Dots & Stripes Forever

Happy Memorial Day, ladies! Aside from the (hopefully) physical and mental recharge we are all partaking in these past few days, let's also spend a few moments and remember the real reason we celebrate this day - to commemorate all the US service members who have fallen while in military service.

I've had a great long weekend of eating, cooking, park-ing, lounging and generally being a lazy loaf - it's been awesome. So it should come as no surprise that with the great summer-y weather, I've spent my days in general absolute casual-ness:

 

Top: H&M stripe (worn here before - similar here, modern here)
Skirt: UO Cooperative monaco
Shoes: Keds spright wedge (worn here before - similar here, here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here before - similar here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff trompe l'oeil mac

 

Top: J. Crew factory multi-stripe pullover
Shorts: Banana Republic (similar here)
Shoes: Mossimo by Target wakana (worn here before - similar here)

 

Hat: Christy's & Co. (big enough to fit my giant noggin! - similar here, here)
Top: J. Crew max & molly gallery (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy pleated (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: DVF lush flip flops (worn here before)

 

Top: F21extended hem dot (worn here before - similar solid here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy chambray tie-belt
Shoes: Sofft woven thongs (similar luxe here, reg here)

What have you gals all been up to? Have any of your partaked in some awesome sales, or other grand (there are no small) adventures?

What Do I Spy?

DVF inspires a DIY. I was trolling around shopbop.com the other day perusing the new shoes that are trickling in for Spring 2011 when I came across these.

Diane Von Furstenberg - Eva

The Eva scarf tie platform sandal will set you back a whopping $275 but why blow almost $300 when all it takes to transform a pair of shoes you already own is a length of satin ribbon. And I've got just the pair I'm going to DIY. Now all I've got to do is find the matching ribbon. To the fabric store I go.

Checkered Floral

Ugh, I think my hair is officially getting to gnat's nest stage, which means I'm a few weeks overdue for a hair cut. How is it my hair can go from "great cut and color" to "what the-?!" seemingly overnight?

I usually hate to go to the salon because sitting in a chair making small talk for two hours is booooring, plus I feel guilty because recently I've been "cheating" on my stylist with another stylist from the same salon. So yes, I do plan my appointments on the days when my original stylist is off so I can see the new gal. I feel bad because my original stylist and I had kind of bonded - I know all about her family and goings on, and we always catch each other up when we see each other ... but let's face it, the other stylist does better hair. Is there some sort of salon etiquette for changing stylists?

Anyway, here's my today (yes, I wore almost the exact same outfit before):

Shirt: Lands' End Canvas poplin gingham (worn here, here and here before)

Skirt: Ann Taylor (worn here before)

Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny

Shoes: Sofft Giovanna

Here was me all casual'd out for some weekend shopping. Can you believe I didn't buy anything at the mall? OK, I did go home and order the Brief Meeting blazer online - what am I going to do once free shipping at Anthro ends?! (I seriously refuse to pay shipping for anything clothing-related. I know I'm weird, but it bugs me out!)

Top J. Crew Island paisley perfect (worn here before)

Shorts: Banana Republic cotton chino

Shoes: DVF Lush flip flops

Bag: J. Crew quilted tote

And below was my dress for date night out with the BF over the weekend. I had already made a mental note that this dress is a wee too short for work - well, I have added another note that it may be a wee too short for cocktails too, especially after cocktails! 

Dress: Forever 21 silk solid flora (worn here before)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Swim n Fool (worn here before)

Hello Saturday

Hi ladies, I'm finally home! So I'll be back to our regularly-scheduled programming again shortly.

I did have a bunch of lovely packages waiting for me when I got home, including my much-anticipated Cartonnier Hello Sunday blazer from Anthro.

The jacket is a heavy knit that is lined in the body but not the sleeves. It has light shoulder pads for shape and hook and eye closures down the front. I have the Flipside blazer also from Cartonnier in a XS, but purchased the Hello Sunday in a S, which was a good idea. The sleeves are slim, and though they are comfy for me, the knit doesn't have much stretch so this isn't a blazer where you'll be pushing or rolling up the sleeves on.

Sleeves aside, I am so keeping this jacket. I love LOVE the look and the overall fit. This is definitely something that can be super-casual or dressed up for work.

Unfortunately it was another hot day in the city, so for my OOTD, I opted sans jacket:

Top: J. Crew graphic milliner tee (worn here before)

Skirt: NY & Company abstract print (worn here and here before)

Belt: J. Crew skinny metallic

Sandals: Franco Sarto (worn here and here before)

I also got in my DVF Lush flip flops and think they are keepers. I wanted something as casual and comfy as a reg flip flop, but with a little more pizazz.

The Indigo by Clarks Finch wedges in steel blue leather, however, are going back. The fit and feel are just the same as my tan ones, but the color makes the sandals look clunky. Boo.

BTW, I cut up some fresh jalapenos to go with burgers for dinner. Now everything on my skin that my fingers touch end up on fire. Hope you all are having a better weekend than I am right now.  :o}

Why I Heart Facebook

I have to admit I am loving how companies are really starting to utilize social media as a marketing tool. Without it I wouldn't have learned these two things.

Number 1

Be sure to become a Facebook fan of shoes.com and be entered for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate to their website. Click here to go straight to their page. Then, once you win, you can score yourself a pair of

these

or these

Number 2

DVF happened to post these on their wall and while I'm sure my pocketbook won't be thanking me for this little discovery, I'm not sure I really care. They are that stunning.

DVF - Opal Wedge

That architectural , sculpted wedge makes my mouth water. Thick leather straps balance out the aesthetic so nicely. Let the penny pinching commence. These babies need to be mine.

Evil Genius

I love this woman. My closet currently boasts three of her dresses and I am slowly working my way up to number 4. Diane Von Furstenberg is truly an icon. This is a woman who knows women. Recently she has started a foray into shoes and the hubs was kind enough to forward me an email he received from Zappos spotlighting some of DVF's newest designs and these immediately caught my eye.

Diane Von Furstenberg - Alexandria

What's not to love? You've got cut outs, a peep toe, and gorgeous ultra luxurious suede (Seriously does that not just look like buttah?). Add to that the dark yet luminous inky hue and I am all but sold. Plus with DVF you know you'll get a quality product for the price. Simply perfect.

Meet Sanaa!

Thanks to Love Maegan's blog, I found a new website. Looklet.com allows you to basically play dress up without ever leaving your bed!

So, since I am poor and have no business shopping, this is the next best thing. So from time to time, I will post a few of my creations. This is very in tune with being a professional stylist, which I would love to do if someone was totally not affected by the economy and could afford to pay someone like me to shop for them and have complete control over their look....wishful thinking, I know!

At any rate, here is my first attempt at Playing Dress up. Of course I chose a beautiful model to represent for me.

This first look is totally me! First of all, wasn't I just saying that I wanted a 70's caftan in this post? Yes I did. I even included a clip of Diana Ross cussing out Billy Dee Williams in a caftan. I just said it, remember?

Well, MY model...Sanaa (I totally gave her that name) is rocking the ultimate Caftan by none other than DVF...that's Diane Von Furstenberg. You know her, she is the one that introduced the WRAP dress in the 70's and has been on my wishlist for about 10 years now.

I love her. Even my fiance' could answer the following trivia question. "What designer's dress would your "intended" slice a throat for?" He would know to answer "A Diane Von Furstenberg" Dress. Trust me, he knows it.

At any rate, Sanaa...my imaginary personal muse/model/only black model I could choose on Looklet.com is wearing a Caftan by Diane Von Furstenberg! It's totally Diana Ross in Mahogany which is totally me:)

I got to add everything, the shoes, jewelry, clutch. Doesn't she look fly? If I owned this outfit, I would totally wear it to my bridal shower or engagmeent party or a night out in Morocco, heck even Baskin Robbins or even church...well, a church that was held in a club. lol (No Judgement here:)

So, I present to you my very first Looklet piece, I present to you Sanaa on her way to a dinner party. I would probably wear a little tank under if it were on my body because I don't want any trouble on the streets, but Sanaa lives in a perfect world! lol

This is so fun and total waste of downtime, but fun nonetheless.

What do you think of Sanaa? She'll be back, so get to know her. She is my new best friend:)

(this dress is totally appropriate to get for a birthday gift for those of us born in September...just saying)

Click here to see my official Looklet:)

*Update...it's two hours later and I am still playing dress up. Here is Sanaa meeting her friends for brunch...on the wrong side of town!! Love the necklace!

DVF - A Love Affair

I received my daily email from Shop It To Me today. If you are not already familiar with Shop It To Me the website claims you can think of it as your very own personal shopper. You sign up, choose your favorite designers and then Shop It To Me will send you a daily or weekly email featuring the latest sales for all of your faves. Anyhoo I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this but I love (adore) DVF. That's Diane Von Furstenberg for those of you not "in the know". Today's email featured tons of gorgeous designs by DVF for crazy discount prices and well... I simply couldn't resist. Ladies. Meet my newest DVF. The best part. She was only $109.50!!!!

Catalina Dress

Don't you think she'll look adorable with the Theory wedges I recently purchased from Gilt (they shipped today BTW... so excited)?

And speaking of shipping today. I received an email in my inbox at 6:23 with the tracking information for my DVF dress. Seriously???? I just placed the order this afternoon!!! That DVF. She does something, and she does it right. I love her even more now!