Fabulous Friday: Eye Candy

Every now and then it's fun to indulge in a little virtual window shopping and just spend some time admiring the gorgeous designs that are out there, whether or not they fit into your budget. This inspiring set features bold colors and patterns. Enjoy!

These are sophisticated polka dots, right? The dress is by Jonathan Saunders and you can find it at net-a-porter. Yum! 

Is there anything more cheerful than a bright yellow handbag? I doubt it. You can find this one at Forzieri. 

Clearly inspired by the Mondrian patterns of the 60's, this Kate Spade skirt is loads of fun. Get yours at Neiman Marcus. 

These DSquared pumps are to die for! I love them! If only I had an extra $600 lying around, I'd hop on over to Zappos Couture and put them right into my shopping cart. 

Time for me to digest all this loveliness. What kind of fashion eye candy have you seen around? Have you noticed any trends? Leave a comment- I always love hearing from you!

Bridal Style

Last weekend, we were part of a local bridal show in Portsmouth. Those days are always long and hard and remind me of tech week back in my theatre days. We spend the morning "loading in" and then there's the show and then the afternoon is spent "loading out." Remarkably similar to costuming a show in terms of the workload. It's the similarities to costuming that make it fun for me, too, though. I had the pleasure of dressing the models in some scrumptious gowns and accessories from our store. I wish I'd snapped more photos, because both models looked absolutely stunning!

Kathleen (on the left) in Chelsea by Amsale and Sarah in Arabesque by Jenny Packham

That's me lacing Sarah into her gown. 

Kathleen (on the left) in Fiona by Christos and Sarah in Forever by Monique Lhuillier

Our gorgeous models together- Sarah (on the left) and Kathleen. 

One last glimpse of Sarah in Forever by Monique Lhuillier. This was probably my favorite look of the day. It's stunning in its simplicity. And you can't tell from the photo, but the gown is actually the palest blush color which is a hot trend in bridal right now. 

There was supposed to be a third model, but she got sick the night before and had to bail. In the end, we changed up the dresses and accessories to compensate for the missing model. There were two other looks the ladies wore, plus a sampling of bridesmaid dresses. It was so fun picking out their accessories and dressing them on the day. It felt a little nostalgic for me to be doing that again. Putting together a head-to-toe look is always a blast, but when I get to work with gowns by designers like Amsale, Jenny Packham and Monique Lhuillier plus accessories that are also the best in the industry, it's just pure heaven. 

Rate My Look: Cashmere and Suede

I had a bit of a shopping spree the other day. My red pants were part of the haul. I also managed to score some major luxury pieces at bargain prices. In total, I spent just under $140 and I came home with a belt, a sweater, a skirt, my red velvet pants and an awesome pair of suede boots. Not too shabby, right?

You see, my theme for 2013- in all areas of my life, not just shopping- is to "elevate." I'm going to apply this theme to everything I do- from work to my social life to my hobbies to my home life- everything! From now on, everything I do will be a notch above what it used to be. I don't have to reach the sky in everything, just elevate a little, but do it across the board. So there it is: elevate.

The idea came from that period last year when I felt no desire to purchase anything for myself. I still loved shopping, but I had no reason to buy. I was perfectly content with the contents of my wardrobe. After living through that period, I was able to reflect back on it and realize that my feelings of contentment came from knowing that I had great pieces in my closet, great accessories to match with them and great shoes to finish it all off. I'd stopped spending my money on cheap junk. It was a bit of an epiphany for me.

It's so easy to get caught up in bargain shopping that we often end up spending money on cheap junk that doesn't last, either because it's a silly fad or because it's so poorly made that it only survives a few washes before you have to toss it. Once I realized this, I resolved to only purchase quality pieces from now on. My logic is simple: spend a little more for a higher quality piece, and in the long run save money because I'm buying fewer pieces. However, "elevating" doesn't always mean spending more. At consignment shops, sample sales or just really great store sales, I can find high end pieces at bargain prices. As long as the items themselves are quality, that's all that matters.

My Kate Spade bag is a perfect example of this. It's a classic color and style and the quality is good enough that I won't have to buy another brown handbag for quite a while. And while I bought it for about $200, it would normally retail for closer to $500. I've already gotten several months use out of it and it still looks and feels brand new. I purged my handbag collection a while ago and only kept the best ones- the real leather, the high-end designers, the classic ones that will last for years.

On my recent shopping spree, I kept my "elevate" theme in mind. I knew I needed a new sweater or two, so I decided to only consider cashmere. And as for the boots, well, that's a whole other story that has little to do with my "elevate" theme and more to do with luck. I'd tried them on at TJ Maxx several months ago, when they were about $100. Typical retail price is closer to $200, so they felt like a decent deal at the time. However, I passed on them because I had just bought a couple pair of boots, and even though these were really nice ones, I just didn't need them. Well, the other day on my shopping spree, I stopped into a Marshalls and saw them for $48. I tried them on and they were a little too big- my foot was wiggling around inside them. Again, I passed. Even at $48, they're not a deal if they'll be too uncomfortable to wear. On my way home, I popped into TJ Maxx and there I found not only a gorgeous Cynthia Rowley cashmere sweater, but the same boots for just $39 and they were my size! It was kismet!

So, now that I've give you the world's longest description and shopping explanation, here's my outfit with the sweater and boots:

I should have taken a shot of just the boots while I had the on. Fail. Instead, I have this terrible photo, but at least you can see the cool details: 

I love how the heel and toe have the darker shading on them and I also love the buckles. The heel is a little high for work. I had to switch to flats about half-way through the day, but maybe once they're broken in I'll be able to last a little longer. We'll see. 

So there you have it: one of many elevated looks to come in 2013. How do you plan to make 2013 better than 2012? Did you make resolutions or are you happy with the status quo? Leave a comment!

Shoesday Tuesday: Perfect Bridal Wedges

At Madeleine's, one of my jobs is to "finish" the bride's overall wedding day look. She'll set up an appointment to pick out accessories and I'll help her create the head-to-toe look, starting with undergarments and shoes and working our way through veils, jewelry, headpieces, purses, everything. It's a blast. And if you remember, my stellar selling hair makes it that much more enjoyable for me lately.

Anyway, one of the tricky parts can be shoes. We carry a decent variety of shoes at Madeleine's, but it's impossible to please everyone. One thing we can't seem to find for our store is the perfect pair of wedges. In New England, tons and tons of brides get married outdoors- golf courses, country clubs, beaches, barn yards, backyards- you name it. It's pretty picturesque here, so it makes sense to make the most of the natural beauty around you for such a special day. Anyway, as you all know, formal shoes and high heels in particular are the WORST when you're outside. Whether it's gravel walkways, cobblestones, grass or sand, there is no faster route to a sprained ankle than high heels outside in New England.

So often a bride will say, "I'm probably going to have to wear wedges." See, the thing is, she wants a pair of dressy shoes, but wedges are typically a very casual shoe. It's a conundrum, for sure. Even at Madeleine's, we only have a handful of options and while I think they're pretty fabulous, they don't cover every style for every bride.

Why the rant about wedges? Well, ladies and gents, I happened to hop on over to Shoe Dazzle a few days ago, just out of curiosity. And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the most fabulous, lovely pair of wedges fit for a bride. They're called "Lucie" and I think they are flawless:

Can I get a little love for finding these precious little darlings? The pale nude color is practically ivory and would look amazing next to just about any bridal gown. And the lace! What better detail could you possibly hope for? The peep toe and delicate ankle strap are so feminine and flattering, too! I kind of want to get married outside just so I can wear these gorgeous wedges! I'm so in love! They do look pretty high, but I've always said that beauty hurts and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

I don't know where else you could find these, other than Shoe Dazzle, but they have dropped their monthly membership price. Plus, you could always join just for these bad boys and then cancel afterwards.

So, what do you think? Am I right about how amazing these wedges are? Did you get married outside? What was your footwear choice? Leave comments, friends! And Happy Shoesday Tuesday!

Forget Emerald, Mallard is What's Hot

Recently, Pantone announced the "hot colors" for 2013, with Emerald as the standout bold color of the year. It's already everywhere- in fashion, home decor, etc. We've even seen its influences at work in the bridal industry already. While I have no complaints about emerald in general, I have to say that there is a color that is so far beyond it in terms of elegance and overall depth that it just leaves the so-called "color of the year" in the dust. "Where can I find this color?" you ask. I'll tell you.

Amsale designs a line of silk chiffon bridesmaid dresses and they have a new color called "Mallard" that is deeper and richer than any emerald on the market. It took my breath away the first time I saw it on a bridesmaid dress in our store last week. And that's a miracle because it's a well-known fact at work that I hate bridesmaid dresses. Yes, that's right. I hate them. They are boring, miserable dresses that rarely flatter every body type (like all brides claim) and will never be worn again for any reason (contrary to what all brides claim). I hate them.

Despite how much I hate bridesmaid dresses, I would wear anything (even a bridesmaid gown) if only it were in this decadent shade they have named "Mallard." I haven't seen many ducks as pretty as this particular shade of green, but I'm sure they're out there.

It is now my goal to have a dress or a top or something in this color. Mallard is my new obsession. It will be mine.

Rate My Look: Red Pants!

On Wednesday, I did some damage on the post-holiday sales. Between Ann Taylor Loft and TJ Maxx, I managed to come home with quite a bit. A new pair of suede boots, a cashmere sweater, a wool sequin skirt, a new sparkly feather belt and my favorite new item: a stunning pair of red velveteen skinny pants!

Colorful pants have been everywhere for the last year, but mostly in more casual options like jeans and corduroys. Unfortunately, those are too casual for work. I did get a pair of awesome kelly green jeans and another pair of super cute purple-ish pink jeans and I got a lot of wear out of both of them this summer. When it came to work place attire, they were just too casual. So, after seeing these amazing pants, I knew I needed to get them for work. Originally around $90, I ended up paying just $22 for them!

Everything I bought that day was a major bargain, but the pants (from Ann Taylor Loft) were far and away the best deal. Care to see how I styled them? Wait no longer:

What I really wanted was a black and white graphic sweater in a luxurious textile like cashmere. I shopped all afternoon for something that would work. I did find a great cashmere sweater, but it was more of an oatmeal color and although it's beautiful, it didn't work with the pants. So, in an effort to keep with the black and white idea, I just layered the jacket over a satin top. It works. I'm still going to hunt for the perfect top to wear with these pants, but for now, this look will do. It's far from shabby. 

I kept catching myself in the mirror at work and realizing, "Holy crap! These pants are RED." I love them and I am so happy I got them. They definitely bring a bit of fun to a dreary time of year. 

Have you hit the post-holiday sales? What have you hauled in? Leave a comment! 

Accessories Anonymous: It's a Cinch!

We're all on some type of budget, and shopping for lots of new clothes isn't always an option. So when your wardrobe feels a little lackluster, rather than maxing out your credit cards, try looking for ways to breathe new life into what you already have. Accessories are hands-down the best way to do that. Accessories are inexpensive, but you get a lot of bang for your buck with the right ones.

One of my favorite accessories to incorporate into outfits is a belt. Cinched right at my natural waist, it does several things for my outfits:

1.) It emphasizes the feminine, hourglass figure.
2.) It creates a focal point in my outfit.
3.) It adds visual interest and sometimes completely transforms the vibe of my look.

To demonstrate, here is the same basic grey dress made completely different with the addition of a belt:

It's a Cinch! by rtboo featuring a grey dress

On the left are three options where the belt becomes a "pop" of color as well as a focal point in the look. On the right are three options where the belt completely changes the vibe of the outfit- one is sweet and preppy, one is bohemian and the third is vintage-inspired.

Pull out any pieces from your wardrobe that you might describe as basic or neutral. Wrap a belt around them and see how they are transformed. And don't limit yourself to traditional or literal belts. Sashes, scarves, even necklaces can be transforming when cinched in the right spot. I love pinning a flower or brooch onto a belt or sash to add another interesting detail to my outfit. Do you have multiple skinny belts in various colors? Pair them up, or layer three of them together. Play around with it and you'll amaze yourself at what you come up with.