Ruffles

I'm on vacation with my family in Miami, Florida.  Something I love almost as much as Miami are ruffles.  The black racer back lace dress* is adorable on it's own, but with the two layers of chiffon ruffles at the bottom, it's a show stopper.  I spent the entire evening walking around with a little extra swing in my step, because of the movement of the ruffles.

Ruffles can add to any outfit.  I'm a bit small chested, so I absolutely love bikini tops with ruffles.  They add a bit of illusion that my barely B's might be teetering on a C.  Ruffles around your hips can also add some curves to a more boyish figure and strangely, they can also hide large hips too.  My favorite ruffle is one around the waist (called a peplum).  It hides any belly paunch and adds a feminine dimension to any look.

To avoid looking like a little girl when wearing ruffles, keep them to one focused area on the body.  Ruffles head to toe can look ridiculous.  Also, keep your accessories edgy and sophisticated.  Pairing ruffles with cute flats and pearls can make you look like you're trying to look 5 years old.

*The black racer back lace dress is from HAVANAIAS on Lincoln Road in Miami.  The shoes are from Famous Footwear.



Dear Romper

Dear Romper*,

How I love thee.  Let me count the ways...

1.  You are a top AND bottom, so I don't have to worry about matching.

2.  With ruffles on the hem and sheer sleeves, you make me feel ultra feminine.

3.  You fit like a dress, but even better because I can ride a bike, do a cartwheel, swing, jump, etc.

4.  You define my waist and show off my legs.

5.  Paired with a denim jacket and flats, you can be a casual daytime look.

6.  Paired with heels and a statement necklace, you can be a sexy evening look.

7.  You can pull off large floral or no print at all, because you're so compact.

8.  You are just plain adorable and definitely my favorite trend for Spring & Summer.

Love,

Chelsea

P.S.  I will never stop wearing you...

*My royal blue romper is from Shop 603 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Boots are Franco Sarto from DSW.  Gucci sunglasses are from Nordstrom Rack.

 



LBD

I have a new LBD (Little Black Dress) and I think I'm in love.  I'm learning that black really is slimming, and paneling makes it even more so.  I usually try to avoid tight clothing.  My body isn't perfect and usually a tight dress will make this painfully obvious.  I love how this dress from www.dailydazzledeals.com has a thick spandex material around the back and sides and then a lined front floral panel that hides any tummy bumps and makes my waist look cinched. 

In this look (pictured above), I was going to a Food & Wine show downtown.  A pair of tights and black heels, and the look is complete.  I do love the versatility of this dress.  It doesn't have to be just a cocktail dress.  Because of the floral print in the front and the gold zipper up the back, it can be styled for almost any occasion.  Pair it with a denim jacket and a pair of canvas sneakers and it's an adorable casual daytime look. 

Every woman should own at least one little black dress.  A dress, that when you wear it, makes you feel and look amazing.  A dress that can transition from a casual daytime look, to a sexy evening statement.  A dress that is timeless and will always be your "go to" dress when you're feeling less than beautiful.  I got my fabulous little black dress for under $30 from www.dailydazzledeals.com.

Vacation Must Haves

Your next vacation is right around the corner.  Make sure you grab these adorable and affordable vacation must haves all from www.romwe.com.


Two Piece Short Set

White Triangle Bikini

 

 

Platform Sandals



 

Floral Maxi

 







Cross Body Bag

Celebrate in Style

I love to celebrate holidays.  It's one day a year that you can dress a special way and really embrace the traditions we love.  But, I did see some absolutely ridiculous get ups yesterday on St. Patrick's Day.  I mean, grown women in tutus and wigs?  It's okay to dress up, but let's keep it real.  We're adults, so let's celebrate in style.

A fun St. Patrick's Day shirt to show your spirit, mid-rise jeans and black booties.  It's the perfect balance of fun with fashion.  The shirt is from Target, the mid-rise jeans are Rock Star from Old Navy and the black booties are from DSW.  I scored the entire outfit for under $60 and it will carry over for many years to come.  Keep your look timeless so you can wear it over and over again.  There's nothing worse than looking at pictures of years past and thinking, I can't believe I wore that!



Update Your Spring Wardrobe

Update your Spring wardrobe with these 5 amazing and affordable pieces from www.sheinside.com.  Each piece is under $30, so shop away!



Graphic Print Dress

Front-Back Earrings

Light Trench

Round or Cat Eye Sunglasses

 

 

Jumpsuit

 



 



Mid-Rise Jeans

There's no one more happy than me that the low-rise is a thing of the past.  I don't miss my pants falling down every time I bend over, my thong popping out in the back and the constant muffin top.  There's nothing good about any of those looks.  I even remember in college cutting the waist band off my jeans to go even lower than the already low-rise.  That means extra falling down, extra thong, extra muffin top.  Wrong.  So wrong.  Why do we torture our bodies with ridiculous trends?

Another trend that comes and goes (and just happens to be wildly in right now) is the high-rise.  Although potentially lengthening and slimming, by cinching your waist and elongating the leg's appearance, I find a high-rise pant to be extremely uncomfortable.  Like can't sit down, uncomfortable.  Why can't I just find something that is slimming, functional and comfortable?

I did.  It's called the mid-rise.  The mid-rise jean is everything right now.  The rise is high enough that it covers belly paunch, cinches in love handles, doesn't fall down or reveal your undergarments and it's just plain comfortable.  The off-white mid-rise distressed jeans* I'm wearing in the picture above are from Express.  They fit true to size and have a bit of stretch so they move easily with you from day to night.  They come in 3 different inseams (short, regular & long), so there's a size for everyone. 

I know trends come and go, but I'm going to hold on to this one as long as I can.  If the mid-rise goes out of style, I guess I'll just have to wear dresses for the rest of my life.  A bit dramatic, but it's the truth.  I highly suggest trying the mid-rise trend.  Want to try out a mid-rise jean, but don't want to spend a lot on something you're not sure you'll love?  I just saw that Forever21 has mid-rise jeans for under $20. 

*My statement necklace is from Forever21.  The red sweater and jeans are form Express and my black booties are from DSW.  Every one of these items I scored for under $40!