My Fashion Resume 2010: Part One - Special Occassion Dresses.

I love, love this time of the year. It is currently 2°Fernhait outside or about -16°Celsius but I am warm and cozy at my home, feeling the heat, looking at the Christmas lights, draped in my fleece sweat pants and hoodie. As cold and frosty as it is (it snowed pretty much all day, yesterday in Michigan), I love the harmony, light, peace and beauty this season has to offer, and I don't just mean the snow, the hot fireplaces, the hot cocoa, and the snowflakes. Since about Thanksgiving rolls over and December approaches I love the festive atmosphere at every store, every home, every neighborhood, on TV, the holiday specials, the fun and festive concerts, the Christmas Movies and Christmas Specials, everywhere, especially at the malls. And even-though I am super-duper busy this time of the year (every year), Christmas Season is my most favorite holiday and most favorite time of the year and December is my second most favorite month of the year (after May). I especially love this time of the year because it is associated with shopping, gifts, family gatherings, yummy food, fun parties, beautiful feasts and lots and lots of dressing up - which I loooooooovvvvvvvveeeeeee doing. And I have had a couple of laid-back casual parties to go to this month, thrown at work, but the best are yet to come, as we are throwing Christmas Dinner for my entire family, extended family, grand-children, great grand-children and all, this year. And of course New Year's Eve which is so special, so favorite, so dear to me as I always welcome a NEW YEAR with new hopes, happy and next to people I love.

Unfortunately December is even busier than usual for me and unlike most of you I barely have time to eat 2-3 meals a day, let alone blog. (I haven't blogged in over 3 weeks, actually.) =D I mean that, sense of humor included. Yes, I wear nice outfits on a day to day basis and I try to stay stylish and true to my esthetic, but I don't have the luxury called time or a person to snap photos of me on a daily basis. I wish I could blog daily, heck I wish I could blog weekly but my last blog was actually 3 weeks ago and since I feel like most of you still don't know my true sense of style, I am dedicating this blog as part of a series of blogs that will include several outfits I have worn throughout this year, 2010. This way you will get a better idea of me Ada and of my personal style in particular, because as much as this is a blogging of my life and my cuteness *wink wink*, this is a Fashion Blog after all. =)

Since the holidays are coming up and now is the most festive, the most cheerful time of the year - which includes parties, fun, sequined outfits, glitz, glamour and stilettos, I think it's fitting that the first blog in this series of blogs for my outfits of 2010, lists outfits I wore for special occassions. And summer was pretty eventful for me as 2010 was a big wedding year, here in MI. A lot of people I know got married and some of these were friends, where of course I was invited and got to dress up. One thing I look forward to most when it comes to weddings, is what to wear and putting a pretty outfit together starting from the dress and working everything perfectly with my accessories, jewelry, hair and makeup. These outfits are all part of my special event activities from this year. Enjoy looking at them as I will smilingly reminisce and go through these outfits as I remember these beautiful occassions I wore them to. =)

This Leopard-Print Silky White, Fuchsia & Blue Dress I wore to a Friend's Wedding. It's fitting that I wore Red (sort of red-ish), White & Blue since the wedding was on July 3rd 2010, so it was the 4th of July Weekend. I have had this dress in my closet since at least 2008, maybe 2007. It is a silky fitted sheath from Cache which I love. It has a double scoop neckline, as the back repeats the scoop neck, however deeper, wider. The dress fits like a glove and I found the perfect dress to wear for that hot, summery July wedding - which was a drop-dead gorgeous affair. Since I own a ton of dresses, God knows when it's time to bring out the right one and wear it to the right occassion. LOL

 

Fuchsia & Cobalt Blue, Leopard-Print. Sexy, Silk, Cocktail Dress: Cache.

Hot Pink, Strappy Rosette Stilettos: Nina.

Silver Silk Wristlet Clutch: DSW.

Long Rhinestone Earrings + Both Silver & Rhinestone Bracelets: Forever 21.  

Simple, Sparkly, Silver Necklace: Express.

Pearl & Rhinestone Cocktail Ring: Banana Republic.

Hair & Makeup: Me, Myself & I.

 

This was a March/Spring Wedding. It was the wedding of one of my older friend's son. She is like a second mom to me, especially since she is my mom's age. I have known her and her family for a really long time. including her son, so this was a special wedding for me to go to, so of course I wanted to look Fabulous. I have had this Royal Purple Satin Dress since November/December 2007 and I originally purchased it as a dress for the Holidays and even thought of wearing it for New Year's Eve 2008, but a friend of mine bought the same dress, so she chose to wear hers on NY Eve, and I wore a different dress that New Year's Eve, also from Bebe. This dress has a unique see-through panel (like tulle) right underneath the chest line, va-va-voom. Long story short, I finally got to wear this dress over 2 years later. The golden stilettos were only purchased a couple of months before the wedding, though.

Purple Cocktail Dress, w/ Plunging V-Neck & Black Tulle Palette: Bebe.

Black, Cropped Cardigan (you can't see in these photos): The Limited.

Gold, Leather, Gladiator Stilettos: Guess.

Teardrop, Silver Rhinestone Earrings + Black w/ Rhinestones Cocktail Ring: Forever 21.

2 Silver Bangles (Right Hand): Swarovski.

Magenta Satin Clutch with Colorful, Sparkly, Geometric-Shaped Stone Decorations: Express.

Hair, Nails & Makeup: Proffessionally Done by a Friend (who is a Hairdresser).

This was in Toronto, CANADA (Ontario) for My First Cousin's Engagement Dinner Party which felt like an intimate, elegant, small wedding. It was a grand, lavish, beautiful event and coincidentally, not just myself, but two of my first cousins and a friend of my cousin's fiance were all wearing one-shoulder/assymetric cocktail dresses. Great minds think alike, no? The place we dined at was intimate and beautiful inside out (as the photos attest) and the restaurant was sorrounded by some fun shops, too. This was the last Saturday of September and it was low to mid 50 Fernhait Degrees so I'd say pretty damn chilly (and it didn't help that I was fighting a cold/flu at the time). But I still managed to look nice, thanks to a pretty dress and thanks to a helpful friend that helped me with my hair and makeup. =) I had a Flower theme going with my floral-print dress, flowers in my purse, ring, bracelet and rosette-adorned pumps. ;-)

Silk Chiffon, Green Floral-Print, One-Shoulder Dress: Armani Exchange.

Black, Cropped Cardigan: The Limited.

Turquoise, Rosette Clutch: Express.

Pearl/Rhinestones Flower Bracelet + Pearl/Rhinestones Flower Matching Ring: Forever 21.

Dangly, Tear-Drop, Gold/Green/Orange Rhinestone Earrings: Forever 21.

Black Suede Pumps with Rosettes: Fioni Nights.

Hair & Makeup: Myself with the Help of a New Friend.

Multi-Color Print, Spaghetti-Strap, Fun Dress: H&M.

Silver Cone-Heel Pumps with Colorful Stones: Nine West.

Black Necklace with Sparkling Silver Star: Mervyn's California.

Dangly Earrings with Purple Stones: I don't know. LOL

Silver & Black Cuff: White House Black Market.

Stretchy Pearl Bracelet + Pearl Cocktail Ring: Forever 21.

Silk Big Bow, Black Headband: Club Monaco.

Hair & Makeup: Me, Myself & I.

V-Neck, Fitted, Sexy LBD: Express:

Silver & Black Stilettos with Rhinestone Square Buckle: Nine West.

Stud Pearl Earrings + Pearl Ivory, Silver & Black Choker: Express.

Cocktail Rings: 1 - Banana Republic & 1 - Forever 21.

Black & Silver Cuff + Feathery Black Headband: White House Black Market.

Silver Bangle: Forever 21.

Hair: By Marsi's Cousin in Law (who is a Hairdresser).

Makeup: By Me.

These two dresses were for the same wedding - the wedding of one of my closest, oldest, best friends. I have been friends with her for almost quarter of a century since first grade. She finally found the man of her dreams. Her husband and Marsi (my friend) live in Maryland, near Baltimore. That's where the wedding was too. I had taken 5 dresses with me for the weekend. I figured I would wear one for the day activities on Friday (we had a luncheon with the groom's family), one for the Rehearsal Dinner also on Friday, and two for the actual wedding on Saturday, I would switch the dress from the Church Ceremony to the more relaxed, easy-going Reception. And I even had a dress to spare. ;-) However, the Friday lunch was very easy and relaxed, while I didn't have time nor did I find the right place to switch dresses on Saturday, since the Reception was done like a cute picnic outside in a big, green park next to trees and a river. The first dress is a geometric-print, spaghetti-strap, cute and sassy mini from H&M and this I wore to the Rehearsal Dinner which was held at a Jordanian Restaurant Down-Town Baltimore. The second dress is a fitted V-Neck Black Sheath, right above the knee, with a modest but sexy criss-cross strappy back, from Express and I wore this for the Saturday wedding, from church to the reception. ;-)

Below enjoy some photos from the picturesque Reception and Ambiance that sorrounded this Hot Mid-July Wedding in a hot & humid day. The nature around me was soooooo beautiful I couldn't resist. However pardon the runny makeup and some sweat. =D

Last but not least...

This was another wedding, the first of 4 summer weddings I attended this year. This wedding was on June 17th and a good, close friend of mine - Anda - got married. Just 8 days ago on December 12, she gave birth to a beautiful, little baby boy. He was supposed to be a New Year's Eve baby, however he came 3 weeks earlier - the best Christmas Gift two happily-in-love newlyweds can have, right!? =) Unfortunately because we live so far I haven't seen Anda since this wedding and I missed her baby shower due to work (I found out kind of last minute), but I plan on visiting their little family soon after New Year's, and shower both Mom & Baby with some beautiful presents!! Anyway, my mom LOVED how I looked that evening. She said I hadn't looked that pretty, put-together, elegant and chic in a while and she loved my deep dark cherry red dress. This is the blondest my hair has been since 2003 when I got a ton of Blonde and Platinum Highlights. I had fun with it for the summer, but I am back to being a dark brunette, now. =) The blonde hair looked great curled up, too and that's thanks to my first cousin (my little sister) Gloria who is so talented when it comes to hair & makeup.

Burgundy-Red, Petal-Front, Silk, Strapless Dress: The Limited.

Long Dangly, Gold & Rhinestone Earrings: Bebe.

Champagne-Bronze Clutch Purse and Matching Peep-Toe Pumps with Side Bows: Nine West.

2 Crystal Bangles (on right hand): Swarovski.

Gold & Rhinestone Bracelet (on left hand): Express.

Red Toenails: By Me.

Hair & Makeup: (BEAUTIFULLY Done) by Gloria.

P.S. It took over two weeks for me to post this blog. That's right I started writing it (and got to the first dress description) last Sunday on December 12th. I am THAT BUSY that I only got to finish it today after Midnight on early Tuesday morning on December 21st. But (in my defense) this is a real long & detailed blog. =D

 

Lovely Autumnish Grays.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Fabulous Fashionistas!! Did any of you shopped on the biggest shopping day in US - Black Friday? Is anyone of you doing any browsing, shopping or picking up Holiday gifts at any websites today for Cyber Monday? Well, I am a huge shopper as it is but I worked for about 16 hours on Black Friday and one of my jobs is in sales and retail so you can imagine how freaking busy my day was!? However, during a quick half an hour lunch I managed to pick up some lovely things at The Limited (a store I always love), which had an whole day of 40% off sale, so I beat the crowds and got the same deals at 7.30 P.M.! Ain't that beautiful? I got a beautiful beaded Jodi Arnold dress which was originally about 130$ and I paid less than 30$ for, a couple of sweaters, a pair of trousers, a cute blouse with a bow, 3 new headbands and a Kimono-inspired wrap, black dress with short sleeves. So much about relaxing, eating and actually chilling during a few solid minutes I had off on Black Friday!! LOL

Well, today's outfit is something I put together for a Bar Night Out with my man. It was a lovely date night for us. We started off with dinner, wine and dessert and then did some martinis and some dancing at a club properly named "Dirty Martini". My outfit matched the cold Fall days we have been having lately as well as the sky and the gray appearance of these last few days (it has been below zero in Celsius degrees, especially mornings and evenings.) I do love this dress because it's so versatile, chic & comfy at the same time. But I also love my man's dressy shirt from Express. Usually when we go out-out, I try to have him match me. Even if he doesn't match me, he always asks for my opinion in what to wear and we end up looking like a fun and nicely-dressed couple, at the end of the day (at least I think so. =P) Once again we matched each other, this time in gray. Don't we look lovely?! =D

FYI (about the outfit): 1} The dress came with its own belt which in my opimion was just OK. The belt was a stretchy, patent-leather (in the front) black but I swapped it for this fun patent leather red belt and I like the results even more. 2} I mixed different patterns in this outfit as you may have noticed. The booties are an actual Python Print, the tights are Leopard Print and the dress of course is Houndstooth. I figured as long as I keep it neutral and in the same color family (Black & Gray) the mixing of the patterns works. ;-) 3} My jewelry is very simple as I let the dress and red belt do the talking. I am wearing very simple, silver rhinestone drop earrings, a silver choker with small chandelier-style baby blue rhinestones and a very simple silver metal bangle. Don't ask me where any of these jewelry is from cause I have no idea. LOL

Isn't my husband so hunky handsome?! (I know, I know... I AM LUCKYYYYY.)

As per usual when we go out, this time we took a lot of photos, including some together. The last two pics above (of the two of us) are My Most Favorites of the night. ;-) I particularly love the up close profile photo. In case you guys didn't know: both my husband and I have grayish-green eyes, just in different shades. Yes, I love our eyes, especially pictured together. =)

Black & Gray, Ponte, Houndstooth V-Neck Dress: Charlotte Russe.

Wide, Rectangle-Buckled, Red, Patent Leather Belt: The Limited.

Black Sparkly "Envelope" Clutch: Express.

Leopard-Print, Black-on-Black Tights: Betsey Johnson.

Python-Print, Gray/Black Stiletto Ankle Boots: Nine West.

Wrapped Up in Golden Lime-Yellow.

I love yellow. It is the color of THE Sun, Sunflowers as well as the color that reminds me of the beggining of Fall. Yellow is a happy, bright, pretty, fun & smiling color. During Autumn I like the more crisp, more rusty yellows with a tint of gold, or darker yellows like mustard or with a hint of caramel or bronze. I also love dresses, I kid you not I have at least 200 of them. I did a thorough cleaning out of my closet this summer and as I was hanging them, I counted them. I can do and I plan on doing several detailed posts on my dresses alone, and I will do so after the Holidays in the New Year as nowadays due to me working 65-70 hour weeks I barely have time to eat and sleep, let alone blog. LOL

As a matter of fact, I have an entire Facebook album dedicated to my 'Love Affair' with dresses. I would post a link of it here but that will ruin the surprise for when I plan on blogging about my dresses. =P I have several 'special closet' posts coming up, after December, as a matter of Fact. But anyways, back to Yellow and back to Dresses. I wore 4 yellow dresses this year alone, the one in this post being one of them. I wore this beautiful golden yellow dress with a greenish shine to it, during a special evening event as part of Toronto's International Film Festival, this fall 2010. (Excuse the wrong dates in these photos. They were actually taken with my friend's camera and for some reason her date was messed up and the year stayed in 2009 though the month and day were correct, but these are actually from September 2010.) I love the dress because it's a very bright, unique color in a rich, luscious silk satin. The fact that this dress is satin and features a strapless style - two favorites of mine (fabric and design) when it comes to cocktail or evening dresses, makes me like this dress even more.

Golden-Lime, Silk Satin, Strapless Dress: The Limited.

Bright Yellow Shawl Wrap: The Limited.

Gold & Beige, Dangly Beaded Earrings: The Limited.

Dainty Beaded Necklace w/ Beige & Coral Beads: The Limited.

Turquoise Bracelet: A Cheap Boutique here in Michigan.

Stretchy, Beaded, Gold-Color Bracelet: Express.

Mustard, Ruffled Wedges: Steve Madden.

P.S. As you can see I am wearing a lot of pieces from The Limited, here. No wonder. It is my favorite store, after all. =)

Going-Out Blues.

If I told you I have at least 200 going-out tops would you believe me? Probably not? LOL But I seriously do. I just need to go out more often and I need more occassion, more date nights, more bar nights and fancier club evenings to wear them cause God only knows I have a huuuuuuuge wardrobe. =P

Most of my going-out tops are 'divided' into 5 categories. 1) Bustier, corset-style or tube tops. These are some of my favorite styles as God blessed me with an ample-size chest and womanly curves and they stay on me nicely despite being strapless, I don't feel naked or like I need to pull them up all night long. My most gorgeous bustiers and tube tops come from Bebe & White House/Black Market.  2) One-shoulder, one-sleeve, or assymetric tops. I love modern assymetry especially in a top or dress. I have so many one-shoulder or one-strap, one-armed tops from casual, to really fancy and some in between, mostly from Express, Bebe & The Limited. As a matter of fact my outfit of choice you will see in this blog, showcases a beautiful one-shoulder top by Bebe - a store I personally love. 3) Tunics. I love a fun, pretty tunic. I have several as I love wearing skinny pants, leggings, skinny jeans & jeggings - which paired with a tunic would make for an easy, pulled-together, fun & appropriate though simple going-out outfit. I have silk tunics, blousy tunics, see-through tunics which I love paring with a camisole underneath, sweater tunics and the dressier kind which are sequined or that feature rhinestones, beads and such. I have some nice tunics from H&M, Express, Bebe, & White House/Black Market for example. 4) Fun, dressy, detailed tops. In this category, I'd include any pretty and dressy top featuring something "special" whether the top is beaded, sequined, embroided, zippered, buttoned in a cute and kind of weird way, a fun detail, a cool neckline, ruffles, a cute sleeve like a dolmain sleeve, a mixture of textures and/or fabrics, attention to all the details be it in the cut, shape, style, material, pattern, design or so. ;-) 5) Last but not least for a simpler, more casual date or a night at the bar, cocktails and/or sushi dinner with girlfriends, etc. I prefer wearing a camisole or tank-top, especially if the weather permits for it. Most of my camisoles are either silky with tiny spaghtetti-straps, or featuring lace on the top by the neckline, on the bottom by the hemline or both. If it is chilly, I like pairing my camis with my beautiful cardigans, especially with a nicer, dressier cardi. ;-) My going-out tank tops are usually fitted, with a fun logo or pattern and especially with sequins. I have many such a tank-top by Express & The Limited.

I don't have a lot of time today but I would like to re-visit this post in the future and show you examples of my fun, beautiful tops and HOW I WEAR THEM. However, I started this blog this way today, because my outfit today features a fun, going-out, one-shouldered top which I wore for a night out with my husband and some friends, at a martini bar, this Fall in late October. It was the perfect dressy-casual outfit and the perfect going-out top to wear for this particular night. At least I thought so. However I worked this outfit up, from the boots and hat and then mixed and matched with the clothes in my wardrobe to see what would go with those two very important accessories. ;-) I hope you like the results, I do. =) [The photos by the table with the chandelier light on the ceiling, are actually taken in our home, in our dinning room.]

When you go out with friends, of course a lot of photos will follow. Photos are beautiful, unforgettable memories after all and nothing better than making nice memories in life. =) People and places are important to remember for as long as you shall live! These photos are with two of my girfriends from that evening (Toni & Yelena), and of course pictures with my darling man. I love how I have mixed two styles into one in this top: it is both an assymetric top, as well as a tunic. The square-weaved black & white belt/sash of the top is so pretty, too. I also love how the suede blue boots match the almost-the-same-blue of the jeans. Makes the line of the outfit look slimer and like my legs are never-ending. LOL

One-Shouldered, Lavender/White, Exotic-Print Silk Tunic: bebe.

Skinny Blue Jeans: Charlotte Russe.

Royal Blue Suede Boots: Wet Seal.

Navy Blue French Berret: Purchased @ a Store at Heathrow Airport in London, England.

Cropped, Wool, Brown Coat: The Limited.

Pretty in Purple for Laura's Birthday.

Hello Bloggers, Friends, Fans & Fashionistas. I have been M.I.A. I know. I do apologize but I work 5 full daytime shifts and 5 (shorter) evening shifts so as you can tell my time is quite limited. LOL

So, this blogging thing is seriously a lot of fun but it requires A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF TIME to do, whether it is time to take photos (and a person to take my photos, as I still can't manage self-taken pics because I don't have e Tripod), or time to pose, as well as time to write, upload the photos and basically blog about my outfits. And though I find time to check out and read other blogs, I still as of now November 11th 2010 don't have enough time in my day, my week, my month, my life to do this blogging thing every day. I am sorry. I am shooting for 2-4 blogs weekly, soon, but I know that with my crazy work schedule and working two jobs, my schedule will only get busier and crazier now during the Holiday season. But here is me tempting to blog nevertheless. =P
I do dress myself daily however (LMAO) and though one of my jobs requires a certain dress code/uniform, my other job I get to dress more 'like myself', be my stylish self, express my moments of fashion, trends and beauty, play up more with textures, styles, makeup & hair, accessories, colors, volumes, jewelry, etc. though I still have to dress within reason and within the company's dress-code. But of course I do prefer this job's clothes better because whether you know me well or still don't know me yet, you will find out soon that I am a BIG GIRLY GIRL, a big fashionista, who once upon a time used to be called a Fashion Plate, too (and I still get called so by a friend or two.) The truth is I like dressing up more than dressing down, always have, always will. And, even if we go to the local Apple Bee's or Olive Garden for dinner I still like to be put-together and look presentable for dinner with my husband. It is a cute date for us, after all. In most places we go if anything I am over-dressed. But when it comes to fashion it's better to be overwhelmed with Joy and say WOW when you see someone so put together and who has made an effort when it came to presenting themselves, then be underwhelmed and perhaps even go "What were they thinking?!"

And when we do go out, especially OUT OUT, I make an extra special effort to look as stylish, pretty & dressy as I can, not just for myself, but for my husband and the people around me. It is in those special occasions when I take the most photos too, after all I do have a photographer to come after my picture wishes. This occasion called for a brand-new outfit, like most special occasions, special evenings & events, do. We actually went all the way to Chicago for a weekend to celebrate the birthday of a very near and dear special friend of mine who lives down-town the Windy City. She turned the big 30 and had a cozy dinner with her boyfriend and closest friends. Of course I had to look beautiful for me, as well as for her. I love my darling friend Laura.

I went with purple for Laura's Birthday and most of this outfit actually even came from the same store - bebe. I wear purple quite often because it is one of the top 3 colors that looks best on me (red & green are the other colors.) Plus, I always get complimented on how purple looks on me and as a matter of fact I love Purple. I have always liked Purple way better than Pink. It's the edgier, rockier, girly color. I usually don't like doing the same color head to toe, but in this case it worked and it didn't even take much time or effort to put this outfit together as it "threw itself together" and it came out looking polished & girly. Now, as far as my husband, for special occasions and for fun, special events not only do we dress up together but I like to coordinate together with him. It makes us look nicer and 'the right way' a couple should look. I think his purple button-down shirt & tie combo - which comes from Express - looks great next to my purple dress & cardigan. =)

This is the Beautiful Birthday Girl and us Cheering for HER BIRTHDAY, of course. =)

Happy Birthday Beautiful Libra, Laura!!

Laura's Outfit:

Tree-Print Mini-Dress: Bebe.

Black, Strappy Stilettos: Boutique in Chicago.

Swarovski &Pearl Crystal Earrings + Matching Bracelet: Birthday Gift from Her Boyfriend.

The top 2 photos are my favorite pictures from that unforgettable night. ;-)

Purple Silk, Ruffled Mini-Dress: Bebe.
 Purple Leopard-Print Bolero Cardigan: Bebe.

Purple Tights: The Limited.

Cut-Out Black Booties with Cone Heels: Aldo.

Black Rhinestone, Oval-shaped Drop Earrings: Charlotte Russe.
 Multi-Stone Flower Cocktail Ring: Charlotte Russe.