Hit the Bullseye with These Spring Frocks

Shopping lists work in the grocery store. They work in hardware stores. You write down what you need in an orderly fashion. You take your list with you into the store and check each item off as you toss it into your cart and continue snaking your way down one isle and up through the next. You OCD folks, like me, might double check your list as each item floats down the conveyor belt toward its temporary plastic home. You leave with everything you came for. Not a thing more, save the occasional impulse pack of gum or travel size sanitary wipes (shout out to my fellow germophobes).

This is never the case at Target. I've stopped writing lists when I go to Target. Complete waste of paper and ink. Kudos to the buyers, marketers, and product display managers at Target. It's like they know exactly how to entice you into believing you simply can't pass up the $16.99 Mossimo black leather studded belt to perfectly cinch all the new dresses you just purchased. And all those shoes... man, they do a great job imitating the big wigs. 

So you can understand how I gleefully power walked through the row of those great big red rosary beads outside and into my shopping black hole. Target, you temptress. I went in to scout out the brand new Alexander McQueen McQ line for Target. I've been counting down to March 4th for months now. After two trips to the fitting room and some really impressive (read, irresistibly persuasive) product placement, I left with 6 dresses and one versatile belt to cinch my newly decorated, different dress for each day of the week, waist. 

Let me explain why I simply could not put a single one of these frocks back on the rack.

Exhibit A: Alexander McQueen® for Target Tiger Print Shift Dress - Ebony/Pink, $44.99

Why I had to have it: I couldn't leave without one piece from the McQ line I've been looking so forward to. As a blonde, I feel very confident pulling off shocking pink. 

Exhibit B: Go International® Zip Dress w/Mesh Uniform Blue, $34.99

Why I had to have it: A fully functioning silver zipper. Love those metallic unexpected details. And the clincher, hello, POCKETS. I'm such a sucker for pockets. Did I mention the March 2009 Harper's Bazaar says, "Cool Blue" is a Smart Shopping spring trend? I wisely passed up the suggested Michael Kors dress ($1,395) from Bergdorf Goodman for this sassy look.

Exhibit C: Go International® Side Ruffle Dress - Smokey Taupe, $39.99

Why I had to have it: The latest issue of Bazaar says, "It's all about natural tones: Creamy BEIGES and notable NUDES." Who would I be to disagree with Glenda Bailey?

Exhibit D: Go International® Braided Strap Dress - Ebony, $39.99

Why I had to have it: I'm powerless against braided straps on anything. Plus, the way this silkly layered fabric opens up at the bottom like a blooming tulip is really interesting. And you can never have enough LBDs. Never.

Exhibit E: Go International® Strappy Colorblock Dress Zodiac Night, $29.99

Why I had to have it: It reminds me of cool London street style and I can totally see myself popping around town in this colorblock frock when the weather turns warm. And for now, it's going to look bangin' under my leather jacket.

Exhibit F: Juniors Xhilaration® Floral Tiered Dress - Black, $21.99

Why I had to have it: Spring. Florals. It's a pretty basic argument.

And the belt is completely justified as the capstone piece which holds together all 6 of these beautifully feminine frocks. (It's so much fun to call dresses frocks. Try it. You'll be hooked, I'm warning you).

So hurry into your nearest Target store and snatch up Alexander McQueen's McQ pieces for Target. Hurry in. McQ leaves Target April 14th. Watch a video about how The Duke Spirit inspired the line here: http://www.target.com/Alexander-McQueen-Design-Shopping-Directory/b/ref=sc_iw_r_12_0/181-0301237-6451139?node=1260398011.

Walk out of Target with just what's on your list. (And no adding items once you're inside.)

I dare you.

Cheap Chic: What to Wear in Cabo Wabo

Confessions of a Shopaholic. Story. Of. My. Life. What a fantastically inspiring and appropriate story. I feel as though Rebecca Bloomwood and I are such kindred spirits. I too, surrender to impulse buys, succumb to a purchase because I feel sorry for a salesperson, and spend more than I have. I even experienced mannequins speaking to me after I saw this major motion film. The ones in Forever 21 stood on top of display tables and gestured towards the piles of picked through trendy merchandise and said, "See the mess I have to put up with? I can barely see my feet through the rummaged little mounds." The ones in Barneys New York CO-OP stood tall with their artificial noses stuck high in the air as they chuckled degradingly down at me and said, "Look around all you want. Just don't touch anything because all of my clothes are a bit too rich for your blood." And then under her breath, "Try Forever 21."

Besides convincing me that plastic, wooden, and wax women without ears or movable joints can speak, this film was a completely positive experience. It was jam packed with fabulous fashion eye candy. One costume element really stood out for this upcoming Spring season. It is the bright statement necklace.

If you're planning on taking a little vaca to warm weather and palms this spring or packing up your printed swimsuits and short-all jumpers for a week-long party in Cabo Wabo, you'll need a statement necklace for your spring fling, just like this one that Rebecca Bloomwood wears when she visits sunny Miami.

The featured Betsey Johnson collar is (sigh) just about all sold out on eBay and BJ's website. Rebecca's anchor necklace was paired with a crisp white blazer, to maximize its standout potential.  

I scoped out some sunny equivalents at local discount stores for your shopping pleasure. This Erickson Beamon for Target 36" Red Seed Bead Lobster Pendant Necklace is only $39.99.

Why I love it: Look at those little baby crystal peepers! I dare you not to smile at the playful details. The Sebastian to your Cabo Wabo Ariel.

This Haskell necklace is sold at Loehmann's for only $16.97.

Why I love it: The blue and green are reminiscent of a Grecian skyline and will really pop against white fabric as well as a bronzed bosom. The flower shape totally reminds me of the floral print Marc Jacobs consistently splashes across canvas bags, metallic jewels, and feminine frocks.

Happy hunting for your newest Spring statement piece and don't forget the SPF! 

Cheap Chic: Snow White

Last week, FabSugar (http://www.fabsugar.com/) put out a Trend Alert for white jewels. She said "Winter white always feels crisp, and white jewels pack a serious punch. Think about it; when everything else is gray and dingy, white brightens. White enamel is a cheap alternative to ceramic or glass, so feast!"

I agree. And white jewelry is often overlooked and forgotten. Plus, wearing white always makes you look more tan, and in my albino winter phase, I could use all the illusion assistance I can get my hands on. 

Fab suggested the Zirconite White Solid Cushion Cut Enamel Ring from Target. It goes for $15.99. 

Kathryn took me shopping in the enchanted village of Brentwood, Ca this holiday weekend and we couldn't resist poking into the Free People shop. Look what I found in a dainty little bowl on the front counter:

This feminine little Flower Garden Ring is hand crafted and made of vintage materials and semiprecious stones. I'd say that's a deal for only $24.00. Little metallic accents dot the surfaces of the rose and daisy flower bunch. What a great way to send myself belated Valentine's Day flowers.

Reasonably Priced Regalia

The good news: The rumors are true. Alexander McQueen will indeed collaborate with Target to produce a line of throne worthy threads priced for the prudent pauper.

The bad news: We have to wait until March, 2009 to line up for the dream come true debut. 

Sage Baker said it best on the CW's Privileged last week, "The best way to feel like a queen is to wear Alexander McQueen!"

Plain White Tees

Simplify your life. Minimize the clutter. Get back to the basics. One of my foolproof must-have items is my plain white tee.

A couple years ago, one of my brilliant best friends told me to go to Target and pick up a pack of men's Hanes Classics ComfortSoft V-neck tees. They are so cheap, last forever, and have gotten me through countless seemingly hopeless wardrobe situations. You can literally wear them with everything. It's not even weird shopping in the men's section. You can pretend you're picking up some skivvies for your bf or just enjoy the pictures of the half naked underwear models on all the packages.

I've been wearing these tees with every outfit for years now. Under high waisted skirts, with wide leg jeans, atop shorts with hard-to-match seersucker patterns, to the gym (ha), plus they're great to use for craft projects if you have nothing else lying around. Buy XL and transform it into a strapless dress (thanks, Val). Everything.

So if I wasn't already convinced of the gold I had struck in these tiny packages of 3 for $12, I received even more confirmation during the first week of school. Like all good shopping tips, I passed on this treasure trove of knowledge to my bffs at school and got them all wearing them. Anyway, three of us showed up proudly donning these little miracles, totally coincidentally. We all accessorized them differently, highlighting their versatility. 

Now go get some lifesavers of your own. Go to Target or get em here: www.hanes.com. I usually buy smalls, but next time I think I might pick up mediums. Beware: wash before wear. Shrinkage factor: 9 out of 10.