Stylish Dish Fashion Request Line: Dinner with Clients

A Stylish Disher, Melissa F., contacted me with a look request. (Thanks for reading Melissa!) Melissa had an upcoming dinner with her husband and some of his clients.  The occasion was dinner at a casual to nice restaurant (not TGI Friday's but not a stuffy 5-star either) followed by a boat ride.  As a mom of two who doesn't get out enough, this sounds downright glamorous to me.  Well, any dinner that doesn't involve bite-sized pieces and Mac-n-Cheese sounds pretty good to me.

When Melissa contacted me I immediately thought of this beautiful silk chiffon halter top by Robbi & Nikki I spied a week ago (it is described as a cami but that style says halter to me).  It is sassy enough for evening but feminine and demure enough for clients.  I am obsessed with purple right now too, so the orchid color called my name.  This is ddefinitely not a halter that looks like you are heading to "da club."  You could pair it with a casual skirt and sandals for day or a pencil skirt and strappy heels for a sexier look.

 

Melissa is slender so the blousiness of the halter coupled with the slim dark wash jean would look great on her (and many others -- if you feel comfortable with revealing your arms and shoulders.)   Everyone must own a boot cut jean in a very dark wash.  These are a staple.  They are what black pants were in 1999. This pair from White House Black Market have a more trouser-ish feel and will make legs look 2 miles long.

Because she will follow the evening with a boat ride, I added a double breasted warm jacket from Billabong. Yes, I said Billabong.  I know the fleece material and hints of surfwear are a bit more casual but the double breasted style and cut make it work. Pairing it with the silkiness of the halter gives it the effortless, "oh, just let me just throw on my jacket as we head out to the dock" feel.

Straight Denim by White House
Clutches by Hobo International

You can't forget accessories...and simple and monochromatic is the way to go to hightlight the blouse.  Black teardrop stone earrings from Bebe, a patent cluitch from Hobo International ( I love their clutches!), and a cool suede zipper heel from Chinese Laundry.

Click on the individual items in the look above to add them to your closet.   To purchase the shoe from Chinese Laundry or search their other styles, click the link below.

CODERIE SUEDE
From: Chinese Laundry

DEAL ALERT - DEAL ALERT! ACT FAST

HauteLook is having a sale on the brand Free People which I have mentioned and highlighted in some of my previous posts.  If you are not familiar with this website it is an invite only site that provides enormous deals on designer clothes.  The sales are short (sometimes only 24 hours) so you have to act quickly.  But, the deals are great!

The Boho Chic blouse I featured in the Wine Tasting look is ON SALE now for only $39! (Originally priced at Nordstrom for $99).  I am picking one up!  And there are some other cute choices as well, like the Chipped Charm top *below) for only $35.  A perfect gauzy, summery top.

If you to not belong to HauteLook, use the link below to be officially invited by me.

HauteLook invitiation

P.S. If you are like me and always wondering how to pronounce fashion words like "Haute" it is pronounced with a long "O" - rhymes with "boat" not "cot." :)

You have to act quickly, the top in Medium sold out while I was writing this post.  Damn! There are other cute things though.  And you can check out the other sales.

I will do a post about many of these "deal sites" as soon as possible for those of you who are not already members.  Check back soon!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens...

You guessed it, I am posting some favorite things.  However, I am a dog person all the way, my favorite flower is a tulip, and I am not a big fan of rain unless it is a warm tropical rain falling on me in my private jacuzzi on the balcony of a resort hotel.

I threw this little accessory spread together to create a Stylish Dish profile pic on the Stylish Dish Page on Facebook (visit it, "like" it,  please.)  You may like some of the pieces as much as I do, so I have added it below so you can click to buy...if the urge takes you.  Yes, those are the same strappy shoes by Aldo I posted in the bridal shower look.  Apparently, I must buy them.  And, yes those stcked bangle bracelets from Asos really are that cheap (although it always gets me when shipping is half the price of the item.)

I am digging the crocodile skin of the Furla bag, it looks polished yet still luxurious and soft.  I have a thing for turquoise right now and that turquoise Kendra Scott turquoise ring fits the bill perfectly.

Sandals by Aldo
Hobos by Furla

Take Me To The Fair...

I live in Orange County, CA, and July and August mean...the OC Fair. I love the Fair. Well...actually...I love the idea of the Fair. Who doesn't love Giant Turkey Legs, Creepy Carnies, Deep Fried Everything, People Watching (the best place for this), rides that will move your C1-C5, and 3 tents full of "crafts"  you didn't know people actually made...or cared to make. Did I mention the World's Largest Horse and the sweet smell of the pig races? See, I romanticize it. And every year, I want to go.

The OC Fair is a tradition in my family. At least it has been since 2002 when my husband proposed to me at the top of Le Grande Wheel. Yep, a Fair proposal. Did he choose the Fair as the place to propose because we love it? We have fond memories there? It is romantic? Nope. He knew I knew he was going to propose (we had been dating over 4 years...it was do or die time) and he knew I knew he HATES the Fair. So, he thought it would be the best place to surprise me. It was. But, surprise right back at ya, honey. Now you have to go to the Fair every year to celebrate. Ha!

What to wear to the Fair? This event was requested by 3 readers (thanks for reading) so I obliged. The toughest part of the request was the shoe. You just can't wear an open toe or sandal if you are going to trudge through manure. You can't. So, I went out on a limb with a cute little tennie. Give it a try. Totally appropriate at the Fair and your sweet smelling toes will thank me.

In the look below, you can click on MOST of the items to buy.  The bracelet and pants are separate links listed below.

Skinny Pants by Joe's Jeans
Totes by Fossil

Joes Jeans Skinny Military Pant - Available in olive (as shown above) white, or charcoal. (Charcoal pictured below - I really love the charcoal too!)

Murano Glass Bead Bracelet - Antica Murrina by Forzieri





It's all about the food at the Fair, isn't it? I love the Gyros and Corn on the Cob. What's your favorite Fair food?  Leave a comment below!

Su Su Summer Summertime

Yea, the title of this post is referencing the Will Smith (or rather DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince) song from back in the day.  Well back in the early 90s day.  Good memories...

Ahh Summer...pool parties, BBQs, beach parties, vacations, drinks with umbrellas, sandals, sand in places sand should not be.  I don't know about you, but these days, when I am invited to a pool party I spend my time trying to avoid getting in the pool -- no matter how hot it is.  When you have children, lounging by the pool is never the same.  Forget about reading your People or Us mag...hell...you won't even have time to read the "Goodyear" on the Goodyear blimp if it happens to float by.  You are too busy watching your kids in the pool.  Well, watching is much less active than what is actually going on.  Let's try chasing your child and ensuring they do not become a pool casualty -- a parent's worst nightmare.

And, while many women fear or dread donning a swimsuit at a party (for the obvious body image reasons), a Mama chasing a child has it the worst. She not only bares it all for partygoers, she gets to get in all sorts of unflattering positions as she tries to herd her wet and slippery toddlers into shallow waters and onto dry decks. Who thinks about sucking it in when you they spend the entire day bent over with your bum in everyone's face?  The remedy to this awful predicament: fathers.  Yep.  It is our payback for all of the middle of the night feedings, bedtime tuck-ins, sick child care, and everything else that most of us split with men 90-10.

The men hit the pool with the kids while the women stay dry and stylish poolside.  The way nature intended. Plus, men have been known to pat and flaunt a beer gut -- we women turn to Spanx and belly bands.

I was inspired to do this poolside look when I stumbled upon this great Melissa Odabash dress (on sale!).  I paired it with one of her swimsuits (straps peeking out under the dress "just for show" at the above mentioned pool party) and some summery accessories for a look worthy of any pool party, BBQ, beach picnic, or summer resort vacation.  Just looking at it makes me crave a mai tai... Enjoy!

Click on any item below to purchase or browse the retailer's online store.

Two-Piece Swimwear by Melissa Odabash
Sandals at Endless.com

Some alternate bags...including a fantastic Tory Burch tote (on sale!)...

More Tory Burch...

Additional shoe options...

More Madden-Girl...

Remember to leave your comments...I appreciate feedback on all the looks on Stylish Dish.

Shower the People You Love With Stuff...

Ah summer time…the time for sun, sand, chlorine, June bugs, loud street fireworks (if you happen to live in Costa Mesa, CA where it is legal), tranquilizers for your dog (to deal with above mentioned fireworks), the perils of swimsuit shopping (and wearing), and weddings! I don’t know about you but I LOVE weddings! Love ‘em. The dresses, the champagne, the tray passed hors d'oeuvres (crab cake, please), the dancing, the sometimes cheesy music, Jordan Almonds in a little netty thing (some fertility tradition or something), the hopefully scandalous but entertaining speech from the Best Man who has been hitting the wedding party gift flask too hard. I could go on and on.

But, before most weddings, there is a bridal shower to attend. (This outfit would also work well for a baby shower or brunch date too.) Although a shower is great occasion to be stylish, this is not the bachelorette party so leave the Lucite heels at home (Did you know Lucite is leaving the stripper bars and going mainstream this season?). Mom, future mother in law, and Nanas will likely be in attendance and you don’t want to be the subject of  Grandma Mildred's question:“Who was that hussy in the too tight dress?”

Note: The model wearing the dress below looks eerily like my husband’s cousin. Yes, you Tracy. Tracy, if you are reading this you need to either a) buy this dress to support my site (and I can borrow it) or 2) un-cuteify yourself in someway so I can feel good standing next to you at family gatherings.

Click on an item in the look below to buy it.

Sandals by Aldo
Earrings by Anthropologie

Note: The ring will link you to the Bebe home page, just search on heart flower ring to find it.

I love this dress. It is feminine and flirty because of the short length and a deep V. I am a big fan of the deep V. A deep V works well if you have broader shoulders since it cuts the horizontal line across your upper body. For an event like this, it works best on a woman with a small to medium chest. (I am in the ultra small category -- damn you 2 kids! -- so I breeze through this restriction.) If you feel uncomfortable with the amount of cleavage you display or don’t display) in the deep V you can always layer the dress over a pretty cami. I have selected a few gray ones with lace accents below.

More Elle...

The nude strappy heel…well, I think it just rocks. A perfect shoe to elongate the leg and wear with almost anything when you want to kick it up a notch in the sass factor.  But, I know my dream shoe may not be yours (or your dream budget). So, here are some other options.

More Kelsi Dagger...

Happy Monday! And remember, I welcome your comments!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I have gotten numerous requests for looks to wear to sporting events.  So, I decided to style a baseball game.  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (What?) and the Dodgers are our local teams.  And most day games can be pretty hot...at least earlier in the season.

Now, I don't pretend to be a big baseball fan, but I do love attending the games. Ah...a baseball game... a day of people watching, draft beer in a plastic cup, chatting with friends, a hot dog (or two), peanuts, and singing during the 7th inning stretch.  Oh wait...people are playing baseball too?

Relaxed Denim by Gap
Scarves & Wraps at ModCloth

The look above was styled with a day game in mind.  But, you can easily convert it to a night game by adding a casual jacket, rolling the jeans down so they are full length, or substituting a cargo pant or jeans in a medium or dark wash (yes, jeans again...a staple for me).

Click on any of the individual items in the look and you will be sent directly to the retailer's website where you may purchase it.

Most of the items in the look are on sale!  So, act fast if you want to snap any of them up.  The scarf is a steal.  Not only stylish but provides some sun protection for your chest -- I don't know about you but that is where I always get too much sun.  The top is by Free People.  (I really love this brand!  Their items are always unique.)


Below I have provided links to some shoe and pant alternatives so you can customize this look for your own style if one or more of the pieces just doesn't seem right for you.  Click below.

More Frye...

The pants...

More LOFT...