Last month Real Simple magazine featured a bunch of different black party dresses, and to my surprise there was only one that I really liked. An even bigger surprise was that it’s from Isaac Mizrahi’s line at Target! The clean lines and simple shape are oh-so-Audrey Hepburn, and the back is a sexy little surprise.

 

Of course, even if you have the longest, shapeliest legs in the world, you’re probably not going to want to wear a heel with an ankle strap with that dress. I’d go, instead, for these pumps by Guess called Kyoko. I am so in love with the heart and circle cutouts (sweet) paired with the sexy heel (hot!).

I’ve been spending far too much time browsing Urban Outfitters website lately, but I’m way too excited about the amazing sale they’ve got going on to be ashamed of my online shopping addiction. A few weeks ago, I posted about three Free People dresses that I’d fallen in love with, one of them being the Flutter Sleeve Dress, which was being sold for $118. Well, while it’s still seasonally appropriate, UO has dropped the price down to $49!!! So while it’s not exactly a Forever 21 steal, it’s still quite the bargain for a very well made, sweet dress.

The Striped Open Back Dress is also by Free People, also on sale for $49, and long sleeved for these chilly fall evenings. This last one, the Lux Tube Knit Dress, is totally inappropriate for autumn no matter how you look at it… but it’s so pretty! And comfy! And happy! Oh, just buy it and write yourself a note to remember it when you take that trip to the Bahamas.

I cried when the last episode of Sex and the City aired. There was no better Sunday night ritual than sitting down and watching all the gorgeous clothing shape the stories of Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, and Carrie. So I guess when Sarah Jessica Parker decided to launch her own clothing line, everyone (me included) thought that she would do something high end and wild. But, while Sarah Jessica agrees with Carrie Bradshaw that fashion is a necessity in keeping women feeling good about themselves, she has reminded the world that she isn’t Carrie by creating a line that is sophisticated, yet tamed down and totally wearable, and more importantly, inexpensive.

Bitten is sold at Steve and Barry’s, and nothing in the line is over $20. I particularly love the fact that all of the pieces have a great fit, particularly the dresses. And not to stray too much, but the line also features an adorable houndstooth coat, which I can’t pass up.

Although I love the line, I do still find myself longing for the days of crazy-tutu-and-Manolo-Blahnik-wearing Sarah Jessica, I suppose that was Carrie Bradshaw, really. But it looks like we’re going to get lucky and have a dose of her, as well, since the Sex and the City movie is set to start filming next month. Yay!

Let’s face it: vintage clothes are cute, but going to vintage stores can sometimes be an unpleasant experience. You know what I mean ⎯ that funny, musky smell; the endless searching through mountains of clothes. Well, I’m a little bit of a cheater because I found a non-smelly way to buy cute vintage that involves very little sifting at the Etsy shop for Ultra Retro, an online vintage boutique.

Although it’s a little bit off-season, I love this 70s Lace Patchwork Babydoll Dress with butterfly sleeves. Whoever said that you can’t wear white after Labor Day was silly anyway, and obviously never took trips to warm places. I could wear this when I go home to Honolulu, or the next time I go to San Diego, or…

For the quickly approaching autumnal chill, this 80s Pink Sweater Dress will keep you wrapped up in warmth with its angora blend.

Because of its slim shape, it would be perfect with the voluptuousness of the Lux Nonpariel Jacket from Urban Outfitters.

I also adore the outfit with these slouchy boots, also from the Etsy shop.

Cute vintage without the scary vintage store browsing!

Did you know that Target does evening gowns? I just visited Target.com to look at a friend’s registry, when I decided to peruse their fashion section. It’s been a few years since I decided, finally, that it’s better to buy quality than quantity, but I’ve purchased a few good pieces from Target (when I really should have been buying things like laundry detergent). Anyway, besides having a few really cute items, I saw that there was a button for formal dresses. Curiosity got the better of me, and I clicked. I was pleasantly surprised to find this 1930s inspired, floor length, champagne colored silk gown by Isaac Mizrahi, for only $129. Of the customers who reviewed it, one even wore it was a bridal gown for her wedding! Hey, whatever works, right? I’m thinking of it more along the lines of being perfect for a night at the opera, or in black for a New Year’s Eve party…