Feeling Shifty

Fall has fallen on Southern California. Even if we have an occasional day in the 80s there is a unmistakable nip to the evening air. So, break out your boots, sweaters, tights, and if you are really on trend, fur vest, and lets start drinking some spiked cider.

In my six shopping tips from an earlier last post, I suggested you look through magazines to get inspired before shopping. The look below is a very literal example of this inspiration. While flipping through magazines before my styling session with Jen of Tiny Oranges, I ran across this look. I tore it out for inspiration for not only Jen's look, but for myself. I am LOVING the shift dress. This look is conservative but edgy, mod and feminine, and it features the tights, pumps, and jewel tones that are musts for this Fall.  The color contrast may be too much for some, but remember to have fun and play with your style!

After gazing at the photo a bit I let me Internet fingers do the walking and came up with an affordable Stylish Dish version of the look above. (The Chloe shift dress featured above alone is $1,595 - argh)

Necklaces by Anthropologie
Dresses by Asos

The necklace is a steal from Anthropologie for $25!

The dress is featured is from the UK retailer Asos.  Be sure to convert your US size to UK size if you want to purchase from them.  With Asos, it is free shipping to the US.  Hooray!

Some other shift dress options for Fall...

More Asos...

Flatty Flat Flats

I don't know about where you live, but here in Orange County Tory Burch flats abound.  Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats specifically.  Yep, they are cute. Yep, I hear they are mighty comfy.  And, yep they are a few bucks -- $200+ in fact (but that is how they do it in the OC). I am talking these babies go for $189 used on ebay. (Who are these suckers on ebay and can I sell them something I have had on my stinky feet for 6 months?)

Now, I don't have a pair of these puppies (and I am not saying I may never own a pair) but I do have a great lower cost alternative I wanted to share. I get a ton of compliments on these cute flats (I have them in the Pewter color - called Titano below) and they are comfortable to boot. Check them out.

This is my PSA for the day. Stylish Dish gone Look 4 Less.

Hate Shopping? Feel Clueless? Here Are My Stylish Six Shopping Tips

A friend and fellow blogger Jen of Tiny Oranges (a local Orange County, CA blog targeted at moms), contacted me because she is going to appear as a guest host on MommytoMommy.TV and needed some styling help.  I was more than happy to assist. But I was also a bit nervous to style a friend who I did not *that* know well and had not seen in over 5 years.  Plus, the shoot was less than a week away so time was limited.  I got some details about the event, her body type, budget, and preferences and we set a date to meet for 2-3 hours at a few designer discount stores like Loehmann's (hoping to stay within her budget.)

As I prepared for our shopping trip, I realized that most people probably don't prepare or do fashion homework.  The reason many people hate shopping is because they are unclear about their own personal style and preferences and so they feel lost, confused, and overwhelmed amid the racks and rounders.  Many women walk into a store without much vision and hope something just jumps out at them from behind a size 00 mannequin (who has 34 C boobs -- a creature rarely found in nature.).  Sadly, this is rarely the case.  Developing your personal style and shopping with success is a a skill.  But, don't worry, it doesn't take long to develop this skill ,and I have a few hints and tips to help you along...

The Stylish Six Shopping Tips

1. Prepare.  Yep, that's right.  Take some time before you shop to think about what you want and need.  Whether you are shopping for a certain event or for a few key pieces for the season it is a good idea to purchase a few fashion magazines and start flipping and tearing.  Go with your gut -- tag a look if you like it, even if it isn't something you usually wear. Some of my faves are InStyle, People StyleWatch, and Marie Claire (much more fashion oriented since Nina Garcia joined Marie Claire.) I save Vogue and the like for those who buy single items with 3+ 0s on their tags -- that's not me.  I arrived at my styling session with Jen with a folder full of magazine tear sheets to serve as inspiration.  Preparation doesn't have to take long (15-30 min) and flipping through mags can be fun.
 
2. Use the sales associates at the stores.  They are there to help you and will save you a ton of time.  If you are looking for something specific do not spend time combing the racks.  Ask an associate if they have anything like what you are looking for (you can even show them your magazine picture).  They will either tell you "no" or comb the racks for you.  Yes, I know that once and awhile you get a pushy one who won't leave you alone but you can squelch them with a polite: "Thank you for offering to help.  I prefer to shop on my own but will be sure to find you if I need any help." If online shopping, use the live chat or customer service lines.  They can be extremely helpful too.
 
3. Don't be afraid to take risks. I can't tell you how many times I have picked an item or outfit for a friend and they say, "wow, I would have never picked that up, but I love it."  I think Jen from Tiny Oranges said that numerous times on our shopping adventure.  Think outside of yourself for a moment.  Try on a totally different style just to see how it looks.  You will often be surprised.  MIX IT UP. Pair a jewel colored pump with jeans and a casual top.  Throw a biker jacket on top of a feminine dress. Confidence makes all the difference. If you wear a look and "own" it others will see you as stylish, they won't question your choices.  And, once you've worn your new item or look a few times it will become a standard for you, just like your jeans and cardigan or whatever has become your "uniform."
 
4. Browse first, look at price tags later.  We all have budgets.  I love a good deal as much as the next person and am always trying to find the look for less.  But, it is important to find what styles and shapes work for you.  So, if you see something fantastic that is out of your price range -- try it on!!  If you do indeed love it, now you have just narrowed your search to a hunt for a more budget friendly version of what you tried on.  And, there is a good shot it exists.  It may not be as fabulous as the pricey one but often you can get pretty close.
 
5. Be kind to yourself.  No one has a perfect body.  No one.  I attended a Playboy party and even those playmates had some dimples and cellulite up close when the lights came up at the end of the night. Focus on your positive features and do not stare at your problem areas. People see the entire person when they look at you, not just a rear end or upper arms.  Remember that. If you have great legs but your arms need work a long sleeve mini dress can be a great bet.  Work with what you have and do not obsess about what you don't.  Looking fabulous is about confidence and carriage not about having the best features.
 
6. Forget about fashion rules.  There really aren't too many any more.  Your shoes do not have to match your bag, you can mix metals (gold and silver), and black strappy shoes can be worn in the day with the right outfit.  Take your clues from fashion magazines and don't be afraid to mix pieces you like even if you thought you "shouldn't."

Hope these tips are helpful, and if you have some tips of your own please share them by leaving a comment below. Stay tuned for the dish on the look Jen will wear on MommytoMommy.TV.  Jen will blog about our styling spree and I will guest blog for her on Tiny Oranges about Fall Must Haves for Moms. I will also link to the episode when it airs and and give some info on the items.

Goodbye Mr. Chips!

How many of you love the look of a fresh manicure but hate the fact that it lasts about 2 days…maybe 4 tops? If you are rough on your hands like me, you pray for a full 48 hours without chips.

It is almost enough to drive me back to acrylic nails. But, I had those for YEARS but I decided one day (after 2 kids) that I just could not bear how they looked if I neglected them and put off getting a fill. Bare short nails is one thing, strange yellowing nails with a big gap before the nail bed is another.

Well Eureka! I have found a fabulous nail option. The OPI Axxium Gel Manicure.

Instead of regular nail polish, OPI Axxium Gel Manicure is a colored gel that is brushed on your nails and then hardened under a UV lamp. My manicurist explained that the gel would last like 2 weeks without chipping or smudging. Really? Sign me up! It did cost $15 more at my nail salon but how many times have you gotten a regular manicure and felt cheated when only 2 days later your nails look shot? I have had my current manicure for a week and a half and not a chip in sight.

The procedure takes a bit longer. Your nails are filed, clipped, and buffed like they normally would with a manicure, but then the magic comes. First a coat of a clear OPI Axxium base is applied. After each coat, your nails sit under a UV lamp device (like your average dryer). After the clear coat dried, then comes the base coat. OPI Axxium doesn’t include ALL of their regular colors, but they have a pretty good range. I think I had 30 or so to choose from. And, I was so happy I could choose a dark, vampy color for fall since I often avoid those due to the obvious chipping. One of the best parts is that once you are done, they are completely dry. You can shove your hand in your purse looking for your keys or phone without fear – you can’t mess it up. Paradise.

When it’s time to take them off, you go back to your salon and they will buff your nails a bit and remove the gel. This is drawback – you can’t remove it yourself, But, your nails will not suffer like they do with acrylics.
I had my gel manicure at Happy Nail in Irvine. There are many of these salons around Orange County or just check with your local salon.

What do you think of the gel manicure? Worth the $$? Leave a comment below.

Work It Girl

I work from home so my opportunities to dress it up for work are few and far between. I must admit, however, I do "get ready" for myself. You can find me alone at my computer at 10:00 am on a Monday morning and I will have lipstick on and likely blush and mascara. I may even have some hot rollers in for a possible errand later in the day.

But now I have a legit reason to freshen myself...a business trip. Yep, a few days away from the fam. A flight, hopefully a book, some peanuts, room service, sleeping until 7:00 am perhaps. Bliss. Well bliss at least for the first 36 hours until I miss my brood too much.

But, let's go with the bliss feeling. What to wear? what to wear?

My upcoming Biz Trip to Chicago is what inspired my look below. (Unfortunately I will likely see the inside of a hotel conference room more than pizza and the Cubs.)

I have been looking for the perfect pencil skirt and have heard Banana Republic has a great one. At $69.50 that is a good deal for the ultimate staple. Since jewel tones are the must have for Fall I paired it with an emerald green silk top and purple suede pumps. Yes, purple and green. No, I am not Dr. Suess, I am embracing color and you should too. Throw on this cute trench from Express (backordered until 10/22 but that is days away) and a simple tote and you have a chic professional ensemble that doesn't break your bank. And, who doesn't love separates? So you can mix and match with things already in your closet.

Mid-length Skirts by Banana Republic
Pumps by Nine West

Vegas...again

Yep, I never get out so my upcoming trip to Vegas is my obsession du jour. And, you dear readers get to see what everyone will be wearing.  As you recall, I styled a friend Brandi for this Vegas trip in an older post.

My sister Jen asked that I take her shopping in the flesh to get something fun and fab. She wanted to look great but also stay within a budget and select pieces she could wear again.

Because she has a very small waist and great arms, I knew that a tank and flouncy skirt with a thick belt would look great on her. Ad some sparkle for Vegas and ta da – beautiful and sassy birthday mama!

The pic below was taken in the dressing room on our shopping date. Doesn’t she look fantastic? Click on the images below for specific items – and the shoes that you cannot see.

Express Matte Sequin Tank in Pitch Black

This isn't the exact skity.  Jen is pictured above in a tiered skirt from Club Monaco not available online.  This Zip Back Mini Skirt from the Limited is a close alternative -- use the link below for a discount!

30% off All Skirts and Shorts through October 17th!

Square Buckle Stretch Belt

Guess Toggle Sandal

A few readers and friends have asked what I will be wearing for the Vegas Birthday celebration, so I am sharing my look with you too. I love the top and it was such a steal I had to share it with you. It reminds me of a 20s flapper with a modern edge. It is actually a “dress” but I have to laugh at that thought. I am 5’11” but it barely covers my bum. I can’t even imagine it being a dress on a very petite girl…MAYBE if you are under 5’2” and wearing opaque tights. Great top though. Click the images of individual products below for more information or to buy the items featured in my Vegas look.

Rows of Ruffles Dress (if you can call it a dress) by Free People

Haga Bootie from Aldo (I have not bought this yet...a strong contender. I love that it is unique and edgy. What do you think of these shoes? Leave a comment below)

Joe’s Jeans Honey Skinny Jeans in Romi Wash (LOVE these skinny jeans)

Guess Bangle Set - I actually bought a set by Aqua fdrom Bloomies, but a similar feel.

That's it for Vegas.  I promise to move one.

Cutie Bootie

OK, so I started out luke warm with the bootie and now I am really loving it.  Especially as we feel the chill of Fall in the air (at least for a minute here in Southern California.)  First, I must say that calling it a "bootie" is a little off-putting.  A bootie is for baby's right?  It is like a grown man being called Timmy or Joey.


I found my personal dream bootie while online browsing (a favorite pastime as you can imagine). This gorgeous pair from Elie Tahari. But, I am just not ready (financially or mentally to spend the dough just yet.) But, if you are...click above and I will be forever jealous.

Some continued browsing led me to this less expensive yet still fabulous pair by Nine West which you can purchase at Piperlime. It doesn't really look similar but I liked it nevertheless. I especially liked that you could get it in navy suede (other colors are also available.) I love navy, especially for this Fall, and think it is a great neutral that can be paired with almost anything (we wear blue jeans with anything, right?)

Click the image below to buy or view in different colors (and in leather as opposed to suede.)

What are you thinking about the bootie? Fugly or Fabulous? Have you bought a pair yet?