MORE TAKES ON THE LITTLE WHITE DRESS

This time from Heavenly Couture (http://www.getheavenly.com/) I found these yesterday and I love them!!! And the best part? Everything at Heavenly Couture is $17.95 or less, so each of these sweet styles is just $17.95 :-)

1. Cotton Camisole Top Ruffled Dress

This is a really simple, boho-ish style that will look good for a while I think. Everyone pulls this cut of dress out for summer. Super simple, very stylish.

2. Snow White Jumper Dress

I LOVE this kind of material, I don't know what it is called though. It looks like it is ruched all the way through. This dress is very unique looking, but totally "now", and of course I am excited about the pockets.

3. White Summer Dress With Floral Detailing

Doesn't this dress look like it would be so fun to wear and swish around in? I love the gather at the waist, so flattering and lovely.

Now, I know you are asking, but Amanda, what would you wear WITH said little white dresses? I have thought about that too. The answer is..... ALMOST ANYTHING! One of the best things about the little white dress is you can go with any color scheme, and most styles. Go brown, go gold, go red, go blue, whatever you like. NICE....

EASY ALTERNATIVE TO SKINNY JEANS

Alright, maybe not quite an alternative, but a consideration for those days when you want the look of skinny jeans without having to deal with skinny jeans. Voila! Enter the jean legging. Perhaps these have been around for ages and I am just a slow bandwagon jumper, but I just discovered them a few months ago and ordered 2 pairs from Japan off of Ebay. This was one of those purchases that sounded great in my mind, but I wasn't actually sure how much I was going to wear them, being about a size 8 leggings are a specific ensemble choice for me. But, I can honestly say that I WEAR THEM ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME! They are so handy on the weekend or during a lazy morning to throw on with a billowy blouse or pullover sweater, and they look much cooler than any other easy "stretchpant" alternative I can think of. They really do look kinda like skinny jeans!

And now I'm happy to say that if you don't want to have to go through Ebay to find them, I did happen upon these

on GoJane.com for only $13.99! YAY! How cute would they be with this Ruffled Chiffon Blouse from Forever21.com ($19.80)

and these Rafia Chunky Heels from GoJane ($19.99)

or with this Ruffle Tie Behind Tank from GoJane ($23.99)

paired with these Metallic T-Strap Sandals from GoJane ($9.99)

I will tell you how cute these outfits would be. VERY cute. Ponder, and then go buy some denim leggings, then feel free to send me some GoJane shoes in appreciation. Or not. Ok, a girl can try, right?

NEW SUMMER DRESS FINDS AND BOGO SHOES!

There are SO MANY summer dress options out there right now, and I'm certainly not complaining... a girl can never have too many dresses. Here are a few cute new pieces I came across, and to celebrate BOGO time at Payless right now (buy any pair of shoes and get any other pair half off), some cute Payless shoe finds to go with them:

1. EMBROIDERED KNEE LENGTH DRESS (forever21.com, $22.80)

This dress has a really cute cut, and I love the pockets!! It would be kickin' with these

American Eagle Liddy Canvas Wedges ($22.99)

2. EMBROIDERED WOVEN DRESS (forever21, $22.80)

I LOVE the trend I am seeing with interesting embroidery and cut outs on alot of stuff right now, like this cute, vibrant dress. Wear it with

the Klara Mini Wedge to compliment the delicate feel without dressing it up too much (ONLY $9.99!)

3. HIGH SMOCK DRESS (forever21, $22.80)

I just love the color of this dress so much, and once again the cut outs are great. Try it with

the Reynolds Sandal ($15.99) for a casual yet feminine look. These sandals are slightly metallic hued, which I don't know if you can tell from the picture. Very nice.

4. FLORAL COTTON SUNDRESS (Hotcouture.com, $15)

On a casual afternoon out with

the Raffia Sandal Wedge ($19.99) This would be such a nice color combination with the dress...

5. TIE STRAP LAZER DRESS (wetseal.com, $26.50)

with a brown sandal like

the Kim Slide ($19.99)

Woo hoo to dresses and sandals, and woo hoo to BOGO!

THE LITTLE WHITE DRESS

You saw it in spades last summer, on folks around town, on celebs, in magazines (see the HOT red carpet version of the LWD on Minka Kelly below, WITH POCKETS! Luv pocket dresses)

Well, it seems to be back, and for good reason. A simple, playful little white summer frock is appropriate in a range of situations, and white looks especially good against the (real or fake, preferably fake) tan skin of summer. I don't have one right now, but after checking out these couple I am feeling the need to remedy this. Take a look at these:

Triple Eyelet dress $26.50 from Wet Seal (http://www.wetseal.com/)

This Pleated Trim Dress is on sale for only $15 from $24.50 from Wet Seal! It's like it's beckoning me with it's lost cost cuteness.... (buy me, buy me)
I THINK that this Crochet Trim Sash Dress, which is also on sale from Wet Seal for $15 from $24.50, would be really cute with some flat sandals in person. But I would have to see how it looked in person. I slightly fear crochet, but sometimes it works great. This Nana Embroidered Dress for $29.80 from Forever 21 (http://www.forever21.com/) adds a touch of color to the concept of the little white dress, and I LOOOOVE the cut of this one.

I'M SPEAKING OUT!!

As the weather begins to heat up and we all start realizing that swimsuit season is almost here, it is time for a post regarding the oh-so fun and sometimes scary subject of swimwear. And I am hereby speaking out once and for all against the dreaded TANKINI. At some point, someone successfully convinced the mass population that if you were too wary of your midsection to feel comfortable in a bikini, that the answer was therefore to buy a two piece nonetheless, just one that came down further to ALMOST meet your suit bottoms. In theory, this sounds nice. HOWEVER, the way every tankini I have ever seen or tried on is designed results in the top ending right at the one spot that someone shying away from a 2 piece wouldn't want to showcase in a now highlighted strip of flesh. BAH! It makes no sense to me, so you will see NO TANKINIS in this entry. I am however frequenting the gym and NOT the vending machine this season in the hopes that a 2 piece will be in store for me when the weather heats up fully, so you will get some of my favorite bikini and one piece finds. I also must admit that although I have not tried any of the MONOKINI style suits that have popped up recently, I like their cut and think it would actually be flattering on most body types who want to try something a little more daring than a one-piece. SOOOOO - without further ado, here are some of my summer swimsuit favorites that will NOT break the bank:

Heavenly Couture aquamarine bikini and fire engine red bikini, each $17.95 (http://www.getheavenly.com/)

DaisyMaze bandeau dot top and bottom $12.99 each piece (http://www.daisymaze.com/)

DaisyMaze colored circle top and bottom $11.99 each piece

DaisMaze pink halter top and bottom $11.99 each piece GoJane Holbrook Monokini $29.99 (www.gojane.com) GoJane brown Viona monokini $28.99 Target Xhilaration Stripe monokini $29.99 (http://www.target.com/)

Target Merona coral 1 piece $34.99

Target Merona halter 1 piece $34.99 Target Merona dot halter 1 piece $34.99

YAY! Lots of options, says I! Just no tankinis... (I feel strongly about this)

Enjoy the sun!

Gray is the new...

IT color?? Black?? Neutral? I don't know, but I DO know that alot of fashionistas have been sporting it lately.

I love gray. It happens to be a flattering color on me, but I tend to think that within the whole gray spectrum is a flattering color on almost everyone. Plus it is chic and timeless. Here are some gray pieces that I found enticing...

1. Gathered Jersey Dress ($19.80) Forever21

2. Pleated V Neck Dress ($22.80) Forever21 3. Grey Buttondown Sweater Jacket ($17.95) from Heavenly Couture (www.getheavenly.com)

4. Long Fuzzy Sweater Cardigan ($17.95) Heavenly Couture

5. Merona Satchel ($22.99) from Target

See? Gray can be chic and fun, not dowdy or dull. I'm tellin' ya.

Mellow Yellow...

I can't BELIEVE how much yellow is in this season! But I love yellow, so I'm happy. If the sun isn't shining where you are yet (or even if it is) sport some of these cute looks and increase the sunny factor...

1. This Button Up Ruffle Dress from GoJane.com (cotton/spandex $25.99) comes in several cute colors like Coral, Teal and White, but I think this yellow one would be great with a simple pair of sandals.

2. Or for a different take on the "little yellow dress", how about this one from Forever 21 (rayon, $24.80)? Oh this is such a happenin' dress...

3.

This Canvas Ankle Strap Wedge from GoJane ($20.99) comes in several shades as well4. Or this round toe flat for $10.99 from GoJane

5. And does anyone else think these Flower Canvas Low Boots from GoJane ($11.99) are really cool? I do

MORE SPRING FASHION FINDS PART II

Time for more stuff from Heavenly Couture (http://www.getheavenly.com/) and a continuation on my blog from yesterday!

1. Good for this transition weather from winter to spring, this Brown and Blue Military Influenced Dress ($17.95) is really cute and low key, with a solid brown body and dark blue piping by the shoulders

I actually think this dress would look sweet with the shot of color that these pink Mary Jane Heels from GoJane ($19.99) provide. Yeah. I love these shoes, and if you aren't digging the bold pink, they also come in brown and black.

2. For a super casual but feminine look, I dig this Peppermint Top ($17.95). I have to admit, a friend of mine actually has this top, and EVERY time she wears it I think to myself how totally cute and flattering it is. It really drapes well (although my friend would look great in a burlap sack, I think it would drape well on most frames). So when I saw it here, I had to take note

And although I have a sincere love of dark denim and always will, everyone is talking about how lighter jeans are coming back in again. So what if you wore this with these Boot cut Faded Grey Jeans ($17.95)
and some sweet white Leatherette Round Toe Buckle Heels from GoJane (only $15.99). Mary Janes are BACK people!

3. All 3 of these dresses are super breezy and transitional. First the Sailor Sleeveless Top ($17.95) is so cute with its little blue buttons, polka dot neck, waistline and hem, and little anchor pattern
The Red Circle Dress ($17.95) has a great print and goes with the whole vintage day dress/shirt dress look
And the Butterfly Silk Dress, which is almost a maxi dress actually, is just so cute and I'm sure would feel great on, plus I love the neckline on this one so much ($17.95)
I think all of these would work with a simple white summer wedge like the Pleated Knot Cork Wedge from GoJane (surprise, surprise) ($13.99)

These are not too high, not too fancy, but really feminine and cute.

So what do you think of these heavenly couture styles?