With the Band

Dress: Dolce Vita (from June), Jacket: Charles Gray Shoes: Ann Taylor, Clutch: Jason Wu for Target

My parents and I went to see Mama Mia! while they were in town this past weekend, so it gave me a chance to actually get dressed up for a change. Since I tend to frequent vaguely sketchy dive bars most of the time (classy, I know), I don't usually get a chance to get dolled up for a night at the theater. Plus I found this great velvet cutout dress shopping earlier in the day, which made getting dressed that night super easy . . . especially since I had no idea what I was going to wear otherwise. If only I had the budget to just buy a brand-new outfit everyday instead of trying to pull something together from my closet. Damn you, reality and budgeting!  This long-sleeved velvet dress kind of made me feel like a rock star. Which was extra appropriate since there were actual rock stars staying in my parents' hotel. Or at least faux rock stars, since I think the last time I heard of Fountains of Wayne was when I was watching TRL in eighth grade. It wasn't a huge surprise to find them literally sprawled on the lobby floor when we returned since my dad had told me earlier in the day that he was pretty sure he'd ridden up in the elevator with a rock star. (His actual words were, "That guy seemed high as a kite!") Of course, last time my parents were in town I met Sheryl Crow in their elevator, so I feel pretty confident saying this was a step down. Fountains of Wayne, get back to me when you have something better than "Stacey's Mom" in your repertoire. 

Shades of Citrus

 

Pants: Madewell, Tank Top: J.Crew, Sweater: Ann Taylor, Shoes: Marc Fisher,
Bracelets: Simon Sebbag and Ralph Lauren

My parents came to Minneapolis this past weekend to visit, which basically meant three full days of nonstop eating. It was a great, fun, relaxing visit — that's the good news. The bad news is I probably won't be wearing these pants again anytime soon since they probably don't fit after the aforementioned face stuffing. Which is a major bummer, since I spent forever hunting for the perfect yellow jeans, and I've been waiting and waiting to wear them until I deemed it to be summery enough (i.e my legs wouldn't freeze because these pants are super lightweight and people wouldn't be blinded when my legs were brighter than the sun). My mom, good sport that she is, snapped these photos for me after dinner in Stillwater, this great little antiquing town in Minnesota. Dinner included several martinis, so it didn't take much convincing. In contrast, my dad stood around awkwardly facing the other direction and steadfastly pretending that he had no idea who I was. Needless to say, he's not a big fan of style blogging, especially when he gets roped into participating in it. But I can say that with absolute certainty that there's no way he's ever going to read this, so no worries about me calling him out. 

Style Matchmaker

 

Dress: Jason Wu for Target, Blazer: Nine West, Belt: Ann Taylor, Shoes: Franco Sarto,
Sunglasses: Kate Spade, Watch: Michael Kors, Earrings: Francesca's, Bracelets: J.Crew

My poor, pale legs are relishing the brief taste of spring/summer weather we've gotten this week. Although truth be told, I didn't realize just how pale they were until I put them on full display in this dress. Like so pale that I am the majority of the white of this red, white, and blue outfit. I half expected people to yell, paper, snow, A GHOST! when they saw me. But I've been dying to wear this Jason Wu for Target dress ever since I snatched it out of someone's hands the morning of the launch, and nothing, not even freakishly pale legs, was going to stop me. It's so ladylike and retro and just all-around chic (none of which are adjectives I would typically use to describe myself), that I just couldn't resist it. And as an added bonus, I already had this skinny red belt hanging in my closet. It's like they were made for each other! Clothing-and-accessories matchmaker, that's me. Probably skills I should add to my official résumé . . . or start applying to my dating life.