Lovely Leather Dress: Dominatrix and Class Meet.

I am not usually an Angelina Jolie fan. Her style borders on boring, I just need a little more fun in my life. I understand that when you have that many children it is hard to take time for yourself, but that is why she has a stylist.

I had to give it up to her in this black leather Michael Kors dress though. It is so damn sexy and chic that it didn't matter if she paired it with nothing else. This dress did all of the talking. Do you have any idea how hard it is to make a leather sheath dress fit like this? Let me tell you... Very, very hard.

The addition of the gladiator heel was truthfully all that she needed to shine. She added a simple touch of color with the red ring and that was perfect. For as much as I know about Angelina (thank you tabloids), this dress matched her personality perfectly. It is simple and chic, yet completely edgy. She has matured in her older age, but can still kick anyone's ass. She is bad, look out Brad Pitt.

The Last Warm Day of Fall.... Go Colorful!

I felt so damn cute when I wore this that I had to share it with you! For some reason I always end up is more subtle colors (which is crazy because my personality is so loud!), so this was really fun for me. Why am I not wearing more color when it looks so freakin' good?!?

You may recognize this dress from my hosting gig as Rebecca and Drew for Fashion's Night Out. Part of the benefit of hosting events is that often times you get to keep what you wore. I am glad I wore this because it looks so good hanging in my closet, not to mention when I wear it! I paired it with another piece you might recognize, my Club Monoco lime green cardigan purchased at a consignment store. The color combination is not only chic, but completely eye catching. Too add a little bit of edge, I added a pointed toe black flat and layered gold and black bangles. Wearing a black bag as well would have been a bit harsh and overpowering, so I went with a more neutral camel color Sabina bag.

Overall I felt cute, sassy and completely appropriate for any situation. This is the type of look that will stand out and receive compliments without overpowering whomever wears it. It is also a great outfit because it will look good on most body types. A button-down dress is a comfortable choice for most sizes. The cinched style allows any woman to show off her curves properly. Love thy curves.

So next time you are deciding what to wear, think outside of the box. Pair together items that you never would have thought about. You just might surprise yourself and create something fabulous...

"I Feel Like a Size 6 Stuck in a Size 12." Common Problem,Good Solutions.

My friends are such good sports. Let's take Jessica here as an example. She just moved to NYC (yea for me) and offered up the idea of doing a blog post on her. "How much fun would it be to go "shopping" and show people how to look fabulous at any size?" Lots of fun.

So we went off to Lord and Taylor yesterday and played a bit of dress up. As the title of this post states, Jessica feels like the fashion world is against her. Why is every awesome piece made for a size 6? Not true Jessica! You too can look amazing! As her friend and fashion teacher, it was time for me to take control.

Jessica came wearing gray pants, a purple sweater, messenger bag and Danskin shoes. The sentence out of her mouth was a long-winded complaint about how annoying her pants were. They were uncomfortable and short. Basically, mama needs some new pants. As for the rest of the look, she already knows how I feel about the shoes.... I tell her all the time:) In all fairness, Jessica has some foot issues and needs to wear VERY comfortable shoes. I let her know that comfort and style can go hand in hand, but that was a large issue for another day/post. We were focusing on clothing here.

First up, a classic and elegant ensemble that has tons of versatility. She can wear this to the office, a dinner date or out for a night of "fancy" cocktails. The simplicity of the look makes it accessible, but the accents on the cardigan and the statement necklace make it fabulous! The sweater dress underneath, by Lily Pulitzer, was an empire waisted sheath. It was a great foundation piece for styling any way I saw fit! The cardigan, by Kate Hill, was a useful piece that can be worn anytime of the day. I simply buttoned two buttons at the empire waist of the dress to accentuate the fact that Jessica has curves. You want to show them off, not cover them with loose clothing! The attention is brought upward though the beading on the cardigan and the statement necklace. For wearability, I would add black tights and a high black boot or black high heel. Curvy and simple.

I love, love, love this outfit. It is cute, it is casual, it is sparkly! It works perfectly on Jessica for a few reasons. The t-shirt underneath has a beaded design directly down the middle. This draws the eye to the center, always a good idea to make anyone look more slender. By pairing it with this gray sweater and wearing it open, the black lines are only accentuating the design of the t-shirt drawing more attention to the middle. Perfect! I added a longer, black tank top underneath to give some length to the shirt. It was just too short and this is a simple way to solve the problem. Adding my favorite color jeans, gray, to this lots 'o gray ensemble was the perfect pick. Jessica needed new jeans and the "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" are the best option for curvy women. I threw on some color with her bracelets to take away from the monochromatic look. They added extra funk and fun.... Lo and behold, daytime chic was born.

Jessica feels hot. This is obvious by the pose change... Plus she told me in the dressing room. Jessica, it is true, you look hot. I love this flashy BCBG top. Every girl wants to sparkle a little no matter what her size! And why should that right be taken away? I hate when I see a room full of doubty clothing just because it is not a size 6. Boo. So I wanted to put Jessica in something that said, "Hey, look at me!" In a good way.... I again used the gray jeans because they looked good and Jessica loved them. I pulled a longer top with movement, yet it still had a shape. You never want to lose your shape when you are a larger size because it makes you look larger! You need to show that there is a body under there. This top was complimentary because it was fitted at the bottom and at the end of the sleeves. The final show stopper was the layered gold necklaces and big gold cocktail ring. As with the gray t-shirt with sparkle detail, I needed to draw the eye to the middle to create a more slender look. Long necklaces do this! They were not overwhelming to the fun shirt, but I wouldn't wear this look before 8pm.

So Jessica, you can look fabulous no matter what your size! Feeling amazing is most of the battle and my dear, you look pretty, damn hot is these outfits. I now send you off to the wolves of New York City, you are ready for your big debut:)

What Jeans to Wear When. Color DOES Matter.

Yes ladies, there is an answer to the age-old question, "What jeans should I wear today?". Ok, maybe this is not an age-old question, but many of you still ponder this thought when you wake up and when you go out. I am here to explain the proper place to wear different washes for jeans. There are about 9 million different colors for jeans, so I am just going to stick to a few basic go-to washes.

First up, the all-mighty dark blue wash. It is going to be the staple of your wardrobe so you should definitely own a pair. No matter who you are, what you do, where you go or how old you are, you should own a pair of dark blue jeans. They are definitely the most flattering and the most versatile. They will be your constant best friend and take you from the day into the evening effortlessly. They are the no-brainer choice for any occasion or time of day. I am making this pretty easy, eh? They are sophisticated for the daytime and classy enough for an evening event. The blue wash makes them accessible for more casual events, yet the dark color allows them to be easily paired with a funky top.




Next up, light blue. This really is a wash that is best left for the warmer months. Think spring and summer. Anytime after that just seems like you are confused about the season. They are a casual, comfortable, easy look, which is exactly what the warmer months are about. 'Nuf said.





And now for my favorite wash, gray. I just love these! Last season they were no where to be found and now this year, I walk into Bloomie's and there is an entire section dedicated to them. Apparently they got the memo... Finally! Just like the dark blue jeans, these are great for both day and night. I love them because they are neutral and different. Most people own some version of blue jeans, go outside of the box! These have an edgier feel, yet they are completely appropriate and wearable.This particular wash can also really go in any direction. Add high heels, a white tank and a motorcycle jacket for a great going-out look or layer on a longer cream sweater with black riding boots for daytime casual. They really do work always.


And now for your rough and hard side, black jeans. Depending on who you are, you can wear these during the day, but for most ladies this is an "only evening" jean. You have to have a pretty casual or funky career to be able to pull these bad boys off during the daylight hours. If you are part of the more straight- forward working force, these are reserved for a hard night of fun. They instantly give your look an edge. Unlike plain black pants, these are meant for rough riding even if you are only walking down the street to get a drink. They will add a tough side to even the daintiest of ladies which is why they are so alluring. They are just jeans at the end of the day, but they can add just that little something to the calmest of outfits. Have fun and go be tough with your black jeans.

Ok, the jean companies have gone 80's crazy. I completely understand that looks come and go, but this one should have stayed gone. It really does freak me out a little. But, for those of you that would like to wear this oh so 80's trend, I will give you a few tidbits of advice. This is your pop piece and nothing else can compete with them. You MUST keep the rest of your ensemble plain. There is no need to add any more 80's items to play up the theme. The theme is poured on your legs, people get it. Now, I may think I don't need to mention this, but I am going to just to make sure... These are only for nighttime!!! Your fun dive into your yester years should only be after 8pm. That's right, I put a time on it.

So there you have it. All of the information you need on when to wear every pair of jeans you have ever owned. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule based on who you are and where you are going, but these are the basics. Now you can rock out in every wash of jeans ever invented.....

Burburry boot-cut jeans $195
AG premiere skinny jeans in 20 year wash $255
7 for all mankind straight leg jeans in tailor grey wash $189
DL 1961 "Nicole" skinny jeans in black diamond wash $178
J Brand tie dyed skinny jeans in oz wash $198

Bridal Shower Appropriate: Looking Great While Eating Cake.

Yesterday was a monsoon in Connecticut, not exactly the perfect day for a bridal shower. Does that mean I just packed up my things and left? Did I whine and complain and put on something less than fabulous? Well I did whine and complain, but I definitely still put on something amazing.

It was a brunch with a group of lovely ladies, most of which I have known since childhood. The bride is a fellow competitive ice skater from my youth (oh so long ago!) and her sister is a fellow competitive dancer. Yes, my mother was nuts and took me to all these activities. Throw in a few high school friends, my mom and all of the ice skating mothers and you have a bridal shower in a monsoon.

Luckily it is Connecticut and you merely have to walk from your car to the door. I am all about dressing for the weather, but I was home with one bag and one outfit, so I wore what I brought. It could have been worse, at least my legs were covered from the elements with tights.

My super cute outfit all began with my black, satin bubble skirt. About a month ago I hosted an event at Bloomingdales and I wore this lovely piece. I couldn't live without it, I had to have it. I knew it would have a good life with me if it moved into my closet. I paired it with a basic black tank top and my Club Monoco lime green cardigan. I actually got this cinched waist 50's style piece at a consignment store near my house. I hate paying retail when I am so good at searching!

To really push my 50's chic with modern day funk look, I added a handbag that I literally think I have worn once. I picked it up at Salvation army years ago and sadly this little electric blue wonder just sits in my closet. Truthfully, it really isn't my usual style, but a piece like this certainly comes in handy with the right outfit. Example: This outfit! I loved not only the complete throw back to another era, but the color combination really made the whole look pop. If you look closely you can also see I pulled out my favorite vintage citrine ring. It does match the cardigan, which I am usually whole-heartedly against, but it was such a small pop that it was the perfect compliment.

And finally, there was my necklace. Although this might look completely vintage, I only had to travel to Banana Republic to pick it up. I am sure a clever woman might be able to make this nifty piece on their own, I just wasn't feeling that clever the day I bought this:) It is simply a few bold trinkets, you could most likely pair together consignment store broaches, and voila, you have a fabulous necklace. It was the perfect topper to my fun, funky and fabulous monsoon bridal shower 50's chic with a modern twist look.

Big Calves? Small Calves? You CAN Own Tall Boots

Having worked with every size person on this planet (or pretty close to it), I can tell you that feet are always the biggest issue. "I can't wear heels. I will only wear heels. My feet are too wide. My feet are too narrow. My feet are too ugly, cover them up." The most common problem I have come across though is that people have the most trouble finding boots that fit their calves! It really is a wonder that more shoe designers have not taken this into account when creating their lovely lines for women of all shapes and sizes. That is until Michael Kors got smart.....


Let me begin this mission to find the perfect boots for your possibly not so perfect calves with a basic statement, I HATE STRETCH BOOTS. I have made this feeling pretty clear to anyone that will listen. They are tacky and cheap looking no matter how much you pay for them. For those of you that have followed my blog for a while, you might remember the new one that I tore Jill Biden the day of the inauguration. What on earth did this sophisticated, mature woman think she was doing in this ensemble? Pretty from the knees up, but everything on the bottom was a big ol' mess. She has the opposite problem from most women, her calves are too skinny. That is still no excuse to pull these Payless style shoes out for the biggest day in this countries history. Ug, oy, gross, yuck. No offense Payless:)

So now that I am done complaining, let me give you the solution: This year's line of Michael Kors boots. For curvy calves, for skinny calves, by gone it, he has done it. Or at least his team of designers has done it. He combined stretch material and leather to create a wearable boot for most any size calf. This combination allows the boots to remain stylish and sophisticated while still being realistic for ALL calves. Thank you Michael.


From the dressy version above to these more casual versions, he really hit the nail on the head. I am obsessed with riding boots and motorcycle boots because they add a bit of fun and theme to your look without overpowering it. You should have a good time with your footwear! Black boots do not equal boring. Don't ever give up on finding the perfect basic that will stand on it's own and be noticed by all of those around you. Not only are these boots stylish, but they really will be the answer to all of your calf problems. I accept all thank you's very graciously, I have saved many before and now I have done it again....:) Your welcome.

Kinkade Small Heel Tall Leather Boots: $199.99 SALE
Bromley OTK Flat Boots: $250
Audrina Strech Boots: $84.95

My Big Day at Bendels

I love fun and fabulous days! I had a meeting yesterday at Henri Bendel which was a great excuse to play in the store for an hour and a half. Yes, that is work to me! I was lucky enough to have a personal, guided tour from their very stylish marketing director. I was introduced to every designer, jewel, bag, scarf and anything else amazing that you can think of. A very good day if I might say so myself.


Just as Bendel's promotes, it is like a playground for the fashionable lady. So basically it is the very upgraded version of the feeling you used to get when you saw a McDonalds with a playground attached to it. Ooooh, I love that feeling! Everything is completely accessible so that you can try it on and see how much you really love it! I loved quite a bit yesterday.... The benefit and danger of their "only accessories" store, is that you really can afford most bobbles they are dangling in front of your face. It is truly the perfect "emergency shop" store. Quite simply, if you are having one of those days where you must buy something or you will die, this is the place to do it. No guilt attached because you did not break the bank!

My newest fun, favorite item is headbands. Love them. How stinkin' cute are they if you can really pull them off? I know I am 30, but I am a stylist and I look young so damn it, I am gonna do it! Don't I look so completely Blair Waldorf in this picture? Obviously I came in with the necklace, because these two crazy and fabulous pieces DO NOT belong together! I am on the search for the perfect headband right now... With all of the choices, I have to be meticulous about finding the exact right one. The benefit of my job (besides the fact that it is awesome), is that I can really search for what I want because I am always out looking at beautiful things. I do not have a time crunch to find things for myself. Lucky me:)


And don't forget about bags! They are one of the most important accessories you can own, if not THE most important. I ran into (literally) these amazing Rebecca Minkoff bags and immediately fell in love. It was actually at first sight, I saw them from accross the room and that was it, it was over. They are edgy and interesting, yet they would easily compliment any outfit without competing with it. This is the sign of a really great bag that will be worth the investment. Can it stand alone as a fantastic piece and mesh with everything you own? If the answer is yes, swipe the credit card, you need to own it.

I love accessories, I am now totally obsessed with Henri Bendel and you should be too. Fun, fabulous pick-me-up pieces mixed with higher end goodies make this a one-stop-shop for everything trendy, glamorous and chic.

Visit the Henri Bendel's site to learn about everything fabulous!