I read recently, that a stylish gal opted to wear the same dress for ONE full year but switched things up a bit by layering jackets, sweaters, turtlenecks, belts, and other accessories to change the look up COMPLETELY!  I must say, after viewing her “diary” of looks it was hard to recognize her LBD as the same in most of the pics!  While I am certainly not insinuating to wear the same exact dress every single day, I do want to share some different ways of styling up a basic so that you can get extra mileage out of it during the work week when that dreaded “I have nothing to wear” hits you square in the face.

I have selected a very plain but full of style black tunic dress that would work on just about every body type but can be changed up easily with the swapping of a flat to a heel and a slouchy sweater to a fuzzy faux fur vest.  All items featured can be found at www.revolveclothing.com

Going on a date?  Chillin’ with some friends and hitting up a movie and a cup of joe, or maybe heading to an end of the season summer picnic?  Perhaps this weekend is a good time to don the white pants for the last go ’round or maybe you want to pull out a brand new “fall” piece and debut it for all to admire.  Whatever the case the following are some ideas in case you need some!  Enjoy the holiday weekend!

So how, to wear the gems above?  And more importantly, where can you buy these pieces?  Look #1 is a sweet pink romper($35) paired with a wide strappy belt ($13) and finished with some fabulous metallic gold pumps with girly ruffs ($128).  You can find all these pieces on lulus.com.  Log on now and ask for over night delivery!

Look #2 features the season’s hottest denim trend – ripped and torn.  I found these skinnies on forever21.com ($29) and finished the look with this sexy-sweet black ruffled halter from Bebe ($79).  Be sure to go mile high and don some sweet stillettos to seal the deal.  I love the dose of leopard on the platform that adds a little extra interest and spice.  Find the shoe on bebe.com for $149.

The final look is all about sequins – again a fall must-have.  Be not afraid to sparkle this season and don shorts, tops, or jackets in the shiny stuff.  I totally dig this Chanel-inspired jacket ($385) found on intermixonline.com and would do it up right with the chiffon bow waistband shorts ($245).  Keep the top beneath simple simon and don a simple white tee or tank – OR try something with a funky graphic.  Skip ruffles or any other embellishment.  The focus is on the jacket here.  Punctuate the look with a colorful bootie that changes up the black and white palette.  Who can resist these aubergine cuties with fuschia trim ($38)?! Get ‘em now on asos.com.

OH – and the floating bow bag?!  Why that’s to go with everything!  I love the boxy shape and the neutral toned bow – Absolutely gorge and will go with anything anytime of year – asos.com – $282.

At work all day and have a hot date afterward, but no time to sneak home to get gussied up?  Then plan ahead my friends, and stash some nighttime stuff in your desk drawer or trunk of your car for a quick switcheroo.  Let’s start with a simple black sheath dress for your daytime look.  For work day appropriateness layer this season’s hottest outwear on top – the Boyfriend jacket.  Since its rather warm, push the sleeves up to the elbows and pop the collar.  Accessorize with simple chic pearls and gold studs in your ears.  How to turn your day into night?  Fling the jacket in the corner swap the pearls for something a little more sparkly ooh, la la!  Some big earrings like the feather shoulder sweepers below would be an awesome choice,  a huge in-your-face cocktail ring, and a sleek and colorful clutch will definitely create the evening look you desire.  If you have time, change shoes too – a strappy sandal instead of a classic pump or flat ballet style shoe would definitely spruce you up a tinge!

Street fashion is my thing – and as my regular readers know, it’s one of my favorite things to feature on SJS postings.  Spring 2009 is a season of many neutrals from pants, tulip skirts, tanks, shoes – even make-up.  While some may shy away from the bland palette there are great ways to wear colors like this that look refreshing, current, chic, and enviable.  Who better than to show us all how to do it right?  Why this New York City hipster who obviously has the same fashion obsessions as many of us do (note the over-sized Louis tote – Love it)… What makes this lady’s ensemble so super cool?  It’s the accessories my friends – your basic bisques, khakis, and lattes will get an uber kick up with some shiny metallics or a dramatically darker shade to offset the similar colors that get lost together.  And finally, what else makes this get-up a little more interesting?  If you take a closer look you’ll see that this lassie layered her borderline filmy top over a triangle bikini top done in another seasonal must-have flower print.  The subtlety of the print adds just enough appeal while not being garish or inappropriate.  Who says swimsuits are only suited for the shore?! (Psst… I found a copy of this lassie’s Louis – Please note that a real LV will set you back far more than $78.00 – bust trust me no one will know the difference.)

I could sit and sift through my closet and drawers for hours coming up with various combinations … I love finding old items that I forgot I had and mixing and matching them with newer items recently acquired!  Conversely, I also like surfing the web and finding cool accessories and other such things and fantasizing about how I would wear them together.  So, in the spirit of my “hobby” I am dedicating this particular posting to cute ensembles that are worthy of a fun-filled weekend.  I hope you all find some inspiration!

Lunch With The Girls

Dinner With Your Man

Mother’s Day Brunch

Why not add a bit of zip to your look this weekend with a little fringe?!  It’s all the rage at the moment to don a western/cowboy influenced tank or tunic embellished with some whispy details or to add a little spice to a sandal or boot.  Just remember ladies as with everything, don’t go head to toe fringe.  The goal is to look chic and sophisticated not to resemble a boot scootin’ cowgirl.  Woo hoo!

It’s so hard to come up with a really cool weekend outfit at times… Especially when you feel like you’ve worn everything in your closet to death.  The following are some ideas for putting a stellar and stylish look together for Friday night, Saturday night, and a day outing on Sunday. 

Friday- Grabbing drinks with friends and don’t feel like donning black?  Choose gray instead and mix with a brightening agent like snow white.  I love this subtly sequins top with it’s romantic rose graphic and would throw it on with some ultra-skinny gray denim. If you don’t have gray, don’t fret.. Basic blue or black will do.  Keep all your accessories white (yes it’s ok to wear white now – forget about all the past rules)… I am in love with the fringed ankle boots that will also boost up your mini dresses and skirts this summer, and would hold on tight to this awesome woven white clutch that will look fab swinging from your wrist.

Saturday – Perhaps your hitting the town and hoping dinner will parlay into an evening of dancing… try a flirty dress or skirt.  I love this peplum skirt and would keep it a highlight.  Zip into your skirt and pair it with a plain black top.  I think this net-like top is the perfect match for this girly bottom.  Cinch the waist with a belt and dance the night away in a statement shoe. Oh, how I love these camo beauts! 

Sunday – Running errands?  Checking out a flick?  Dress down and be comfortable.  Skinny cropped jeans are a good option paired with an oversize graphic tee and layered under a brighter than bright anorak.  Don’t forget your ankle boots – instead of ultra-flat try a cowboy slouchy style like shown.

You don’t have to have oodles and oodles of different items in your closet in order to have a different look everyday.  If you have one great base piece, and lots of different accessories you can go from boho on Monday to preppy on Friday.  Today, our base piece is this cute little blue dress. 

Look #1 is my favorite way to mix girly with edgy.  Swap out the bow belt for a wide studded number, swath your neck in oodles of pearls, and finish with some rock ‘n roll peep toe boots with some metallic embellishments.

Look #2 is a bit more casual.  Wrap up in a woven earth toned belt, slide into some flat sandals, try a unique neutral colored or beaded drapey necklace, and don’t forget the slouchy bag.

Look #3 is a fun mix of daytime pieces and night time must-haves.  Stick with the black bow belt for this look and throw on your favorite fitted denim jacket (a MUST for the season by the way).  Add some interest to the look by donning flirty fishnets, spunky red booties, and tie it all together with a red bauble necklace.

I have a very stylish destination for all of you out there who may be yearning for a change of scenery and get this, it’s only 2 hours away!  I am speaking of our lovely state capital, Columbus that has changed so much since my college days when I nearly killed myself driving like a bat out of hell Springfield to get my fix at Urban Outfitters on High and the MAC counter at City Center.  Now, as I drive down the main drag (High Street) I am amazed at the growth and admire the independent and creative spirit of those who live there. 

The city is quite young and offers lots to do and many independently owned boutiques, restaurants, coffee bars, and regular bars that give the city a unique character and charm that is distinctly missing from our hometown and surrounding suburbs. So, where to go and what to do while down in C-bus?  Here’s my list of rockin’ restaurants and savvy stores that are not to be missed…

When I first decide to haul my keister down south I plan out my shopping excursions wisely.  First stop?  Easton baby!  Why?  Because there are some pretty great chain stores that actually carry better stuff than up here… First example: Express, Limited, Victoria’s Secret.  Since the Limited is headquartered in Columbus usually this trio carries more goodies and features some “test” items that never make it out of the store.  What else does Easton have to offer?  A brand spankin’ new (well new to me anyway) Tiffany store… It’s pretty big too, so all you ladies who light up when you see that ubiquitous blue box may want to check it out.  What else is cool?  One of my favorite stores on Fifth Avenue in NYC is actually there too – Henri Bendel,  that is famous for their brown and white striped boxes, kitschy accessories, plentiful fragrance department, edgy fashions, and buzzed-up cosmetics section has a small outpost at Easton but on a much smaller scale… No, unfortunately you won’t find the $150.00 super cute hairbands you can nab in NYC, but you can come away with a signature Henri tote bag or purse, sniff some DE-lish Bendel candles, and of course just take in the boutique atmosphere complete with humongous chandeliers with hanging crystals and HB striped purses – ADORABLE.  One last stop at Easton would be the Nordstrom.  We may  have one in our backyards, but this particular store seems to carry more distinctive shoes, and their “Saavy” department, a little more variety.  Check it out!

Now it’s time to head downtown where it’s lots of fun to explore the area known as The Short North.  What I love about this area most is that it is so non-commercial with the majority of the restaurants and shops being non-chains.  Check out Ladybird for an intimate shopping experience and take a look at the sweet silk tops and even the handful of gently worn, personally picked vintage pieces selected by the owner.  (I drooled over a 100% white beaded short jacket with pretty pink and red flowers).  Jinny is another sweet shop featuring pretty little dresses with bead and gem accents and other cool tops, skirts, and trousers.  Love vintage?  Try Retrocat Vintage that showcases cool retro looks from all the past decades and will give you your own style! 

It’s not just about the clothes though… Home decor venues like Loot and Collier West are stores jam packed with one of a kind home accessories and awesome chandeliers … not to mention pretty amazing merchandising techniques too…  I was also quite fond of a store called Revue that was part consignment and part antique mall.  This interesting shop features all furniture consignments on one side and leased out booth spaces on the other, allowing antique dealers to showcase their wares without having to be there.  

FOOD:

So, now that you have the threads you have to go out and grab a bite… There are lot of great little eateries in Columbus that feature wonderful menus and the kind of personal attention that is quintessential of a non-chain restaurant.   In the German Village, I love to nosh at Barcelona – the atmosphere is just lively enough, the wine list super reasonable, and the food divine! Check out Barcelonacolumbus.com.  German Village is also home to another lip smacking lovely called Lindy’s which I have been frequenting since my days in college.  Out of GV and again in the Short North, try one of my other favorites: Northstar that features an abbreviated menu that is not short on taste – you MUST try the homemade veggie burger that is one of the best I have EVER had!  Other places that looked cool are The Burgundy Room (wines and tapas), The Black Olive, Rigsbys, and Jeni’s Ice Cream. 

So, what’s the bottom line?  Support independents!  It makes a city sing with spirit and provides the locals with lots to do!  Gotta love our state capital!