LPD

On July 2, 2012July 2, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, TJMaxx, Uncategorized4 Comments

One of the cardinal rules of fashion is the importance of owning at least one LBD (little black dress). It is the perfect answer for date night, or when you are in a pinch and need something nice to wear last-minute, and a great blank canvas that you can constantly reinvent with different shoes and accessories. Plus, black is super slimming and looks fabulous on everyone. And while the LBD will always be important, this season it seems the trend is all about the LWD (little white dress). Now don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the LWD, but it obviously doesn’t quite cast the same universal appeal as the LBD. So if you aren’t ready to jump on the LWD band wagon, perhaps you should consider adding an LPD (little print dress) to your wardrobe instead.

Now when I say LPD, I am not talking about a cotton, ditsy print dress that you would wear to the farmers market or to lunch with your girlfriends. I am talking about a print dress that you would wear to a wedding, on a date nite, or even for a girl’s night out on the town. Something similar in silhouette to your LBD, but with a fun print instead! I picked up the below BCBGeneration dress with some money that I received for my birthday, and I have to say that for the summertime, I think it is definitely rivaling both my LBD and my LWD as my current go-to choice for a night out.

Dress: BCBGeneration via 6pm.com (sold out-but they have a great selection of BCBG dresses!)

Neon Belt: Macy’s

Long Chain Earrings: TJMaxx

Labradorite Cocktail Ring: Sundance Catalog

Bracelets: Macy’s, H&M, Forever21

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Clutch: Michael Kors via TJMaxx

Shoes: Simply Vera by Vera Wang via Kohl’s

It was such a gorgeous weekend here in the SLC (minus the the smoke from the fires) so J and I took full advantage enjoying dinner on the patio at one of our favorite restaurants, The Copper Onion, followed by a long walk around our downtown, where we discovered beautifully painted pianos every few blocks. Apparently they are part of the Play Me, I’m Yours street piano tour which began in 2008. There are over 600 pianos in cities across the globe and they are open to anyone in the public to play. So, needless to say, I sat down and played a couple of numbers entertaining people passing by. It was the perfect end to a perfect balmy summer night (which had already given us the excuse to get all dolled up and hit the town in the first place!). Boy do I heart summer.

Happy Monday!

Favorite Product Friday: Michael Kors Watches

On June 29, 2012June 30, 2012 By all dolled upIn Favorite Products, Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, TJMaxx, Uncategorized, Watches12 Comments

I am obsessed with Michael Kors watches-and surprisingly by default. When white watches started getting popular a few years ago, I was on the hunt for a Marc Jacobs version and happened to stumble on a silver Michael Kors watch with a crystal clear band on ShopBop that I knew was “the one”. I ended up asking my hubby to get it for me for my birthday, and he did! And I have been in love ever since.

And while yes, MK watches are pricey, I can attest that they wear incredibly well, are very durable, stylish, and not only that, but a watch is a classic piece you will wear everyday and keep in your collection for a very long time.

You have probably noticed that I am almost always wearing a Michael Kors watch in my daily outfit posts-I simply can’t get enough of them. And lately my outfits don’t quite feel complete unless I am wearing one-usually with an arm party of bracelets. Although I have to say, I still check the time on my iPhone. 🙂

And here’s a tip, if you are looking for an MK watch and don’t want to pay full retail price, check your local TJMaxx and Nordstrom Rack. I have found 3 of my 5 Michael Kors watches at the Rack for under $100 and often see them at TJ too, but normally in the men’s section, so don’t forget to look there!

Happy weekend everyone!!

Silver or Gold?

On June 26, 2012June 26, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, TJMaxx, Uncategorized, Watches7 Comments

Growing up I HATED gold. Absolutely hated it and refused (for the most part) to wear anything besides sterling silver or white gold. In fact, I think I remember telling my mom once that gold just wasn’t “cool” and that it was meant for “older ladies”. So it seems that now a days I have either had a change of heart, or fall into that whole “older lady” category, because I am a HUGE fan of gold. And I am pretty sure it all began because of Michael Kors and his fabulous watches. Thanks to MK, gold watches have been all the rage for the last couple of years, and with a gold watch, one must have gold accessories. So, I have slowly been picking up gold baubles here and there and am LOVING that I now have the option to wear either silver or gold, and sometimes even both together. I feel like it makes my wardrobe more well-rounded and allows for me to change things up on a daily basis. So when I picked up this cute dress at TJMaxx a couple of months ago, I knew that because of the cute gold buttons flanking the top and the warmth of the orange base, that it would be the perfect item to wear back to a lof of chunky gold jewelry.

Dress: TJMaxx

Double Wrap Belt: Down East Outfitters

Monogram Necklace: Keti Sorely Designs (etsy)

Bracelets: Left Hand: Forever21, Macy’s, Right Hand: Oia Jules (etsy)

Gold and Tortoise Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Ring: Decofox (etsy)

Earrings: Macy’s

Shoes: Chinese Laundry Love Me

Sunglasses: Steve Madden via TJMaxx

And while I am pretty sure I will always be a silver girl at heart, I definitely find myself gravitating more towards gold in the summer months. The warmth of it compliments a nice tan and just feels like it belongs with the current summer trend-particularly white. But the good news is, for those of us with a preference between the two, you can get away with either silver or gold . But I definitely recommend having the option of both in your accessory collection.

P.S. Please excuse the crease in the bottom of my dress. Funny thing is, you can’t see it in person, but for some reason, it showed up when I put the photos through the Instagram filter. Yikes! 😉

A Little Extra Something

On May 20, 2012May 21, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden, TJMaxx, Uncategorized8 Comments

The weekends always seem to go so fast, don’t they? And the more activities you pack in, the faster they seem to go. And that was exactly the kind of weekend J and I just had-one of those extra fast ones filled to the brim with lots of activities. As I mentioned in my Vessel Sink post, we have been working on rebuilding our deck-which is a huge task in and of itself. It was one of those projects that started off with replacing a few boards, and somehow turned into replacing the entire surface. So getting that finished in time for a visit from my family this weekend was at the top of our priority list. We also had a birthday party to attend, a date at the zoo with our littles, and our (well my) first road bike ride of the season-73 miles for me and 100 miles for J at the annual Cycle Salt Lake Century.

The night before our big ride, we decided it was a good idea to do some carb loading and headed over to our favorite neighborhood restaurant, the Porcupine, to catch a beer and some dinner. It is a pretty laid back place, and it was going to be a short night, so I wanted to dress casually, but at the same time, felt like sprucing things up a bit. I worked from home in my sweats all day on Friday, and felt like getting at least a little dolled up. And I tend to find that when I am in situations like this, accessories and/or shoes are always the perfect way to add that little extra something to an otherwise ordinary outfit. So in an effort to make my striped shirt, jeans, and vest a little more interesting, I settled on the perfect remedy-my favorite new heels that I am absolutely obsessed with!

Striped Shirt: H&M (recent)

Jean Vest: Macy’s

Jeans: Gap Denim Jeggings (sold out online)

Watch: Michael Kors via Macy’s

Bracelets: Tiffany

Necklace: Tiffany and my personal collection of charms

Silver Aviators: Steve Madden via TJMaxx

Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl’s (I don’t see them online, but check your local Kohl’s!!)

So, truth be told, I originally fell in love with the Sam Edelman version of these shoes, but just couldn’t bring myself to spend that much money on them. Then I found a pair at Nordstrom Rack, but for some reason didn’t get them the first time I saw them, and when I finally decided to go back, of course they were gone! So imagine my surprise when I was comp shopping a Kohl’s in Montana (for work!!) and there they were, a spitting image of the shoes I let get away sitting on display in the shoe department. I think I swooned a little and of course had to buy them on the spot. And what makes them even better? They are MUCH more comfortable than the SE version and cost about 1/5 of the price! Talk about a great deal. And in my book, it’s pretty darn tough to beat a great deal-especially for shoes as fabulous as these.

Happy Monday, everyone!!

Fashion Star Finale!

On May 15, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, Steve Madden, TJMaxx, Uncategorized, Watches1 Comment

I was so excited when I learned of the inception of Fashion Star and have thoroughly enjoyed it every Tuesday night since its premiere. The mentors are terrific, the designers are fantastic, and as a buyer myself, of course I especially love the buyers! In fact, I was even privileged enough to spend some time with Caprice in LA when I first started working for Macy’s. And let me tell you, she is just as pretty and fabulous in person as she is on TV!

So of course, having followed along with the designers on their journey thus far, I am so excited to see how the finale unravels tonight! Although each person left is incredibly talented, I can’t help but find myself rooting for Kara. She is sweet, and humble, and her sense of style rocks!! I think she is the perfect candidate to design lines for H&M, Saks, and Macy’s. But even though I’m rooting for Kara, Orly was my season favorite, so in honor of her, I wanted to pay tribute by wearing the AH-mazing lime blazer she debuted last week, and of course top it off with some jewelry from Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow…

Blazer: Orly Shani for H&M

Black Silk Cami: Express

Snake Skin Liquid Leggings: Nodrstrom (old)

Heels: Steve Madden

Necklace: House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Ring: House of Harlow via Nordstrom

Tortise Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom Rack

Bracelets: Tiffany, Macy’s, Word Market, H&M

Sunnies: Guess via TJMaxx

So while I can’t wait to see if my girl Kara is announced as the very first Fashion Star, tonight will also be a bit bittersweet as I say goodbye to one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Guess I better start figuring out something new to do on my Tuesday nights!

Good luck Kara!!!

Colored Skinnies

On May 3, 2012May 3, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Nordstrom Rack, Outfit Ideas, TJMaxx, Uncategorized4 Comments

Since I obviously love color, it should come as no surprise that I also love the whole colored denim trend. However, I have found it to be a struggle fo find the colors I want in the brands that I love, or a color that I love in a brand that fits. And I would even go so far as to say that generally most of the colored leggings and jeans that are out there are very ill-fitting (especially if you have any curves at all-which I do).

So with that, I am happy to announce that I have finally found an incredible denim resource with a great selection of colored skinnies, denim skinnies, and super cute denim bootcuts. They are figure flattering, comfortable, don’t sag in the booty (like A LOT of brands out there), and are actually affordable. Almost seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? But rest assured, I tell you, because it most definitely is not!

The brand is called Else and it is a more affordable extension of the Joe’s jeans line (retailing for around $68 each), made exclusively for Macy’s. And really, how great is that? All of the awesome fit properties and the quality of Joe’s for almost half the price. I love them so much, I have picked them up in a dark denim wash, black(which are great for work), red, purple(seen here), and my new favorite color that I just can’t get enough of…

Pink Aviators: Steve Madden c/o TJMaxx

Striped Shirt: BarIII c/o Macy’s

Spearamint Pants: Else Denim c/o Macy’s

Pink Shoes: Jessical Simpson Waleo c/o Macy’s

Pink Necklace: Thai Pan Trading Company (local Utah store)

Bracelets: Tiffany, Macy’s

Watch: Michael Kors c/o Nordstrom Rack

So if you are in the market for a great fitting, high quality pair of skinnies, definitely check out Else at your local Macy’s or online (stocks and colors are pretty picked over right now, but a new delivery should hit within the next week or two). I am absolutely thrilled with mine and wanted to give them some blog love so that you all could be in the secret too. And please feel free reach out to me with any questions you might have about the brand or the fit, and I would be happy to help!!

Happy shopping!!

Mix Master

On April 29, 2012April 29, 2012 By all dolled upIn Michael Kors, Outfit Ideas, TJMaxx6 Comments

Not only do I love mixing colors, but I also LOVE mixing prints-particularly stripes or polka dots back to florals. It feels so fresh and so new to me-just like spring. And who doesn’t appreciate spring???

That said, this might come as a shock, but when I first laid eyes on these (AH-mazing!) shoes, I was on the fence about buying them. I adored them, no doubt, but was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to wear them very often, or that they might be a “one hit wonder”. So I gravitated towards the gray and black version thinking they were still fun (kinda) and definitely more practical. BUT when I went to check out, the fabulous sales clerk steered me in the right direction and said it wouldbe an atrocity if I didn’t purchase the blue and pink version. And I guess all I needed was a little validation, because those were the ones I took home. And it was definitely the right choice!!!

Polka Dot Silk Top: Nordstrom (recent)

Pink Tunic: H&M

Skinny Jeans: Gap Jeggings (sold out online)

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: Got Beauty (local SLC boutique)

Earrings: TJMaxx

Cat Eye Sunnies: Guess c/o TJMaxx

Watch: Michael Kors c/o Macy’s

Bracelets: Macy’s, H&M and Tiffany

Surprisingly, I have gotten quite a bit of wear out of these fun shoes. They really do go with a lot, largely in part because it is acceptable to mix prints with stripes and polka dots (which it should be!). And while I bought them when I was living in SF this fall, I am confident that they are going to get far more love from me during the warmer months of spring and summer. Not only do they make my outfits fun, but they are one of those pieces that make me feel extra special every time I wear them-add that extra little kick in my step, if you will. And as a self-proclaimed shoe addict, I can definitely appreciate that!