I had a wonderful surprise this afternoon that I absolutely must share with you! The following comes from an entry of Dustin Groeneman’s site, Freeplay, displaying his works of visual art.

When I was first introduced to Dustin through facebook, I knew he was a cool guy. I knew this because he promised not to clutter my wall with quizzes or requests for me to “become a fan of bacon” (after all isn’t it understood, kinda like butter?) and had been following the blog.

Then, when you see his art you realize he is a cool guy with a lot of talent.

I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of his work, and look forward to seeing all the great images he continues to produce. Thank you, Dustin! If you haven’t seen his work before, then you will definitely want to take a look at his page at: http://freeplay.tumblr.com

He also has some entertaining notes on there that are quite enjoyable; you’ll definitely want to follow up for more.

Polka dots add such a playful factor to fashion. In this case, the colors are of a classic black and white, but the texture and shape are what bring this lovely pattern to our attention. Just look at that puffed sleeve. The dots against the volume and shirred sleeve really pop out.

Here we have a blouse paired with a cinched waist skirt which then flares out, ready for dancing. Both items are from MISSRAINBOW of yesstyle.com. The looseness of this blouse is just asking for something to keep it together, whether it is a belt or high waist skirt as in this set.

Tied High-Waist A-Line Skirt

Puff-Sleeve Polka-Dot Blouse

Honestly, the front of the skirt is the tied portion you see pictured below, but I prefer to have the tied design in the back. The structure of the skirt gives you the flexibility to chose.

With the dots gaining so much of the attention, I thought the bow did best in the back as an extra detail. Now, perhaps pairing the skirt with another top it may be a different story. With a black fitted top the bow detail might be more fun in the front. It is all about flexibility of style and you definitely have that here.

When I look at the detail of this blouse and skirt combination it makes me think of a cupcake with sprinkles! Maybe it is just me but that is a fun little image I enjoy. The way the blouse gently swoops out and over the skirt is like the frosting. It really has a soft delicate texture to it as well.

The structure of both the blouse and the skirt individually offer a lot of variety on how you pair them. Add a black top (of any form) to this skirt and you have a classic little black dress look. And this top with its beautiful pattern looks whimsical with a skirt or even paired with some jeans or shorts. There are lots of ways to reinvent your wardrobe with a couple pieces like these.

Those who know me well know that I love fashion that is bigger than life. The bigger the sunglasses, the bigger the watch- I love it and am there. And I love volume. All of course within a balance, but that is what makes fashion so great. So in this case with my latest find from designer Nabi on yesstyle.com- Gigantic sleeves? Oh, yes you better believe it.

Flower Print Kimono Sleeve Satin Dress From Nabi

The fabric flows feeling like silk against the skin and is covered in a bold black and white print. On such giant flowing sleeves such as these, you have an animated and bold look. This print with the volume of the sleeves gives a fresh style making you ready for any soiree.  A belt has been designed to come through the middle without disrupting the sleeves, allowing them to move fully and show their gigantic form. The dress looks killer both with and without the belt; the belt just adds a slight bit more structure.

It is kinda like a mix between a kimono dress and butterfly wings, lol. I love this movement and the angles the sleeves form even when the dress is perfectly still. It is a statement piece that looks elegant on its own, ready for any event.

I also like how the length is kept short so you can really focus in on the sleeves. If it was long and full, the sleeves would just blend in unnoticed. Instead, this gives you a jagged edge on either side, which looks great when you are walking and the sleeves are in motion. Since they are thin they pick up the slightest breeze nicely, giving you animated volume in each step. Simply beautiful!

Nabi translates into “me” and “free” and is inspired by traditional and international fashion, bringing great new styles and welcoming prices. I like what has been done here with this dress as it is an instant statement piece.  I have my eyes on a couple of other items from Nabi and look forward to seeing what else becomes available.

I adore it when fabric wraps you up: the style, the illusion of movement, and texture are beautiful. This is something we see commonly in clothes, but what about shoes?

A shoe’s silhouette can be playful but no matter how daring it wishes to become, it must maintain a certain appeal. No one wants bulky ankles or blocks on their feet, we want a feminine line to be displayed. Bold and playful designs walk a fine line to maintain femininity with attitude. Often we speak about classic lines made modern by adding volume. With this pair of shoes, that is just what comes to mind.

The heel is thin and gives a nice reveal of the arch, but then up top you have a wide ankle. This style is always an interesting one to me as you want to be sure not to shorten the appearance of your legs or ankles. What I like here is the wrapped texture which gives you layers and depth bringing the design of the shoe together. This way, the wide ankle is not too alarming nor is it the focus, the fabric flows together.

With a little knot in the back you have some nice elegant lines along with a bit of attitude. It reminds me of an updo you would do to your hair, everything being swept nicely into a chignon.

These wrapped up boots are from 59 SECONDS and can be found on yesstyle.com. Though the black pair are no longer available, the same shoe in cream currently is and will be great for spring’s soft tones. (Oh, and they are only $33.60 at the time of this writing, making them a steal. Style doesn’t have to cost a fortune.)

When I first got them I didn’t know what to think. Again, the wide ankle had me wondering. But after a few moments of wearing them they have instantly become a favorite of mine. Ever have that happen to you?

I kept going back to them online while looking for new shoe styles, and when I saw the price I had to go for it. The wrapped textured look is something I will continue keeping an eye out for.

Lines and texture, what are you looking for in your shoes? You just might start finding yourself all wrapped up and loving it.

Click Here To Check Out More Great Deals On Shoes From 59 Seconds.

Tulle anybody? I am all about this look. This is a style purely focusing on the fabric; it moves, has natural layers which shift from smooth to ruffled, and is sheer with texture.

Very feminine in appearance alone, when this fabric is worn on its own in a manner like this tulle dress/skirt from FOXCiTY you can really see it take over. A belt will add a cinched waist to this look and give it a new feel, but honestly I like the fabric left alone to move on its own free will. It is gorgeous.

As usual, when something has an option to be worn as a dress or a skirt I tend to lean to the dress side of things first. I plan on wearing the item as a skirt hear in the near future (I even have a top picked out for it and everything) but for right now a dress it is!

Just look at how those layers from the slip underneath emphasize the tulle on top. It is sheer feminine beauty of a fabric!

On the top you can see some hints of ruffles which gives the tulle some extra layered movement. This design adds volume and texture while remaining very elegant and simple.

And because it is so feminine and dainty, I thought I would mix things up a bit and add some grunge factor with these boots from LA FRESHA.

A pair of dainty heels would make this dress ready for a nice party in an instant. But the rocker style boots give it more of an elegant, casual, and edgy factor that works well for regular things throughout the day. With the cool weather, add a coat and you have an elegant look with some attitude.

If you want to see more shoe styles from LA FRESHA you can click here to view them. I’m a fan of their style as well as comfort. They have some great heels to dress up any look.

I’m really liking the mix right now. With something so simple it truly is a classic. The black dress is all about form and how you chose to wear it. Whether it is fitted or voluminous it is a style of its own in how you decide to wear it.

Something like this could be worn differently and look like a completely different outfit each time. From a loose dress, to a long dainty skirt, to a dress with a fitted waist when accompanied by a belt. Enter in layers and accessories and your playing power increases even more. Not to mention the shoe factor.

Tulle is a lovely fabric with lots of opportunities. Are you all about the tulle look?

Ever have  a couple items from the same designer and only later realize they really are from the same collection? As in matching exactly and you didn’t even realize it until the day you wore them together at a much later date from purchase.

Don’t laugh, I’ve had it happen to me in the past with accessories but never before like this with clothes. Usually if something unexpectedly matches it is in color or fabric, but never like this with a print. Some time ago during Jonathan Saunders designer collection for TARGET I had picked up a jacket, top, and a few dresses. The line was so classic with clean elegant lines and a dominant black classic theme. It didn’t occur to me that some of these selections matched more than just in color.

The connecting piece is the jacket. It is black, structured, and has a unique texture that feels like a scuba diver’s suit. The collar has sharp lines that give the jacket a bold sense of style. Somehow, I completely ignored the lining inside. It’s decor that is unseen when worn after all.

Anyway, the dress that apparently matches this jacket perfectly, is a sleeveless dress with a print design down the center and a drop waste with a pleated skirt. I had worn it during the warmer months and had saved the jacket for later. This is most likely why I never made the connection.

So time goes by and I started wearing longsleeve shirts and tights underneath my summer dresses to expand my wardrobe during the unexpected lengthening winter season. I am sure it was only a matter of time until these two items were worn together!

PS: A little note about Jonathan Saunders:

“Scottish born designer Jonathan Saunders puts a nontraditional spin on the modern, constructed silhouette. He brings eye-popping color, a meticulous attention to construction and a playful sense of style to everyday sophistication. Saunders creates a look for GO International that’s distinctly effortless and brilliantly avant-garde.”

I would really like to see more from him. So far out of all the designer collections done for TARGET, his and RODARTE are on my top list.

You can see more of the dress from when I wore it in the late summer here: Click here to view the post.

There is nothing like the beauty of a classic black quilted bag. I’ll admit I go weak in the knees for an elegantly styled quilted bag, most anything quilted like leather furniture for that matter, and when it is done right the results are gorgeous. My latest bag is a classic design in a perfect size.

Not overpowering big, not obnoxiously small: it is just perfect and carries all my needed items without changing the design. If you have ever tried loading up a bag and found it sunk or frustrating to carry with the weight unbalanced, then you know what I mean. It is a nice solid shape that is elegant and simple.

The details are subtle marks of gold, from a clean and simple designed clasp to the chain woven in leather that keeps the bag together. Usually when I see the sides open as they are here, it is a concern of mine. But fortunately that is only in design; functionality comes in with an unseen zipper keeping all your contents closed. Love it.

This particular design is from STYLEKELLY of yesstyle.com. Ever since it arrived it quickly became my daily bag as it matches with anything and makes all outfits look fabulous. I will still switch on occasion when I want a colorful bag or something a bit more out of the ordinary to change things up, but when time is an issue I don’t have to worry about it. This one works lovely every time. Now that I know I like this designer’s style I am going to start looking into more bags. You know how it is, you can never have too many… well, fill in the blank, lol.

At the very least you can never go wrong with too many of the classics; they are timeless, glamorous, elegant, and beautiful!

Want the bag?

This specific one is gone from STYLEKELLY, but another identical bag is available through YES STYLE right now.  If it is not, visit and search for “quilted” under bags and find some more inspiration! I know I am.

There’s nothing like a late night treat, especially when you feel like going out with friends and want something comforting, yet entertaining at the same time. For me, one of those place’s is Genji’s!

It is a Japanese dive bar that opens only for the evening, from about seven until two in the morning, and serves a healthy appetite of fun food, drinks, and enjoyable karaoke. It’s what you want in karaoke- truly! The outdated stock footage playing on screen and the mic being handed from one table to another; it’s fabulous. It is a place that just simply must be experienced, bringing people closer together and making an otherwise normal evening now an occasion.

From Kim chi egg rolls to yakiniku (grilled meat with a heavenly dose of garlic) and so on, it’s just a great place to enjoy life. The whole grilled squid is delicious, and takes bar food to a really comforting level. No, it isn’t fancy but it doesn’t need to be. Which is what makes this one of my late night treats of things that go nom int he night!

Cocktails and food are inexpensive and the hospitality is very welcoming. You might find yourself making new friends or singing a tune and enjoying it all.

What are some of your unexpected gem places? Perhaps even a guilty pleasure?

We all know and love the classic suit jacket, with its fitted structure, collar, and buttons. But sometimes we want a more edgy look: something daring, bold, and exciting. Enter in the leggings!

Traditionally a suit-type jacket is worn with matching trousers or a pencil skirt and collared white blouse underneath. It is a classic look. But when you want more of an edgy factor, that same business style garment suddenly opens many more opportunities. This is also a great way to expand your style from the pieces you already have existing in your closet.

Take for instance what I have done here with my gray double-breasted long jacket from BLACK QUEEN and leggings from Peplum, both of which I found on YESSTYLE.com (check out more of their leggings here).

Just a simple classic jacket, great for any occasion paired with some edgy leggings for a daring look.

Rethink your wardrobe and see what creative mixes you can find. And think of your future fashion finds: what new item would reinvent nearly your entire closet, or maybe just some of your favorites? Leggings go a long way from pairing up with dresses, vests, t shirts, and jackets. They also make your shoes look like something new as well.

A traditional styled jacket is great for those classic looks on the formal side, worn with a pair of skinny jeans on the casual side, or worn here with some bold leggings for the edgy side. Remember, a new item doesn’t mean just a new outfit- it means many new possibilities for all of your existing outfits! Expand your style in volumes.

There is something dreamy about a bunch of silver strands and links elegantly combined, especially when it comes to necklaces. My normal accomplishment of such a look is by cleverly combining necklaces of various lentgths together, making sure the end result is elegant and bold but never a mess. Every now and then you find a piece that on it’s own accomplishes the look beautifully. This piece from Truffles Co. is just on case!

The combination of links and strands with a decorated piece bringing the links together, gently hanging down at an angle depending on how it is worn, works beautifully.

The miss match of link sizes with collected strands and a decorative piece with beads makes for a unique and fashionable look. Worn alone is fantastic, but it also gives you the opportunity to mix another piece into this already elaborate setup. The entire piece is designed quite long, in fact it is long enough to be worn as a belt (it is not unusual for me to find link styled belts and wear them as a necklace, lol).

The way I like to wear this style is by having half of the necklace show in the front, and have the other half decorate the back. This works great with dresses or tops that scoop in the front and the back. It can really dress up the look.

I like to wear it where half of each design is showing for a different kind of look. You could certainly wear it where each uniformed style shows from one view- one in the front and one in the back, keeping the decoration resting on the shoulder. But I like the dynamic of the mix.

Another possibility I am playing with is mixing it up as a choker or or very elaborate bracelet. With the length and change of styles there are many opportunities to explore.

I love playing around with shapes and textures, especially when they are in the same color scheme. Elaborate earrings are another fun area you see the trend in, most commonly with chandelier type earrings. I like earrings that are unique and miss matched; having the same theme so you can tell they belong together. When earrings resemble each other but have different lengths, I think that, too, is a fun style with a lot of opportunities. Take for instance this set that also plays into the links feel. This find is another item from Truffles Co. available on yesstyle.com.

Anyone can miss match a pair of earrings, but getting them to feel like a part of the same set is where it gets interesting. They either have to have been designed that way or play as a part of a theme. They have to look like they belong.

This piece from yesstyle.com does that well. You have all the same elements presented only slightly different, giving it a very unique and bold look. I love it. And it has the links and strands that I have been craving in my fashion.

What fashion cravings have you been having?

I must first begin this entry by stating how lucky and grateful I am. My hunny is the most amazing man in the world, and always filled with surprises. Last night was not only a treat but also a complete surprise!

I had no idea of the plans he made. Only as we were leaving for a cigar event did he mention I should consider a nice dress since we “may have other places to be” this evening. Wow, I love this man. So without the slightest idea of what would be going on, I dressed up in a favorite of mine: a floral pink dress from BCBG. I paired the dress with my suede GIVENCHY shoes of the same color, put on some pearls and I was ready to go.

We attended a lovely cigar event, socialized and enjoyed our time until suddenly it was apparently time to leave. We left the event early and made our way into town. At this point I still didn’t have the slightest idea where we were going, and I loved that. I didn’t want to even try to guess, I was just enjoying the experience. There’s nothing like the feeling of siting back, relaxing, and just observing every moment as you make the journey to what you know will be a great and welcoming surprise. You know it will be good, you just don’t know what it will be.

Finally we parked and walked our way through downtown. Again, still at this point I haven’t an answer to our evening, just that it is a fabulous one. We make our way to the steps of the theatre and I see the banner posted above, “Wonderland.”

Now, if you know me by now you know that Alice In Wonderland is my all time favorite tale. I love the writings of Lewis Carroll, and I absolutely adore going out to the theatre. Ballets, operas, the symphony, plays, you name it I adore it. What a delightful surprise.

Now this isn’t the traditional story, more of a modern styled performance and take. I am very traditional but I can appreciate new perspectives and it was an entertaining night. The seats were wonderful, the performers were fantastic, and the costume design was gorgeous.

This is the first version of the production and I am very happy to have been able to see it so early. Changes are made as shows continue in later productions as they decide what works and what needs to be transformed. I didn’t even know there was a production of Wonderland being made or that it was being played in our city. My hunny made an amazing surprise for me with this, what a perfect evening! I am still tickled about it. Yay!

Best unbirthday present ever

January 17th is my birthday, and this was a marvelous one! Growing up I have always loved dressing up and making every little simple event of the day an occasion. Even something as simple as putting things away in the house while dressed up in a gorgeous outfit is that much more fabulous.

This year I wore a favorite dress of mine, one I have posted about in the past for the same occasion, lol, and enjoyed a rather relaxed day. I don’t often wear the same dress for an occasion, but I couldn’t help myself as this dress just makes me feel fabulous and felt perfect for the day even now. Part of it is remembering the old while bringing it into the now for creating more great memories.

This year my birthday actually began with a fabulous event the evening before, which ran all the way into the beginning of my birthday- love it! So at midnight I was surrounded by friends welcoming in the grand new day. Later on, after having some sleep and getting ready for the day ahead, I was surprised by my hunny with these BEAUTIFUL flowers you see pictured below. I love them!

And for lunch- burgers, in a beautiful dress. Seriously, messy comfort food (delicious by the way) in an elaborate dress rocks. It just does.

After that it was time for a cigar fit for the occasion, an AVO Companero, and then a night filled with libations! Birthday cakes are overrated when you have a beautifully crafted cocktail in hand. I started with a Ramos Gin Fizz which consists of gin, egg whites, cream, lime, and orange blossom water. It couldn’t have been more perfect! Talk about a birthday drink in a glass, it was smooth and heavenly.

Since my birthday unexpectedly started with celebrations the night before, I decided to continue some of that celebration into today. After all, why not? ;D

With plans for a nice dinner in the next few days, I thought I would enjoy today with a very nice cigar; one that I find quite ideal in balance and flavor. It is what I adore in a cigar, just perfect and rounded out the occasion. Also, the band matches my nails perfectly… a stylish extra.

It’s funny how when you don’t make plans for your birthday, somehow they can just magically happen on their own. It was a day, well a few days, of relaxation and pure enjoyment. I hope your birthdays are marvelous, stylish, and memorable ones, too! I know I am feeling very grateful and blessed.

For me, a great birthday comes from being with those you love while treating yourself to the luxuries you enjoy most in life, which for me means dressing up, enjoying a fine meal, a special drink, and a great cigar. What are the must-do luxuries for you?