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.

Walking on Sunshine

I'm still in love with these shoes and I'm bound and determined to pair them with anything in my closet with even a fleck of yellow.  This floral top has yellow accents throughout so the shoes and the top played very nice with each other.  I'm now on the hunt for some yellow jewelry to add to the mix. 

Last fall I dabbled in making fabric flowers and they turned out pretty cute.  I may have go get some coordinating yellow fabric and try to make a necklace similar to the one below. It looks as if I'm not the only one with yellow fever - Loo-La-Bee Simplicity also had a post dedicated to this bright, happy color!

Link

Do you have any suggestions for where I should look for great yellow accessories to pair with these shoes?

Outfit Details

Floral Kimono Top: NY Collection via Macy's

Black Slim Cropped Pants: Loft

Fabulous Yellow Shoes: Steve Madden via DSW