Weekend Snaps, What's in My Fridge & A Lost Outfit

Happy Sunday!  H and I went grocery shopping today and I was so proud because I cleaned out my fridge. I love a clean, organized fridge.

I wore a super casual outfit to run errands today:

Top- J.Crew (another cute option, love this, and this)

Shorts- Buckle (similar, similar)

Sandals- Reef (similar)

Necklace- Banana Republic (similar) 

What's in my fridge this week? I'm glad you asked!

Chobani 0% Greek Yogurt, milk, tuna

Arugula, strawberries, blueberries, pickles, basil leaves, mango salsa, 

roasted tomatoes, bread, fingerling potatoes, chicken, squash.

Our pantry is full of the "bad" stuff. Everything in moderation.

Today's lunch- turkey & cheese sandwich with less than 

a handful of Lays' Kettle Cooked chips

This week, my clothing rack came in, c/o The Showroom Project. I'm going to use it to style outfits and I will also use it in my YouTube videos to showcase my favorite and newly purchased pieces. Can't wait!

Speaking of closets, I added my gorgeous new Zara shoes to my shoe shelf after cleaning and re-organizing it.

...and I noticed I have a "thing" for all things pink...and gold chains

...and my poor Steve Madden bow sandals officially passed. May they rest in peace.

Before I go---here is one of the outfits I never ended up posting. It's a little...bright. I like the pieces separately, but together, they're a little overwhelming. I think the blouse is better suited to some dark wash skinny jeans and ballet flats.

You win some, you lose some.

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!  I am off to finish laundry and to clean some more.

Saturday Snaps: Cute Finds from GAP & I Cracked my iPhone Screen

Today is the day that will forever be known as the day I cracked my iPhone screen. Fortunately, I only cracked the top left part (where it's all black) and not the screen that I actually use. I had planned to upgrade my phone soon since I'm eligible for an upgrade, so I'll probably look into getting the iPhone 5 (maybe in white this time for a change!)

After I broke my iPhone screen, I went to Aldo to return some shoes that I ordered online that were too big for me.  That's when the employee told me I could not return them in the store because I "paid on PayPal."  Well, I'm never, ever doing that again.  I thought since PayPal links to your bank account, it didn't matter...so I left with the same shoes after the cashier kind of tried to pressure me to do an exchange (come to think of it, this has happened every single time I've ever tried to return something there).  I am taking a break from Aldo for now. The last three pairs of shoes I got there have all had to be returned so I think I just need a little time off.

Here's what I wore today, by the way:

H&M Dress (similar)

GroopDealz Necklace (J.Crew version)

Kate Spade bag (buy it here)

J.Crew Sweater (buy it here- my favorite cardigan of all time!)

I did pick up two pairs of amazing shoes at Zara today which you can see in my latest haul video and I got some items from GAP---I remembered to take fitting room photos!  Use the code GAPSHOP at checkout for 25% off if you're ordering online!  My hair is reading a little darker in the photos below, the ends are a little lighter in real life.

GAP Pink Fitted Boyfriend Shirt- absolutely love the fit, fabric, ect. 

I got a medium for length and versatility, but the small fit perfect as well.

(buy it here!)

GAP Broken in Straight Khakis- mine are a size 4 and fitted. I debated the 6 but they were 

baggier than I wanted them and I heard their khaki fabric really loosens up.

(buy them here- 30% off in stores)

GAP Perfect Dot Shirt- I absolutely love this print! I got a medium because 

it's sold out in all three stores in my area and it works,

but if they had a small I would have gotten a small.

(buy it here!)

GAP Perfect Oxford Shirtdress- I bought this as a casual dress on weekends and as a 

dress shirt during the work week (I can tuck it in or fold it under.

(buy it here!)

Here is the blue version, fully extended to show the length as a dress:

So, that was my Saturday and now I'm exhausted after being caught in a rainstorm.  Have a happy Saturday!

Watch my latest haul video below!

Emily on How to be a Stylish Mom

I first discovered Emily's blog, The Jacksons, through her sister Rachel, who blogs over at Pink Peonies.  I immediately followed both sisters---they've definitely got a style gene going on in that family!

I thought it would be fun to have Emily guest post since she is a momma to a sweet little one year old girl, Capri. I realize a lot of my readers are probably moms so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase how moms can remain stylish even through the challenges of being a new mom---especially now that we are getting into Fall and there are a lot of fun trends to look forward to.

It's no secret that my husband and I have always wanted a family, and seeing all of the stylish moms in the blogosphere gives me hope that I too will dress stylishly through pregnancy and beyond, whenever that happens. Here's what Emily had to say about her style as a mom---she will definitely be one of the moms who will inspire my own style one day!

How has your style changed from before you had a baby?

My style really hasn�t changed since I had my baby. I have always liked functional, classic, and simple pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. 

What are a few essentials every mom needs in her closet to remain stylish after having a baby?

My favorite pieces in my closet right now that are functional yet cute and essential are:  

• Cute and comfy flats---my favorites come from J.Crew and Zara. I also love a great wedge.
• Comfortable and versatile Skinny Jeans that have some stretch.
• A Graphic tee or sweater, they are easy to throw on and can be a mom�s best friend. 

What trends are you most looking forward to for fall?

• The wine and berry colors are classic and feminine. It�s my new favorite color for fall. 
• Lots of layers.
• Delicate details, such as bows. If a piece has a bow on it, I�m sold!
• Animal print, It can add a little extra something to any basic outfit.

What is your go-to look when you have to run a quick errand but still want to look cute?

My go to look right now, for running a quick errand is a graphic tee, cute jacket, and flats. If I am really not feeling like getting dressed up or I don�t have time, you can usually find me in my Lululemon workout clothes.

To see more of Emily's outfits and her adorable family, visit her over at The Jacksons! Thank you Emily for sharing some style inspiration with us today!

A Place for Lace

I went on a little bit of a hiatus from this navy skirt from Zara and didn't wear it very much when I first got it.  But over the past six months or so, it has quickly become one of my most-loved pieces.

It pairs well with so many textures, colors and patterns.  I love this blood orange and navy combo.  Both colors are rich and make a great statement together.

Blouse- Hunter Dixon (similar, similar, similar)

Skirt- Zara (similar, similar)

Shoes- Nine West (buy them here)

 

Do you own a lace skirt? If not, do you plan to buy one for Fall? I am hoping to find some in deep colors!

Watercolor for Polo

***Before I begin this post, I want to send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the tragedies of 9/11.  Today is a day of remembrance.***

I attended a Polo match/fundraiser on Sunday and had no idea what to wear. A hat was a given, but what kind of dress?

Since it was so hot out, I opted for my watercolor print dress from Ann Taylor. I have worn this dress plenty of times since I got it so I would say it's been a pretty versatile piece for me.

 Dress- Ann Taylor (similar, similar, LOVE this)

Shoes- Ivanka Trump (buy them here)

Hat- Zingara (similar, similar for $25!) 

Necklace- Regina Pierallini (email her to custom order!)

Bag- Kate Spade (buy it here)

Have you ever attended a Polo match? It's definitely a really fun time!  I also got to meet one of my readers at the match---she spotted my pink bag and knew it was me :) I love meeting my readers! Here's a shot of Bella and I (she is on the right). She is the owner of Bella Body Fit here in Houston!

A Discussion About Undergarments & Vanity Fair� Bra Reviews

Okay ladies, we are about to get real personal here, because we're going to talk about undergarments today. Though they are often an afterthought (I mean, you don't exactly plan which bra you're going to wear the night before your workday), undergarments can affect how your clothing looks, so the topic's worth discussing, no?

Now I'm not going to get into the whole "89% of American women are wearing the wrong bra size" thing. Instead I'm going to focus on why it's important to wear the right bra with the right clothing. 

As you know, I have pretty stringent opinions on cleavage in the workplace. That is, I don't think it should be seen in the workplace at all, no matter what the situation or scenario. If you're not a Cirque Du Soleil performer or a professional bikini model, it's best to keep covered. But that doesn't mean you should resort to dowdy undergarments that do nothing for your shape. It also doesn't mean that you can't buy lingerie that enhances your shape and provides two other important things: comfort and support.

I recently got to try out Vanity Fair's new Modern Coverage and Illumination lines of bras and underwear. The three bras I got to try are the Vanity Fair� Advanced Support Underwire Bra, the Vanity Fair� Look Lifted Underwire Bra and the Vanity Fair� Front Close Underwire Bra.

I had asked that all of the bras be sent in the nude color because I cannot overstress the importance of owning a nude bra (or seven) and how versatile they are (and by versatile, I mean essential). I had never tried this lingerie line before, so I wore only Vanity Fair� bras for well over a week, every day, so that I could fully experience each bra and wear each with a different outfit.

Overall I am very pleased with the quality and level of comfort of each bra. There are little details I'll share about each style and what I liked about each of them, but first let's take a peek inside my bra drawer. (I told you we were gettin' real in this post, and yes, I have a drawer just for my bras ... is that weird?)

(The first three bras from the bottom are my new Vanity Fair� additions.)

Below I'll discuss the bras individually, as well as my thoughts about each one of them. I will note that the true bra test for me is if I can wear it when I get home from work. Some days, you come home and the first thing you want to do is rip your bra off (or is that just me? Bueller? Bueller?). I have to say that I was surprised to find myself leaving my bra on a few times after coming home from work.

The Vanity Fair� Advanced Support Underwire Bra is simple, no bells and whistles, and honestly I kind of like that. It's supportive and comfortable (it has 4-way stretch) and it looks great under more fitted tops because it doesn't show any seams underneath them. They call it the perfect T-shirt bra and I have to agree. Smooth, clean, easy.

The Vanity Fair� Front Close Underwire Bra is the one that surprised me the most. When it arrived I kind of looked at it and wondered "Will we be friends or foes?" I had never worn a front-close bra (other than a sports bra), so I was wary. My fears were dispelled when I actually put it on. It was comfortable, flattering and, most of all, I love that the back band was one solid piece since it fastens at the front. The front clasp did take me a moment or two (or, like, 45 seconds) to figure out how to operate -- but once I learned it was smooth sailing.

The Vanity Fair� Look Lifted Underwire Bra is the girliest of the bunch, with pretty crystal detailing at the front and my favorite, lace. I like lace because it's feminine and can take a nude bra from uptight librarian to sexy librarian with the snap of a finger. Like the others, this style is comfortable. And for those of you who like a fancier look to your underpinnings this would be the ideal choice.

One thing I want to point out about all of the styles is the straps. They are well made and supportive, and I like how they are all different thicknesses. I like picking the bra depending on my wardrobe choices. For example, I might choose thicker straps if I feel I need more support and I'm wearing a top with long sleeves or thick straps. If I'm wearing a tank, I opt for thinner straps. Here are some detail shots so you can see the different strap styles.

I also got to try out the Illumination� undies (I hate the word panty) and, though I said we were getting personal in this post, that drawer is off limits, so I'll just tell you which pair I like best. It's the Illumination� String Bikini. I like the way it's cut and it's flattering on. Personally I prefer lace undies, but it's nice to switch it up sometimes. Good to know that Vanity Fair� makes laces ones too. I might have to try them out!

Now that I've given you way too close a look into my drawer of unmentionables, and we're way past the point of turning back, I'll tell you why I think nude bras take the cake when it comes to dressing for the professional world:

• Nude bras don't show under your clothes. They blend in with your skin. So when you wear a white or light shirt wear a nude bra versus a white one (match the bra to your skin tone).
• They work well with light colors and sheer fabrics.
• It's not as distracting if your strap accidentally peeks out if it's nude (versus, say, lime green).
• You can wear them with dark colors, too.

Now don't get me wrong, I have bras in many colors (including another essential, black, of course), but I must sing the praises of the nude bra because I think they are oftentimes overlooked for the sexier floral or cheetah print bras. While those look awesome on the models in the catalog, they're not as practical for everyday (unless you are one of the aforementioned Cirque du Soleil performers, because you'd totally rock that).

While we're on the topic, head over to Vanity Fair's Facebook page and leave a comment on this post telling me which bra you like the most. This will enter you in a giveaway for a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer.

SWEEPSTAKES/GIVEAWAY RULES

Rules: No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/10 - 10/7.

Be sure to visit the Vanity Fair brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers� reviews and find more chances to win!

Thank you for reading and good luck with the giveaway! May the odds be forever in your favor. ;)

Fall Trends at Simon Fashion Now Fall 2012

Every Spring and Fall, I attend Simon Fashion Now at my favorite mall, the Houston Galleria.  This year, Simon hosted a blogger preview event so we could get a taste of the trends that would be hitting the runway during the big fashion show on the rink the next night (they cover the skating rink for the show).

We had a BIG group of local bloggers there---I didn't realize Houston had so many style bloggers! Here are some shots from the blogger preview event:

The next night, we hit the rink for Simon Fashion Now.  The name includes "now" because the concept of the show isn't to preview Spring 2013 fashions (like what NYFW is for) it's to showcase styles you can wear and buy for Fall, available in stores now.

Though I absolutely LOVE seeing previews for Spring 2013 (I am still not quite over the awesomeness of Kate Spade's Spring 2013 collection), it's also fun to see what's in stores now and what trends we can look forward to as the cooler weather approaches.

Magen, Bethany, Monica and I attended the show:

Here are some of the looks we saw on the runway:

Which fall trends are YOU most excited about? Share in the comments below :)