Dress obsession of the day...

Oh, dear readers, is it possible to live without a nude jersey dress like this for spring and summer? At $645, the Tomas Maier Cross Strap Dress version is a little out of us workin' gals' reach, but it shall serve as inspiration for all of us, ok?

Things to love (and to look for when you buy yours): the so gorgeous blush/nude color, the drapey fabric and the feminine details that will look great on most any shape and flatter most any skin tone.

Check out net-a-porter.com for ways to accessorize it and thus, wear for any occasion and be the prettiest gal in the room! Cuff bracelet, great tote bag, gladiator sandals...the list goes on...

Lofts, teachers and a fab dress...

My college roommate and dear friend is the new fashion director for Ann Taylor LOFT!

Having been involved with several fashion ventures with designers, fashion magazines and her own jewelry business, she is certainly one of the most stylish, energetic and infectiously adventurous people I know. Now that she's bringing her fabulosity to Ann Taylor LOFT, you can be sure she'll take care of what your closet's been missing.

That said, check out one of Ann Taylor LOFT's newest styles - this super-versatile, flattering Eyelet Hem Dress. Not only can it be dressed up or down (essential for any self-respecting fashionista's wardrobe) and accessorized with belts, shoes, cami's, what-have-you, but it's also 100% cotton and washable (read: comfy!). Easily an all-season dress, it seems like a no-brainer, right?

Another thing I discovered while surfing around the website is this lovely program they sponsor named LOFT Loves Teachers. Dedicated to educators, members receive 15% off purchases, earn benefits for their classrooms, become part of an online community and support efforts to have a positive impact on education. Excellent!

Shoe obsession of the day...

Does it get more sweet than this? In a lovely turquoise, these little darlings are perfect for spring and summer. They'd go equally well with a pair of jeans as with a little skirt or dress, adding just the right pop of color that your outfits have been begging you for.

With a cork footbed and a tiny, 3/4" wedge heel, they are bound to be super-comfy without sacrificing style! By Bandolino, the Wesken Peep-Toe Wedge also comes in other colors, but why in the world would you want them when you can have them in this one?

At just $69, they're available online at Piperlime.com - free shipping and free returns ladies!

"SAG" and "Blue" are usually bad...

Unless it's at the 2009 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards! The best-dressed ladies at the SAG awards followed the same rules: on-trend rich blue, tailored fit, creative yet classic feminine shapes.

What's even better is that all of these gorgeous women just happen to be ridiculously talented actresses. It IS possible to have it all (but it helps if your name is Evan Rachel, Kate or Angelina). Sigh...

Sexy-Crafty with GiannyL...

So, if you're like me and you are interested in fashion and DIY, you may already know about Instructables.com, an excellent online community "where passionate people share what they do and how they do it, and learn from and collaborate with others." It's a great site for ideas and how-to's for anything from technology to music to crafts.

For myself, I love to to check out what people are up to in revamping and reconstructing old clothing - a great way to be original and to recycle at the same time!

One creative gal who always stands out is GiannyL from Paraguay, an impossibly bouncy and beautiful DIY'er who makes fun, quick videos of great projects that anyone can do. Her amazing skills range from making a bikini out of an old t-shirt to converting a tired, old sweater into a super-cute dress.

Watch this video of her making a t-shirt into a swimsuit cover-up - so easy! Now if I could just figure out how to look as good as she does in a bikini...

For more info on GiannyL, visit her Instructables page or her website, GiannyL.com and get sexy-crafty!

How To Make A Bikini Cover Up - video powered by Metacafe

Angel of Cool...

I first discovered Angel D'Amico when perusing Etsy.com for some interesting new finds to share with my fellow fashion junkies. Her etsy shop, AD Love, sells one-of-a-kind, hand dyed, hand screen-printed wearable works of art that are so urban-chic that you can't help but hear your own soundtrack in your head while you wear them. Plus, she prints on a lot of American Apparel basics - bonus!

D'Amico is a Chicago-based freelance illustrator and designer with a BFA in Visual Communications. She not only creates an incredibly wide range of artwork but also plays and composes music and designs/illustrates TrueStar Magazine, a magazine dedicated to keeping teens off the street with an after-school program that gives them real experience in the media field.

So, in other words, she's a pretty amazing, creative, one-woman army of cool. Find out more about her on her website.

Pssst! AD Love is having a $35 hoodie and sweatshirt sale only for January. I suggest you get your online shopping fingers tapping now...

Low on cash? No excuse for fashion!

After waxing poetic about custom clothing, designer brands and luxury labels, I realized that I would be remiss if I did not mention my old standbys. In other words, those shops that don't require you to take a second job or feel guilty about going shopping when you haven't paid your cell phone bill yet...

My favorite go-to stores for quick, cheap and trendy are, hands down, Forever 21 and American Apparel. While the dressing rooms may not be as nice, the staff may not be as helpful and you have to do a little more digging through the racks than pricier stores, their clothes give your wardrobe just enough punch to be able to keep lookin' pretty and maintain your stylish self.

Forever 21 always has its finger on the pulse of trendy, bringing the newest colors, accessories and shapes lightning-fast to the racks, all for so little dough it's almost astonishing. For example, the purple number above is a Forever 21 Pointelle Sweater Top that I forced a friend of mine to buy in a beautiful magenta and she can wear it to work and out for a martini, all for a mere $23 (plus the cost of a cosmo) [forever21.com].

Don't let American Apparel's name fool you...this is the most "Euro" store of all. Providing low-cost dudes', gals' and kids' basic clothing and accessories in millions of colors that can be combined and turned around in just as many ways, AA is a new favorite of mine. The quirky website has demo videos to show you how to turn one dress into 20 and a circle scarf into everything from a hood to a high-waist skirt. I have multiples of both the Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau Dress and the Cotton Spandex Jersey Strapless Ruched Bodysuit. So cute, versatile and comfortable [americanapparel.net]!

Each of these stores has its own, great website where you can buy direct if you're not close to a retail location. Plus, they each have a decidedly international feel to them - making YOU feel oh-so-with-it and NOT cheap FOR cheap. THAT'S worth a few fashion bucks, right?

Not ready for bikinis yet?

Neither am I. I have many more sets of tricep and lat lifts to do before I venture into that territory again. However, covering UP that bikini is something that you can think about now, right?

In that case, have you ever seen a more adorable and fashion-forward swimsuit wrap than Anthropologie's Crest and Fall Cover-Up? Exclusive to anthropologie.com and not available in stores, it's made of floaty cotton with a gauzy side-tie in a contrasting color. It's also better looking than most of the tired old sundresses or tube tops that are hanging out in my closet right now. Best of all, it comes in both the cobalt blue and also bright yellow that I mentioned would be tres chic for the spring and summer.

Now I just have to figure out what I will look like UNDER the darn thing...

A jumper? Yes, it can be cool...

The epitome of the sophisticated look I would like to create on a daily basis...

You must check out Anthropologie's Deller's Element Jumper - an over-the-top, super-chic ensemble of wide, high-waist linen pants and a ruffly cotton blouse that if it were to fit your body (most likely not mine), I would call myself not worthy. I am going to try it on at the store either way, so there!

One note ladies: Be sure to look at the jumper in the catalog picture on a model. However, best to leave the hat at home. Now THAT would be over the top.

Diane von Fabulousberg...

Dress obsession of the day! The Diane Von Furstenberg "Lanii" Wrap Dress in a camel fan print silk charmeuse.

This most excellent, very ladylike dress is so classic in that it's a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress but so ultra-modern with its graphic print and obi-style belt. Plus, I am in love with the sleeves.

It's 40% off at Bluefly.com and, while it is still pricey, it's something you can wear for many an occasion, it should be highly flattering and...oh, what am I justifying for? It's a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress! On sale! Seriously people!