The graduation dress hunt is on

I graduate in less than two months... kind of scary. Instead of focusing on my post-grad life, I decided to distract myself by looking for a graduation dress. I worked four long years for this day so the dress has to be perfect (and I am pretty picky when it comes to things like this).

My hunt for the perfect dress began during my trip to New York City last week. I probably tried on at least ten dresses at various department stores and boutiques to no avail. I also stumbled upon the opening day of the Rent the Runway sample sale. This was truly good luck. There were problem thousands of high-end designer dress including Missoni, Robert Rodriguez, Cavali, BCBG, and many, many more! It was kind of overwhemling, but since I am picky I could narrow my selection down quite a bit. I ended up trying on four dresses in a chaotic one-room dressing room. One I wanted to love considering it was a $600 dress for $100, but just couldn't. I did find one I really like though, but on my way to the cashier, I notices a noticeable stain on the front. After a few phone calls with mom, I decided to not buy the dress.

The almost bought dress, which fit and looked perfect, but you can see the stain on the right-hand side of the top middle-ish of the dress.

So my search continues. I am hoping stores are in an awkward transition from winter to spring and more options will be arriving soon. Maybe I will just focus on shoes? I mean that's the only thing you can see with the gown on anyways....

NYC Fall '12 Fashion Week Recap

Naeem Khan: Great use of feathers and a beading.

 

Oscar de la Renta: I plan to wear this to my next ball, which currently is not on my schedule. Graduation dress?

I will go to the shows some day! If you missed going to fashion week as well, NY Times has great slideshows to fill you in. Here are some of my favorites from fashion week:

Alice + Olivia: Sparkle + leather =love

Vera Wang: Ok, so I mostly like this just because of the killer boots!

Donna Karan: Possibly, the sexiest menswear I have ever seen.

BCBG Max Azria: Luxe fabrics, but still practical enough for normal daily wear.

J.Crew can do no wrong, especially in hot pink sparkle.

Off to celebrate my birthday, today! It will have to be filled with a lot of studying for a midterm tomorrow, but hopefully I can squeeze in as much fun as possible.

Red & Pink with hearts all over

I really like Valentine's Day. Can it be cheesy and way over the top? Most definitely. I think I like this Hallmark holiday because I love the color pink, anything heart-shaped, cutesy clothing, homemade cards, and of course chocolate. Here are some of my favorite items that I have stumbled upon that are perfect for Valentine's Day! Too bad, I'll have to being wearing a suit for the majority of the day tomorrow, but there for sure will be some red, hearts, and/or pink on my blouse or accessories.

J.Crew Pleated Jardin skirt in Heart Throb

Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Loving Heart band ring

Wildfox Couture Heart Jumper

Saturday Night Nails

I know it's nothing novel, but I am loving doing the whole "ring-finger a different color" nails. It is hard to tell from the picture, but I topped my electric blue nails with loose glitter for some extra flair :)

Shop Local

The State of the Union Address has got my mind on the economy. Last week, I walked by one of my favorite boutiques in Ann Arbor, Allure, and noticed the whole store was 50% off! Although, I was immediately excited, I also guessed that with such a huge sale that they could be going out of business. As I was checking out today, curiosity got the best of me. I asked if Allure was going out of business and it looks like it probably will be. It's not official, but the lease on the store is up in April and as of right now they will not be renewing. This will be the second boutique Liberty St. has lost this year (Poshh went out of business this Fall)! SO shop there while you still can! I did, here's the loot :) And yes, it was ALL 50% off!

Two great going out tops and a classy belt! I LOVE the beaded fringe pieces on the teal tank.

A rarity

I don't wear dresses a lot in the winter (tights can only keep you so warm), but every once in awhile I get in the mood to wear a dress. It is especially rare that I wear a dress during the day to class, which was the case yesterday. I picked up this cutesy, polka dot dress last weekend and just had to give it a wear. I also conveniently had a new pair of black tights to wear with it. Perfect - well, until I snagged my new tights on my boots while crossing my legs in class. Does anyone out there make un-snaggable tights?

Dress: Lola, Tights: J.Crew, and Boots; Børn.

Feeling like Spring, thinking of Spring

Lilly Pulitzer

With this Spring-like weather and stores discounting their winter apparel, I am beginning to look forward to Spring fashion. I am only looking because I know we'll have snow until April, but still I can plan. One trend I am predicting that has been popularly on and off again, is the 60s look. Mod, but still feminine. I like to picture how women would dress in the 1960s in somewhere like Pasadena in the Spring. The fifth season of Mad Men (so excited!) will also be premiering in March, which may encourage this trend.

Jason Wu for Target

Tory Burch

Anthropologie