The LBD...pick one...please?

So we have a wedding to go to next weekend. Very excited.... Because (1) being that I am 37 and hubby is 42, pretty much all of our friends have been married (at least once) so it's been 3 years since we've been to a wedding - that one was a FL beach wedding - fun fun fun. (2) Wedding is in Annapolis so my parents are coming up to watch the kiddies & we have a weekend away.

BUT...I need a dress. The lack of true cocktail functions over the past few years had caused my dressy dress supply to dwindle. And the 2 cute dresses I got last year from AT & ATL - well, they're just too big. I know, nice problem to have; I'm not complaining. But I don't want to break the bank getting a new dress. Enter Nordstrom. First of all, can I just say how much I love that store for their non-tricky pricing. It's full price...then it goes on sale and stays on sale...and that's it. No working coupons (unless you have that Nordstrom rewards Visa), or discounts, or sales on the right day - at least not that I'm aware of. And it just makes it easier because unlike Macy's, Lord & Taylor, etc, you don't worry that you are paying twice as much just by picking the wrong day to shop. Plus, Nordies doesn't put up their Christmas decorations until AFTER Thanksgiving and I really respect that.

I am planning to get...well, ok, I actually already bought (3) LBDs. It's a 6:00 wedding - not black tie (groom wanted to the rehearsal dinner to be jeans - bride nixed that one - but it's not uptight formal for sure) - so LBD is the way to go. And if I don't already have one that works, clearly that is a big vacuum in my closet. I think Tim Gunn is cringing right now.

In their latest catalog, Nordstrom had a whole section on LBDs - get this - under $150. Well hello, Nordies, you are speaking my language today. Here's the full LBD section online - lots and lots of choices (including the ones above $150, but seriously - many many many choices). And right now, Nordstrom has free shipping on orders over $100 with code HOLIDAY09 - through December 20.

Why am I boring you with the full background? Because I need some backup opinion here. Hubby & kids have weighed in. Hubby had an interesting perspective I'll mention below. But overall they liked all 3 - which is nice as I did as well. But I do need to choose. I would have loved to have my mom or sister with me for some very honest opinions and perspective, but I didn't. So I have you all. Get the rotten vegetables ready...let's go.

And it may be a long post before I'm done because I still can't figure out how to get the collagse to click-enlarge, so I'm posting lots of individual pics.

And please note utter lack of styling - hair & accessories are exactly as I wore them yesterday and shoes were too much of a bother. Plus I am employing the uber-unflattering to me full front pose, just for the info. You know how I hate that. Keep in mind, the event styling should be a vast improvement.

Dress #1 - Tahari by Authur S Levine Beaded Neck Shift Dress ($138). If you clicked over, did you notice that Nordstrom has "fit" notes with these dresses - this one says "Form-fitting at bust and hip. Runs large; order one size down." Wow, certain retailers with their wacky, inconsistent sizing should take note...you know how you are. I am very comfortable in an 8.

Thoughts on this dress - first of all, the most versatile of the 3. I can totally picture this for the wedding with strappy sandals/heels, or with a pair of black tights and pumps for a less formal occasion (or for warmth, hehe). The fabric is the most substantial since the other 2 involve chiffon. It has an interesting texture to it - horizontal ribbing - but not so straight and rigid. Hard to describe, but it's flattering and it means this dress really doesn't wrinkle.

In terms of Audry Hepburn categories, this, to me, is a Sabrina dress. I feel infinitely chic in it. I love the hemline - perfect spot on me. I don't feel like this dress is dated, or old - but I feel like it's a bit more classic than the others and I would wear it longer and probably more often. The wide beaded neckline is even more gorgeous in person. Obviously, no necklace needed - just earrings and a great bracelet.

Dress #2 - Patra Beaded Chiffon Dress ($138). Again, took an 8. This is the dress that hubby thought was pretty but was the least "me". Interesting of him to note that because I actually feel the same way. I mean, I do like it or I wouldn't have brought it home. I think it's very flattering. I love that it shoes my collarbone, which we all know is universally flattering.

The tiers of chiffon on this are very nice and are edged in jet beads. And it is way comfy - as in you could eat a huge dinner and it probably wouldn't show. (hehe, as an aside - that sentence originally said "it was way comfy" - maybe I've mentally dismissed this one already?)

Downside - Is this too young for me? Will I get tired of the tiered look? Is it going to look dated in a couple of years? It is chiffon which does always run the risk of snagging (have I mentioned what a clutz I am?) I worry that with this dress, I will love it for that one night and then not ever wear it again. I can see this with a fab dangly necklace or two...of course, they would have to be non-snagging necklaces...

Dress #3 - Taylor Dress Illusion Yoke Silk Shift Dress ($148). Again, took an 8. This is probably the most fun of the 3 dresses. And initially, it was my top choice. Back to the Audrey categories - this is a total Holly Golightly dress. The petals at the neckline and hem are just fun fun fun. I don't think you can put this dress on and be sad. Exuberant...that's the word.

Downside - first of all - the wrinkling. This is the advantage of bringing several home and trying them on a few times. I have noticed this wrinkling. It shows in my pics, esp in the sheer mesh at the top. If you click over to the Nordstrom page and really look at it, you can see the wrinkling in all their pics in the sheer mesh at the top and across the whole body of the dress. I think it may be in part due to the fact that the entire dress has the mesh overlay, but still...what does that mean for packing it? And spending part of the evening sitting down for the ceremony or for dinner, etc? Am I going to end up a big wrinkled mess? (It is so cute though.)



Polyvore of dresses:

Dress Options by HeidiGblog featuring Tahari by Arthur S. Levine dresses

Items in this set:
Nordstrom.com dress, $148
Tahari by Arthur S. Levine dress, $138
Patra dress, $138

So those are my choices. What do you think?

ISO...Purple Shoes

First off, forgive my absence, which I am sure you all managed quite nicely. There was some major stress going on over the week. Sometimes things happen that just throw you way off your center and that was me this week. And I just couldn't handle blogging. I barely read - maybe a post or two a day (and I know I love to get the comments/feedback from you all, but I am back to that now - it will take a few days to catch up, of course.) But it's all settled down and I'm back. And I have some catching up to do (I know I promised pics of the pearl garden bracelet in clementine - oooh, it's pretty!) At least for a week - we are headed to the beach next weekend for a week with hubby's family, so not sure how much blogging will take place that week.

I think I may be on a purple shoe kick...which is a little odd, because I am not a huge "purple" person. In fact, looking at my closet, I don't even think I see a purple tshirt (well, duh, no bf tissue tees in purple). I do have the misty lavender Jackie, but that's it. And you know I love my flats, especially ballet flats. I have been seeing purple ballet flats everywhere and am starting to want a pair for the fall - specifically, purple suede ballet flats. Why, if I don't really have purple to speak of? I think it would be a fun pop of color with all the neutrals. I love the idea of purple with all the tans/creams that I have.

It all started with a stroll through Target and these pretties were on the endcap. (Interesting that the search starts in the low end and works its way up for me.) Mossimo Odell Suede Ballet Flat ($12.99). The color is richer in person - closer to a plum. I tried it on in a 9 and found it very comfortable, with plenty of room. If you have narrow feet, this is probably not the shoe for you. If you do like this shoe, it comes in 21 incarnations right now online - suede, patent, metallic, fabric, and lots of colors, too. (Maybe it's replacing the ubiquitous Xhilaration Sable ballet flat from a couple years ago that came in a billion colors/fabrics?) The reviews for this shoe have been very positive, too. One had a 3-star average, and the others had 4-5 stars. For those of you who have not heard me go on and on about my shoe issues, this is my old-lady Target trick. Yes, their shoes are not that supportive. (Whose ballet flats are, really?) When I get a cute cheap pair of flats from Target, I usually stroll over to the foot care aisle and get a pair of gel insoles to put in them. Tacky, I know, as I run through the lame-o "gelling" lines from the commercials, but *amazing* in terms of added comfort.

The next purple shoes I spied were at Nordstroms...not on sale for the Anniversary Sale. (Jerkies! Otherwise they would be mine already.) Steve Madden Krowwn flat (#265289, $49.95) This actually might be my favorite of the bunch. Ok, it's not *exactly* purple; it's really fuchsia. Well, it's purple-ish. I love the cute little satiny ruffle along the edge all around the top - adorable!! I did not actually try it on, but I did pick it up and handle it, so I can vouch for the fact that it does seem to have some degree of cushioning in the bottom. So I would imagine they are more supportive than the standard ballet flat. They are also available in black, but that's it.

Back to a more true purple - Boden Patent Trim Flats (#AR404, $108). I have not yet tried their shoes, so I can't vouch for the fit factor. These are "fully padded for extra comfort." I like that they are leather because suede can be limiting, depending on weather. And that's why I would also have to seriously consider how much I want to spend on purple suede flats - how easily would they get ruined. Maybe leather is a better way to go. I really love the patent trim on these - way cute and such a nice detail. It is available in a couple other colors (red, green, blue), as well as the standard brown & black.

And, of course, I can't neglect J Crew, can I? Kelcey Suede Ballet Flats (#19312, $98) Let me just say how much I love J Crew for putting their shoes out in store in a size 8. All of you with your cute, tiny, dainty feet, don't complain - you get to try on everyone else's shoes. When the size 8 is out, I can usually pop my size 9 in there for a second, just to get a sense of whether a size up would work or not. I think I tried these on in store (in, ummm, the 8) the last time I was in and the fit was reasonable - so the size 9 might work without killing my wide toe box. But I'm not 100% sure since, quite frankly, there were so many cute little flats out that I was extremely distracted by all of them and I don't remember which one I actually tried. Anyway, with the Kelcey, the plum raisin is the most colorful option, but I love the navy - online it looks almost peacock (a JC fave color, I know), so it may be worth checking out IRL. The chalkboard could be a semi-decent replacement for my beloved gray patent ballet flats.

So...any other crazy cravings for Fall?

Anatomy of a Bag and a Clinique Conversation

Well, ok, so I decided to keep the J Crew canvas boardwalk city tote in the tennis-ball-bright neon yellow. In the end, the color made me happy and I was dying to pull it out and use it with many of my neutral ensembles. And the color reminds me of summer because of how much my mom played tennis when I was growing up. I never caught the bug but my sister did.

Now, this is a wide open bag with 1 zip pocket, so the question naturally arises, how do you keep it organized? Rather, how do you find anything and prevent it from becoming a jumbled mess? I know some people swear by those pocket systems that you move from bag to bag, but I like my stuff in the middle where I can see it and get to it.

Here is the inside of my bag. I picked it up Saturday morning and didn't even try to neaten it, I swear. My sunglasses were, I believe, sitting on the counter, so they missed the pic.

How To Make It Work:

Key decision - what to put in the zip pocket. If you put too much in, you won't be able to find a thing. I have my BlackBerry, an all-purpose -works-with-every-look lipstick, blotting papers (seriously, these from Clean & Clear are the greatest!!), and my keys.

Key item #1 - The plastic-Velcro envelope. I use clear for coupons, red for receipts, and purple for prescriptions to fill or other lists. (Get the alliteration? I'm such a geek.) They are easy to get into, thanks to the Velcro. And because they are translucent, you can even see what's inside the red or purple ones. I got mine at Target, who unfortunately doesn't seem to carry them any more, so I'll have to check Staples or Office Depot for a replacement. This saves a lot of miscellaneous pieces of paper floating around. And the receipt envelope saves on weight & width of the wallet.

Key item #2 - Mini-purse catchall. For mints, band-aids, tissues, additional lipstick/balm, brush, lotion, pill bottle (OTC of course), pen, market, head band...basically all the stuff that is usually rolling around loose in your purse. With a bag this size, you can't have all that little stuff just littering the bottom.

Here's the outside. Yep, it's the Trina Turk bag from the current Nordstrom's Clinique bonus. What I really love is that it is a bit bigger than your standard makeup bonus bag. Plus the colors - yummy, they scream summer.

And the products seem pretty good, too. I don't love the lotion, but I always love trying their colors.

Includes:
- Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips (1.7 oz.)
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (1 oz.)
- Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy
- Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Sun Burst
- Lash Doubling Mascara in Black (0.14 oz.)
- Different Lipstick in Tenderheart
- Superfit Makeup (0.5 oz.)

Just in case you are wondering what to get to qualify for the bonus ($25 purchase), I have a few suggestions:

#1 - Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick ($14). I love this lipstick. I am just not a lipgloss girl. Too sticky. This gives me the best of both lipstick and gloss - sheer color, shine, not too sticky. Great colors to boot. I have Ambrosia (great summer orange), Poppy Love (a nude-y pink they don't seem to have any more), and Raspberry Rush (yummy raspberry for summer that I just got). I also tried Fresh Watermelon - another great summer color.

#2 - Lash Power Mascara ($14). I have been a fan of this since last spring. It's my standard summer mascara. I also use (per GingerSnap's excellent recommendation) the L'Oreal Beauty Tubes Double Extend Mascara. But this one is just a little easier, with 1 formula to apply. It's not as volumizing, but just so summer-appropriate for me. (still keep the tubes for the vavavoom lashes, though.) The new Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Mascara, which I tried at $23 for a tube was so similar I was amazed, except that the Clinique mascara was better. Bobbi's formula was a little too wet for me and I looked like I had black dots on very weird places around my eye. Big, huge fan of the Lash Power. The tube is nice & skinny, so it packs easily, too.

#3 - SPF 45 Targeted Sun Protection Stick ($17.50). I had the previous version, in SPF 30 from 2 summers ago, so it needed to be replaced. I use this religiously on my lips - and on my eyes, which often sting from sunscreen. It's easy enough to take a quick swipe. This newer version is oil-free, so I will probably start using on my nose since I feel like the sunscreen slides off there first. I love love love this. And if you haven't seen my sun safety rant from a couple weeks ago, you should. Ok, off soapbox.

UPDATE - I just got an email that says the promotion runs through June 6.