larger hips.

Beware the Spill

I am something of a klutz, so I try to stay away from white dresses for fear of destroying them with coffee, iced tea, or any number of things. On days when you wear white, just try to stay extra cognizant of what (and how) you're eating and drinking, brushing past, etc. A small stain can make all the difference and disrupt your all-white effect.

Effectively Use Accessories

If you want to draw the eye away from anything on your body, using colorful accessories -- bright shoes, bag, earrings -- is the best way to do that. You can also stick to a neutral palette if you want the dress to stand on its own.

Today's Outfit

This dress, to me, is the centerpiece of today's outfit. From designer Alice + Olivia, this white shirtdress is decorated with a confection of small white hearts for a super sweet (and subtle) print. The dress looks completely white in the photo, but there is actually a nude lining underneath that gives it a slight beige tone, which really helps the white hearts stand out. Combined with the collar, it's a very feminine look that still works on any age.

Dress: Alice + Olivia White Heart Shirtdress

You can find the dress at Gilt or Nordstrom Rack in very select sizes only. The dress fits me perfectly at the waist, but gapes a little on the sides and is tight in the bust. It's a very odd fit, so I may need to have it altered. The top just isn't built for women with large chests, so I do find the buttons gaping at times. I've noticed this problem with other Alice + Olivia dresses only when buttons are involved.

Sandals: Jimmy Choo Nude Tallow Sandals

With white, you can really wear anything. I had my choice of shoes today, but decided on nude sandals for two reasons: to help elongate my legs a bit, and to match the nude undertone of the dress. I didn't want to detract from the print with a pair of blinding bright shoes in a red or blue, for example. Hopefully, the look works!

Working It

It's been such a crazy day: meetings, reports, analyses, spotty Internet at the office, no time to even eat lunch. I barely have time to update this blog!

Outfit Details

Dress: Karen Millen Graphic Signature Pencil Dress in Black and White (sold out)

I chose this dress for today's busy day since I needed a piece that was ultra professional -- but still chic and comfortable. The lines of this Karen Millen sheath dress are very simple and slimming, but the cut still shows off a woman's arms, bust and waist. It's the best of both worlds.

Shoes: Jimmy Choo Lang Sandals in Flame

These sandals are very popular, and while this particular color is no longer available, you can still find the Lang style in a variety of different options.

I like finishing off a black and white dress with some color, and red or orange is the perfect pop to a neutrally colored dress. (But, really, any color would work.)

As Seen On

You may have seen this dress on a recent season of Bones. Camille Saroyan, played by Tamara Taylor, wore it in a 2016 episode.

Photo via WornonTV.net

In Other News

I just finished reading, The Admissions, by Meg Mitchell Moore. The title is a play on words; while one character is applying early admission to Harvard, the other characters in this seemingly normal Northern California family are dealing with some (internal) admissions of their own. I became really immersed in this family, especially since there were three daughters just like my family.

I was utterly engrossed as the book follows Nora (the stressed working mom), Gabe (the businessman father), the two oldest sisters (Angela, 17, and Cecily, 10), and various other characters whose actions influence or shine a deeper light on the family's multi-faceted drama.

I highly recommend The Admissions if you're looking for some good fiction to lose yourself in. And while I was sad to see the book end, I also finished reading the last sentence and smiled. Let me assure you -- that's rare in my world.