Another Black and White Number

It's not too late to enter the Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway.

You have until Saturday, July 30 at 11:59 PM.  Good Luck!

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 Hi, I'm Tiffany, and I love black and white... *Hi Tiffany* 

Oh, but wait... I put on red too.  Really stepping outside of the box on that choice!  This picture was taken on my first day back to work after returning from Cabo.  Half of my clothes were in the hamper and I needed something comfortable and simple. Check and Check.

Boyfriend and I picked up the bracelet in Cabo from a beach vendor.  If you've never been to Cabo, here is how the exchange goes...

I walk over to a vendor with a jewelry case and peruse for something I like.  I knew I wanted a piece of hammered silver so I just needed something to catch my eye.  Once I find the piece I like, I do a little bargaining myself to see how much the vendor will budge.  I NEVER carry the money with me while looking.  Then I call the boyfriend over and let the vendor know that HE (now pointing to boyfriend) is the one calling the jewelry purchasing shots.  Boyfriend barters with the jewelry vendor until we reach a prediscussed price OR we walk away... there will always be another vendor to come along.  On this particular day we scored the cuff for $20 and I was happy with the price we reached.

Boyfriend is the ultimate bargainer.  I'm pretty sure the vendors tell tales of the loud Italian that walks the beaches of Cabo nearly stealing the items by driving such a hard bargain.  I think I actually heard a mariachi band sing a song about the Italian Bargainer of Cabo... then again the song was in Spanish and I don't always understand all of the lyrics.

Outfit Details
White Sweater Top: Old Navy
Red Ribbed Tank: Merona via Target
Black Cropped Pants: The Loft
Black Sandals: Bass Outlet
Mixed Metals Necklace: Cookie Lee
Silver Cuff Bracelet: Beach Vendor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Flower Power

There is still time to enter the Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway.

Be sure to leave your email address so I have a way to let you know you won!

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This title may be a little deceiving... because this outfit didn't make me feel powerful at all - I felt a little like a wall flower.  The floral pattern feels so feminine and girly but I was having a hard time pairing it with anything this morning.  The brown capri pants didn't clash so on they went.  Truth is, I really need to clean and organize my closet so I can find things in the morning.  The look was unoffensive but I'm not dying to recreate this look anytime soon.

The whole outfit felt a little blah so I put on the bronze and pearl necklace in an attempt to dress up the outfit a little. It seemed to at least finish off the look. 



Thankfully the boys liked the look.  Then again, aren't dogs color blind? 

Either way, I enjoyed their enthusiasm over the ensemble!

Outfit Details

Floral Flowy Top: Jovovich Hawk for Target via FreeStyle Consignment

Brown Capri Pants: Gap Outlet

Brown Wooden Flip-Flops: Candies

Pearl and Bronze Necklace: Cookie Lee

I Made It! -- Black Skirt with Yellow Detail

The Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway is open until Saturday, July 30 at midnight... have you entered yet? 

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Two weekends ago I taught my cousin and a friend how to make a skirt from the pattern above. I chose an "easy-to-sew" pattern because I was helping people sew that were beginners. I also knew this would be a project we could start a finish in a day... and to be honest, I have project a.d.d. If I can't finish it pretty quickly, I lose interest!



I was so busy going back and forth between the two gals that I didn't have a chance to work on a skirt for myself.  So last Friday night I taught my boyfriend's daughter how to sew and I worked on a skirt for myself at the same time.  When I picked out my fabric I chose a fabric with a subtle yellow detail so I could expand the amount of things I have to wear with my favorite yellow shoes. Surprised?

Here are a few of the steps along the way...

 

Look closely and you can see the start of a pocket on the side panel.



Pinning the front panel to the side panel.



A better picture of the pocket after the side panel was attached to the front panel.

 

Doing a top stitch along the side seam and a close-up of the fabric.



I'm really happy with the finished product.  I think I may add a button in the middle of each of the pockets to hold them closed.  It would also help the skirt to look a little less bulky on the sides.  I like this pattern for the most part and will use it again.  It is easy enough for me to alter and was great as a quick project. 

While I've been sewing since I was in 5th grade, I don't usually prefer sewing clothes.  Most of my projects are blankets, bags, whimsical purses and other little projects.  I can't tell you how many clothing projects I've started and walked away from more than half way through. I either get overly ambitious with my pattern choices or I find that the size I picked is WAY too small a good ways into the project

My biggest advice to any beginning seamstresses (or even forgetful people like myself) is to go by your measurements and NOT your size.  Case in point - when I took my measurements, I fit in to a size 22 on the pattern and typically when I go shopping I buy anywhere from a size 12-16.

Something about a poofy skirt makes me want to spin like a little girl and jump around... and I took pictures to prove it! 

By the way, hair today is compliments of the Bed Head Deep Waver... I'm a fan! It heats up in 30 seconds, provided nice waves, and was really easy to use.  Thank you Bed Head for sending the Deep Waver!

Outfit Details
Skirt Pattern: Simplicity 2224
Skirt: I Made It!
White T-Shirt: Old Navy
Black Elastic Belt: New York & Company
Yellow Flower Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Yellow Beaded Necklace: Macy's 

Review: Bed Head Foxy Curls Iron and Giveaway!

About a month ago while doing my hair, my curling iron just stopped working... and of course I'd only done about one half of my head.  I'm sure I'm not the only person to have this frustrating experience.

I'd been looking at conical curling irons for a while but I was a little intimidated by the fact that few of them have a clamp. Most offer a heat resistant glove in order to wrap the hair. I'm too lazy to deal with a glove while doing my hair and feel like I have a little more control with the clamp.

Enter the lovely people from Bed Head - They provided the Foxy Curls iron for me to test drive and review.  They were also kind enough to send the Twisted 1/2" Ribbon Iron, and the Bed Head Deep Waverfor me to try out.

After not having a working curling iron for well over 3 weeks, I was excited to open the package and try out the Foxy Curls iron - and check out the color?  I think my heart just skipped a beat! 

I love the curls the Foxy Curls iron produce.  They are soft and natural looking versus the Shirley Temple curls I would get with my previous iron.  The iron features an on/off button on the top and a rotating low through high heat control on the side.  It took way less than a minute to heat up to the temperature I wanted - bravo!

This iron features ceramic technology which is fantastic for preserving the moisture in your hair and keeping the frizz to a minimum. 

The thing that is really great about the curls is that they held up all day even after I rode around most of the day with my car window down... my hair just looked a little more naturally tousled but the curls were still there!

NOW, onto the fun part:  My very fist giveaway!

Would you like your very own Bed Head Foxy Curls Tourmaline Ceramic Styling Iron?  Well, then this is your lucky day!  The awesome folks at Bed Head are providing a Foxy Curls Iron to one lucky follower of The Clothed Commuter!

Here are the rules... To enter you must:

1. Follow The Clothed Commuter and leave me a commenting telling me how you follow. Be sure to include your email address so I'll have a way of contacting you!

Would you like extra entries???

If so, then please leave an extra comment for each of the following:

2. Like Tigi Bed Head on Facebook 

3. Like The Clothed Commuter on Facebook and tell me your username.


4. Follow @clothedcommuter on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, "I entered to win a Foxy Curls Iron from Bed Head at @clothedcommuter!"

This giveaway is open until 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 30, 2011.  Sorry to all of the folks in locations far and away, the Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway is open to US residents only.

Best of luck!
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Congrats Kelly - you are the winner of the Foxy Curls Iron by Bead Head giveaway.  I hope you enjoy this curling iron just as much as I do!

Not on a School Night

On Wednesday night I went out with a bunch of my girlfriends for some too many drinks and dancing. Who's bright idea was it to go out on a weeknight? 

Do you rember my good friend - hairstylist I've mentioned previously? This is her!  In September I'm meeting up with Erika in Europe - more to come on that trip. 
I'm thrilled about it.

F.A.R.T.

We jumped on the little yellow bus and cruised downtown to K Street where we hit up Dive Bar and District 30.

Foothill Area Rapid Transit... I love the accronym!

We had a great time but I can no longer go out on a school night.  I overslept and was totally late for work Thursday morning.  I'm too old to be that irresponsible!

Instant Sleeves (and a pesky hair)

I checked the mail after vacation and found a white envelope package with my name on it.  I don't do a lot of online shopping for clothing so I couldn't think of what it might be.  When I opened it up, I found LucieLu Instant Sleeves in taupe.  I entered the online giveaway hosted by Jessica at Surely Sonsy and I WON!  It was such a fantastic little surprise to find in the mail.

I know we've seen a very similar outfit just recently but the taupe in the instant sleeves matched the taupe in the design and I had to take the skirt out for a spin again.  These little sleeves are great.  I was able to keep the slim silhouette of the camisole and I was able to make it work appropriate.  Some of the details that are hard to see are the pucker at the shoulder and the slight gathering that run the length of the sleeves. LOVE.

I'm now debating what color to pick up next!  Thank you Jessica and Lucie Lu!!!

This stupid hair would not behave.  I must have redone my "poof" a half dozen times to try to get that little sucker to behave... but to no avail.  A coworker even came by to try to help with that little devil horn.  Guess what?  It popped right back up!  Oh well...

Outfit Details
Instant Sleeves - Lucie Lu via Surely Sonsy giveaway
Black Camisole with Lace Detail - Express
Floral Skirt - Apt 9 via Goodwill
Black Flats - Nicole via Ross
Necklace - Cookie Lee 

Battery Charger Hide'n'Go Seek

I had the best of intentions of photo documenting every part of my recent trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  There were grandiose thoughts of taking daily outfit photos.  I was even planning on showing you some of my favorite spots to hang out in Cabo.  To do these things successfully, I needed to have my camera battery charger with me.  I was running around in my usual pre-vacation panic and could not find my battery charger anywhere.  Great time for you to hide you sneaky little rascal!  My battery took me through the first full day of vacation before running out of juice... booo!  This means I'm waiting on a disc full of pictures from the other people on the trip before I can share some of the better parts of the vacation with you.

While I patiently wait for the disc, I'll look at this picture wishing I was still there enjoying the ocean, endless guacamole, a cold Pacifico, and the hot weather. 

**Seriously, total nimrod move forgetting the battery charger.  Also a major sign that I need to clean and organize my room!**

Guest Post by Heather and Reece: Stylish Baby

Heather and my sister became friends in highschool and later as adults found out that they were pregnant right around the same time (both with adorable girls).  Reece is always dressed for the occasion in every picture I've ever seen.  Heather is sharing her darling baby with us and a little about how to keep your baby girl stylish!

The week I left for vacation was nutso so I'm behind on my guest bloggers. I have one more in the cue before we get back to our regularly scheduled program...

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1. I love this bathing suit! The patterns mesh well together and the black and white stripe ruffles match really well with her zebra sunglasses. I love that it’s a tankini too. It’s so much easier to put a wiggly baby in a two-piece bathing suit, not to mention easier to get it off after she’s all wet. Also one of the things I like most about this suit is the cut. I know it sounds weird but if the cut is too high on the bottoms then her swimmer diaper sticks out and looks silly. Her zebra sunglasses are my favorite pair. I saw these out of the corner of my eye during a shopping trip to Babies r Us. In my opinion, every baby girl needs a pair of big sunglasses.


Outfit Details
Swimsuit: Circo via Target
Zebra Sunglasses: Babies R Us

2. This bathing suit is also one of my favs. One of my girlfriends bought it for her when she lived in Hawaii. It says " I <3 HI". This fits perfectly because our family loves Hawaii, and eventually Reece will too. The ruffle on this suit is the perfect ruffle. It flares out just like a ruffle should. The straps criss-cross in the back and makes it even more adorable. The cut on this one is a little high, but with a little adjustment it can be fixed.

Outfit Details
Swimsuit: This came from a random store on Oahu. I wish I new where.

3. Too cute Tutu! I can’t begin to explain my love for tutus. Reece has a total of 7 tutus in her wardrobe, including one from when she was a newborn. I don’t know what it is but tutus have always appealed to me. From the moment my husband and I found out that we were having a girl, I have been obsessed with them. This particular outfit was a gift for Reece for Easter from her cousins. Even though the onesie is black it’s pretty lightweight and breathes really well, plus its hot pink. I dressed her in this outfit for Cinco de Mayo and we couldn’t walk two feet without getting stopped by another person complimenting her outfit.

Outfit Details
Tutu: Rockbaby via www.zulily.com

4. More tutus! The moment I came across this outfit, I knew Reece had to have it. However, now that my darling 10 month old is walking, it’s very hard to get a picture of her standing still. I bought this outfit from zulily.com and another similar one for the Fourth of July. What drew me to this outfit initially was the one regular strap and one ribbon strap. Hello! Can we say adorable? Oh and it comes with a tutu? SOLD. I think Reece really loves to get dressed, because when she looks in the mirror afterwards she smiles and stares at herself. I think I have created a fashion monster. Also when she walks, she holds the side of the tutu. Not like she wants to take it off, but in a sort of curtsy fashion without the bending. In my mind I can picture her saying to herself as she’s doing this "I look so pretty in my tutu, don’t I?"

Outfit Details
Krazy legs via www.zulily.com

5. Aloha! This is Reece's Hawaiian outfit... blue dress with pink hibiscus flowers. It’s smocked at the top and ties at the neck. I originally bought this dress in Maui for a friend’s daughter two years ago. Once she grew out of it, she handed it back down to me for Reece to wear. This is the perfect summer dress. It’s super lightweight and since it’s from the islands, another baby probably won’t be wearing it. When she wears this dress I always pair it with her ultra fashionable jeans diapers ;)

Outfit Details
Blue Hawaiian Print Dress: Hawaiian Wear by Hilo Hatties

6. Every girl must have a party dress. Reece wore this outfit for a friend’s outdoor wedding in June. It was a casual wedding so I paired this dress with strappy sandals (that she wore for all of 10 minutes). The sandals were almost the exact same pink as the dress and had three flowers on top that were adorned with clear rhinestones. When looking fancy, it’s a must for some type of bling. The ruffles on this dress were vertical tulle, but the material wasn’t stiff thankfully. The whole dress was very soft, so that kept her comfy the whole night. She even got to boogie on the dance floor for a bit.

Outfit Details
Dress: Baby Gap
Shoes: Babies R Us

Everybody Everwear: Yellow

I'm still stuck in vacation mode but I couldn't let another Everybody Everywhere pass me by... especially since this one features the color YELLOW!  Don't worry, I'll give you vacay details but I still have to organize the pictures and my thoughts.

This color is so stinking cheery!  How can anyone be unhappy wearing such a bright color.  You are all familiar with my recent obsession with this color because I keep bringing it up (here and here).  While looking up the what the color represents I was surprised to find so many negative connotations to the color: yellowbellied, don't eat yellow snow, yellow fever, a yellow flag indicates quarantine and it also serves as a color of caution.  I'm not scared or even cautious of this color... I LOVE IT!

My birthday is one of the exciting things that happened while I was away.  My boyfriend and his kids gave me a sundress for the trip to Mexico as well as the fun yellow lovelies below.  The yellow beads on the yellow necklace are faceted just a little so when the light hits them it gives off a nice sparkle.  And I can't tell you how excited I am about the yellow purse.  It is the perfect size for travel.  I can comfortably wear it across my body, it is roomy enough to fit my passport, a water bottle and my camera, but it isn't so big that it's overwhelming. 


Yay for birthday presents!



Turns out that I also have an special place in my heart for many songs that feature the word yellow:

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John

"Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell

"Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles

While I like the color combo, I can NOT stand the song:

"Black and Yellow" by rapper Wiz Khalifa

Outfit Details
Yellow and White Striped Shirt: Steinmart
White Skirt with Floral Embroidery: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Satin Yellow Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Yellow Beaded Necklace: Macy's
Yellow Purse: Style&Co via Macy's
Hammered Silver Bracelet: Beach Vendor in Cabo San Lucas

Guest Post by Lauren: Stylish Traveling

Here is a guest post from Lauren, one of the snazziest dressing state workers I know - I'll let Lauren explain how we came to be friends. Let me tell you, when I was trying to think of stylish friends to showcase, she was an easy choise.  While she looks great in classic pieces, my favorite thing about her style is the eclectic things she adds to her wardrobe to really make it pop!  And where does Lauren get these pieces with pizazz?  Let's find out...

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So it’s 3:30pm on a Tuesday. Earlier in the morning my friend Tiffany shot me a note asking me if I would be a “guest” blogger while she is out of town. I think to myself, “dammit! I’ve been meaning to read Tiffany’s blog for a while now and have to make the effort. After her kind words about my own style, (total self esteem booster) I agreed to do it and I promised her to read her blog. Funny enough I spent an hour doing so that same day.

I came away severely inspired to get in my closet and start mixing and matching right away! Also in mentioning the self esteem booster I guess I need to give you all a bit of back story on myself and my relationship to Tiffany. We know each other thanks to ex boyfriends of ours who were friends (ouch!), and got to know each other better by being members of the Active 20-30 Club. She was working for the State and I was working for a travel agency in Sacramento, living the dream sending my friends on fun trips, and getting to travel all over the world myself. I sent Tiffany and her hairdresser Erika (mentioned in a previous blog) on a trip to Cabo San Lucas several years ago. As a travel agent I had many perks including being able to ride my bike to work and wearing flip flops. Since then, I obtained (inherited…whatever) a job change with the State of CA and although I thought it would be an upgrade (due to the ploy of State jobs having “better benefits and yadda yadda”), I find myself wanting what I had before… FREEDOM! I now work for DGS in the Statewide Travel Program as a Meeting and Conference Planner, and although it has to be one of the best jobs in the State, I am still plagued as being considered a State worker.

I find my creativity level slowly being diminished every day, actually every minute I sit in my cubicle. The other day, I was inspired to wear a cute pair of camel colored shorts with a pair of red Tom wedge espadrilles and a white Gap top. The sun was shinning as I left my house and I knew it was going to be a great day! However, when I stepped into my office, I felt a dark cloud loom over my head as my Manager gave me the stink eye and said “Oh I didn’t realize those were shorts! They are cute, but not office appropriate”. Self esteem shot down! The skip in my step, now felt like a giant trip. One of those trips where there is no saving you, flat on your face in the mud. The situation has really aggravated me since it happened as there are so many State workers who don’t put any effort or creativity into what they are wearing. Frankly, I wasn’t offending anyone with my shorts, I wasn’t meeting with any clients, I was wearing them for myself, to throw some excitement and creativity into my day, did I mention it was almost 100 degrees that day? After the incident, I figured I’d show her (my manager) by wearing all black from head to toe with a sign on my back that read “BORING”. I didn’t have the guts to do it, but I realized that what you wear each day is an expression of who you are. It’s an expression of what you want to say to the world without saying a thing. I want my outfits to say, cool, awesome, funky, unique, good idea, pretty color, good looking!

My wardrobe consists of many pieces from my travels. One of the best pieces of advice I received was when you are travelling and you find something that you like is buy it, because you probably won’t find another something like it, and you will always have fond memories of it from your trip. Some of my favorite pieces from my travels include

My hat from Germany bought at a yard sale in Berlin for $5 USD.

My beaded bracelet from Monterey and my watch from Malaysia..

My sundress from Mexico. Here worn in Dresden.

Just to name a few.


Do you have a trip coming up and you don’t know what to pack? Here are some of my travel style tips.


When in doubt always pack black. Black can always be dressed up or down. It doesn’t show wrinkles or dirt. Add a scarf or cool necklace, different pair of shoes and you have a brand new outfit. Invest in a little black cotton dress if you don’t yet have one.


Flip flops are a must. It doesn’t matter where you visit, Sweden to Brazil, you will need them. I also wear them when I fly so that I can easily flip them off through security and pop them off to stretch my toes when seated.


Roll your clothes. If you roll your clothes you will keep them relatively wrinkle free and will make much more room in your bag.


Pack extra Ziplock bags. I have a friend traveling throughout South East Asia right now and she has also noted that it’s saved her on several occasions. Big and small ones, pack them and you can use them to protect your clothes from body care liquid products. Try inflating one to use as a pillow. Pack a wet bathing suit. Keep jewelry safe. So many useful solutions!


Mix and Match. Like Tiffany recommends, use accessories (belts, jewelry, scarves, hats, etc) to make an outfit look fresh and new.


Take a picture it lasts longer. Well at least it will help to take a picture of what you pack so that if the airline happens to loose your luggage you will know what is missing and be able to prove the value of what they owe you.


Pack a swimsuit, even if just in case. I like to carry a bathing suit in my carry on so that (again if the airline happens to loose your luggage) you can head to the hotel and take a swim to relax from an apparent stressful travel situation.


Don’t over pack. There is nothing I hate more than bringing something on a trip with me and never wearing it. Oh wait I know what’s worse, over packing and having to lug a heavy suitcase with you all over the place!


Pack what fits you well. You want to be comfortable when you travel so that you can concentrate on your experience not the strap that keeps falling off your shoulder. Also, you never know who you might meet on your trip. Best foot forward!


If all else fails, buy it there. Women have a keen sense to shop anywhere we go, so leave room for stuff you buy on your travels.


A smile is one of your best accessories. Greet everyone with a smile, no one likes a Negative Nancy.

Guest Post by Casey: Polka Dot or Not???

Today's guest post is provided by Casey.  She and I go way back... we're talking so far back that we used to borrow each other's Loose Fit Levi's, body suits (oh dear), and Stussy hooded sweatshirts - yes, that far back.  She and I later worked together at a historical landmark movie theatre in our hometown.  While at that job we got had to wear white collared shirts with a black vest, black slacks, and black shoes (gag).  Casey and I reconnected through Facebook a while back and I immediately noticed that she and I have come along way from those fashion tragedies of the 90's.  So while I'm lounging poolside with a Dirty Monkey in my hand, lets hear Casey's take on one of our favorite  patterns...

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Polka-dot… or not???

This is a question that has never crossed my mind. I’m not sure if it’s the flirty pattern or the vintage feel of polka-dots that attracts me to them, but recently, I looked in my closet and saw that I own the following polka-dotted items… 5 dresses, 4 tops, 4 pairs of underoos, 3 bras, 2 bathing suits, 1 skirt, 2 scarves, 3 pairs of socks, 1 pair of tights, 1 pair of high heels and a rolling suitcase. Really?! Yes, it’s true.

Wow!  That is a lot of polka-dots!

Google "polka-dots/vintage/actresses" and you’ll see a variety of lovely ladies donning the dots… one of my favorites is of a 1940’s actress, Chili Williams… the print is “Polka Dot Girl”. Lucille Ball was often found in her polka-dotted shirt dresses. Audrey Hepburn wore a beautiful polka-dot-like flower print dress in “Funny Face” and would certainly approve of my polka-dot collection. Actress Hedy Lamarr wore a fantastic red polka-dot dress in the 40’s as well. Polka-dots are everywhere, especially on more current folks who are looking for that vintage flair.

Polka-dots are retro, rockabilly, classy, charming, innocent, risqué… you can communicate a variety of things with polka-dots. You can find current trends, vintage trends, childrens’ clothes and travel gear all in polka-dots. 

On the go * Poised and pretty * Working hard *

As a curvy, plus-sized girl, one might think that busy prints would bring the eye to your not-so-favorite parts, the bigger parts, the less toned parts, the parts that society tells us to hide, but I say, print me up and show me off. I happily prance around in my polka dots not only because they draw your eye to my look, but because they inspire inquiries. I find that I get more compliments or questions about what I’m wearing when I wear something with polka-dots. And they’re friendly. Does that make sense? I find that polka-dots communicate a charm and an unseen smile to the onlooker that says “happiness” or “cheerful” while still being sexy or smart. 

My friend Emily Hall graciously donated her time to take some pictures of me in some of my polka dot favorites. As you will see, my polka-dot collection can be sweet and proper, fun and flirty, smart and sophisticated, or sexy and sassy. The cut of the garment is what determines it, but all of the outfits really show that polka-dots are versatile and can be worn for work or play. 


Outfit details
Halter polka-dot dress: courtesy of Ms. Emily Hall
Polka-dot heels: DSW
Polka-dot dress with travel bag: Dress from Maurices, Travel bag from Target
Blouse with jean skirt/black pants: another one courtesy of Ms. Emily Hall
Red tank with Capri pants: Fashion Bug
Black dress with white polka-dots: Target
A-line office dress: Target

Guest Post by Natoshea: Surviving the Summer HEAT!

A big thank you to my friend Natoshea (pronounced Natasha) for doing a guest post for me while I'm on vacation.  When she and I met (OMG, 10 years ago!) I felt as if I was reunited with a long lost friend.  She is one of those friends that I don't get to talk to as often as I'd like, but she just seems to get whatever I'm going through. On top of being a super-fantastic friend, she is a snazzy dresser so it was a no-brainer to ask her to do a guest post.  Now... on with the post:

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Surviving the Summer HEAT!

Living in Dallas we have heat from May - August in some form or another. You get used to the fact that as soon as you step outside you feel that immediate wave of heat and the sweat is soon to follow. You know what I'm talking about....you start to sweat so you try to air out your shirt by giving it that wave of sorts but it never works as well as you'd hoped. Or tugging on your shorts because they are sticking to your thighs. So deciding what to wear can be a bit tricky. 

To solve this problem my favorite item for a Hot Summer day is.... a dress. Long, short, strapless, halter, maxi - any style, any color, any day! I'm most comfortable when I can move freely without having clothes sticking to my skin.

I had been eyeing this navy and white cotton beauty for several weeks. I loved the dress, but I didn't love the price. However, we all know the golden rule when shopping: If the item is still there when you return on a later date, then its meant to be and you MUST buy it! After 3 trips to the store the dress was still there and my fiance agreed that I had to have it. Yeah!! I love the ultra soft cotton and how the drape hides my less flattering areas. My 2 cents: Horizontal stripes get a bad wrap. I think if you find the right stripe they can actually work for you, not against you. Just remember when wearing a dress of a lighter color - you may have to wear discreet undergarments to keep your business private. This dress is perfect for dinner or a 4th of July BBQ!

I decided to wear flat sandals with the dress because a heel would lift the length too far from the ground. (I'm 5'7" so for me flats are usually my go-to sandal for long dresses) The flower petals are individually attached which results in a fancy detail. My accessories are simple, silver hoop earrings and silver bangle bracelets. There are a number of other options that would go great with this dress. A chunky wooden bangle, something with a nautical feel or even a little sparkle could easily change the look.

A few other tips that I have found to be helpful when dealing with the heat:

• Sun screen! It's important to wear a facial sunscreen everyday, even if you don't experience 100 degree heat on a regular basis. SPF 30 is great, but SPF 15 is more common in moisturizers like Oil of Olay.
• Don't forget your eye lid primer. Not only does this help your eye shadow stay fresh, it also prevents the oily crease during a hot day. I like Prime Time by Bare Essentials.
• Also extra deodorant in your purse can be your best friend when the funky monkey attacks!

And if you find yourself still blazing hot and uncomfortable I invite you to try my #1 solution.  Jalapeno Cucumber Margaritas!! If you've never had the pleasure - let me share with you my favorite place to enjoy the flavor of Texas - Chef Tim Love's Lonesome Dove western bistro. There is nothing that will cool you down and bite you in the tush like one of his margaritas! After a few of these you won't even notice the heat = problem solved.
http://www.lonesomedovebistro.com/index-old.asp

Outfit DetailsDress: Anthropologie
Sandals: Roxy via DSW Shoes
Silver Bangle Bracelets & Hoop Earrings: Charming Charlies
Engagement Ring: from my "honey B"

**When TMM asked me to make a guest "appearance" on her blog I was flattered & nervous but up to the challenge. I hope I didn't disappoint.

Gingham and Birthdays

The weather forecast for June 28th was for rain and cooler temps so I didn't think twice about grabbing chinos and a button down shirt to keep myself properly covered for this unusually cool weather.  The look was a little drab with just the top and pants so I grabbed for the brightest belt I have.  I was pleased with how the look came together.  I did chuckle a little though when I pulled up my blog roll and found another snazzy lady rocking the blue gingham on her daily outfit post.


Lena - Erica - Tiffany

After work on Tuesday, I headed over to Blue Nami sushi to celebrate Erica's (my middle sister) birthday.  A little bit of rain freakin' down poor didn't stop us from enjoying family time and yummy sushi.  Lena, Erica and I are all Cancers.  Our birthdays are all within a week of each other - ok, so they are seven years younger, but who's counting?

Brooklynn and Momma


The great thing about having a baby around family gatherings is that there is never any lull what-so-ever - her entertainment value is priceless.  She is babbling, drinking water out of her sippy cup, trying to pull off my jewelry, playing drums on the table, and in general, being just about the cutest thing ever.

Baby B isn't afraid of going bold with colors!

Did I mention that she is a good sport? I'm the mean auntie that handed her a lemon wedge - it was hysterical. I wish we would have captured the squidgy face expression she had with the first taste.  Maybe I should feel bad about handing her something so sour but after the first time, she kept grabbing the lemon and putting it back in her mouth - still making a face each time of course!

Outfit Details
Blue Gingham Ruffle Buttondown: Old Navy
Grey Chinos: NY & Co
Pink Skinny Belt: Target
Black Flats: Nicole via Ross
Necklace: Cookie Lee