Pleats To Meet You

This doggone adorable little darling has been introducing herself and making her way 'round these postin' parts for more than a bit now ... showin' off her obviously expert penchant for pleats ... and I can ignore it (and her) no longer.  I gotta get at least one (or two or three) of my very own pleated pieces so I, too, can join this (pleat) party.  Now all that's left to ask is will/should it be Asos option number one, two or three?

Photo Source: Modedorf

Summer Solestice

There was a time when saltwater sandals were only being worn by girls.  Little girls.  But, lately (this summer especially) I've been noticing quite a sandal switch-up happening with them being worn all the more now but not by the little ones, no, but the big(ger) grown-up ones.  From everything like stylish and savvy maxi dresses to high-waisted pant and short sets.  Which makes me want to get in on all the foot fun too.  But in which ones?  Gold?  White?  Tan or Champagne? 

Photo Source: My Saltwater Sandals       

In The Nude

Ask anyone I know, I've got it bad ... bad for anything that is white, nude, sheer, loose, tulled or embroidered when it comes to my blouses and tops.  Any one of my shopping companions would agree and attest to this little fashion fact.  So it will come as no real surprise that I just about fell off my (computer) chair when I came across all the perfectly pretty pieces over on Chicwish's style site.  All the white, nude sheer, loose, tulled and embroidered blouses and tops that this style specific shopper could ever ask for in a little section they like to call the Retro White & Nude Collection.  Or what I like to call it: Fashion Fate.

Photo Source: Chicwish  

Growing Pains

This past weekend, my (hair)stylist sister asked me to 'let my hair down' from its usual updo/ponytail confines to see just how long it really has grown since I put the kabash on any scissors even being in the vicinity of me while going through my  growing-out-if-it-kills-me phase.  She lovingly placated her baby sis, marveling at the oh-so-long length(s) I've gone to ... and I was completely proud and satisfied with myself and my restraint ... for like a second.  Then an old familiar pang/itch started swelling within me.  I gotta do something while suffering through this strand interim.  I just gotta.  How 'bout some just-for-fun Rainbow Brite-ish ends to tide me over?  Besides, it's not like I couldn't just grow them out if I didn't/don't like 'em anyway, right?

Photo Source: Say Yes To Hoboken   

Something Blue

Why is it that everyone's always telling men with blue peepers that they should match their shirted ensembles to their eyes, huh?  Well what about us womenfolk?  Shouldn't the same rule apply to us and our baby blues?  'Cause, well, it should.  At least this (very) blue-eyed blogger thinks so.  Or maybe this little rant could just be a very rational reason (according to moi) as to my absolute (and rather desperate) need - NEED, I tell you! - to add this something blue to my closet, like, pronto.

Photo Source: AshleyOh

Knit Wit

Utah is most luckily not one of the states stuck smack dab in the middle of the hot hot heat wave that's scorching (and melting) most of the country at the moment.  Phew.  In fact, I think we've only had one triple digit degree day to date this summer.  Knock on wood.  So when I saw these knitted knicker-like shorts, I knew I had to scour many a site until finding a suitable replacement pair that I could wear with a loose tee on top and an air conditioner close by for the time being.  You know, just to be safe ... 

Photo Source: We The People

B.I.L.F.

You know what that stands for, right?  Blogger I'd Like to Follow, of course!  Because ever since seeing her here, I've become downright fixated on her every little post from her holy-crap-I-wish-I-had-it ombre hairdo to her flawlessly applied (and makeup-ed) mug.  Don't even get me started on her perfectly picked wardrobe full o' beautiful basics that I wish I knew how to put together and wear like her, okay?  Or her marvelously of-the-moment manicured hands.  Really.  Don't.  See what I mean here.  Oh.  And P.S. I'm totally not responsible for any envious feelings that may occur or result from this viewing.  I'm just the messenger, people.  Just the messenger. 

Photo Source: llymlrs

Busted.

Look, my cup size most certainly doesn't runneth over in the bust(y) department, knowwhatI'msayin'?  But that's perfectly fine with me since it makes it possible for me try out many a different look like teeny tiny tucked-in bustier tops paired with slimming little second-skin bottoms, you know?  Proof that good things really do come in small packages sometimes ... 

Photo Source: Flattery

Pomp And Circumstance

What is it about a girl wearing a pompadour that makes her that much cooler, like, instantly?  Maybe it's the automatic James Dean-ish rebel-without-a-cause attitude that comes with it?  Or is it the fact that it kinda makes you want to pop your collar and throw on a leather something as you cuff your skinnies?  I don't know.  But whatever it is, I'm a-gonna get to slickin'.  Stat.

Photo Source: Stay Fancy Free

Arm Candy

They say a leopard can't change its spots ... well I say ... thank good golly gosh for that!  Because if it did, then I wouldn't want this spotted friend nearly as bad as I do to come home with me so I can tuck it under my little arm (just like the blondie above) and take it with me wherever I go, all the while introducing it him - I've named him Leo - it somehow seemed fitting - to all my other fine accessory friends, ya know?

Photo Source: Free People

Sheer Delight

FYI: I think I've just found the perfect all-weather-wearable piece that I need to add to my closet, like, pronto: the sheer skirt.  In this minty fresh color.  Please.  Who am I kidding here?  In every single conceivable color it comes in.  There.  That's more like it.  I mean, it would be the quintessential swimsuit cover-up now and then the ultimate top layer to my many leggings come the fall and winter months.  Okay.  Enough justifying.  Now on to (hopefully) speedy saving, then buying ...

Photo Source: American Apparel  

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Say hello to my little (brooched and felted) friend.  Isn't he cute?  Don't you just want to take him home with you?  Oh wait.  Sorry.  You can't.  Because I did.  But maybe you can adopt his brother or sister or cousin or something.  The owner of the agency is real(ly) nice and professional.  And the whole process couldn't have gone any smoother if it tried.  And as for me and Sly, well ... he seems to be quite taken with stuck on me already ... and I gotta say, the feeling's mutual.   

Photo Source: Mama Bex        

Reality Bites

Upon seeing (and maybe even majorly coveting) a specific dress on someone else, do you ever automatically imagine what you would look like traipsing (and twirling) around in it on your various created-only-in-your-daydreams adventures where this  - and only this - particular frock is permitted via your dreams' dress code?  Me too.  And isn't it terribly depressing when reality suddenly hits and you realize that you and your wallet don't even come close to coming up with the amount needed to make it yours forever and ever?  Yeah.  Reality bites, don't it?

Photo Source: Fancy Treehouse 

Penny For Your Thoughts

I've resisted the urge for a good long while now not to dye my hair a copper penny-ish sort of color.  With blunt bangs to boot.  Really, I have.  But only because I am almost always instantly reminded that if I were to do such a thing, that it would absolutely, unequivocally, most definitely and completely wash out in ... oh ... about a millisecond flat.  Darn it.  But that doesn't mean I don't still think it would look awfully good paired with my now infamous red lip for that millisecond ...

Photo Source: But, Honestly

Liar, Liar

*Looking back for the obviously-not-me perpetrator* Who, me? *Eyelash-batting blinks begin*  Did you say that I said/wrote I was done, done, done with pants?  *Cheeks turning three different shades of red*   I didn't mean it!  Honest, I didn't!  *Eyelash-batting blinks begin again* 

In my defense, I hadn't yet had the privilege of seeing just how good a go-on-for-miles panted pair could look until laying (my) eyes on the ones above.  *Reaching in to purse to pull out a little white something*  My bad.  Truce?  *Waving said little white thing back and forth*  Forgive me? 

*Immediately drop everything else and get right on computer to type these words into style search box:  silky blue wide-legged pants*  And remember suddenly I do like pants.  Phew.  All is right with the world again.  And all is forgiven.  At least until the next darling dress comes along ... 

Photo Source: Vanessa Jackman 

Rosy The Riveter

If I've learned one thing over my many makeup-wearing summers, it's this: the lighter the better.  That means no puttin' on products that will have any chance of running, smearing or gooping in all the wrong places.  But lately, I've clearly forgotten that lesson and have been completely riveted by my hot pink-ish cream blush.  I just can't get enough.  In fact, it seems as though I have taken on a new makeup mantra: the heavier, the better.  Maybe a refresher course would do me some good.  Who knows.  But ... in the meantime ... while I'm still super doll-faced and flushed, feel free to call me Rosy The Riveter, mkay?   

Photo Source: Fashion Tidbits

Tea Time

KILLDARLING SUMMER 2011 from KILLDARLING on Vimeo.

When I was a tiny one, I wanted nothing more than to dress up every single moment of every single day in my fluffiest frocks with a head full o' ribbons and curls and my sister's pink lipstick(s) swiped across my face while sitting oh-so-ladylike in lace-tipped socks with ankles crossed sipping my imaginary tea (ie: water sprinkled with sugar) and always with pinkies out while at the (finger) sandwich-festooned table.  So it's comforting to know that I wasn't (and am not) the only one who still wants to do it, but in the pink shadow, cupcake food fight-y grown-up kind of way this (tea) time.  Won't you join us?

Video Source: Previously Owned 

True Story

The minute, no, the second that I saw this shoe (here) I found myself running like a bargain bat outta he** to my bedroom where I whipped out my wallet and ran right back to my computer's screen all the while waving my debit card wildly into the air (like I just didn't care) and ordered the gorgeous little goldies lickety split.  I blame the sparkles.

Photo Source: Lulu*s

Ambassador Of Kwan

To my complete and utter schoolgirl-ish shock, Refinery29 has asked me - me!? - to be an Ambassador (of all things kwan) for their rockin' Reserve Collections.  Eee!  With it comes the awesome responsibility I have to you, my dear deal-seekin' readers, in letting you be the first to know about current style steals every single week. 

Like this one, from Splendid, where they're offering one heckuva can't-miss kind of a killer deal: For every dollar amount spent - starting at $75 - you automatically get 50% off.  Oh, yeah!  That doubles the worth.  Literally.  Spend $250, get $500!  Super sweet, no?

But you gotta hurry, hurry, hurry and reserve today before your chance to score your everyday tee-rific essentials (like the ones modeled oh-so-Splendidly by the R29 team above) goes buh-bye.  For good.  Good thing I scored you all this personal invite, huh?  You're welcome.  Now, go shop 'til you drop, then shop some more!

Photo Source: Refinery 29 Reserve      

The Princess And The Pea

I finally know why I was born a fashion-obsessed insomniac.  It makes perfect sense now.  I'm the ... okay, okay, maybe not the pea-ed off princess, but a princess ... living my very own version of a (fashion-filled) fairytale.  Never ever finding enough time to comfortably catch my beauty sleep and zzzs because I've got  far too many blog-worthy bargains on the brain.  Sleep is for (style) sissies anyway.  Besides, this gives me enough reason why I just have to have, buy and wear this new totally darling dreamy - and aptly named - little dress, right?  Riiiiiiiight. 

Photo Source: Romwe   

Needful Things

I need an underthings intervention.  For real.  I need to say goodbye, once and for all, to my plethora of trusty, boring boy-shorted neutral nudes and bring some color, lace and frills back.  Stat.  I need Under The Root aka The Bloom Bloom Room because they have just what I need waiting for me in mints, pretty-in-pinks and oranges-'n'-apples.  Ready to ship.  Yep.  Yep.  Yeppers.  Just what I need ... indeed.

Photo Source: Under The Root

Hair Today, Bun Tomorrow

Dear Hair O' Mine: On this day, the 11th of July 2011, I write this coif contract of sound - and hopefully stylish - mind to serve as proof that I (still) solemnly vow not to cut, snip and/or trim one teeny tiny hair off your (err ... my) head until I can chicly and properly twirl your longness up into a nice and proper turbun.  Promise.  I even pinky swear.  Just to prove that I am super duper serious about this strand business, okay?  Let it be written.  Let it be done.

Photo Source: Street Peeper

The Backyardigans

To My New Backyard (A Love Letter) from Jaime Morrison Curtis on Vimeo.

This is how I want my backyard to look one day.  Down to every last styled inch.  If I ever get the chance to afford my own house to go with the backyard, that is; which doesn't seem too likely any time soon.  And I'm remembering that would kinda sorta defeat my lifelong daydream's purpose of non-yarded apartment living since I so don't mow.  Oh well.  There's always astroturf.

Video Source: Design*Sponge 

A Shoe-In

Fellas, I think we've established that I'm somewhat of a - how do I put it casually - fashion and shoe lover, have we not?  So it should come as no real shock or surprise to you that I am not only looking up at your face(s) when we meet, but also down at your feet for a similarly shoe-spirited man that shares my style sense, especially when it comes to a solemate.  Pretty simple.  Just so we're clear, I'll be staying happily single (and stylishly-soled) until then.  If you don't got the shoes, you won't get my woos.  Fair enough?

  

Photo Source: HONESTLY ... WTF

Mouthing Off

Forgive me, but I'm gonna be talking about red lipstick again today.  I know, I know.  I've certainly run the gamut by trying out almost every conceivable color on the red rainbow, including every texture along the way too.  But thanks to my Lucky charm, I think I've found The One.  Uh-huh.  Yeah.  This is big.  It's insanely affordable at six smackaroos (!) and it's a stay-putter.  As in, it won't leave your lips until you're really, really ready for it to.  It's a gloss when applying it, then quickly turns to the most perfect matte once dry.  And I swear it even makes my pout appear plumper.  It's simply divine.  It's called Amsterdam.  And you can get it here.  You're welcome.   

Photo Source: The Drifter and the Gypsy

The Great Debate

Alright, alright.  It's settled.  The ongoing - and much drawn out - Dress vs. Pant Debate is (finally) done.  Done done.  At least for now anyway.  You see ... I've been far too wardrobe wishy-washy ... flitting back and forth from being an all pants, all-the-time wearer to a damsel in nothing-but-dresses donner.  And I'm done.  Whole-heartedly and unequivocally done because I want to be able to wear just what these darling dames do.  Every day of the week.  And then some.  

Photo Source: Oh Joy!

Please And Thank You

Tights Please was kind enough to contact me to let me know they were taking pity on me and my incessant ramblings over my love for all things ankle-socked by gifting me with some Jonathan Aston pretties, to which upon arrival, were immediately paired with some cuffed-up boyfriend jeans and summer-ready platforms.  And you can go ahead and assume that they most certainly won't be my last pair since I'm already eyeing these and these darling dainties to add to my (hopefully) soon-to-be rather large collection of the things.  In every color and style imaginable.  So thank you, Tights Please.  From the bottom of my heart arch.

Photo Source: My two-times-the-charm Mama

Do My Eyes Deceive Me?

Or am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?  Two of my all-time favorite bloggers (Ms. Erin and Ms. James) standing oh-so-stylishly tall (and although admittedly unintentional, also quite conveniently and cleverly color-coordinated as well) together while smiling side-by-side?!  Hold on.  I'm having a moment.  An almost out-of-body blogging one knowing that two of my (daily, sometimes more) style icons really are the best of blogging buddies.  This is surreal.  And so totally worth this post.

Photo Source: Bleubird  

Red, White & Blue

Have you ever winced at the holiday head-to-toers?  You know who I'm talkin' about.  The peeps who take it to a whole new level when it comes to showing their style spirit?  Well, I used to be a wide-eyed, head-shakin' innocent bystander too.  Until my newfound mash-up of Need Supply and the 4th of July.  That's when the fashion fireworks really began to fly ... I could lie and say that I stopped searching after finding something suitably subtle like the super chic and silky scarf above for today's post, but I won't.  Why, you wonder? 

Only because I want to show you what else I found to somehow justify my new patriotic clothing obsession understanding.  Take this dress.  I mean, the world is just lucky that I don't have nearly enough pennies to afford this pretty.  Or these shoes.  Or even these.  How about this nail polish?  You know, to go with the dress that goes with the scarf that matches the shoes.  Oh my ... I've crossed over, haven't I?  I'm there there.  I can just see your eyes widening and your heads shaking  ... but I can't help it.  I'm one of them now.  I'm a holiday head-to-toer too.  Woo. 

Go Red, White & Blue!

Photo Source: Need Supply  

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Look.  I just got used to the concept of me and my thighs in skinnies, so I'm still a wee bit surprised by my sudden want to look all bell-bottomed up and out (with these still waiting ever-so-patiently in a drawer o'mine for me to sport about) but it would give me good reason to start wearing my massive collection of warm weather wedges, wouldn't it?  Hm.  Sounds like it could be kind of a win/win style sitch, no?

Photo Source: Pinterest

Little Red Riding Hood

Good golly gosh.  Never in my life have I ever wanted more of a reason to take a walk with a picnic basket as my purse more than this moment.  And I don't think it too far-fetched to also request that I go by Red from now on - it's obviously fitting, no?  I am completely obsessed with every incantation of the shade for my lips and I wouldn't mind - not one bit - being known as the girl who counts and wears a red tulle-hooded capelet as her style staple wherever she goes.  Whether to grandmother's house or not.

Photo Source: KarolinFelixDream  

Hemming And Hawing

I don't sew.  Not buttons, not patches, not even a simple stitch nor hem to be had here.  But I envy those souls that can ... and do ... with the greatest of ease.  Like my moniker mate, Miss Clothes Horse herself, Rebecca.  I mean, just look at the adorableness that is her little red number above.  Too cute.  But enough hemming and hawing ... I'll just stick to what I do know how to do best: scoping the shopping steals for already-shortened (and sewn) sale skirts and dresses.  Sew there. 

Photo Source: The Clothes Horse