Calling Kelly Kapowski

OK, so I know that the 90s are back in-style with a total vengeance. Still don't believe me? Just take a look around. Do you see oversize blazers, big layering tees, flowy floral dresses? If you are really lucky, you might even get a glimpse of a floppy hat adorned with a fake flower made famous by Blossom herself.

Recently returning from Vegas, I witnessed a 90s trend all over the casino floors that I am not too sure I am ready to embrace. I will call it the Kelly Kapowski dress (Thanks, Katie, for the inspiration). To be more specific, this dress is very tight, very short, very bright (possibly with a print), and leaves nothing to the imagination. I always wondered what kind of dress code Bayside High had because my skirt length had to be past my fingertips...but I digress. After I honed in on this nightmare idea of a dress, I started noticing it everywhere in magazines and fashion blogs. Yikes!

Is this a trend you think will trickle down to NWA or will stay put in the sinful streets of Vegas? Just in case, please excuse me ... I need to get to the gym!

Ruffle Me So

I am loving all the sweet, innocent ruffles I am seeing on everyone. It seems as if every article of clothing has gone and been ruffled from delicate tops, breezy summer dresses, sassy heels, to tiered skirts.

I love how Nat is using her ruffled tank to add some detail to her comfy, casual look. The simple and sweet drop necklace complements the ruffled neckline.

So what do you want ruffled?

(Tank - Gap, silver necklace - Mason's)

Steady Standby

I have this ever present and internalized pressure to consistently keep up my fashionable persona. But laziness and tiredness tend to make a thoughtful, creative, and expressive ensemble completely elusive. In these times of desperation, I tend to come down with the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen syndrome: layer on every accessory I have and hide inside my clothes that are two sizes too big.

The girls below remind me that in crunch times I can always resort to a simple and sophisticated standby: a fantastic pencil skirt with a silk button-up or tie blouse. This combination consistently creates the sexy secretary look of the 60s. And garnished with classic pumps or peep toe heels and adorned with pearls makes even the most fashionably uninspired days seem like fashion perfection.

(Shoes - Spain, necklace - Germany, skirt - Larry Levine at TJMaxx, top - Target)

(Shirt-Kohls, skirt-JCPenney, belt-resale shop, shoes-Dillard’s, pearls-Perry’s)

My Budget Babes

Sorry for lack the of posts. I thought I would find plenty of inspiring examples in my recent travels to Tampa, Dallas, and Little Rock. But since I hung out with digestively challenged retirees (don't ask), stood in many long airport lines, and my camera battery died, I didn't capture anything. So until I find my next inspiring victim to photograph, I thought I would tie us over with a post motivated by Budget Babe blog.

I know we are all hard working women who are choosy on how we spend our hard earned dollars. But if you are like me, you don't let your budget challenged situation stand in your way to a total fashion find ... you just search and search and SEARCH until you find that one-of-a-kind piece at a one-of-a-kind price.

I credit most of my incredible steals to my favorite place on earth: TJ Maxx. Here are just a few: $10 Prada skirt, $30 cashmere black Valentino tank, $30 Peter Som cardigan with an original price tag of $998, and a Marc Jacobs (not Marc by Marc) dress for $90 (probably worth $1,300).

I want to hear your fashion/budget successes. Please share with the rest of us your most boast worthy deal.

Accessorized Tresses

Like most women, I have always had a highly refined radar for accessories from the latest bag style to big, sparkly earrings. Accessories are so easy to wear because they always fit and add the finishing touches to a comprehensive ensemble. And now we have new type of accessory to covet...

Lately, extravagant and interesting hair accessories have been popping up all over Hollywood and the red carpet from the Louis Vuitton Fall 2009: Bunny Ears to the feathered cage veils. While not quite as extreme, hair accessories that nod to the high fashion editions are showing up all over NWA.

Feathered barrette from Riff Raff, 1905 E. Mission Blvd., Fayetteville, AR, 479.571.4000

Silk scarf from Mason's, 1350 E Joyce Blvd, Fayetteville, AR, 479.571.0100

Double banded headband from Target

NYC Review

So lucky me has spent the last four days in the big city, and I must say I am quite proud of NWA and the rest of the "real world." All of the major trends I saw in the stores and on the people of NYC, are the major trends I see on us. This is with the exception of the acid washed jeans and old school high-top sneakers, which, frankly, I am fine with that staying on the streets of NYC. The things we are doing right include lots of florals, gladiator sandals, silk dresses, bright colored tops , platform shoes, aviator sunglasses, little leather jackets, ruffles, boyfriend blazers, and jean jackets.

All in all, I say we have the same percentage of on trend ensembles to total fashion disasters as the supposed culturally and fashionably advanced people of NYC.

Two things I saw that are now on my wish list: cut off denim shorts and high-waisted shorts. After that, I will only be missing Pink Berry and Central Park!

My favorite purchase: a grey, wool floppy hat from American Apparel.

http://store.americanapparel.net/floppyhat.html