I Love Wine!

Who doesn't? I would like to bathe in it, literally. And, this dress will let me do just that. Anyone who knows me knows that wine has been my color for ages (yes, my bridesmaids wore wine.) I must admit, I don't wear as much of it as I used but, when I saw this dress I had to have it. I am a big fan of the neckline as well...very flattering on broad shoulders and various bust sizes.

A great price (under $50! And it has been marked down further since I bought it last week - bummer for me, hooray for you!)

The simple cut makes it easy to dress up or down. And, since the cut is pretty basic and almost reminds me of dresses I have owned over the years I thought I would kick it into 2010 with a monochromatic opaque tight and trendy ankle boots. Add a cool boxy clutch and a gold tassel necklace and voila a perfect look for a seasonal dinner date or party (day or night.)

Click HERE to buy the dress from Modcloth

Click on an accesory in the look below to buy!

Boots by Boutique 9
Clutches by Sondra Roberts

Stylish Tech

A wonderful thing happened the other day...my husband's Blackberry broke.  Just went kaput.  I LOVE my iPhone and have been talking it up for years, so he decided to come over to my side.  The good news, I was eligible for a great upgrade price for the iPhone 4.  So, big daddy got my hand-me-down 3G and I am now styling with the iPhone 4G.

Unfortunately, he inherited my awesome leather case that I bought from a cool company, Vaja, in Argentina (http://www.vajacases.com/).  I highly recommend these phone cases for anyone who wants to completely cover and protect their phone is a very stylish way. I can't tell you how many people asked me where I got it.  I would have gotten another one for my iPhone 4 but things are a bit tight in this house lately and my last one cost me $80 (ouch).  So, I went on the hunt for a lower priced alternative.  I was not optimistic.

But, I found one that was a flip style just like the Vaja case for a fraction of the price.  I got it in pink because I was just feeling girly like that. Also available in Black.

The stock pictures don't give you the complete feel so I took some below. (Note the leopard cardigan sneaking in the picture.  Had to get one.) The cover is sturdy and secures completely over the phone's face.

To purchase, click the link to Amazon below.  When I purchased it it was marked down to only $14.99.  Amazing deal.

Sales, Deals, and Promo Codes!

For those of you who want to hit the sales from the comfort of your own computer...




















 




THE SAK: Black Friday Sale: Save Up To 60% on Select Merchandise!

PAIGE USA (Denim): CyberMonday_Receive 25% Off All Leather Jackets_Use Code LEATHER25

PIPERLIME.COM : Cyber Monday Sale! Get 20% off all Piperlime merchandise! Enter coupon code LUCKY20.

SPLENDID.COM Take $20 Off Orders of $125 or more at Splendid! Enter Code SPTHKS2010 at Checkout. Excludes Gift Sets. Offer Valid 11.25 - 11.29.

SPLENDID.COM Take $40 Off Orders of $200 or more at Splendid! Enter Code SPTHKS2010 at Checkout. Excludes Gift Sets. Offer Valid 11.25 - 11.29.

YOOX.COM CYBERMONDAY ONLY: Up to 40% off + Free Shipping on all orders on yoox.com today only!

YOOX.COM BLACK FRIDAY ONLY: Up to Extra 30% off + free shipping on yoox.com today!

Style My Face

I think I have mentioned that I am a BIG fan of Benefit products.  BIG FAN.  I even go to their counter in Macy's to get my eyebrows shaped and waxed.  Their "Brow Bar."  I must say, I haven't always loved getting hair removed from my face while people are strolling by.  In fact, more than a few times a group of ladies have stopped and watched making me feel a bit like a circus side show.  The other day I went in and they asked if I would like my lipped waxed too.  They might as well have asked, "can we also remove your hideous mustache?"  I am sensitive like that so I agreed.  What's next, a Brazilian Bikini Wax at the foot of the escalator while the day after Thanksgiving sales is taking place?

The point is, they do a good enough job that I endure possible public ridicule...onto the products.

I have been a fan of Benetinit and still am.  I have mentioned the Porefessional in the past and still stand by it.

New finds pictured below.  I have tried and loved everyone. Click for more details, or to buy.

More Benefit...

Brow Zings - Tinted wax and color are far better than a pencil.  How can I ever go back?

You're Bluffing - If you are prone to redness like me, this concealer the one for you.

Oh La La Lift - This stuff just makes me feel fresh and spunky.

Stay Don't Stray - Primer for concealer and eyeshadow. Who knew you needed that?  Goes on so silky with a little color I felt I didn't need concealer.

Eye Bright - When my son was a newborn and I was sleep deprived this was my savior
Lipstick in Rumor - A perfect silky lipstick in a color that is good alone or layered.

Animal Print!

In my Fall to Winter Must Haves posts I included an animal print cardigan from J Crew. One of my readers (who also happens to be one of my sisters) was inspired by my post and went on the hunt for an animal print cardigan.  She found a more budget friendly option that I had to share with you all.

This animal print cardigan from Kohl's is cashmere and SUPER soft (I tgave my sister's a test drive). It comes in black/grey as pictured and brown (and looks better in person).  The best part is that it is usually $100 marked down almost 50%!  Click the picture below to buy online at Kohl's!

The "It" List: 3rd Edition

What's up in the world of fashion blogging...



Welcome to another popping list of goodies from around the internet! This will be the last "it" list for 2010... as it will go on hiatus for the holidays. Look for it's return in 2011!

• rose a la mode catches up on her 30/30 outfits and my favorite is this gorgeous pink scarf that is sun drenched in fall light. So gorgeous!
• stylish dish features fall to winter must-haves for stylish moms, but I think her list is perfect for any stylish gal. Mother or not!
• fashionably southern is rocking a gorgeous faux fur vest... I love seeing how different ladies style this season's fun trend.
• fashion confessions of a mommy has a winning combo with a graphic tee + scarf + blazer. I need to recreate this look! Casual and chic!
• jewelscapes brilliantly pairs stripes with plaid. I never would have thought of this, but love it so! And of course she is always perfectly accessorized!
• i love this pretty vintage bourbon decanter from one sweet find. It could serve as a water pitcher at a holiday on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table or would be a great gift to any collector in your life!
• one hundred inspirations recreates this party-perfect Blake Lively look on a dime. Love this!
• i'm swooning for these pint sized clogs by Free people on good tots! it doesn't get cuter than this!
• on a serious note... karina, ink puts beautiful and truthful words to smiling through suffering. take a minute to take her words to heart and support those in your life that live amazing lives in the face of struggles. we love you Karen!
• sweetie pie style gives us a run down of the top ten OTK (over-the-knee) boots... it almost impossible to choose a favorite here. So lovely!
• spry on the wall outlines "uniform" outfits for us that are black on black - which happens to be one of the easiest combos and one of my favorites!
• i just LOVE this look from closet confections. I rarely think to pair black with blue and she did it so wonderfully here. Plus a leopard print belt - the girl can do no wrong!
• jillgg's good life launched her WINTER & HOLIDAY 2010 looks:book - a gorgeous mini e-mag full of practical and gorgeous wardrobe inspiration for the season. Check this out!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

More Holiday Party Options...

As promised in my post about my cousin's company Christmas party, I found some additional looks for the holiday party season.  Since the one I previously featured was a bit edgy and assymetrical, I went for flirty, fun, and more feminine this time around.

The Milly Juliet Cocktail dress below (black bodice with nude detailed skirt) is gorgeous (click the link below for a closer look) but a splurge at $425.  The other two are also fabulous options and under $200.

Milly Juliet Cocktail Dress (additional sizes at Piperlime - search "Milly Juliet")

Max and Cleo Pleated Black and White Dress

BCBG Pink Cocktail Dress (ON SALE)

Which dress do you like best?

Fall to Winter Must Haves for Stylish Mamas and More

My must-have fashion picks for the stylish Mom have been highlighted today on Tiny Oranges, a great resource for Orange County (and other) moms.  Check out the guest blog I did! And bookmark this great site for tips, deals, and resources for moms and their kids.

My picks are below as well as links to buy. Visit Tiny Oranges for my dish on these fashions.

Leopard Cardigan from J Crew

Hudson Jeans

NOLITA Corduroys

Sanctuary Belted Uniform Jacket

Rruffled Cami from Urban Outfitters

Miz Mooz King Riding Boots.

Dark Pewter Leather Flats from Bandolino

Jack by BB Dakota Janika Vest

Bronze Erin Wasson Cutout Necklace

Family First: Holiday Party

My beautiful cousin Ashley contacted me for a look for her company’s Christmas party. Ashley is young (early 20s), sassy, and just starting her career. Thanks Ashley, for trusting your older cousin to style you out!

Luckily, I found a great dress that was perfect for her budget – free – because it came from my closet! She promises to take good care of her and not hang from too many chandeliers at the Christmas Party. Thanks Ash!

Even though my search was short-lived, I was inspired to find a couple of great party looks for those of you out there who haven’t known me their entire lives.  And, they would look great on Ashley.


Look One:

Cocktail Dresses by BCBG MAX AZRIA
Platforms by Pelle Moda

I am a sucker for the asymmetrical, one shoulder look. I am always drawn to it and it is perfect for a festive occasion. This BCBG dress has beautiful colors, a cool belt, and is ON SALE. I want this one…bad! But too many dresses and too few events for this gal.

Now shoes…who can have too many of those? And, these black suede peep toe, ankle strap sweeties from Pelle Moda would make any dress look even more fabulous.

Since the holidays can be tough on the wallet, I have included some less expensive shoe options too…(can you tell I am loving the ankle strap right now?)

More Two Lips...

I liked how the model photo plays on the turquoise accents in the dress with a clutch of the same color so I found one from Hobo (one of my favorites as you know) that is surely less expensive than the one pictured.

Now, just add a Raspberry Martini and the Jingle Bell Rock.

Stay tuned for Look Two later this week…

For those of you curious about the borrowed dress, you can find it below. I would have featured it but the stock photo doesn’t do it justice (and neither do the shoes)…and it is currently in my cousin’s closet. Maybe I can talk Ashley into sending us pictures of her at the party at the end of the martini luge…

Things I Like...

This post is not fashion related. I wrote it on a personal blog awhile back and it made me grin.   Thought it worth sharing. Back to fashion tomorrow...

THINGS I LIKE...

Sleeping

Small dogs with cute paws

Bed head on my cutie kids

Bed head on the handsome man that is my husband

Me waking up lovely without bed head

Wine

Dirty martinis -- extra dirty with 3 olives

Getting drunk with friends

Getting drunk by myself (only once in a blue moon or you can feel pathetic)

Laying on a chaise lounge by myself and looking at the remote like it holds endless possibilities

Baby butts and chubby thighs (on babies)

Small cars like those in Europe that no one here would ever drive

People who can wear a cutting edge styles without letting it wear them

Comfy PJs worn commando

Rain when it is not cold and can't mess with my hair

Random compliments...even better from random people

True friends...few and far between

Hanging with my sister...nothing is more comfortable or more fun

Good movies. Really good ones that make you ponder life in ways that we should do more

Chocolate...with nuts in it

Nuts...with chocolate on them

People with big personalities - I am lucky to know quite a few

People who don't give a sh*%t about what others think (can I get some of that?)

Feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment about the life I have

Laughing...hard

People who don't judge

Funny movies like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman

Being excited about what comes next

The 2 toofer drooly smile of my son

Dogs who run circles when you arrive home

Pizza...pretty much all pizza

A really good soup

Brunch with brunchy drinks like Mimosas and Ramos Fizzes

Play doh when it is brand new

Lip kisses from my kids

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens (not really but needed to know how to end this.)

What do you like?

Eureka...I found them!

I may have mentioned that I have been searching high and low for the perfect brown riding boot.  We are talking 2 years searching.  My biggest problem is narrow calves.  I have skinny ones and most boots made me look like a 10 year old girl in her mother's galoshes.  Other issues I encountered...the color was too orange and not rich enough brown, the boot lacked shape and looked like Santa's boots, they were synthetic materials, the heel was too chunky, the toe too square or too pointy, they had some hideous detail I was not digging, or they looked too much like I should be yelling "Hi Ho Silver!" or dancing two step at Gilly's.  I am seriously not that picky of a gal but riding boots were my Achilles heel...and I have been dead set on finding some.

Anyway, that is all in my past because I finally found 'em.  Now, I will not say these are as snug on my chicken calves as I was hoping but I am not swimming in them either.  And, at under $200 that is a great deal for leather boots.

Miz Mooz Women's King Riding Boot

And here they are on yours truly...(my husband told me to look modelicious...this was the best I could do.)  Please note that the matchy matchiness of this jacket was not planned, but apparently I like cognac leather.

Joe's Jeans Honey Skinny Jeans, Velvet Tee (similar),
necklace

Boots front-on...

And the side view. The picture below is much truer in terms of color.  My wood floors are a chocolate brown with no red and the boots are not as orange as they appear above.

(An alternate title for this post was going to be Das Boot but then I have no idea why I even know the name of that old film and the only person who would chuckle would be my sister.) Since not everyone will love exactly what I pick, some other boot options...

More Etienne Aigner...

In case you admired my lil ones' mini piano in the background... I think its so cute.