I’m leaving for the airport in 2 hours!! Wahoo! Then a short 10 hours later… I’ll be in Maui. Above are a few of the things that I will have in my one and only carry on. (I hate when they make you pay to check bags!)

Limericki Swimsuit, Forever 21 Top, It Jeans, DownEast Cropped Pants (I have the shorts version in my bag…) DownEast Swimsuit.

I won’t be posting while I’m in Hawaii, but I am confident that the lovely Livi will give you many good posts to look at. Have a great week!

Dress, Dress (I NEED THIS!!!), Blouse, Plaid Top, Shoes

Purple makes the world go round… see you tomorrow!

So, last week when I was home, I went into Nordstrom and saw these Zigi Girl ‘Must Have 10′ Sandals. Usually my style consists of nothing that would draw attention to me, but I tried them on and LOVED them!!! What do you think? Would you ever wear something like this?

How was your fourth?

So… for our 3 year anniversary we just went out to eat at a place downtown called Root Down. And let me tell you… it was delicious! Then when we got home I made Zach watch Dear John with me and there were two rules: no complaining, and act like you like it! And surprisingly he followed them! ahha I of course forgot my camera so this is a picture we took after dinner. Like Zach’s outfit? Maybe I can get him to put a post up about where to find his clothes… oh wait. I know, it would go like this: Goodwill, Crocs. That’s what my husband wears, and I love it. Anyways, if you care, here are the links to my outfit.

Top, Pants, Headband, Shoes.

p.s. this is the haircut I gave myself. And after I cut my hair, Zach decided to shave his own head (first buzz cut of our marriage). We are cool like that.

Alright, so today I thought I would share some of my favorite finds for shorts and capris!

Dark wash shorts, Dark wash cropped pants, Striped cropped pants, second row: Medium wash shorts, Dark wash shorts (the only knee length shorts on Forever 21’s website… thank goodness they are cute!), Gray cropped pants.

I love coral, although I usually refer to it as “salmon pink” because my husband has a rad thrift store shirt that is very clearly pink but he calls it salmon. Anyway, this is a great spring color. I love it paired with gray, tiffany blue, or with red in a monochromatic look.  I’m a little obsessed with that wrap cardigan at the bottom, and I’m A LOT obsessed with Emersonmade’s crazy awesome flowers.  Maybe the perfect Mother’s Day gift?  What’s your favorite?

swimsuit, maternity dress, wrap dress, scoop-neck dress, thong sandals, wedge sandals, cardigan wrap, sunglasses, scarf, espadrilles, swimsuit, wrap cardigan, boyfriend cardigan, necklace, printed heels, blazer, ruffled jacket, flats, flower pin

Okay, so here’s the deal. Sometimes I put together outfits and look at them and know that they are cute. While other times I put together an outfit and am a little frightened as to what people might think. So… what do you think of this outfit? Is it too busy? Anyways, I think it can be fun to go a little color crazy. And that’s what I’ve done here. Whether it’s too much for a wedding or not, I’ll leave that up to you to decide. I found this cute Etsy shop for plus size women and wanted to use one of their dresses… I think they have a great selection. I also love blue paired with yellow, which is why I chose some yellow pumps. It makes me happy. And then for some added color I chose a purple belt, and a colorful floral necklace. Enjoy!

-Natalie

Hi everyone!  I chose a cute yellow dress for a spring wedding.  Yellow is fun, and this dress seems cheerful and playful enough for a wedding, but still conservative and respectful for such an important event.  Since these style boards are always like my dream outfit wishlists, I put on her a watch that I’ve had my eye on for a long time (in black and gold, although my favorite is the tortoise shell one).  Add a simple (and cheap) necklace and some super fun shoes and you’re all set.

-Emily

p.s. I found this dress in Nordstrom’s Dress Shop.  Seriously, if you have an event coming up that you need a dress for specifically, don’t waste your time looking in other places.  Look here first.  There are so many cute options, and you can find a lot of sale items, too.

From left to right: Dress, Top, Sweater, Top thanks Brooke! Swimsuit

There is a good chance that if you see me at a BBQ this summer that I will be wearing something similar! I’m all about simplicity, especially in the heat!
-Natalie

Top at American Apparel for $18.00
Shorts at Charlotte Russe for $27.00
Shoes at Nordstrom for $49.95
Sunglasses at Ray-Ban for $119.00

To me, summer clothes means lots of easy cotton and linen. I’m not so much a shorts kind of girl, so I love wide leg, breezy trousers. And I love wearing white.
Here’s my BBQ outfit, but just be careful with the BBQ sauce on those white pants!
-Emily

Shirt at Old Navy for $22.99
Pants at Old Navy for $25.00
Belt at Gap for $34.50
Shoes at Endless for $79.95
Necklace at Macy’s for $85.00

Dear, dear moms out there. Moms of teenage daughters going to prom. Wow.
I had the idea that I would find some cute, modest prom dresses and post about them. I figured, like how hard is that? I’d just sit down and boom! – in a few minutes I’d have a great prom post put together. Boy, was I wrong! It’s like thinking that I could just sit down and boom! – discover a cure for the common cold. How did I think that in a few short minutes I could solve a dilemma faced by mothers and daughters for generations?

So, I’m sorry to tell you that I did not find the magic answer. But, I came up with a few things that may work for you, or at least give you more options.

I hope I don’t make any enemies with this, but I have a strong dislike for the kind of dresses that you may find when you google “modest prom dresses”. Do you know what I’m talking about? They are huge, candy-colored, Disney Princess-ish, rhinestoned monstrosities. Yards and yards of crunchy taffeta or cheap satin (which, by the way, is a difficult fabric for even the tightest of bodies to pull off).  Who wants to wear a huge thing like that to a dance?  Seems awfully hard to dance in, right?

Now, if that’s the kind of dress that your daughter dreams about, then go for it. If she loves it and you love it, then who cares what I think!

But, if she’s a modern kind of girl and she’s stuck between wanting to be modest and looking/feeling like she fits in at a prom full of skimpy dresses, I have some ideas. My senior year (which was 10 years ago, so take my advice with a grain or two of salt) I didn’t want to mess with some big dress that I would never wear again and decided to wear a cute top and a cute skirt with some fun heels.  I had a great time that year dancing with my friends, and you know what?,  I still have the top and skirt (and the heels, actually!) in my closet to this day. I still love them. I can’t say that about the satiny dress I wore my junior year. It had a very short shelf-life, and the whole night I was messing with my dumb opera length gloves and my satin wrap-thingy.  I was trying so hard to be fancy and it really killed the fun.

Maybe try and steer your daughter towards a dress that is cocktail length and something she could see herself wearing again.  Then, you can keep it young and fun with some great accessories and killer shoes. That way, you’re getting your money’s worth with a dress that will be used more than for just one night, and playful jewelry and accessories are inexpensive and easy to come by. The key to making these dresses work for a formal is to ACCESSORIZE! If the dress has a full skirt, add a fun crinoline skirt underneath to add some fun retro flair. Add a big floral belt to one of the kind-of-plain dresses and/or wear a fun hairpiece. Go big on the jewelry, go wild with the heels, just go for it.  A dance is meant to be fun, right?

1. Blue satin 2. Black tiered 3. Pink shift 4. Black ruffles 5. Peach sparkly 6. Green dupioni

1. Pink knit 2. Black lace (can’t find it anymore, sorry) 3. Gold belted 4. Black wrap 5. Plum chiffon 6. Red chiffon
If I were going to prom, I would wear this:

dress, silver shoes, bracelet, hoop earrings, necklace, ring, pink shoes
I’d put a half-tee underneath for a little sleeve coverage, maybe a fun slip for some extra fun, and then I’d have to decide if I was going to go silvery and sparkly or colorful and jazzy (by they way, if you go this route, buy like 4 of that necklace and pile ‘em on top of each other).
Now that I think of it, I’ve got a 10 year reunion later this year, I think I’m going to get this dress for that!

A few more ideas:
Try searching “modest bridesmaid dresses“. They’re usually shorter (better suited for a dance/party than a floor length gown), they come in lots of colors, and they’re made in formal fabrics so they’d work well for a prom.
Most of these dresses are from Nordstrom, and if you don’t like anything you’ve seen here, then go to their Dress Shop to see hundreds of more options.
If you’ve found the perfect dress but it’s too short – don’t forget the magic of a Vintage Hem slip.
If you’ve found the perfect dress but it’s a bit too low cut, try adding some trim like this, or find a tee with a similar neckline and layer it underneath.

Good luck on your search ladies!

This dress has spring written all over it. I LOVE it!!

Dress, Cardigan, Shoes, Hair Clips

Here’s an email question from Carli H.

Hello, I’ve been looking for some cute high rise jeans (especially since ModBe closed).  Do you know of any other sites that sell high rise?
Thanks!

Whether you are looking for high-rise, low-rise, slim fit, boyfriend, trouser cut, etc…finding the perfect jeans always seems to be tricky. I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t have a difficult time finding the perfect jean.
So, what’s the solution? Actually, I don’t know. I’m still on the hunt myself, I guess.
But we can all benefit from a little denim education, especially when we’re shopping online.

First, check out these videos from Nordstrom’s website. Some of the information is specific to Nordstorm, but some of it is useful no matter where you shop.
Then, check out Nordstrom’s site and search by rise, style, brand, or price. When you click on a pair of jeans, you’ll see the information to the right.  For this jean you’ll see that the front rise is 9 1/2 inches, that’s a good high rise.  Go down to the fit information and you’ll see that it describes it as 2″ below navel.  Also be sure to look at the rest of the fit information and pick your size based on the size chart for Joe’s Jeans.  Nordstrom’s website is great in that it has a different size chart for each of its jeans brands.  So helpful!  In the world of clothes, you would think that an 8 is an 8 is an 8.  But different brands fit differently.  So click on “Joe’s jeans size chart” to see how this particular jean will fit you.  

Now I realize that Nordstrom isn’t always a budget-friendly place to shop. But the amount of information they give you is hard to beat, and the elusive perfect pair of jeans (if you can find them) is worth splurging a little cash on.

Now, you’re ready to start the hunt, right? First, go measure your favorite/best fitting pair of jeans.
Measure from the inside of the crotch seam up the zipper area and to the top of the waist band. That’s your front rise measurement.
Now do that again in the back on top of the seam in between the two back pockets up to the waist band, and that’s your back rise measurement.
Next, measure from the crotch all the way down a leg seam to the bottom of a pant leg and that’s your inseam length.
Last, measure the circumference of one of the leg openings, that’s your leg opening measurement.
Write these measurements on a post-it and keep it near the computer so you can at least have a frame of reference when you’re shopping for a new favorite pair of jeans.

One last bit of advice, take note of the fabric content.  This is another thing you can look up on your current favorite pair (check the label to see the fabric content) and then go from there.  Sometimes I like stretch, and sometimes I like 100% cotton.  They are different beasts, so know what you’re looking for.

I hope this helps!
Love, Emily

So heres my dilemma:: My fiance took a new job in July, and I have yet to meet any of the people he works with. We have their company Christmas party coming up this weekend, and to say the least I’m freaking out about what to wear…and running out of time! I usually enjoy putting together outfits and would say I’m usually successful, but I have run out of inspiration! I’m already working out outfits for other Christmas parties and family dinners so I’m just needing some fresh ideas! I think the level of “dressyness” is a bit across the board, but I’d like to wear something nice, but not over the top nice, if this makes any sense. Clearly, I am not quite sure what I’m even looking for…which has left me feeling a bit desperate! If you could help, that’d be great! I do know that you post things available primarily online sometimes, so I may not be able to get it by the weekend…but even some cute ideas would help me to find something similar around here in town!

Thanks so much for your help!!

-Ashley

Hi Ashley! I hope this outfit helps! I was originally going to find a black dress because I found this cute belt that would look amazing with a black dress and some fun tights, but then I thought I would mix it up a bit (since everyone knows how to dress up a black dress). Anyhoo… Good luck and I’m sure you will look amazing! And congratulations on your engagement!

Natalie

Jill of all Trades Dress from Modcloth for $49.99

Achilles Heel from Modcloth for $39.99

Woven Rush Tights from Anthropologie for $18.00

Flower Belt at Nordstrom for $38.00 (The belt is on top of the belt that comes with the dress in this pic)

Hey guys! Just thought I would post some great holiday dresses today!

Calvin Klein Tie Sleeve Sheath Dress $58.90

Perfect Form Dress $38.99

Formal Flower Dress $44.99

Taylor Ruffle Jersey Sheath Dress $78.90

I have two holiday parties this season that I need an outfit for.  Semi-formal/holiday attire is expected at both. I would love your ideas on how to put together a festive look with out breaking the bank. (Under $100 would be preferable.) If I’m spending the money, I would really like to invest in some pieces I can use at other events too. You know, stretch the dollar and all that.  Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Thanks!
Rachel

Hi Rachel!

I think the best way to make your dollar stretch is to find a dress that can be accessorized in several ways. What’s better than a black dress? Also, because these parties you are going to are semi-formal, rather than wear a sweater or jacket, I think it would be fun to wear a wrap… I picked out a couple that I LOVE (a little spendy, but gives you an idea of what to look for). I think the purple one would be great to wear for some added color, but posted both because really, they would both look amazing, and it shows a couple different ways they can be worn. Another fun way to add color is by doing a patterned shoe, but as cute as patterned shoes are, they are hard to wear more than once without people noticing. So, for holiday parties, unless you want to invest in a couple pairs of pumps… I would go with a solid. Have fun! And I’m sure whatever you wear will look amazing!

Love, Natalie

Satin Sheath Dress $68.90, 38 inches long

Flannel Ruffle Scarf $70.00

Gray Ruffle Wrap $78.00

Ruffle Peep Toe Platforms $29.99

Teardrop Earrings $4.00

P.S. I am going to try to post holiday outfits tomorrow and Friday as well, so stay tuned! And I would love to post any ideas you might have… so email me some outfits ladies!

Do you love this collar? I do!

At Nordstrom for $138.00.

I love the fit of this dress! And look at those sleeves! I would probably switch out the belt on this one… so that I could add more color.

At Nordstrom for $122.00.

Our reader Victoria M. wrote in saying:

Last night, after an exhausting day, after my 3 kids were finally asleep, I started looking through my drawers for something that would help me get past the popsicle juice and baby spit-up I had been covered in during the day.  I wished I had a modest, pretty nightgown that I could sleep in.  I wanted to feel pretty, but went with my only option, plaid pajama bottoms.  No, I did not feel pretty.  And the nursing pads only made matters worse.  Help!  I am at the height of frump!

Victoria, I totally understand! Just because we like to be modest doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to feel beautiful before we go to bed! I found several nightgowns that I think you will love. None of them are anything that you would feel embarrassed to be seen in if any of your 3 kids decided to sneak out of their rooms. However, they are all nightgowns that I think will make you feel more feminine and beautiful. I hope you enjoy!

All nightgowns were found at Nordstrom. Eileen West ‘Laurel Canyon’ Nightgown for $68.00 ,Lauren by Ralph Lauren ‘Monte Carlo’ Nightgown for $58.00, Eileen West ‘Valley of the Moon’ Ballet Gown for $70.00, Donna Nadeau Flutter Sleeve Chemiseon sale for $37.90, Eileen West ‘Falling Leaves’ Nightgown for $62.00

A few plus size options:

Midnight by Carole Hochman ‘Two Hearts’ Nightgown (Plus) for $88.00, Eileen West ‘Eastside Twilight’ Nightgown (Plus) for $82.00, Eileen West ‘Manhattan Mood’ Nightgown (Plus) for $82.00

Love, Natalie

I love everything about this dress! It will be perfect for fall!

At Nordstrom for $138.00, 39 inches long.

I was on Us Weekly’s website today, (yes, I am a celebrity gossip junkie… embarrassing, but very true!) and I saw this picture of Scarlett Johansson. She looks so pretty! Why can’t all the celebs dress modest more often! Anyways, I saw this outfit and was all confident like… “oh I can find that exact blouse and skirt”. Wrong. This is the closest I got! Enjoy! (And yes, you would tuck in the blouse to the skirt)

Crochet Babydoll Top at Wet Seal for $18.50

Lafayette 148 New York ‘Debra’ Skirt at Nordstrom on sale for $165.90 (WHAT!? That’s a sale!? LOL if you know of a skirt that would work better… leave a comment!!!)

And some red lipstick…

Here’s an email from our reader Michelle:

Hi ladies,
“I am a big fan; you are all very talented and tasteful. I am currently a professional and will graduate college in December with my accounting degree. I will be interviewing over the next six months and I want to look amazing. I am 5 foot 8 inches and a size 12-14. Can you please help me with a few outfits that could really dazzle anyone? I really do not have a big budget, but can splurge on a seldom must have. Also, if it is not too much trouble to ask, a few casual outfits as well that I could wear to my current job or out. I currently work in a casual office, jeans are fine.”

Thanks so much! Michelle

Hi Michelle!  Congratulations on your upcoming graduation!  That’s exciting, and definitely something to celebrate with some fun clothes.  I found on InStyle.com an article that talks about dressing for interviews, and they gave some great advice (I especially like the advice about luxe-looking shoes).  Check out the feature here, and enjoy the pieces we found for you.  For casual outfits, check through our archives for great blouse/trouser jeans combos.  Good luck with your interviews!

Love, Emily

Petal Tee, Ann Taylor Loft, $34.50

Ruched Sleeve Cardigan, Ann Taylor Loft, $39.50

Mary-Jane Pumps, Nordstrom,$62.90

Black Pencil Skirt, Ann Taylor Loft, $39.99

Peep-Toe Pumps, Nordstrom, $52.90

Black Pleated Neck Dress, Nordstrom, $78.90

Our reader Mandy had this posted on her blog. So I asked if we could post it! So here are some fun finds from Mandy!

Cuffed Cardigan at Gap for $44.50 

Women’s Classic-Rise Boot-Cut Cords at Old Navy on sale for $20.00

 Fitted non-iron shirt at Banana Republic on sale for $34.99 

 Braided corsage t-shirt  at Gap for $29.50

 Regine Cardigan at Anthropologie for $198.00 (although I have to admit that the one I am eyeing now is the ”gentle current” cardigan, so lovely.)

 Speckled blouse in plum at Anthropologie for $98.00

Joe’s Jeans ‘The Muse’ High Waist Bootcut Stretch Jeans (Ashley) at Nordstrom for $178.00 (my friend has these and she looks FABULOUS in them…they are my motivation to lose the baby weight…hence the hefty price tag)

 Lorraine dress in blue at Delias for $44.50

 Alyssa dress in brown at Delias for $44.50

Here’s an email from our reader Ashlee B.:

“I was scrolling through your blog, and noticed you put an outfit together for another girl for her ten year reunion.  I have mine coming up at the end of August.  I’m not quite sure what to wear.  I have some friends from California, and they say I need to go all out and buy a fancy cocktail dress.  I am more casual then that, and my reunion will be held in Utah.  I really don’t know what to wear.  Are jeans too casual?  I would kind of like to wear a more casual fitted dress.  HELP!”

Hi Ashlee!  We’ve gotten a lot of emails about high school reunions, and since mine is coming up next year (and I have to plan it, any tips for that?  anyone?…) I think I understand the stress that people feel when trying to pick an outfit.  It’s been a long time since you’ve seen everyone, and you want to look your best, but how do you find the balance between looking slammin’ and looking like you’re trying too hard?  I don’t think you need to buy a “fancy” cocktail dress, but I think a dress is a great idea, and a cocktail-length dress is perfect for an event like this.  If you’d rather wear pants, look through our posts to find lots of pants/blouse/cardigan ideas.  We’re big fans of that look around here.

Right now Nordstrom is having a great sale, and all of these dresses were found from their site.  Some of these dresses are more va-va-voomy than others, and my advice would be to pick one that gives you the “million bucks” feeling, but one that would also make sense for your regular life.  I think that’s a good key to wearing an outfit well.  If it’s something that you don’t think you’d ever wear again, then you’ll probably feel awkward wearing it that night.  Pick a dress that’s special, but one that you could feel comfortable wearing on a date or to church or to a gallery opening, etc.

I wouldn’t go too far with accessories, maybe just one or two items.  Or better yet, one really great statement piece.  Like the amazing necklace on the girl in the gray satin dress.  Just have fun with your look, don’t take yourself or the event too seriously, and enjoy your night!

Love, Emily

left to right:

Ruched Satin Dress, Nordstrom, $104.90 (also available in black, and you might need a pretty camisole with this one), bracelet

Calvin Klein Dress, Nordstrom, $78.90, earrings

Pleated Neck Jersey Dress, Nordstrom, $78.90 (also available in purple), necklace

Diane Von Furstenberg Ponte Knit Dress, $219.90 (pink in limited sizes, also available in black), necklace

Ruffled Front Dress, Nordstrom, $78.90 (also available in black), ring

Stretch Satin Sheath Dress, Nordstrom, $104.90 (also available in fushia), necklace

Pleated Yoke Silk Dress, Nordstrom, $118.90, necklace

Hi there-
I love your ensembles and am looking for “Back to School” attire for ME as I am a teacher. I teach 10 year olds, so I don’t need crawl-on-the-floor friendly pieces. I find a lot of appropriate dresses and skirts, but have a hard time completing my looks with pants. I can wear denim trousers or jeans once a week, but need some cute alternatives. Also, comfy but fashionable shoes are a must. I’m on my feet all day. I don’t want to look like a “teacher” or like a college kid. I just want to look fabulous-please help!

Natalie’s Outfit (for Natalie…):

Alright Natalie, I have a lot of stuff for you here! All of the tanks are meant to go under the cardigans below. I wanted to put a white tank on there… but it wouldn’t show up so that is where the peach tank comes in. (Imagine it white) I love mixing cardigans with tanks because it allows you to use more colors. Also I love when shoes can add a pop of color to your outfit. Those red shoes are awesome and would look good with ANY of those cardigans.  I am also showing you three pairs of slacks. None of which are jeans (obviously) but I think throwing a nice pair of slacks into the mix is nice too. However, any of these tops will pair great with trouser jeans.

Stretch Wool Bootcut Pants at Calvin Klein on sale for $49.00

Wide Waistband Pants at Calvin Klein on sale for $34.00

Classiques Entier® ‘Phantom Mélange’ Pants at Nordstrom on sale for $99.90

Classiques Entier® ‘Bella Lana’ Open Front Cardigan at Nordstrom on sale for $89.90

Susina® Raised Seam Cardigan (Juniors) at Nordstrom on sale for $28.90

Plenty by Tracy Reese Appliqué Cardigan at Nordstrom for $174.00

Toni Crochet Yoke Tank at Delias on sale for $22.50

Scattered Petals Tank at JCrew for $88.00

Textured Ruffle Blouse from Charlotte Russe now on sale for $8.99!

Tama from Steve Madden for $69.95

Me Too ‘Limit’ Ruffle Ballet Flat at Nordstrom on sale for $59.90

Jessica Simpson ‘Edison’ Flat at Nordstrom for $68.95

Emily’s outfits for Natalie:

Hi Natalie!  I’ve worked as a reading teacher at an elementary school before, so I know a little bit about how it is to wake up and have about 30 minutes to get yourself pulled together for a day on your feet.  Comfort is KEY!  My best advice is to buy the most comfortable slacks you can find (which for me are usually wide leg trousers), easy tops that you won’t have to fuss with, simple skirts, and comfortable dresses.  I would keep your clothes in simple colors so you can mix and match tops with your skirts and slacks, but use accessories to liven up your outfits.  Jewelry at Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe is so inexpensive and right on trend.  And, of course, a belt and/or a scarf is always a simple way to add interest and style.  Lastly, the shoes that I picked for you are both Born shoes.  I bought my first pair of red Born Mary-Jane flats in 2002 and then just replaced them with a new pair a few months ago.  I’d say seven years of wearing them everywhere is getting my money’s worth!  They are so comfortable and you’ll find yourself wearing them all the time.  I wear my red flats with everything!  And I would definitely invest in the boots for the days when you want to wear a skirt but you don’t want to shave your legs.  For that purpose alone, I’d say they’re worth it.  Have a great school year! clockwise from top left:

Khakis, Old Navy, $12.99-19.00 (a simple pair of slacks in tons of fun colors)

Trousers, Anthropologie, $118.00 (click the link to see the back of these super-cute trousers.  I love them!)

Pencil Skirt, Banana Republic, $59.50

Denim Pencil Skirt, Gap, $54.50

Red Dress, Shabby Apple, $62.00

Gray Jersey Dress, Old Navy, $24.50

Faux-Wrap Dress, Shabby Apple, $55.00

Pintuck Collared Dress, Shabby Apple, $78.00

Patterned Scarf, Fossil, $17.99

Fashion Belts (in red or gold), Old Navy, $14.50

Chiffon Blouse, Forever 21, $11.50

Ruffled Top, Forever 21, $17.80

Red Mary-Janes, Zappos, $98.95

Black Boots, Born, $170.00

Ashley’s Outfit:

Everything on here can be mixed and matched! The tops can be worn alone or with the belt, or better yet with the cardigan and the belt! The Chandelier earrings and ring will coordinate well with everything. Chandelier earrings are great because they instantly dress up any outfit, and they add a lot of style! Have fun shopping!!!

Love,  Ashley
Banded Cardigan at Mod Bod for $38.95.

Pencil Skirt at Mod Bod for $44.95.

Colored Denim Pencil Skirt at Gap for $54.50.

215 Martin Classic Grey Trouser Pant at Banana Republic for $98.00.

Dahlia Floral Chiffon Top at Forever 21 for $17.80.

Solid Ruffle Top on sale at Aeropostale for $19.99.

AK Ann Klein Flats on sale at Piperlime for $69.99.

BCBGIRLS Flats at Piperlime for $79.00

Stud Quad Braid Wide Belt at Forever 21 for $8.80.

Wrapped Faux Pearl Ring at Forever 21 for $4.80.

Filigree Chandelier Earrings at Charlotte Russe for $4.00. (Free Shipping!)

Love the color of this one!

At Nordstrom on sale for $109.90, 43 inches long.

Super Slimming plus size dress!

Found at Nordstrom on sale for $88.90, 39 inches long.

Here’s an email from our reader Emily (I swear it’s not from me Emily, although I would love to see Wicked):

“Next month I’m going to see Wicked for my birthday.  I’m so excited and I would like to get something new (I’ll take any excuse to buy a new outfit)!  Wicked is well known for it’s bright green color and with that being my favorite color I would love to find a cute green dress or something else to wear.  Any ideas?”

Okay, Emily, when I first saw this email I was like, “what?  How am I going to find a cute green dress?”  But actually, this has been my favorite outfit to put together so far.  Having the specific constraint of a green dress made it pretty easy to narrow things down.  I’ve got a couple options for you, and then, just because I can, I’ll throw in my vote.

options 1 and 2:

1. Leading Lady Dress, DownEast Basics, $29.99 (very comfortable, very cute, and a perfect addition to your wardrobe.  This is definitely something you’ll be able to wear often.)

2. Dressy Jersey Cinched Dress, J.Crew, $78.00 (so pretty, I love the waist and tie.  You’ll need to wear something underneath, and a classic tee from DownEast is always a great option, as would be a camisole underneath with a cardigan on top.

shoes: Steve Madden Passta Platform, $62.82  or Steve Madden Witney T-strap Slingback, $99.95 (both styles are from Endless.com.  I couldn’t decide, so I just showed both options.  Sometimes it’s hard to make a decision when I’m play shopping for someone else.)

necklace: Mirrored Disk Necklace, Charlotte Russe, $6.99 (looks pretty darn close to the expensive one the J.Crew girl is wearing.  I’d buy a few and layer them at different lengths.)

options 3 and 4:

3. Pleated Cowl Neck Dress, Nordstrom, $91.90 (I love the cute stand-up cowl neck and the 60’s mod-ish detail in the back.  So cute.)  Put it with these great patterned heels from Endless.com for $45.73.  Top off the look with this fantastic head piece.  I remember putting this etsy.com seller in my favorites a while back, then I saw that Anthropologie had picked up her Fascinator piece.  They don’t carry it any longer, but I was excited to see someone’s handmade company doing well.  You’ll look hip and stylish and I think it will add to the fun and fancy of the night.  For accessories I would just add a fun cocktail ring, and you’re all set!

4. Lastly, my favorite look, Caranday Dress, Anthropologie, $178.00 (this dress would just be so much fun for a special night out.  It’s 35.5″ long, so it might be a little short.  Even if it’s not, I’ve put with it a slip from Vintage Hem.  It’s the Effie’s Dessert style in vanilla, for $60.00).  Then the cardigan to wear over it is from J.Crew for $49.99.  The necklace ($38.00) and earrings ($18.00) are both from Anthropologie.  To finish it off, you have three shoe choices.  The Slingback ($43.42), the Peep-Toe Slingback ($49.76), or my pick, the Espadrille ($79.95).

You’ve got a very hard and very fun decision ahead of you.  Options one and two are more casual and less expensive.  But you did say this was a special occasion worthy of spending a little money…so…options three and four are a little less casual, more festive, and…more expensive.

Have a great birthday Emily, and I hope you enjoy the show!

Love, Emily

Hey guys, remember this post about Cat Deeley’s dress? Well, one of our sweet readers, Sarah, found this one at Nordstrom for a fraction of the price! So, here is your chance to steal Cat Deeley’s style!

At Nordstrom on sale for $78.90.

Oh, Amanda.  You came to the right place.  I know exactly what you’re talking about.  I have a 2 year old son and twin baby boys, and my stomach looks quite like a waterbed (too gross?), and Natalie and I share your frustration of a big chest that gets even bigger when nursing.

So, I have some cute options for you, but first some advice.  With my older son, he was about 8 or 9 months old before I one day decided to pump on Saturday so that I could have a bottle to bring to church on Sunday.  I don’t want to oversell this…but, it changed my life.  Prior to that, I would spend half of my time at church in the mother’s lounge and every week I would have to wear a top and a skirt even though I had cute dresses that I was dying to wear.  New mom-ness isn’t very glamorous sometimes, especially when you’re nursing and your boobs are ginormous.  It made a big difference for me to have Sunday as my day.  My day to wear a cute dress and squeeze close to my husband, enjoy our sweet little baby, and actually be able to worship at church.  Plus, it gives your husband a chance to feed and snuggle baby, or you could share the wealth of cute baby-ness and let a sweet lady in your church have a turn at feeding baby.  Totally just my opinion and experience, but see if it works for you.  It made all the difference for me.

And now, to the clothes!

Here’s the thing about a big chest, it’s extra difficult to be modest and appropriate because even when you aren’t trying to, a well-endowed lady can look she’s trying to put her chest on display.  Isn’t that frustrating?  One of my favorite solutions for that is a slim tee (I love DownEast’s Wonder Tee!) or camisole underneath dresses or tops that would show too much cleavage.  Another favorite trick is wearing a belt.  Oh, how I love belts.  It holds in all of my waterbed tummy-ness and gives me more of a structure.

I have a lot of cute dress options for you, as well as cute tops to pair with skirts for church or with jeans for everyday.  Old Navy has a cute pencil skirt and flowy skirt, as well.  Good basics.

New moms don’t have a lot of opportunities to dress up and feel fabulous, so make Sunday your day!  I hope this helps, and congratulations on your sweet new baby!

Love, Emily

1. Leatherock Covered Buckle Belt, Nordstrom, $31.90 (comes in a few colors, available in XL, I love this belt!  Wouldn’t it be so cute in the teal and purple, too?)

2. Patent Leather Belt, Nordstrom, $23.90 (it’s on sale, so not all sizes seem to be available anymore, but the look of the sweater with the belt on top is perfect for those of us with squishy tummy business.)

3. Open Front SS Top, Forever 21, $17.80 (this is a must-buy!  Light enough for summer, and just floats over the tummy area.  Plus, looks great wrapped around with a belt on top.  Do I talk too much about belts?  Have I told you that I love them?)

4. Box Pleat Skirt, Nordstrom, $33.90 (a great price on a smart looking skirt.  I love the pleats, and this would look great with #6, #10, #8…well, just about anything.)

5. Sheer Frill Neck Top, Forever 21, $19.80 (I love how the frill de-emphasizes the chest and the tummy.  And it’s lovely.)

6. Belted Snap Button Shirt, Forever 21, $19.80 (I love this shirt to a million.  Get it in both colors, you’ll be glad to have them.)

7. Janine Woven Top, Forever 21, $15.80 (the gathers at the chest will help to make sure the buttons don’t gape open.  Don’t you hate that!?)

8. Two Pocket Grid Shirt, Forever 21, $15.80 (so summery and cute.  Plus, come fall time, this would look great under a sweater and with some trousers.  Bonus.)

9. Floral Printed Sheer Top, Forever 21, $19.80 (would look perfect with either of the Old Navy skirts I mentioned above, or with jeans and heels for a date out with the husband)

10. Dolman Sweater Knit Top, Forever 21, $24.80 (I love Dolman sleeves.  Like, LOVE them.  Can I marry them?  Buy the jade one and wear it with the pleated skirt (#4).  Lovely.  Oh, and I love how the banded bottom on the top kind of holds it all in.)

11. Border Print Dress, Nordstrom, $148.00 (I love how the border on the sleeves and hem keep your eye moving.  It’s like you don’t even notice she has a tummy.  This one may need a camisole.)

12. Faux-Wrap Dress, Nordstrom, $98.00 (these Nordstrom dresses get a bit pricey, but you’ll love the wrap dresses.  I went to a wedding when the twins were 2 months old, and my black wrap dress saved me.)

13. Silk Chiffon Dress, Nordstrom, $178.00 (Okay, so this is expensive and dry-clean only…not very practical for new moms.  But it’s sure cute.)

14. Faux-Wrap Dress 2, Nordstrom, $108 (Another option.  I love options.  These wrap dresses probably need a wonder tee or a camisole.)

15. Jersey Dress, Nordstrom, $98.00 (This dress is perfection.  The neckline isn’t too low, and the buckle detail makes a nice shape.  Definitely get this one, it’s a workhorse of a dress but put some fun accessories with it and it can be a show horse, too!)

16. Lincoln Center Dress, Shabby Apple, $76.00 (made in a substantial canvas sateen, it’ll keep squishy areas on their best behavior.  Don’t you love that Shabby Apple has Plus-size, too?)

17. Broadway Dress, Shabby Apple, $74.00 (cotton poplin with a little bit of stretch, plus it has pockets!  I love dresses with pockets.  Perfect for some chapstick, gum, and a pacifier.)

18. Red Knit Dress, Shabby Apple, $62.00 (this is now on my wish-list.  I love the color, the wrap at the top, and…imagine it with a belt!)

Whew.  I sure talk (uh…type…) a lot.

What do you ladies think?  Do you have any suggestions for Amanda, and for all of the rest of us with big chest issues or a little squish in the tummy?  Plus, any new mom style advice?

Natalie’s outfit for Alisa:

Striped Ruffle Top at Charlotte Russe, $18.99.

Gentle Current Cardigan at Anthropologie, $88.00

Kut Button Stretch Trouser at Buckle, $78.00

Steve Madden Partiee Sandal at Nordstrom, $89.95

Stone Flower Earrings at Charlotte Russe, $4.00

Ilene Flower Bangle at Forever 21, $5.80

Emily’s outfit for Alisa

Sophia ruffled tank, Fossil, $29.99

Ruffle-trimmed cardigan, Gap, $49.50

Yoked hip slung jeans, Gap, $59.50

Abalone 4-strand Necklace, Fossil, $97.99

Steve Madden Tayla, Piperlime, $100.00

Ashley’s outfit for Alisa:

Authentic Dark Straight Jean at American Eagle Outfitters, $39.50

Short-sleeve Cashmere Cardigan on sale at J Crew, $79.99

Picot Ruffle Tank at Charlotte Russe for $17.99

Jocelyn Platform Stiletto at Forever 21, $26.80

Jewel Ellipse Bracelet at Forever 21, $5.80

Flower Shield Earrings at Charlotte Russe, $4.00

Need help planning an outfit for an event coming up? Email us! Every Tuesday we will post your requested outfits! HOLLA!

Love the wash of these shorts!

At Nordstrom for $59.00.

Alright, to all my plus size ladies! These are a reasonable price and super cute! They also come in a couple other colors. So glad to see that Nordstrom carries plus sizes!

At Nordstrom for $39.99.

Another pair of cute Bermudas! I know… lots of shorts, but that’s what I’m in need of!

At Nordstrom for $59.00.

I love the wash of these jeans.

At Nordstrom for $54.00.

Oh goodness, I REALLY REALLY REALLY want this dress. I love the belt in the middle and how it has ruffles on the top and bottom of the belt. Precious. Should I get this for my Sister In Law’s wedding next month?

At Nordstrom for $148.00, 40 inches long.