Mocha Dot Dress

I got this little polka dotted number from Wet Seal a couple years ago on a last minute shopping trip for fashion week. The pleated skirt and belted waist accentuate my hourglass figure, while the long sleeves make it practical for most months in the Midwest. I think the mocha colored dots make this dress especially adorable for fall.

Eerie Inspiration for Easy Halloween Costumes

Halloween is creeping around the corner!  What are you going to be?

I love this time of year and lucky for me, I have a few costume parties to attend! I prefer costumes that are a little creepy, quite witty or very well done.  While I’m keeping mine a secret – pictures to come – here are a few of my favorite ideas this year. Most of these can be recreated with items you already have in your closet or that you can find inexpensively at your local thrift store and a few key accessories from a costume shop. I enjoy Savers on Reynolds for costumes (and side note, they have great business clothes.)

For example, for the Wednesday Addams costume all you need is a little black dress, a white button down underneath, black tights and black boots. Add a headless baby doll and an expressionless face and you're ready to spook!


Morticia or Wednesday Addams

Photos courtesy of ABC Television, Unknown and Trang Huyen of Behind the Scenes

 Cher Horowitz and Dionne from Clueless
 

Photos courtesy of Paramount and Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs

Offbeat Disney Characters

The Evil Ursula

 Photo courtesy of Brittany Couture

A Modern Princess

 Photo courtesy of Unknown

A Hipster Princess
  

Photo courtesy of David "DTJAAAAM" Ngo

A Zombie Princess
  

Photo courtesy of Undead Cosplay

  

A Sultry Joker
 

Photo courtesy of Unknown

Ron Burgundy and Veronica Corningstone
 

Photos courtesy of DreamWorks and Reddit user dwbabcock

Medusa
 

Photo courtesy of Marie McGrath of The Joy of Fashion*
*Note: Marie offers several DIY costumes on her blog! 

Beetlejuice

Photo courtesy of Unknown

Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe
  

Costume photo courtesy of Megan Fay

So what are you going to be?  Happy Halloweeeeen! 

Style Diary: What Happened in Vegas…

Earlier in October, I went to Las Vegas for a friend’s wedding.  We stayed at the Flamingo, where the couple exchanged vows poolside.  We celebrated with bottomless champagne at the Paradise Garden Buffet and sang along with dueling pianos at Harrah’s.  We walked the strip and ate delicious croissant sandwiches at JJ's Boulangerie inside Paris Las Vegas and fantastic mac and cheese at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.  We shopped at one of only four TopShops in the country and danced at The Act inside The Palazzo just days before it was closed for being too risqué.

So what happened in Vegas... stays on here.  Below are a few photos from the trip, along with details of my outfits.

Anticipating Mrs. Lauren Conrad

Photo courtesy of LaurenConrad.com

Lauren Conrad got engaged over the weekend and I’m already giddy with anticipation of seeing which dress she’ll choose and how gorgeous she’ll look on her and William Tell’s Big Day!  Not to mention what she’ll wear to the various pre-parties – engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette…  Oh, I hope she shares some personal style #WhatIWore blog posts from each celebration.  She’s already said there will be lots more wedding content on LaurenConrad.com.

After looking at countless wedding dresses, I could imagine Lauren in a variety of styles, but I'm sure it will be a pretty, yet elegant gown, something that's traditional with a modern twist and styled perfectly.  So in celebration of the future Mrs. Tell, here are a few dresses from the latest collections that I think she would find lovely & chic!

In case you were wondering, her "love" ring is from Sydney Evan Jewels.


Alvina Valenta
 

 

Amsale
 

Christos
 

 

 

 

Hayley Paige
 

Johanna Johnson
 

Kelly Faetanini
 

Lazaro
 

Lela Rose
 

Maggie Sottero
 

Marchesa
 

Romona Keveza
 

Val Stefani
 

Vera Wang
 

Winnie Couture
 

Photos of dresses courtesy of their respective designers

Gladiators: Style Secrets from Olivia Pope

Olivia Pope has impeccable style.  She continually looks polished, professional and powerful.  If you’re captivated by ABC’s Scandal, like I am, then this isn't news.  But did you know you can steal her style for a fraction of the cost?  Gladiators, this is how:

Achieving effortless elegance is as simple as black and white.  It’s a timeless combination.  Black colorblocks or lace add a modern twist and accentuate curves on Olivia Pope. 

Ivory and black sleeveless lace dress by A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz, Bluefly, Sale: $204.79

Black and white colorblock cap sleeve belted 'Victoria' dress by Single, Bluefly, $129

Sand and black lace waist 'Alexa' dress by Single, Bluefly, Sale: $86.40

Scarlett Shutter-Pleat Lace Dress, JCPenney, Sale: $66.99

Mix and match textured and patterned suit separates with solids.  Try paring a multi-colored jacket with a trouser in a matching solid color.  It's not as conservative as a solid colored suit, but it still looks powerful.

 Boucle plaid jacket, Express, $108

Studio stretch wide waistband Editor pant in gray, Express, $79.90

Camel is the new black.  Try a camel suit in a slim cut to stay fashion forward, but not too trendy in the office.  It's such a warm and flattering color on many skin tones.  Also, consider different textures like Ms. Pope.  Her jacket appears to be a soft wool, while her pants are a smooth fabric.  The variety adds a welcome surprise to the monotone suit.

Collection suit in camel, The Limited, $158 and $79.95


  

Experiment with mixing neutrals, unexpectedly.  Olivia pairs a pale gray drape neck top with ivory pants and a long gold necklace.  You may tend to keep your grays with white, black and silver and browns with off whites and gold.  But, as you can see, combining these pale shades works just as well.

Olivia Moon drape neck sleeveless top, Nordstrom, Sale: $9.97
Ultimate double weave barely boot Columnist pant in canvas tan, Express, $79.90
Long bead and chain necklace, The Limited, $29.95

This season's all about statement coats.  Did Ms. Pope inspire this trend?  Try a unique shape, like this folded lapel wrap coat.  Olivia's was a breakout star in itself.

Draped wool coat, Banana Republic, $225
Dianne Tote, Banana Republic, $250


 

Invest in a statement coat in a new hue.  Coats are now available in a variety of colors and prints.  Leave the basic black and pick one that speaks to you.  Or go for winter white.  It's a nice break from the typical dark colors of winter but it will last from season to season and it's one of Olivia's signature shades.
  

Fit-and-flare wool coat, Banana Republic, $250

Trade your jacket for a cardigan.  A neutral cardigan in a luxurious knit, softens workwear, but still looks professional.  Here Olivia mixes neutrals unexpectedly again - beige & gray.

St. John's Bay fine-gauge cardigan, JCPenney, Sale: $24.99
The Ashton blouse, The Limited, Sale: $24.98

Stun in elegant evening wear, that's flattering to you.  Olivia Pope knows what's flattering to her body type and skin tone.  Follow her suit.  The detail at the top adds interest to this classic empire waist strapless gown and accentuates her waist. Champagne complements almost every complexion, especially Olivia's.

Chanett Champagne Long Dress, Windsor, $84.90

Cream Elegant Column Sweetheart Dress, UWDress.com, Sale: $109.99

Match your bag to a pair of long gloves.  First, notice how sharp Olivia looks with matching gloves and satchel.  Second, she looks even more chic with the short sleeved  jacket and high gloves.

Tobacco Tiered Leather And Silk Lined Long Gloves, Bluefly, Sale: $87.97

Searight handbag in cognac, Aldo, $50

Enjoy Scandal tonight and be sure to take style notes from Ms. Pope.  I know I will! 

Fashionably,

Kate



Photos courtesy of ABC or their respective retailer