Need some new specs?

Ever since I got my new glasses (which I'm obsessed with) a few weeks ago, I've been looking around the web for a good deal on cute frames. I love my frames, but $400 for frames+lenses is not cheap, and I'm on the lookout for a more reasonably priced pair for backup. Enter GlassesUSA.com.

GlassesUSA.com describes itself as 'the premier place to buy discount prescription eyeglasses online.' Sure, says I, lots of websites make that claim to fame, but what makes GlassesUSA.com so special? Well, first off, they have actual designer frames from names like Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Diesel and Tommy Hilfiger.

Secondly, price. A fashionable pair of  frames can sometimes set you back hundreds, but not at GlassesUSA.com. They have trendy but cheap glasses at prices that won't put a dent in your bank account. In fact, they offer a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program - You get a $30 credit if your friend buys a pair! Buy your glasses, love your glasses, tell your friend, earn credits! Easy as pie :)

My favorite part about GlassesUSA.com's site, is their Virtual Mirror, where you can upload a photo of yourself and see which eyeglasses frames suit you best.

Which do you like on me?

If you're in the market for a new pair of glasses, GlassesUSA.com is definitely worth checking out. And lookie here, you can take 10% off your order of prescription glasses with code BLOG10 . Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with GlassesUSA,  however all opinions are my own; I do not promote brands or products that I wouldn't have/haven't already written about of my own accord.

2011 - It's a wrap!

Can you believe 2011 2012 is only three days away!?

It's been a whirlwind of a year around these parts! In blogland and in life, there are many moments and events I won't forget!

• I started and ended a relationship.
• I acquired my most beloved techie toy - my iPhone!
• I sang in my first performance since high school
• I joined Weight Watchers and lost 22lbs (and counting!)
• I discovered the awesomeness that is thrifting
• I met up with bloggy friends at NY Fashion Week
• I developed a passion for cooking
• I attended my first Fat Girl Flea Market
• I traveled to Amsterdam and Greece
• I survived a minor earthquake
• Fatale Fashion hit 200 and then 300 followers on GFC
• I started a new relationship
• I was cast in my first full musical since high school - as Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown!
• I chose a new career path (stay tuned in 2012!)
• I learned how to crochet and made my first hat!

Here are a few of my very favorite looks from 2011:

I hope you all have a happy, healthy, and safe new year! See you in 2012 :)

A belated Christmas post

It may not be what you'd expect in a Christmas outfit, but when do I ever follow the rules!

I decided to put together a few of my new pieces for this outfit - the Forever21 skirt is super stretchy and comfortable; it's tight enough to be scandalous but just long enough to stay classy. I topped it off with this pussybow blouse I scored on sale at my local New York & Company outlet. Black cardi, black tights, and these awesome pumps from Payless finished the look.

I went on the hunt for these pumps after seeing them on Kendi and Jessica...I found the very last pair which so happened to be a 9. They're so snug though, I'm not sure if I can really wear them (yea, I switched them in for the photos - I'd originally been wearing boots). Anyone interested in them? Email me and we'll talk :)

Cardigan: Mom's
Top: NY&Co
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Hue
Pumps: Payless
Necklace: Vintage
Bracelets: Brooklyn Flea
Watch: Syms

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, and that Santa treated you well! He sure treated me nice this year!

You Asked...

I am so behind on my Formspring! Here are a few of the questions you guys asked in the past month or so...

"I love the way you dress its inspiring but I am a shorter woman, I'm wondering how tall are you?"

I'm 5'5! If you're feeling a little stubby in your clothes, my best suggestion: wear a heel. Even an inch or two will lengthen your legs and give the illusion of height :)

 "Hi Ariana! First of all, I love, love your blog! I wanted to know where you got your patterned tights in the Instagram pic below. I am a plus size girl and I am having trouble finding cute tights in my size. Thanks! Michelle W."

Thanks, Michelle! I got those tights off Amazon! They're Hue, and they come in a size 4 or L/XL, which should fit up to 6'0 and 250lbs. Target also has some great tights in plus sizes, I recently got some great colors in 1X/2X.

"Hey where did you get the dress in pic 4 (Unblogged 11/11)?"

The dress is from Target! I don't think it's available anymore unfortunately :( You might find it on a sale or clearance rack though if you really dig!

"How do you stay motivated to dress nice every day? I do good for awhile then get tired of it. Do you plan outfits ahead?"

 I don't everyday, trust me! I definitely have lots of days where I wish more than anything I can go to work in sweats, but I've learned that you can look put together without much work - many a work day outfit is simply jeans, a top, flats or boots and a cardigan, but simple things like wearing bright colors or adding a great necklace or arm full of bangles can take your look from lazy day clothes to an "outfit". The biggest reason why I dress the way I do though, is how it makes me feel. When I'm wearing an outfit I love I feel confident, happy and beautiful!

Sometimes I plan outfits ahead, but not often. What I do like to do is group pieces that I think would look good together in the front of my closet. For example, I'll put a cardigan with a few different tops it would work with, or a top and a few different bottoms. That way, when I'm standing there in the morning trying to figure out what to wear I have a some options I can reach for depending on how I'm feeling that day.

"I know you have done posts on bras before but I can only remember that you mentioned wearing Wacoal. Any suggestions for extended size (F cup+) bras that the underwires don't dig in to the ribcage? Or wireless that don't give uniboob? Thanks!!!"

To be quite honest, I don't wear anything BUT Wacoal. No other brand that I've tried gives me as much support and comfort. I have been wearing the Wacoal Elegance Hidden Underwire Bra for YEARS now and have never looked back. In my opinion, there is no better fitting, more flattering, or more comfortable bra for everyday wear than this one. It is expensive to be sure, but for the quality of the product I think it's worth it!

As for wireless, with the exception of my sports bra I haven't worn a wireless bra in years!

Long time coming

Wearing this skirt was a long time coming. I picked it up way back in April at the Fat Girl Flea Market. From what I can tell it's quality, made of a thick, almost suede-ish/velveteen sort of fabric (I'll have to check the tag), and really well constructed with finished seams and darting at the waist. It was originally almost ankle length, and a little roomy when I picked it up. -23lbs later, it's way too big and begging for a make over. Last week my most patient mother helped me hem it up and take it in at the seams (thanks, Mom!). Voila! A funky new skirt for work! But, I may have placed an order from Forever21 for snugger, shorter, jersey version for play :)

Top: Lane Bryant
Cardigan: ...no clue
Skirt: FGFM
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Evans
Watch, necklace, belt: Syms

Unblogged

It's been tough getting good photos between the cold and the rainy weather, so enjoy some more bathroom unblogged pics (don't you love the almost exact same post in every pic?)

Comment below or email me if you have questions about outfit details!

Christmas came early

Christmas came early, or you'd think it did with all the new stuff I'm sporting! First and foremost, how do you like my new specs? I've been dying for a new pair of glasses for ages and I am absolutely head over heels in love with this pair of Ray-Bans I got from LensCrafters. Having glasses you want to wear makes all the difference (oh, and seeing better too, that's always good).

Another new addition is this cozy grey sweater I picked up at Syms - everything is on super sale there now since they're going out of business. If you have one by you I highly recommend you check it out! This sweater is a similar shape to this one, where the waterfall is short on top. To make it less bulky and define my shape, I took the top corners of the waterfall and pinned them behind my back, and topped it with an elastic belt to really get the job done. Layered over this knit dress and patterned tights, this outfit was warm and comfy as can be :)

Last, but most certainly not least, the new boots I've been waiting for from Evans! I am so in love with these boots - they're so versatile. They can be dressed down for an outfit like this one, or, as I wore them for this weekend out for dinner and drinks, with a bodycon skirt and a blazer. I know I'll find a million more ways to wear them soon enough. If you're interested, they're on sale at Evans! Seriously, if the price is right, I'm going to buy a back up pair!

Dress: Forever21+
Cardigan: Syms
Tights: Hue via Amazon
Boots: Evans
Belt: Handmade
Necklace and rings: Nordstrom Rack
Glasses: Ray-Ban

You're an animal tonight

Oh, sunshine. Between shorter days and lots of rain, it's a rare sight these days (and getting rarer).

So, I decided to keep my Evans booties after all. They're cute no? They are a bit roomy but with a pair of thick socks they fit well enough, and I love them with skinnies - these skinnies in particular, the Zip Me Skinny Jean from City Chic. On sale and with a credit I snagged these babies for just over a dollar! They fit so well through the leg and butt, but of course are roomy in the waist - it's my usual problem with all this junk in my trunk. I had to hold 'em up with a belt this time, but they'll be making their way down to my sewing room for a quick darting soon enough. But if you're straight through the waist and hips I can't recommend these jeans enough! They're super stretchy and comfortable, and I just love the rich, dark wash.

Oh, and do you like my new bag?? Finally, a purse big enough to hold all the crap I lug around. I scored it off ideeli; the price was so good that I just had to get the black version for my sister for Christmas as well! I just might have to borrow it - that's allowed right?

Sweater, button down: Old Navy
Skinnies: City Chic
Booties: Evans
Necklace: H&M
Coat: New York & Co. outlet
Bag: ideeli