Summer Skirts – the perfect length makes all the difference

We’ve covered summer dresses and handled the problem of chafing.

Now it’s time for my second favorite summer wardrobe item:

Skirts.

Look, I don’t like to cram my legs into denim if I can help it when it’s hot as hell outside, OK?  The next best thing to a one item outfit like a maxi dress is a great skirt.  I own tons of skirts.  I think every wardrobe should have at least one denim, black and white skirt in it for the greatest versatility.

I prefer an A-line or a full skirt for comfort and camouflage.  I’ll wear a pencil skirt if it’s in the right fabric.  The one hard and fast rule I have about skirts is that it must be the right length.

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Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel – Because no one is too fat for a dress

I wear dresses because I feel too fat for shorts.

There.  I said it.

It’s not my keen fashion sense or my desire to dress up every single day.  It’s my overly ripe, pear shaped hips.  And ass.  And thighs.

I live in Florida and there is no freaking way I can endure 100+ temperatures in jeans.  No matter how fat my thighs are.  That leaves me with skirts and dresses.  Or nudity (which I hear is frowned upon in the Sunshine State).

Because dresses – especially this season’s maxi dresses – are my go to outfit for camouflaging thunder thighs, I am always amazed by women who tell me that they don’t think they can wear dresses because they are too heavy.

That’s like a super model telling you she doesn’t wear a bikini because she’s thin.

Why, oh why, were all of my female friends dismissing my oh so flattering fashion advice?

Oh.  Right.

Chafing.

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Summer 2009 Trend: 27 (Maxi) Dresses

I am a late convert to the maxi dress trend. Maxi dresses were all the rage last summer and spring, but I always assumed that the super long length would be too much for my petite frame.

This year maxi dresses are back and I have fully embraced maxi dresses for the summer. I encourage – no, I implore you – to do the same.

What is a maxi dress?

It has nothing to do with feminine hygiene and everything to do with wearable style.

A maxi dress is basically a really long dress. But we’re not talking floor length formal gowns. A maxi dress is a very casual look that can replace your shorts and t-shirts. You can dress it up or keep it super casual, depending on your accessories (because shoes and jewelry can change an entire outfit), and it becomes appropriate for just about any everyday occasion.

The best thing about a maxi dress is that it flatters a multitude of figures. It is perfect for hiding flaws from the boobs on down. Maxi dresses are also one of the most comfortable trends to come out since someone decide yoga pants were a fashion statement.

They are as comfortable to run around in as sweats without, you know, being sweats.

You can get maxi dresses in any color, solids or prints, in absolutely every size. The biggest thing to watch is the length. Ideally, a maxi dress should hit at your ankle bone.

You can find maxi dresses at every price point.  Find a few of my favorites after the jump.

27 Maxi Dresses for under $100

Maxi Dresses under $30
Magic Women’s Paisley Maxi Dress	She’s Cool® Print Maxi Dress
She’s Cool® Print Maxi Dress	She’s Cool® Lilac Paisley Print Dress
Volume One® Tie Dye Floral Maxi Dress	Energie® Braid Belt Jersey Maxi Dress
Jasmine® Black/White Tiered Maxi Dress	Ethnic Tiered Maxi Dress
Ethnic Ombre Maxi Dress	Floral Maxi Dress
Beaded Halter Maxi Dress	Paisley Maxi Tube Dress
Maxi Dresses under $50
London Times® Big Floral Maxi Dress	Renee C. Women’s Printed Maxi Dress
Lily Women’s V-neck Jersey Maxi Dress	Glamour Women’s Wave Print Maxi Dress
Magic Women’s Halter Maxi Dress	Magic Women’s Maxi Dress
London Times® Colorblock Maxi Dress	Animal print maxi dress
Flyaway maxi halter dress	Floral Chiffon Maxi Dress
Maxi Dresses under $100
Ellen Tracy Women’s Printed Halter Maxi Dress	Eliza J Women’s Taupe/ Yellow Maxi Dress
Ronni Nicole Maxi Printed Dress	Color Blocked Maxi Dress
MAXI DENIM DRESS by Calvin Klein

My new cute white purse!

I think every woman needs a cute white purse.  A great white handbag is as versatile, and necessary, as a black or brown bag – especially in the spring and summer.

My go-to white purse was in sad shape after much use and abuse over the last three years, so I decided it was time to replace it.  A few weekends ago I found this beautiful white satchel by Dereon (Beyonce’s brand) at TJ Maxx.

I am in love with this bag.

You can’t tell from the picture, but when carried it’s got a great slouchy look and super cute knots on the side.

I was so excited to share it with all of you – and then I couldn’t find the damn thing anywhere online.  I finally tracked it down on the Dereon website – and it can be yours, for only $119.

Um, yeah.  I paid much, much less for this bag at TJ Maxx.  Unfortunately, you never know what your local TJ Maxx will have in store because inventory varies from one store to another.

So maybe you can’t have this exact white purse.  I’m sure you’re crushed.

But!  Wait!  I’ve found a bunch of other cute white purses for you to choose from!

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Adventures in Self Tanners – What Works and What Doesn’t

Ah, the beginning of summer (Or spring, as it’s known in places other than Florida.)  It’s the time of year when we’re pulling out shorts and summer dresses – and realizing that our arms and legs resemble the color of peeled chicken.

When I was younger, I would have prepared for this time of year months in advanced with an unlimited tanning package at my local tanning salon.  I would carefully develop a base tan and watch as the little playboy bunny shaped white spot on my stomach became more and more noticeable as my tan got darker.

And then I grew up and discovered that I was spending a whole lot of time and money that could go towards bills and my family and possibly giving myself skin cancer in the process.  Skin cancer is not fashionable.

Neither, however, is my wintery white chicken skin complexion.

Thus began my search for the perfect sunless tanner.

A good self tanner needs to work quickly – because I usually decide I want a tan about 12 hours before I’m going to a beach; should not turn my skin orange – because Oompa Loompa’s are not sexy; and should not streak – because, well, duh.

In my quest for the perfect sunless tanner, I’ve tried everything from the high dollar car wash approach of the Mystic Spray Tan to the cheap do-it-yourself drugstore brands.  Here’s what I’ve found…
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The Best Lip Gloss is a Lip Balm

With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to think about lip gloss.

You knew that, right?

OK – quick lesson.  Lip balm or lip gloss is perfect for summer makeup looks because it’s light and mainly sheer with just a hint of shine.  Full color lipstick is usually too heavy of a look for summer.

Lesson over.

If you’re like me – and most women – the bottom of your purse and cosmetic bags are littered with lip glosses you’ve tried and half used tubes of lip balm.  And that’s OK.

A girl can never have too much lip gloss, after all.  And because it won’t last all day, most women like to keep a tube of lip gloss close by at all times.

The problem with most lip glosses is that the stuff that makes it shiny can also make your lips sticky and dry.  In fact, that’s why a lot of women go the lip balm (a fancy word for chapstick) route – because their lips need the moisturizing and they can’t stand the dry feeling of lip glosses and lipsticks.

I have found the perfect solution in the form of the world’s greatest (and my new favorite) lip balm.

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Facial Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow

I am not a tan girl.

My mother is a natural redhead and she generously passed on her fair complexion, freckles, and tendency to burn if exposed to the sun for longer than 3 minutes.

(She did not, however, give me her beautiful hair color.  Figures.)

Porcelain skin can be sexy.  Nicole Kidman rocks the pale faced look.  Unfortunately, I am no Nicole Kidman.  My skin tone leans more towards pasty than porcelain.

What’s a pale faced girl to do when she wants a little summer color on her face but can’t step into the sunlight without burning up like an old world vampire?

Fake it.

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Sexy Summer Sandals – Help me choose!

I have a confession to make.

My summer shoe collection is woefully understocked.  In fact, I own more flip flops than I do strappy sandals.

*hangs head in shame*

I don’t know how it happened.  I believe in the power of high heels.  During the winter time I live in stilettos and pumps and well heeled boots.  I am the world’s loudest advocate for real shoes and shoes that make your legs look great.  And the summer is when you can actually see the benefits of a great shoe with bare legs the most!

And yet, I have one pair of meh black sandals with a meh heel, a pair of canary yellow slides and a pair of turquoise slides.  And these:

Clearly, it’s time to go shoe shopping for some great sexy sandals for summer.

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Comfortable Sandals That Aren’t Flip Flops: Clarks

Last Friday morning I pulled on running pants and a t-shirt and slipped on an old pair of Old Navy flip flops to run my daughter to day care.

“Mommy, why are you wearing flip flops?” my daughter asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, wondering if she was going to suggest that slippers would be more fitting for the rest of my ensemble.

“Well, couldn’t you at least put on some real shoes?”

She’s four.  And I couldn’t have been more proud.  Even my four year old understands that leaving the house in flip flops is the epitome of laziness.

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Cheap Purses For Spring

It’s officially spring.

I love when the seasons change and we get to put away the clothing and accessories we’re starting to get tired of and go shopping for new things.

For me, spring and summer fashions are all about light and bright.  I think of sunshine and being outdoors, and my wardrobe and accessories reflect a more playful attitude.

One of the first things I do when the seasons change is go shopping for new purses.

And my favorite kind of purses are cheap purses.  Scratch that.  Cheap, cute purses are my favorites.

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