Dressing for Date Night

I finally got around to seeing Date Night, the romantic comedy meets action adventure, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell. Through out the fast paced, constantly changing plot, I found myself drawn to Fey's dress. In a word, she looked absolutely stunning, despite running all over Manhattan in heels (how do women do that?).

I've been on a bit of a v-neck trip lately; they're so flattering! Once I got home, I went to work trying to track down the dress from the film. Turns out, it was custom made for the film. A quick online search turned up a fairly similar version from Target, which is likely more budget friendly than anything in Hollywood.

As I continue the search for my own version of the LND (little navy dress), I have a new appreciation for costume designer Marlene Stewart. She did a great job with the film proving fashion really does make everything better!

Mad Hatter

Walking to dinner tonight, I saw a man rocking a fedora in a non-quirky way. It made me realize how infrequently college students wear hats. Baseball caps and beanies aside, who wears hats anyway?
My friend's answer, "At sporting games and horse races."

My great aunt prides herself on well put together outfits. Every trip outside necessitates a hat, heels, and gloves (and sometimes pearls, earrings, a brooch... you get the point). While I don't see such complicated get ups ever reemerging among the collegiate crowd, sometimes I find myself longing for the fashions of former years.

In the meantime, I'll settle for basic summer toppers like this cute braided ribbon sun hat. I think yellow's a perfect color for summer; cheery and light-hearted!

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Not to begin two posts in a row reminiscing about my childhood, but I'll always hold a soft spot in my heart for A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh. I always felt sympathy for poor Eeyore, whose gloomy demeanor was matched by the gray cloud that hung continuously over him.

Yesterday was one of those gloomy days for me. I haven't completely shed the cloud hanging over me, but I'm making progress.

In the meantime, I found this cute cloud necklace on Etsy. Its simple loopy design in sterling silver serves as a good reminder that every cloud "has a silver lining", as the saying goes.

The after effects of storms bring immeasurable beauty. From rainbows to spring flowers, I'm looking forward to a sunny tomorrow!

The Uniform Project

Most weekends, I struggle to get out of bed before 9. When I was younger, however, it wasn't uncommon for my parents to wake to find me sitting in the living room in my pajamas, waiting for my favorite cartoon, Dexter's Lab, to come on. When not longing for my own vast laboratory easily accessible from my bedroom, my early fashion obsessed side was frankly disappointed in Dexter's mono-look closet. Sure, a precocious child scientist doesn't really need to dress to impress. But does he really need to wear the same outfit every single day.

You can imagine my fascination, and admittedly initial horror, when I heard about Sheena Matheiken's challenge:

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies.

Not only is she making a sartorial statement through the constant reinvention of a single look, but there's a charitable cause associated with her project:

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

So far the project has raised $79,591, enough to provide schooling for 221 kids. Friday April 30, 2010 marked day number 365. Sheena's continuing the endeavor, and year 2 was promptly kicked off on May 1st. You can read more about the project and see a complete look book of the first year at http://www.theuniformproject.com/.

Sheena's efforts bring a whole new perspective to that age old female complaint: "I have nothing to wear"!

Favorite Jewelry

I've been making an effort to wear more jewelry lately, if only because of the realization that half of the pieces in my jewelry box have been worn only once. Still, I've found that I'm drawn to the same combinations all the time. Case in point, on Friday, I wore a sleeveless blue and white sundress. The first time I wore this dress, I paired it with a long chain necklace that was a gift from a friend. On Friday, as I was getting dressed, I immediately reached for the same necklace, without even thinking about it.

Speaking of jewelry, I always follow the "two not three" rule. Basically I'll wear any combination of two of the following: earrings, bracelet, watch, necklace, ring. My most common day to day look is earrings and a watch, but I'll mix it up from time to time. The watch is kind of a necessity (I'm way too obsessed with time), but I'll take it off from time to time in favor of a necklace. I hardly ever wear rings. They make writing and typing too difficult, and I have difficulty finding rings that are comfortable and fit well.

Resolution of the week: Wear no piece of jewelry twice. This includes my trusty watch (well, actually not so trusty, its batteries died recently and I've yet to replace them... yay back up watch!) and my go-to pair of earring studs. Wish me luck!

P.S. The picture above is of a charm bracelet part of a limited edition Alice in Wonderland line designed by Tom Binns for Disney Couture. I think it's absolutely adorable!

Addicted to Cupcakes

Since Carrie Bradshaw & Co. introduced the world to Magnolia cupcakes, the craze for bite-sized bakery goods has taken the country by sugar-induced storm.

It baffles me how in the midst of recessionary woes and frugality that the cupcake industry, where one treat will set you back between two and three dollars, has managed not only to survive but flourish.

Perhaps it's the same mentality that justifies a morning latte or a candy bar from time to time. Sometimes we all have a desire to indulge, if only on the rarest of occasions.

Will the cupcake craze last? I certainly hope so (though any baked good is fine by me!). If not, I can only imagine the next food craze.

P.S. The picture to the right is of cupcakes my family had at Easter. Delicious!

Betsey Johnson Earrings

Betsey Johnson's a fairly well known American designer. She's known for a certain over the top, capricious spirit that blends modern femininity with elements of costume. Johnson's signature is a cartwheel at the end of every show, which perfectly embodies her playful character.

Johnson's dresses and other clothing designs are a favorite of women everywhere, but I've recently become enamored with her collection of earrings, specifically this enamel flower pair. They'd look charmingly sweet with a sundress on hot summer days but equally appropriate with a cardigan and pencil skirt for less laid-back affairs.She also has a pair of frog and ladybug studs that are perfect for the spring and summer months.

At $25 a pop, they're a budget friendly, playful addition to your jewelry box.