White out

Garcelle Beauvais and Kelly Rowland show how to wear the white shirt

Crisp white shirts are just the right touch to feel and look cool. The white shirt can provide an air of femininity, project the look of corporate chic or weekend casual. And with details of ruffles, lace and eyelets, there are now many more options to this style staple.


Vince shirting tank $120; Newport News stretch poplin blouse $14.99 (on sale!)



Active Endeavors square neck shirt $225; Anthropologie zephyrus tunic (my fave!) $298


Victoria's Secret pixie hopkin shirt $38; Elie Tahari Adrianna shirt $268


Fantasia button trim shirt $98; Vince laundered shirtdress $180


Anthropologie cottage lace blouse $128; Isaac Mizrahi dotted swiss ruffle blouse $19.99


Cynthia Steffe tie front shirt $48.99 (on sale!); Anthropologie porch swing tunic $98


Zooey crew neck tee $68; Sandra Ingrish short sleeve shirt $58

DVF or Forever 21?

Can you spot the $325 Diane von Furstenberg Cerisier shift dress versus the $32.50 Forever 21 Sabrina silk dress?

Find the fake here

Is Christina Milian wearing the DVF or Forever 21 version?

Splurge vs. Steal

Looking for a cute Spring/Summer clutch with a cute turnlock? You can buy this Marc by Marc Jacobs wristlet for $168 at Bergdorf Goodman

Or how about this pleated mini clutch from Newport News for only $9.99 (on sale!)

Also available in teal

Overall Overhaul?

Overalls are back. Or trying to be anyway. I have seen them (and averted my eyes) to the bib fronts mocking me as I try to find clothing that will suit my shape, not make me look as though I should be shoveling manure. You see, I am a recovering overall-ic. Back in the '90's I begged for and finally got some cropped Girbaud denim overalls that were so big I could take them off without unhooking the straps. But I was hip, I was fly, I was P-H-A-T. And looked F-A-T because of the boxy look and oversized shape.

*sigh*

This style is more reminiscent of doing your Spring cleaning or helping someone move. Comfy but not flattering (look how wide her waistline looks.)

These are a more updated version from asos. What is your style verdict, did you participate in this trend and are you willing to say Hello Again to overalls?

WTH?!?

Photo from People.com

I could care less about Jessica Simpson looking adoringly at John Mayer, I was checking out her bag, Is that a Louis Vuitton? With animal print? Well I found out that this bag was created by Marc Jacobs using artist/designer Stephen Sprouse's images for Louis Vuitton's Fall 2006 line, which sold out instantly.

Here is a promo pic:



...and another view of the bag



And if you happen to love the bag, here is a look at the shoe:


Needless to say the bag (and the shoe) have WAY too much going on. Gold hardware, leopard print, LV logo AND the plastic looking chain hanging off of it is too busy for me. So my little chickadees don't be lured into buying something just because a celebrity deems it chic.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

You'll be singin' in the rain with these fun trenches and rain accessories:


Michael Kors rain slicker $98; Chooka "starboard stripe" rain boot $59.95


Target apple rows rain boot in green $19.99; Horchow personalized stick umbrella $30




Gap rain umbrella $9.99 (on sale!); Hot Topic navy and white button trench $42



Gap casual trench $79.50; Target citrus city rain boots $19.99


Juicy Couture cloud umbrella $75; Neiman Marcus stretch trench coat $225


J. Crew critter wellies $65; Lily Pulitzer fitted trench $358


Target Big Chill patent leather trench $34.99; L.A.M.B. metallic trench coat $695

Salvage-able Sale!

Would you buy a designer bag at a discounted price if it had an imperfection? Our company has periodic salvage sales to give employees an opportunity to buy returned or non-sellable merchandise. I heard horror stories of near fights and "hoarding" to get the best merchandise so I was apprehensive about going. But I got my fanny out of bed at 6:30 am with an expectation of trying to find a great bag that I could carry for work and still be able to afford to eat out for lunch at least once in the next two weeks. Apparently there had been a first come, first serve tradition that gave way to a system of drawing numbers to enter the warehouse. I was schooled that if I had a number anywhere between 1 and 50, I had a great chance of finding something great. So imagine my delight when I reached my hand in and drew number 58. Woo hoo, I thought, my adrenaline pumping, talking to my other "lucky ducks" as we grabbed complimentary trash bags and waited for the warehouse to open. "No running, no pushing, no cell phones," a man barked as the doors opened and we made our way inside. I made a beeline to the left where the women before me had gone and grabbed, stuffed, grabbed and stuffed. Yes, I became "one of them" - the hoarders. An hour later I was trying to decide between other things, a black Prada hobo - missing the letter "A", a chocolate Chloe tote with a hole on the side and a peanut butter B. Fendi shoulder tote that was missing a clasp. "Wait a minute, " I thought, "do you only want these because they are designer bags but are hardly carry-able." I searched for and found our fashion stylist at work, a woman whose style I admire and whose opinion I needed. She looked over my finds, gave me suggestions on what repairs could be done and agreed with me on most of the assessments on what was too trendy and what would stand the test of time. So, needless to say I gave up the "Prad," the chocolate Chloe and the B. Fendi and came away these fabulous finds:

Chloe "Silverado" large satchel $1,848 @ Bluefly (My favorite thing!)


Kooba Paige shoulder tote $645 @ Neiman Marcus


Fendi Zucchino bag $285 @ Amazon (got mine for $50!)

The moral of the story, be prepared to make some repairs but make sure it's worth it and go in with a budget. Can't wait for the next SALE!