Black and White Dress with a Black Blazer

This black and white dress is one of my favorite purchases.  The dress is a great print and as I mentioned (here), I thought the dress would be perfect for the work environment.  My dress has a pretty strict dress code so I knew I could wear the dress without a cardigan or jacket.  I decided to pair the dress with a black blazer and of course my flats.  I opted to wear a red necklace.  I am sure you are getting sick of seeing all of my flats but I wanted to stay true to what I wore during the day.

Black and White Dress - Kohl's, Black Blazer - Macy's, Red Bead Necklace - Forever 21, Diamond Stud Earrings - Gift, Red Flats - Bass Outlet, Two Tone Watch - Gift

Black and White Maxi Dress

During the summer, I could live in maxi dresses or skirts.  They are so comfortable and really feels like I am wearing pajamas.  This maxi dress I picked up last summer but only wore it one time because I didn't think it was flattering on my body (you can see it here).  Now that I have lost weight, I tried the dress on a few weeks ago and was so happy with how it looked on my body - much much better! 

Black and White Print Maxi Dress - Gabriel Brothers, Black Strappy Heels - Target, Black Bib Necklace - BaubleBar, Two Tone Watch - Gift, Black Diamond Earrings - Gift

Blogger Shop Around - Premium Outlets

Image

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Dallas Blogger Shop Around at the Premium Outlets located in Allen, Texas.  The Dallas Shop Around started at 10 am with breakfast and learning more about the benefits of outlet shopping.  

The Premium Outlets offers the VIP Lounge is free to join online and offers great benefits exclusive online coupons, voucners for a free VIP Coupon Book, as well as updates on sales and special events.  Some of the examples of the deals include 15% off a purchase of $100 or more at Brooks Brothers Factory Outlet, 20% off any single item at Cole Haan, 25% off one regular-price item at Last Call Neiman Marcus and much more!  The VIP Lounge is a great way to earn lots of savings.

After the introduction to the Premium Outlets, we headed to Banana Republic Factory Stores to learn about summer fashion trends.  Brady, the store's manager, focused on on three summer trends.  The first trend was to go with bold stripes or exaggerated polka dots.  The trend was showcased with a gorgeous striped maxi and cropped cardigan.

The second fashion trend focused on botanical prints and wide leg pants.  Floral is a huge trend for summer.  

The last summer trend is probably my favorite summer trend, color blocking!  This trend was showcased with a color block top and cropped pants which made the look great to go from work to happy hour. 

Brady also mentioned wearing great shoes this summer and a pop of color with accessories.

After Banana Republic, we headed to Samsonite to learn how to pack for trips.  This lesson was great.  Samsonite has some great new luggages including a new bag that weighs only 2 1/2 pounds packed.  Samsonite offers these great packing cubes that allow to pack in a much more efficient manner.  One of the cubes allows to pack 2 pair of slacks, 1 skirt, 2 polo shirts, 1 t-shirt, and 2 button up tops.  How great is that?  The cubes start at $24.  I definitely want one of these!

Once the demonstrations were finished,  it was time to shop.  The Premium Outlets gave us a $50 gift card to do some shopping as well as provided a $15 gift card from Columbia, coupons, and swag bags from White House Black Market and Vitamin World.  

With the coupons and gift cards, I did great (if you follow me on instagram) you saw my haul as well as some of the outfits I tried on.  I picked up a pink workout jacket from Columbia as well as a red tank (and spent none of my own money).  At New York and Company, I had a $25 off coupon off a purchase of $25 or more.  I picked up a great print skirt (you will see it on the blog tomorrow) and a gold necklace (and again spent none of my money).  Bass Outlet was running a huge sale.  You could buy one pair  of shoes and get two pairs free.  I picked up flats for my new job including a beige, red, and black pair.  Here I spent $60 of my own money but basically got three pair of shoes for $20 a piece.  After the Bass Outlet, I hit up the Kitchen Collection to pick up my free egg skillet and a kitchen tool.  At the Kitchen Collection, I only spent $2.59.  

For all of this, I only spent $62.59!

The event was fabulous!  A huge thank you to the Premium Outlets for organizing the day!  For the event, I decided I wanted to be comfortable while still looking stylish.  I wore my navy LOFT dress, leopard print flats, and carried my orange Cole Haan Bag.

Look at all those shopping bags!

Navy Dress - LOFT, Leopard Print Flats - Me Too (gift), Orange Handbag - Cole Haan, Gold Bracelet - won in a giveaway, Gold Earrings - Charming Charlies (gift), Two Tone Watch - Michael Kors (gift) 

Coral Dress and Belted Scarf

When I saw this look from Pearls & Paws, I knew I wanted to recreate it.  The dress used was the exact same dress I owned only in a different color.  Since the weather is warmer, I didn't want to layer the dress.  Instead, I wore the coral dress with a spring scarf.  I also used the scarf to create a peplum feel.

Coral Dress - Target, Spring Scarf - Forever 21, Gold Earrings - Forever 21, Gladiator Sandals - Bass Outlet, Two Tone Watch - Gift

Sorry for the indoor photos major rain storm when I wore this look!

Crawfish Boil

This weekend J and I headed to Grapevine, Texas for a crawfish boil.  I was really excited for the day but knew I would be spending it outside in the sun.  So I decided to wear a fun new sun dress.  This dress is from 365 Hangers and thanks to Bravoe Runway and Fashion Fractions I won an $80 credit to the store.  I picked up this T Los Angeles dress, a Karen Kane top, and a top from Matty M for only $17.  

I love the shape of this dress and since it razor back I decided to wear a tank underneath.  I went with my trusty Cole Haan flip flops since I knew I would be doing a lot of walking.  

Red and White Stripe Razor Back Dress - T Los Angeles from 365 Hangers, White Tank Top - Target, Black Flip Flops - Cole Haan, Diamond Earrings - Gift, Two Tone Watch - Gift, Bella Handbag - c/o Jordana Paige

Black and White Dress

This dress is another dress I picked up when my mom was in town (actually she bought it for me).  I love anything black and white, but this was different because of its black and white pattern.  I like that this dress can be wore out on a date, as a guest at a wedding, and is even work appropriate.  It is definitely the perfect little black and white dress!

Black and White Dress – Kohl’s, Black Open Toe Pumps – Macy's, Black Diamond Earrings – Gift, Two Tone Michael Kors Watch – Gift 

Red Dress

It has been a while since I have shared a cocktail dress on the blog.  Since J and I are watching what we eat.  We haven’t been going out to dinner very often so I haven’t been wearing cocktail dresses.  I decided to put together this look for a night in with J.

Red Dress – Kohl’s – Similar, Black Stretch Belt – Kohl’s – Similar, Open Toe Pumps– Macy's, Black Drop Earrings – BaubleBar, Two Tone Michael Kors Watch – Gift 

The Mystery Dress designed by Mondo Guerra

I have watched Project Runway since the beginning and love every season.  But my favorite designer throughout the years is Mondo Guerra.  I love his style and use of mixing patterns and colors.  When I watched the Nanette Lepore challenge on Project Runway All Stars, I immediately fell in love with The Mystery Dress.  Little did I know that I would own the dress.

Marie Claire and Nanette Lepore teamed up to giveaway The Mystery Dress and I won!  I was so excited to own a dress from Project Runway All Stars winner, Mondo Guerra, and knew it would be perfect for spring.  

For the dress, I wasn't sure how I wanted to style it.  So I kept everything simple and let the dress standout.  I think I would like to pick up a pair of wedges for the dress but haven't found the exact pair yet.

The Mystery Dress – c/o Maire Claire & Nanette Lepore, SONOMA Life + Style Stone Flip-Flops - Coral- Kohl's, Gold Earrings - Forever 21, U-Cuff Bracelet - BaubleBar

How would you style The Mystery Dress?

Hanes Hosiery Fashion Challenge and Review

When Hanes Hosiery contacted me to review their new sheer line and participate in their fashion challenge, I knew I had to participate because hose are an important part of looking professional in the fashion world.  I received a pair of Hanes Lasting Sheer Ultra Sheer Control Top in Natural.  I selected the lightest color to match my skin tone.  But there are many other colors including Barely Black, Barely There, Gentlebrown, Jet, and Little Color.  The Lasting Sheer Ultra Sheer Control Top is part of the Silk Reflections collection.  Hanes has created a new run resistant sheer hose which means no more snags.  I am excited about this technology because I always add an extra pair of hose to my handbag so if I snag them I don’t have to go bare legged.

The Lasting Sheer Ultra Sheer Control Top hose arrived and fit my body perfectly.  Unlike other control top hose, the product features non-binding comfort waste band and flat seems.  I generally struggle with putting on hose especially control top, but these went on without a problem.  The sheer hose also felt light and airy as if I wasn't wearing any hose (a major plus!)  I was really happy with the product and will definitely be using the Hanes Lasting Sheer Ultra Sheer Control Top in the future as my go to hosiery.

As part of the fashion challenge, I was to show a look with and without the hose.  Since I think of hosiery as looking more professional, I selected a fun gray dress and black pumps to pull the look together.

Without the Hose:

Gray dress from White House Black Market purchased from Pencil Skirts & Lattes, Black Pumps – Cole Haan, Black Diamond Earrings – Gift, and Two Tone Michael Kors Watch – Gift

With the Hose:

As you can see from the picture with the hose, they are so sheer that you can't even tell I am wearing any except to make my legs look smoother.  

To keep up with the latest on Hanes follow them on Facebook or Twitter.  Make sure you stop by next week, because I will be giving away two pair of Hanes Lasting Sheer Ultra Control Top hose.  

Disclosure:  Hanes Hosiery asked me to review their products.  I received a pair of Hanes Lasting Sheer Ultra Sheer Control Hose as part of my review.  However, my opinions are 100% my own. 

Winterizing a Summer Dress

I have been trying to get more wear from my summer dresses.  But now that I live in Dallas the weather is much colder than Jacksonville.  I saw snow last week.  Snow!  So I have been trying to winterize a summer dress without adding a cardigan.  This look came together pretty easily just add a black cowl neck sweater, tights, and booties and I have a winterize look.

Print Dress  - Target - Similar

Black Cowl Neck Sweater - JCPenney - Similar

Black Tights - Target - Similar

Black Suede Booties - Me Too - Similar 

Two Tone Michael Kors Watch - Gift 

New Year’s Eve!

In my Tip Tuesday – Ringing in the New Year post, I discussed wearing sparkles and fun items for New Year’s Eve.  When I wrote the post, J and I didn’t have actual New Year’s Eve plans.  I honestly thought we would be spending the evening at home watching football and eating.  There is nothing wrong with that, but I thought I would do jeans and a fun top and blazer.  We then were invited to a New Year’s Eve party!  I was so excited but then I started to worry.  First, I didn’t know anyone at this party nor did I know what I was going to wear.  I opted for something not too dressy because I didn't want to be overdressed.

Black Sweater Dress – JCPenny (on sale $24!)

Opaque  Tights – Target

Black Booties – Me Too

Black Diamond Hematite Drops - BaubleBar

Black Weave Bracelet - Charming Charlie (not available online) - Similar

Two Tone Michael Kors Watch - Gift

Flower Cocktail Ring - Gift - Similar

I hope each of you had a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve.  2011 was a great year for my family and I am not sure 2012 can live up to it, but I will definitely try to make it happen.  My one resolution this year (probably the same every year) is to get in shape.  When I started the blog, I was working out regularly and watching what I ate.  However, I fell off my diet bandwagon in June and haven't been looking back.  So I hope to stay healthy for all of 2012.  

What are your resolutions this year?

My Birthday Dress

For my birthday dinner, I wore my Diane Von Furstenberg dress.  I found this dress on eBay and knew I had to have it.  Luckily, I was the only person that bid on the dress so I got it for $49.99!  Even better!

DVF Laurie Silk Black Dress - eBay (no longer available) - Similar

Black Pumps - Cole Haan (no longer available) - Similar

Ring - c/o Anika Burke

Diamond Earrings - Gift