Project Couture Vintage

Kelly has another great tip for everyone: Project Couture Vintage. The clothes are really different and affordable. The styles actually remind me of the kinds of things I saw all those hip ladies in Tokyo wearing. Thanks Kelly!

Cherella USA

Two pretty dresses from the Cherella USA boutique. Jewel colored stripe jersey dress, $76.

Aqua Ruffle Wrap, $72.

Spring/Summer Essentials No.6

I've been on the road for a couple of days, without internet access, but I'm back!

The Maxi dress. Long and billowy, these floor-skimming dresses are the embodiment of the current silhouette trend of fitted around the bust and then loose around the stomach. Romantic and charming, flattering...especially on taller women.

They look great during the day, or for dressier occasions.

Definitely pair this look with wedge heels, thong sandals, and embellished flip flops.

Shabby Apple has a new dress that follows this trend using neutral colors... Cleopatra, Shabby Apple, $59. This is a great choice because you don't need an undershirt.

All the other maxi dresses I have seen require an undershirt. But don't let that stop you!

The other great way to wear this look is to select a bold, colorful print. This incorporates two more of the season's trends...bold prints and safari influence.

I love this print (the Spring Blossom Summer Dress, $138) from C& C California: Right now they are offering Free Shipping on all C&C California orders through 5.09.08!

I also like the safari vibe coming from this one by Victoria's Secret, $55.

This orange and pink print from Delia's is my personal favorite...It's the Jaclyn Dress, $50. Delia's also has a great shipping deal going on:
Free shipping on orders $25 or more, plus new summer arrivals at d*ELiA's! Use code DWFAFF. Offer valid through 6.11.08.

I also want to add that this style is simple to sew...I made one in college that I loved. So you may want to try a little sewing adventure.

I'm dying to know: how do you feel about the long and lovely Maxi?

Kelly gets Pic'd

Kelly looks adorable in this beautiful bold dress she found at Ross for $12, can you believe it? She added the brown border to the bottom herself, then modified the straps with snaps for easier nursing. So clever! It's a great example of getting creative and making it work modestly. I'm impressed. Thanks for sharing, Kelly!

Essentials No.2

The Dress. One piece of clothing and you're ready to go...an irresistible concept especially in the UNBEARABLY HOT summer months ahead. Personally, I've been stocking up so I can wear a dress every day of the week--I can't get enough of those delicious cooling breezes that pants just don't provide. I'll be honest, I felt a little silly the first few times I wore a "Sunday" dress to the playground...but it's just so comfortable you have to try it!

I suggest wearing flat sandals if you're going casual. Save the heels for dressier occasions.

Now presenting a random smattering of dress I adore...Cap Sleeve Chemise, Peruvian Connection, $98. Yum.Cat's Cradle, Shabby Apple, $62. No fuss bubble gum pink.Market Dress, Down East Basics, $27. I really like the vintage appeal of this unusual cotton print. Nice price, too.Sidney, Layers Clothing, $38. You could totally chillax (chill and relax, I thought Brandon made this word up but it turns out that I did) in this one. But don't wear those shoes. Ever.

And for just $100 more, you can get this one:Tahari by ASL, Macy's, $138. Flattering--nipping in just at the natural waist like that.Isabelle, Mika Rose, $60. Now here's a dress that can go both ways. So cute.Nicole, Mika Rose, $50. Just detailed enough to keep things interesting. Paisley Jacquard Dress, Peruvian Connection, $329. I can dream. It's just too pretty not to include. Something about today's post gives me an inexplicable urge to go platinum blonde...

Esprit

I recently rediscovered the clothing company Esprit. They've got an abundance of fetching apparel on their website. Here are my favorite picks for spring/summer:check babydoll shirt, Esprit, $50. I love the colors in this subtle plaid.

mix cardigan, Esprit, $80. Now that is a cute sweatshirt.full needle hood cardigan, Esprit, $40. So is this. I like the way they call them "knit cardigans."
laura summer skirt, Esprit, $80. Attractive silhouette combined with useful basic.
stripe voile skirt, Esprit, $70. Love the pockets.
madras check dress, Esprit, $60. This is probably too short on its own, but I still think it's lovely.
easy print dress, Esprit, $60. Dazzling.
cute cargo dress, Esprit, $80. A great way to wear leggings with a dress.
print silk dress, Esprit, $110. Incorporate the Safari trend into your wardrobe.
Jersey roundneck top, Esprit, $25. I like the color and the cut of this top.

prints charming

Feelin' foxy in flora and fauna...Tatami-Heli Belt by Mixko, greener grass design, $48. Made from off-cuts of Japanese tatami tape. Environmentally friendly. Relaxed Floral Pullover, Free People, $148. I love the relaxed silhouette. Very chill. Eleanor Horse Print Skimmer, Keds, $40. Because, why not?Big Floral Dress, Lucky Brand Jeans, $78. Machine washable cotton. (This one may need an undershirt.) I'd like to wear this everywhere, all summer long...

Peacock Tee, GoJane.com, $28. Don't you love peacocks?

black/white/house/market

(Does the name of that store drive anyone else crazy!?)
Anyway, here are a couple finds I've been holding onto...they all happen to be black and white so I thought I'd just go ahead and share...
Blackbirds attacking in the Dead O' Night, Design By Humans, $20. So cool.Emily, Mikarose, $60. I love this dress. (Is that Elizabeth Smart?!)Champion Metallic Stripe Slip On, Keds, $20. For your inner Avril...
Black Tuxedo tie dress, Jen clothing, $44. (this one, too)
Beauty Ombre Heel, okay, so this one is actually from White House/Black Market...$98. Very pretty.

my blue heaven

My friend Danielle asked me to find a blue dress that she could wear to a wedding, preferably $100 or less. So many pretty options...Jones New York Dress Voile Shirtdress with sash, Nordstrom, $150. A bit over the price range, but too gorgeous to ignore!Lily Ruched Waist Jersey Dress, Nordstrom, $88. I bet this one is really comfortable.Waist Detailed Ponte Knit Dress, BarriePace.com, $168. A cool modern look.Rio Del Mar Dress, Down East Basics, $35. What a steal! So cute.Merona Shirtdress in Blue/White stripe, Target, $28. A much lighter shade of blue.Josie Dress, JCrew, $138. Fabulous detail. Beautiful color.Ruffle Cotton Dress, BodenUSA, $108. A soft Carolina blue. (This one will need an undershirt--but it's machine washable!)
16 Candles Dress, Shabby Apple, $65. I have this dress and I LOVE it! Comfy and very flattering. It's actually midnight blue, even though it looks black in the picture. The great thing about selecting a navy dress is that you can wear it all year, just add boots for fall/winter and sandals for spring/summer.

Which pretty dress is your favorite?

LBD

When Michelle mentioned her search for a semi-formal dress to wear to a law school function, my first thought was Little Black Dress. As an intern and future attorney, she will be required to attend numerous semi-formal social events. If you have a similar career path, or are married to someone who does, you may want to take note...

According to Wikipedia,

A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often with a short skirt, originally made popular in the 1920s by the fashion designer Coco Chanel. Intended by Chanel to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral color, its continued ubiquity is such that many refer to it by its abbreviation, LBD.

The "little black dress" is considered essential to a complete wardrobe by many women and fashion observers, who believe it a "rule of fashion" that every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: for example, worn with a jacket and pumps for daytime business wear or with more ornate jewelry and accessories for evening. Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the style of the little black dress ideally should be as simple as possible: a short black dress that is too clearly part of a trend would not qualify because it would soon appear dated.

Soapbox moment: I think people are often way too casual these days when attending special occasions (like wedding receptions!). If you feel like you never know what to wear--invest in one simple, elegant black dress. Wearing a somewhat formal dress shows taste and respect for the important occasion. When in doubt, over-dress!

Basic Black Olivia, Shade Clothing, $90. Simple and elegant.

Sabrina, Shabby Apple, $96. Pretty satin dress with separate tulle slip.
Teri Jon Belted Silk Shantung Shirtdress, Nordstrom, $308. This one is also gorgeous.

Nina Geniza black luster satin, Zappos.com, $100. Just like the LBD, every woman needs a good pair of black dress shoes. Nina makes some beautiful formal shoes. Select a high quality, classic style and (along with your dress) you will be ready for wherever life takes you!

Athleta

"No matter where you're headed and what you have in store, this season it's all about the dress. One piece, packable and flattering. How much better can it get?"

That's what the clothing company Athleta has to say...and I tend to agree. As we all head out of town (or just around town) for vacations, etc, here are three outfits that make me want to wander.

Tie Front Dress, $89, Finesse Knicker, $34, and St. Martin Wedge, $89. I am loving this outfit from Athleta.com.Dip Dye Audry Dress, $150, Athleta.com. Super soft stretch micromodal. Yum. (Probably needs an undershirt.)
Tissue TooHip Tunic, $69, Adjustable Tunic Cami, $49, Karma Capri, $54, and Ropeswing Ballet Flat, $65, Athleta.com. Let's see a close up of those ballet flats...
Gorgeous!
Have fun wherever you're going, and remember, pack light!