Sparkle and Shine Sequin Lookbook

What can I say, I love sequins day or night!  I'm in love with all things shiny and sparkly and when I see an affordable piece, I gotta have it.  I recently found this Backstage Fever Dress on one of my favorite sites, Singer 22 and purchased it for a night out when we went to New York.  Perfectly fitted in blue navy sequins with a scoopback neck, it was the best dress for a night out with friends.  My girlfriends are coming into town today, so girls weekend starts today!  Sequins are fun, flirty, and sexy and you don't necessarily need to wear a full sequin dress, on Monday I'll show a sequin look great for everyday.

I definitely recommend this dress, I have an Alice + Olivia dress which I paid close to $600 for and this dress fits just as well with fantastic quality sequins for $165!

Backstage Fever Dress

My dress is the color midnight (they are sold out of the champagne color) and I ordered a XS, Singer 22 is my go to store for trends and they do a great job restocking so if they don't have your size check back.   If you are a big planner this dress would also be perfect for a Las Vegas trip, birthday celebration, or the holidays.  

With this flashy dress I went with no jewelry, except my Chanel watch and my Louboutin silver pumps.  As seen above, Ashley paired it with nude pumps which also works.  Keep your look simple since the dress is the main focus, but remember your face is also your best accessory!  I pumped up the color on my lips and cheeks with a pinkish red tone so that my face was also noticeable next to all the sequins.  

Do you love sequins and what sequin items have you recently purchased?

P.S.  A big thank you to my husband who has been taking my photos, he has been doing a wonderful job.  What do you think?

Vest Impression Lookbook

I posted my Maxi Skirt Lookbook last week and I was reminded of my comfy Rachel Pally Fortuna Dress which I bought a couple months ago.  The knit fabric, pockets, fit and shirring makes it stylish yet comfortable to wear day or night.  I review many blogs and I recently saw this posting by Fashion and Number and loved her vest and maxi number.  Remembering my own Strong & Dickerson Vest, I paired it with my maxi dress.  The vest features topstitching, zippers at the collar, cargo pockets, and a fabric belt, I love the versatility of the vest and will definitely be outfitted with other outfits for lookbooks in the future.  If you have ben searching for a vest, this is the one!  Where to find my look?

Strong & Dickerson Paige Vest
This vest is the best deal right now, originally $185, it is now 40% off of $99, so around $60 on Intermix!  It's pretty much sold out in boutiques so purchase it online, I bought a petite size.   If your looking for a military green version, Old Navy has this great option.   Pair either with a short sleeve flowy tee, skinny jeans, and a pair of booties, you'll be ready for Fall!

Rachel Pally Fortuna Dress

Only large left in this color but I love this dress and it comes in colors of black and ivory here in all sizes and Rachel also offers shorter versions of this pretty dress.  The perfect knit dress for all occasions.  Please note the dress runs kind of big, I purchased a extra small and I'm typically a small.  

Lately I have been on the search for pieces I can wear into Fall, and I think both of these work!  Share your maxi looks or outfits with me on your comments.  Thank you to those who read my blog, comment,  and follow.  I review the comments everyday and they are so encouraging!  I hope to share other blog link of things that inspire me once a week to spread the blog love.

Botanical Lookbook

I was heading out to lunch with a friend and while perusing through my closet on what to wear, I came across this dress I forgot about.  I purchased it because I loved the botanical floral print and $40 price, but it is actually a size too big.  With an urge to wear it, I came up with this outfit, which I ended up loving!  My lovely purple shirt is a recent purchase from BCBG, color is great and transitions into Fall perfectly with it's rolled up sleeve.  I tied it in a knot at center front to give my waist some definition.  Necklace is from J. Crew, bracelets are my own and my shoes are Christian Louboutin.

The weather in Chicago has been over 100 degrees so it was nice that it was mid 80's today.  Coming up with outfits that are comfortable, breathable, and pretty are sometimes hard to do.  The outfit ended up being super comfy and loved the color combo.  What do you think about my outfit?

What to Wear Now and For Fall!

WHAT I WANT NOW!  

Still looking for a perfect outfit for day into night?  This knit dress is sexy and stylish and with the accessories added, you'll look ready for a night or date out!  During the day, you could pair it with with a cute white cardigan or white button up knotted with cute sandals.

Love the zig zag dress and the back has an exposed zipper; I've been dying for the ring and watch and may put it on my gift list to send to my husband so he knows what to get me for the next special occasion.

1.  Lucca Couture Zig Zag Dress
2.  YSL Arty Gold Plated Ring
3.  Nixon Oversized Watch
4.  Halston Heritage Monique Watersnake Clutch
5.  Alejandro Ingelmo Grace Pumps

WHAT I WANT FOR FALL!

My favorite trend, leopard! I love that it comes back every few years.  From leopard dresses to shoes and accessories, every wardrobe needs a touch of leopard.  These are some of my favorites right now and I'm trying to figure out which ones to buy.  

1.  Warehouse One Shoulder Leopard Maxi Dress  (a fantastic price!)

2.  J. Crew Leopard Perfect Shirt  (classic piece you'll wear forever)

3.  Current/Elliott Leopard Stiletto Jean  (I'm dying for these)

4.  Tolani Leopard Scarf   (if your conservative, the perfect accessory)

5.  House of Harlow Orlina Leopard Pony Clutch  (pony and leopard, love!)

6.  Asos Pollyana Platform Shoe  (three trends in one, platform, gold links, and leopard)

1.  Pour La Victoire Larkin Loafer Pump (definitely a must order for me)

2.  Nine West Abalene Loafer Pump  (fantastic price, comes in 5 colors!)

3.  Boutique 9 Novelty Pump  (authentic looking and loving the color)

These are my top two trends I am definitely updating my wardrobe with!  What do you think?

Yellow Daisy Lookbook

I did a post in May, Inspired by Yellow, and found my perfect yellow outfit at Topshop in New York.   The sheer yellow top has sequins and beads sewn into daisy patterns and I paired it with a pleated skirt.  With all the details on the top, I forgo a necklace and chose gold bracelets from Forever 21, a yellow bracelet my mom purchased for me from China and sunglasses from Tom Ford as my accessories.  My white patent and cork heels are from Stuart Weitzman.

To find a similar look if Topshop isn't in your area:

Elie Tahari Estrella Blouse

My top isn't online at Topshop.com but this Tahari silk top is elegant and beautiful and easily worn with white jeans or tucked into linen shorts.  I love the ruffle detail too.

Topshop Flippy Skirt

I found this skirt easy to wear and you can prep it up by wearing it with a navy blazer.  I love topshop for their trends and price point, this skirt was a good deal at $55.  If your looking for something a little trendier and flirty, I definitely recommend this Asos Petal Skirt.  

Pour La Victoire Patent Leather Wedges

My Stuart Weitzman sandals are no longer available, but these Pour La Victoire wedges are a great summer shoe for $125 (originally $250)!  Hurry, I think sizes are going fast at 50% off.  

Let me know what you think about my yellow and girly outfit!

Tulip Dress Lookbook

My favorite dress of this season is my Zara Tulip Dress.  Fitted on top with a structured poufy skirt, it's elegant, fun and chic.  I paired this beautiful dress with my own jewelry, jumbo Chanel bag and Pour La Victoire suede pumps.  I wore this outfit for a press tour I did with JB Styles for the launch of her Lux Shopping Tours.  Jen Burton had the brilliant idea of offering luxurious shopping tours with a personal car and stylist when visitors come to Chicago.  Personalized to your style, it is a great way to get fashion advice and visit all the best shops catered to your needs.  Check it out if you are in Chicago!

I recently saw a picture of Olivia Palermo wearing the same dress in a floral print.  I wish I had seen the floral version because I would of purchased it too.  Love the bag and the shoes!

If you love my look and aren't near a Zara (which does not offer online shopping), this Shoshana Tulip Dress has a similar shape however strapless and comes in the print or a solid version.  Also loving the Asos Ponti Fit and Flare Dress, at a great price, comes in 5 colors, and has short sleeves if you like to cover your arms.  This other Asos Tulip Dress version has a pleated waist that would also give you the same look.  For a fantastic similar shoe, Steve Madden has a great selection; check out this Sarrina Pump in the same suede color or the Mercy Platform Pump which has a slightly lighter suede color with a thinner heel.  My Pour La Victoire Irina Pumps are some of my favorites, I have three pairs!  So if you have the budget and want a killer comfortable heel, I would definitely recommend them.  

By the way, if you are near a Zara store, my dress appears to be on sale.  Let me know what you think about my look!

Coveting @ Shopbop

Shopbop has the most extensive collection of apparel and accessories online and I love when they have their big sales.  As an avid reader of my blog you know I love dresses and I picked my top 5 on sale pieces that I am coveting!

1.  Rachel Pally Lyndon Dress

2.  Parker Sequin Dress

3.  Parker Strapless Dress

4.  Susana Monaco Strapless Blouson Dress

5.  Alice + Olivia Jill Blouson Dress

How to transition these items into Fall?  The top three minis look adorable with a fitted blazer and some cute ankle boots.  The Parker Strapless Dress  would also pair well with a short leather jacket, tights and boots.  The Alice + Olivia Dress would look great with a boyfriend sweater belted with a brown belt and rugged boots.   

This month is the best time to shop as Fall items are coming to stores and summer items are getting marked down.  It's also the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which has the best deals on Fall items.  Any sales or items you coveting I should know about?   

New York New York!

We were in New York last weekend and we ate, drank, and shopped until we dropped.  I adored my three years living there and miss the energy, people, and the overall scene.  The trip was a great reunion with the city and friends.  If you follow me on twitter and/or facebook, you would have seen my instagram pics.  If you love reading my blog, definitely follow me on either networking sites, you'll get up to date info on where I dine and shop.  I am in love with instagram and if you have an iphone you need to download this application!  It's my favorite and you can find me under redsolesandredwine.  The first two pics are a collage of my instagram pics from the trip!





I caught up with friends and shared many drinks and mucho food!  My absolute favorite restaurant this trip was Beauty and Essex, we started dinner at 10:15pm and the scene was awesome.  It's like an hidden gem inside, the front looks like a pawn/antique shop and behind another door is the restaurant with a beautiful chandelier and two floors of restaurant space.  Another must do, going to a rooftop lounge.  Some of my pics were from the top of 230 5th Ave, Kimberly hotel, and Rareview lounge.

My favorite thing to do in New York of course is shop.  My friend Alma, I and my hubby went to Chinatown for lunch and then Soho for the day.  I got a ton of cute stuff at Topshop and am seriously excited for when they open in Chicago in September.  My look for the warm weather and shopping was an Alice + Olivia polka dot dress with my Chanel sandals.













Detoxing from the trip but look forwarding to sharing some of my purchases with you!