Shower Ready

Wedding Shower that is.

I'm on the hunt for multiple dresses for this summer. I have two wedding showers and a rehearsal dinner for my brother's wedding.

I want sweet, feminine dresses that can do double duty in the future...I'm thinking anything I can throw a blazer over and wear to work. It shouldn't be that hard, right?

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Any recommendations?

Lady Like Dresses

The lady like look is quickly returning and soon to be everywhere! It's fun, flirty and still incredibly fashionable. Just ask Jackie O.

Spring is right around the corner (although it's snowing right now...) and it's time to focus on the next season ahead.

These dresses are charming, chic, and classic. (I'll ease up on the alliteration, yikes!)




1. Anthro Across the Land Dress
2. Anthro Gull Wing Dress
3. Mara Hoffman Picnic Dress
4. Tucker Smocked Collar Mini Dress
5. Shoshanna Beaded Neck Dress
6. Merona Shelby Dress
7. Merona Laura Dress

Will you be buying a lady like dress this Spring?

I know #1 and #2 are calling my name! and they're even better in person!!

Holiday Dresses UNDER $125

When I think about the Holidays I always think PARTIES! And more importantly, what to wear to these shindigs?!?

Sequins? Emerald Colors? Lace?

I always feel like I need a lot of different "looks" because the Holidays include a slew of events.

You've got your work parties. Dinner Parties with friends. Christmas or Hanukkah with the family. New Year's Eve with any and everyone!

That's a lot of dresses. A lot of events. A lot of $

Here are 12 dresses I could see myself wearing this Holiday season. All without breaking the bank :) Why buy one when you can buy five? ha!

For your more casual events, when you want to look chic but still comfortable:


1. Gap Cowl Neck Sweater Dress $78
2. J.Crew Blakely Dress $118
3. Anthropologie's Rugged Carats Dress $118

I'd wear #3 on Christmas with my Family.


For your Work events. Sophisticated, festive, and pretty!


1. Calvin Klein Pearl Trim Sheath Dress $118
2. Taylor Pleat Trim Stretch Satin Shift Dress $98.90 (on sale)
3. Banana Republic Silk Betty Layered Dress $110

I'd wear #3 w/ a cardigan for my work party.

For your more laid back New Year's Plans. Fun, Bold, Flirty.

1. Charlie Jade 'Marie' Silk Dress $98
2. Free People 'Tea for Two' Lace Trim Dress $98
3. Charlie Jade 'Yuki' Dress $108

#1 for me. Love that color!

For your PARTAY New Year's Plans. Glitz. Glam. Fun!!

1. Calvin Klein Sequin Tank Dress $98
2. Maggie London Side Bow Stretch Sheath $98
3. Suzi Chin Paillette Sheath $87.90 (on sale)

#1 just screams fun to me!

What kind of outfits do you wear for all your Holiday parties? I love all the dresses here, but let me just say that finding a dress under $125 is quite the challenge...

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Tomorrow is one of my oldest friend's wedding. We've come a long way since rollerblading and Ouija boards!!

I've got the dress and now I just need to decide what shoes to wear. Which is where I need your help. Wedding is Friday at 4. So leave me a comment and let me know :) And you know what's the funniest thing about this wedding? I've been thinking, I gotta work out this week and watch what I eat so I look good. Umm hamburgers, fries, no gym. Way to go!

Here are the shoes I'm deciding on. Except the back row top right...those are out.

Front and Side views. Thoughts?!?! You'll have to click on the picture to enlarge it and get a better look. Oh and I hate my legs, blah.

I'm getting my make-up done at MAC and can't quite figure out what "look" I'm going for. I plan on doing a loose, messy bun for my hair. I got my nails done tonight and although I don't like to be matchy matchy I did get OPI's Russian Navy on both my fingers and toes. I figured the mani won't last and I'll still want it on my toes ;) Who knew this much work went into prepping for weddings? I don't get this glammed up for every wedding, but I really wanted great make-up so my pictures would stand out!

Here's the necklace I think I'm going to wear....I can also make it into a belt but now I'm feeling it AS a necklace.


I hope the dress doesn't come off too booby...ugh, sometimes I hate these things!

Also...the dress comes with straps. What are your thoughts?? I don't know if it adds anything.

So please help me with any thoughts, comments, recommendations!! I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend and hopefully you have Monday off too!

Am I MacGyver? DIY Necklace into a Belt

So only a couple hours ago I blogged about my dress dilemma. This resulted in me standing in front of my closet for about 45 minutes just staring. And then over at my jewelry. Then shoes. Then bags. I mean, this was a dilemma! and an incredible use of my time. riiiight.

And then I started playing with the necklaces I bought and seeing which one looked the best. I wasn't sure if the necklace was laying right. Or maybe I was just being crazy picky.

So I was holding the necklace and it hit me. BAM! This necklace would look so chic as a belt. But how? It's an odd looking clasp because it's a fold over clasp so there is room on both sides for something to be looped through it.

I grabbed a black satin sash/belt thing I bought years ago and looped it through the clasps. I tied it in the back and Ta-Da!

Now, I'm not Project Runway bound, but I was so impressed with myself!


And since I'm so desperate for it to be Fall in Chicago and NOT high 80 degrees. I made Paula Deen's Pumpkin Bars yesterday. OHHHHHMYGOD. So good. I mean, it's Paula. Come on, you know it's good. I kept the cream cheese frosting separate so if I want it, I could spread it on. If not, I could eat the pumpkin bar for breakfast, you know, so it's healthy haha who am I kidding ;)

Some of you asked how I did it so here are a few pics to show you. Just the side of the necklace/belt, how I tied it in the back, and what the necklace clasp actually looks like!

I'm Having a Dress Dilemma

I need a dress for a wedding in October. It's formal, but not black tie, and I swear I can't find anything.

I've debated doing Rent the Runway but then that's kind of like throwing out your money.

I bought this dress in a rich navy color. But now I just don't know. I want to be able to wear one of these fun necklaces I bought the other week.


Is it too boring? Sometimes I hate dress shopping. And of course all the ones I fall in love with are $$$$.

And I kind of want to wear these shoes not with the blue dress but maybe with a different dress...just because I'm feeling the animal prints now and it's a fun way to spice up a dress. Plus they're so darn comfortable. They're Stuart Weitzman and I've actually decided almost all of his shoes are comfortable.

Confession: one day I took pictures of all my shoes to put on the outside of the shoe boxes. I know, I know. OCD.

Any recommendations for stores that currently have great fall cocktail dresses?? And come back tomorrow, it's time for another Freebie Friday!