'I Do' to the Grammys

The 54th Annual Grammys were last night, and instead of watching the performances, I watched the red carpet and then the "Walking Dead" premier on AMC. Maybe because tomorrow is Valentine's Day, or because I spent Friday night drinking sparkling pink wine and watching "Say Yes to the Dress," but I noticed a lot of dresses that I wouldn't mind wearing down the aisle.  I have never wanted a traditional wedding dress, so all the glitz, sparkle, and whimsy of the red carpet really got my juices going.

I am also not into white dresses. My mother did not wear a white-white dress, and neither did her mother.   Actually, my Grannie Annie wore a very smart pale blue skirt suit in her wedding pictures.  If you haven't noticed, I am extremely pale, so white is not the best color on me. I would wear anyone of these dresses for my wedding, of course with the right styling and location.  Do you hear the bells?

My 2 top picks are Katy Perry in Ellie Saab and Miranda Lambert in a Pavoni Gown.

Katy Perry in Ellie Saab

I love this pastel blue color and the amazing cut of the dress.  The back is not so deep, but deep enough to give a little sex appeal. The large boat-neck and belt are also amazingly flattering.  A dress with so much adornment can sometimes add bulk, but this look is flawless.  This blue color would also bring out my eyes, although I think I would skip the matching blue hair on my wedding day.

Miranda Lambert in Pavoni

I saw this dress and could not take my eyes off of it.  If the underpart of the dress were in white, it would probably look like a traditional wedding dress, but I love the nude color! The sheer top with the embellishment around the V is so flattering and I love the sparkle of the dress. It's your wedding, why not shine?

Greek Goddesses:

Kelly Rowland in Alberta Ferretti

Ms. Rowland looks beautiful in this pastel sheer column number by Alberta Ferreti. The ruching at the waist is so flattering. I love the sheer appliques on top, it gives it a special touch. This look is long, lean, and beautiful!

Paris Hilton in Basil Soda

I would not describe myself as someone who likes Paris Hilton's fashion choices, and I have no idea why she was at the Grammys, but she looked extremely chic yesterday. I love the gold embellishment, although I would loose the gold belt and opt for a fabric sash. The wispy bottom is also very romantic.

Pastel:

Sasha Gradiva

I am not saying she is on the best dressed list by any-means.  However, if you can get passed her choice of "accessory" terminator arm gun thingy, then you will notice that she is wearing a beautiful pink wedding dress. I am normally not a fan of all the tucks designers are doing on skirts now, but I really like it on this dress because of the fabric. The bottom still looks floaty, and not like a down comforter.  The neckline and ruching are exactly what I am looking for to define my shape, and the pastel pink color would look great on me. I don't know, maybe my future husband would enjoy the gun arm as well. :)

Short and Sweet:

Malin Akerman in Cushnie et Ochs

If I were planning on eloping in Vegas, or being married by a judge in a courthouse, I would wear the above dress with great sparkly heels.  I realize that my bust would never fit in a dress like this, but it is pretty amazing.  The peplum is not overdone, and the cutouts add interest without losing any sophistication.  Imagine; a little chapel in Vegas, and then hitting an amazing buffet with friends and family, or going to a romantic dinner at one of the many fine dining restaurants, and then partying the night away in one of the dance clubs.  This dress could do it all.

Skylar Grey

I am disappointed that Sklyar's hair and makeup is so dark because this would be my garden party, rustic backyard wedding dress. Imagine big curly waves, some flowers in your hair, and a beautiful pair of sandals.  To die for.  I love lace, and this is just so pretty.

Back Appeal:

Carrie Underwood in Gomez-Gracia

Can you imagine wearing this dress for a Winter Wonderland themed wedding? Such a beautiful way to match a theme without going over the top with a fur bolero!  What I love about Carrie Underwood is that she brings warmth and happiness to every dress she wears, so even though this dress is beautiful ice-princess, which I love, she doesn't look scary or severe.  I am really into longer sleeved dresses right now, so I love how the back balances out how covered the dress is in the front. Plus, it seems that the well placed strap in the back may make it easier to wear the necessary under garments to keep the girls in their place.  

Taylor Swift Zuhar Murad

Last but not least, Taylor Swift has done it again.  I will be honest, I would positively wear anyone of Taylor Swifts red carpet looks down the aisle.  Every dress she wears is super romantic and belongs in a fairy-tale. Obviously, I love anything sheer with appliques, so this dress fits the bill.  The back is so interesting....there is just nothing more to say. I love a dress that is unique. 

So that was my wedding dress rant/Grammy's dress review.  Now its time to look at J.Crew and dream about more pretty wedding dresses. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone tomorrow! 

Wild Time at Myrtle Dove Vintage

 

I love a planned shopping trip, so when A.M.B. wanted to go to Myrtle Dove Vintage this weekend, I was in! To start, I sent her my shopping tips. I know, it’s a little silly I have shopping tips, but they really are helpful!

In General:

·         Wear things that are easy to take on and off…Lace up boots are a pain every time you are in the dressing room.

·         If you are looking at separates; wear separates. If you wear a dress, but are trying on all tops, you won’t have any pants to come out of the dressing room in…. or vice versa.

o   Similarly, if you are trying on dresses, wearing a dress and tights is great; however, if you try on pants and have tights on it sucks! You do not have an accurate fit for the pants if you keep the tights on, and is super annoying to take them off.

·         Wear a tank under your top.  I do this, because I almost always layer anyway, but it is also helpful for those tops that are too low cut, which is generally all tops for me since I am busty.

·         If you like something, pick it up and try it on because you never know what it will really look like on you versus the hanger.

When you are looking for a specific item (I.E. Dress to wear to for work)

·         Bring with you whatever else you might plan to pair with the item you are looking for.  The worst thing is when you purchase an item to wear with something else, and they don’t match or work together.

o   For example, if you are thinking of putting a turtleneck or button down under a jumper, I would just wear that top to the store. 

o   Or, you could get one in the store.  Sometimes I go shopping on a whim, and do not have a layering tank on… Oh No!  Not to fear, I just grab one in the store so I can try things on J

·         Be open-minded.  You may go in with one style in mind, but find something else that is totally awesome!

·         If possible try on a few sizes of the same item, to see which is best

o   This is not possible since we went to a vintage store, but keep in mind that sizing was different decades ago, so pay more attention to the shape and less to the tag.

Myrtle Dove Vintage is a great vintage store in Roland Park off of Lawndale Avenue. The store is owned by two awesome sisters, Mary and Michelle. They were so nice the whole time we were in the store and they clearly have an eye for great pieces.  The store has a great curated selection of women’s, men’s, and children’s clothes, as well as accessories and housewares. 

Dress Rack (Where I spent a lot of time!)

 

A.M.B. and I spent about 3 hours scouring the racks for our favorite pieces.  We practically tried on the whole store! Which as you know from the above tips, you need to try everything on! A.M.B. was looking for a work appropriate dress that would hide her tattoos and fun everyday clothes.  I was looking for anything and everything! A.M.B. found a great tweed shift dress that had a higher neck, which will be perfect for work.  She also got this amazing 50s style shirt dress.  So cute!

A.M.B. looks so pretty posing in front of the dressing room!

She also picked up a great nautical scarf, adorable knee high socks with hearts on them, a cute short sleeve sweater top, an owl pot holder, and an owl post card.

I was in love with this dress online, but unfortunately it was too small. 

I did, however; buy this awesome husky sweater, and this amazing blouse with ducks, cats, and dogs on it.  It was a wild time (Sorry for the awful joke but I had to make it!)

$20

 

$20 

I also scored this great shawl collar blouse, sweater vest, and amazing mod shift dress.   A lady actually tried to sneak this dress away from me, and I almost let her buy it, but alas we were meant to be together!  The fit is great and I love the bright pattern.

$12

$10

$19 (Was marked down from $30) Corbin decided to pose with me!

I also spotted a pretty amazing leather bomber jacket in the men’s sections that I loved and some other great dresses.  Unfortunately, my wallet needs a little time to refill, but another trip is definitely around the corner. I cannot wait to go back, and for those of you cannot make a trip to the actual store, checkout their Etsy shop, follow them on  Twitter @MDVintage and like them on Facebook!

A big thank you to both Myrtle Dove Vintage and A.M.B. for such a great day!

I'm a Wu Girl

So I am probably a little late in the blogger universe to be discussing Jason Wu for Target, but I was busy this week! Not too busy however to wake D.W. up at 7am Sunday morning, and make him drive me to the nearest Target so I could get my hands on the coveted pieces.

It was an experience!  I did not participate in the Missoni for Target launch, so I really wanted to see this one first hand, plus I was dying over the navy pleated dress with the red and blush stripes. When I arrived at 7:50am there were about 30 people in line, and about 5 more showed up after me before the doors were opened, the people who came later didn’t really end up with anything. 

This Target was prepared!  A nice gentleman came out to great us all and told us to be nice to one another J  When walking in they had staffed appropriately and even had some security/police officers on stand-by incase we got rowdy. Then we all rushed the collection!  I got my hands on a few tops and dresses in my size, but couldn’t find the navy dress!  By the time I got to the rack the one size left was too big, but I took it into the dressing room anyway to check sizing. Some of it looked good, some bad (the shirt- dress made me look like a diner waitress) and some did not fit (like the navy dress.) 

Then came the waiting game. As one of the first people into the dressing room, I had to wait for others to discard items that they picked up in the wrong size. I’m a very calm and non-confrontational person so instead of standing like a hawk by the fitting rooms like the other women, I took a stroll around the Target.  All the Jason Wu accessories were gone; it was a completely empty display! I did a large lap and headed back towards the fitting room where D.W. greeted me with a latte and chocolate croissant. 

Luckily, there was my dress!  The early bird gets the worm J I decided against the shirts because spending over $25 on a polyester shirt from Target, whether or not Jason Wu had a hand in designing it is silly.  However, a $40 dress that you can wear in any season, with POCKETS is a great deal. In the picture I have a white button down blouse underneath, my own red belt and nude flats I picked up at while I was at Target for $15. In the summer I would wear this with a red cardi, yellow belt and yellow flats. To dress it up, I would wear it with a navy cardigan and brown wedge heels.  This dress is adorable, practical, and has a timeless silhouette and color palette.

Tell me about your Jason Wu for Target Experience.

I LOVE JUMPSUIT!

I am probably the worst fashionista ever, but I did not watch the SAG awards on Sunday. However, I have been fixing my faux pas by filling in with “news” coverage of the gowns and I am currently recording the Fashion Police special covering the SAG Awards.  This however is not a post about the SAG Awards; it is a post about Jumpsuits. Jumpsuits and how amazing Rose Byrne looked at the SAG Awards in this number.

Rose Byrne’s fabulous jumpsuit is from the Ellie Saab Winter 2009 collection and it looks fantastic.  This jumpsuit is more modern with the tank sleeves, draped front and beaded fabric. I love the hair, but it is a little too heavy for the look in my opinion; I would have preferred a soft updo. Ultimate verdict though is that the look is amazing. 

 

I have wanted a jumpsuit for a very, very long time.  It all started in 2004 with Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.  I know it is an odd movie for fashion inspiration but I have always loved 70s style. The pool party scene where Christina Applegate is wearing the white long sleeve jumpsuit is perfection and sold me on the amazingness of the jumpsuit.  I have been searching for the perfect one ever since, but to no avail. I tried finding a picture with her in it, but also no luck.  Youtube the scene and you will understand. (I hope I don't need to point out the Anchorman reference in the post's title...)

The tricks of the perfect jumpsuit, which doesn’t seem to exist for less than $60, but I will continue to look.

• Wide leg-flare long bottom or straight leg that hits at the ankle.
• The wide bottom helps to keep the look long and lean.  If you are naturally long and lean with a boyish figure, you have more options.  For a curvy girl like me (round behind and muscular quads) the wide leg will help balance out the proportions to create a long and lean silhouette.  Anything tapered or peg leg, would make me look like an ice cream cone… Big and round on top, ending at a point on the bottom. The tapered bottom can also lead to a saggy diaper butt problem.
• The perfect Audrey bottom can also work.  It still creates the long line because of the tailoring and I find that the straight ankle length is very flattering since I have thinner ankles. Do not go any shorter as the leg line will be cutoff.
•  Cinched waist.  Some kind of belt or gathering at the waist is necessary to help whittle the middle and accentuate curves.
• Draped or tailored top.  I understand that this is confusing because they are the opposite, but you need to pick one and rock it.  A draped top will give a more casual look, while a tailored version is dresser.  You want it to be modern, with a hint of throwback glam.  Avoid anything clearly dated.
• Fit is extremely important!  No pulling, nothing too tight, and nothing too plunging; I have a larger chest, but if you are smaller, plunging can work, but make sure it is tasteful. I am not looking for a cat-suit.  I am looking for a wearable pant jumpsuit. I am pretty positive that when I do find the perfect jumpsuit I will have to take it to a tailor to really perfect the fit.

I <3 Jumpsuit:

• Project Runway’s season 9 winner Anya Ayoung Chee made fabulous jumpsuits.  I want one so bad, but the one sold on Piperlime is not only sold out, but way over my budget at $198.
• This crazy expensive ThierryMugler tuxedo jumpsuit. At $325 out of my price range is an understatement. It is beautiful inspiration though right?
•  Probably the closest to what I can both afford and see myself wearing is this black version from Kimchi Blue sold by Urban Outfitters.  Hopefully it will go on sale and I can buy it super cheap
•  Asos.com also has some great tailored versions and I like that some of them are petites. I have never actually ordered from them, which makes me hesitant, but I might have to bite the bullet for this one or maybe that one.
• I will also just continue to scour the racks at thrift and vintage stores in desperate search :)

Do you own a jumpsuit, or want to own a jumpsuit?  Let me know how you feel about this style!

Goodwill Haul

In honor of the last Saturday of the month I decided to post about my Goodwill haul from last week.  For those of you who don’t Goodwill has a ½ off sale every last Saturday of the month, but R.H. was over last weekend and we thought a Goodwill outing was in order.  I purchased the following three items, and showed you how I would style them in different situations.

White and Black Stripe Talbots Blazer (New)-$13.50

Black Flowy Xhilertation from Target Blouse (New)-$8.00

Kimchi Blue Dress (Thrifted)-$6.75

 

Casual Look:

This white and black blazer was a little pricey from Goodwill, but it’s Talbots (high quality) and new (all tags were still attached.) Added benefit is that it is a petite!  Sometime you really can find your size at thrift stores J I paired it with a plain tank and jeans.  This look is super chic and perfect for running around doing errands or going out to eat.  I didn’t experiment with any jewelry for this shoot, but I would probably pair this blazer with this awesome red African beaded statement necklace I bought from a street vendor in D.C.

 

Work Look:

To make this blazer work appropriate I paired it with a black t-shirt shift dress I purchased from Talbots Outlet when I was in high school and my black flats.  To make this more winter friendly I would pair it with tights and boots. I love that this blazer has a little stretch which makes it super comfortable!

 

Casual Look:

Again with flair jeans this floaty top looks great and gives the look a 70s vibe.  A great arm-party of bangles would really finish off the look.  A necklace would interfere with the lace action going on up top, but a great pair of feather earrings or large gold hoops would probably work as well.

 

Night Out:

The black top looks badass with black leggings and black boots. I actually wore this last night with black nylon leggings from American Apparel (Yes, AA is expensive, but I was thrifty enough to get the Groupon the last time it was available; $50 worth of clothing for $100.  It was an amazing shopping trip with D.S.) In this pick I am wearing it with my H&M leggings and I think it still works.  If I may say, I look hot, without showing too much skin!

 

Casual Look:

This dress is pretty; pretty awesome.  I love the print, the princess bust line is amazing, and I love that it has sleeves for the winter.  The chest was a little too deep for me, so I stuck a plain tank underneath with some lace trim to add some interest.  Burgundy Hue brand tights and awesome Steve Madden boots finish off the look. To dress this up for more of a date night or party I would pair it with heals and more sparkly jewelry.

Goodwill How-tos:

Goodwill is great for finding more than just costumes and ugly Christmas sweaters, but you do have to dig.  It’s hard to go and look for a specific piece, but it is great for browsing and being open to whatever catches your eye.  Be on the lookout for everything, and do not be nervous if the tag says one size, but it looks another; a lot of clothes end up in Goodwill because the sizing is off.  Try on EVERYTHING you like, and be sure to look over every item for stains, working zippers, and that all buttons are attached. For pants double check that the bottoms aren’t worn, unless you are like me and will probably need to hem them anyway J Goodwill is a lot of digging, but it can have amazing wearable results.  The trip before this I got a VERY gently used pair of Joe’s Jeans for $10.  Beat that!

Let me know about awesome finds you have gotten from Goodwill!

Seriously Working It!

I work in a fairly conservative office, so being super creative style-wise is not always easy.  All those articles about wearing open toe sandals and short suits to work just do not cut it.  So, although on most days in the winter I opt for the easy getup of a cute sweater and a nice fitting pair of slacks, yesterday I spiced it up a little. 

What I am Wearing:

Calvin Klein Dress-$50 from TJ Maxx (Winter 2011)

Talbots Outlet Blazer- Purchased a few years ago. On sale for about $50, but maybe less

Hue Black Opaque Tights- Nordtsrom's Rack $6.97

Suede Me Too Booties-DSW $40 (Winter 2011)

Forever 21 Necklace-$12.80

Obviously I am new at this whole blogging and picture taking thing.  Thanks to D.W. for taking the pictures of me today :)

A great shift dress is an amazing addition to any work wardrobe and is definitely the kind of piece that you can take from day to night and most situations in between.  My favorite thing about this dress is the awesome pattern.

The neutral pattern makes it super easy to wear, very easy to match, and work appropriate. The dress is also a great thick jersey material which requires little ironing.  TJMaxx has a great selection of high quality dresses at super low prices (Calvin Klein for $50!!) Ladies also remember cut and fit when it comes to work wear.  Nothing too tight or too short, but don’t go to the opposite end of the spectrum either; too long or big looks sloppy. 

The necklace in the photos is also fantastic.  It's a little more expensive than I would normally spend for a Forever21 piece, but it is such a statement maker and will go with so many things.  Large round crystals set against gold and black rope will add interest to either a work outfit or casual t-shirt and jeans.

Black tights and wedge booties really finish off the look. I love hue opaque tights and I got a whole bunch in black, forest green, gray, and burgundy when I found them for only $6.97 at the Nordstrom Rack in Towson during the off season.  This brand is super durable and I swear by them.  I had a pretty messy fall last winter down the stairs at the Ottobar and although my knee was all cut-up, my tights did NOT rip! It was like an amazing magic trick. 

These black booties are one of my favorite pair of shoes (as you can tell by how worn they are) and were a little bit of a stretch for me style-wise. I was new to the whole bootie concept and the funky shaped heel really threw me. However, that heel and the platform is what makes them incredibly comfortable and easy to walk around in.  Plus some added height to my 5’1 frame is always nice. Remember: black booties paired with a pair of black opaque tights is the winter version of nude heels during the summer; one super long continuous leg line.

Hello from Cherries in the Snow

So I am not sure anyone will ever read this, but I thought I would give a little back story to my blog.  I am a shopping addict, and I love fashion blogs, fashion magazines, window shopping, online browsing, and of course purchasing things!  With such a strong interest in the fashion world, I wanted a chance to add my views into the mix.

I am truly a savvy shopper and will scour racks and thrift stores for hours on end contemplating purchases.  I love some good inspiration, but I am a little tired of reading about a lot of things I cannot afford! The under $100 articles are interesting, but its not rocket science to find a cute dress or shirt under $100. Actually the few things I own that are over $100 are some purses and my winter jacket (I lived in Upstate New York for 4 years, a good jacket is a necessity.) Versace for H&M maybe awesome, but I refuse to buy a dress from H&M that costs over $50.

The title is in honor of my grandmother, Ida Storch.  Cherries in the Snow by Revlon was her #1 fashion statement, and I never once saw her not wearing this bright red on her lips.  The gorgeous ruby red pout above is mine, in my grandmother's favorite shade.  Taking inspiration from the other ladies in your life will definitely pay off. And as I promise this will be a blog about inexpensive style, this tube of super moisturizing, long wear lipstick sells at your local drugstore or supermarket for between $5-$7 bucks. Bright red lips are an instant way to change up your look without breaking the bank.  Remember grandma knows best!