Panama

I've been loving hats this season.  They're fun, can really add something to an outfit and protect my face from the sun. Since I've been pregnant, I feel like I've been burning easier.  So, I had been eyeing a Panama hat from J.Crew for awhile.  Then the other day, I was at Target and saw one almost identical.  So I got it instead, and saved $43!

This is dress also from Target, so is the khaki belt (scored for $2.99 on the clearance rack) and H&M sandals.  Talk about a cheap outfit.  Whole outfit under $65!

Have you signed up for my first blogger swap event yet?  Check out the deets here.

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Menswear

Awkward.
So I have been eyeing this papaya gingham shirt from J.Crew for months, then it finally went on sale - for $60.  But then I saw the men's version for $40 - in the same color and everything. So the cheapskate in me is wearing a men's shirt...that I bought for myself. I'm not even borrowing it from the hubs.

Awesome.
My new shoes, to go with my manly outfit - finally got some menswear inspired oxfords that I've been wanting.  These ones are from Nine West and quite comfortable (and a steal from only $41).

{The dress is an oldie from New York and Co years ago.}

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Dress for Less: J.Crew Dorrie Skirt

Not that the Dorrie skirt is one of J.Crew's most expensive pieces ($75).  Hey - if something is under $100 bucks at J.Crew, I'm usually pretty excited about it.  But still.  This weekend I actually returned my orange Dorrie skirt for another equally orange skirt, and saved $50.

I originally bought the J.Crew Dorrie skirt for the vibrant color and the fact that it was actually a little longer than their (getting out of hand how short their) typical skirts.  But when it finally arrived (after being back ordered), and simply one try on, it was a wrinkled mess due to the linen material.

Then I saw Loft's orange pintuck hem cotton skirt in the same fun color, currently on special for $25 and promptly returned J.Crew and purchased Loft.  You'll see it very soon in an outfit post.

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Psychedelic

Last time I wore this, the photos came out all psychedelic looking too.  It's really just a black and white stripe skirt . I yanked this maxi skirt up to form a midi dress...

{Skirt worn as a dress - Macy's, White rosette top - J.Crew, Leopard belt - Target, Heels - Target}

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Dress for Less: J.Crew Bubble Necklace

 If you've followed my blog for more than a week, chances are you've seen me wear my very favorite jewelry piece:  My J.Crew Turquoise Bubble Necklace that I scored off Ebay a year and a half ago - and have loved unconditionally ever since.

You can still find a this necklace and other color variations on Ebay.  And the other day I was flipping through a magazine (I can't remember which) and saw this summer's ad for H&M...

 

That necklace looks very framiliar.... So if you live near an H&M (unlike me) you should check it out!  Let me know if you find it, how much it is, and if there are any other colors.  I'm curious. 

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Dress for Less: Bethenny's Navy Blue Jumpsuit

Have you all been watching Bethenny Ever After on Bravo (Monday nights at 10/9c)?  I started, not sure I'd get hooked, but I did! I love it.  She is so much better on her own show than RHONY.  I feel like Bethenny helps you see how it really is to be a busy (I mean a REALLY busy) mom, full-time worker, newly wed and on the go.  Plus, she is rediculously hilarious - and dresses really well.

Get Bethenny's navy blue jumpsuit look for LESS.

You can get her similar jumpsuit from Old Navy for $29.50 (and now through 3/20 get 30% off with the coupon in post below)

And get her bling-look, too:

Paved gold ring for under $6 from Forever 21 and Textured Teardrop gold earrings for under $3 from Forever 21

And you can't forget to drink this while wearing all that:

Has anyone ever tried Bethenny's Skinny Girl Margarita?

Dress for Less: Shoe of the Day

A double feature wammy for you today, readers!  Dress for Less & a Shoe of the Day!  Wowza.  You might reconize these adorable heeled sandles...

 By the ever popular and adorable brand, Seychelles, ya?  Well only one of these are the Seychelles Women's Gypsy Sandal and the pair on the left is actually significantly cheaper by Mossimo® Vivien Pleated Heeled Sandals via Target.

The Target pair comes in only Mushroom (shown) and black, and not all the fun and bright colors the Seychelles comes in (like this orange-coral color I love).  I ended up getting the Target ones, and while I've only worn them around Target and my house a bit - so far the seem very comfortable and look just like the Seychelles!

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Dress for Less: Country Strong Movie Dresses

I saw Country Strong this past weekend.  I thought it was a cute, entertaining movie.  no award winning, Oscar nominated movie, but something I enjoyed watching!  A chick-flick if you will.  I also thought some of the dresses worn by Gweneth Paltrow (who played Kelly Cantar) and Leighton Meester (who played Chiles Stanton) were very cute and decided to provide similar looks you can get!

First off is Leighton's white eyelet ruffle dress we first see her in:

You can get this similar white, eyelet dress from Laundry by Shelli Segal - here.

At the end of the movie - I loved the dress that Chiles Stanton wore when she walked into a bar (and that's all I'm going to say so I don't give anything away) .  I can't find a photo or a clip of her in this dress - so you'll just have to go see the movie, but it's a blue summer dress with small floral print.  Similar option via Shopbop:

Kelly's (played by Gweneth Paltrow) last concert has 3 wardrobe changes and they were all fabulous dresses.   She started in a pretty red dress, with sequin embellishments and cowboy boots.  I think I read somewhere (but now can't find it, of course) that this dress was specifically created for this movie/character/scene. 

Similar Dress options:

 Similar in neckline, dress by Nanette Lepore; 

Little embellishment around the neck and similar sleeves by INC @ Macy's;

Then she wore a great black mini dress with gold stud embellishments (kinda reminded me of a skirt I got from Kohl's awhile ago).

If you are looking for something similar, you can either find a basic black dress with v-neck and cap sleeves, and embellish it your self, or this T. Tandon dress is similar!

The finale outfit was a long gold sequin dress with feather details at the bottom.  Sounds like a whole lot going on, but she made it work:

You can get a de-feathered, similar gold sequin dress with a slit here.

{Movie photos from Official Country Strong site}

Day 12 {Hoot-hoot, Hoot-hoot}

Do purple and orange go ok together?  I kinda like it.  But I like weird color mixtures.  I was inspired by my multi-colored owl necklace (via Forever 21 this summer, similar) and layered on my not-worn-yet Loft tiered tank tunic over my orange (coral?) J.crew turtleneck (last worn on day 1).  Pulled on my skinny jeans and called it a day.  This outfit is super comfy.

Bubble Gum Stripes

Prada, Marc Jacobs, A.L.C., and Celine are just some designers that presented this bubble gum stripes trend down the runway, as reported about via Who What Wear.

I saw this and immediately loved it!  I love stripes and bold, fun colors - so combined, I was in love.  I can see, however, where some might think this look could be a little parachute-y?  What do you think?

Here are some affordable options on-spot with this trend:

Dresses: Forever 21 Stripe V-Neck dress; Forever 21 Purple & Gray stripe tunic; Anthropologie Crossing the stripes Dress (LOVE!);  

Tops: Anthropologie Lining-The-Field Scoopneck top (SWOON!); Ella Moss Jersey Striped "Trixie" T-shirt; Boat-Strip Top (avail in lots of colors & only $10!) via Talbots

Skirts: Forever 21 Colorful Bars Stripe skirt; Stripe Contrast-Hem Power Skirt by BCBG via Lord & Taylor; Charlotte Russe Coral Stripe Front Pocket Skirt

The Bachelor Recap: DeAnna Pappas Confrontation Dress

Last episode 1 post (unless their is another reader request for something specific).  Episode 2 is only 2 short days away - yay!  A reader asked me about finding DeAnna's dress she wore to confront Brad at the beginning of episode 1.  It looked a wee bit sagey green, but was a slight metallic silver strapless dress with a black belt and folds or pleats all over it.

A still from ABC online video

DeAnna's dress is stunning, but it's also expensive... at over $2,700 this dress is by Dolce & Gabbana.  If you are interested in this dress - try calling your Saks Fifth Avenue to see if they have this ruched strapless dress in store (no longer online). I actually have previously blogged about this dress (in a different color) before, as it was worn by a Biggest Loser contestant in a show finale.  See that here.

But if you don't have that kinda cash for one dress...here are some similar dress options for less:

ML Monique Lhuillier Strapless Ruched Cationic Chiffon Dress via Nordsrom; Eliza J Silk Shantung Dress via Nordstrom; Nicole Miller Taffeta Memory Dress via Bluefly; Calvin Klein Satin Strapless Dress via Bluefly; Foley + Corinna Strapless Netting Dress via Neiman Marcus; TFNC Sash Bandeau Dress via Asos