Saturday, November 25, 2006

'Tis the Season - Best Cocktail Dresses

It's official. The holiday season is upon us, which means evening holiday parties for some. Sadly, I don't have any to attend (yet), or at least any that would call for a cocktail dress. But oh how I love them. Here are the season's best, in my humble opinion.

I love red, but I love burgundy even more. This dress from Size Appeal isn't quite burgundy, but the black overlay mutes the red into a beautiful color. The detail on the top of the dress is pretty, but subtle and I like the flowing skirt. Put on a shrug or a wrap, and you're ready to go. Dress, $52

This dress by Igigi is by far my favorite dress of the lot. It's a bit fancy, but it is so chic and gorgeous. I love this black/lacey/mesh/overlay look that's going on, as you can tell by my cocktail dress choices. I think is the standout of the bunch. Igigi also pairs this dress with a velvet bolero, $38. Dress, $209

Another pretty, full length dress by Igigi. I love this color. The website says it's blue and black, but in the photo it looks more green-ish to me, which is fast becoming my favorite of the season. The length, cut, and drapey-ness of the skirt looks to be very flattering. Dress, $129

A simple and beautiful dress by Torrid. I usually think their dresses are a bit flashy, but I love how clean this dress is. When you zoom in on the dress, the skirt has pretty lacy details. Here's another pretty wrap by Ann Taylor that compliments the Torrid dress. Dress, $80; Wrap, $68.

I. Love. This. Dress. by. Kiyonna. The grape color is amazing, and it's just a fun dress. However, if I were wearing it, I'd be wearing some highpower Spanx because I don't think charmeuse is the most forgiving fabric. But as you all know, I love Spanx. And I love this dress, so I'd do it! If you spend over $150, type in the code DRESSING for $15 off through Thursday 11/30. Dress, $156 (available beginning December 5).

Macy's plus size department is really coming up in the world. Here's a great little black dress that is once again, simple and flattering. All kinds of wraps would look great with this dress as well. Dress, $73.99

I could go on and on with cocktail dresses, and if I find anything really spectacular, I will of course post. I think these are the real standouts of the season so far. So go out, get dolled up, be beautiful, celebrate the season!

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Chocolate and Mint and Robins Egg Blue, oh My!

No, this isn't a post on Girl Scout Cookies and Tiffany's. I'm sure all you fashion forward folks have noticed these color trends started over the spring/summer and has been carried into the cooler months. I'm a particular fan of this combo because chocolate and various browns are great colors on me, but the lighter blues and greens aren't great matches for my olive complexion, and since the lighter hues are accents, everyone wins!

I was trolling Kiyonna and came across this gorgeous tie waisted shirt. As I mentioned in another post, the tie directly below the bust is really flattering, as this is the smallest area around on your torso. I'm also a big fan of dolman sleeves.

I have been coveting this coat from b&lu for months now.

You can layer any brown sweater with a blue or green tank underneath, like this v-neck from Old Navy and Old Navy crown t-shirt, which is also long so it can peek out in the vee and at the bottom. Also, check out these cute kicks from Payless in chocolate and blue.

You see a lot of chocolate/mint or blue in design these days. Since there are a bazillion design blogs, I'll leave it to the pros, but if you are looking for the best one (in my opinion), check out Grace Bonney's design*sponge. Grace inspired me to start this blog, months ago, and now her amazing blog is everywhere! She's fabulous, so check out her blog for the best in design.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Drew's Look - Plus Version

As you all know, I'm a big fan of the Frugal Fashionista, and I was looking for some outfit inspiration. So I give you the fabulous Drew Barrymore and my interpretation of her chic look.

I've been looking for a reason to post this shirt from Kiyonna. When I zoom in on the fabric, you can tell they put stretch in the material. Which I (personally) think is a good thing. I think the belt and the cuffs add beautiful and fun detail to an otherwise basic shirt. These wide leg pants are from Igigi. I'm torn between these two clutches from Amici Accessories - this reptile print one is kinda cool and I love the vintage print one as well.

I just took a quick look through Payless, and oh girls, I think a visit is in my future soon. I would have posted a beautiful green pump by Abaete, but it's not working for me at the moment. Instead, I give you these round toed, very now heels for only $17, to finish it off.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Newport News $15 Sale Today


I usually don't blog during a work day, but for those of you looking for a few staples or even trendy items for a few bucks, check out Newport News. Their prices are usually very reasonable and today they have a $15 shop. There isn't a whole lot to choose from for us fashionistas, but may I recommend...


This wine colored dolman sleeved top - only goes up to XL. I have one from New York and Company that is very flattering and versatile. Then there's this twist back top that I think would be great for an evening out - this one is available in women's sizes as well. Then this beaded necklace top - the color isn't my favorite, but I think it's an interesting cut and the necklace has potential - also in women's sizes. I like the pairing with a pencil skirt (Torrid has some good ones this season).


This a pretty, almost vintage like clutch. And for you skinnier gals who can rock the wide belts, I love this corset belt. I think you could do a million awesome things with it. I'm also loving this stretch bracelet, so it will work for all ladies.







$15 bucks! Not too shabby!

Monday, November 13, 2006

Finds from Victoria's Secret

Those are words I never thought I'd post on my blog. I realize this is more of a post for those of us plus size ladies who also fit into the XL sizes for shops like Vicki's. However, I think these finds are interesting and cute enough to post, not just your everyday sweaters and tops.

I have to qualify this first find with the fact that it might only look good on Gisele, b/c let's face it. She's Gisele. I think this sweater is first, a beautiful red and second, it's very interesting and could look fabulous with the right pair of black pants or skirt. It would also look great with your hair up or down, and all kinds of shoes. I'm thinking about getting it for my office holiday party.

The second find is a boyfriend cut v-neck cashmere sweater for $39. It comes in 8 colors, and I think all the colors are gorgeous (not a huge fan of the white though). I bought a black cashmere cardi from Filene's Basement with buttons and a tie and it's one of the nicest, chicest and flattering items I wear this season - with jeans, with a trumpet skirt, with pants, whatever. Vicki's has a long cashmere cardi too, minus the tie, also for $39. $39 for cashmere!! You could always find a skinny belt to put over this, though. It sounds weird, especially for us plus ladies, but don't knock it till ya try it!

On a completely unrelated (and slightly bitchy) side note, the model wearing the long buttoned cardi looks like a scared-to-death or severely confused cross between Shakira and Heidi Klum, but not nearly as pretty as either of them. I find this odd.

DC Street Style


After catching up on my fellow DC blogger dc celine, I saw she added a new site to her links: panda head.

panda head is like the Sartorialist in NY - ph catches DC street style. I love it! Although I must say I'm a little disappointed in all the photos of girls in dresses/skirts and leggings, because we're not *all* fashion robots here in DC. And of course, that's just not a favorite look of mine this season. Also, I can't pull off the leggings look, so feel free to label me as jealous, b/c there are a couple of looks with the leggings that do look really nice.

On a side note, I'm glad to see that smoking is back in fashion. Take THAT you clean lung-ed people! Don't mind me, I'm just bitter that I gave myself till my 30th birthday to quit and 30 is creeping up and there's no nicotine patch in sight. Anyway...

Oh, and the picture of Tai Shan, the world's cutest not-so-baby panda, has no affiliation with panda head. I just like posting pictures of him.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Wrap Dresses

Lately, I've got a thing for wrap dresses, but I've been very wary of trying them b/c they're not very forgiving around the midsection, which honestly isn't my best feature. Maybe someone slipped me a subconcious Diane VonFurstenburg hint or something. But here are my favorites, nonetheless, for those of you braver than I.

This zebra dress from b&lu could definitely be tricky b/c zebra print isn't exactly the easiest thing to pull off. I'm intrigued with it anyway. This other one from b&lu is also interesting to me for some reason, but still could be tricky. Still like it though. I can picture wearing the Daisy wedges with either of these. Of course a great staple would be tall black boots.

This first one isn't quite a classic wrap dress, but the print is nice and not as dangerous, and this has the rouching in the middle to distract from trouble areas. And another one from Size Appeal, although another touchy pattern. But a very, very cute dress, and I love the retro feel to it. I've always liked paisley patterns - when I was a teenager taking guitar lessons, my guitar teacher had this guitar that was pink paisley (no, he wasn't Prince's younger cousin) and it was my favorite. Anyway, this paisley one is from Igigi.

A must for any dress, in my humble opinion? Spanx. I bought my first pair for a dress I wore to a wedding over the summer and I was blown away over how big of a difference it made, in my eyes. And therefore, in my confidence. Since it was a summer wedding, I got the full tummy coverage/shorts combo since I didn't have to cover my legs. Here's a winter-worthy pair from Torrid, and only $20. I paid $36 for mine at Lane Bryant, and sometimes I can find them at Filene's basement. They really are hidden WONDERS.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

My Last Few Purchases

Sorry for the long absence, for anyone who might actually read this blog, besides my peeps dcceline and babsied. I've been completely uninspired by fashion lately, although two weekends ago I broke my fashion fast and bought a few items.

First stop, the Leesburg Outlets to get some fall shoes. I found four pairs: a pair of black boots (ankle but not the uber trendy ones you are supposed to wear with leggings or something else unflattering on me), a gorgeous black leather stacked wedges, heeled tailored round toed loafers in a gorgeous oxblood, and a pair of black and grey slip on sneakers. The best part? Two pairs were from Aerosoles, two from Naturalizer. I can't seem to find the Aerosoles, but here are the Naturalizer, and the black ones my favorite pair. And they come in wide, so I was happy. If I paid full price, you're damn skippy I was happy!

I've also test driven all of them for a full work day, which is about 2 miles from when I leave my apartment and when I get back, and they all were okay. I wouldn't live in them, but two miles is pretty good.

I decided to hit up Old Navy for some fall/winter staples like long sleeved shirts and sweaters. Pretty basic finds, but pretty colors. In addition to these, a couple of three quarter sleeve, scoop neck gathered cotton shirts in a nice burgundy (more on the pink side than red) and an eggplant color. I haven't figured out what I'm going to wear with the birdie shirt, other than jeans. And even that's iffy b/c I don't have a brown cover up/cardi. I also picked up two v-neck wool sweaters - one black, on eggplant. I almost picked up the color in the picture, but I have a sweater from Old Navy last season very similar to that color.

So yes, these finds are rather pedestrian, but my fashion gut tells me to stick to classic and flattering when I'm not loving the trends. I went on a date and wore the boots with jeans and my grey/black striped vee sweater from Old Navy that I blogged about, and then got to wear the black vee sweater with purple scoopneck and the new sneakers on the next date. And hey, I still got another date! So they're good purchases, methinks. ;-)