I just got back from a week in Florida, and had an absolutely wonderful time there. My two girlfriends, Shannon and Raqui, and I spent quite a bit of time shopping at the fabulous malls and boutiques there, as we're all really into fashion and clothes, like most girls. We knew, of course, that the lifestyle is much more casual down in the Sunshine State, but were somewhat surprised to see that there seemed to be little call for dressing up, at least in the areas we visited. Everyone was in shorts, capris or ankle pants, or perhaps shift dresses, or casual maxi dresses. They even shopped in bathing suits with cute cover-ups and flip-flops. When we were shopping, we noticed, too, that people seemed to be skipping the clothing departments, and gravitating toward the shoe, handbag and accessory areas. More...

With the new Gatsby movie coming out, of course there's a lot of buzz about the fabulous fashions of the era. The film is set in the early 1920s, in a time of prosperity after WW I, known as the Roaring 20s. Unfortunately, not all of us are going to look at good as Carey Mulligan as Daisy in these flapper dresses and opulent accessories, but they're fun to look at, and hey, if Leonardo DiCaprio likes them, they must be worth considering, More...

Ahh, it's that time of year when the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and romance is in the air. It seems like you're receiving invitations to bridal showers and weddings daily, and every time you see your Mother she's asking you if you've found anyone yet. (Like eligible guys are just lying under a bush or curled up in a shoe box somewhere waiting to be found). Wait, maybe if they were, I'd be headed down the aisle this June, too. More...

I'm really excited that I get to join several of my best girlfriends in a couple of weeks to vacation in Florida. One of my friends, Raqui, has a time-share in West Palm Beach, and has invited our friends, Shannon, Liv and me to join her there. I'm really looking forward to getting away from the grey days (its raining again) here in the Midwest, and having some fun and relaxation in the sunny South.But before I pack my bags, I have to shop for a few necessities to get last years summer wardrobe up to speed. More...

I don't know about you, but no matter how many tops, t-shirts and blouses I have (and believe me, I have a bunch), I never have the right one. If you buy a top to go with a specific pair of pants or skirt, the bottom portion of the outfit gets a tear, or you spill something on it, or you get a grass stain. Maybe the pants style goes from wide legs to skinnies, or the skirt from maxi to mini, the in color changes, or (worse yet), those short shorts you bought last year no longer cover enough to make them even marginally decent. Or the reverse happens, and your top gets ragged or stained. Either way, you end up with a slew of mismatched tops and bottoms that take up valuable space in your closet or bureau, but don't add up to even a few great outfits. These pieces get relegated to "round the house" or maybe "washing the car" wear. More...

Do you ever feel like you just don't have the right pants no matter how many pair you have in your closet? Then, if you're like me, you just pull out your favorite pair of jeans if you're going someplace casual, or black dress pants if you're going to work, and you really don't feel happy with what you have chosen. Blue jeans are great, and I love them, but I do get tired of them sometimes, and want something with a little more pizzazz, a little more color. And those black dress pants are certainly a necessity, but after a long, bleak winter, I'm ready for spring and even a taste of summer. More...

It's finally a beautiful day, and the forecast is for warming temperatures! Bring on the sandals and sundresses, summer is right around the corner!W ell, maybe I am being a little optimistic, but one of the things I love best about summer is sandals. I live in a place where we have cold winters and snow, so I am not able to go bare-legged for about six months of every year. Its tights, sox, pantyhose or boots, and I am so ready to throw all those things out the window and get into a gorgeous pair of sandals that a couple of warm days make me almost giddy with anticipation. More...

I've always loved the Easter holiday, ever since I was a little girl. It has great religious significance, which I appreciate, of course, but it also opens the door to the Spring season. It makes me hopeful; spiritually, physically and mentally. For as far back as I can remember, I've gotten a new outfit to wear to church on Easter Sunday, and I still keep up the tradition as an adult. If it's a gorgeous, sunny day (we can hope), or a dreary, chilly one, I still venture out in the morning to join the throng at services in our cheery Spring finery. More...

Unfortunately, I'm a few years past prom, but that doesn't make me uninvolved. I still love to look at the new styles, and there's always a cousin, niece, friend, neighbor or someone I know who can get still get me excited about picking the perfect dress for the big night. I also know that it's an evening that can be a huge expense, so I've tried to keep my choices to include some more moderately-priced gowns. I'm aware that these still represent a significant investment, but maybe I can at least give a taste of several different trends and styles, then you can scour the stores and the 'net for sales, coupons and special offers, and find your own perfect outfit for this big occasion. More...

I don't care if you're of Irish heritage or not, everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day! If you're like me, you take any opportunity to celebrate, and part of the fun is dressing up in the color of the day. Fortunately, the big day falls on Sunday this year, so we can take the whole weekend to be green. More...