Fashion – Page 2 – Perfectly Eventful

Like it. Love it. Buying it: Polka Dotted.

Stripes and polka dots are having their moment this spring. Graphic prints are dominating the racks at some of my favorite stores, which has prompted me to search for a black and white polka dot blouse to pair with bold pants and skirts. I harbor equal affection for stripes and polka dots, but the cold hard truth is that on my body, polka dots are much more flattering than horizontal stripes. This isn’t true for all body types, but we can all enjoy a good polka dot shirt, right?

Like it.

Equipment shirts are extremely popular with their slouchy fit and high quality fabrics which makes this Adele shirt a seriously stylish option. I even adore its name! However, as much as I love this polka dot beauty, I’m not sure my wallet could withstand the price.

Equipment Adele Cherie Dot Blouse | $238

Love it.

Ann Taylor Loft has a more professional version with a smaller dot print and a classic button front. Typically, ATL’s tops are too boxy and unflattering for my taste. However, Miss Ann Taylor must be taking notes because their new line of “long and lean” button downs are cut perfectly feminine, flattering and tailored – and it is on sale now for half price!

Ann Taylor Loft Dobby Dot Long and Lean Button Down Shirt | $23.99 (Originally $44.50)

Buying it.

Never one to shy away from making a statement, I’m really searching for a bolder polka dot print, which lucky for me, I found at J. Crew. The Blythe blouse comes in an array of colors and this fabulous black and white polka dot print.

J. Crew Blythe Blouse in polka dot | $128

Bag Your Workout

Find the right bag for your workout…that is. A self-professed lululemon lover, I’ve noticed the yoga-wear extraordinaire has been producing some seriously superb workout bags. One of the many reasons I love lululemon is that they seem to think of everything. Running pants with a pocket for your mid-run snack are a must for marathon runners. Shirts with thumb holes, zippers with pulls that double as hair ties and tanks that can go from workout to errands to dinner. And now, gym bags that are cute enough to show all around town.

All of these bags have pockets galore, wet pouches for your post-workout sweaty clothes, compartments for water bottles and yoga mats and just look darn good! I think sporty-chic has come to life before our very eyes!

The color blocking and fun shape of the Vinayasa to Vino bag make it my favorite, but any of these bags would make my gym trips just a little more exciting.

A Little Love

One trend I saw strutting down the runway was statement script necklaces. Lanvin accessorized a series of looks at Paris Fashion Week with oversized gold cursive necklaces. Models sported words such as “cool,” “help,” and my personal favorite, “love.”

Lanvin 2013 Fall Runway at Paris Fashion Week

Script necklaces are a huge trend for 2013. I’ve seen lots of women sporting their name on their neck, but why not branch out and make a more original statement? Lanvin’s necklaces will cost a small fortune, but lucky for us that South Moon Under has the perfect, more affordable option. I purchased this gold necklace a few weeks ago.

And they have a silver version available online, pictured below. Both are available for $38.50!

Spring Savings

On a chilly day, what could be better than perusing spring styles? Perusing spring styles that are 30 percent off! Right now, all new arrivals at J. Crew Factory are 30 percent off and trust me, you will be grateful once you start filling up your shopping bag! Scrolling through the bright colors, short skirts and nautical influences, I couldn’t help but wish I was on a beach with a tropical drink in hand soaking up the sunshine. But for now, I’ll just continue to daydream – and prepare my real-life wardrobe just in case I magically end up on a beach sometime soon.

FactoryCharleySweaterinScatterAnchor — Factory Charley Sweater in Scatter Anchor | $52

FactoryScallopedLaceTee — Factory Scalloped Lace Tee | $52.50

FactoryPrintedPocketSkirt — Factory Printed Pocket Skirt

FactoryStripeKnitBlazer — Factory Stripe Knit Blazer | $68.50

FactoryPrintedStretchChinoShort — Factory Printed Chino Short | $34.50

FactoryLaceShiftDress — Factory Lace Shift Dress | $82.50

FactoryStoneandDottedCrystalLinkBracelet — Factory Stone and Dotted Crystal Link Bracelet | $21

A Lovely Little Treat

I’ve been on a blogging hiatus due to the last week of my life being incredibly busy. After what I’d essentially call two moves, I’m finally emerging from underneath the layers of cardboard moving boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper to be greeted by a seemingly never-ending to do list. But hey, that’s life, right?

So, while I don’t have as much time as I’d like to devote to a post today, I couldn’t help but share an item worth ohhh-ing and ahh-ing over. I’d seen these shoes before at Kate Spade and admired them for quite awhile, but as I was walking in Georgetown over the weekend, I stopped in my tracks to admire them in the window.

The mint color, the darling bows, the perfect heel height. Kate Spade does it again – I just wish they could do it a little cheaper! Perhaps good old Kate has heard our cries! You can scoop up a pair of bow shoe clips for $98 to make any pair of heels you have as darling as the Karolina pump above. While they are pricey, the longevity of a she clip makes it a bit easier to justify.

I think I’ll just hope I magically find an additional $328 in my bank account this week…a girl can dream, right?

Valentines Day Edition: Like It. Love it. Buying It.

Valentines Day is one of those holidays that goes either way. You love it or you hate it. Some years you love it and some years you hate it. I tend to fall in the love it category. Not just because its an excuse for seasonal candy, but because its a great reason to buy a new dress – date or not! Show yourself a little love with a pretty new addition to your closet. We’ve got two days left ladies!

Like it.

This dress is reminiscent of the 1940s. Ladylike and demure, it is the perfect date night option for Valentines Day or any day for that matter. It will transition wonderfully into spring and summer, too.

Love it.

This flirty little number can be dressed up or down, making it perfect for a surprise Valentines Day date. I love the pink lace detailing and the scoop back, which shows just enough skin. At just under $100, I think I need this dress in my closet. I can wear it now with some tights and a blazer and in the summer with a pair of sandals.

Free People Georgia Dress at South Moon Under | $98

Buying It.

I saw this dress in the store and stopped in my shopping tracks. It almost caused me to break my no shopping resolution for the month of January. Great things come to those who wait as it is now $100 off! The only thing keeping me from already owning it is that its not available in my size on the website. Off to the store I go…

Amanda Uprichard Lace Dress from Cusp | $159 (on sale)

Darling Discovery

Every once in awhile, I stumble upon a new retail site or designer that gets me so excited that I have a moment. I drop whatever it is that I’m doing, immediately fill up my virtual shopping cart and then seriously contemplate maxing out my credit card to turn said virtual shopping cart into shopping bags. I had one of those moments yesterday (props to Kelly).

Enter ChichiMe, an online site with an insane offering of bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces and other accessories. While the New York City based line has some gorgeous statement pieces, my favorite of the items is the bracelet stacks. With arm parties‘ popularity rising, a set of bracelets that are meant to go together without looking like you actually bought them together is at the top of my list. ChichiMe’s bracelet stacks mix a little leather, a bit of bling and a whole lotta awesome.

chicchimeFALL_STACK_compact — Fall Stack | $53.75

chichimepastelinfinity — Pastel Infinity Stack | $60

shades_of_grady_GDGRY_compact — Shades of Gray | $56.75

This is just a small selection of the bracelet stacks. You can choose from more than 20 different options and they are all great. Some of the bracelets are available for individual sale, too. So get stackin’!

Mane Attraction

A few months ago, I shared one of my favorite haircare discovery with you: the miracle hair tie from Emi-Jay. These babies don’t dent your hair and coming in a variety of colors and prints, they actually manage to look cute on your wrist. Many a picture has been ruined by ugly hair ties on my wrist…cue proposal/engagement photos.

A bright red hair tie wasn't quite the accessory I had in mind... — A bright red hair tie wasn’t quite the accessory I had in mind…

I scooped up a dozen Emi-Jay hair ties as fast as I could after seeing these photos.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so I guess the two young teenage entrepreneurs who make up Emi-Jay should be very flattered that there are now a half dozen companies hocking a similar product. I’ve come across a few different brands and am aiming to try them all out to see which ones are the best.

Kitsch Hair Ties at South Moon Under | $14.95 for five — Kitsch Hair Ties at South Moon Under
| $14.95 for five

mane message — Mane Message Hair Ties from Etsy | $10.95 for six

Multitude hair ties — Multitude Hair Ties from Anthropologie | $12 for five

So far, I’ve found that Emi-Jay tend to stretch the most, which is great for anyone with thick hair like myself. However, they do stretch out faster than the Mane Message hair ties I’ve tried. Since the Kitsch hair ties are available at South Moon Under, I’ll try those next despite the fact they are the most expensive. I also love the gold polka dot prints from the Multitude brand. Have you tried any of these brands? Do you have a favorite? Let me know!

Madewell Edition: Like it. Love it. Buying it.

Ok, so I’ve come to the realization that this whole no shopping for the entire month of January thing was not one of my smartest ideas. Everything is on sale in January! If I ever do this again, I think I’ll choose February.

Nevertheless, I was wandering around Georgetown with the hubby on Saturday and couldn’t resist poking my way around Madewell, which had a huge selection of sale items – all at 40 percent off, too! I found more than a few things that I wanted to snatch up.

Like it.

A pair of bright, chunky heels are a must-have for spring! Teal is arguably my favorite color, so these pumps are right up my alley. They come in a bright fuchsia, too. Gotta love footwear that makes a statement!

The Frankie Pump | $158.99 (additional 40% in stores)

Love it.

There are so many things to love about this dress! The black and white combo, the pattern, the cut, the skirt. It is an ideal staple. Wear it in cold weather with tights, boots and a cardigan or in warm weather with a cute pair sandals and a colorful belt. Dress it up or dress it down and it will look chic.

Madewell Duet Dress in Jagged | $89.99 (sold out online, available in stores)

Buying it.

Ahhh New York, New York! Some recent life developments have me eying this scarf. I love creative accessories. I own a slew of patterned scarves, but nothing as original as this graphic scarf. Plus, if you get lost in the big city, wouldn’t it be great to wear a fashionable scarf instead of carrying around a map?

cityblockstorytellerscarf — City Block Storyteller Scarf | $59.50

Tropical Vacay Anyone?

It is officially frigid outside. DC temperatures have dipped into the single digits. I don’t seem to own a warm enough coat, even my coziest knit scarf is failing me and I’m thisclose to buying long underwear. This Florida girl is NOT happy.

But, instead of lamenting over the winter chill, I’m daydreaming of spring temperatures, tropical drinks and some sunshine. Lucky for me, I have plenty of colorful spring accessories to fuel this little daydream and brighten my day.

1. Kate Spade Tote $248 | 2. Quay Retro Sunglasses from Nordstrom $38 | 3. J. Crew Leather Passport Case $45 | 4. J. Crew Printed Case for iPhone 5 $25 |
5. Kate Spade Jennie Flats $98