Ivy City Co. Gold

Who says Christmas is the only holiday season where gold is an appropriate choice.  Maybe it's the whole pot-of-gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow-thing, but something about March always makes me want to break out the metallics.  Yes, ok, this Coco dress in gold was part of their Christmas Holiday collection, but I just can't wait for a whole other year before I wear this beauty, so I'm wearing it in March and so far it's been no questions and all compliments.  Because I've loved this dress so much, I've decided to order a few more and do a YouTube unboxing, so be on the look out for that in the coming months.

Ivy City Co.  is a brand I've been eyeing for months, and this little beauty gave me the excuse to try them.  Founded in 2015 by two best friends and then revamped in 2018 when another member joined the team.  A dress company that is run by women who love dresses and understand how to make women's bodies look amazing in so many styles sounds like the perfect fit for me.

You would expect this dress to be quite stiff and scratchy, and while it is a little stiff being made of metallic fabric, it's actually quite soft and comfortable.  The length is perfect, although it's an empire, puff dress style, it has just enough of a waist to give it shape, and the sleeves are set in far enough to cover your bra straps.  Now, these ladies know how to perfectly combine practical with princess to make the very best kind of dress. Kudos, ladies, you just earned yourself a loyal customer.

Shopping Info:  Coco dress in Gold-$138 from IvyCityco.com  Use my link to save 10% off your purchase.

A Thousand New Year Rhymes

The Year by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

What can be said in New Year rhymes,

That’s not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,

We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed,

We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,

And that’s the burden of the year.

Shopping Info: Glory of Love Maxi Dress from ChicWish, Qupid Heels are old from ModCloth

Futuristic Adesina

Continuing this month's FemmeLuxe collaboration theme in today's post. FemmeLuxe is one of my favorite places to shop for Jeans and CorsetDresses, but for today's post, I have a little something else in mind. This theme has really just come together on its own, but I am really pleased with the results. If you're just joining me, be sure to look back at my previous posts with FemmeLuxe this week to see parts one and two of my Past, Present, Future theme.

Tuesday's FemmeLuxe outfit was suggestive of Victorian Era fashions of the past. Wednesday's post gave a nod to 1960s London Mod stylings from more recent history, so today is something a little more futuristic. Plus, I thought a little sparkle would be a nice addition to another quiet day at home for all of us. Of course anything metallic makes me think of futuristic/ sci-fi concepts, but that does not mean they can't be totally chic like this SilverGlitter One Shoulder Puff Sleeve Bodycon Mini Dress – Adesina from FemmeLuxe

Lots to love about this dress and we'll get to the design details in just a moment, but first I want to take a second to discuss sizing. Occasionally I get asked which size I have chosen from a particular shop and I am sometimes hesitant to answer because I really think people should go by the shop size charts and compare them with their measurements. Everyone's body is different, so you shouldn't use mine as a basis for size comparison. However, once I have a pretty well established relationship with a certain brand, I know how their clothes will fit me and I don't mind sharing that info here on the blog.

I typically wear an XXS or XS which translates to size 4UK or 6UK. For all my FemmeLuxe Jeans and Tops, I select a size 6UK and everything has always fit true to size. For bodycon dresses, I go up a size to 8UK which is what I'm wearing for today's Adesina dress. I can fit into a size 6 and for any dress that is not a bodycon dress, I usually do choose a size 6, but it's just a personal preference to have a tad more wiggle room in a bodycon dress. I hope that will give you a little insight when selecting your size from FemmeLuxe, but should you have any questions, please feel free to comment below or use the “Contact Me” button at the side. Now, back to the dress!

As much as I adore vintage styles, I also love vintage predictions of how styles will look in the future and I know I'm not alone in this regard. Perhaps going all the way back to Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis, creative minds have been trying to guess what fashion will look like one day. And mentally I think we have all come to assign metallic clothing with a certain futuristic symbolism. (If you're not familiar with Lang's film, take a moment to research it because it really is some of the most stunning representations of Art Deco ever to be created let alone captured on film.) That's why I've placed today's outfit in the Future category.

There's nothing clunky or robotic about this Adesina bodycon dress though. It is all femininity. I love the neckline of a one shouldered dress, but that little puff on the top of the fitted sleeve gives it that extra dose of girlishness that I adore. And notice the ruching in the bodice to do a little camouflaging to trouble zones so that only your shape at its best is what people will notice. A dress like Adesina is easy to dress up with full make-up, glam heels and a clutch. But, since I'm taking it easy and sticking close to home right now, I decided to keep the make-up and hair simple as well.

I hope you've enjoyed my little era theme week. Don't forget to comment below and tell me which of the three FemmeLuxe looks was your favorite: Past, Present, or Future.

Shopping Info: SilverGlitter One Shoulder Puff Sleeve Bodycon Mini Dress – Adesina from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, heels from Charlotte Russe

A Journey to a New Year

A Journey to a New Year 

by Sumira R. Arain

First day of the New Year.

It's time to shine for a new day.

Forget your past,

Your sorrow, your pain.

New ideas are waiting ahead.

It's time to recall all your memories,

Beautiful dreams that remain uncovered,

Painful parts of life when your heart gets crushed.

But don't be afraid.

The future is in your hand.

Hold it in your hand.

Start your race,

A new journey,

That leads you to success.

You will rise again

You will shine again.

Happy New Year!

Shopping Info:  Diamond Printed Midi Skirt in Gold and eyelet top from ChicWish, gold flats from thredUp.  Use my link to sign up and save $10 off your first purchase.

Tinsel Time

The holidays are quickly approaching.  This year the shopping season is even shorter than usual, so if you're struggling to find that perfect dress to wear to this year, not to worry.  This week I'm collaborating with FemmeLuxe to showcase some of the jewels in Christmas Party Dresses and Glitter Dresses.  My last Glitter dress post was the Viola Dress from FemmeLuxe's Glitter Dresses collection.  With lots of ruching, this dress is an excellent and elegant choice.  Today's dress has all that sophistication with a more sleek silhouette.  

If you're not into the traditional red and green of this time of year, I'd like to suggest that this is the perfect time of year for something silver or gold.  In October I started talking about the how-to's ofwearing metallics and Glitter Dresses with the very lovely and very shiny Viola Dress from FemmeLuxe.  I was pretty slow to jump on this trend, but now that I have, I love the way that metallics make an outfit eye-catching.  More and more I find myself looking for metallic pieces to add that extra pop to a style.  If you're like me and you're a little shy about trying new things, I have the dress for you! 

FemmeLuxe has so many great options from Satin Dresses to Co-Ords, I love them all, but since this is the season of spending time with family, friends, co-workers, etc, this is the particular time of year when everyone wants to look their best.  Not only is it a great holiday dress, but with its matte silver sheen the Brianna dress from FemmeLuxe is the perfect way to ease into metallics a little more subtly.  I think the Brianna dress is just the perfect blend of some really awesome style elements with a little glitter in the mix, and as always, this FemmeLuxe party dress has that figure flattering fit.

 

FemmeLuxe is one of my very favorite collaboration partners, I love their dresses and this week I'm styling several dresses that will rock the holidays for sure, but don't have to be confined to this time of year.  A beautiful dress is a beautiful dress is a beautiful dress, and a great dress is something you can wear all year round.  But, this time of year is the peak season for party dresses whether it's a tasteful Christmas or Hanukkah event, New Year's Eve bash, or any other reason you find to celebrate, this Brianna dress will have you celebrating in style.

 

While the Brianna dress is a metallic silver, it's glittery color is quite understated and a perfect way to say the holidays are here without blinding anyone should you happen to stand too close to the lights.  Brianna features a wonderful stretchy fabric for a comfortable bodycon dress fit.  It also has a one-shoulder neckline for something a little more unique.  The waistline falls at just the right height (meaning the narrowest part of the waist) to create a great silhouette and I think a black or gold midi belt would look great too, just to provide that extra bit of distinction to the waist line.

 

This dress has such a great modern vibe to it,  I love to wear it with straight hair and bangs with some chunky cocktail jewelry, and maybe that will be my next outfit post with the Brianna dress.  But there's also something about that side slit and the skirt lines that give it a wonderful vintage vibe.  I really wanted to play up that vintage element this time by adding gloves, ankle strap heels, and a small hat.  I've had this hat for months and I've been waiting for just the right dress to pair it with.  I knew Brianna was the one.

Since working with FemmeLuxe, I've become a fan of one-shoulder pieces and since I've done several posts with their one-shoulder dresses and jumpsuits, you can see some of the other ways I've styled one-shoulder outfits here, here, and here.  Remember when wearing a one shoulder dress to keep it light on the jewelry.  Statement earrings look great, but bracelets and necklaces aren't necessary.  If you do decide to wear them, keep it light so it won't detract from that singular neckline.

 

Shopping Info: Silver Glitter One Shoulder Midi Dress - Brianna from FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk, Claire's Black Satin Ruched Gloves - $5.49 from: Claire's