Love it: Sequins Striped Tank

So this top may not work at most people's offices but it's still hot, I like it, and I'm featuring it! It's totally itty-bitty sequins and is definitely a "going out to party" top. Now, if you happen to work in some fashion-forward industry, I'm sure this could be layered with a black suit jacket and black slacks or skirt. But for going out, it will be hot with black skinny jeans, dark blue skinny jeans, or black leggings. This top is a statement top, so keep everything else you wear with it subtle so the top can be the attention-grabber it should be. With the low-scooped back, it's definitely sassy.

Back in Brooklyn Top for $38.00 @ Lulus.com

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Love it: Hounds Tooth Dress

I love this dress because the hounds tooth print is a bit extreme. Extreme can be good and attention-grabbing. It may be a bit busy for most, but let me explain how I would wear this to work, then switch it up for evening.

For work (provided that the dress code is Business Casual, not Business Professional): I would layer a black mid-thigh length cardigan over the top of this dress and cinch the waist with a skinny black leather belt. I can see the belt being snack skin or some sort of texture to play against the hounds tooth. The solid black cardigan would calm down the hounds tooth print of the dress and make it seen not as dramatic as it is worn alone. Shoes? Something simple like an no-nonsense ankle boot (can you tell I LOVE ankle boots) or a simple round-toe black pump.

For evening: I would lose the cardigan and lose the matching belt that comes with the dress. I would wear a wide-width leather belt and keep the same shoes from the work day. The wide-width belt would break up the hounds tooth but wouldn't take away from the audacity of the hounds tooth the way the long cardigan does for the work day.

Covet Garden Dress for $33.00 @ Lulus.com

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Love It: Last Empress Tunic

Here's a dramatic tunic to top off your skinny jeans and black or grey leather ankle boots! The waistband will show off your curves while the sleeves and layered hemline flows. The shade of blue is striking, so I would wear this with deep blue skinny denim and simple black ankle boots. I could also see this worn with black leggings and black leather over-the-knee heeled boots that are on trend this fall.

Last Empress Tunic for $56.00 @ Lulus.com

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Love it: Silk Chain-Link Printed Sheath Dress

Been a long time since I've posted. I know. I'm slacking. Doesn't mean I haven't been window shopping online for what I think are great additions to any wardrobe. I'll do better (hopefully) from here on out.

This is my #1 favorite item at Banana Republic at this moment (until new items arrive, of course). This dress is gorgeous in person and fits a variety of body-types (I've seen it on a few different people). It can easily be another one of that versatile pieces that can be worn to work with a cardigan and thick black belt, then at night without the cardigan.

Note: In the store, the dress isn't as short as it appears in this photo. I don't know why it's shown as short as it is on BananaRepublic.com but it really comes to right above the knee, not mid-thigh short as shown.

Silk Chain-Link Sheath Dress @ Banana Republic for $130.00 (in-store price)

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Love it: Gladiator Booties

How. Sick. Are these. Gladiator Booties? Ok! Metallic. 4" heel. Everything about this shoe is screaming sexy. Love it! Shopbop also offers it in black leather and brown leather, but those colors pale in comparison to the Pewter metallic. Fabulous.

Elizabeth and James Luella High Heel Gladiator Booties for $325.00 @ shopbop.com

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Love it: Little Black Dress

This dress is simple and daring all at the same time. Great version of an LBD (Little Black Dress). Seems very simple and elegant in the front with a cowl neck. Then the back gives you a touch of daring with the sheer mesh panel. You could probably layer a medium-width black leather belt on top to alter the look a bit, but as you can see it's great as is. The shoes in this picture are hot too. Accessories? I would only to stud earrings of some sort and a bold bracelet. Nothing more than that.

Rachel Roy Cheoni Sleeveless Dress for $595.00 @ shopbop.com

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Love Art: Crown Royal Pop Art

This is titled the "3x Crown Royal Whisky - Framed Pop Art" by JBAO. It's $90.00 and comes signed and dated by the artist. And it comes framed and matted...so basically it's ready to hang. The art I like is very random. This would fit in nicely, add a pop of color to the wall, and is a great conversation piece, in my opinion.

$90.00 @ Etsy.com

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Love it: Green Printed Dress

Usually I am not a fan of anything with crazy prints, but this Newport Ruffle Dress at FredFlare.com is super cute. To break up the print a little, I'd place a black skinny belt around the waist and maybe a black or grey cardigan over the top... it's a little Liberian but that's a cute preppy look, especially for work.

Printed Newport Ruffle Dress for $70.00 @ Fred Flare

Mini Gathered Belt for $50.00 @ Banana Republic

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Love it: Shawl Collar Sweater Dress

Here's a great dress to add to your "Night" attire collection. The Tucking Sweater Dress can be found at Marciano's and it's definitely a dress that will add curves... and for those of us that are already curvy, this dress will definitely emphasize that fact. Like they say, if you've got it, flaunt it. The pleated detail at the waist draws attention. The flutter sleeve will widen the shoulders a bit. Altogether you'll have that Coke-bottle look a la Kim Kardashian in this dress for sure. Don't forget your Spanx (or equivalent) to keep things smooth and classy.

Tucking Sweater Dress for $128.00 at Marciano

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Love it: Best Shirt Dress

Here's another great dress that can easily go from day-to-night with the change of a shoe and jewelry. It's called "Sunday's Best Shirt Dress" at Lulu's. It looks a little on the short side, so I would suggest that if you are wearing this to work that you stick with a flat, like a ballet flat or the like. If you wear a heel with the shortness of the dress, it will look shorter than it actually is...which makes a heel a nice choice for going out to dinner or happy hour. *wink* Can you tell I'm a fan of happy hour? Half off drinks and professionals mingling...hello??? To me, it seems like the riff-raff comes out at night. Anyway, this is definitely one of those simple pieces that flexes and I, personally, love clothes that flex so I can get more bang for me money so to speak. Also from LuLu's, I've picked a flat for day and a heel for night that should look great with this dress. One-stop shopping is great especially since a lot of online stores offer free standard shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount. For instance, at Lulu's if you spend $75 or more you get free standard shipping.

Sunday's Best Shirt Dress for $32.50 @ Lulu's

Work look: Delicious Upgrade Grey Faux Suede Bejeweled Ballet Flat for $22.00 @ Lulu's

Night Look: Paprika Era Black Snake Studded Platform Cage Heel for $26.50 @ Lulu's (4.25" heel, faux leather)

Nexus Double Wrap Belt for $23.00 @ Lulu's (faux leather)

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Love it: Blouson Jersey Dress

How versatile is this dress? It's described at NewportNews.com as a blouson bodice jersey dress with a fitted skirt.

It's shown here with a gold tone chain belt. Depending on the dress code at your place of employment, this could be a great piece that could easily go from day-to-night with a change of a shoe. Maybe for work, wear it with an ankle boot, knee boot, classic pump, or ballet flat. Then when you punch out and head to happy hour, throw on your gladiator-type heels or strappy sandal and you're set. It comes in this silver color as well as navy (both THE colors for fall) and is only $29.00!

For work you can dress the look down if you wear a wide leather belt or no belt at all. Save the shiner chain belt of happy hour or going out. I would also suggest that if you go with the flashier sassier belt for your "go out" look, you definitely can keep your accessories light, simple hoops or studs and a thin bracelet or just your watch and your golden.

Oh! And this is a jersey material, so don't be afraid to put on your Spanx (or equivalent) to keep things smooth and classy. (Spanx are comfortable, y'all. If you haven't invested, do so).

Blouson Jersey Dress for $29.00 @ Newport News.com

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Love it: Love Necklace

Zad My Love is Written Necklace in Gold

This necklace is very simple but very pretty to me. It reminds me of the "love" Carrie's assistant spoke about giving herself everyday in the Sex & The City Movie. Being a necklace, it's easy to wear. Definitely can be an everyday piece that can match any and every outfit.

$11.00 @ LuLu's

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Cocktails: True Blood

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I love me some True Blood. HBO and Alan Ball have really out-done themselves with this show. It's fantastic on so many different levels. During the very beginning of Season 1, I was informed by a co-worker that the show True Blood is based on the Sookie Stackhouse southern vampire series. I quickly became a fan of the books, read all 9 of them in no time, and am waiting on the next installment to be finished by Charlaine Harris.

HBO took the obsession of True Blood one step further and created an actual drink called "Tru Blood". Right now it's sold on HBO's web site, but I'm sure they are working hard to get it in as many Wal-Greens and convenience stores throughout the country. I haven't tried it, but according to HBO's website the drink is a blood orange flavored soda that is tart and sweet at the same time with slight carbonation. The design of the bottle looks exactly like the synthetic Japanese blood that the mainstreaming vampires live on in the show.

Naturally, with the creation of the actual TruBlood drink, HBO has also created drinks that mix TruBlood with alcohol. How wonderful is that???

The Fangbanger - TruBlood and Vodka

Death on the Beach - Tru Blood, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice, and Vodka

Plasmapolitan - Tru Blood, Citron, Cointreau, and Fresh Lime Juice

And one of the wonderful people I follow on Twitter, @truebloodnet, who also has a fan website called www.TrueBloodNet.com, tweeted about this lovely drink:

Bloody Last Kiss - half Tru Blood, half tequila, a half teaspoon of coarse sea salt in the center with a few drops of Stevia

Just wanted to share all of this with you. Of course, when Season 2 is released on DVD and you're planning a viewing party like I will probably do, you have to incorporate one of these drinks onto your menu so you can enjoy in style.

Enjoy. And drink responsibly.

Love It: Grey Booties

Barabara Bui's Zip Ankle Booties with Hidden Platform. Great color for the fall and has a classic design, so it will last well into other seasons. Some people shy away from this color, but really it's a nice play on the basic black and can easily be added to any wardrope.

$865.00 @ www.ShopBop.com

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Love it: American Grown Savannah Mint Hand Soap

Recently I went to Bath & Body Works a few weeks ago and purchased their Amercian Grown Savannah Mint Hand Soap because it smells so good. This hand soap leaves a light mint fragrance in the air and on your skin.

$7.50 @ www.BathAndBodyWorks.com

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Love it: Black Suede Triple Cross Heel

I fell in love with these heels at first sight.

They are called the "Steve Madden Tayla Black Suede Triple Cross Heel"...that's a mouth-full! Regardless, this is an ultra-sexy heel that I can see worn with a flattering sweater dress that stops just above the need or even a fitted t-shirt and denim cuffed capris, if you want to do something funky.

$96.00 @ www.LuLus.com

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Willkommen. Bienvenue. Welcome. C'mon in.

Things I love: parties, fashion, shoes, purses, food, drinks, television shows, movies, good times. That's what I love and can talk about these things for hours. So I decided to write about them. Call it my collection of "Favorite Things" in blog form.

About me: I'm a retail manager for a well-known clothing store with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and an Associate degree in Retail Merchandising Management. I'm a home-body who enjoys just about all of the original programming on HBO, addicted to reality TV ("Crap TV" as expressed by some), and good food and drinks with friends. I feel like I am the go-to person whenever a friend of mine has to go to a wedding reception because they always ask my advice on what to wear. I'm also a HUGE boxing fan and can hold my own in a conversation with any male boxing fan out there. My child-hood dream was to become a fashion designer. When it came time to enter college, I followed my parents' wishes (and their check book) to business school instead while working for a customer tailor. After college and evaluating my personality and experiences so far, I changed my dream to owning my own boutique (business plan is in process).

Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I will enjoy writing about it.

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