Right Said Red...

Oh my goodness I heart this dress. I am so hoping that it looks as good on as it does online, because I am in dire need of a red dress, now that summer may actually be around the corner. This one is Forever 21's Flutter Chiffon Dress, for...yes, I'll say it...$22.80!

However, girls, there is a very, very, fine fashion line between "beauty" and "booty" when it comes to pulling off lipstick red! The dress must be well-tailored, at a moderate length and cleavage level and in a fabric that does not cling, shine or sparkle (no being mistaken for a streetwalker here). Also, shoes should be neutral (I like gold or nude myself) - NOT black...unless you want to look straight out of 1987 (if you're going for that, excellent).

And please, please keep your hair natural and makeup minimal. With a color so bold, your outfit does not need competition from the rest of your lovely self...

Find your own soon because the little black dress can quickly become the little BORING dress, am I right? Show your fashion chops and BE the Lady in Red this summer!

It's Definitely Tea Time...

...when you shop at Sarah Seven!

An independent designer out of Portland, OR, Sarah makes fabulously feminine, one-of-a-kind clothing that is seriously TO DIE FOR. An inspiration to my own fledgling seamstress efforts, her work has a floaty, ethereal feel to it yet manages to have wonderful fit and structure.

I myself ordered the Tea Top (a beautiful pink silk chiffon corset top that makes me feel like a ballerina and the Crumpets Skirt (the most beautiful, ultra high-waisted wool gabardine skirt). Her custom creations fit like a glove and are so uber-flattering that you can't help but feel like a lady in them!

On top of it all, Sarah is so friendly and responsive in her online conversation that working with her is a dream.

Go visit her shop on etsy right now.
You'll be singing "I Feel Pretty" before you know it!

To jumpsuit or not to jumpsuit...

I say it's a YES.

Whether it's halter or strapless, pants or shorts, I think it's a lovely, sexy, feminine look with a retro, 70's-ish feel. Instead of screaming, it just whispers summer and calls for flowy, tousled hair and a laid-back vibe...

The challenge, however, is finding one that fits just right. For those with long torsos, this will be a bit of a problem, but never fear dearies, I will be on the look-out for the perfect one for you.

Definitely safest in a dark color (think black or blue) and platforms or sky-high heels are a must!

The one pictured above is the Mara Hoffman Silk Jumpsuit - don't you just love the keyhole opening and genie-esque legs? Other ones I've found that are super-fabulous are the Arden B Kimono Split Sleeve Jumpsuit ($58), the Forever 21 Joyce Jumpsuit (just $25!) and the Express Strapless Jumpsuit (love the cobalt blue color - $80).

For loads more options, go to ShopStyle!

Now go bring out your inner Charlie's Angel!

It IS easy being green...

...and fashionable at the same time. For the stylish and eco-conscious, there are several accessories possibilities for re-using, recycling and the like.

Is your water healthy? My very environmentally-conscious Canadian bro-in-law told me months ago about the Canadian ban of Polycarbonate #7 bottles. Problems are especially linked to "throw-away" bottled water bottles AND hard, plastic "keeper" bottles like Lexan/Nalgene that leach chemicals (bisphenol A) into the water. To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine.

If you're not sure, best to toss 'em and use an aluminum or stainless steel bottle. I really like SIGG Bottles myself - they exceed FDA requirements and ensure 0% leaching. And they come in all sorts of cool designs and colors - bonus! Check out the SIGG Bones 20 oz. Kids Water Bottle above.

How about shopping bags? If you're anything like me, walking to the grocery store or stopping into a boutique "just to browse" are regular occurrences. However, so are the piles of flimsy plastic bags that build up in the pantry and the guilt you have throwing any of them in the trash. Introducing a way to take care of both problems - Envirosax!

My sister gave me the Envirosax Mikado Bag 5 as a gift last year and I've used it so many times, I've lost count. It's around $8, it can be collapsed and rolled up into a miniscule size and popped into a purse or tote bag to use at the drop of a hat. Really, I love it so much I might hug it today.

Check out both of these sites - they make excellent gifts!

Faux-ever and ever...

...RoxyGirl will love new hairstyles, especially semi-non-committal ones!

For those of you who want a flirty, fun look that's perfect for parties, going out or the endless nuptials that seem to come our way, I suggest the crazy adorable FAUX-BOB, a la Lauren Conrad and Rosario Dawson. It's the perfect way to change up your hair with just a bit of effort and a lot of sass. Bonus? Gets your hair off your neck during those sticky summer days/nights.

For some tips, check out these links with some excellent how-to photos:

Faux Bob How To (Bumble and Bumble)

Faux Bob for Long Hair (Teen Vogue)

Now get bobbing!

When you have a bad cold...

 ...all you can really think about is wrapping yourself up and going to sleep. Alas, I CANNOT do that due to such obligations as work, family events, school, more work and general life.

However, I CAN talk about what I've been secretely coveting for the past several months and especially this week as the faucet that is my nose runs uncontrollably.

Yes, it is the Snuggie. After several viewings of "Made for TV" commercials, I find myself actually considering calling the 1-800 number for the 2-for-1 deal because, let's face it, some of this stuff looks pretty useful. In fact, my all-time-favorite is didi7 - do they still make that? If I HAD dingy lace curtains, I'm pretty sure that didi7 would make them sparkling white...

This commercial-driven desire for a patent-pending product is also true of the Snuggie. Yes, I know that I could probably make the darn thing for a few cents worth of fabric, but this one comes with a reading light! And I have a cold! And it's now available at your local Pick 'N Save!

I am working very hard to put in minimal effort today, people...I think Nyquil and a fleece blanket with sleeves should do the trick.

I'm back lovelies!

Oh my goodness, it has been several weeks since my last post! Due to so much studying, working, etc. I have had to (temporarily) abandon my daily blogging. However, that period is over and it is time to resume our daily chats - hooray!

To ease back into things, let's start with something we all love to dish and dream about...SHOES of course!

Partly because I am forced to be very frugal as of late and partly because they just seem so all-around great, I give you the "Easy Bet" Platform Sandal from Unlisted by Kenneth Cole. Delicate t-strap, ring detail, cork wedge - they look ultra-comfortable and, of course, super-versatile for spring and summer.

Picture with a floaty summer dress, a slouchy tunic, boyfriend jeans, a relaxed mini...all kinds of fabulous pairings are possible with this shoe. And for $50! Seriously! Find them at Piperlime.com or Zappos.com!

If you're not so into this shoe as I, check out the myriad of wedge platform possibilities these sites have to offer - who says you don't need an online shopping break? After all, we must prepare our warm-weather wardrobes now, musn't we?

Let's talk hair...

...well, hair PRODUCTS, to be particular. Well, ONE hair product, to be exact. While I have been known to use up to 5 products at one time on my hair (yes, after shampoo and conditioner), there is one that I pretty much can't live without. Unless I want to look like a yeti that just woke up from hibernation.


Bumble & Bumble's Styling Lotion is absolutely my hair's wonder-drug. Spritz liberally onto damp hair, mix with a dab of B&B Grooming Creme, blow-dry and, voila! A head of hair that gets as close as I can to just stepping out of the salon.

I've been using this bad boy for over 8 years and, apparently, so have many others, because it's perfect for frequent stylers and especially fine hair. In case you're wondering, I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo, so I like to think the pricey styling spray is balanced out by my gallon of bargain-priced cleanser :)

One bottle of styling lotion lasts forever. Seriously, it does! So try this! Because a lady can never look truly put-together unless her hair is behaving, am I right?

Corsets...for your ankles!

 Sorry I've been AWOL lately lovelies...much to do with school and work and more school. I promise I will be more timely with my posts a month from now when the craziness slows down a bit. For now, I'll leave you with this whimsical, kinda crazy-sexy-cool yet somehow still girly accessory...

Check out the EcoCorset Ankle Cuffs in brown suede by the etsy shop greenbelts!

The designer, Shannon Ritscher, is a Seattle artist and self-described high school art class flunkie turned accessory maven who finds inspiration in recycling items into one-of-a-kind, stand-out pieces.

They come in black too, for the brave. I kind of just love these, if you've got the moxy to wear them, don't you?

Stick your neck out...

 For a gorgeous scarf.

Next in my "efforts to look effortlessly cool" series is a fashion recommendation to all ladies - you must have at least a couple of beautiful scarves in your accessories arsenal.

The history of the scarf dates back at least as far as ancient Rome, when a linen kerchief known as a sudarium (Latin for “sweat cloth”) was used by the Romans to wipe their necks and faces. The ancient Romans developed the scarf into a diverse men's fashion accessory and the style was also quickly adopted by women. Since then, the scarf has become synonymous with women’s fashion (from Content Corral).

After visiting France a few years ago, I was struck by how nonchalantly en vogue each woman looked in a scarf, an accessory that is quintessentially French. By adding a scarf to a simple outfit and tying it just so, you can take your look from lame-o to "Oh, do I look chic? I didn't know."

I am partial to brightly colored, woven, fancy ones as well as big, shawl-like ones that can easily be turned into a hood in case of a rain shower or an ex-boyfriend. Whichever scarf you choose, experiment with how you wear it and what you wear it with.

You can get 20 more outfits out of it, I swear.

For some ideas, see Wet Seal's 7 Ways to Wear a Scarf OR Elle Girl's Wrappers Delight OR, for the more traditional, Brooks Brothers Elegant Scarf Knots.

Then get yourself a cafe du creme, a little attitude and go look French!

-------------------

P.S. For those of you interested in a little more contempo culture/food for thought, read this interesting article about the pop culturization of the keffiyeh: Scarf's Cool, But What Does It Mean? by Malcolm Venable.