Fall for dresses

You know my love affair with dresses by now! And just because the weather is turning cooler does not mean pretty dresses need to be put away to the back of your closet. Not for me! The pretty one above in a classic blue and white check is from J. Crew. It is a classic shirt dress with long sleeves and belt. Every lady should own a good shirt dress. So get shopping! Oh and a good strand of big pearls, real of faux will add another classic touch to your classic look. Paired with slingback pumps from Issac Mizrahi.

This stunning subtle animal print dress is from Adrianna Papell. I love the neckline and the fabric is a knit woven material. Which means it has plenty of give and if feels great.

Live beautiful,

Orange Crush

This darling J. Crew eyelet dress is the perfect summer dress for cocktails with friends. I love a classic shift dress and the bell sleeves are so feminine and on trend. It comes in a few other colors including basic black that is anything BUT basic. I might have to get that one!

I selected a pair of Betsey Johnson slide sandals with small Lucite heels from Nordstrom and the cutest purse from a long ago trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown. I just love it. It is embroidered with colorful flowers and it opens just like a take-out box.

Betsey Johnson sandals at Nordstrom and my China Town bag. Too much cuteness? Nah.

I am still loving the bell sleeve trend and getting plenty of use from my favorite Tom Ford sunglasses at Bloomingdale’s. Oh, and one of my favorite summer lipsticks… Crystal Baby by Estee Lauder.

Stay beautiful,

National Thrift Store Day #bargains

I try to clear out my closets on a seasonal basis.  Nothing feels better than a good purge!  Out with the old...in with the new. Thrift shops love me and others like me.  However, every once in a while I hit pay dirt.  Where I live we have a true gem when it comes to re-sale or thrift shops.  Clean, well lit with a friendly staff and person who does an excellent job styling and making it look very posh.  It is Evergreen Christian Outreach or EChO, and provides so much for our community.  They are a blessing to many.

I have found brand new cashmere sweaters, Waterford glasses, and last year this GORGEOUS VINTAGE DRESS...FROM ELIZABETH ARDEN?!

I saw it and the unusual color and fabric.  Slightly quilted pink and orange.  Almost a tone-on-tone print.  Classic shift style with a lady lake collar with bow and back zipper.  My hands touched, my eyes looked, my heart beat just a little faster...Heck, you'd think I was on a date! 

I eyeballed it and figured it will fit since it had no size clearly marked..  Just like Cinderella and the glass slipper.  This prince was coming home with me!  It wasn't until I arrived at home and inspected it thoroughly that I found the designer tag.  Elizabeth Arden?  What in the world!  I am quite familiar with its long standing history in the beauty industry but, clothing?

After much research I found Ms. Arden moved to NYC from Canada to begin her career in the beauty industry at the age of thirty and used  her nursing degree to get started.  She opened her New York salon in 1910 and hired Fernando Sarni in the 1950's and Oscar de la Renta in the 1960's as designers of her clothing line.  

As you can see this dress is totally classic, chic and timeless.  I paired it with suede d'orsay pumps from J.Crew and bold jewelry from J.Crew and Kenneth J. Lane.  

You never know what you might find at your local thrift shop on National Thrift Shop day but, what have you got to lose?  So go ahead, pack a box of things you have been wanting to give away to your local thrift store or resale shop and stick around, browse...you never know what you will find!

Stay Beauiful,