HOL-I-DAY! Part 3: Quick, Less Expensive Dresses

Hey we don't always want to shell out the dough for that last minute invite or the "closet emergency" so here are much, much more pocket-friendly dress options. Enjoy!




Cheaper Alternatives

A. Fitz Couture, $48
http://tinyurl.com/2pyrbb

B. Kool Hearts, $20
http://tinyurl.com/2jfozv

C. Fitz Couture, $22.80
http://tinyurl.com/2v4gxo

D. Newport News, $69
http://tinyurl.com/22jp3q

E. Newport News, $35
http://tinyurl.com/2oehum

F. Newport News, $39
http://tinyurl.com/2mzhqo

HOL-I-DAY Pt 2: Short Sleeve Stunners

Okay, here are some cute short-sleeved options. You know with all the dancing and drinking (of eggnog of course) that you're going to be doing sometimes it's best to have layers to remove. Happy, Happy!

A. Maggy London, $98
Http://Tinyurl.Com/Yre3hf

B. Eliza J, $118
Http://Tinyurl.Com/Yv9p47

C. Maggy London, $128
Http://Tinyurl.Com/2hk4yy

D. Maggy London, $148
Http://Tinyurl.Com/Yur8jo

E. Adrianna Papell, $196
Http://Tinyurl.Com/239qdo

F. Phoebe Couture, $268
Http://Tinyurl.Com/2b4ow4

G. Bcbg Max Azria, $107.98
Http://Tinyurl.Com/Ytkekp

H. Pheobe Couture, $270
Http://Tinyurl.Com/Ywwmk2

I. London Times, $81.75
Http://Tinyurl.Com/2vbr8u

HOL-I-DAY!

So the holiday parties are all around. I just went to one this wkend and had a ball. It was hard to find long sleeved options surprisingly. But I did well with a cute shrug.

Anyways, here are a few long-sleeved options for dressing up. I'll be doing these all week. Yeah I've just been inspired to come back.

Morgan McFeeters, $128
http://tinyurl.com/ysf4sy

JS Collections, $206
http://tinyurl.com/24gpm8

ECI, $178
http://tinyurl.com/yqfcvo

D. Donna Ricco, $158
http://tinyurl.com/2a54ae

E. Maggy London, $138
http://tinyurl.com/2aajs8

F. Michael Kors, $95.24
http://tinyurl.com/395n32

I'm In Love With Mary Jane

This is my most favorite time of the year. I cannot wait to pull out my tights and these mary janes are calling my name. All from Lord And Taylor online...who just sent me a "We Miss You" coupon. Lol.

Two Chicas That I Love

I'm In Love With Maggy

Maggy London, son. This label is on 3 out of 4 of my Go To Dresses. These are dresses that look good on my when I'm fluctuating btwn 3 sizes, when I'm in a rush, and can be dresses up or down. If I'm packing, one of these dresses goes in the satchel. If I cant find anything to wear, I'm wearing one of these dresses. If I need to buy something in a rush without trying anything on, I look for Maggy London. The styles I have are classic and have lasted me for more than a few years without dating themselves. I wear them to brunch with flip flops, to work and church with heels, to weddings with glistening accessories- I can take them anywhere.

I don't know the history of this label but they do know how to accentuate a woman's body...especially if you are smaller on the top than you are on the bottom. Most of her dresses do the cinch or empire waist, fit very well and look great. I also have a Cynthia Howie dress in my Go To Collection but I think this is a fluke cuz everything else I see is for lil old ladies (NTTAWWT). Anyways, if you're in your favorite department store and cant find *ANYTHING* go on and try one on for size.

A. This is the style most similar to what my dresses look like.

http://tinyurl.com/356ctj

B. I can really see myself in this one. You can dress this up and down for sure.

http://tinyurl.com/2pfvgh

C. This may be my favorite. I can throw this on to hang out for the day with some flip flops and go many many places and with a change of shoes (I'm thinking silver and high) be ready to party.

http://tinyurl.com/38otwa

D. I am so in love with this sweet, simple dress. Someone buy it! I'm too clumsy for white.

http://tinyurl.com/3yf67a

PS. I have seen at least two of these cheaper on Amazon but their pics arent as great. And here's a cute lil graphic, trapeze dress for 60 bucks: http://tinyurl.com/2n58dn. The model for this isn't the best but dont let that stop you from rocking this.

Dresses of the Week/Month

Yeah, so it's taken me awhile to update. Do know though that I've been in these streets promoting my dressdressdress agenda. It's really been all about wrap dresses and low-heeled sling backs for work and flip flops for play. In a bad-packing emergency I did not have a wrinkle-free item to pull out of a hastily-filled suitcase so I had to purchase something on the fly. Yeah, I know...I'm not supposed to be shopping. I had to though! Lol. Anyways, I purchased a dress similar to the B option shown below. The fabric is a patterned olive green and it really has a great fit and does great things to accent waists and breasts. I do recommend y'all pick one up. I got a great deal at Macy's. And I got compliments on my ensemble all night in each random venue I ended up in- including an open bar fundraiser, "upscale" chain restaurant, underground hip hop bar, and train station.

Back to the topic though: here are a few dresses that caught my eye this month and where you can pick em up listed below. Enjoy!

A- Anne Dress - $120, Mignonette at http://www.shootoutthestars.com/anne.html
B- Matte Jersey Dress - $93, Nine West at http://tinyurl.com/22ounp
C- Jersey Trapeze Dress - $340, Development at http://tinyurl.com/3d37sk
D- Nefe Dress - $130, Mignonette at http://www.shootoutthestars.com/bluewhitedress.jpg
E- Burnout-Leaf Empire Dress - $130, Maggy London at http://tinyurl.com/3763k3
F- Denise Silk Wrap Dress - $141, Calypso at http://tinyurl.com/2pe6z9

And a word about Mignonette because I had the privilege of seeing their work at a fashion show/shopping party. LOVE IT! Small, indy designer with beautifully, handmade dresses. Be sure to check them out.

Oh and does anyone know what happened with GIRLSHOP??????????????????

oh my achy arches!

Not me, but maybe you. I've been wearing the hell out of my Naturalizer shoes lately and my arches and pads feel great. I have also found some very cute flats but I will save that for another day. Naturalizers and Aerosoles have some great styles and they are not your granny's shoes of yesteryear. They look stylish and cute. You guys should also know about those Cole Haan Airs I'm sure. Take a look though at some of the latest comfy cuties that I've seen.

You better work, girl!

There is nothing bad anyone can say about this. If I was bolder and had time to fiddle with my hair, I'd run and get this hair cut right now.

It's Been A Long Time

I shouldn't have left you. Sorry, darlings...it's been a blur of birthdays, holidays, shea butter, and home improvement. I'm back though...just in time! Fall and Spring are my most favorite seasons because I can mix and match all of my favorite things. For the last two weeks I've been wearing dresses and boots and I'm very, very happy. It's chilly enough to get those last wears of boots that didn't get their chance to walk on the promenade this winter. I put away my heaviest winter coats and am now into the Spring coats. The jackets too for a bit but it's kind of cold now so coats it is. I'm trying to play with color a bit because it's definitely been all about black this winter. I've matched up my cute collarless red swing coat with a bright pink scarf. It's quite the combo! You won't miss me dashing down the street.

But yes, today I have on one of my Target finds...a wrinkle-free faux wrap dress that I must go back and get in all of the other colors....lol. Just kidding! Target has really stepped up the dress game this year as three styles really caught my eye. I already saw one on Easter Sunday believe it or not. It really is that cute. So stroll on down and check out these cute frocks while your picking up batteries, juice, and cleaning supplies. You won't be sorry. The best part is none of these cost more than $28.

Dress I'm wearing today

Already seen on Easter Sunday. Best worn with the belt worn reversed, not as shown.

Perfect Urban Audrey cap-sleeved dress

can i kick it?

I need some kicks ((sneakers, tennis shoes, whatever)). I am finding *nothing*. I went out to help a friend find jeans yesterday and realized that I wasnt excited about my casual footwear choices. I have mostly pumas and adidas. Well that's all I have...lol. I even have the first pair of sneakers I ever bought for myself...from 1993 some bl/wh shell toes. I love them so! And considering the fact that I dont wear socks much...they smell great. Haha! Here are the tolerable sneaker choices that I've seen. If yall have any other suggestions, let me know.

Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Ultimate 81 ((saw these in like 4 other color combos))

Keds Greta ((man, classic Keds I once wore them sockless with rolled tight jeans...lol))

Puma E NYC 1975 S ((technically for guys))

Puma LAB II

Two Coats ((I Can't Resist))

I'm going to have to put my beloved Oscar coat in the cleaners thanks to this wack ice storm that hit my hood. All kindsa salt and snow dust all over my baby!! So...I was looking at coats for you know, inspiration becuz I am on shopping restriction :0). But uhm I do not have a brown coat...I don't think. ((who am I kidding??))

Anyways, these two lovelies are almost enough to make me plunk down some duckets, man. VERY VERY CUTE!!!!! They are from Soia and Kyo and luckily sold out on their webiste but you can check where these lovelies can be purchased in store here: http://www.soiakyo.com/en.php.

Let me know if you got one.

Fall Fashion Week Redux (very brief)

Okay, I've been meaning to do this for the past week but I keep leaving my lil notes at home and anyone who knows me knows I have *HORRIBLE* memory. No really, it's bad. So I will just give you my quick thoughts on what Fall 07 has to offer us.

Get yourself some tights. Every collection had opaque tights in them. Grey was the most popular color, then black, then some splashes of color and a some bold patterns.

The most popular color had to be grey and all its cousins...like steel, granite, pewter, and on and on. Alot of black and neutrals (stone colors)....but for actual color there were purples and then I saw some greens.

I still saw alot of belting, so dont throw your belts away just yet. While they are prolly not overpriced yet pick up some long gloves immediately.

There were *ALOT* of dresses and skirts which meant I was in heaven. Cute shift dresses but everything was extremely lady-like and flattering to all figures. Again, heaven for the kid. And the coats????? OH OH OH! Like I need another coat...lol.

Of course the 40s were the big buzz time period and say goodbye to your skinny jeans and stock up on wide-legged pants. I'll be back with more later, man.

Tracy Reese Fall 2007

So, yes it's Fashion Week. Three shows I'm always dying to see are: Tracy Reese, Cynthia Steffe, and DVF. I love everything about Tracy, who she is *and* her clothes...usually. Didn't totally dig this year's show. I do love the dotted tights and bold striped tights she had with her looks. The styling was great. I just didn't get the same excitement. She did say she streamlined this year and I can see that.

Anyways, listening to her interview I could totally related to her and her story is very inspirational if none of you know it...read about it. Her "Behind The Label" interview plays in my mind alot. This is her second try at her own business.

I'll leave you with my favorite piece from the show. Y'all know I'm addicted to coats.

Oh and this is the most important picture from the show! Two of my favorite girlies together! Plus Tracy's dress was the best piece in the show...lol.

Wild Women Wear Red

So, it's National Wear Red Day! Are you wearing red? It's to show support for women's heart disease awareness. It's also the first day of FASHION WEEK!!!! In honor of both, I leave you this:

Lord And Taylor ((LNT from here on out)), $149

Sock It To Me

Yes, I'm infatuated with the cold right now...how can I not be! Anyways, it's time to put these trouser socks to rest as my tootsies are like icicles right now. Here are some cute yet warm socks to inspire us all.

from smartwool.com

from patagonia.com

from rei.com

Casually Cute?

Well I just bought a new pair of wonderful flat knee high black boots and looked through my closet and saw that I really didn't have a casual winter dress to wear with it. ((Okay, yeah I do but uhm I like new things/new outfits)). I'm on shopping restriction so I cannot indulge but this is the perfect way to be "casually cute." It's thermal/waffle weave so it's not necessarily dressy. It can be worn alone, with jeans, with leggings (ugh), with boots and tights, with heels, wedges, whatever. It's versatile. It's from Fitz Couture an online boutique so have at it...it's only $45!

For Cold Girls Who Considered Suicide When A Fly Scarf Is Not Enough

yeah, so last night standing outside trying to get into a horribly organized show i pondered how truly possible is it to be cute *and* freezing cold. try these lookers from girlshop and shophysteria.

*Sidenote: the hats are different. They were linked to Girlshop which has shut down. :0( Anyways, look for Hat Attack, Anna Kula, and Candela NYC.

Is it Spring yet?

Allow me to just take a moment to think forward for a minute. As I de-iced my car this morning I could not help but think of Spring........

Cynthia Steffe SP07