Girl Meets Dress

A few days ago I visited this store and I met this dress. Upon first glance I was intrigued and sensed a great need for further inspection. Here's a piece of advice so you don't all fall into the same trap I did - when you walk in a store where this, as adorable as it may be, is practically the cheapest item, don't ever engage in closer inspection of a dress because you will love it and it will be out of your price range. The black and white colors, the adorably cheeky zebra print, the hook-and-eye closure detailing in the back, and the amazing back triangle cut-out immediately won over my heart and I knew I had to have it. Unfortunately, while my heart was smitten my head was not. As you may have surmised, I did not purchase the dress (but don't think I'm not still considering it). Instead, I found this dress on the Lulu's website that, for only $34, I suppose would suffice as a pretty decent substitute.

Of Two Minds $320

Lulu's $34

Thrifty Thursday

Today, all my Thrifty Thursday finds are from Lulu's. If you've never before visited the Lulu's website, you're in for a treat. The website features a multitude of very fashionable and trendy dresses, tops, shorts, skirts, accessories, shoes and more (much more) for a fraction of what you think they might cost. I've never placed an order with Lulu's but I always enjoy browsing their vast selection. I plan to spend the impending summer season donned in dresses. Based on Lulu's selection of sundresses, maxi dresses and occasion dresses, Lulu's might just be my new go-to when stocking my growing summer wardrobe.

I absolutely adore the color and pattern of the this dress (only $42). The print and color palette remind me ever so slightly of this DVF dress which unfortunately is way out of my price range at the moment.

It's no secret to those of you who read my blog frequently that I'm an ardent lover of the maxi dress. This maxi dress ($48) exudes a subtle sophistication and ease that make it perfectly appropriate for a day spent in Malibu or a Los Angeles lunch with friends. (Note: I would absolutely under no circumstances pair this dress with those shoes featured...no offense to the Lulu's stylist who envisioned this pairing but this dress is practically begging to be worn with sandals, not boots).

I love stripes, I love black and white ("Team Mila" for life) and therefore, I love this dress ($35).

Seriously readers, check out the Lulu's website - there are approximately 232,343,455 adorable dresses (like this and this - they're so cute I can't help but squeeze them in) that I wasn't able to show you. Yes, some of them are over $50 but they're adorable and highly worth the extra $5 bucks.

Doggie Couture

I mentioned in a previous post that my boyfriend and I recently adopted two adorable little puppies. I honestly never thought I would be one of those doggy moms that dressed her dogs in clothes more expensive and fancy than her own. Well dear readers, I am a little ashamed to admit that I now am one of those moms. Our dogs are getting groomed next week and with this pending appointment I've been a dog-clothes-buying fiend. I spent the large majority of the day yesterday perusing my new favorite dog clothing/accessory/toy website, Doggie Couture Shop. Thus far, I've only made one purchase - this adorable Juicy Couture Dog Daisy Velour Hoodie (pictured on the right). However, I've bookmarked a number of other pages on the website in an effort to plot out and strategize my next puppy buys.

Do you have dogs? Do you dress them?

Spring Blooms

Today, the city of Los Angeles (my home base) is extremely overcast with an dreary and menacing chill - not exactly spring weather to write home about. I prefer a spring filled with sun and temperatures which allow me to wear sundresses and rompers to my heart's content. Unfortunately, today I'm wearing pants and a cardigan - bland cold weather wear at its finest. In honor of the spring flowers that are sure to come, I've found for you all a few of my favorite floral-print pieces. What better way to ring in spring (or yell at it and demand that it show itself, as the case may be in Los Angeles) than with florals? All the items featured below are from Topshop because, frankly, it's the only store I can always count on to feature inspiring florals.

Flower Smock Dress $70

Paradise Floral Oversize Shirt $65

Floral Frill Neck Blouse $70

Team Mila

I've been an avid watcher and fan of Project Runway since the days of Austin Scarlett. That being said, when Season 7 began I was a little underwhelmed with the designs and the designers. Compared to characters like Santino Rice and Christian Siriano, the designers of Season 7 didn't initially exude any sense of excitement or present any outrageously fresh ideas. However, as the season progressed I feel in love with Mila Hermanovski's designs. The simplicity of her largely black and white color palette, her exquisite craftsmanship and the impeccable use of geometric shapes and color blocking in her pieces overwhelmingly won me over. When the season finale finally aired I was a fervent member of "Team Mila." I loved and would absolutely wear almost everything she presented on the final runway at Bryant Park but the first outfit to turn the corner (pictured to the left) was my undisputed favorite. When Heidi, Michael and Nina announced Seth Aaron as the winner I was disappointed for Mila - how could they watch Mila's clothes walk down the runway and not crown her the winner? Regardless, with Mila's strong and unique aesthetic she's bound to go far in the fashion world.

Who was your favorite designer?

Fresh Face

I've never been much of a makeup connoisseur. Usually, once I find a product I like, I'll continue to buy that same product for years. Recently, however, I've been bored with my makeup. This rather unpredictable and uncharacteristic boredom has caused me to purchase makeup brands I had never before tried. I'm pleased to announce that all my recent makeup sampling has paid off and I've discovered two brands in particular that I'm absolutely obsessed with. The first is YSL. I've long been a lover of YSL shoes (tribute pumps? yes please!) and purses (the Muse is my ultimate dream bag) so it's no wonder I also love the brand's makeup. I've recently purchased the radiant touch luminizer, the matt and radiant pressed powder and the pure lip gloss in pure rose. I can't speak highly enough about these products - they have completely changed my makeup routine for the better! The second brand I've recently invested in is none other than Dior. Thus far, I've only purchased one Dior makeup product - Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick. I'm not usually a lipstick lover (generally, I opt for gloss) but the Dior lipstick lasts for hours and gives my lips that "I just finished a cherry popsicle" look.

What makeup brands do you wear?

Spring Stripes

Stripes have been "in" for a few years now but, for some reason, this season I'm loving them more than ever. Paired with anything from white skinny jeans to J Brand jeggings, nautical-inspired striped tops never fail to look crisp, clean and chic. Likewise, striped dresses and gold sandals (like these by the one and only Tory Burch) is unquestionably a winning combination. Below are a few of my favorite spring stripes:

I absolutely adore the back of this Victoria's Secret top. The front is simple (click the link to view) and elegant - the perfect counterpart to the low v-back. I can see it paired with anything from skinny jeans to baggy silk shorts.

This dress by Haute Hippie would look absolutely amazing dressed up (think: big, bold gold jewelry and strappy gold heels) or dressed down (think: orange Tory Burch Reva flats like these, which I may or may not have recently purchased).

Not your typical striped dress, this dress by AKA New York caught my eye immediately when browsing Shopbop. The sheer jersey fabric and subtle pop of color make it the perfect piece with which to welcome spring and ring in summer.

Thrifty Thursday: Earth Day Edition

In honor of Earth Day, this week's Thrifty Thursday finds are not only affordable and effortlessly chic, but also eco-friendly. Purchasing any of the items featured below is a simple way to do your part to help protect our planet and it's limited and rapidly depleting resources.

Alternative Apparel is known for its lush fabrics and well-priced basics. However, the brand also features an eco-friendly line - Alternative Earth. Alternative Earth offers designs in three eco-friendly fabrics: organic cotton, eco-heather, and eco-fleece. At $50, this Rocky Eco-Fleece Zip Hoodie is one of the most expensive items in the line (talk about budget friendly?!). This hoodie comes in a wide array of colors and really, who can't use a good zip hoodie?

Dogeared has long been one of my favorite jewelry brands. I adore the whimsical little charms and the zen inspired messages associated with the different pieces greatly appeal to my inner hippie love child. Actually, I'm wearing this necklace (given to me as a Valentine's gift from my mom years ago) as I type. The bracelet featured above (for $36) is my absolute favorite of the earth-friendly pieces as it's made entirely of recycled saris from India!

By now, who hasn't heard of TOMS? For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. This pair of TOMS is completely vegan friendly and made with recycled and sustainable materials. At $54, this particular pair of shoes is slightly more expensive than my usual Thrifty Thursday finds...but come on, it's Earth Day and what's an extra $4 anyhow?

Aren't We Over Overalls?

Back in middle school (known to some as junior high) I wore overalls nearly everyday. I had denim overalls, corduroy overalls, and even colored khaki overalls. However, as soon as I entered high school I chucked my overalls in favor of more fashionable leg wear. After reading this article on Fab Sugar which bravely announces that overalls are the next big trend, I must admit - I'm a little worried. There's nothing wrong with overalls per se but aren't there better options that are just as comfortable? Even the Ralph Lauren overalls pictured to the right (and featured in the Fab Sugar article) look like they're straight from the farm (complete with holes and dirt-stained knees). No offense Ralph, but in my humble opinion pairing overalls with metallic peep-toes does not change the fact that the model is wearing overalls. What do you all think - are overalls really the next big Spring 2010 trend?

My two cents: Overalls might be comfortable but so are rompers and jumpsuits and they are infinitely more chic.

Chuck Those Kicks

My boyfriend and I recently became the proud parents of two adorable puppies. We got them from a local animal shelter a couple weeks ago and they have occupied much of our time and energy since. Rather than spending our evenings watching television together or going out to eat, we spend them taking the dogs to the park, walking the dogs on various local trails or making yet another unnecessary trip to Petsmart. With all the time we have spent of late traipsing around in freshly watered (read: muddy and cold) lawns and dirt-covered trails, I have come to the realization that I need a new pair of shoes. I need shoes that I feel comfortable getting dirty, shoes that will keep my feet warm and dry when walking on damp morning grass, and shoes that can withstand the occasional muddy paw print. When I began the search I was immediately drawn to these - canvas Tory Burch sneakers, could there be a more perfect dog shoe? Once I stopped drooling long enough to realize how impractical a Tory Burch shoe would be for my purposes, I found these and was immediately smitten. Classic Converse Chuck Taylor Low Rise Sneakers (affectionately known as "Chucks") are the perfect solution to my doggy dilemma. Not only will I remain unfazed if these get covered in mud, dirt, water or any other element of nature, but they also come in adorable colors (the "Passion" being my favorite and featured on the left) that are sure to make my otherwise drab dog walking ensemble much more appealing.

Designer Spotlight: Karen Zambos Vintage Couture

Today, Gilt Groupe is featuring designs by Karen Zambos Vintage Couture. Until this morning, I had never heard of Ms. Zambos but after taking a look at the items featured on Gilt, I'm an enormous fan. To learn more about her designs, I perused the Karen Zambos website as well as the very few Zambos items available on Shopbop. From what I can tell, the three words that best describe her designs are luxury, versatility and ease. Every shirt, dress, jumpsuit and romper featured on the website exudes a simple and subtle sensuality while also somehow remaining laid-back and California cool. The dress featured on the right (the Justine Dress) is my absolute favorite. I can imagine wearing it on a date night with my boyfriend and also for a quick Sunday morning trip to Starbucks. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snag any of Karen's pieces on Gilt (I had my eye on an amazing yellow dress but my size sold out before I could even log in).

Check out her designs and let me know what you think - I'm sure you'll love them just as much as I do.

Luella Love

I am madly in love with these Luella Zip Wedge Sandals by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent. I initially noticed them last year and immediately added them to my Shopbop shopping cart. However, before I pressed "purchase" I realized that I really couldn't justify the $405 price tag. I've tried to tell myself that on the weekends I would absolutely, positively wear them every single minute (every second even) that I'm out of the house. Grocery store run? Heck yes I'll wear four inch platform sandals! Walking the dogs? I'm sure they'd look great with sweats! However, in all honesty I know I'm lying to myself. I love wearing heels at work but on the weekends I'm more of a ballet flat and flat sandal kind of lady. Alas, while I'll probably never own these beauties I'll always adore and pine for them.

What items are on your ultimate wish list?

Impulse or Investment?

I'm slightly addicted to shopping. On bad days shopping never fails to turn my mood around and on good days shopping just lifts my mood to a place of pure elation. Money's a little tight right now so I promised myself that I wasn't going to buy anything substantial until my checking count was a little plumper. Well friends, today I failed massively. I bought the most unnecessary, ridiculous thing ever - sunglasses. I already own at least five pairs of very nice, fully functional sunglasses - plainly put, sunglasses were the last thing I should have spent my money on today. But when I saw the Oliver Peoples Harlot sunglasses on Gilt this morning, I knew I wasn't going to be able to resist. I have an uncanny ability to justify any purchase I make, no matter how ridiculous the purchase appears to be on its face. Sunglasses? Of course I need sunglasses! I live in California so this summer I'll wear sunglasses every single day. And the Harlot style? Classic! I'll wear these sunglasses for the rest of my life. So really, this purchase wasn't impulsive, it was a total investment...right? What "investments" have you made lately?

P.S. If you aren't already a member of Gilt and are interested in becoming one, here is my personal invitation link - join and let the rationalizations begin!

Thrifty Thursday

As promised, every Thursday I'll be doing a "Thrifty Thursday" post featuring my three favorite items available online for $50 or under. Last Thursday, my Thrifty Thursday post featured a J Crew cardigan, a Target dress and a Forever 21 romper. Below are this weeks items:

This Striped Boatneck Sweater from Gap has just a hint of summer color and would look great paired with any bottoms. I'm envisioning it with a pair of billowy shorts and platform sandals.

The inspiration for this next thrifty find comes from Megan of Pretty in Pink Megan fame. In today's blog post, Megan posted a picture of herself wearing a fabulous pair of shorts by Nanette Lepore. These Cooperative Floral Elastic Shorts are available at Urban Outfitters and while they may not be identical to the Nanette shorts, they're a pretty close contender!

I love scarves and I love wearing them in all seasons and all types of weather. For summer, I love lightweight scarves paired with slub cotton t-shirts or simple tank tops. This Psychedelic Forest Print Scarf by Madewell (available on Shopbop) is the perfect pop of color for a simple summer ensemble.

Boho Chic

I've been an admirer of Nicole Richie's style for some time now. Back when her hair looking like this, I requested the same cut and color for myself. Incidentally and unintentionally, now that she's a brunette again, I am too. While I adore her ever-changing hairstyles, I'm not such a big fan of her clothing line, Winder Kate. I love the idea of a fashion-forward boho chic look, bit Nicole's Winter Kate is a little too boho and a little too fashion-forward for my liking. I love deliberate draping and oversized clothes but I also like my clothes to look like they fit and I'm not sure the Winter Kate tops, dresses a cardigans would accomplish that very important goal. While I'm not a Winter Kate admirer, I am very intrigued by the idea of taking bohemian style inspiration and applying it in new ways. Below are a few of my favorite boho inspired shapes, styles and prints (all available on Shopbop):

The Maxi Dress: This dress by t-bags offers a boho shape in a cool, contemporary print and cut.

The Tunic: This Tibi tunic has a slight boho drape and shape but overall looks extremely polished, sophisticated and chic.

The Pattern: Many boho inspired looks feature intricate patterns and impeccable detail. This skirt by Joie features one such print but in a trendy mini skirt style.

Summer Flats

Summer is coming but I still can't get enough of flats. Simple ballet flats, jeweled flats, bright and colorful flats - I love (and lust after) them all. This past fall I purchased more pairs of flats than I'd care to admit. From Target to Tory Burch, I don't discriminate when it comes to purchasing flats (the Tory Burch Lissie flats, which are sold out as far as I can tell, were warmly welcomed to my closet in December and have been worn with everything from work clothes to casual weekend wear). However, with the temperature steadily climbing I need to face reality - in a few months time it's just going to be too hot to wear ordinary ballet flats. But rest assured, that does not mean all flats must take a three month long leave of absence. Below are a few fun and funky flats that will let your feet breath in the sweltering summer heat.

While I'm not 100% in love with these Tory Burch Jelly Revas, they're definitely appropriate for summer and at only $95 they won't break the bank.

These Kate Spade Bindi Jeweled Ballet Flats are absolutely amazing. With the metallic shine and open toe they're perfect for a hot summer work day and a fun summer night out. If you have a little (well actually, a lot) of money to spend on a new pair of summer kicks, check out these flats by Miu Miu. They're similar to the Kate Spade Bindi flats but a little more luxurious and a lot more pricey.

Leave it to Prada to make a perforated pair of flats that I actually like! I've been slow hopping on the perforated/punctured flat bandwagon because when I hear the word "perforated" I think of a shoe like this which is so not my style. However, these aptly named Prada Perforated Ballet Flats (which come in gold and silver) are absolutely stunning and would be perfect for even the hottest of summer days. For a less expensive option, check out this pair available at Target - chic and cheap, my two favorite things!

Pretty Polish

Lately, I've been compulsive about keeping my nails trimmed and polished. I used to be a habitual nail biter but recently stopped thanks to the temporary use of gel nails. When I used to bite my nails I never worried about keeping them polished (what's the point of polish when your nails look like they've been gnawed on by hungry puppies?!). Since kicking the biting habit, my nails have developed an addiction to Essie and haven't been without polish for more than a few hours. Recently, I've coated my nails with Essie's Lilacism, Mademoiselle (which I'm currently wearing), and Jazz. While out and about today, I saw a girl wearing the perfect color for spring/summer - Essie's Mint Candy Apple. This color is light enough to be worn in the spring but spunky enough to carry into summer. I can't wait to coat my toes in Mint Candy Apple at my next pedicure appointment. What's your favorite polish color for spring and summer?

Jeggings: Friend or Foe

Recent discussions with a friend have prompted the topic of today’s post - jean leggings, perhaps more affectionately known as "jeggings." Generally, I shy away from any pant that encases my thighs too tightly, drawing unwanted attention to them as a result (unless I'm wearing a tunic, then bring on the skinnies!). However, when I first learned about jeggings earlier this year I was curious enough to purchase a pair. Not knowing how they would fit or if they would flatter, I purchased a simple and inexpensive pair from Nordstrom by Hue. These particular jeggings are much more of a legging than a jean. I hesitate to even call them jeggings because in truth they’re simply leggings in a denim print. I wear them frequently enough but often get frustrated with the fit as they tend to get extremely baggy in the seat come mid-day forcing me to spend the rest of the day hiking them up. With summer on the horizon, jeggings have once again sparked my interest. A jean you can move in made of a lighter denim fabric seems to me to be the perfect pant for summer. Having set out on the quest for the perfect jegging, I found this pair by J Brand (pictured above on right) that I decided I needed to try. Yesterday, I ventured to the mall and tried on the J Brand 901 style denim leggings. Let me preface this little review by saying that I've never owned a pair of J Brand jeans but now, after trying on the 901 jeggings, I'm a total J Brand jeans convert. I ended up snagging a pair identical to the ones pictured but in black for a mere $85 on sale at Anthropologie. I already know that I'm going to live in these jeggings this summer and I'm counting down the days until I can justify purchasing another pair (preferably in a more obvious denim print). For anyone wondering about sizing, I bought these in my normal size (and when I say normal, I mean my usual designer denim size) and the fit is spectacular.

Style Icon: Tori Spelling

When I'm feeling low on fashion inspiration (read: I hate all of my clothes because I no longer have any ideas for fresh, fun outfits), I look to celebrities. Yes, their clothes almost always cost more than I have in my bank account; however, I find that when I'm feeling a little down on my closet, looking at candid celebrity photos online and in magazines like InTouch and Life & Style never fails to lift my style spirit. One of my current favorite ladies to look to for inspiration is Tori Spelling. I'm an avid Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood watcher in part because I love their little family (seriously, how cure are Liam and Stella?) and in part because Tori's wardrobe makes me swoon. Thanks to Tori, I'm now obsessed with maxi dresses for spring/summer and headbands for those rough hair days.

As evident in the above picture, a sparkly gold headband is the perfect way to fix a less than adorable 'do.

I love everything about this outfit - the billowy simple print tank, the rugged jean shorts, and the moccasins (adore the moccasins).

This is such an easy look for a California winter (or cold spring day). The hat makes hiding a bad hair day easy and stylish while the striped tank adds a trendy touch.

Thrifty Thursday

I’ll be the first to admit that I love and desire designer clothes (Tibi, Milly and Tory Burch being three particular favorites). However, I do not love the price tags associated with these designer duds. In honor of my need for frugality but my desire for style, every Thursday I will be spotlighting my favorite finds under $50.

The first is brought to you by J Crew. While this retailer is normally associated with expense and luxury, this slouchy cardigan is only $45 (on sale now for a mere $36).

This next find is a spring must for any wardrobe. I purchased this Rachel Pally inspired dress in black from Target a few months back and fell in love with it immediately (this adorable heather gray will be my next purchase). It's comfortable, versatile, and exudes casual style. Bonus: It's only $24.99!

You may remember that in my first post I mentioned my love for rompers. The problem with rompers, however, is that because they're so trendy and "of the moment," dropping wads of cash on them seems a little wasteful. Why should I pay almost $300 for something I know I'll only be able to wear one season, right? Enter Forever 21, the ultimate low-price, trend carrying retailer. At $29.80, you'll feel no guilt if you only get a few wears out of this little number.

Trend of the Month: April

With winter just barely behind us and summer just out of reach, April, with its unpredictable temperatures and penchant for rain, is the perfect month for cardigans. The stiff, shapeless cardigans that at one time clothed the trendiest of girls, are now a thing of the past. Longer length cardigans with a relaxed slouch have quickly eclipsed the more boxy cardigans to become a new spring staple. With their lightweight fabrics and simple colors, these cardigans are perfect for layering which makes them ideal (if not necessary) for any spring wardrobe. This cardigan by Michael Stars is a quintessential example of the "spring cardigan." With it's breezy slub cotton fabric, slouchy sleeves, and extra-long length it can be paired with nearly everything. I'll take three please!

A Few Favorites

Welcome readers and thank you for stopping by Becoming Unfashionable. I'm an ardent lover and admirer of fashion and hope to use this blog as a means to share and explore that love and admiration with all of you. To help you get to know me I've put together a list of some of my current favorite things:

Tibi Summer Prints (every print Tibi has introduced this season makes me swoon but this hummingbird print is especially delightful)

Comfy Cotton Dresses (this one by Tory Burch is a particular favorite - and on sale)

Summer Cardigans (I especially love the length of this J Crew cardigan)

Rompers (this Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent romper gets extra points for being available in a fabulous mustard yellow)