Da Fashionista.com

The Scene

Woke up early and hit The Flower Mart downtown with Mr. Diabolina.

Always a wonderful way to start the weekend

Not only because you are bowled over by beauty at every turn

But because every Flower Mart trip is followed by breakfast at Phillipee's. Aw yeah!

Midday, had a very important styling date with Amber of Confessions of the Pink Obsessed. Met at her beautiful home and did her super sweet wardrobe consultation. EEEEEE!

Was pretty nervous since I know she adores Tim Gunn. Plus being allowed into someone's closet is like being allowed into their psyche. It's a pretty intimate experience and we were both virgins ;)

I am planning to do a dedicated, in-depth blog post about all my recent styling work but in the meantime, here's a little overview of our two hour session:

First Amber and I discussed in detail her fashion likes and dislikes, her shopping habits, her budget and what she likes to accentuate/obscure figure wise. Then I had her try on outfits (a typical work outfit, weekend running errands outfit, a night out with her husband outfit) to assess the best fits for her shape and her spirit. After that I put together a few new outfit/color combos for her to "shop her closet" with new eyes the next time she gets dressed.

Like The Modern Type, Amber was lovely and a total joy to work with. So eager for advice and excited to push her comfort zone. She has great raw materials to work with so it's really just about kicking her look up to the next fashionista level.

Next step: I send her a personalized look book of options that she can use as a shopping guide to flesh out her wardrobe. She may even hire me to do some of that shopping together. My dream is to get her into more prints, open necklines and hotter shoes.

In the afternoon, emboldened by my success at Amber's and bored, I decided I needed blunt bangs. STAT.

With the March Elle in hand, I went to the same Fantastic Sam's where they did a great job for my Brenda Walsh costume last year.

Total transformation: Just $7.

Thinking I was some new hot chick with bangs, Mr. D pulled out all the stops for dinner.


He was on his best behavior. Until he ordered bacon wrapped shrimp. Ay, his arteries.

Diet and exercise routine MUST get back on track this week...or maybe next...

The Outfit

Forever 21 dress

Old Navy sweater

The Accessories

Louis Vuitton earrings
Banana Republic necklace

Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch and shoes

Fashion District bangle

Banks & Biddle bangle

The Grade

A

The Commentary

Built the outfit around my new necklace. SOOOO MARNI!! Bought it this week when I stopped by Nana to pick up a birthday present for Daisy Duke's.

Saw the necklace in Marie Claire a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love with it. Went to several stores and looked online but nada. So when I found it it on sale for $40 this week I knew it was meant to be.

The day after I bought it, I finally got my Michelle Obama issue of Vogue in the mail and there was the necklace again. In the cheap chic section.

Decided to get my own cheap chic look on with the Forever 21 dress and the stripped Old Navy sweater. Combined the dress and the sweater cost less than the necklace. Love!

Confession: I cannot get enough of this sweater. So comfortable and adorable. And works so well with so much in my closet.

Plus stripes are big right now - on the runway




On the streets

And on the red (blue) carpet






Loving the idea of stripes with leopard print. Whole lotta look but fresh for spring.

Tied the whole look together with the adorable Marc shoes and the clutch. The whole outfit costs considerably less than just one Marni necklace. Love love love this outfit. Just the perfect blend of relaxed casual and fabulous fierce. Perfect for my first whirl at channeling Tim Gunn.

Speaking of, Amber had several basic jersey dresses in her closet like the one I had on today. They are her go to weekend look. So one of my recommendations was adding bolder accessories to really make the dresses pop. That means a scarf with a luxe print, a wrap sweater in a contrasting color, a metallic shoe or an interesting statement necklace.

That also means adding an assortment of belts to her arsenal. She currently owns ZERO BELTS!!! No bueno since she has a wonderfully tiny waist she could be showing off.

But even if you have no waist like me, consider incorporating a few belts into your rotation

Take a look at how easy it is to reinvent the same piece with just one simple, low-cost accessory.

Particularly loving these obi style/cumberbund belts I dug out.

So poor woman's Marc Jacobs Spring 2009.

Loving...