I have my reasons

...for being absent. My computer was off to get updated (which is running much faster these days) and I have had a few things going on that have kept me busy. 2010 already seems to be an interesting year for me.

I wanted to show you all an fairly simple outfit I wore out to dinner with friends one night.

Tee and Skirt: Forever 21, Necklace NY&Co., Tights: H&M

This past month I have realized that my "go to" outfits seem to be a skirt with a long sleeve tee and a statement necklace (and if its cold I will add on a cardigan). I don't know what it is but I keep coming back to this type of outfit. Even when it rains, I substitute my heels for some boots because I don't like wearing pants and getting them wet.

I picked up this fun nail polish from Ulta last week when I went on a mini shopping spree. It is from Essie's spring line called Lilacism, a fun pastel-y purple.

The real color is little more "purple-y" than the picture. I am really feeling pastel colors and nude "mannequin nails" this spring.

Image from alllacqueredup.com

I am really loving the OPI color featured in the above image which is "Tickle My France-y".

Do you have a "go-to ensemble" or item? If so, what is it and how often to you put it together? What do you think about "mannequin hands"?

These boots were made for dancing...

Sorry for the lack of posts ladies, but I have been under the weather. Its been freezing cold (to me at least) in Texas and I caught this horrible cough. Two bottles of nasty cough medicine later and I am almost 100% better.

So today was a big day for lots of Houstonians, the lineup for the Houston Rodeo was released!!! OK I know many of you probably don't care for country music or seeing kids chase after some calves, but its just something hubs and I look forward to every year. The Rodeo lasts about the whole month of March and kicks off the the BBQ cookoff. Texans don't play when it comes to BBQ so they throw a big party for the cookoff to start things off right. The rodeo season is then followed by a month of awesome concerts! There is also the carnival that is fun for kids and "older kids", but if you don't care for the games you have to have the food.

Ever try fried oreos? How about a fried snicker? I know you guys are probably reading this in disgust, but seriously you need to try some fried oreos.

Image from wikihow.com

Rodeo time is also the time you see people dusting their cowboy boots. There was a time when cowboy boots were the trend and everybody was trying to get their hands on a pair, but here in Texas they are always fashionable :).

I wanted to show you ladies some pictures of some cute looks in cowboy boots.

Image from instyle.com

Image from splendicity.com

Image from hollyscoop.com

How do you feel about cowboy boots? Did you fall for the trend? Is it more than just a trend to you?

Empire State of Mind

I was doing my usual rounds catching up on blogs when I saw that With Love... had a trailer for 'Sex and the City 2"! I loved the series and the first movie. I didn't even realize there was already a trailer out for it. And you know I have to show it to you ladies.

The moment I heard 'Empire State of Mind' playing at the beginning of the trailer, I knew it was going to be good. The trailer really didn't give anything away (although I wish it did). I can't wait to see what happens in this movie. I've already marked my calendar for the premier and I might, just might try to catch the midnight showing.

The only thing that gives the fashion the show has a run for its money is Carrie's closet. Yes, I am in love with her closet. Here was the closet in her apartment. Nothing crazy fantastic, but heck much better than mine!

And then there was the gorgeous white closet that housed those beautiful blue Manolos.


One day......my closet will look this amazing.

And here are some other fabulous closets of famous celebrities. I know many of us have seen Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton's so I focused on other celebs for this post.

Eva Longoria Parker

Miley Cyrus

Fergie

Christina Aguilera

Anyone else have serious closet envy right now? I think my fave has to be Christina's, what about you?

Handbag Heaven

I love handbags that have an extra across the body strap because I use it so often, especially while shopping. I was browsing People.com the other day and came across this picture of Reese Witherspoon and fell in love with her clutch.

It is a Rebecca Minkoff Morning After clutch and I love it to pieces! I went to the Rebecca Minkoff website and it looks like it comes in black or purple with gold hardware.

I also love handbags with hardware (the clutch above scored double points). So when I saw this bag earlier on in the year I fell in love with it, but not the price. Its the Alexander Wang Coco Mini Duffel.

Image from Bagsnob.com

Tressje Monaco Bag. Image from Revolveclothing.com

I tend to purchase black handbags 95% of the time because I can wear them with almost anything. And I feel that if I am going to spend a pretty penny on a handbag I better be able to wear it almost everyday. I do have a gray purse that I got as a bday present from a good friend and that goes with pretty much everything too. But you won't see me buying an expensive handbag in pink, green, or purple just because I would find it too hard to wear it on a daily basis.

What do you look for when purchasing a handbag?

Something Blue

OK just a quick post about something I just found in case I have any brides reading my blog. When I was planning the wedding I wanted blue shoes as my something blue, but I needed shoes that weren't so tall because I didn't want to be taller than my hubs. Well my search ended because all the shoes that were less than 2 inches tall in blue looked like something an elderly lady would wear.

Well I am sure if you haven't been living under a rock you have seen the Something Blue Manolo Blahnik's that were featured in the 'Sex and the City" movie. I think in the movie Carrie says they are only $500, but I think after the movie the price went up to $945 (and that was the moment you heard brides' hearts breaking all across the world). This may be old news to some ladies, but I thought I would share anyway.

Here is the orginial. Image from stylefrizz.com.

And here are the look-a-likes by Martinez Valero.

Looks pretty good to me! And the price of $159 sounds much better than $945. However, I am sure that the Manolos are much more comfortable than these, but I am wondering if it would be manageable after you crowd the shoe with all the foot pads.

Anyway, while I was browsing I also found some super cute shoes that a bride (or anyone for that matter) would love.

Badgley Mischka

BCBG

Joan and David

All of the above images are from Amazon.com. I think the yellow ones are my favorite!

I love colored shoes because it adds a little character to the outfit. I don't have many colored heels, but I do have lots of colored flats. Do you wear colored shoes? Do you find them easy to style with your outfits?

UK Flawless

I am sure by now you all know that I love photography, so when I saw these images this morning I had to blog about them. Now ScarJo isn't one of my girl crushes, but with these images, I think she moved up a few spots. Here are ScarJo's pictures for UK's Harper's Bazaar January 2010.

This cover picture is absolutely flawless.

Images from Magxone.com

ScarJo is talking about her charity work in Africa on the second to last picture. I love that she is dressed in (product) RED clothes to raise awareness.

What do you think about this spread? Is ScarJo one of your girl crushes? If so, why? If not, who is one of your girl crushes?

Ladies, if its ugly...its ugly!

I have to say that I love Tim Gunn and when I found out he was getting his own fashion help show a few seasons ago I was thrilled. I just about died laughing when I heard that he said "Ladies, if its ugly....its ugly!". Tim's honesty is sometimes crazy funny. If any of you haven't seen his show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, he helps teach women how to shop and gives them a list of the 10 essential items they need in their closet.

Basic Black Dress
Trench Coat
Dress Pants
Classic Shirt
Jeans
Any Occasion Top
Skirt
Day Dress
Jacket
Sweatsuit Alternative

I think this is a great starting point for anyone trying to revamp their wardrobe. Stick to classic pieces that you can wear any time, even in 5 years. One other thing that is mentioned on the list that he heavily emphasises is the right undergarments. Wearing the right size bra can really make a difference with your appearance and confidence.

Here are 4 of my classic pieces. My shoes are not on Tim's list, but a pair of classic black pumps should be.

Trench: NY&CO, Shirt: Banana Republic, Belt & Necklace: Forever 21, Jeans: Citizens of Humanity, Shoes: BCBG

Oh and the necklace isn't on that list, but its one of my favorite necklaces. Sorry for the bad photos again, but I think its time to retire my old point and shoot camera. I sold my old beginner dslr (which was small) and I am way too lazy to pull out my new dslr camera to shoot outfit photos. I wonder if hubs will mind me taking outfit pictures with his point and shoot. hahaha wishful thinking.

Since I am on the subject of classics, this is one of my favorite red nail polishes that can be worn at anytime. Its OPI's "Bastille My Heart", which I think was part of the "Collection de France". After I took this picture I realized I forgot to clean up the mistakes. There goes my laziness again, oh well.

Do you think Tim Gunn's list is a good list to go by? What are your favorite "go-to" pieces that will never go out of style? Any pieces you have that should be on Tim's list?

Currently Listening to La Roux - In for the Kill

Winter Kate & Jimmy Choo

I love Nicole Richie's style, she is always so effortlessly chic. I am so glad that she has changed her life around from those early partying days of hers. I love how much of a family woman she has become, but also has time for herself and her career. We all know that she created the accessories line House of Harlow 1960 and a maternity line named Nicole.

Nicole just announced that she has launched a contemporary women's line named Winter Kate (her daughter Harlow's middle names). We can expect her Bohemian style to be reflected in her designs that will be sold at stores such as Neiman Marcus starting February. I could only find one image from the line, but will post more if I come across them.

Image via frillr.com

I can't wait to see what the rest of the 37 piece collection will look like. I am not too crazy about the above vest/shirt, but I am sure she will have some very cute dresses in the collection.

Speaking of new collections, I wish we had an H&M here in Houston so that I could buy something from the new Jimmy Choo Collection for H&M. Just in case you haven't seen the pieces, here they are.

Image via chicintuition.com

I want the gray dress, blue dress, faux fur vest, and pretty much all of the shoes! I am jealous of all you ladies with an H&M around the corner. If you have an H&M near you, are you going to go the first day the collection hits? What items are you trying to get?

I Want to be like Nicole.

I've always admired Nicole Richie's style, with the exception of the "Simple Life" days or those days when she was a drug addict. Whether it was all a great masterpiece of Rachel Zoe or Nicole changing her life, I can't get over her new sense of style. She makes an effortless t-shirt and jeans look so chic and trendy.

I have come to admire her sense of style while being pregnant. Long gone are the days of strecty elastic waist pants and sweatshirts. Who knew you could be pregnant and still so stylish. I hope to be as stylish as Nicole when day, especially when I am pregnant. She doesn't even look pregnant in this picture.






















Image from FabSugar.com

Here are some other stylish mothers I adore and hope that when my time comes I won't be the frumpy pregnant lady in sweats all the time.













































Images from JustJared.com