I Want It and I Want It Delivered!

I thought that this white dress was fabulous enough to earn it's very own post. I am a sucker for anything sparkly, shiny or sequined. . .and this dress certainly has some bling. A completely crystal encrusted bodice is off-set by soft, romantic layers.

Rachel Gilbert

For a bride-to-be looking for a fun dress to change into for a reception, this one is the perfect choice. . .but for those who don't have upcoming nuptials, fret not, because this dress is sure to dazzle at any event.

White Noise. . .

A constant topic of debate in fashion is the age-old rule of "No white before Easter or after Labor Day." Regardless of your personal opinion on the matter, it is after Easter, therefore everyone can enjoy a new spring dress in white!

A white dress is one of those staples that every woman should have in her wardrobe. You can wear it bare, or layer it up with different colors and textures depending on the weather. White offers up a blank slate for accessories and color, or looks crisp when worn alone.

1. BCBG 2. Calvin Klein 3. French Connection 4. Torn by Ronny Kobo 5. Diane Von Furstenberg 6. Carmen Marc Valvo 7. See by Chloe 8. D&G 9. Halston Heritage 10. Gestuz 11. Nicole Miller

Wear for work: 1, 6, 7

Date night: 2, 5, 8

Casual Cool: 4, 7, 9

Trendy Textures: suede: 10 leather: 3

Favorite colors to try with white:

1. Black: When in doubt, black & white is always a fashionable and chic combination.

2. Metallic: Gold and silver look great which white in the summer.

3. Turquoise: Love this color mixed with white.

4. Coral: Another fun color to warm up a white ensemble on a warm summer evening.


A few rules to follow when donning a white frock:

1. Watch the undergarments: some women don't realize that it is nude under garments that should be worn under white clothing, and not white undergarments. Furthermore -- if you are wearing a tight white dress, where Spanx to hide any unflattering bulges or, eh hem, cellulite.

2. If you think it might be too see through, it is - and there is nothing that cheapens a look faster. Easily solve this problem with pant pockets by having them cut out and sewn shut.

3. Keep it crisp and wrinkle free. Be-friend your dry cleaners.

4. Get a tan. . .but not a fake one. Self tanner + White = potentially embarrassing situation. If you have fair skin, wait until a little later in the season and be sure to sweep some bronzer on your cheeks, collar bone and shoulders.

Working Girl

The days are getting longer and the weather is heating up. . .to me this means one thing: Spring Dresses! After months of winter full of dark colors and heavy clothing I anxiously await those first few warm spring days when I can step out sans tights in a floaty spring dress. In honor of the warming weather and impending Easter, I am dedicating this week to dresses. Each day I will highlight some of my favorite dress choices this season for a variety of needs. Then check back next week to see how I turn some of my favorites into an entire outfit!

Today I will start with dresses for work. With more and more offices turning to a more casual look, women have a much larger selection of clothing to choose from for the office. It is important, though, no matter how casual your office might be that you do remain work appropriate. This can be done through choosing appropriate fabrics, fit and cut.

Row 1: Eliza J, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Julie Brown

Row 2: DVF, Eliza J
Row 3: BCBG, Anthropologie

Wide hips? Try: Yellow Eliza J, Red Marc Jacobs
Straight Figure? Try: DVF, Print Eliza J, BCBG
Belly? Try: Julie Brown

Fabrics: Choose more sophisticated fabrics, such as silks, structured cottons. . . .even a jersey fabric can be great in a structured wrap dress, especially for those who travel.

Fit: Nothing too tight, too short or too low cut are all obvious. But what about nothing too loose? Wear your dresses fitted, even a floaty style should graze your curves, not swallow you like a trash bag.

Cut: Think tailored, structured and sophisticated.

You MUST Know About This!

If you are anything like me, you have an abundance of cocktail dresses hanging in the back of your closet collecting dust. You also are probably on the hunt for the perfect dress for the holidays and New Years Eve. It's not that you don't like the cocktail dresses you already own, it's that you have already worn them, maybe on multiple occasions. Unlike shoes or a sweater, cocktail dresses are one of those items that you only get a handful of uses out of.

Enter Rent the Runway. For a fraction of the price of buying a new dress, Rent the Runway allows you to rent designer dresses to wear for an event! Stocked with the season hottest designer dresses, members can rent a dress costing upwards of $500 or more for just $50-$200, depending on the dress.

You can search by categories such as: New Years Eve, Meet the Parents and Date Night. Stylists are also on call to help with sizing decisions and suggestions on how to accessorize your look.

Unlike popular bag rental site, Bag Borrow or Steal, I find Rent the Runway completely affordable, and the fashionista's answer to never repeating the same dress. They even offer an option of renting a 2nd size for FREE! This ensures that you won't end up without a dress due to fit. I have found that many of these dresses are available right now in stores, so why not go try them on for size and fit there, and then rent them online!

Rent the Runway is a fairly new site, but I am excited to see what happens next season when their current dresses are no longer seasonal. My hope is that they will be selling them for steep discounts, giving members another way to score a top designer dress for cheap!

Want to join? Follow this invitation link: http://renttherunway.com/referral/lprattes

Look like a Celebrity, for less!

The Oscars were just over a week ago, and already designers have come out with cheaper versions of the gowns celebrities wore on the Red Carpet. Typically these gowns are called "Celebrity Inspired". . .but I have to say, there is nothing inspired about these. . .they look IDENTICAL to the real deal.

Most of the gowns worn by celebrities on the Red Carpet retail somewhere between $10,000 to upwards of $150,000 (Penelope Cruz's vintage Balmain)!!!! Edress Me has these celebrity look-a-like gowns that will cost you only $200 to $400! I am blown away by Edress Me's version of Eva Longoria Parker's red Reem Acra for the Golden Globes. They also have a more body friendly version of Jennifer Lopez's Marchesa gown she wore for the Golden Globes as well!

Spring Fever

Spring may not be here just yet. . .but it is all I can think about these days! I am checking weather.com daily to see when it will begin to warm up enough to bust out my Spring clothes! One of my favorite things about Spring is the dresses! Not only are they pretty, and flattering, but they are such an easy outfit! No mixing and matching tops and bottoms, just throw on a dress, jewelry and heels and go.

Another great thing about dresses is that they can easily go from the office to cocktail hour. Depending on the conservativeness of you office, a dress can be a great option for Spring. When wearing a dress to the office there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure you aren't showing too much skin: this means leg, chest and back! It's okay to wear a sleeveless dress if you throw a cardigan or jacket over it for the office.

2. Make sure it's not too tight.

3. Make sure the material is appropriate. Don't wear casual fabrics to the office unless you have a casual dress code.

All of the dresses below are appropriate for the office (depending on your office dress code) with a cardigan or jacket, and can go strait from the office to drinks, dinner or dancing after!

1. Anthropologie Dress: I love this dress and think it can be great for day and night! For work wear with a colorful cardigan, black heels and sophisticated jewelry. For night change into fun heels, colorful jewelry, and a clutch and you are ready to go!

2. Shoshanna Yellow Dress: Another great dress! This doesn't require a cardigan for work unless your dress code doesn't allow shoulders to show. In that case throw on a black jacket or cardigan. For shoes go with a neutral heel. For cocktail hour throw on a chunky bangle and a patterned heel, or even go with pink!

3. Suzi Chin: I'm typically not one for floral, but this year I can't get enough of flowing floral chiffon dresses. For the office: yellow cardigan, neutral heel.

4. Milly Dress: This dress may be stretching the boundary of office appropriate. . .but I loved it. . .so I had to put it on here!

5. Banana Republic Dress: The structure and sleeves to this dress make it appropriate for just about any office. There is no need to add a cardigan or jacket, just wear with nude shoes so as to not fight the graphic pattern of the dress. For evening throw on a metallic sandal and some bangles.

6. JCrew Dress: This dress would look great with a slim fit, 2 button blazer and nude pumps for the office. For night lose the blazer, add a gold bracelet and metallic heels and you are done!

7. Bebe Dress: Add a cardigan or 2 button blazer to this dress for the office. Pair with black heels a simple jewelry. You may also need to add a camisole under the dress to avoid showing too much cleavage. For night loose the camisole and cardigan, slip into some strappy sandals and add a chunky statement necklace.

8. JCrew Dress: I'm not sure if this dress would work with a cardigan or not due to the high neckline. This dress is appropriate for those in a more creative field with a lax dress code due to the bare shoulders. Pair with pumps for the office and sandals for cocktail hour.

I want it. . .and I want it delivered!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Black Halo. It's been on my style radar for a while. . .I always like the designs. . .but I've never paid too much attention to it. Which is strange really, because Black Halo designs have a tendency to grace magazine covers on a monthly basis. This season Black Halo is now one of my favorite Collections! What I love most about Black Halo is that their designs combine a classic look, with a sexy flair, and interesting detailing. Their pieces are timeless, without being boring.

Without further adieu. . .I present to you. . .my obsession for Spring. One of my MUST HAVES for the season.

Black Halo Camilla Shift Dress.

I LOVE the classic shape of this dress, yet the interesting ruffle detailing around the neck and bust. Even more I love the beautiful powder blue color, contrasted with the red skinny belt! PERFECTION!

This dress is the perfect addition for any closet because of it's timeless characteristics. This is sure to be worn for seasons to come!

So who can wear this dress? This dress is certainly a figure conscious one. . .and you can bet I'll definitely be throwing a pair of Spanx under this one! Believe it or not though, this dress will work for a variety of figures.

An hourglass figure would obviously be a knock out in the dress, but be careful the dress hugs the curves just right. . .just not too tight! Hourglass figures have to be careful, because their body shape screams sex appeal. . .although a little sexy is good. . .you don't want to come across as a full on sex kitten!

If you are more of a pear shape, this dress can be flattering as well. . .just make SURE it's not too tight across the rear. . .consider going up a size from your norm. The volume in the chest and shoulders can help to balance a pear shape.

This would also be flattering on someone with a tall, strait figure. The belt and the volume in the chest help to add some shape to a strait frame. Equally, even if you are on the short side, the high-waist on this dress will help to visually elongate the legs. If you are on the short side have the dress hemmed just above the knee to make your legs look even longer.

I think I will have to find some room in my closet for this one this Spring!

Holiday Cheer - Purple

Purple had definitely been THE color for the Fall/Winter 09 Season. . . and it just so happens to be on of my favorite colors! I love the richness of the color, and how it compliments almost any skin tone. I have always loved purple and silver together for the holiday season. . .so I have selected some of my favorite pieces for holiday gatherings this year.

Be bold with a purple dress, or more subtle by using purple to accessorize your outfit. When accessorizing a purple dress try to pair it with metallic silver or gold that will make the dress pop, instead of black which is too close in color. Grey is also another beautiful compliment to purple, try grey boots or a grey coat.

Clockwise from top left:
1. Banana Republic Top 2. Soia & Kyo Coat
3. Tracy Reese Dress 4. Forever 21 Clutch
5. Tadashi Dress 6. Tracy Reese Cardigan
7. Christian Louboutin Pumps 8. Catherine Malandrino Dress
9. Carolina Amato Gloves 10. Nicole Miller Dress
Center: Victoria's Secret Dress

My absolute favorite is the Victoria's Secret Sweater Dress in the center. I love the sexy draping in the back, it takes a sweater dress to a new level. I also think the purple Silk Top from Banana Republic is beautiful for an office party or holiday dinner!

The best news about purple is that it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Shades of lavender are popping up in new lines for Spring, and Tracy Reese's new spring collection is full of splashes of purple!

Holiday Cheer - Red

Do you have a holiday work party to go to? Maybe a cocktail party, or Christmas Eve dinner?

Typically when I am looking for an outfit for an event, I know what color I want to wear, and set out to find something that works. We all know that when you are looking for something you can never find it. . .so I thought I would post some ideas of holiday attire by color! Keep checking back over the next day or two and I will post all of my favorite findings for this years holiday soiree's!

RED

As a general rule, I like to steer clear of wearing red to holiday parties. . .it's much too cliche and expected. This year is the exception to that rule. Red is my predicted "must have" color for Fall/Winter 2010. . .so in anticipation, I will be wearing it throughout this winter season.

1. Calvin Klein 2. Eliza J 3. David Meister

4. J Crew 5. Max and Cleo 6. Just Cavalli

7. Forever 21