Wear a Costume for Halloween

One day a year, you can be anything you want to be.  I mean, technically you can be anything you want to everyday, but Halloween allows you to be something totally ridiculous without looking so.  For example: last Halloween I was Snow White.  A grown woman dressing up as Snow White is pretty unacceptable most days of the year, but on Halloween... it's awesome.  The response to my costume was pure envy by every little girl that came trick-or-treating, and honestly, I think the Moms were a bit envious too.  You know they were thinking, I should have dressed up too.  Yes you should have.

Women's costumes tend to be short, sexy and wildly inappropriate for trick-or-treating and family-friendly parties.  The good news is that you can always add to any costume.  Wear leggings, tights or thigh-high stockings to cover your legs.  Wear a shirt underneath or add a cape to keep your top warm.  Add a little fun and fashion to a once sexy costume to make it all your own.  But for heavens sake, be fun this Halloween and wear a costume!  Your friends, co-workers, family and trick-or-treaters will love it.

Animal Print

Animal print is such a funny thing.  As soon as it's out, it's back in.  One season it's python, then it's all about cheetah.  Who can keep up with it all?  Well, my girl Teresa does.  This is how she shows up to lunch, downtown, on a Friday.  Fabulous.  Straight fabulous.

Teresa sells Real Estate in Maine.  No wonder her business keeps growing.  When you come to a showing looking this good, who can say no?  Check out her website at www.TeresaMedved.com.

In my opinion, animal print is here to stay.  It's a sexy way to let people know you like to have fun with your style.  The key to wearing it is to only wear one animal print piece at a time.  Head to toe zebra stripes will make you look ridiculous.  Pump up an all black outfit with a pair of cheetah print booties or wear an abstract animal print mini dress (from LOFT) with jeggings, like Teresa. 



How a Peplum Saved Me

I used to keep my disease to myself.  It used to be unheard of and rarely talked about.  My sophomore year in college, I was rushed to the Emergency Room for what the Doctors thought was a appendicitis.  When I woke up from surgery, the Doctor told me they took my appendix out just to be safe, but what was causing my pain was that my intestines were infected and I had Crohn's Disease.  I had never even heard of it. 
Flash forward ten years later and I'm back in the hospital with the same pain but my medication isn't controlling my flare up.  A million tests and a couple colonoscopies later and I was rediagnosed with a rare version of Crohn's called Lymphocytic Colitis.  Today, I'm accurately medicated and living (most days) in remission.
I tell my story because it's a good reminder that no one is perfect and most people have some sort of issues they deal with daily.  That's where the fashion piece comes into play.  Looking good means feeling good.  The picture taken above was on a day that I was feeling pretty sick.  My intestines were flared up and my abdomen was making me look 6 months pregnant!  I remembered I had bought a peplum dress at What The Frock (www.WTFrock.com) the week before and when I put it on... it totally saved me.  

Faux Leather Leggings

Now that you have purchased your black booties (as I insisted last blog), you are ready to pair them with the next instant wardrobe update: faux leather leggings.  Leather is one of the hottest Fall trends this year, but who can afford it?  Plus, leather can be a bit binding and requires maintenance.  The solution is stretchy, affordable (borderline cheap) and figure flattering faux leather.  I got my faux leather leggings at Old Navy*. 

I was on the hunt for a pair of khakis for my son when I stumbled upon them for under $20!  At that price, I was willing to give them a go even if they only lasted through a couple washes.  I got home, pulled them on with a white long t-shirt and black booties and felt like I could take on the world.  I really just went grocery shopping, picked the kids up from school, took the little one to Karate and made dinner, but I did it all feeling comfortable and confident in my favorite new faux leather leggings.

I've worn and washed them at least a dozen times and they still look as good as the day I bought them.  Pair them with a t-shirt or a sweater or even under a summer dress that you're looking to transition into Fall and Winter.  I LOVE my faux leather leggings and you will too!

*I picked up my faux leather leggings at Old Navy in size Medium (I'm an 8).  If they don't have your size available in store, you can also get them at www.oldnavy.com for $19.50.  They have a ton of fun prints and a wide range of sizes.  It's a great place to stock up on leggings!



Black Booties

I often Google an item I'm planning on blogging about for inspiration and to ensure accuracy.  What a surprise I got when I typed "women's black booties" into Google this morning!  I honestly thought images of short black boots were going to appear.  That was not the case.  Not even close.  I can't unsee what came up on my screen, but it was a good lesson.  Use your words on the Internet wisely.

Now, to talk about (what it means in my head), black booties.  I like to suggest to my followers items that I really love.  This is not one of those posts.  Today, I'm going to do more than suggest... I'm going to insist.  Black booties can have a heal, be flat, have a peep-toe or be fully closed, but what makes them considered "booties" is that the top of the boot hits just at or above your ankle.

There are few items in your closet that you can wear ALL four seasons.  Black booties are definitely one of those items.  Keep your boots above the shin for Winter, (and for cooler climates) Fall and Spring.  With booties... the possibilities are endless!  I wear my black booties with skinny jeans, boot cut jeans, leggings, shorts, skirts and I have even worn my more fancier booties with a sexy dress.  All appropriate and fabulous!

Booties are so "on trend" right now (and for years to come), that you'll instantly update any look with the right pair.  Not sure what type of booties to buy?  Well, take it from me who owns three pair of black booties and two pair of tan ones.  My go-to pair (pictured above) are from DSW.  They have a chunky 1 1/2" heel, suede black fringe and zip on the inside which makes putting them on and taking them off a breeze.  For these booties, comfort and function are everything.  If you're booties are not comfortable, you just won't wear them. 

If you don't already own a pair of black booties, please go invest in a pair.  I promise you'll wear them.  If you take my advice and get a pair that are not only cute, but also are comfortable, you'll wear them all the time.  You'll be like, "I should always listen to Chelsea"!  Ha ha, but in all seriousness, buy yourself a pair of black booties.  You'll thank me.  Oh, and don't Google it.  Just go to your favorite shoe store and try on every pair you like.