Rate My Look: Spot the Dot Edition

Can you "Spot the Dot" (the Stella and Dot, that is) in these photos? First up, the adorable Ryann:

River Lariat, $69

Toujours Bracelet, $34

And now me: 

Nolita Necklace, $198

Bardot Spiral Bracelet in Silver, $49

Soiree Earrings, $39 (Covered by my hair- sorry!)

The Nolita Necklace gets more compliments than any other pieces of jewelry I own. I'm really not surprised by that- it's STUNNING! And I love how it transforms my outfit completely! Without Nolita, it's just a basic pencil skirt and demure blouse. With Nolita, it's Va-Va-Voom and it just screams, "Look at me!" Don't you agree? 

But enough about me- let's talk about Ryann. First of all, her jewelry is the perfect complement to her outfit, which is ADORABLE! I am in love with the bold print and bright colors on her dress and the look is perfectly completed not only by her jewelry, but by her sandals. I needs to get myself some fabulous sandals for the summer, but that's a topic for a different post. 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of anything you see in this post- the jewelry, the outfits- anything! And have a fabulous day! 

TGIF: A Visit to the Boston Bridal Lounge

Today is going to be a fun day at work, not only because we will all be talking about the Royal Wedding (yes, I got up at a ridiculous hour to watch it), but also because I'll be leaving work for a few hours, or the building, actually. It's always fun when I can get a little change of scenery for a few hours. A couple of us will be heading down to Boston today to help set up our display for an event at the Boston Bridal Lounge.

If you are a bride and you live even somewhat close to Boston, I recommend you check out this amazing service. The two owners of this incredible business, Kerri Esposito-Bruneau and Eleni Granas have both been in the bridal industry for years and they both bring an incredible wealth of knowledge to the business. Not only that, they are truly experts who know all the best vendors in the industry. So of course you won't be surprised to hear that Madeleine's Daughter is one of five bridal shops they selected to be a part of their company.

With the overwhelming amount of information available to brides these days, particularly through the internet, it can be easy to find a whole assortment of wedding vendors at your fingertips. But how do you know which ones are right for you? Selecting a photographer for your big day is as much about meshing personalities as it is about skill and photography style. And while it might be fun to taste the cake samples of a few different vendors, finding the perfect mesh between flavor and design for your cake isn't as simple a task. What happens at the Boston Bridal Lounge is that Kerri and Eleni help steer you in the direction of the vendors you need. Whether it's only one detail such as finding an officiant licensed in your state, or the entire wedding planning process (or anything in between), they can help you figure it all out. And since they've personally selected each and every vendor, you can trust their opinion when they tell you where to go. And you know they have great taste because they have partnered with Madeleine's Daughter, the best bridal shop in New England!

For more information about the Boston Bridal Lounge, check out these news articles:

Boston.com
The Boston Channel
Southern New England Weddings
New Brahmin
Metro

Beauty Product Review: Jergen's Natural Glow Foaming Moisturizer

As you know, the weather here lately has been less than ideal. With temperatures barely creeping above 60 degrees, it's not exactly ideal weather for spring. By this time of the year, I like to have a little bit of color on my cheeks, and even more on my arms and legs. I'm not the type to lay-out and bake in the sun all day, but I do enjoy a healthy sun-kissed glow. Since I'm stuck in thick tights and long sleeves these days, I decided to try a self-tanner:

Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer

My goal was not to look as if I'd spent a week in the Caribbean, but just to get rid of the pasty-white tinge my skin had taken on since being covered up for six months this long, New England winter. One of my co-workers recommended I try Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Moisturizer. I have tried other products in the Natural Glow line before and been unhappy with all of them. I have also tried other brands of self-tanning products including Bath & Body Works and Mary Kay, but never found one I like. My issues with most self-tanners and self-tanning moisturizers are as follows:

1.) They tend to take a long time to show any kind of result. OR
2.) They are so dramatically fast-acting, everyone who sees you knows it's a fake.
3.) It can be hard to get an even application- avoiding streaks or uneven "tanning" of your skin can be really tough.
4.) They all have a strong scent, and not a good one.

When my coworker recommended the foaming product by Jergen's, I was skeptical, but I'll try anything once. At $7.99 for a bottle, it wasn't a huge investment and if I hated it, I figured I could always give it to my coworker to finish since she loves it. Lucky for me, this ended up being the BEST self- tanner I have ever tried. The first day I used it, I marveled at how easy it is to get an even application. Because the product is a foaming moisturizer, it's very easy to get even coverage over a large area (like my ENTIRE leg) with one shot.   In addition, this product does not have the horrible tanning-lotion scent that I've become so accustomed to. Rather, it's a very faint scent that it easily covered up with my standard spritz of body spray. Finally, the color is fabulous- not too light, not too dark- it's the Goldilocks of self-tanners: it's just right. The results were nearly immediate, with a noticeable difference showing a couple hours after my FIRST application. However, repeated use did not turn my skin so dark as to be a questionable shade. Mostly, I just look a little sun-kissed, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Have you tried this product before? How about self tanners in general? What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know what your experiences have been.

ANNOUNCING: Stella and Dot Virtual Trunk Show

I am SO excited about this post because I have an awesome and exciting announcement to make! As you all know, I have recently become a stylist for Stella and Dot, and I'm really looking forward to all the trunk shows I'll be doing as a result. But as I thought about my blog and my followers and how so few of them live near me here in New Hampshire, I realized I wanted a way to allow EVERYONE who reads my blog to participate in one of MY trunk shows. So that is why I have decided to host a VIRTUAL TRUNK SHOW.

Since every trunk show needs a hostess, I found someone who is just as into fashion and style as I am and asked her to be my very first virtual trunk show hostess. Natalya of Natalya's Closet has graciously agreed to host this first trunk show and I am super excited to have her on board! Since I've never done anything like this before (and neither has she), we're both taking a bit of a gamble on whether or not it will work out. I'm confident it's going to be such a rousing success that ALL of my blog followers (and hers, too!) will be begging me to let them host their own virtual trunk show in the future!

Here's how it will work:

First go to www.stelladot.com/reneetbouchard or click this link. When you go there, it should look like this:

Do you see at the top where it says, "Your stylist is Renee Bouchard?" This is important. Make sure it says that. 

Next, click on the link that says "find your hostess." It's next to the link that says "Your Stylist is Renee Bouchard." So convenient. 

See it in the upper right hand corner there? I've even drawn an arrow pointing to the link. Could I make it any simpler? When you click on that link, you'll be prompted to give the name of your hostess, which in this case is Natalya Steindler. Type her name and click "search." 

Once you've selected your hostess, you can start shopping. Your jewelry will arrive in 3-5 business days. There is no waiting around for everyone to place orders. Once your order is in, it's all set! See how simple that is? 

The trunk show will run from now through May 15th, so order before then! You have approximately two weeks to decide if you want to order something. Check back soon for styling tips and  jewelry suggestions. I'll be posting pictures of my new collection with outfits so you can see exactly how fabulous all these pieces are. 

Good luck, Natalya! 

Accessories Anonymous: New Stella and Dot Jewelry!

This week has already felt like Christmas because my Christian Siriano dress arrived and it is AWESOME! I'm usually of the opinion that animal print should be used in small doses, but the dress really works. It's super hot, super comfortable and I can't wait to style it in a million different ways!

The other reason it feels like Christmas around here is because my Stella and Dot jewelry has been arriving! You saw the pieces I chose from my Hostess Rewards last week, but now I want to show you the free jewelry I received for becoming a Stella and Dot Stylist. As a stylist, you receive an initial $350 in free jewelry. Of course, the more trunk shows you book, the more likely you are to earn even more free jewelry. I have one trunk show booked so far and I'm hoping to book a couple more this week! It's amazing how easy it is! It's the incentive of earning all that free jewelry with Hostess Rewards that makes people so interested in hosting a trunk show, and I can hardly blame them! But more on that later. Now, let me show off the jewelry!

Bardot Hoop Earrings in Silver, $34

Soiree Earrings in Silver, $39

Ladybug Studs, $24

Camilla Ring, $49

Jolie Cocktail Ring, $79

Bee Brooch, $39

Owl Charm Pendant Necklace, $44

Together Forever Necklace, $44

Chloe Necklace, $49

I'm most excited about the Jolie Cocktail Ring and the Soiree Earrings, but for opposite reasons. The ring is going to be an amazing statement piece to have for when I really want a bold look. The earrings I selected will all make excellent additions to my jewelry collection for their versatility. None are so bold as to be their own statement (except maybe the Bardot Hoops), but rather they will add a touch of sparkle to any outfit in a subtle and sophisticated way. 

I hope you're impressed by the sheer volume of jewelry I've amassed in only a week's time- it's a LOT! Also, because I joined the Stylist ranks before the end of April, I will also be receiving the Rio Coin Bracelet (valued at $89) for FREE as well!

Rio Coin Bracelet, $89

I love how jingle-jangle-y this bracelet is. Yes, that's a technical term: "jingle jangle-y." Another thing I love about Stella and Dot jewelry is that you can feel and see the quality in the products. I've always been one to purchase super bargain "junk jewelry" at places like Forever 21 and Target. I can't say that I will be abandoning those places altogether, but with such a great source for on-trend, quality jewelry, I imagine I'll spend a lot less time and money on super discount jewelry. The difference for me is longevity. If I view a certain piece of jewelry as something I'll get a lot of use out of, I'm more likely to invest in a better piece. If it's a trend that I don't see lasting and I imagine I'll only wear for a brief season, then I'll likely consider shopping for it on the cheap. But that's what's great about having variety in your collection of accessories- and this goes for any accessory, not just jewelry-it's all about mixing and matching pieces from different sources. What makes an outfit unique to YOU is how you choose to accessorize it. You may own an expensive necklace and a brooch from a thrift shop, but it's combining them that creates an interesting, one-of-a-kind look. More on that at a later date! 

Check back soon for more styling tips and in the meantime, leave a comment to tell me what you think of anything you've seen or read here today. 

Have an awesome day! 

Rate My Look- Color blocking

Color blocking has been all over the place for months now, so I suppose I ought to get around to talking about it here. Color blocking is simple and it is clearly demonstrated in my outfit pictured above. The idea is to group and stack colors together, in "blocks." Just like using colorful blocks as a kid and stacking and grouping them into structures. Instead of wooden blocks, you use clothing. As you can see from the picture, my skirt has color-blocking built into it with the gray on top of the black. The addition of the teal top only adds to the concept. In color blocking, there are no prints involved, only different groups of solid colors. It was a little chilly, so I had to add the cardigan to the outfit, but once again, I stuck with a solid. 

Because this trend is so popular right now, it's easy to find clothing with color blocking built into it. For example, this BCBGMAXAZRIA color-blocked dress: 

BCBGMAXAZRIA Color Block Dress, Amazon, $178

Of course, you don't need to run out and buy a bunch of color-blocked clothes to be part of this trend. Simply group several solid-color separates together. A solid blue skirt with a solid yellow top and a wide brown belt- get the idea? Put together a color blocked outfit and submit it to me to show on the blog- I'd love to see what you come up with! 

Shoesday Tuesday: Here, Kitty-kitty!

I'm really happy to see the kitten heel trend returning this spring. After so many seasons of 4-inch heels and ultra-tall platforms, it's like a breath of fresh air to see something a little less extreme. Of course, I still intend to rock my super tall heels at every opportunity, but when my toes need a break, I'll be happy to switch them out for a more reasonable kitten heel.

The kitten heel is the ultimate in girl-y-ness. While the stiletto may ooze sex appeal and power, the kitten heel is sweeter, gentler, and yet still incredibly feminine. Here are some amazing kitten heels that I wouldn't mind adding to my shoe arsenal:

Nelumbo Kitten Heels, Anthropologie, $148

Edmundo Castillo Suede Sling-back Kitten Heels, Shopbop, $595

Butter Sooth Peep-toe Kitten Heel, Endless, $264

Demmure, Steve Madden, $79.95

All of the above kitten heels would work equally well with jeans, as they would with a sun dress or with a suit for the office. Try out this trend soon- in peep-toe or patent leather, neutrals or florals, simple or embellished- you'll be happy you did! 

If you're a fan of kitten heels, tweet it now and don't forget the hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday so I can find it. Last week's Shoesday Tuesday was the best for tweets we've had yet, so let's try to top it this week! 

It's Christmas in April!

As you all know I've recently joined the ranks of Stella and Dot stylists and as a result I've got a TON of amazing jewelry whizzing my way. I was hoping to have a package waiting for me when I got home from work tonight, but alas, my jewelry has not yet arrived. However, there was a box from Spiegel waiting at my door and I ripped it open the second I walked in the door. What was in it? Well, you may remember I pre-ordered one of Christian Siriano's designs from his exclusive line for Spiegel. I ordered it nearly two months ago, but I didn't tell you exactly which piece I got.

There were a few pieces that I really liked, but one stuck out more than any other and even though Christian has said this is an "evening wear" line, I thought it would be a great dress for work as well as a night out. As soon as I opened the box and saw the fabulous fabric, I simply HAD to put it on. And even though it was faintly sprinkling outside, I simply HAD to run outside and snap a photo to show all of you:

How fabulous is this dress? This silhouette is incredibly flattering- the slim skirt, defined waist, and cowl neck would work on literally any body type. The flutter sleeves and ruffle down the front of the skirt add a touch of gentle femininity, keeping the overall effect soft. With that much animal print, it could be easy to look a little too va-va-voom, but with the ruffle and flutter sleeves, the whole look is softened. The dress is made with a super light-weight fabric with a lot of stretch to it, making it super comfortable. It looks great with flats for work (like my brown suede boots pictured above), but it will look even more amazing with a pair of killer heels for a night out with friends or even a date! And as you can see (also from the picture above), it looks great with my new Audrey Cluster Bracelet from Stella and Dot! I'm looking forward to styling it with some of  the new jewelry coming from S&D, too! 

I wish I'd saved a photo from the website so you could see the details in the dress a little better, because the entire line is sold out and no longer available. I'm glad I snatched this dress up when I could! 

And I still have more packages from Stella and Dot to look forward to this week- it's like Christmas in April! 

Check back soon to see the other deliveries I'll be getting this week!

Rate My Look- It's Gradually Warming Up Here

Dress: Target

Boots: Marshalls

Cardigan: Old Navy

Ring: Etsy

Earrings: Stella and Dot

Did you hear that we got SNOW on April 23rd? APRIL TWENTY-THIRD!!! We should be well into spring by now and yet, last Saturday I wore tights to work. Thick, winter tights. And I was still a little chilly. I'm SO over this weather and I'm DYING for spring to arrive. This week the temperature is supposed to be in the 60's and even low 70's a couple of times, but it's also coupled with cloudy, rainy weather and even some thunderstorms. I'm stuck every morning checking the weather app on my phone and yet I still can't get it right most of the time. 

Today I'm wearing a nice, spring-time dress, but layering one of my new cardigans over it and of course wearing the boots to keep my legs warm, at least in part. I'm also sporting my favorite Stella and Dot earrings and a cocktail ring from Etsy seller Much Love Illy. Some day I'll be able to wear a complete spring outfit, but today is not that day. At least I'm saving money on pedicures this season. 

What is the weather like where you live? Has spring arrived? Are you spending each day in cute sun dresses and sandals? If you are, please don't say so in the comments. Lie to me. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! No post today as I will be spending the day at church and with family. I promise to be fashionable and stylish the entire time, even if it is not documented. Back to regular posting tomorrow!

Stella and Dot: More Fabulous Jewelry!

Wednesday night's Stella and Dot trunk show was a lot of fun- we had a small group- a mini trunk show, really. With three guests, plus me as the hostess, you might think it was a bust, but you'd be wrong! Even a small show like that meant big rewards for the hostess- in this case- me! Check out what I got:

Bardot Spiral Bangle in Silver, $49.00

Garden Party Chandelier Earrings in Ivory, $54

Sofia Pearl Bib Necklace, $118

Nolita Necklace, $198

I'm most excited about the necklaces because they are TRUE statement pieces. They are the kinds of pieces that can truly transform an outfit into something really special. I already have all sorts of ideas for how the outfits I'm going to create around these amazing pieces. 

And now is the part where I tell you all about why YOU should contact me about hosting a trunk show. The hostess of the event is the one who reaps all the benefits of the party. As the hostess, you will earn 25% of the party sales in FREE jewelry PLUS up to four items at half price. So, if the party guests purchase a total of $1500, that means YOU will get $375 in free jewelry. And the sky's the limit- the more that's purchased, the more you benefit. 

Here are a few snapshots of the trunk show from Wednesday night: 

Every party needs some decent food- our wine & cheese theme was perfect for an intimate group. 

A sampling of the jewelry for guests to try on

More jewelry... 

Even more jewelry...

As you can see from the pictures, it's incredibly simple to host a trunk show- in fact, the most you do as a hostess is put together a few snacks! Before you know it, you've got a room full of happy guests like my friend Ryann: 

Shopping is the most fun when it is with your girlfriends, so why not do it in the comfort of your home and surrounded by all your favorite friends? 

And for those of you who don't live near me, don't worry- I plan to have "virtual" trunk shows in the very near future. But more on that at a later date. In the meantime, leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this jewelry. Is any of it appealing to you? Can you see yourself wearing something by Stella & Dot? Check out the website and tell me your favorite pieces. And check back soon for more info on hosting your own trunk show OR participating in a "virtual" trunk show online! 

Accessories Anonymous: Gorgeous MK Bag

I was scrolling through my weekly Shop it to Me email and saw this:

Erin Large Shoulder Tote, Michael Kors, $383

I don't really know what it is about this bag, but I absolutely love it. Maybe it's the color, or the rich python texture, or the chains on the straps- whatever it is, it sure feels like love. A bit rich for my pocketbook, but it's fun to dream, right? 

Rate My Look- Purple and Grey

I love separates because they make for a seemingly unlimited amount of combinations. You have seen these boots before, as I bought them at the beginning of the winter to wear to work. The skirt and top are relatively new and I really like how they all work together. You've seen the skirt more than once here on the blog. One of my favorite looks with it is this one, but the debut can be found here. The top is one that I purchased in two different colors and I'm loving having both in my wardrobe. The original outfit with the grey version can be found here.

When I look back at my outfits, it's SO easy to see how I can pair similar pieces to create entirely new outfits using only what's already in my closet. Of course accessories help to transform the look so that it feels fresh and vibrant, but that's the case whether you're accessorizing an entirely new outfit, or one that is "re-mixed" from older pieces in your closet. 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my grey and purple look- I'm always interested in hearing what you have to say! 

Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps - CNN.com

I couldn't have possibly said this better, so rather than try to, I'll just give you the link.

Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps - CNN.com

Stella and Dot Trunk Show TONIGHT!

I am SUPER excited because tonight I'm hosting a Stella and Dot trunk show at the home of my dear friend Kate Parker. She's an amazing entrepreneur and the creative mastermind behind Kate Parker Weddings and Prepare to Wed. She's also a great friend and a Stella and Dot Stylist! And even better, she's the stylist for my trunk show tonight. I plan to join the ranks of Stella and Dot stylists as well and with Kate as my mentor, I'm pretty sure we're going to take over the world. I'm not even kidding. Her energy is infectious and it's that enthusiasm and excitement that has me itching to join the Stella and Dot stylist community, too! Well, that and the fact that I'm really falling head over heels in love with their jewelry.

Can you spot the "Dot" in this outfit?

How about this one? Can you spot the "Dot" here? 

You know I purchased a pair of earrings and a bracelet at a trunk show last month. Well, they've honestly become the two items I wear the most because they are not only fabulous and incredibly stylish and unique, but they are also high quality items that are durable and able to take the abuse I give them! My bracelet is my absolute favorite piece and I can't possibly say enough good things about it.

If you are interested in hosting a Stella and Dot trunk show and you live in New England, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you don't live near me, have no fear! I'll be able to direct you to my own personal Stella and Dot website where you can purchase whatever jewelry you like! And you can bet I'll be letting you know about ALL the sales and discounts available, too. (Of which there are many!)

Well, I'm off to go get ready for my trunk show- I can't wait to show you guys all the amazing new jewelry I'm getting!

Shoesday Tuesday- Fabulous Tweet

There were more #ShoesdayTuesday tweets today than any other day since I started that "trend." But even if it hadn't been a high quantity day, it was still a high quality day. I particularly enjoyed what @gregorvios tweeted:

And the image he created? Check it out: 

Bonus points for using a Zappa song as your #ShoesdayTuesday inspiration. The gauntlet has been thrown, friends. You better bring your A-game to next week's #ShoesdayTuesday tweet-a-thon. 

Shoesday Tuesday- Shoe Dazzle Might Have Won Me Over...

... with these:

It's not as if I could wear these to work, but are they amazing or what? I feel like I need to have them! Why is it that just when I'm about to delete my account, Shoe Dazzle manages to keep stringing me along?!?! I just think these shoes are so unique and super fun. They would be ideal for a night out. They'd work with jeans, or a sexy LBD, or any number of things! What do I do?!?!? Give me advice on twitter and don't forget the hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday or I won't be able to find your tweet. Tell me if you think these shoes should be a part of my collection. 

Rate My Look- Pretty Spring Dress

This dress has been hanging in my closet for MONTHS! It's a dress I wore all the time last spring and summer, yet somehow it never ended up on the blog. It's incredibly comfortable, and I absolutely adore the bright floral-esque print all over it. It's different from most of the clothes I wear in a couple of ways- the v-neck for one, the slimmer, but still loose-fitting skirt, for another. I love the ruched waistline because it's so flattering and also very comfortable. It's an ideal dress for work, or even an afternoon out with girlfriends. I wore this dress last Monday, and I'm sure I'll be breaking it out time and time again over the next few months. 

My only regret with this dress is that the shoes I love to wear with it are really tall light blue open-toe heels. Gorgeous, but not exactly work-appropriate. My feet would DIE if I wore them all day. So instead, I've got my 1-inch wedge Dr. Scholl's shoes that I bought last fall. They have served me well for work outfits, and I'm hoping to break them out again next fall. I may need to purchase a new pair for when these ones finally give out. They ended up being a truly fabulous work shoe and I'd be sad to see them go. 

The rest of my accessories were pretty basic- some silver hoop dangling earrings and my vintage cocktail ring finished off the look. I tried to get a nice, tall "poof" in my hair- no, I did NOT use a Bump-it! I just used some good-old-fashioned hair teasing technique. Works every time! Well, nearly every time. 

So what do you think of my dress? If the weather were a little colder, I probably would have paired the dress with one of my Old Navy cropped cardigans, but on this particular day, I was fine without one.  Leave a comment if you like! There's not much to remark on with this outfit- it's pretty basic, don't you think? But sometimes basic is best. 

How to Rock a Maxi Dress (Even if you're petite)

You all know me well enough to know that I do not own a maxi dress and that my preferred hemlines fall at my knees- maybe a little above or below, but generally speaking, the knees are where it's at. Maxi dresses have never been my favorite type of garment because I don't find them to be all that flattering. I look at them as an unfortunate, billow-y cover-up appropriate for very little. However, I also know that I am in the minority when it comes to that opinion. The entire fashion industry seems to disagree with me, actually. I'm ok with that, but I understand that some of my readers may be interested in learning how to wear a maxi dress and I'd hate to alienate those people.

So, even though I'm not interested in wearing one, I'll be happy to help YOU look your best in a maxi dress. Here are my tips for pulling off this look:

1.) Select a maxi with a print that is in proportion to your body. Since the maxi is so long, there is going to be a LOT more print there than with a knee-length dress, so if you are petite, the wrong print can be overwhelming. If you're unsure of what type of print will work for you, select a maxi in a solid, color block or ombre instead.

2.) To avoid looking bottom-heavy, select a maxi with minimum fullness in the skirt. This will help you achieve a long, sleek look, rather than a heavy, prairie-dress effect.

3.) Select a halter, strapless or spaghetti-strap maxi to help the overall effect remain light and airy. Too much fabric will be overwhelming on just about anyone, so show a little skin up top to balance out the look.

4.) Choose a maxi that cinches in at the natural or empire waist. This will emphasize the smallest part of your figure and help maintain the hourglass figure you are striving for.

5.) Avoid heavy fabrics- the lighter the fabric, the more ethereal the effect will be in your maxi dress. Also avoid a slim-fitting jersey fabric as it is a very unforgiving fabric at times, but especially when cut close to the body.

Below are some maxi dresses that I feel would be flattering on just about anyone:

Halter Maxi Dress, Victoria's Secret, $98 

Not only is this print ideal- not too big or too small for anyone- the blue variation that runs down the center will help the elongate the entire look and offer a more slimming effect. 

Free People Voile Maxi Dress, Nordstrom, $198

This maxi not only has a nice monochromatic print, but the majority of the fullness in the skirt is concentrated at the bottom. If the entire skirt were as full as the bottom piece, it could be overwhelming, but since the top half of the skirt is slimmer, it can work on just about anyone. I also like how this one is shorter in the front- it keeps the dress from feeling too heavy. Finally, the details at the neckline draw the eye upward to the face, which is always a good thing. 

C&C California Crochet Back Maxi Dress, Zappos, $128

You may remember this dress from my post about interesting back details. I also like this maxi because the skirt is slim and the sash at the waist is very flattering. It won't be overwhelming on anyone because of those details. 

Of course, for every maxi that's great, there are five others that should be burned. Here are some maxi dresses I think everyone should avoid like the plague: 

Whispering Forest Maxi Dress, Anthropologie, $138

There is so much wrong with this maxi- it would take a statuesque, rail-thin figure to pull it off and even then I believe there are better choices that could be made. 

Black and White One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, Sears, $93

I have two words: horizontal stripes. Even if this pattern were vertical, it would be overwhelming on a lot of frames. Petite girls would get lost in it. Tall and large girls would overwhelm everyone around them because it would just be a lot of print to look at. Just say "no" to horizontally-striped maxi dresses. Just say "No." 

In case you're at a loss as to how to style a maxi dress, here are a few ideas to get your started: 

Maxi Dress by Rtboo featuring studded handbags

And if it's any consolation, I think that in the process of creating and writing this post, I may have convinced myself to be more open minded toward the maxi dress. Never say never, right? It seems that when I completely dismiss the idea of something (like Uggs), that's exactly when I discover a reason when it might be appropriate to choose that exact thing I just dismissed. Murphy's Law, I suppose. 

Anyway, leave a comment and tell me what YOU think of the maxi dress trend. Do you wear maxi's? How do you style them? Send me a picture and I'll post it on the blog!