Tag Archives: dress

December 1, 2014 · 9:11 pm

Lucite Heels and a Wrap Dress

When I say lucite heels, you might picture plastic soles from the ’70s, like these:

Or maybe your mind went to a clear heel of the exotic dancer variety, like these:

But I bet you didn’t think of a wearable shoe like the ones I recently bought:

I wore my faux-leather, clear-heeled sandals with a purple Hawaiian floral patterned wrap dress I bought in NYC this past summer.

Dress: BEBENOIR
Tank top: Swapped
Pleather shoes: Qupid
Vegan leather purse: Shiraleah

I think the look is elegant and appropriate for the fashion show I attended with Mr. Jean of all trades at Neiman Marcus. (Click to enlarge.) The show was fun, but it was full of wool, leather and even fur. Boo for that. One ray of hope is that Stella McCartney’s fabric purses adorned many of the models. The world is slowly changing.

Here are a few other transparent-heeled shoes I have my eye on (these are all by Cri de Coeur, one of my favorite ethical shoe brands):

Have you considered clear heels? If so, I know a shop where you can get a matching, vintage purse!

Oh, I’m joining Style Elixir for a link-up. See what everyone else is wearing!

4 Comments

Filed under Events, Fashion

Tagged as clear heels, dress, fashion, high heels, shoes, style, wrap dress

November 9, 2014 · 10:52 pm

Houndstooth Dress Two Ways

I love houndstooth. It’s such a classic pattern I doubt it will ever go out of style.

I thought I’d style my new dress a couple of different ways so see if I could make my dress look fresh. First, I wore bright blue shoes and a black cardigan.

Dress: H&M
Cardigan: Target
Faux Suede Shoes: Payless
Vegan Purse: Crystalyn Kae

Then, I tried the opposite: A blue cardi and black shoes, er, boots.

Cardigan: Target
Pleather and Neoprene Boots: DSW

The boots help take my dress into fall. Next up: Tights and a jacket. I think I could even wear a turtleneck under this dress and mix up the look even more.

I’m joining Visible Monday for a link-up today. See what all the others are wearing!

14 Comments

Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Fashion, Hot and Cold, Thrifty

Tagged as boots, cardigan, dress, houndstooth

September 21, 2014 · 9:15 pm

Mini Dress with Sleeves

I’m wearing a mini dress with three-quarter sleeves today. I’m enjoying the sun and warmth while I still can!

Dress: Purdy Girl
Belt: Steve Madden
Shoes: Cri de Coeur

I found this number at a shop in New York’s Upper West Side when I visited in August. It was half off an I couldn’t resist. The waves in blue, purple and gold drew my eye. It’s got a light background, but strong colors.

I added a turquoise belt and gold platforms. I bet I can wear this with leggings and boots when the weather gets cool.

Today, though, cooler weather was not on my mind! I had a nice pedicure last week for a wedding I was in and I intend to show off my toes until it starts to rain.

I hope you have great days ahead too!

8 Comments

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as Cri de Coeur, dress, fashion, style

September 16, 2014 · 10:52 pm

The Perfect Dress

This really is The Perfect Dress–well, that’s what it’s called on Betabrand, where I bought it.

Dress: Betabrand
Shoes: Payless
Belt: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: Old Navy
Earrings: Shirazi

I have a few things from Betabrand, but this is the first piece I’ve posted about so far. Betabrand is a company in San Francisco that designs and manufactures clothing based on what their fans choose. Through crowdfunding, new designs enter the market. Betabrand has really neat ideas like work-appropriate bikewear, reversible blazers, and this perfect dress.

It even has pockets! And I’ll be able to carry it into fall. But what drew me to the dress was the pattern. The turquoise, blues, and reds reminded me of Santa Fe. It also comes in other really cute patterns. When the dress arrived in the mail, shortly after funding was complete and the dresses were made, I thought it might be too long. I debated chopping a couple of inches off. Then I remembered that I already have a lot of short, summer dresses and this length might just be, well, perfect.

10 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as Betabrand, dress, fashion, made in America, made in the USA, style, thrifty fashion

September 10, 2014 · 9:30 pm

Chevrons and Gold

I’m drawn to Missoni-style pattern (despite not having any Missoni myself–well, not counting the Missoni for Target dress I got at a clothing swap). This dress, however, reminds me of a Missoni: colors, chevrons and all.

Dress: Bebenoir
Belt: Steve Madden
Clutch: Shiraleah
Shoes: Cri de Coeur
Necklace: Herbivore Clothing
Cuff: Citizen Rosebud on Etsy

Now, what you don’t see is the texture of the dress. It’s a printed woven material, not a knit. So there are differences. I like it all the same. Plus, it reminds me of my fabulous trip to NYC last year, because that’s where I bought it.

I wore the gold cuff I bought from Citizen Rosebud’s Etsy shop. One-of-a-kind, I’m afraid. But Rosebud always has great things in her shop, so check it out and see what you can find!

My Cri de Coeur gold platforms worked well with the dress, and I threw in a bit of brass with my vegan sailor-style pendant from Herbivore Clothing. Who says vegans aren’t stylish?

I’m joining Style Elixir, Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for linkups. See what everyone else is wearing!

8 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion

Tagged as dress, fashion, style, thrifty fashion, vegan, vintage

September 6, 2014 · 9:10 pm

Blue and White Hi-low Dress

I found this dress at a clothing exchange recently. I love grabbing items I might not otherwise try. It’s a no-risk investment. Turns out, I like the cut of this dress–but if I ever change my mind, I’ll bring it back to another exchange.

Dress: Swapped
Belt: Florida shop
Sunglasses: Flea market in Florida
Shoes: Payless
Rubber bracelets: eBay

I added a belt I already had so this dress would have a bit of definition at the waist. And so things weren’t too predictable, my red wedges made an appearance. Red, white, and blue. I should have worn this on the 4th of July!

When I wear my white sunglasses, I’m reminded of Kurt Cobain–I recall pictures of him wearing a similar pair. When the world lost Cobain, I was still living in Toronto. Who knew just a few years later, I’d be in Seattle? A little too late to enjoy the grunge scene, but it’s a great city nonetheless.

Oh, I’m a day late and a dollar short, but I’m linking up with The Life of the Party, Lena B Actually, The Penniless Socialite, and Simple Sequins. See what all the others are wearing!

4 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as dress, fashion, style, thrifty fashion

September 3, 2014 · 9:34 pm

Turquoise Summer Dress

I bought this dress so I could enjoy simple, one-piece dressing. In summer, it’s great to just throw on one item, stay cool, and not worry about what to wear it with.

Dress: Target
Jacket: Betsey Johnson
Belt: Marshall’s
Boots: Cri de Coeur
Necklace: DIY

I’ll also be able to wear this with leggings or over skinny jeans in the cooler weather–but I’m not jumping on the fall bandwagon yet. The weather is still in the 80s and it’s still technically summer.

Today I brought along a denim jacket so I wouldn’t freeze in the office. Yes, this is a short dress and it’s borderline work-inappropriate. But I don’t mind showing bare legs. And the neckline is high. Nothing to see here, folks! Gotta love a casual work environment…

The booties ground the outfit and bring it into September. But if you’ve seen my New York posts, you’ll know I love short boots all summer long.

I wore my doll-shoe necklace again today. I thought I’d pair it only with black outfits, but I think it will go nicely with solids in any of the shoe colors.

I’ve joined The Pleated Poppy and Transatlantic Blonde for linkups. Check out what everyone else is wearing!

1 Comment

Filed under DIY, Fashion

Tagged as boots, dress, fashion, jewelry, style

August 24, 2014 · 8:00 pm

Exploring Brooklyn

As part of my “pack light; wear dresses” motto, I threw on this cool dress for my excursion to Brooklyn.

Dress: Forever 21
Boots: Diba (from DSW)
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Sunglasses: DKNY via swapped

The boots will look familiar. I wore them a lot on the trip (I swear I sometimes wore sandals and ballet flats too) because they were wearable, walkable, and added a funky edge to otherwise sweet dresses.

On this occasion, my parents and I visited a Brooklyn flea market (for my mom’s account, click here). We found one indoors as well. We checked out a couple of art galleries too, visited Vaute Couture (my favorite vegan coat store), and ended up at Champs, a vegan diner.

I’ve saved the best part for last: A week later, I wore this dress to New York’s Lower East side for vegan pizza (remember: four dresses–only my parents and you will ever know). Guess who I met at the table next to us? None other than Sarah Simmons. Sarah was on The Voice and is a powerhouse singer. She’s as sweet as she is talented. Truly humble and genuine. She should have a new album coming out soon, so be on the lookout for it.

If you missed her on The Voice, check out a couple of snippets of her amazing talent. Her audition blew all the judges away. She does a powerful version of The Story too.

Oh, some of you have been commenting (complimenting me on) my new tattoo–the most visible one yet! Thank you. I wrote about it on my other blog, so if you’re interested, have a read.

I’m joining Not Dead Yet for a linkup. Have a look at what all the others are wearing!

6 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Travel

Tagged as boots, Brooklyn, dress, fashion, NYC, Sarah Simmons, style

August 20, 2014 · 10:12 pm

The Return of the Pink Skater Dress

Last year, on my trip to NYC, I saw a cute skater dress. However, it was in Old Navy–and I didn’t fly across the country to shop in a national chain! When I got back from my trip, I found the dress at my local store (no sense filling my suitcase with things I can buy at home).

This year, I packed my skater dress for my trip to NYC. It made its east coast debut in Chelsea.

Dress: Old Navy
Pleather boots: Diba (from DSW)
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Cuff: Brooklyn Flea

I packed light this year. Four dresses, four pair of shoes, a skirt, a pair of pants, two tank tops and a cardigan. Not bad for two weeks away! However, no matter how light I pack, I can always go lighter–especially when travelling to a shopping mecca like NY! I bought 10 dresses on my trip (many at thrift shops) so I could have arrived with an empty suitcase. By the time my trip wrapped up, I had a wardrobe that would last all season!

I wore this dress to my appointment at Ted Gibson Salon. I thought having my hair cut in The Big Apple would be a treat. Ted Gibson (from What Not to Wear) was out of my price range, but his stylist Sherilyn did a great job.

My parents joined me on the trip again this year. My mom has been much better about blogging about the trip, so check out her latest post (my skater dress makes an appearance–and she has one in houndstooth).

Oh, and the cuff? Genuine made-in-Brooklyn artistry at work. It’s made from a fork!

Stay tuned for more posts from New York–my favorite home away from home.

I’m linking up with Fashion Informant today. Check out what al the others are wearing!

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty, Travel

Tagged as boots, dress, fashion, jewelry, New York City, style, thrifty fashion

August 10, 2014 · 9:08 pm

Floral Dress for a New York Day

I’m in New York again! I’m having such a fantastic time and I’m so busy that I’m almost forgetting to blog! I’m here with my parents and so far we’ve gone to dance performances, flea markets, jazz concerts, museums, and vegan restaurants–I even got my hair cut here. We still have Shakespeare and comedy on the agenda.

Today we went to a fantastic event in Soho called The Seed. It’s a plant-based experience complete with vegan food, cooking demos, beauty products, clothing, animal rescue organizations, and fabulous speakers. I got to see Lois Eastlund again too–she’s the designer I met last year. You might remember her name from the mint dress I posted. In fact, Lois told me about the event. I’m so glad she did! I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this!

Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Reneu
Purse: Crystalyn Kae

I was in heaven before I even entered the building. The Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck was selling scrumptious sandwiches outside.

Once inside, I posed on the red carpet before checking out the booths.

I found one of my favorite handbag companies–Gunas–and they were having a sale!

I got to meet Jenny Brown of Woodstock Animal Sanctuary, and Tha Vegan Dread, a professional bodybuilder (who’s as nice as he is strong).

After looking at all sorts of products and learning about great animal organizations, we headed over to Mooshoes, a vegan shoe store that happened to be having a shop-up event with baked goods and other vegan product from local vendors.