Trend Report: Rocking Dots: Polka Dots for Everyone

I love a great polka dot print. I don't rock them all the time but I do indulge occasionally.

In celebration of Jess "I rock a lot of polka dots" Day , here are a few dresses that anyone who has an inkling to wear polka dots can rock.

If your style is more Charlotte than Carrie:

A great boat neck is flattering on almost every figure. The twist knot detail gives the pattern a twist (ha!) and makes it on trend (I almost sick of seeing twist knots every where). It's classy, figure flattering and a little of fun. You can buy it here.

If you're into the 1950's now and then (c'mon I know you get my reference) like I am or Ms. Zooey then this just might be the dress for you:

Out of the two, although I would wear both, this one is definitely more my style. If Carrie and Charlotte ever shared a closet then this dress might live in it. It's a dress I can imagine dancing in, strutting down the streets of New York in it with either my red heels or purple wedges or black round toe flats, and generally having a good time in it.

I think I would end up wearing it for years. You can dress it up or down, the office or a night out. Winner! Available here.

For a more classic and tailored look, I really love this DKNYC dress:

It's floaty, breezy and undeniably feminine. I love that is a button down and the sleeves can be rolled up or down. The weather in NYC is getting nicer and nicer, so I can't help but to imagine wearing this to work or brunch with my girls. You might be able to wear to a day time wedding if you accessorized with the right shoes, hair, clutch and jewelry. Since it's navy, not black, I would pair it with my wood stacked heel brown leather sandals.

I can see Miranda wearing it.

What do you think? Are polka dots your thing?

I'm Grateful For:

1. My awesome, bitch (it's what my boss calls a haircut that is badass), haircut from the lovely Marina of Shear Bella Salon. It is as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
2. My new bras. I feel like a new woman wearing my new bra from H&M - great quailty for a cheap price.
3. My Bloomingdale's gift card: I got great new MAC makeup and I love it.
4. My new neon yellow t-shirt. I feel like spring. Turns out I look like it, too. Two of the brokers told me so at work. My favorite:

Broker: "Lauren, you look like spring."
Me: "It feels like spring outside."
Broker: "I like it, I really like it."
Me: GRIN!

*bonus note of gratitude because I am in A REALLY GOOD MOOD TODAY!

What I Learned Today . . .

Excellent f-cking revenge on national TV. (CDAN)

Yay!! More info and spoilers about Oncce Upon a Time!!! (EW)

I found a place where I can tackle screen printing on the cheap! Because there ain't no room in my house for it. (ABC No Rio)

This is SO perfect for me. My heart does live in NY and CA. I like to wear my heart on my sleeve! (Wildfox)

I love this mermaid and dolphin candle lantern. (Etsy - Earthsteps)

I equally love this mermaid necklace. (Etsy - ValleyGirlDesigns)

Checked out my current favorite book's author/blog/reading guide. (Sarah Jio)

Lauren took great and fun holiday photos of her and Kyle's home. I especially enjoy the antlers on the KitchenAid. (Chezerbey)

Obsession: Wildfox Bicoastal Gidget Sweatshirt

Whenever I go back home to Encinitas, I have a couple of stores I HAVE to stop by. Luckily, It's a Luv Thing and Hansen's are next door to each other. The day before Christmas I became obsessed with this sweatshirt:

It was made for me. Living and loving life in NYC but will always be a Cali girl at heart.

Alas, it is a little out of my price range at $90 a pop. The sales person made a couple of good points: made in the USA, unbelievably soft and perfect for me.

UPDATE: 1/4/12 Am still obsessed with this sweatshirt. It's retails $108 online. . . I just can't bring myself to do it :(.

Love, Love, Love (Like It's Sung at the Beginning of Love, Actually)

I love this dress. I check on it every day at Piperlime. I have a couple of summer weddings to go to next year and I keep thinking it would be such a perfect dress to wear. It reminds of a really classy 4th of July party.

Keep or Return?

Like I've said before, I need more work clothes. I bought the below black skirt a couple of weeks ago and I can't decide whether or not to return it. I'm a babe on a budget so the price is right and it does fit high on my waist like the first photo. I love the the back detailing. The bow, the piping. It fits well. But it is really high up on my waist. Like maybe too much attention up top.

Do you think it's worth it? Should I keep it?

Cause right now I am stuck wear the same black skirt every week have only one black skirt that is perfect for work.

UPDATE: I kept it and I'm so, so happy with it. I wear it all the time and get tons of compliments on it.

Is It Just Me?

Or are these two different dresses? But they are supposed to be the same - click here.

This is the one that I want

I think this is the one I'd get

I need another opinion - are they or aren't they two different dresses?

I'd buy the first one in a hot minute and never buy the second one. Especially at $14.95! It'd be great for work and play. But alas I'm guessing the second one is the real one based on the other photos.

Sad.

Yup It's That Kind of a Day

My Party Outfit for This Saturday

On Saturday night- my friends Stef and Eric (Steric to some) are having a housewarming party complete with cocktail attire and a keg (hell, we are still in our twenties (for now)). I love a party because it will be with good friends and sure to be good times but also because I get to plan an outfit!!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I a) love clothes b)l ove an excuse to shop c) love to PLAN outfits and d)love wearing a well planned outfit.

I realize this is a little strange but I get a TON of pleasure out of planning and wearing an outfit that I love. So let me present to you, internet, the dress I'll be wearing on Saturday:

 

 I got this fun and lively (and usually expensive) dress via the fabulous Gilt Groupe. It's by 7 for All Mandkind, view more here. On my pretty little feet (actually my feet are a size 8-9 and not so pretty but you get the point) are these fabu shoes:

 

There are by Madeline Shoes and I got them from the really cool and old Queen Anne Dispatch. They were on sale for half off! I don't know if I've ever met a pair of shoes I didn't love for $30. I love these because they feel Hollywood and trendy (when I wear them, I feel like I should be at a movie premier) yet comfy. I think the olive green/gray and brown/red netting will contrast the eye catching black and white pattern nicely.

I know it's not quite matchy-matchy and a little more funky but that's precisely why I love it :).

Another little fantasy/dream of mine? Fashion stylist.

Big surprise, I know.