White Denim; a Summer Staple. How to buy WHITE jeans.

White demin…so crisp, so cute, but such a conundrum. Why is something so cute on the hanger so difficult to find the right fit?

Answer:

THEY’RE WHITE!

White is not forgiving… which is why we all wear BLACK work out pants.  “Black”- we love you.  You flatter, even when one is a wee bit fatter. Denim Blue—we love you too.  *Buy them tight, they stretch!

Ah Ha!  Could that be my issue?  I was shopping for white denim using rules for *dark denim.  Normally, we buy our blue jeans super snug, right?  We do.  It works.

But in WHITE denim… super-snug CAN very easily turn Michelin Man.

So what if I just slipped on a pair one size up from the blue denim I wore to the store?  Worth a try, right? I scooped up 3 or 4 different styles (necessary for ANY color jean) and wouldn’t you know it…  the body skimming (not body hugging) fit made the difference.

Cute, crisp and no longer a conundrum, white jeans are a summer essential.  (so is Oxiclean)

*CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT BUYING DARK  DENIM

Note: Great fits available in all price ranges.

I recently purchased a super cute pair with a super cute client- Citizens of Humanity crop/ Nordstrom.

 Another nice fit-  Mossimo Supply crop/Target.

Special Event Dresses. In Search of THE ONE.

Too excited to find a scissor, I ripped open the little brown box with a kitchen fork.  Poor fork.  I could barely wait to see the Versace Collection dress I ordered online. It was for a client, currently seeking sizzle for a spring soiree.

Said client has a svelte little silhouette, so she could make any dress sing.  But what I loved about this particular dress was that it combined sizzle and sophistication.  So HER!   Paired with a sensational heel…it had tons of potential.

Guess what?   It was the LAST size six and it WAS ON SALE!

YAY!  I couldn’t believe me luck!:)

I threw off the packing paper and  GASP!! I  really couldn’t believe me luck…:(

The box did not contain Versace sizzle!

It contained a pair of flip-flops. Fizzle.

Grey flip-flops, no less.  It was heartbreak-in-a-box.

Customer service consoled me for the mistake (and actually tried to help me locate the dress in other stores!)   Unfortunately,  it wasn’t meant to be.

But before I write it off, I’m going to write about it. The dress-that-got-away is an excellent blog example of a glam dress with all the right elements:

• The clean lines elongate for long, lean look.
• The two tones (black on the sides) are super slimming.
• The draped neck is not only flattering, but easy to wear.
• The unique Y-back adds interest.
• The length is ideal.  One never has to worry about being “age apprpriate” with this hemline.

A dress like this might not initially catch your eye on the hanger.   Details like these, however, will make it an eye-catching dress ON the person.  The take-away:  While shopping for dresses it’s a good idea to search FIRST for a flattering cut.  Then for the color, style etc.

There. lemonade out of lemons.  Closure via keyboard.    It  was silly to fall in love (on-line) with a dress I’ve never met in person.   It probably had baggage, right?

I’m over you Versace dress.  SO excited to move on and find THE ONE!     

Buying Up Bling with Billy! Win a Shopping Spree with Melrose Place Star, Andrew Shue.

Andrew Shue, star of the 1990’s hit Melrose Place, will be at Edina’s version of the West Hollywood shopping hot spot tomorrow: 50th & France.

The House Amore and Fede will host the star Tuesday, November 15 at 12N.  Stop by the boutique before Noon (Monday)  to register to win a $100 shopping spree. (Shopping to be assisted by Shue and shot by Twin Cities Live.)

Shue is in town for the Twin Cities’ launch of Mom.com.  The father of three co-founded the super successful site,  CafeMom.com, in 1999. The site, which boasts more than seven million visitors each month, is a resource for moms to talk, share advice and make new friends. 

Mom.com is an extension of the brand and will offer fabulous deals for families every day. The site caters to moms and the things that their families like to buy, eat, and do- at greatly discounted prices.

Shue to appear:
Tuesday, November 15  Noon  @ The House of Amore and Fede   3940 West 50th  Edina, MN

Tuesday, November 15 3pm on TWIN CITIES LIVE  Kstp Channel 5. and on Lori and Julie MY TALK 107.1 FM immediately after.   

 Wednesday, November 16  7:30pm-9:30pm @  Pinstripes  3849 Gallagher Drive Edina MN

        

Lush Ocean Salt Review

If your computer screen had a scratch and sniff feature, you’d be very happy right now.  Breathe in and at least pretend.

Ahhhh….It smells like beach.

The Ocean Salt Facial Scrub from LUSH was a luxurious little gift from Macy’s.  The retailer recently hosted a bloggers event at their Southdale store.

Ocean Salt was my favorite thing in the swag bag, not only because of the scent, but because it feels sensational.  The little salty scrubbers make your skin say, “HELLO? What  was THAT?”  Then you dig in and scoop out MORE!

The Lush line is all about fresh.  Ocean Salt’s ingredients read like a juice bar menu; lemon, lime, coconut, grapefruit, to name a few.   Next time you notice the LUSH logo beaming brightly in Macy’s cosmetics department, bop by and buy up some beach for your bathroom.  Love It.

Photo credit: Lush 

The Trench Coat; a Classic Piece for Women’s Wardrobes.

We’ve all asked the age-old question, “Does this make my butt look big?” I suspect many of us have also asked “Does this trench coat make me look like McGruff the Crime Dog?

Ninety percent of the time the answer is “No,” but that “McGruff look” can happen.

To prevent, look for trench coats with a nice feminine silhouette, cinched waist and slightly A-line lower half.

If you’ve tried on some styles and felt more “detective” than “designer,” look for delicate details.  Beautiful buttons, fancy fabrics or a pretty ruffle can amp up the style factor.

Piperlime offers the Ruffle Trim Trench pictured left at only $79.  Love the versatile charcoal shade.

My client and I fell in LOVE with the Armani Collezioni Fan Collar Jacket we found at Nordstrom. (lower left)  The metallic thread and swirling pattern are stunning up close. She looks like a million bucks, no matter WHAT she’s wearing under it.   Trench coats are a beautiful thing.

A trench coat is a key piece in any wardrobe.   This is a classic garment  it’s okay to splurge a little.   There’s certainly no crime in, at least,  trying one on… 

Summer Dresses! featuring Hot Mama

Every Tuesday morning I attend an absolutely awesome cardio blast, dancy-dance style class at Lifetime Fitness. (fun music, fun choreography and fun  teacher –Marybeth- if you want to check it out!)  Anyway, on a recent Tuesday morning two regulars stood chatting outside the studio- One of them visibly giddy. She was describing a little tank dress she picked up at Hot Mama. She was excited that this comfy, cotton, dress with ruffles was absolutely flattering.  It hid the areas we we’re trying to work off while accentuating any attributes. “Go check it out,”  she said– so I did.

I couldn’t imagine a tank dress with full-on ruffles. Sounded sporty, yet feminine.   I described it to Abby, my Hot Mama sales associate.  She knew it instantly and said it flew off the racks in a matter of days. Apparently it looked good on a lot of people!  (Sundresses tend to do that— that’s why we love them!)  I resorted to looking at a photo and indeed this heather gray tank dress was sporty, yet girly too.   It was called the Cha Cha Dress- how appropriate to learn about it in my dancy-dance style class.

Summer dresses are so fun and easy to wear!    They are, by far, the most flattering garment to grab, get ready and go.  Buy them in bright colors or florals.  Feminine details like flowers, ruffles,  etc are fresh for spring and can be worn by all ages. (in moderation)   Check out my article for Edina.patch featuring Hot Mama styles and advice regarding wearing girly styles without looking girlish. Click here for link     (article posted on Patch earlier this Spring)