I'm a little behind, ok?

So I'm not exactly the most technologically savvy person out there (in case you hadn't figured that out already). When I learned to make collages on MS Paint, I was pretty proud of myself. Then I learned about polyvore. Umm... basically ANYONE in the world can make these collages, then smack 'em onto his or her blog in an instant. And they're a heck of a lot better than the ones I make on MS Paint! So, I made one to share with all of you. Why? Just because I can, that's why.

I was scrolling through the hundreds of dresses on polyvore and saw this gorgeous yellow dress from Arden B:

I thought to myself, "This would be a perfect dress to wear if I had a wedding to go to this spring or summer." As of right now, I don't have any weddings to attend, but one of YOU might, so here are some fun accessory options to complete the perfect wedding guest look. I've selected four pair of shoes and paired each of them with a clutch for four completely different looks that all center around this amazing yellow dress. Did I mention that I LOVE this yellow dress? I love yellow these days. I'm working on designing costumes for a show called "California Soul" and I'm obsessed with using yellow in the opening of the show. Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to this particular dress. Or maybe yellow is just a fabulous springtime color. Anyway, here are my four accessory options to go with this yellow dress:

Arden B Yellow Dress by Rtboo featuring Arden B dresses

Option # 1: I think of this as the Carrie Bradshaw version. She would never do anything matchy-matchy, so she pairs the yellow dress with blue/green crazy awesome, show-stopping platform heels (SO Carrie) and a bright fuchsia clutch.

Option #2: This pairing is for the girl who wants to make sure that even in a yellow frilly frock she still looks rockin'. Cage heels in grey and a multi-animal print clutch add quite a bit of edge even to this super girly dress.

Option #3: This version is a more casual Carrie Bradshaw version- the bright flats are suited to an early afternoon wedding and when you top the look off with that stripe-y, mod clutch in blue & red, you've got that quirky cousin look written all over you (in a good way).

Option #4: Finally, sometimes it's best to just let the cool dress speak for itself. In that case I recommend a nice pair of nude shoes and an equally neutral (but not matching) bag.

Click the hyperlinks to be taken to each item on polyvore. Warning: This is not a bargain collage. The items shown are priced ranging from $39 to $1,675.

Obviously, each look could be taken a step or two further with jewelry, hair style and make-up design, but be careful not to go so far as to make it look costume-y. There's a fine line between fashionista and fashion victim sometimes. Feel free to visit polyvore yourself and put some collages together. They call them "Sets" over there and you can publish them to facebook and twitter, too, if you're into that.

Have a great night, everyone!

Spring Fever!

The weather for the last two days has been absolutely beautiful- sunny, warm, breezy. I'm starting to thing that spring might be on its way for real! I am SO ready to ditch the tights and boots, the jackets and sweaters- all of it! I'm ready for bare legs, sandals, sleeveless dresses, even (dare I say it?) a little sunbathing? The pictures I took yesterday really drew my attention to my legs and how pasty white they are! I am dying for a little sunshine and Vitamin D! It's amazing how different I feel when the weather turns sunny and warm. I love love love springtime because it's sunny and warm without being too hot. Sometimes summer gets a little too hot, a little too humid for me. Spring is just perfect. To me, spring is flowers- gardens being planted, flowers starting to bloom- I love it! I do NOT have a green thumb AT ALL, so if I want flowers in my life, I basically need to wear them.

Anyway, in celebration of this amazing weather, here are some fabulous spring pieces:

Art All Day Dress, Modcloth, $64.99

Flower Stand Halter Dress, Modcloth, $52.99

Flowy Blurred Floral Skirt, Forever 21, $9.50

Chiffon Floral Print Blouse, Arden B, $49.00

Christian Louboutin Floral Chiffon Pump, Bergdorf Goodman, $895.00

A Day in the Countryside bag, Etsy, $82

Sorry for not posting a lot of commentary on these pieces, but I'm DYING to get outside! Have a great day, everyone! Happy Monday!

Mommy Style

My friend Shannon is adorable and incredibly stylish. She also happens to be pregnant. She's the kind of girl who really puts together a fun and funky outfit. Well, here facebook status recently lamented the fact that there aren't enough hip maternity styles out there in the stores. She's a try-before-you-buy kind of girl- not so into the internet shopping. Anyway, this is my attempt to help her out a little (although as I mentioned she is pretty stylin', so she doesn't need much help from me). I believe she is due in June or July so these pieces are geared more towards the warmer weather. 

Liz Lange for Target Fuchsia Strapless Dress, Target, $39.99 (Also available in ivory)

Crochet-trim top, Old Navy, $18.50

Low-rise Super flare jeans, Old Navy, $25 (also available in light wash and white)

Knot-front top, Old Navy, $16.50 (Available in 3 other bright colors)

Oh Baby by Motherhood Floral Georgette Henley, Kohls, $17.99

Seersucker Real-Waist shorts, Old Navy, $22.50

Heidi Klum 3/4 Sleeve Drop-Waist Tunic, Motherhood, $24.99 (Also available in cobalt blue)

In my experience perusing the materinty options, I've found that most pieces are very basic- the colors are basic, the styles are basic. Basic, basic, basic. Which to me really translates to: boring, boring, boring. That's why I've picked mostly bright colors for the pieces above. I completely understand Shannon's frustration and I'm sure she's not the first pregnant woman to come to the realization that while she may want to dress in a hip and stylish fashion throughout her pregnancy, the options just aren't out there. But fear not, lovely pregnant women, I have a solution for you!

First, pick up these maternity basics- pieces that will fit your ever-expanding belly and use them as your base. Then, layer on other non-maternity items you may already own along with funky accessories and you'll feel more stylin' than you ever thought possible. Shannon is the kind of girl who loves bright colors and bling, so I'm gearing these selections towards her. However, the basic principle remains the same whether you like bright and bling-y or something more subdued. The following pieces are non-maternity, but would work perfectly at nearly any stage on pregnancy:

Sequin shrug, Arden B, $19.99 (Also available in gold)

70's Green and White Checkered Cropped Jacket, Etsy, $22 (I know you can't buy it in person as per Shannon's requirements, but isn't it adorable?)

Cotton Spandex Jersey Leggings, American Apparel, $26 (Available in 25 color choices- yes TWENTY-FIVE- as well as white w/black polka-dots)

Stud Adorned Top, Forever 21, $17.80

Two-Tone Bib Tunic, Forever 21, $24.80

Sleeveless Layer Over Knit Cardigan, Forever 21, $17.80

The final touch for any outfit- maternity or otherwise is the accessories. For this section I wil ignore Shannon's buy-it-in-person rule simple because fit isn't as much of an issue when purchasing accessories. We all like to be able to physically handle the pieces we are buying, but sometimes you find something so fabulous online that you let go of that rule! Accessories are our way to make outfits unique and to bring our own personality to them. This should be no different when dressing in maternity clothes, so break out the accessories that make you feel the most stylin' you there is.

A note on "maternity" jewelry: Keep necklaces to bust-length or shorter. This will help draw the eye upward to your face. Long necklaces will basically act like a big light-up arrow pointing to your pregnant belly. I'm not saying you don't want to draw attention to your belly, but the thing about it is that it sort of draws attention to itself just by nature. So wear necklines and jewelry that bring the focus up to your glowing countenance whenever possible.

Pink Purple Amethyst Chandelier Earrings, Etsy, $39.95

Vintage Button Bracelet, Etsy, $56

Converse One Star Washed Scarf, Target, $14.99

Silver Turquoise and Faux Coral Ring, Overstock, $19.99

I hope this post has been helpful for all you lovely pregnant ladies out there. However, never having been pregnant myself I understand if you feel I've missed the mark. If you've been pregnant and have found amazing maternity clothes somewhere, please leave a comment telling all about it. After all, pregnant women have as much right to style as the rest!