Yes, yes, and yes...

It's hot, it's real hot. It's hard to dress everyday because no matter what you put on, you know you are just going to sweat right through it. I don't know about you all, but I would love a day in the 70's...a day where if you wanted to throw on pants, you could! 

speaking of pants, how cute are these pantaloons? 

a budget friendly $68 on Lulu's

and yes, I will take all three items listed below to perfectly accessorize those pantaloons...

Wow, these are really calling my name...Tory Burch platforms 70% off!!!

I love Jade paired back to Navy...by Kenneth Jay Lane

and a girl can dream, right? Gorgeous patent leather clutch by Brian Atwood (half off, for those lucky enough to purchase...) The coral is pretty fab too!

Looking ahead...

July means 2 things. 1) crazy summer clearance on clothing 2) Fall clothing starts to roll in. For me I feel like it is the hardest time to dress as well as shop. You are torn between great deals on summer items, and yet you aren't quite ready for fall but know that it would be a better investment. This is the time of year when I like to scout out great transitional items.

As we head into August, there are a few things that I am looking to help transition my wardrobe. One would be stripes and the other would be layering. I think stripes are an easy year-round pattern and can add a little dimension to your solid wardrobe. Thankfully, even as we head into fall I am still seeing a lot of them! The slub jersey stripes by Splendid are some of my favorites. They have great color combos in all of the pieces, and I really am attracted to the longer length (great to belt, or if you are prego these would be cute too!) The tanks are great for layering under any cardigan or sweater in fall.

all available on splendid.com

It's also a great time to invest in some lightweight Jersey cardigans. I live in these all year round, and I have really worn through last years version. Splendid has this amazing cotton thermal that is super soft and cozy...

I also am loving the ribbed long cardigan.  Do we love this yellow? I think so!

Ok, so now it's your turn...what are your favorite transitional items?

Cheap and Chic: Ruche

Do you love Anthropologie but hate the prices? I may have found a great alternative to you! Yesterday on Oh hello friend, you are loved...they featured the most darling online shop called Ruche. I was captivated right away, and then when I saw the prices I was even more thrilled!

They are a "modern boutique with a vintage touch" featuring gorgeous silhouettes with beautiful details. If you are a girly girl, or just love a softer look, you will absolutely love this site. Here are a few of their looks in their SHOP BY OUTFIT section...

Have you ever shopped this site before? What do you think?

Turbans and Trousers?

From what I have seen so far in Fall fashion there are 2 emerging trends. According to Harpers Bazaar, one is conservative glamour...think very tailored, subtle luxury, recession chic, menswear inspired. The second is Eccentric ladylike...fur, turbans, lots of layered jewels, mis-matched patterns, and pops of color. I love both and am excited to see how they trickle down into affordable ready to wear this season. Here a few of my favorite snapshots of Fall 2010...

CONSERVATIVE GLAMOUR

H&M Fall 2010

H&M Fall 2010

Preen

Behnaz Sarapfour

Elie Tahari

Marc Jacobs

ECCENTRIC LADYLIKE

Carolina Herrera

Ralph Lauren

Peter Som

Chris Benz

Peter Som

Ralph Lauren

images from Harpers Bazaar and H&M & Style.com

The Cat's Meow

So You Think You Can Dance fans can rejoice as a new season has started! Outside of crappy reality t.v., it is the one show that I look forward to every week. I am a die hard fan...I have even been to the SYTYCD tour. Oh yes...and it was fabulous!

Outside of the dancing, I also tune in just to see what host Cat Deeley is wearing. I feel like she is one of the few stars without a stylist, and it shows! She pushes the envelope, and some weeks you may love what she is wearing and some weeks you might just hate it. Her dresses are complete eye candy, and I would kill for her shoe collection. She always has the most perfect tousled waves and her updo's are amazing.

Here are just a few looks that I have loved over the years. Images courtesy of fox.com

The hair...ugh...what I wouldn't give! And a modern looking dress with lace AND sleeves, gorgeous!

I heart red.

those shoes are insane...love them!

slightly grecian...I am sold!

great color combo,although not quite sure of the placement of the ruffles

killer legs...

anyone else watching SYTYCD? Who are you rooting for this season?

Multi Purpose Dress...

I have been a little MIA this week and I apologize. It's been kind of hectic over here...I am leaving Tuesday for vacation up North to see my family. While I am there I am also doing a trunk show with my bows at Stringbean Co., so I have been very busy making new product to show!

In the next 2 months I have a couple of events that I need a cute dress for. Now, if you saw my closet you would tell me that there is no way I need something new. I am a bit of a dress-a-holic. But, there are so many cute things out there this season, and SUPER INEXPENSIVE! In fact, I looked all over and some of my favorite dresses are not the most expensive ones. Here are some that have caught my eye

How much do we adore this one? $61.99 on Modcloth.com

I am really loving a cheerful yellow right now. This looks kind of plain, but with a great belt and some fun jewelry I think it could be spectacular. $29.80 on Forever21.com

I am SWOOOONING over this one. But, geez, could it be any shorter? note to Lulu's...LENGTHEN YOUR HEMS! 

simple, but sophisticated. You can't go wrong with a Navy dress. $57 on Lulus.com

This has my name written all over it. Love everything about it...$36 on Lulus.com

seen any cute dresses lately? If I am missing something, comment below!

Why do you tease me?

Dear H&M,

you USED to be a favorite of mine. That is when I literally could walk to your store on my lunch break and get my quick fashion fix. I miss you....terribly. I have gone 3 years without an H&M in the city where I live. Please come to K.C. I promise we would take good care of you!!!! You are killing me with your summer collection, I love every last bit of it...

just insert my husband and I here...isn't the men's stuff cute too?

great dress/coverup

Francis...where have you been all my life?

It is rare to stumble across a clothing line that I not only have never heard of, but one that just blows me away. This weekend we happened to be shopping at Hall's Department store (if you are not from Kansas City, it is a wonderful upscale store owned by Hallmark). I happened to swing through the ladies department and I saw this rack of the most gorgeous, colorful clothing that I have seen in a long time! The line is called Francis.

Of course as soon as I got home, I hopped on my computer to do some research. The line is by famed designer Christian Francis Roth, whose iconic "Rothola" crayon dress won him the coveted "Perry Ellis award for new fashion" by the CFDA in 1990. He took a bit of a hiatus and is now back with this amazing line that you can't help but love!

The line is filled with fabulous dresses, perfect for weddings or showers or just a night out. I love their unique style and bold color palette. The silhouettes are modern, but totally wearable and chic.

We are so lucky to have this gem of a line right here in Kansas City!  Here are some of the styles that our Hall's will be carrying. And many thanks to Christian himself for responding to my email and sharing all of these images.

These would be lovely for an afternoon wedding, or a bridal shower...

A dress you could take from day to evening...

I do love a bold stripe...

Red and ruffles? This dress screams "MELANIE"! 

He had me at pink sequins...love it!

what do you think? Do you own any Francis?