Who, What, WEAR?? The American Music Awards

I do love a good awards show. Last night, on the American Music Awards, it was simply a parade of over the top fashion and musical performances. That is my kind of programming, fabulous and fun.

Of course my intense focus was on what the fancy musicians, actors and other random attendees were wearing on their toned and trim bodies. Never in my life did I think that this lovely Monday I would be reporting that Taylor Swift was my best dressed. Her country curls and cat eye makeup are always on my annoyance radar and I think her ability to FINALLY switch it up threw me off! Obviously this is a cute dress by Collette Dinnigan and is perfectly appropriate for the AMA's, yet it is not the most amazing thing I have ever seen. BUT, and this is a big but, combined with her new 'do and smokey eye makeup, she certainly got my attention! I was so happy to finally see a more grown up, sophisticated Ms. Swift. Thank you for finally putting the curling iron down and officially joining the other side of Hollywood. Bye, bye country, hello hot!

And now for my special mention.... The product of Will and Jada Smith, Willow, is really one fantastic child. I saw her in an interview last week and I actually stopped everything I was doing to listen. She is cute, witty, funny, stylish and talented. It may sound like I am a bit obsessed with Willow, but it is really just sincere admiration for a kid who isn't even 10 years old yet. Now, with that said, I think this outfit is crazy. But, the fact that she even has the sense to pick out such editorial pieces and put it together this way forces me to give her props. She is reaching for fashion freedom and really expressing herself. I love that.




Oh my gosh. Really, what can I say that is not completely inappropriate on a blog about this look? Apparently Kesha put together this little number using VHS tape. I love a green artist and recycling is definitely cool, but seriously, where did you even find this much VHS tape to design this dress? Haven't these things been obsolete for a while? I guess not long enough because you found a way to wear a full dress made out of the material. Oy. Should mention the studded eyebrows? Um, better not.








As for this look, I think even Nicki Minaj is surprised she wore this on the red carpet. Just look at that face! What on earth is going on here??? I couldn't make this my number one worst dressed because that is just too easy. This rib cage inspired frock gets my "special mention" for craziest, most ridiculous, "look at me" dress on the carpet. And did she accidentally dip the bottom of her hair in green tie dye or is that simply a new version of hair mold? If her goal was to be visually stimulating, she definitely hit the mark. I stared at her for over 15 minutes trying to find something I liked about this and I am still lookin'......

Overall, the ladies did well and the performances were spot on. I love any excuse to talk about red carpet fashion, so props to everyone who walked the carpet and gave it their best try. I am sure someone would have something to say about my dress too if I ever make it to an official red carpet!

College to the Boardroom: Dressing Appropriately

So, the party is over. College is ending and it is time for the "real world". Stop crying! It can be fun, I swear.

First challenge, transitioning seamlessly into the work world by looking the part. This is often times not an easy task for those who have never set foot in an office. You own the staple uniform of jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts for daytime and black pants with sexy, little tops for nighttime... Now what?? Basically you have a closet full of "weekend wear". Get out your parents credit card (you don't have any money yet, you haven't started working) and get ready to shop.























I LOVE this look from J Crew and I think it is a great middle ground for someone just entering the work force. Let's be honest, you can't really afford to buy an entirely new wardrobe at this moment, so it is time to be creative. Owning pieces that are great for multiple occasions is the key to this great leap you are about to take.

Let's focus in on the details of why I think this is a great look for almost any working situation: First, you are put together, but you are not stuffy. Remember that you are 22 years old, look it. Be sophisticated, but don't try to age yourself by 20 years. The gig is up, everyone knows you just got out of college!

The top half of this outfit is so accessible that it could even be worn with jeans! Look, it really is just a fancy t-shirt and a colored cardigan. The print ups the ante of the tee (don't think Ed Hardy here!) and the color of the cardigan makes it a bit more youthful. The piece making the entire look so "office appropriate" is the pencil skirt. A necessity in any woman's closet of any age and almost any shape, this garment will kick it up a notch at the workplace. Plus, it is a great foundation piece and can be worn multiple times without your co-workers calling you out. Topped off with a complimentary red colored flat to offset the yellow cardigan and paired with funky bracelets, this outfit has full on green light approval! Mix and match any of the items shown here for looks ranging from casual to work. You can do it!

Another great item is the wrap dress. It is basic, simple, straight forward and can be accessorized how ever you like! This means that you have the power to exercise your styling muscle.... Within means! This is another garment that will stand the test of time, just like the pencil skirt. It has the flexibility to be worn in a sophisticated way or a playful way. You are in control. Adding a fun shoe, as this Banana Republic ensemble is showing, gives it that younger edge that you are going for. No need to be stuffy just because you are out of college. Fun and appropriate are the key words class.

Check out a Sass N Style video I did about being "Office Chic". My friend and I are just a few years out of college (OK, maybe 8), but you should get some fun and easy tips for looking great as you enter the workforce. Remember ladies, your look is going to get you immediate approval from your boss, but your confidence and attitude is going to get you a promotion!



College Photo courtesy of Getty Images
J Crew Outfit
Banana Republic Wrap Dress: $120

Flea Market Finds: How to be a Master!

I take great pride in the fact that I am a self-taught genius of flea markets. This essentially means that I am capable of finding fabulous treasures among what looks like piles of trash. People are easily overwhelmed by situations like this, but I thrive on it. It is a talent that has been honed over many years, but I want to give you, my fashion audience, some quick tips about how to "find the fab".

Take this dress to the left. It was on a sad little hanger in the back of a parking lot flea market looking tired and bored. That is until I found her and breathed new life back into her body! I was just strolling past this particular flea market, as it usually goes in NYC, and I decided to do a walk through. Nothing too crazy, I just wanted to take a glimpse. I usually only go toward jewelry and bags in these situations because they are the easiest to search through, but for some reason, I decided to look at a rack of vintage dresses. The word vintage can be deceiving. People think of celebrities wearing vintage gowns on the red carpet, but mostly it just means that things are old! And so was the story with this long, wine colored polyester gown from the 70's. Right there in the parking lot I tried this baby on over my clothing to see if it even remotely fit. And lo and behold, my eye was right on. It was a little long and a little loose, but for $25, it was sold. Of course the fun part of this story is that I then had to have it tailored for $96. The key to this type of shopping is knowing that often times, tailoring is a part of the price. I still got a floor length gown that I have worn numerous time for $130. Not too bad.

Another one of my great finds is this snake skin bag. Sure she's a little beat up, but she just keeps on ticking! Whenever I pair this bag with an outfit, I receive a compliment. It is over-sized and relaxed, creating a laid back vintage look every time I rock it. For $12 in Chicago, this snakeskin bag has been put to good use. At any retail store a new bag just like this one would be upwards of $200 to $250.

Just this weekend I found this amazing art deco bracelet at my favorite flea market in Hell's Kitchen. I am in way too many weddings this summer and I am trying to save money by styling two dresses different ways. This way I feel like I am wearing different outfits, but not buying completely new ensembles. This is totally for my own benefit since I will literally not be seeing the same people at any of the seven weddings I am attending. Yes, I said seven.

This little bauble only cost me $28 and was worth every penny. The detail and quality of it are amazing. To me, it also adds a bit of character to my look knowing that every piece of jewelry I am wearing I searched for and found a fabulous deal on! I will, of course, let everyone at every wedding know this and how much I paid for each piece. I can't help myself.

So here are a few quick tips to navigating a crazy flea market:

PATIENCE IS KEY: You are never going to find anything if you are rushing through the market. You have to accept the fact that this is an activity and enjoy the search. Sifting might take time, but it will totally be worth it if you find your next favorite piece.

DON'T GO WITH ONE THING IN MIND: You are never going to find exactly what you are looking for. Certain pieces are more plentiful then others, i.e. vintage jewelry, but this place is NOT merchandised for your pleasure. Go with the idea that you might find something fabulous.... Whatever it may be!

GO FOR QUALITY: There is a lot of junk at flea markets. Piles and piles of it. At some flea markets, that is all there is. Be discerning. If it is clothing, look at the stitching and stain possibility. Check for missing buttons. If it is jewelry, look for tarnishing and broken clasps. It may look cute, but if it is inexpensive crap, then you will look like inexpensive crap when you wear it:)

ACCESSORIES ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND: This is going to be the easiest thing to pick up. There is always a ton of bags and jewelry at any flea market. If you are looking for a trinket to get you through your shopping lull, then this is the place for you. Again, patience is key and only buy it if you love it.

CIRCLE AROUND ONCE BEFORE PURCHASING: Look at everything and make a short list of what you love. Go with a certain amount of cash and when you run out, it is time to leave. Most vendors only take cash so this is an easy way to stay on budget! Make wise choices and you will always love what you buy.

HOT Summer Work Looks: Own the Right Pieces

Just because the temperature is up doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style! Let's face it, according to me, unless you are traveling through the insect infested backwoods of the country, you should never sacrifice style. Come down on me summer heat, I will fight back and do it in fashion.

The key to fighting this insane heat that is about to descend upon us is to layer on, layer off. Going to the office is much different then being IN the office. Why do they always put the thermometer at a lovely 50 degrees when it is pushing 100 outside??? Apparently the person paying the bill is not setting the temperature.....

Just as this look from J Crew is showing you, the most important thing in summertime is to look like you weren't trying too hard. It should be easy and breezy, just as your summer attitude is! Nothing too structured, nothing too overwhelming, the layers should almost always be able to go from daytime to nighttime. This lovely variable gives your summer wardrobe a lot more flexibility then any other season. Materials are light and breathable, meaning that any sort of lining might be stifling. Only suits should really present the possibility of having 2 layers to contend with.

The sheath dress is a fabulous option to play with during the next couple of months. You can easily layer items on during the warmer months and utilize it later in the year by layering under! I love versatility. A neutral color, such as this tan, allows you to truly play with it as a foundation piece and change it up completely depending on what you put with it. Change the belt, necklace, shoes, layering piece and bam, it is an entirely different outfit. The style works on most body types from straight to curvy, it really just depends on how you style it. Make it works ladies!

If you work at a location that requires you to wear a suit, don't fret. I can style you fabulous no matter what! Again, the most important factor is to keep it looking like you didn't try too hard. I know, I know, "How do I do that with a suit???" Easy. It is all about how you "wear" the suit and style it. Rolling up the sleeves is key. This automatically gives it a more laid back feeling. It becomes a bit more accessible rather then stiff and uninviting. Adding a blouse that is colorful and printed will help to brighten the overall look. Keeping the material loose and the shirt un-tucked may seem inappropriate, but remember ladies, you are wearing it under a suit! You are already so put together that wearing the undergarment in a more casual way will NOT throw off the entire ensemble. No one in the office will be staring you down for your inappropriate attire!

The final touch on any FAB ensemble is the jewelry! It is easy to buy, easy to style and a fairly inexpensive way to pump up any look, any season. For summer I always promote colorful stones. It pushes whatever outfit you have created into the playful, summer outfit you aspire to create! From necklaces to bracelets to earrings, adding a fun summer bauble is the final touch that your amazing outfit needs! Remember ladies, don't overdo it. A fantastic look really only needs one pop piece. Choose one great item and make it shine! Then, your whole outfit will be like a ray of sunshine.............

J Crew Leopard Skirt/Top/Cardigan
J Crew Sheath Dress: $158
Banana Republic Jacket:$150
Banana Republic Pants: $79
Ann Taylor Loft Necklace: $39.50

And Now for the Worst... Golden Globe Gowns 2010

Let me preface this post by letting you know that there really were no frocks that made me cringe and bite my lip. With that said, I was still "concerned" by a few of the gown choices.

First up, Julianne Moore's Balenciaga dress was way off... Where was the shape, the curve, the silhousette? Why would you diet and excercie frivilously and then choose this gown just so you can cover it up? At least she slightly saved the ensemble with a fab pair of earrings. It ALMOST (not really) made up for the bizarre neckline and unfortunate and unkept hair-do. I know it was raining, but don't you have a stylist following you around?


Next up is the hottest woman to hit television in a long time, Sophia Veranga. Unfortunately, she chose a Carolina Herrera dress that did absolutely nothing for her. The material was my first big issue because it looks like that of a high school prom dress from Jessica McClintock. Sorry to all those girls who love Jessica:( My second issue is that it was just way to much material for such a small lady. It was like she had another dress following her around all night.... She had every opportunity to show off her incredible sex appeal and beauty, but this dress did neither.


Oh Anna Paquin. This is a simple case of when a dress is incredible and the styling almost ruins the entire thing. Stella McCartney created a fabulous gown and Anna (or Anna's stylist) decided that a clunky pair of gladiator sandals was the appropriate shoe choice. This was NOT the appropriate shoe choice. It was way too much going on and a much too heavy choice for a shoe option. Plus, these shoes are meant for a summer look, not a red carpet.


Finally we have Tina Fey in Zac Posen. A good idea in theory, but this is WAY too much dress for such a small woman. Too much pattern, way too much length and too much "bow-y" shoes. All in all, too much! If it had one less tier on the bottom, it would have substantially helped her cause... Unfortunately, they decided to keep the tier. Sorry Tina, this just wasn't your best fashion choice..... You are still funny though:)

So that is it for my ranting and raving about the Golden Globe fashions. There was no total blunders, which made me smile. Obviously there will always be a few that are off, but what would an awards show be without that? Um, boring. I commend you all for trying to look your best and braving the scary waters of internet commentary. Good job.

The BEST Golden Globe Gowns 2010

Ah, awards season is here again! I LOVE this time of year. It is all about glitz and glamor and everything fabulous! Bring on the bling.

I know my first pick for "best dressed" at the Golden Globes is going to come with some criticism. My boyfriend has already chastised this choice. Drew Barrymore looked stunning in her Atlier Versace gown. The shoulder and hip detail bordered on that of a sea creature, but I still thought it was to die for. It was chic and elegant with a funky, individual twist. Nude is not always the best choice for the red carpet, it is easy to look washed out, but I really just loved the elegant detail on this dress. Her hair and make-up also perfectly complimented the simple sexiness of the overall look.




























Next up for "best dressed" is January Jones. She always tries to do something just a little different and I truly appreciate that. Black is never one of my favorites on the carpet, it just doesn't read well on camera. That is why I was so drawn to this look, because it DID look different and interesting. Not an easy feat. I was thrown off by the hair ribbon at first, but it really grew on me. I think it added to the "chic" quotient by a million. She took a simply elegant black gown and made it her own. This Lanvin dress was nothing short of spectacular when styled correctly... which it was! Kudos to your hair and makeup team as well for extending the classic elegance throughout the entire look.


























Now for some color! Diane Kruger hasdefinitely proven herself to be something of a fashion icon. She is almost always interesting and hits the nail on the head with her fashion choices. This Spring Christian Lacroix gown is fierce in every way possible. Look at that neckline for God's sake! How insanely fabulous is the construction of this dress. Keeping her hair off her neckline was also ingenious because that is the most busy part of her gown. You really don't want to mess with it in any way. Show it off!

I guess looking good is easy for her. It doesn't hurt that she is an amazingly stunning woman who can really pull off anything. Damn you Diane Kruger!


























And now a double whammy of beauty and style, Christina Hendricks and Kate Hudson. Both were light and lovely on the red carpet. Kate wore a fabulous Marchesa gown, one of my absolute favorite designers for anything gown-related! Let's not forget to give her shoes a shout out. They seriously helped enhance the funk factor of this look. Christina rocked a Christian Siriano dress.. Oh yes, the winner of Project Runway. Can you believe it? He really is proving to be the most successful winner of them all! To get on the red carpet at the Golden Globes is huge. The fact that this dress was one of my favorites right from the start without even knowing it was Siriano's dress is even better. I love to root for the underdog and he is certainly still just making his way into this crazy world. Good for you Christian!

So there you have it. Feel free to criticize my choices for "best dressed", but remember, this is my blog and all about my opinions:) Overall, this was a great kick off to the awards season and I think everyone did a pretty good job at looking fabulous. Usually there is a safety factor involved in the Golden Globes because it is the first show of the season. I actually think people dove into their fashion choices this year and I commend that! Can't wait for more....

Lovely Leather Dress: Dominatrix and Class Meet.

I am not usually an Angelina Jolie fan. Her style borders on boring, I just need a little more fun in my life. I understand that when you have that many children it is hard to take time for yourself, but that is why she has a stylist.

I had to give it up to her in this black leather Michael Kors dress though. It is so damn sexy and chic that it didn't matter if she paired it with nothing else. This dress did all of the talking. Do you have any idea how hard it is to make a leather sheath dress fit like this? Let me tell you... Very, very hard.

The addition of the gladiator heel was truthfully all that she needed to shine. She added a simple touch of color with the red ring and that was perfect. For as much as I know about Angelina (thank you tabloids), this dress matched her personality perfectly. It is simple and chic, yet completely edgy. She has matured in her older age, but can still kick anyone's ass. She is bad, look out Brad Pitt.

The Last Warm Day of Fall.... Go Colorful!

I felt so damn cute when I wore this that I had to share it with you! For some reason I always end up is more subtle colors (which is crazy because my personality is so loud!), so this was really fun for me. Why am I not wearing more color when it looks so freakin' good?!?

You may recognize this dress from my hosting gig as Rebecca and Drew for Fashion's Night Out. Part of the benefit of hosting events is that often times you get to keep what you wore. I am glad I wore this because it looks so good hanging in my closet, not to mention when I wear it! I paired it with another piece you might recognize, my Club Monoco lime green cardigan purchased at a consignment store. The color combination is not only chic, but completely eye catching. Too add a little bit of edge, I added a pointed toe black flat and layered gold and black bangles. Wearing a black bag as well would have been a bit harsh and overpowering, so I went with a more neutral camel color Sabina bag.

Overall I felt cute, sassy and completely appropriate for any situation. This is the type of look that will stand out and receive compliments without overpowering whomever wears it. It is also a great outfit because it will look good on most body types. A button-down dress is a comfortable choice for most sizes. The cinched style allows any woman to show off her curves properly. Love thy curves.

So next time you are deciding what to wear, think outside of the box. Pair together items that you never would have thought about. You just might surprise yourself and create something fabulous...

"I Feel Like a Size 6 Stuck in a Size 12." Common Problem,Good Solutions.

My friends are such good sports. Let's take Jessica here as an example. She just moved to NYC (yea for me) and offered up the idea of doing a blog post on her. "How much fun would it be to go "shopping" and show people how to look fabulous at any size?" Lots of fun.

So we went off to Lord and Taylor yesterday and played a bit of dress up. As the title of this post states, Jessica feels like the fashion world is against her. Why is every awesome piece made for a size 6? Not true Jessica! You too can look amazing! As her friend and fashion teacher, it was time for me to take control.

Jessica came wearing gray pants, a purple sweater, messenger bag and Danskin shoes. The sentence out of her mouth was a long-winded complaint about how annoying her pants were. They were uncomfortable and short. Basically, mama needs some new pants. As for the rest of the look, she already knows how I feel about the shoes.... I tell her all the time:) In all fairness, Jessica has some foot issues and needs to wear VERY comfortable shoes. I let her know that comfort and style can go hand in hand, but that was a large issue for another day/post. We were focusing on clothing here.

First up, a classic and elegant ensemble that has tons of versatility. She can wear this to the office, a dinner date or out for a night of "fancy" cocktails. The simplicity of the look makes it accessible, but the accents on the cardigan and the statement necklace make it fabulous! The sweater dress underneath, by Lily Pulitzer, was an empire waisted sheath. It was a great foundation piece for styling any way I saw fit! The cardigan, by Kate Hill, was a useful piece that can be worn anytime of the day. I simply buttoned two buttons at the empire waist of the dress to accentuate the fact that Jessica has curves. You want to show them off, not cover them with loose clothing! The attention is brought upward though the beading on the cardigan and the statement necklace. For wearability, I would add black tights and a high black boot or black high heel. Curvy and simple.

I love, love, love this outfit. It is cute, it is casual, it is sparkly! It works perfectly on Jessica for a few reasons. The t-shirt underneath has a beaded design directly down the middle. This draws the eye to the center, always a good idea to make anyone look more slender. By pairing it with this gray sweater and wearing it open, the black lines are only accentuating the design of the t-shirt drawing more attention to the middle. Perfect! I added a longer, black tank top underneath to give some length to the shirt. It was just too short and this is a simple way to solve the problem. Adding my favorite color jeans, gray, to this lots 'o gray ensemble was the perfect pick. Jessica needed new jeans and the "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" are the best option for curvy women. I threw on some color with her bracelets to take away from the monochromatic look. They added extra funk and fun.... Lo and behold, daytime chic was born.

Jessica feels hot. This is obvious by the pose change... Plus she told me in the dressing room. Jessica, it is true, you look hot. I love this flashy BCBG top. Every girl wants to sparkle a little no matter what her size! And why should that right be taken away? I hate when I see a room full of doubty clothing just because it is not a size 6. Boo. So I wanted to put Jessica in something that said, "Hey, look at me!" In a good way.... I again used the gray jeans because they looked good and Jessica loved them. I pulled a longer top with movement, yet it still had a shape. You never want to lose your shape when you are a larger size because it makes you look larger! You need to show that there is a body under there. This top was complimentary because it was fitted at the bottom and at the end of the sleeves. The final show stopper was the layered gold necklaces and big gold cocktail ring. As with the gray t-shirt with sparkle detail, I needed to draw the eye to the middle to create a more slender look. Long necklaces do this! They were not overwhelming to the fun shirt, but I wouldn't wear this look before 8pm.

So Jessica, you can look fabulous no matter what your size! Feeling amazing is most of the battle and my dear, you look pretty, damn hot is these outfits. I now send you off to the wolves of New York City, you are ready for your big debut:)

MOD-tastic! My Throw Back to the 60's

You should know by now (if you are an avid reader), that most things I buy have a story behind them. Why should this dress be any different? Almost 5 years ago, while living in Chicago, I wandered into my favorite second hand store (think Goodwill here), and found this fabulous creation. It was old, it was wrinkled, it was amazing. My eye was instantly drawn too it's Missoni-esque style. The fit was slightly off and it was a floor length gown, hardly wearable, but for 5 bucks it was mine. I seriously only paid $5. The truth is that other people would have seen grandma's old, beat up dress where as I saw lots and lots of MOD possibility.

After purchasing my new, amazing dress, I (almost) immediately went to the cleaners. After hosing down my frock, I took it to the best tailor in town. An awesome $5 purchase deserves all of the tailoring it needs. It STILL would not, could not, ever be as much as a brand new shiny cocktail dress. Plus, no one will have a copy of it and you have a fab story to tell when you wear it.

So, after cleaning it, taking it in, chopping off the bottom to a proper cocktail length, it sat in my closet for over 4 years. This is truly not my style, but I just could not find a place to wear this amazing party dress. I am usually only this dressed up for weddings and most of those take place in the warmer months. This dress was clearly made for "getting down" when there was a chill in the air. The material is thick and the silver screams for snow flakes. So it took me getting invited to judge a "Condom Couture" fashion show in October to bring this baby out! She was so happy for the world to see her.

You know that if I was going to show off my $5 "Missoni" dress from a Goodwill style store, I was going to go all the way. Why style things boring when you can style things fabulous?!? I really went with the mod feeling of the dress and pulled out all of the 60's stops. You never want to feel like you are wearing a costume, but why not use what the dress is giving you? This dress was giving me retro fabulous. I went completely vintage and pulled out my silver clutch that also cost me no more than $10. Ladies and gentleman, here we have a $15 look prior to shoes and jewelry. Who is a recession proof fashionista now? I slathered on dark sparlky silver nail polish, the color of the moment, and 2 of my favorite vintage-esque rings. All in all, I was a sparkly silver masterpiece!

My black patent leather round toe wedges completed the look. They were feminine with a bit of sex appeal. They sealed the deal on the cute, sassy 60's feel I was going for. Of course styling does not end with the ensemble, so my make-up and hair had to be done up right! Complete with a cat-eye and a teased out pony tail with side-swept bangs, I had achieved my MOD goal.

Next time you are going to a special gala, don't be afraid of going the distance. A look is about the whole package, not just the dress. Put the effort into creating a head to toe style and you will certainly have a memorable (if not stylish) evening!

Maternity Maven: Looking Fab at any Month

I absolutely love working with pregnant women. They are going thourgh a crazy, body changing period and getting dressed (never mind actually looking cute) seems borderline painful. Being able to give them back their fashionable confidence is definitely a favorite part of my job.

My first pregnant client ever was lucky enough to go through it on television. That is obviously a joke. Imagine having to handle your body continually evolving for 9 months, and then most likely another year past that, and having to do it all on camera. You know the term, "the camera adds 10 pounds"? Think how frightening that statement would be when combined with your first pregnancy. Lucky for her I am a fabulous stylist and I love a good challenge!

Ladies, it is really all about making sure that no matter what month of pregnancy you are in, you still show that you have a body. Much like I promote wearing silhouette conscious clothing when you are a curvier woman, this is very similar. Once you put on a garbage bag of a dress, you look even BIGGER than you are. Stop with the frumpy, slouchy clothing when you are pregnant! In fact, my biggest pet peeve for lovely pregnant women is when they try and shop in the "regular" sized section until their 7th month. You are pregnant, not fat, wear clothing that is made for your new, curvy body. The maternity section is designed to fit this new body of yours, therefore it is going to fit you properly. What a fabulous concept!

This particular dress is a great example of a silhouette that will truly work on almost every pregnant woman at any month. It clearly shows that you have a womanly figure by being fitted around the arms and bust. An empire waist, when it cinches just under the bust, is a fantastic choice for any stage of pregnancy. It allows for movement and comfort around your stomach while remaining fitted on the upper half of your body. Also, this particular neckline is great to not over-accentuate a growing bust line. It does not drape over your boobs drawing attention to them, but rather draws the eye upward to the neck. Of course the fact that it is a jersey material is only more enticing being that it will feel like you are in a nightgown! Comfort and style DO go hand in hand.

Photo courtesy of showhype.com
Long sleeve babydoll maternity dress $29.98

The Draped Neckline

The draped neckline is such a dilemma. I know, there are bigger problems going on in the world, but for lots of people ( several of my fashion followers), this is a BIG problem.

Here are the issues: 1. It never hangs just right. 2. It is completely annoying when it doesn't hang right and keeps moving. 3. Often times it is difficult to style because your neckline is open, but the draping is overwhelming. Worry no longer, I will save you from your draped neckline nightmares.

You see this dress and you want to wear it, but your "nightmares" keep crawling up on you and almost keep you from pulling out your credit card. If anything should scare you, it should be the satin fabric that will stick to every nook and cranny and most definitely wrinkle as soon as you sit down. Don't let the drape be your fearful factor!

Answer number 1: Buy a draped shirt that has some sort of small weight in the front. It will actually keep the drape in the correct place and will keep you from fidgeting with it so much. So I guess that answers number 2 as well! A draped shirt will fall out, fall in and basically keep moving as you keep moving. By putting a small weight inside the seam at the center of the drape, the designer is allowing it to now be an effortless silhouette. This is the only time you will ever thank anyone for "adding weight" to you.

And now for answer number 3, the most important! How do you style this damn thing? Well, it is pretty simple. NO NECKLACES. Consider the drape your necklace. It is all the detail and attention that this little neckline needs. You do not need to overdo it. If anything, add a great pair of earrings to the look and keep all of the focus at the top. I would also pull your hair back, just like this model is doing, to accentuate the neckline even more. Of course if your hair is short, all the easier! The other choice is to keep the earring super simple, think studs, and adds lots and lots of fun bracelets OR a huge costume ring. You are separating the attention enough that nothing is competing with anything.

So do not fear the draped neckline any longer. You can pull this off. The only NO, NO is that if you have a super ample bust, this ain't for you. You little weight is going to get lost in your lots of bust. Sorry super curvy gals!!!

Photo courtesy of velita.com/collections/dresses

Emmy's Best Dressed: Blake Lively and January Jones

Oh how I love a good awards show. The good, the bad and the ugly.... It is a stylist's time to shine and a star's time to suck it in. All of this equals out to a good time for the viewer.

This year the Emmy's were pretty as usual. I feel like because it is so early in the awards season (January is when it really gets going!), that most celebs stay safe. This year was no different. Basic silhouettes with straight forward colors allow very few of them to end up on the worst dressed list.

But then there are the few that take a bit of a risk and pray that it pays off. This year's risk takers: Blake Lively and January Jones. And as far as this stylist is concerned, their respective risks definitely paid off.

I LOVE Blake Lively's look. It is sexy (amazing boobs anyone?), it is sleek, it is the color of the moment and it is different. Her hair borders on alien invasion, but somehow it really does work with this look. I think the sleek front mixed with the messy braided pony tail are a slam dunk. Paired with an amazing silhouette of a dress that simply fits her body like a glove, Blake Lively looks the best she ever has. Gold star.

And then there is January Jones. Space age meets Hollywood glamor has never looked so good. Who knew that these two genres would make such a glorious team? The hard edge of the beading combined with the structured hip were an amazing compliment to her flowing train. With such a strong top half, it was important to pair it with a more feminine bottom half.

She brought the feminine feeling up through her soft hair and make-up reminding us that she is a classy lady with a touch of retro funk. She created a classically Mad Men look with a 2009 twist. You also receive a gold star January Jones.

Rachel Roy Takes Over Macy's

Who knew that a Sunday of nothing could turn into a full blown fashion show of the Rachel Roy line at Macy's? I am quite sure that my friend Erin and I did not go up to Herald Square anticipating such a fabulously fashionable adventure. Just down the street are the tents for fashion week in Bryant Park, but right there in that small dressing room was the real drama and style....

It is always good to have girlfriends who love clothing as much as you do and have a slight addiction to buying it. Oh, and it doesn't hurt when they look good in it and are willing to play the "fashion show" game for your blog. Thank you Erin.

This little montage of photos was quite literally an accident. I agreed to make the trip (yes folks, it is a trip when you have to go to Macy's on a Sunday) as a good friend must agree to do. We were seriously only going up there to return something Erin had bought earlier and then run right back downtown where the shopping is smaller, boutique(ier) and much more consignment/vintage style.... But alas, Rachel Roy's line attacked us from across the store and there was no stopping us.

Holy crap, I am obsessed. I should re-state that, WE are obsessed. Erin and I dove in like two crazy women looking for the holy grail... Only we had already found it! I knew that Rachel Roy was doing a line for Macy's, but I had no idea that it would be so fabulously fantastic. The silhouettes were interesting, the line was vast and the price points were not necessarily going to kill me. Things ranged anywhere from $60 for a sweater to $130 for a nice dress. Think BCBG prices.

I need, actually I implore you to take a gander at this "oh so fun!" line. It is sassy, it is sleek, it is fun, it is full of fashionable energy that screams for you to try it all on.... Or at least that is what it said to Erin and I. I do enjoy when designers go "low-end" to try and sell to the masses, but sometimes something is lost in the translation... NOTHING was lost here. All hail Rachel Roy.

Macy's Rachel Roy Line

Weekend Wedding Fabulous: Old Hollywood Style

I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of my best friend since I was 14 years old. If we are counting folks, that means we have known each other for 16 years, oy. He and I went to our first dance in high school together and, based on a contract I made him sign early on, our prom as well. He is my brother from another mother.

This past Labor Day weekend, he and his beautiful bride were married in Lake George at the famous Sagamore hotel. The place was absolutely to die for. It sits on a cliff side overlooking Lake George and had "old Hollywood" written all over it. At least in my mind.... It also was reminiscent of Dirty Dancing and this was only promoted by the fact that they had the soundtrack playing there. I swear, could I make that up?

I decided to go with the throwback theme and pull out a vintage light grey silk gown that I have owned for a year. This was a bit of a tricky piece as I bought it when I was a size bigger and it was see-through. Oh yea, see-through. What I had going on underneath that dress was short of a miracle that I devised. Thank God I am a stylist or this never would have been pulled off. Here is the list of goodies it took to make this fabulous look happen: Double stick tape, check. Clear stick on boobs that appeared to be actual fake breasts stuck to mine, check. Nude, barely there at all thong, check. I really wish my boyfriend had been able to make the wedding becauses I had no one to show this monstrocity to. I had to laugh at it myself:) I should also mention that I got back from Columbus on Thursday and had to leave on Friday leaving a small hour and a half window to find all of these lovely items. Sales people looked at me like I was nuts when I explained the dilema, it was then that I realized I was completely on my own.

Once the ridiculous adventure of finding all of these undergarments was threw, I rolled up the dress and stuck it in a bag for the Greyhound bus ride I had to take up there. I am so damn glamorous. But alas, it really did turn out all right. I was obsessed with how the look turned out. It was themed, but not over the top. My boobs managed to stay on all night so that was a plus. My friends joked that they were going to make shirts that read, "I danced my tits off at Eric's wedding". Thankfully, this was not true in my case!




So paired with my sassy silver shoes and vintage clutch (oh yea, I went all the way with the vintage thing), I would say I looked pretty fab. You always know you did a good job when other guests at the wedding are stopping you to tell you how amazing your dress is and how they like your throw-back to another era look. Remember, no matter where you are going it is not just about one piece, it is about the WHOLE ensemble. That is truly what styling is, making the entire outfit completely fabulous!!!