Okay. Just…okay.

I prefer to feel awesome. Don’t you?

Usually, when I awaken to a less than stellar self image, my closet can correct the error: I have a “go-to” item of clothing that always makes me feel good, no matter what my body’s doing or how awkward or tired I feel. Right now that go-to garment is my Five Bamboo Blueberry Dress (which I wore in an outfit post, here). Before that it was a pair of Miz Mooz oxfords (featured here and styled here) and before that…okay, I don’t remember. Sorry, wardrobe.

The dress and shoes in question.

Today I paired my dress with an open short-sleeve cardigan, platform sandals and gigantic sunglasses. As I was walking from the bus stop to the office, I caught myself in a mirror – and instantly went from okay to awesome.

So now I’m curious: what makes your fashion-loving heart skip a beat? Please let me know by taking the poll below, and if you’re really enamored, leave a comment telling me more about your go-to garment!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

But, we’re having a disagreement. About video.

Jen says that when she sees a video in a blog post, she typically scans right past it. Doesn’t stop to watch, just bypasses. I, on the other hand (hi, I’m Lindsay), watch almost any video AS LONG AS… it is under 5:00. Longer than that and I get commitment-phobic. Yes, we all wish that were a joke.

So what about you? Whose team has more cheerleaders?

Stay tuned!

This year has been pretty big! We added Jennifer Nicole to the list of authors, and united with The Demoiselles and Awakened Aesthetic. I’ve moved across the country (again) to find a permanent home in Seattle. If there’s a better time for a potential revamp, I’d love to see it!

Please take a couple seconds to take our poll.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

If there’s something missing from that list, please mention it in the comments!

Thanks for three awesome years – and hopefully many to come!

Are skinny jeans/pants and wedges at war? Are they supposed to be together, or do they look weird?

In my experience – they look weird. Almost always. The wedge just makes your legs look like 4″x4″ posts with some toes on the bottom (if they’re open toe wedges, of course).

But then, Jen said she bought a pair of low wedges (almost flat) that looked okay with her John Varavatos skinnies… So now I feel like I might be missing out on something great.

What’s your experience?

(PS – Do you love my collage lady with gigantic feet?)

It honestly might as well be covered in sludge and ripped into shreds. The material (polyester, I know) is eager to absorb every textural stain it can possibly dig up, and the seaming around the bust (admittedly put under a decent amount of stress – ahem) is starting to fray and pucker… I originally bought the dress for an audition at Teatro Zinzanni (that I totally got cheated out of, by the way) and it’s been almost two years – it’s time for a new one.

I’ve decided on some criteria:

• I’d prefer natural fibers, as long as it’s not dry clean only. I wear my LBD at least once per week and can’t afford to be taking it in all the time.
• I think I want it to be sleeveless.
• The hem should be at or just above the knee.
• POCKETS. If available. I’m just a pocket freak.
• NO bubble hems. That is a good way to accidentally show your ass to someone.
• V-Neck, unless it’s a really creative cut.
• Empire waist, or some kind of waist-defining apparatus must be present.

That shouldn’t be too hard to locate… right?

Right?

Banana Republic Jersey empire-waist dress – Black
$89.99 $39.99

Okay, this is the first contender. It’s not much of one, though, really. The sleeve are long (but… they kind of look nice on this extremely plain, boring, uninteresting dress). Actually, wait… If I tip my Macbook screen to just the right angle, i can see that there’s some pleating around the neckline. Ooh.

Pass.

J. Crew Crisp Plissé-Strap Dress
$78 $49.99

Machine-washable, baby! Wide enough straps to put a bra beneath, and textural and architectural details like the straps and the tulip skirt will keep this one interesting without being “HI LOOK AT ME”-ish. Could be paired with heels or sandals (I like the way flat sandals look on the model) – there’s one one issue: It’s… not black. It’s dark grey. Do I care? Maybe not…

ELLE Pleated Dress from Kohl’s
$50 $34.99

The frilliness of the collar might limit this dress’s's’s versatility a little bit, but I like the cut, and the light, summery feel. I just hope it would be long enough.

Back-zip Sweater Dress
$98 $44.99

I don’t really “get” why this need to have a back-zipper… But I don’t really have to. The fact is this is a long-sleeved sweater dress that I’d be buying for summer. The problem is… I’m really attracted to it (in a platonic way) and would like to learn more. Is it worth it? It’s on major sale from Banana Republic, which is quality, but who knows…

Women: Silk Ruffle Dress
$130 $84.99

This is essentially… a good basic, black dress. But that’s it – it’s good. It’s versatile, and the ruffles are cute, but I could take it or leave it. (It’s also “expensive” in the context of this post.)

So confusing! Which dress do you think I should pick?

xoxo.