FASHION SHOW, FASHION SHOW! FASHION SHOW AT LUNCH!

The only hitch with this vintage dress is the fact that it isn't lined. But that's nothing a slip can't remedy.

It's designed to have a belt, but when I got this from the swap it didn't have one. Thankfully, I have this belt I think I got second-hand from Melissa when I dove through a giant box of her old clothes.


Mikki dyed this dress periwinkle, and I love that it has such subtle color to it. I can style this a lot of different ways and get a lot of use out of such a well-preserved and well-structured dress. I'm really excited for Kev to replace the zipper though, because in it's current, delicate state I can't zip it myself.

Do you wear vintage? It's not something I specifically seek, but if I come across a beauty like this (especially for free) I don't care if the item is 100 years old or just made yesterday.

I have to see a man about a dog...

Last night Kev, Seth and I watched "Leatherheads" and now I can't get 1920s fashion out of my head. I want a hat!



I've always loved the 20s, especially since reading "The Great Gatsby" in high school (and then again in college, and then again after college, and then again...).

ModCloth has these and other awesome dresses, and of course, Etsy is a great place to find vintage fashions. Check them out and you'll fall in love too.

My sister couldn't believe I got this at Walmart.

My brothers both gave me Walmart giftcards, and I made myself use them for something fun instead of groceries.

Go me!

So I browsed online and picked out this polka-dot dress, hoping it would fit well and have a great shape and structure. You know how some jersey dresses kind of look like they just threw up on you?

Yeah, was hoping to avoid that.

Thankfully, I did! This dress fits a-maze-ing and it came in time for me to wear the weekend my niece was blessed. My mom loves dots too, and I knew she'd have an outfit to match me... so all the girls ended up wearing dots that Sunday.

We're special like that.

If you're in need of an inexpensive dress with a modest fit and flattering shape, get this from Walmart. Seriously. I just recommended a dress of Walmart. And I have my eye on this one, if it ever gets in stock in my size again. I'd love to wear it with my short, black shrug and jeweled sandals.

Have you ever scored something awesome at Walmart?

Polka dots in Paris

ModCloth is fabulous. How great would this dress do while enjoying an outdoor summer party?

I can picture myself sitting under my apple tree, enjoying the shade and some ice cream while wearing this pretty little number.

It also fits my Parisian kick I'm on this week!

Bring me summer, please and thankyou.

Hello, summery, pintucked, eyelet dress. Why yes, I do have room in my closet for you. In fact, for how inexpensive I found you in Old Navy clearance, I'm very happy to take you home and wear you with flip flops, a cardi and maybe even a pair of leggings if you're feeling too short and frisky.

SPRING FEVER

I'm seeing a cream color scheme theme with a lot of DownEast Basics' new items. And I'm okay with that. However, I'm more okay with the blue moon colors they're offering.

I need spring.

I don't even want to take my measurements to see if this would fit.

How cute would this be with a little yellow or green cardigan?

I should've gone shopping while I was in SLC.

If the weather hadn't been so suck-tacular while I was in Sandy, then I would've scooted over to Forever21 while spending the weekend at Seth's. This dress would be great with tights or leggings to make up for the lack of length in the skirt.

Lolly top dress

$30 for a little girl's dress doesn't exactly scream "sale" to me, but for J.Crew it is. There's an outlet in my hometown (Freeport) and I can guarantee that if I ever buy anything for Aspen from J.Crew, it'll be from there.

Despite how delightfully adorable this dress is, I can't justify the pricetag. But I can look all I want, right?

I like this so much I can almost forgive JCrew for featuring tie dye.

What is the deal with tie dye? Dip-dying items were all over August's issue of Martha Stewart Living, and when I browsed the online sale items for J.Crew they actually had tie-dye tops.

Not a fan. I didn't enjoy it at summer camp and I definitely don't enjoy it now.

However, I do love this dress featured in a variety of solid colors:

And if I had the guts to actually go near a new swimsuit this summer, I'd fancy one of these ruched varieties to assist with the tummy camouflage.

As the bump gets bigger, the dresses get shorter.

I had to add two maxi dresses to my wardrobe last week. Many of my other knee-length dresses are not up to the task of accomodating my expanding belly while simultaneously covering my legs.

So I jumped on the band wagon and picked up some inexpensive finds at Ross. I was looking around for more options and while this dress is twice what I paid for either of my Ross dresses, it's still worth a second glance.

And since I'm in Sandy so often to visit my brother, I may as well stop by the Forever21 down town and try some of their maxis. It's nice not worrying about adjusting anything while at work or church. I just layer a maxi over a wonder tee and call it good. It's weird to wear flats instead of heels, but I think they're a must when wearing a maxi.

This DownEast maxi is also a great find, and I'm partial to it in black. I didn't think I'd like maxi dresses (because I'm only about 5'4") but if you get just the right length for your body type you can totally pull off.

If you're not careful you can blow an entire paycheck on a week's worth of clothing.

I have barely made a dent in baby clothes shopping. I do love the handful of items Kev and I have picked up so far (many from DI) but from time-to-time I daydream about spending an insanely ridiculous amount of money on something that my little Pilates buddy will wear for a few weeks before getting too big and/or staining it beyond recognition.

Yes, my practical sides usually wins. But that won't stop me from marking this sweet jumper as a favorite.

This Jane Austen inspired dress actually makes me think of Anne of Green Gables (my favorite little girl), who is a lover of puffed sleeves.



Lovely, yes? What I'd really lke to do in the future is upcycle one of Kev's old dress shirts into a jumper for our little Pilates buddy. How cute would that be?! Here's to my goal to someday learn to sew.

Take a bow.

The stupid dress I want in the color I love (snow white) is on sale for only $16 online at DownEast Basics.

Why did I tempt myself?

Delight in Vintage Hem

I found a great alternative to wearing leggings and tights under a short dress or skirt. I actually own a pair of leggings that I have yet to wear. They just don't look right. It's so sad.

So, along comes Cardigan Empire to show me the light. Instead of always wearing tights or leggings (which I think are a great option in many cases) you can layer a Vintage Hem under your outfit.I actually did a similar thing to the dress I wore at my wedding reception- I had my mother-in-law sew some black lace to the flounce in my skirt to lengthen it for modesty. It turned out great, especially since she added the lace elsewhere on the dress to unify it.

The idea of adding a slip that not only keeps the skirt/dress from clinging but adds length too is awesome. Why didn't I think of that?

Check out all of the great vintage hems and don't forget to enter Cardigan Empire's giveaway!

Impluse shopping isn't all bad.

On the way home from work last week, I decided to stop at DownEast Outfitters (home and clothing store) on Washington Blvd.

I walked out with a Belle of the Ball dress for only $18.

Sweet.

Delight in DownEast

Again, I find myself wanting a number of DownEast Basics items. The catalogue arrived at my house on Monday and I went through it more than once wishing that Santa really existed so he could bring me about 10 things for Christmas.

I want the dress above in white. It's absolutely stunning. I asked Kev if I could spend an inappropriate amount of my income on some things I don't need. He said absolutely not. It's good that one of us can be practical when we're on a tight budget again for the Holidays.

It sure isn't any fun though.

I want to know who can regularly afford to shop with Shabby Apple

Even their sale items are too rich for my tastes. I know quality plays a part, but I've had $10 dresses from ROSS that have held their shape and strength over the last 4 years that make it impossible for me to spend so much on a dress.

Maybe someday.

Delight in Banana Republic

I'm spoiled because there is a BP outlet where I grew up. I didn't shop there much in high school (even though I worked next door at GAP and got a discount) but now I am a big fan. It's just so grown-up. So when I need to pretend I am a professional, I get inspiration from BP.


Today I am loving this sheath dress:


I love the look with heels, or even tall boots. Either way, it works. I would probably use a skinny belt to polish the look off- place it at the smallest point of the waist and voila. Extra-slimming. Check out the dresses featured currently at BP for varying body types. It'll give you great ideas of what you should look for depending on your shape.



My only qualm-- all the dresses are modeled by girls of identical shape. Seriously? Why not show a real representative of that body type?

Delight in J.Crew

I still can't afford J.Crew's dresses even when they're on sale. It's a sad fact, but it is indeed true.

I still appreciate them though.

Silk Short Dress

Cotton Cady Dress

I wish these models had faces

Target has some amazing sales online. Check it out and score yourself some pretty summer dresses, or snag a clearance wintry sweater dress!

Merona Faux Wrap Dress $20.98


Merona Ribbed-Waist Dress $12.24


Merona Halter Dress $13.99



Mossimo V-Neck Dress $14.99



Mossimo Striped Sweater Dress $5.74



Mossimo Scoop Dress $19.59