Making a Recommendation

Let me give you a recommendation...

If you're around 5'4" get this Zara Fitted Checked Dress.

It hits you at the perfect point just below the knee, has great quality fabric and details (for only $99) and looks great in a 1960s kind of way.

I paired it with deep red Blahnik BB heels for a wiggly vibe.

Get it while you can!

Adore-able! Sally Hansen Nail Effects for Spring '12

Sally Hansen... you keep doing it so right!

Not only was Valentine's Day heart-filled and sweet, but you've totally hit the mark for Spring.  I mean, how much more perfect could these be for a "Pastel Ice Cream Sundae" spring theme??? I really need every single one of them... okay, maybe two of each!

Seriously!  How cute are these?  I got the ones below and am just missing Not A Peep! (a must have I will need to track down).  I may need to get another Pink-a-Dot too.  

I found mine at Ulta but usually CVS has them too.  Keep an eye out and grab them when you can!

Images via Nouveau Cheap (top 4), Mine

Ensemble du Jour: 11-16-10

Hey look!  I'm feeling better so I actually took a picture with my face it in.  Oh, yeah.  hello new hair!

I just used my camera phone so I didn't get a shot of the full outfit, but basically I've been wearing my new Gap black pants like every other day, so whatevs.

The cardigan is a Merona one with a black cami underneath.  The pants, as I mentioned were Gap and the necklaces are both from JCrew. For shoes, I wore my YSL Tribute peep-toes.

But the scarf was the focal point.  I received this pretty thing in the mail yesterday and wanted to wear it right away.   Admittedly I was a bit nervous about it when I first opened the package and felt it.  The maker is Fraas and they had called this new "Cashmink" link.  I typically would not promote cashmere or fur of any kind but then I read further to see that this was made of a new exclusive acrylic that is 20% finer than cashmere.  This scarf is amazingly soft and warm. And the color is very vibrant.

I am a big scarf fan. I think have at least 15 - 20 in various colors and levels of casual to fancy.  I have a bunch of solids that I wear when traveling.  I have the ones I keep in my coat to match my coat.  I have fun knitted ones that are super long.  I love this purple plaid but after being seduced by it's snuggly-softness I think I want more.  Fraas has lots of solid colors (maybe the light pink and the ivory) but I love the other plaids and patterns too. 

There less than $30, so you'll probably be seeing me wearing more of these around.

Ensemble du Jour

Well, due to the fact that it gets dark at 5 o'clock and it's also cold as heck out, I've found it very difficult to take outfit pictures.

Oh, yeah, and my regular p&s camera stinks.

I'm on the lookout for new equipment, but in the mean time, I forced the hubby to take a week's worth of pictures in the afternoon on Sunday. My neighbors must think I'm crazy because I did four outfit changes and stood in the driveway in the cold taking the shots.



On Monday the 4th, the first day back at work, I wore a cute cardigan and skirt by Pink Tartan that I got on major sale from Saks. The only thing is, they're too big. But luckily, I have new seamstress who is going to help me fix a bunch of clothes that I need to adjust, plus work with me to make some new custom ideas I have.

Yeah!



Yeah, the sweater is much too bug but it's cute and cozy and I can layer it open like a jacket.



The plaid skirt is a tulip shape which can be a bit tricky but I like it.




I paired the two with a black camisole, tights and patent mary janes, all from Target.

It was a cozy start to another year!

Ensemble du Jour

This was the outfit I was going to wear last Saturday but it was too rainy to risk it with my new shoes.



I even debated wearing plaid tights (a much smaller plaid) but thought that might look a bit crazy... at least for my office.

It was still chilly out but not too bad.

Cardigan: Field of Flowers from Anthropologie

Cardi: Target

Skirt: JCrew

Tights: ???

Shoes: Chanel Fall 2008 via Ebay

I think I need to get a detail shot of this cardian because it has some great elements. Big carved buttons that are actually snaps and ribbon cut ends to the heathered grey trim. I've had this for about 5+ years now. That is one of the good things about the pieces from Anthropologie. They're so unique yet classic. Sadly they are typically pricey too unless you get them marked down on sale, which is what I usually wait for.

Ensemble du Jour

So far I've worn two of my new ModCloth dresses and I have to say, I'm a fan. They are well priced and fit well and are just the type of style I like... a classic shape with fun details.

I did wear the polka-dot dress to work (I should have taken a picture, I know!) since it is longer gut I might wear the others more as weekend and going out type dresses. Mostly because I like flirty-ing them up.

We went out for a later lunch today and so I wore the red plaid dress and the mini-boater I made with this dress in mind.



I got a few quizzical looks, since flip flops are more the style than dresses and mini-hats around here, but I didn't mind. These are too fun to wear to worry about getting stares. I paired it with a black cardigan from Target and Nine West strappy sandals.



Here's a bit closer....



In the garden...



I'm very happy with my little hat experiment too. I think I'm going to have to make more. Anyone else want one???

Greener Pastures

It hasn't been that long since Isaac Mizrahi left us bereft at Target and moved on to new adventures at Liz Claiborne.

I for one was skeptical. I mean, wasn't Liz Claiborne the brand that was known for the bad taupe purses in the 80s. Right?

In spite of that Mizrahi has moved right in and brought his frothy pink and retro girly designs to life. The elements I loved at Target are now being made with nicer materials to go with the slightly higher price point.

I'm pretty cheap about clothes but I did buy a few of his new pieces via the online store.

First up was this silk shirtdress in a watercolor floral pattern.








I love the colors and pattern so much, I got the silk and knit cardigan as well.

But what I really liked were all of the great skirts on the site. This plaid pleated skirt came in pink and the grey. I'm going to wear this a lot over the summer with a grey tee and silver heels, but can pair it with darker grey or black tights in the winter too.

But why not get the pleated skirt in pink too, since I love pink? Well, I saw this and knew there was no competition. I had to have this gingham dirndle skirt. This skirt is amazing in person. The top layer is a watercolor gingham plain on whisper thin silk. Under that is a layer of tulle and then a stiffer liner that gives the skirt a frothy full shape. I twisted and swished and twirled around in it all day. It has such a 50s-ish feel, I just want to slip on a knit top or cardigan and dance.

I'm so excited that, even though he's gone from Target, Isaac is still out there making clothes that I can buy. I may not be able to get them as often but I hope they continue to be as fun as these.

Ensemble du Jour

So even though I have a crummy camera, don't think I'm photogenic at all and am too embarrassed to ask someone to take better pics of me, I'm doing a real live here I am in the outfit post. Disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer.

Anyway.

On Wednesday, I was getting ready for work and I opened up my armoire. I had on green and thought "maybe I should wear my cute boater." But then I didn't. Why? Because I thought people would think I was a bit silly for wearing my hat.

WTF???

Well, that meant I had to wear one of my new vintage hat finds from the weekend. I have big plans for the hot pink fascinator, so that will have to wait until NYC (TWO WEEKS!!!) but I could wear the other one. A really neat pilbox-y brown hat with a big feather poof!

The outfit was the almost retro-looking plaid jacket and skirt from Target. I paired that with a Proenza Schouler for Target brown camisole. Here it is sans hat:



And with hat:



This hat is a bit silly but I love love love it!

It's it great condition and just fun.

I do need to fix the ribbon that goes around the peak but other than that it is perfect.

For shoes I wore this great pair of Enzo Angiolini peep-toes. They are suede and a sort of lace material.

Just a lovely girly shoe that fits great, is comfortable and, with the peep-toe and bow, adds to the retro vibe.

A perfect example of what I love - classic shape with a unique twist.

Oh, I also took today, Friday off, and got my hair cut. I cut a lot off the length and look! Bangs!

I think this weekend is going to be Seasonal Swap weekend. I'm sure that means I will be totally sick of half of what I own and realize I have nothing to wear with the other half. It is dangerous to do this right before going to NYC. I will have to ensure I don't blow all my money while I'm up there.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit

Today's outfit is part of my Fall mix and match separates. I bought the plaid skirt and jacket and then some knit tops. I've already worn this skirt with the jacket but I like the creme top with it too.

One of the reasons I wanted to get this top was to get more use out of a few pairs of creme heels that I have.


10-29-08 by Princess Poochie

For jewelry, I just bough this lovely delicate necklace from a friend who makes jewelry. Isn't it darling? Little pearl charms that slide along the chain.



The Focal Point

But what I wanted to wear were my glittery cream peep-toe heels.

There are lots of dressy glittery shoes but most of the time they are red or silver or black. These are a creamy light gold satin and glitter.

Lush, puffy bows!

And a great curvy heel.

I bought these Nina Melia heels were bought at Zappos a while back. They also came in a great brown and a deep black - which you can still get on Amazon.