She's back! And so is he...

Faithful fashionistas! Your sister in shopping is back!

I know i took a little respite through spring (ok, and I guess I missed most of winter, too)... think of it as a small sabbatical. However, I hope you missed me, because I certainly missed you! The good news is, we did not miss much else. Spring collections... so-so, wouldn't you say? Personally, I only saw a lot of stripes and cargo pants (i own the stripes - in several varieties - and you should too... but so far I have been slow to find the IDEAL cargo pant that does not make me look short or like GI jane...). The big trend that I fell in love with, though, is NEUTRALS. How yummy are those nude shoes and all those rich creams, tans and opulent peaches and pastels? Can't get enough!

Speaking of not getting enough, through my sabbatical, I did my fair share of shopping. I stocked up here and there, but that does not mean there is not still work to be done. In fact, I am still saving for a few pieces, including a great bag for summer. (That's right Coco - do you hear me calling?)

Yes, I mentioned I am STILL SAVING for a few items. Why, you ask? (After all, it is not like me to save, much less think about a purchase for longer than 5 minutes! Or seconds?) Well, most of spring's shopping budget went to... you will never guess... the husband! Yes, the man who hates clothes and shopping turned into somewhat of a shopaholic! (Not self-diagnosed, but I think i am definitely qualified to name it when I see one.) Yet, it gets worse. What prompted this change of heart? Well, the cute khakis and adorable shirts definitely helped. However, I believe he most loves his new wardrobe because of the way he acquired it. Two words: PERSONAL STYLIST. Seriously!

I knew he would not come shopping himself, so I engaged the skills of my dear friend (who also happens to be my boss) and we went a-shopping for him. Several hundred dollars later, I came home with 3 pairs of pants, a pair of shorts, 5 shirts (2 dressy, 3 casual -1901 is his new favorite brand), 3 ties (1 for a wedding, 1 for a funeral, and 1 for either), and who knows what else. All along, i am thinking that Mr-I-don't-need-anything (even though he wears shirts with animals on them and boxers from high school) will pick and choose a few things and we will return the others. Oh no! He kept EVERYTHING. And asked for more! A few of my favorite comments...

"Do these pants come in any other colors? I need them for golf." (Since when does he golf, and since when does it require a whole separate wardrobe?)

"I like these kind of shirts. It looks like a picnic table." (Darling, that would called GINGHAM, not picnic table print.)

"I really need a caramel color belt to go with these shoes." (Have you TRIED looking for such a request? Non existent - for less than $200. But let me know if you see one!)

"I don't know if I really need this tie." (You don't, I say to myself. You never wear ties and it was $75. That's 1/2 a pair of new shoes for me!) "But wait, it looks really good with this shirt!" (Of course it does! It looks good with the shirt because that's how we told you to wear it!) "I'm going to keep it." (And there go my shoes...)

Moral of the story: It's important that your other half looks good, too. Just don't let him see the new Nordstrom catalog. Or else, it's back to saving pennies while Mr. Fashionista models the latest looks...

Sweet, sweet season of weddings

Well fashionistas, we’re in the midst of sale season, which we all know keeps us busy enough, but now we are in the dead heat of my other favorite season – nope, you know me better than to think it would be something as trivial as “summer.” Wedding season is officially in full swing! I kicked it off on Saturday, when one of my nearest and dearest friends (you may remember her as the sparkly Vegas bachelorette) wed her high school sweetheart on the 4th of July. Fortunately for me, she chose a darling sunshine yellow dress, and the nicest-bride-ever let us pick our own shoes! Of course, I went with the sky-high Charles by Charles David camel colored heels with gold accents. Perfect for looks, not so perfect for my walk down the bumpy grass aisle… never mind that. (However, if in the market for something that will take you from 5'1 to 5'6, visit his website.)

However, most times we attend weddings, we are not part of the privy bridal party, and must get dressed on our own. Here is where I come to the rescue…

A few helpful hints to help you look almost as cute as these people from Martha Stewart Weddings magazine (see pic above - they are adorable):

1. Select your outfit sometime other than the DAY OF the wedding. Picking something out an hour before is an obvious recipe for disaster. I've been there, and ended up frantically buying duct tape at a gas station to hold my dress to my chest... try waking up with that situation in the morning!

2. While you’re behaving as a good fashionista, creating the perfect ensemble a few days prior to the big event, do your research! Most of the vital stats can be learned from the invitation – so make sure your husband/lover/roommate/mother/dog/whoever does not throw that precious piece of paper away! The time of the ceremony is a major hint; afternoon = more casual, after 5 = more dressy, probably cocktail-ish. The location of the reception is another giveaway; outside = more casual, downtown hotel or venue = more dressy. And, since you are a few days out, if you are super confused, you have time to call someone who would know the answer, but would probably be too VIP on the day of the wedding to talk to you.

3. Please dress your mate appropriately. Whoever is the “true” fashionista in the relationship (and I know there are many men who fill this important role), make sure your outfits coordinate. For example, when you go with the girl in the sunshine dress, you don’t wear a dark, dreary winter suit. (I am proud to report that this was not us! The husband showed up dressed to IMPRESS this time, and I have pictures to prove it! I just can't figure out how to get them off the camera.) You can take a cue from my best-dressed hubby; summer, outdoor wedding, accompanying a date in bright cotton dress… boy’s outfit translates to: cute khaki-ish pants (not straight, old fashioned khakis, but ones with a slight pattern or texture – I love any of the chino styles from j.crew), light-colored striped button-shirt, brown leather slip on shoes, and brown belt. Effortless.

4. Yes, wedding season can be stressful, chaotic, busy – like I said, it can overtake your summer, just like our treasured sales! However, under NO circumstances should you attend a wedding with overlapping guests in the EXACT. SAME. OUTFIT. That, my fashionistas, is a faux-pa we just cannot forgive. So make a note on the calendar, take a Polaroid, do what you must, but when you are celebrating this summer, you better be doing so in something different each time around. (With resources like your friend’s, sister’s, mom’s closets, Target, H and M, Forever 21… trust me, you can make it happen.)

And this, my fashionable friends, is how it's done. Instead of struggling with style, you will SAIL right through the beloved wedding season, making me proud along the way.