And To Go With Your Adorable Dress ...

Check out youlookfab.com for the cutest pair of shoes that would be perfect with any number of fabulous dresses from shabbyapple.com. Seychelles is a great little shoe brand. Made in Brazil, well constructed, comfy and well priced. Moreover, the designs are always fun and current.

Not Too Shabby (Apple)

I learned about Shabbyapple.com recently from another style blog and fell in love, therefore I must share. My sister-in-law, T, looks great in dresses. Dressy dresses, work dresses, you name it, it works for her. And what can be better, really, than a foolproof, one-piece, go-to outfit? This sweet little website offers dozens of adorable dresses, categorized according to function and style and very few, if any, are priced at more than $100. I am positively smitten with the black "Mary Jane Watson" dress with its ruffle details (eat your heart out, Anthropologie) and can see myself in the Casablanca or the G. Cooper even though I usually prefer pants/jackets most of the time. I also love that each dress has customer reviews that tell it like it is (even when it 'aint good). This stuff is so far from ordinary and yet not at all out of reach. They've also got a great blog with lots of other cool info and a great little widget that helps you find your perfect fit. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.

**Returns note - dresses can be returned for exchange only.

Denim Skirt Dilemma (Solved)

I recently received a request for advice on denim skirts. I'm a big fan, and think that the denim skirt is a wardrobe staple and works for most people if done right. I've got two favorites (probably because I have a split personality): a classic, darker, a-line version that's just above the knee, and a trendier, beat-up mini that I only wear with leggings (if I can't squat down pick something up or tie a shoe without flashing the world, its a no go, people).

Now for the fun part. As with jeans, you can wear just about anything with a denim skirt. I wear my longer version with boots and tights and some sort of funky long sleeved tee in the fall, and for the spring I might do converse or a low wedge and a t/sweater/cute jacket. And a belt. Always a cool, wide belt. I'm also having great fun with my shorter version/leggings and say to hell with the idea that if you're old enough to remember when it was in fashion the first time you're too old to do it again. Bah! Half the world would be naked if we couldn't do this.

Lastly, the details. I've posted a handful of possibilities above (click on the images for more info). Not much is out there right now as far as a-line versions go, even though its a classic look and almost universally flattering. I like the idea of Boden skirt w/inverted pleat but I wish it wasn't so "tailored" (but that's just me, I'm not very tailored either). Just above or at the knee is a great length for most (if you're going for the longer style) and I'm partial to a vintage wash to keep things looking relaxed. Hope this helps you out, C... let me know if you want more ideas.

Mad Hats and Mad Sales

Quick.... Hayden Harnett is cleaning house and has a handful of their amazing (truly amazing) bags marked down BIGTIME. They won't last long (ie Wednesday afternoon will be too late) so if you've been in the mood to invest in a stylish bag that will last for ages, now's your chance. My favorite pick is the Franklin Flap Bag in aubergine. I know, this is not an every day kind of purchase but if you're in the market, strike while the iron is hot!!

Less importantly, but still important: the Eugenia Kim hats are in at Target and they are positively adorable. Nothing is more than $19.99 and there is a style to fit every personality and hopefully every noggin... they do run a tad small, my head is enormous so I'm not a good gauge. I did however get an amazing straw fedora with a wire brim and cute flower accent. This collection is really deserving of the hype. Nice work!

Athletic Supporters

I interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring news of two of my favorite things today. I recently returned to running after an embarrassingly long hiatus. I've had the same pair of running shoes for 4 years (so if you do the math, it took me 4 years to wear them out... that is NOT impressive, or maybe it is). Anyway, I'd been trying to replace them on the cheap, while not sacrificing quality and comfort, and plugged in "Brooks Adrenaline GTS" (my current, beloved pair) to a very cool website called Glimpse.com (plug in any search criteria for sweaters, shoes, handbags and you get back a list of suggestions, stores and prices). DSW.com, of all places, carried my shoes (and quite a good selection of other running shoes) for about half what I paid for them in '06. PLUS, once I registered for their free rewards program, I got free shipping and $10 off by using the codes "sprshp" and "April" (the latter is for the $10 savings).

Second one, very quickly. This workout capri/skirt thing is probably the cutest most ingenious thing I've ever seen. Next time you want to tie a shirt around your waist to camouflage your butt while you're working out, don't (its only going to make said butt look bigger). Do this instead. Ok, so this one is not cheap but my bet is that Target will have a version within 6 months.

Bags, Bags and More Bags

Crossbody Bags by upstateandpersonal featuring Juicy Couture bags

Ok, here's a spring cleaning suggestion - everyone go and inventory your bag collection. Toss or give away anything overtly vinyl, logoed or grandmotherly. Now donate anything you bought on Canal Street. Great. Now you've made room for the bag that all modern women need to have in their arsenal - the crossbody bag. I love this style both for style and function. Compact, low profile and very very current, this is a bag that makes you look hip and allows you to keep both hands free to hold your kid's hand, walk a dog, or carry your briefcase or a bag of groceries without constantly heaving your other bag up over your shoulder. There are countless very cool iterations of this bag at all price points. My advice is to invest a little as you'll be using this style on and off for years. Click on the images above to get more information on price and where to buy.

In the Hopper

Its time to get serious about this blogging and consulting and start to grow a bit. For anyone on Facebook, if you're the first person to refer 10 new fans, you could win a wonderful and completely gratis wardrobe consultation from moi, your friendly, local and G0d-willing, not super annoying, style blogger. For non-Facebook friends, if you can convince 5 of your nearest and dearest to "follow" the blog on blogspot, and you're the first to do so, ding ding ding, you win.

Now on to business... in the last 4-5 years I have developed a love of accessories. Why? Because you can wear a simple outfit (all black... jeans and a white t-shirt, etc) and completely transform it with a few, well-chosen and interesting accessories. So its not about dumping all that's in your closet (ok, you can dump your knit turtlenecks and your white sneakers, please), rather its about re-inventing what you have (except for said sneaks and t-necks, thanks). Two quick examples from the notoriously overpriced-but-cute Anthropologie's sale rack:

Cute jeweled cuff bracelet for $20 (pair with black anything)

Adorable flower earrings (ditch the gold studs and go nuts)

Speaking of Anthropologie - stay tuned for the uber-secret, inexpensive alternative to everyone's favorite store to love/hate.

Bag Lady

Ok so I just saw today's deal at Gomatta Girls and had to share. They're offering a slew of cute, summery bags for under $50, including the one in the photo above, the "Mickey" bag. I love the woven styles for summer and while they're all a bit more ladylike than I usually go for, they're still cute and stylish and perfect for the season. My other favorites are the Jori, the Letty and the Kris.

Note about Gomatta, be sure before you buy. They do accept returns but you'll get store credit. Still, the deals are good so you'll likely be able to use it soon.

Don't Call it a Comeback

Or maybe you should? Word on the street is that Mexican Radio (yes, that Mexican Radio, like the one on Cleveland Place in NYC) is allegedly coming to downtown Schenectady (thank you Katie /Cap District Fun for this most amazing scoop). This is the best news I've heard about downtown Schenectady since they made Jay Street a pedestrian walkway. Not too many details yet but trust me, the margaritas are good, the vibe is hip, and the food is tasty. Oh and equally important, the owners are very community focused. http://www.mexrad.com/. The buzz is that they'll be opening by early 2011.

Its 6 PM Somewhere

One of the challenges of living in the lovely 518 is the dearth of good brick-and-mortar children's' stores. And shoe stores? Forget it. We've got Stride Rite, that's about it. Its very frustrating when you want good shoes for your kids but don't want to shell out $60 for one pair that is sure to be trashed in 2 months. Occasionally Marshalls has a gem or two but not often and when one kid has wide (aka Fred Flinstone) feet, there's little hope of finding anything there.

Enter 6pm.com. I realize I may be a little late to this party but wow. WOW! I'm pretty sure that its Zappos overstock site, and it is chocked full of high-end kids' shoes at serious discount. As with Zappos, you can search on gender, size, width, brand, style and price and they offer flat rate shipping at $5.95. I just ordered Tsukioshi and Morgan and Milo sneaks for the girls at about $20 each. Not bad at all. Oh, and they have grown-up shoes too. I'm in big trouble.

Cutting Wedge

Two hot spring styles that I've got my eye on right now are wedges (shoes) and crossbody bags. I've always loved these styles, not so much for their practicality but because they're a fun way to be a little edgy without 1) looking like mutton dressed as lamb and 2) being escorted out of work for being inappropriately dressed.

So, the wedge - once again, one of my favorite and somewhat unattainable (at least for this quasi working mom who no longer makes big bucks) designers is soon to launch a line for Target. Cynthia Vincent (as in 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent... utterly wonderful) will have a line of shoes, that includes two kickass styles of wedge sandals, starting on April 18. Nitrolicious has more pics and the whole scoop. I LOVE the look of the gladiator wedge, especially the yellow, and also dig the tribal print wedge as well. And for $30, can you really go wrong? Pair with skirts, leggings, skinny jeans, the works. I probably won't go near the flats tho (ok, maybe the sandals) since its much easier to make a cheap, comfy chunky shoe than it is to make a cheap comfy flat... just my humble opinion.

Want something a little less extreme? Post a comment or e-mail me and I'll be happy to make some other suggestions.

Word to Your Mom

Great minds totally think alike. One of my goals in starting this blog was to create a go-to spot for women in this area (and beyond) looking for fashion advice, recommendations for stores and salons, and general style inspiration. Kind of like the Citysearch of style (scaled down a bit). Meanwhile, the uber-informed Katie B has created capitaldistrictfun.com - an amazing compendium / go-to spot for all things fun in the 518, and the ultimate answer to "What are we going to do today moooooom?" And now I've learned of yet another, indispensable spot for local moms - momxchange.com, that provides recommendations and reviews for local doctors, shops, restaurants, events, etc and serves to connect women and let us share all of this invaluable information with each other... because, as their tag line says "collectively, we have all the answers." Seriously, its all here in real-time and I'm really impressed. Well done, women, well done.

Its Sale Time Again!

Hooray, 518's very own Marika Charles is having another sample sale this weekend, April 9-11. Word has it that this sale will feature, for the first time, their dyed silk camis and slip dresses as well as their always-wondrous tees, sweaters and accessories. Time to stock up on colorful pieces for spring! Sale days/hours are:

Friday 4/9 - 10am to 6pm

Saturday 4/10 - 10am-5pm

Sunday 4/11 - 10am - 4pm

Sizing note: the t-shirts tend to run small so don't be afraid to size up. Wear a tank if you're modest so that you can try on in the communal dressing area. Click on the photo above for address and directions.

The Great White Hope

Filed neatly under "things I never thought I'd like /swore I'd never wear" is my pair of white jeans. Yes, white jeans. I bought them on a lark a few years ago (when I was carrying around a bit of extra baby weight to boot) and they've become one of my favorite wardrobe staples for spring / early summer. Its like they instantly "spring-ize / summer-ize" just about anything you could pair them with and they're no where near as unflattering as you might think, provided you follow a few simple rules. I also think that a good pair of white jeans/pants is a cheap and easy way to bridge the gap between the seasons. Youlookfab's Angie breaks it down for us in 7 easy steps... who knew there were 7 steps to wearing pants? But seriously, this is good advice - the underwear thing is critical - if you can get that down, you're golden. And yes, I've even worn them on outings with my kids and have wiped out in a slippery muddy driveway while wearing them ... bleach is a wonderful thing.

Spring Fallbacks

A few people answered my little survey and asked for more outfit ideas, so here goes. My favorite things for spring right now are cardigans, embellished t-shirts and skinny jeans. Pair with converse, cute flats or flat sandals and your'e good to go (spring shoes are impossible in this area, there's just no easy solution). Click on the image above to get more info about the pieces. Better yet, add your own spin... don't like skinny jeans? Fine, get a pair of straight leg or rolled-up boyfriend jeans. Hate cardigans? Get an oversized blazer. You get the idea (and if you don't, just ask me, that's what I'm here for). PS - those jeans up there, just an example... the shot was good but frankly, go to the Gap or H&M for jeans, please!