Corporate Chic: How to Dress for Formal Work

I'm not very happy with this picture. Perhaps after all the color with the turquoise top from yesterday this seems a tad monotone. I dunno, but I do know that if you don't like dressing nice, yet slightly on the boring side, then you should shy away from formal work environments, i.e. Corporate America. It seems in Corporate America, the more boring the outfit, the better. The most popular color combo is black and blue - black dress slacks and blue button downs tops, that is. The most popular outfit is the classic black suit (of course).

Linen Suit: Banana Republic
Peep-Toe Linen Pumps: Banana Republic

Sponsor Chic: Dinner Party Chic

Next time you have a dinner party, why use your usual boring dishes, when you can add a handmade, artisan touch to the table? Check out these beautiful "Wee Pots" by Plays With Mud. These handcrafted dishes can be used to chicly hold paperclips on your desk or serve as your new candy dish, but why not use them, instead, to hold salt and pepper for your next dinner party a la Martha Stewart? Or, Perhaps they could hold condiments, spices, or other dinner toppings in their dainty, swirling sides? To boot, you can put the wee pots in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. How's that for the modern, domestic fashionista?

Click here to shop Plays with Mud

Click here to shop the fab Wee Pots

One Tank Top - Three Outfits

It's been faaaaar to long since I did one of my "three outfits/styles/ways" posts (click here for an older post). Luckily, I've been working on a couple. I had one almost complete, but then on a whim tonight, I decided to do a new set tonight.

Here are three outfits based off of one tank top. You guys know I love turquoise, so, when I saw this tank top on sale at Banana Republic, I had to have it. I haven't had much a chance to wear it yet, but tonight I decided to play around with some new looks:

Turquoise Tank Top: Banana Republic

1. Tank Top and Casual Seersucker Pants:

Since it's hard to see the pants, here's a detailed shot of the seersuckers:

To me, seersuckers are almost like jeans...you can wear other colors with them.
Seersucker Pants: J Crew
Brown Espadrilles: Banana Republic

2. Tank Top with a Vest:

It seems I always see vests with boring colors, so I wanted to try adding a pop of color to the look. Are vests out? Oh well...either way, I'm not done with them yet!
Skinny Jeans: Guess
Dressy Vest: J Crew
Black Pumps: Kenneth Cole
Black Clutch: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Moi - D Celestine Limited

3. Tank Top with White Skirt and Patent Belt:

There's something to skirts with tucked in tops and waist-cinching belts - so chic!
White Skirt: Banana Republic
Patent Leather Belt: No Name?
Peep-Toe Linen Shoes: Banana Republic
Leather Purse: Banana Republic

I love playing with clothes!

Must Shop: Booties for Fall 2007

Not sure if anyone's noticed the new "My Must Shop List" to the right side of the blog, but one item I'm loving most right now are Booties. I'm completely obsessed with this latest must-have, meaning that I simply must shop for the perfect pair. Here are some of my faves:

(click image to enlarge - Blogger shrunk my image!)
Images and items from
Christian Louboutin - NeimanMarcus.com
Anne Klein NY - Zappos.com
BCBGirls - Nordstrom.com
Michael Michael Kors - Zappos.com
Moschino Cheap & Chic - shopbop.com

What do the Booties rate on the Must-Shop Meter?

I gave this trend a 3 due to uber-trendiness. This look isn't for everyone, but if you decide to rock the booties, be sure to rock them with confidence...You'll be the trendiest girl on the block with these bad boys!

I've narrowed my faves (within reason...sorry Louboutin) to these:

Which ones should I get? Does anyone know if Zappos has a good return policy if they don't fit? I hate ordering online, but the free overnight shipping rocks!

Fashion Friend Finale - Week 7/22/07

Couture in the City points out the new casual jacket trend - stone-washed denim

StylePhox highlights some faves from Ralph Lauren's Fall 2007 collection

Frugal Fashionista shows us how to get one of Ali Larter's hottest looks (IMO)

Daddy Likey presents "Don't Show-cha Your Chocha: Volume 2"

Casual Chic - Summertime Work

I don't know what it was with my shoes yesterday, but do you ever wear shoes that make you feel like you're developing blisters right on the balls of your feet? I knew that I'd be wearing flats today, and luckily, this skirt looks fab with my J Crew flats:

I love wearing these flowy skirts to work - I feel like I'm wearing pajamas except these skirts are often work-appropriate! I love these skirts because they're so versatile. You can dress these skirts up with heels or dress them down with sandals. You can dress them up with a sleek black top or dress them down with a simple tank top. Either way, you should have one in your wardrobe. I especially like the ones Banana Republic does.

Green Printed Jersey Top: Banana Republic
White Cotton Skirt: Banana Republic
White Camisole: The Limited (they have the best camis!)
Brown Bow Flats: J Crew
Brown Leather Purse: Banana Republic

Sponsor Chic: Shopaholic-Worthy Note Cards

Check out these Sponsor Chic, shopaholic-worthy note cards:

These handmade cards by The Glam Boutique, feature a sweet shopaholic with tons of goodies and pretty text that reads, "I'm not spoiled, but I'm working on it!" I love love love it! So cute!

For only $10, you get 10 cards and envelopes and you even get to personalize the cards with your name (or other text) in a font and font color you get to choose! How chic are these?

The Glam Boutique makes other great goodies, including wedding favors, baby shower favors, and adorable, rentable baby announcement yard displays (for delivery in select CA areas - see site for details)

Click here to get your shopaholic cards

The Hills Are Baaaaack

Who's excited about The Hills Season 3?

Preppy/Work Chic a la Lilly

I'm feeling a bit under the weather right now, so for me, when I'm sick, I like to dress comfy...as cute as possible, but comfort usually starts to take over my style...haha. For today, I wanted to wear layers (to stay warm!) and luckily, I have this fab Lilly Pulitzer sweater (one of several items I bought when a store closing had their Lilly marked at 75% off!)


I've also been meaning to purchase a tote for carrying work folders, documents, etc from meeting to meeting for the day J-O-B. I want to get one in red (power color), but I remembered today that I have this awesome lime green tote that I (sadly) bought last year and haven't used! Eeks! Glad I was able to use it today...I think this'll do the job for awhile!

Cotton Sweater - Lilly Pulitzer
Black Dress Pants - Banana Republic
Black Pumps with Half D'Orsay - Christian Louboutin
Green Tote - Michael Kors

What Did I Buy at Neimans' Sale?

Well, among other things I purchased at Neiman's Last Call sale, I'm sure some of you are wondering which of the four dresses I bought. Lots of you guessed correctly - the black and white (actually off-white) Diane VonFurstenberg is what I bought!

I've always wanted a DVF wrap dress of my very own...what better way to get one than at more than half off? It was just so classy yet sexy at the same time - at right around $120, I simply couldn't resist. What do you think? Good purchase?

You don't even want to know the other stuff I bought...lol. But, I'll probably show you guys in some outfits later. Heehee!

Btw, for any last minute shoppers, tomorrow is the last day of the sale, so get yourself to the mall ASAP for the last deals till, I believe, January.

How To: Break In New Shoes

It's like "Welcome Home Loubies - Part Two." That's riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...

Thanks to Neiman Marcus' fab sale, I was able to bring home my second pair of Christian Louboutins. These dainty, canvas-covered heels were a steal at right around 50% off!

I've been walking around my house with these on, trying to break them in from the comfort of my home, rather than out and about. "How does one break in heels?" you ask.

How to Break in Your New Heels:
There are lots of methods, but my fave is wearing thin socks with my heels whilst hanging around the house. Of course, if you're just sitting on your couch all day, this isn't very helpful, but even just making quick trips from one room to another can gently start to break in your heels. Wearing thin socks helps to gently stretch out the shoes to fit your feet perfectly. Be sure to wear thin socks if you do this...you don't want to stretch them out too much!

If you're not sure if your shoes are broken in enough to wear a full day, I'd bring an extra pair, just in case your heels become to excruciating to bear. This happened to me last week, and thank goodness I had a spare on me!

I've also heard it takes three full eight-hour work days in your new shoes to fully break them in, but I'd rather give it a go from home first - at least to start the process, ya know?

Does anyone else have any good tips on how to break in new heels?

Jessica Simpson Does Swimwear

Jessica Simpson is expanding her fashion/beauty empire with a new line of swimwear, which she showed at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Miami Swim. You can view highlights of the show by clicking here.

Most of the suits I saw were pretty generic. I did like image #5 of 18 - the stripey one piece. What do you think?

NOTE: Image from glam.com

Shopping Neiman's Last Call Sale

I got a post-card a couple weeks ago informing me that Neiman Marcus' sale would be marked down to Last Call which means up to 65% off sale items or one of the times of the year when Neiman items are marked with normal people prices. You can get anything theory tank tops for $18 to Reem Acra gowns to a couple thous (yea, still expensive). I decided to hit up the sale to see if I could find any new goodies.

Here's my dressing room:

This was the nicest dressing room I've ever been in. It was like a mini-hotel room, complete with doorless closets, a seating area, and a desk.

Here are a couple of the items I tried on:

I tried on nearly twenty things, so forgive me for not remembering all the items I tried on, but the one on the right is a Diane VonFurstenberg wrap dress.


I believe the one on the left is a Diane VonFurstenberg and on the right is a Kay Unger.

Can you guess which dress I bought? I ended up purchasing one of the four pictured above. For anyone else shopping the sale, I believe sale items will be for sale till the 18th. Happy shopping!

Fashion Friend Finale - Week 7/15/07

Couture in the City blogs on matchy matchy celeb looks

Candid Cool gives us a tour of Palm Beach, FL boutique La Ti Da

Catwalk Queen talks about the welcome party for David Beckham joining LA Galaxy

The Runway Scoop shares tips from Hilary Alexander on how to dress a la Couture on a budget

Casual Chic - Work to Play

My camera is fixed! Yay!!!!! Ok, back to outfit posting...

I wore an outfit very similar to this to work yesterday, but was so ready to get out of it by the time I got home. I had to run to Best Buy (to get my camera) and then I took my SO out to one of those Hibachi restaurants, which we both love love love. I decided to keep the top and belt, but lose the skirt and swap it out for some skinny jeans:

By the way, not sure about your town, but there was no official "line area" by the Geek Squad counter at the Best Buy, so be sure you stand your ground and don't let people cut you off. I got cut off by someone b/c I was sitting down while waiting and they just waltzed up to the counter and plopped their broken computer down on the counter. I think BB/GS should get a ticket distributer like they have at some meat counters or bakeries, but that's just me.

Button-down top: Banana Republic
Belt: Nordstrom
Jeans: Guess
Shoes: Enzo Angioni
Quilted Purse: Chanel

Monday Poll: What's Your Monthly Shopping Budget?

So, my SO thinks I spend too much money on clothes, not that he's trying to tell me how to spend my money (or that I'd let him...haha), but it got me wondering how much other people spend on clothes, shoes, accessories, etc every month. Am you a normal shopaholic who shops a lot, but spends the norm, or are you an out-of-control shopaholic? Voice your opinion:

How Much Do You Spend Per Month on Clothes/Shoes/Etc.?
	Less than $200
	$200-$499
	$500-$899
	$900-$1399
	$1400-1999
	Over $2000
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Watch Roland Mouret Fashion Online

Check out net-a-porter.com to see Roland Mouret's latest runway designs (click here)

You can also pre-order items from the collection here

Deal Alert: Chic & Scrumptious Sunday Eats

Attention NY City fashionistas - looking for some chic & scrumptious eats for your Sunday nights out? Top-notch restaurant Bruno Jamais is now open for Sunday dinner and late night (6PM - 2AM) and wants to share a special treat with you fab readers:

"On Sundays, the restaurant cuts the prices of items on its menu. One course (an appetizer) is $25; two courses cost $37; three courses are $42. Female readers who present a printout of this blog post can receive a 50 percent discount off these prices, paying only $12.50, $18.50 and $21 respectively. It's a ladies-only discount: So if a female reader dines with a male companion, she's the only one who gets the discount off the courses, which already represent discounts off weekday rates. Reservations are recommended. "Casual chic" attire is requested.

Simply print out this page and present it to your waiter prior to dining. Bruno Jamais has been featured in Trump Magazine, Where New York, The New York Post, The New York Times, New York Moves, Hamptons.com and many others."
Check out Bruno Jamais for a chic dinner out with live music, great eats, and discounts sure to leave you a little spending money for later.

Click here to visit Bruno Jamais online

Click here for "Casual Chic" a la Shopaholics Anonymous

Fashion Friend Finale - Week 7/8/07

One of my all time favorite La Lohan shots - she looks natural, pretty, and happy...and she's wearing turquoise (my fave color)
(image from glam.com)

Lindsay Lohan is 21 and can now, legally drink all the alcohol she wants, though I hope she doesn't go overboard any more - see her style evolution at Glam blog GlamScene

Check out luxe, red carpet, John Galliano looks over at Couture in the City

Fashionista's Playground tries on gorge dresses making me want to go shopping

Shop Diary points out that Madonna performed at the Live Earth concert in Christian Louboutins - my fave

Have any of you been Pink is the New Blog? If you haven't, you are seriously missing out on a truly awesome blog that makes me laugh out loud every time I read it. Check out Pink is the New Blog for all the latest celeb gossip with the best tricked-out photos.

3 Sexy Tops - 3 Budgets - Summer 2007

Here are 3 sexy, summer tops for 3 different budgets for Summer 2007:

Surefire Steal:

Forever 21 (image and item) - Knit Babydoll - $22.80
Simple enough to go from day to night. The green color will stand out among a sea of black & white combos that are starting to become so cliche right now.

Slight Stretch:

bebe (image and item) Reversible Silk Halter Top - $89
Although I just said that the whole "black/white combo" is starting to become overdone, I haven't gotten completely sick of it yet...ok, ok, I still like it...for now. Back to the featured clothes...How cool is it that this top is reversible?

Serious Splurge

Miu Miu (image and item net-a-porter.com) Washed Satin Top - was $495 - now $247.50
I had to post a picture of the back of this top - so chic! I love love love it!

Happy sexy shopping!

Shop That Style: Hayden Panettiere Long Dress

Remember this chic little number on Hayden Panettiere?


Shop That Style at ShopIntuition.com

Sweetees Adalia Dress - $147

It's expensive for a jersey dress, but not so much for such star-studded style. Get this long, yellow dress for a HP heroine-esque look.

NOTE: Images and items from shopintuition.com

Quiz: What's Your Style Profile?

You’re Sophisticated and Refined Though you have an understated approach to style, you do appreciate the nuances of fashion. While you might skip the lace and ruffles, you can’t get enough high-waisted skirts, perfectly cut shorts, and sleek metal details. You take risks in all the right places. ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF THE HOTTEST JEANS FROM DKNY JEANS! TAKE THE QUIZ SEE ALL PRODUCT MATCHES Share with Friends | More Glam Quizzes | Shop at Glam | Celebrity Photos

I'm sophisticated and refined - what's your style profile?

How Awesome is This?

It's a dolphin and it's pink - how awesome is this?

Deal Alert: Steal of a LBD

Check out this steal of a Little Black Dress (LBD):

Norma Kamali for Everlast - Open Back 3/4 Sleeve Dress
At 70% off - from $290 to $87 - this is a steal of a deal for not just a LBD, but a LBD with a twist. Check out that unique back line that is sexy without showing too much skin. C'est chic, non?

NOTE: Image and item from shopbop.com

Haute-to-Trot: Fall 2007 Pumps

I don't know why I keep finding awesome Fall 2007 goodies when I know I'll be able to rock my summer looks for a couple more months. Either way, I was looking online for a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti wedge/heels (yea, they were a bit of both) that I saw in Neiman Marcus earlier this week to no avail. Instead, I found these hauties, also by GZ:

Giuseppe Zanotti Whipsnake Pumps

From the photo online, these looks like they'll be haute-to-trot for work or play this fall.

NOTE: Image and item from neimanmarcus.com