Monday, April 30, 2012

Windy Date Night

I am attending the LuckyFABB Conference in Santa Monica, California today.  So far, everything has been amazing and I can't wait to get home to share everything with you guys.  For now, I will leave you with this brief post on my windy date night last week.
 Dress: La Pagee; Vest: M by Marcus
 Solitaire Necklace: BaubleBar
Pearl Drop Necklace: Express
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: Jimmy Choo Smooth
As you can see, my dress was blowing in every direction, but I was worried that my tripod would fall over so Mr. Fantastic stepped in and took a few photos.  When that happens I get one of each and make do with that.  This is also known as a blogger problem.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and I will be home tomorrow night.  See you on the other side!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Leather & Stripes for Wine Club

We had our monthly wine night earlier this week.  I wanted to go for a casual and comfy, but cute look.
 Top: Gap; Pants: Zara; Scarf: Target
 Clutch: Proenza Schouler; Red Wrap Bracelet: c/o BaubleBar Vault
Bracelets: Icing & Marc Jacobs
Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti
Surprisingly these faux leather pants have become one of my favorite denim substitutes.  I love that they are as comfortable as jeans, but look dressier than jeans.
Have a great weekend friends! Any interesting plans for the weekend? I am traveling to the West Coast this weekend and will be on Instagram and Twitter.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Shades of Blue

Yesterday was Morgan's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRIEND!  Mr. Fantastic and I took her out to lunch before her class and gave her a small gift.  I wore this casual summer outfit and snapped some quick pics after lunch.
 Top & Camisole: Old Navy; Skirt: Calvin Klein
Earrings & Necklace: eBay
Sunglasses: D&G by Dolce & Gabbana
 Ring: eBay; Bracelets: Thrifted & eBay
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: BCBGeneration
A few weeks ago I was looking for a multi-tone necklace so that I could combine my silver, gold and rose gold jewelry from time to time.  I didn't find anything with all three tones, but I found the necklace in this outfit on eBay.  It was part of a bigger lot, but since the bidding started at $0.99, I thought I'd keep my eye on it and see.  I ended up winning the lot for $12 and was stoked when I received all the jewelry because there were so many other cute pieces that I probably wouldn't have bid on individually.  The earrings, necklace, blue ring and two of the bracelets in this outfit all came from that lot.

Where do you go for costume jewelry?

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Friendly Request: Please Help!

Hi Ya'll! I normally won't do this, but one of my friends is up for a super stylish award and I wanted to show my support.
My friend, Shannon, is competing to be the Face of Cycling in Dallas.  As the wife of an avid cyclist, I love knowing that there are so many bike-friendly neighborhoods in the metroplex.  It would be such a coup for my circle of friends if we could brag that our friend, SHANNON, is the official Face of Cycling in Dallas!

Besides, isn't she super cute?!?! 
Image courtesy of DallasCycleStyle.com

Monday, April 23, 2012

Case of the Mundays

After a terrific weekend filled with happy hours, brunch and a bachelorette party, I definitely had a case of the "Mundays" today.  I hope you are all having a great start to your week.  I am actually cooking dinner tonight!
Top: Adrienne Vittadini; Skirt: Calvin Klein
Earrings: old, I forget where I got them 
Bag: Coach
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
I am also very stressed because I woke up with a ridiculous case of acne on my chin and cheek! I am 34 years old and I still suffer from horrible acne.  Of course, it would rear it's ugly head today that we are one week away from my California trip.  I made myself a honey/lemon juice mask to start brightening the scars, but I have no remedies for the actual acne other than washing my face.  For your comfort, I've gone ahead and edited my photos.
Ring: eBay; Bracelet: Icing (old)
Happy Monday! What do you guys do to overcome the "Mundays"? What about acne? Either Or?

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Brunch Brights

Mr. Fantastic and I had brunch with a friend this weekend.  We had to leave the house as soon as we got back home because we had a showing so we went to the park and took these photos.
Sweater: Calvin Klein (old); Skirt: Max Studio
Necklace & Bracelet: eBay
Bag: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Ralph Lauren
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! Happy Sunday!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Last Friday Night

Well, it was last night, but since today is Saturday, it was last Friday night.  The hubs and I went to a happy hour with friends at The Cellar in Las Colinas.  I took advantage of the beautiful location right by the canal to get some photos.  I think I've worn everything but the bangles before, but I really couldn't pass up the place!
 Top: Nine West; Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Levi’s
 Scarf: Zara;Ring: DKNY x BaubleBar
Bangles: Kendra Scott; Purse: JustFab.com
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Miss Boxe
Mr. Fantastic made a comment about my, ahem, assets looking huge in these photos, but I owe it all to Victoria's Secret.  They load up those push up bras with enough padding to build the boys some bunk beds, but I figured we were at a bar and there were plenty of other assets walking around that were far more interesting than mine.

What do you normally wear for casual drinks with friends?

Friday, April 20, 2012

Shopping Haul: Spring 2012

I gave up new clothes for Lent a few months ago. Although I'd given myself a loophole that my husband could buy me clothes, he didn't until the absolute last day of Lent when he bought me and my sister swimsuits and bought me an Easter outfit the day before Easter.  This week, I realized that we are painfully close to LuckyFABB (just 10 more days) and I was woefully unprepared.  I may have gone a bit mad over the last week or so and the bulk of my damage was done yesterday.
Maxi Skirt: Max Studio $29; Jeans: Joe’s Jeans $99
I had a 35% off coupon so I spent just under $100
Let's start with the grand opening of a new Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio in Plano.  This is now the closest Neiman Marcus to me.  I'd been to the NMLC Studio at Inwood before, so I knew not to expect the couture brands.  Nonetheless, I wanted to check it out.  I've been wary of the colored denim trend, but it seems that it's here to stay and the colors just change according to what is trendy right now. These white cigarrette jeans also fit me better than skinny jeans because they are straight and not tapered.  Can you believe I bought a maxi skirt that is NOT black? Gray isn't much better, but let's take baby steps!
Maxi Skirt: Bobeau $19.99; Top: Halogen $9.99
I moved over to Nordstrom Rack and wandered around finding all kinds of things that I couldn't bring home (pony-haired leopard print Prada bow flats for $199! and an XS Burberry shirtdress for $98!) and just when I thought I was going to leave empty handed this patterned maxi caught my eye.  I loved that it's half-lined and the busy pattern and I really loved that it was hanging next to this bright orange top. Fortunately, the skirt was under $20 and the top was on major sale for less than $10!
Dress: Poof Excellence $14.99; Shoes: BCBGeneration $39.00
Before I left the shops at Preston Shepard Place, I decided to stop in at the Marshall's because you just never know what you'll find, right? I walked in and the first thing that caught my eye was this pair of tangerine espadrille wedges.  They are the exact same color as the top I bought at Nordstrom Rack AND perfect for summer. I also loved this striped maxi dress and I had a $50 credit from a previous return so this was a steal!
Dress: Abi Ferren $139
Earlier this week, I picked up this Abi Ferren dress at Nordstrom while I was at Northpark Mall, I was very happy to find it on sale for $139 because I know that Abi Ferren dresses retail for over $300 most of the time and I think I am going to wear this to the evening event after the conference. I love the colors and while they aren't as bright as I wanted, it's a gorgeous dress and I can't stop touching it.
Necklaces: T+J Designs $24 and $28 on sale; Bangles: Kendra Scott $100
Let's not forget the jewelry.  I bought the gold Lila bangles at the Kendra Scott boutique last week during their weekly GNO. I loved that they feel heavy and substantial, plus they go with just about anything.  The necklaces I ordered from T+J designs and I've already decided that I am going to wear the Luxe Twisted Crystal Necklace with the Abi Ferren dress, now I just need to some pretty earrings or a bracelet. The Trio Heart Necklace will be the perfect way to let me wear mixed metals!

Now, what should I wear for LuckyFABB? Skirt, pants, dress? HELP!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Shopping Excursion

Today was the soft opening of the Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio in Plano.  I'm happy that we have a LC center closer than Allen now and I braved the madness to be the first to see it.  The store will officially be open for business tomorrow.
Top: Express; Skirt: T by Alexander Wang

Earrings: old
Bracelet: c/o JustFab.com
Clutch: JustFab.com
Wedges: Carlos Santana (gift from a friend)
This was the first time that I'd spent any significant amount of time or money shopping since I'd given up new clothes for lent and I made out like a bandit between the NMLC Studio, Marshall's, and Nordstrom Rack all located in the same shopping center.  I will have a shopping haul post up before the end of the week so you can see what I scored and give me advise for what to wear to LuckyFABB West in TEN Days!
I took these photos after the shopping excursion, and lunch once our baby was home.  I didn't realize how easily this top wrinkles, but I wore it all day and no doubt looked like this the better part of it.
Also, for anyone near a Kendra Scott boutique, tonight is GNO and all metal jewelry will have a 20% discount.  I sort of wish I'd waited to buy my Lila bangles, but I wouldn't have made it out tonight anyway so it's a good thing I snagged them last week!  If you shop online you can also use code: HOT20SALE for an additional 20% off all sale items at KendraScott.com.

HAPPY THURSDAY! TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Geeky Tuesday: Blogging Resources

For the last few weeks, I've participated in the #BlogTrends Twitter Chat on Monday nights at 8:00PM CST.  Last night, the topic was Life/Blog Balance, but there have been others on monetizing your blog, building your brand and engaging your community.  All of this got me thinking about the resources that I use for this blog.  I wanted to share my favorites and how I use them with you.

BUILDING, NURTURING, AND ENGAGING YOUR BLOG COMMUNITY
This is probably the one that is most important to me because I started this blog as a way to explore and define what my personal style is.  I feel that when I started and especially when I need security, I tend toward the safe, bland and boring.  It's hard for me to stay motivated to step outside of my comfort zone and reach for items I wouldn't normally wear such as colored jeans, neon brights, etc. At the end of the day, that is where I want to go.  I want to be just as comfortable in neon or yellow jeans, but I want to continue staying true to my lifestyle.  It definitely raise eyebrows if I showed up in the carpool lane decked out in a feather and tulle ball skirt.  I use the following resources to find new blogs and engage with others who share my interest in fashion, style and everything to do with shoes.

Independent Fashion Bloggers
IFB has a great community forum, but my favorite section of this website is ChicGeek where you can get tips on how to add plug-ins and transition to become your own self-hosted blog or what apps you have to have on your iPad.  They also have Blogging Tips where you can get ideas for upcoming blogs or participate in their weekly blog projects. I am currently participating in their 365 Project, but I desperately need to update my photos - I'm taking them every day, I just haven't updated in a few weeks!
This was the first community I joined and I loved how warm and friendly everyone has been, plus IFB hosts their own major Fashion Bloggers Conference to coincide with New York City's Fashion Week each season.  This past February was the first time I attended and it was great to put a face to some of my favorite blogs as well as get insight from bloggers who are much more popular and successful. My recap of my first conference is here and lessons learned are here.

Blog Trends
This webiste is newer, but it has quickly filled a major void in the fashion, lifestyle and beauty blogging world.  Blog Trends scours the web to find the absolute best tips for photography, content and blogging and is building a resource library that is very finely curated.  The forum is another very friendly way of discovering new blogs about the things that interest you and finding resources for things you didn't even know about such as what to do when you've been plagiarized.  There are regional and local groups and if there isn't one for your area, you can start one! I started the group for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to organize local resources, meet-ups or even local presence at national conferences.

APPS
One of easiest ways to stay engaged with readers and the blogging community is to stay in touch through various apps.  My favorites are below:
Twitter
Most bloggers, readers and people in general, have a twitter account these days.  It is a great way to stay in contact with everyone even when you aren't creating a post.  I like to follow a mix of bloggers, celebrities, non-profits and friends.  One of the best ways to engage using Twitter is to join chats when they happen.  I admit that I was a total newbie to chats and Morgan was the one that told me about them and how beneficial they are.  I found both #stylechat and #blogtrends and haven't looked back!  I've discovered that #stylechat is more geared towards styling tips and outfit help while #blogtrends is more about blogging in general.  Some of my favorite people to follow on twitter are: @blog_trends for blogging tips, tutorials and chat reminders; @ninagarcia for styling tips, red carpet coverage and interesting fashion news and articles; @InsideFMM for blogging and fashion marketing news; and @DKNYPRGirl for a perfect example of how to live a Twitter life and realtime tweets of your favorite shows like MadMen and Gossip Girl.
Instagram -
I love Instagram for photos that don't make it to my blog, don't want on my blog, and have nothing to do with my blog.  Because I am participating on the 365 Project I mentioned above, I found way back in January that it was hard to find subjects to photograph every single day. I found a user on Instagram (@fatmumslim) that creates monthly prompts for photos in her #photoaday projects.  I joined the thousands and thousands of people who participate now.  Sometimes, I take the photos on my SLR, sometimes on my iPhone, but I take a photo everyday and it's so much easier to complete my project now that I have a prompt each day even if I don't use it everyday.  My recommended people to follow are: @LeeOliveira for awesome street fashion photography from around the world, @AngryJulie for cool pix and great tips; @blaireadiebee for fabulous personal style and great photo effects.

Pose - Follow @ScorchingStyle
This is a fabulous app if you are a style or beauty blogger.  Similar to Instagram, you upload your photos, but this app is dedicated to fashion so all the photos are of clothes, shoes and nail polish.  The great thing is that you tag each item to identify what you are wearing.  Similar to your blog, but much more compact!  I follow @lawoffashion and @shelceyc and most recently the amazing @rachelzoe .

What are your favorite apps and who do you follow? Where do you go for great blogging resources?

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Vested Interest

I met Morgan for lunch last week after my school visit to my kid's school.  I know, I wore a black maxi skirt two days in a row.  I should be embarrassed, but I'm not.  This is really what I wear ALL the time in warm weather.  Maybe I will try to branch out this spring and summer so I can have different material for this blog.
Top: Express; Skirt: Lapis
Vest: Young, Fabulous, and Broke
I bought this vest last year because I wanted an easy layering piece that didn't add bulk to an outfit and this ivory sequined vest fit the bill.  I need ideas for other colors to wear with it. I've noticed that pinks like this watermelon top and coral look great against the tourmaline sequins, but I end up only wearing it with this and one other top.  Any ideas?
Necklace: BaubleBar
 Wallet: Calvin Klein
Bracelets: BaubleBar; Ring: DKNY x BaubleBar
BaubleBar has really been the detriment of any semblance of a monthly budget I could ever have hoped to achieve.  It seems like every single time I log in, there is some fabulous new bauble I have to have.  Lord help me as I prepare for LuckyFABB in Santa Monica in just TWO short little weeks!
Sandals: Cole Haan
Is anyone else attending LuckyFABB at the end of the month? Let me know, maybe we can plan a get together before or after.  I can't wait to get back out to the west coast. I miss you, LA LA Land!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Girl's Night Out: Black and Gold

I wore this to Girl's Night Out on Thursday.  I met a friend out for dinner and drinks and stopped at Kendra Scott to look for a pair of earrings that I'd been meaning to buy for an upcoming wedding.  Now that spring is here and summer is rapidly approaching in Texas, my go-to combination is the maxi skirt and flat sandals.
 Top: Ann Taylor; Skirt: Dolan via Gilt Groupe

Necklace and Ring: Kendra Scott
 Clutch: c/o BCBGMaxAzria

Sandals: Cynthia Vincent for Target
I did end up getting the earrings I wanted.  One of my favorite things about Kendra Scott is the Color Bar option.  I knew I wanted hot pink earrings to match the shoes I got for the dress, but I couldn't really find what I wanted on-line or while shopping.  The girls at the store in the West Village were great about helping me create what I saw in my head.  They're very good and they also managed to talk me into getting a set of gold bangles as well!

Where do you buy your jewelry and how do you hunt down items you want?