To answer your question...

Another great question came through my Formspring recently:

"I have always wondered if fashion bloggers like yourself every have blah days where you don't dress all coordinated and head for comfy clothes? If so, any ideas how to make comfy looks not look too bummy?"

Of course! Well, I do at least, I can't speak for every blogger, but we're all human! Everyone has days where they wish they could just throw on sweats and a tee and go about their business. Of course, this doesn't really fly in any office environment, even one as casual as mine. On those days I try to stay as comfortable as possible without looking like I rolled out of bed. Yesterday was one of those days, and this outfit was the result.

Top: Dorothy Perkins
Trousers: Forever21 (still available!)
Shoes: Forever21 (similar, in patent leatherette)
Belt: Target
Watch: Syms
Necklace: H&M

These trouser jeans from Forever 21 are super comfortable because of their relaxed fit. My top is acutally a tunic that usually hits mid-thigh, but I took advantage of the extra length and tucked it into the jeans, so I got more coverage in the midsection area than I would have tucking a normal shirt. These jeans rise higher than they look in the front; I pulled the belt down and pinned it in place so I'd get the look of a pair of low rise jeans without actually wearing a pair - these jeans hit at about my belly button in truth!

Because of the length of the pant I had to go with heels, but these are a very low pair and easy to walk in. If I had chosen skinnies instead I would have ditched the heel altogether and gone for a pair of flat sandals!

Of course, there are some days when even putting on jeans is too much. For days like this I usually go for the old standard: leggings, flats, and a tunic top (one that covers the bum!) - and I always make sure to add accessories. Even just a bracelet and a necklace can make it look like an outfit and not pajamas :) Hope this helps!

Oh, and stay tuned for giveaway #3 later today! It's from one of my favorite retailers :)

Hot Hot Heat

And no, I don't mean the basketball team. I mean literal heat. Because it has been hot!

Nothing like a breezy maxi for those scorching days! This skirt is actually a dress, which I ordered from Dorothy Perkins a few months back (it's actually still available, on sale, up to a UK18/US14). With a navy v-neck tee layered over it, this outfit has become one of my favorites. I love the boho vibe and it's easy and super comfortable to wear. The length is definitely long but I don't mind, I love the way it swishes around my ankles as I walk.

Out come my turquoise Forever21 pendants again; I've been wearing them nonstop. They've become a summer staple as far as jewelry goes.

Maxi Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Tee: Gap
Sandals: Target
Sunglasses: Target
Round Pendant: Forever21
Nugget Pendant: Forever21

These OOTD photos were probably the quickest shoot I've done to date - why you ask? Here's why:

My dad fancies himself a beekeeper. Seriously? Bees are non conducive to my photo sessions!

May Style File
Which was your favorite look this month?

Maxi Madness and Dorothy Perkins Discount!

This gorgeousss maxi dress from Dorothy Perkins had me at first glance. Even having waited a month for my dot dress won't deter me from making this pretty lady mine. It's perfect in my eyes - a bold print, colors to die for, and a top portion that works with the girls: Thick straps, not too low cut, no surplice. And it's cut higher in the back too! And with a 20% off discount code - DPVIPG - it's win-win!

Dot your i's

If you follow me on twitter @FataleFashion, you've seen me moaning and groaning about waiting on my Dorothy Perkins dot dress for weeks now. Well, here she is, in all her glory!

I love this dress and felt so cute wearing it all day! It's stretchy and super comfy, and the top is lined which is great since my most comfortable bras are all black. I love the shape on me and it has some really great details like gathers and, my favorite, pockets! It's a guy pleaser too, boyfriend loved how it showed off my curves with the cinched waist.

See? I loveee the pleating at the shoulder, its such a rich detail. If the girls weren't so voluptuous, you'd see that pleating detail continue across the bust, but on me you only really see it at the should and a little bit right at the bustline. The one thing that bothers me is, because those pleats are stretched out a bit, they poof at the bustline. If I can find a way to sew or pin those bad boys down so they don't poof, this dress will be perfect :) It's still available, btw!

Fair warning though, it took me over a month to receive my dress. This may be a fluke because I have ordered from DP before and gotten my order in just a few days. I will say though, they were super nice about it and refunded my money after four weeks of waiting. I don't feel guilty about getting the dress though, as they told me it still might arrive, and if it did it was still mine to keep.

I went with simple accessories today to let the dress be the centerpiece. A black beaded necklace, black bangle, stack rings, my trusty (and worn out as hell) black skinny belt, tights and flats were all I needed. I had another day of beautiful weather so I hit up my new picture spot. Thank goodness I was almost done when a group of people drove up to the house next door One of the girls sat on her front stoop until I left like I was going to rob her house or something. Geez LaWEEZ girlfriend, do I look like I'm dressed for a B&E? 

Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Tights: Kohl's
Flats: Nordstrom Rack
Rings: H&M
Bracelet: The Green E's
Necklace: JCPenny

Million Dollar Roundup!

Thank you to Dee of The Merry Traveller for submitting her pics for the Dorothy Perkins Million Dollar Roundup!

Funny enough, it was actually Dee's Camel Tone Ootd post which prompted me to begin the If I had a million dollars... item. I loved the Camel Pussybow Blouse she was wearing, and hopped over to Dorothy Perkins to investigate. The rest is history!

So, Dee was kind enough to send me a few links. Though her pieces are not the exact ones I picked, they are from Dorothy Perkins and are similar enough to give us an idea of how the pieces I picked would look.

Here's Dee looking gorgeous in her White Smudge Pleat Dress, which we agree is in the same family as the Cream Spot Border Twist Dress that I've been fawning over. The dress looks so adorable on her that I finally caved and ordered the Spot dress -  it's probably a good thing they didn't have the Smudge dress in my size or I would have had a hard time keeping myself from ordering it as well.

And here's Dee in the aforementioned Camel Pussybow Blouse, which is very similar to the Mocha Pintuck Satin Blouse which was one of my DP picks. It looks like the biggest difference is cinching under the bust on Dee's blouse, as well as hers having a lower neckline. Unfortunately, since I've posted my DP picks the Pintuck blouse has sold out, but if you missed it, the Pussybow blouse is still available :)

What do you guys think of the If I had a million dollars... item and Million Dollar Roundup? Is it something you'd like to see more of? I'd love hear your feedback!

If I had a Million Dollars...Dorothy Perkins Edition

As my office job often leaves me bored to tears, you can usually find me doing one of two things: browsing through my Google Reader to catch up on my favorite blogs, or online window shopping. As much as I would love to be able to buy every adorable piece I see (I know you would, too), my bank account is not quite up to par with my wishlist. BUT, if I can't have these things, I at least want to share my favorites with you guys! In short, my online shopping obsession has lead me to create this new, reoccurring item that I will be calling "If I had a million dollars..."

I haven't yet decided if I'll be doing this post on a schedule, or just whenever inspiration strikes, but I will be doing it by retailer. Today's shopping experience? Dorothy Perkins!

Dorothy Perkins can be a hit or miss for us plus gals as they don't have every style in the larger sizes, and they also don't have a specific plus line. I do like, however, that you can search through their stock by size, which makes it easy for us to narrow down which items will work for us. Here's what I would buy, if I had a million dollars to blow that is:

 

1. Grey Tab Pocket Blouse. $46.02 (£29.50) 2. Oatmeal Fur Trim Toggle Coat $70.20 (£45.00)

 

3. Grey Flannel Button Blazer. $31.20 (£20.00) 4. Mocha Pintuck Satin Blouse. $26.52 (£17.00)

5. Camel Belted Hip Coat $62.40 (£40.00) 6. Cream Spot Border Twist Dress $54.60 (£35.00)

Eh? Eh?? It's so unfair, I want all of this!! Most especially, I want polka dotted dress (6.)!!! Give me a cute, casual dress with sleeves, my heart melts. Add the gorgeous pleating detail, and I explode with lust!! This dress is slowwwlllllyyyy sneaking its way off my "want" list, and onto my "must" list! 

Even though I'm usually more partial to bright colors, this season's neutral palette of camels, greys and taupes has really been appealing to me as of late (can you tell by the pieces I pulled?). I think these colors are so sophisticated! Are you loving the neutral trend? What's on your Dorothy Perkins wishlist?

Whenever I order online I always do a few google searches to see if I can find a blogger who's wearing the item I'm coveting. If you own one of the items I feature, let me know! I'd like to post your photos here (and link back to you of course!) so we can all see what the item looks like in real life! I would love to be able to do a follow up for each of these "If I had a million dollars..." posts, but that's up to you, my dear readers, to send me your links/pics :)

Also, hello to some new faces! The lovely Carla of MessyCarla, missj0hnnyr0tten, Rai of Blarge Fargle, Jazmine of Fluffy Fashion Cents, doris castro, Lazy Madonna, Katie of Katie W. - Embracing Life, Dee, Amanda of Manda's Opinions, and lynn_w!

Tribal

Thank goodness for a nice day! It's been raining non stop here and I thought I'd have to do pics inside again. Fortunately I caught the last bit of sun!








 Monocromatic outfit today. Though I like to wear a lot of color, it's not usual for me to be in all black or black and white. Dunno why - maybe my subconscious is stuck on that old "black is slimming" idea.



















There was a time, probably around 13 or 14 years old, that I actually had to ban myself from buying black, red or grey! My closet was full of it and I knew I needed to change it up.



















I had a red sweatshirt that I wore to DEATH back then! To this day, if I find myself wearing jeans and a red sweatshirt of some sort, I still feel like I'm back in those years.



















But on to the present! Today I'm wearing a cute printed tank with a old black cardi from yearssss ago. Hard to tell but it's got black sequin detail around the front collar and shoulder. The jeans are Hydraulic skinnies, though by the stretch in these things I'd say they're more like jeggings - they're from last year, so I guess no one was calling them that yet. They're super comfy in anycase, even if the wash isn't my favorite. I definitely want a pair of black jeggings, and maybe a pair of dark wash ones as well. I love wearing them with heels, especially my go-to patent peep toe pumps.




I love silver jewelry and this bold cuff is no exception. I paired it with another bold piece, this silver and black cocktail ring.



And lastly, my little clutch! When it's not being used as a clutch, I acutally use this as a camera case and stick it in my purse. I'm a sucker for (faux) snake skin!



Cardi: Old Navy (No longer available)
Tank: Dorothy Perkins (No longer available)
Jeans: Hydraulic via Macy's
Shoes: DSW
Cuff: Sister's jewelry box ;P
Ring: Re/Dress
Clutch: Anne Klein via TJ Maxx
Sun glasses: Cole Haan via Syms
Polish: Nars Jungle Red

Welcome to my first two followers, Christina of Randomness, a la Mode, and Adlai!