A million bucks.

Say the words "Black tie invited" on a wedding invitation and it's my cue to search for the fanciest, most extravagant dress I can find. I spent weeks before Sunday's formal wedding trying on dresses of all shapes and sizes. From long gowns to short dresses; drapey ones, bodycon ones, strapless, to long sleeved, I tried them all, but wasn't sold on any. When I popped into Nordstrom and zipped myself into this curve skimming ruched dress by Adrianna Papell, I knew I found The One. The one that made me feel like ten million bucks - and that is worth every penny :)

Oh, and do you like my hair bling? It's actually a pair an a half of sparkly earrings my sister pinned into my hair! That's improv at it's finest!

Cocktail Dress: Adrianna Papell via Nordstrom
Heels: Bandolino via Lord & Taylor
Clutch: Vintage, belonged to my grandmother
Rhinestone bracelet: Borrowed
Ring: H&M
Earring (in ears and in hair): Betsy Johnson

Originally unoriginal

Holy wind! I'd like to thank mother nature for the wind machine she provided for photo number two, though I really wish she would have brought it down a notch.

If you've been around here for a while, you've seen this outfit's siblings before. This ruffled, polka dotted top has made appearances on the blog before, and somehow I just always want to pair it with denim and a bright cardi.

See? But hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

WRONG. I vow the next time you see this top, it will be in a very different way. I'm thinking red pencil skirt and a blazer perhaps...

Cardigan: H&M
Top: Old Navy
Tank: Forever21+
Jeans: Calvin Klein via Macy's
Shoes: Nordstrom Rack
Belt: Nordstrom Rack
Bangles: Syms
Ring: NY&Co

Are you a repeat outfit offender like I am?

More from eShakti - Discount code!

eShakti just brought in some gorgeous new stock, and I wanted to share some more of my favorite pieces because guess what? The discount code they provided especially for Fatale Fashion readers is good until September 15th! Use FFF0811 at checkout for $20 off your entire purchase!

That sheer bird print top?! As Rachel Zoe would say, I DIE.

Happy shopping!

*Discount code is valid until September 15th, 2011. The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be clubbed with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period. Please feel free to share it with anyone who you believe would like eShakti for its clothes & accessories, sizing, customizing and customer service.

Stripes Around My Shoulders

Yay! Real OOTD pics! So you guys know my obsession with stripes (ok, who isn't obsessed with stripes nowadays?). It was Friday afternoon, the day before I left for vacation when I saw this striped blazer on Forever21's site. I gasped in excitement and immediately started wracking my brain as to where I could have a packaged delivered while I was away, because there was NO way I was letting this baby pass me by. Fifteen minutes, a new shipping address, and $28 dollars later, she was on her way to me :)

Blazer: Forever21+
Tank: Kohl's
Skinnies: Torrid
Shoes: Franco Sarto via ideeli
Sunnies: Cole Haan via Syms
Necklace: Forever21
Bracelet: Gift from my brother
White ring: Nordstrom Rack
Gold Rings: MARYJOHN

Personally, I'm a big fan of the stripes with florals trend, how about you? Do you mix your stripes with other patterns, or would you rather pair them with basics?

Vacationwear

It's been tough getting back in the groove of photographing my outfits! Somehow everytime I've wanted to shoot I either don't have my gorillapod, my camera battery is dead, or a hurricane decides to swing by for a visit. So until I do, here's a compilation of outfit shots I did manage to get on my adventures.

Clockwise from top right: Target cardigan, Michael Kors top via Macy's, Old Navy jeggings, Forever21 crossbody bag, Nike sneakers. Mom's cardigan, F21 tanks tops and jeans, Steve madden Sandals. Target cardi and tee, City Chic pants. Old Navy dress.

It occurs to me that we probably should have taken a peak at the weather in Amsterdam before we arrived. Good thing I brought two cardigans with me in case of chilly nights, because it was chilly indeed! You can see that I even had to buy  a scarf on one of the days! My trusty mustard cardigan from Target got a lot of play, as well as jeans and my favorite City Chic pants.

One of the best purchases I made for this trip was these Steve Madden sandals I scored off ideeli just before I left (as seen in the second and fourth shots). Lacing up as tightly as they do, they were perfect for the miles of walking and biking we did, while still looking cute! Although I did take the plunge and don my sneakers for our 3-hour walking tour (first pic) - not my most fashionable moment, but these are the times when comfort trumps fashion!

Top: Forever21 tanks, shorts, and bag, Steve Madden Sandals. Left, Cynthia Rowley dress via TJMaxx, F21 Sandals, necklace via Syms. Right, Forever21 dress and necklace, Payless shoes.

This is more like it! Feeling the HEAT! My time in Greece was spent mostly in a bathing suit and dresses. I love how white I am in the Amsterdam and Acropolis photos, they were before I got my tan on! My friend Dave was kind enough to try to take real OOTD photos for me, so these are two outfits I wore out on the town. I know it's tough to match the pieces to my little descriptions so if you have a questions, let me know!

Greece, according to Instagram.

I miss it already! Enjoy!