Ladies, let's be honest.  When you're pretty like us, you don't need to schvitz - like, ever.  It's unattractive.  But, if you want to be toned, what are your options?! 

Fortunately, now there IS an option - namely, the FitFlop - finally here, direct from the UK. 

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical (as usual) - but after a glowing recommendation from my lovely cohort, LaDolceVita, I ran out and bought a pair (obviously, in black).  They come with a warning (!) about wearing them too much in the first few days, saying that they might cause soreness. 

Clearly, I took that warning as "optional", and wore them as much as possible under the guise of "testing" their "effectiveness". 

Let me say - that if soreness is a sign of them "working", then DAMN.   They WORK.  because I was one sore fashionista! 

I don't know if they will replace a gym membership as I truly hoped they would, but, they're clearly doing SOMETHING, which is kind of the point.  Check them out!

They're available online (google "fitflop", or at www.footlocker.com)


http://mybeautyberry.com/index.php?/mybeautyberry/body-article/flip_flops_that_keep_you_fit/

Lovelies...

You may read by some less informed fashionistas that "beige is the new grey". 

DON'T BELIEVE THEIR LIES.

Dove Grey - the softest, richest looking Grey of them all - should be the mainstay of your closet this coming fall!  A soft warm grey gussied up in Patent Leather must make it's way into your closet - a muted dove color in Suede must adorn your foot as you prance down 7th avenue in pursuit of a cab - and a cowl neck cashmere belted sweater dress must lighten your wallet come September!

You WON'T regret it - trust me!  And if you don't trust me, trust Stella McCartney - Check out this dress!!!!  Don't be put off by the sleeves - I've tried it on, and there is little that is more beautiful - especially on us blondes!  ;)
buy it on http://netaporter.com

*hearts*

holy cow is it raining.  It's days like today that make you long for weather proof footwear!  So, let me offer my opinion -

try these on for size - Crocs "Prima" - in a variety of colors.  I have Gold (SO flattering on any skin tone), Silver (if you have gold, you have to have silver), and Bright Pink (why not). 

These cute little ballet-ish slip-ons are an absolute must have in rainy weather.  Light, waterproof, totally comfortable, adorable, and very inexpensive! 

I strongly recommend them.  Here's a pic, and a link for reference! 

Stay dry!


www.zappos.com

Out the door this morning, a block away from my apartment, and I dash into a bodega to pick up some OJ.  I trip, as I'm wont to do, and my left flip flop snaps.

The deli guy vows to move the doormat, but I know it wasn't their fault. It was either myself or the clunkiness of the shoes. I have a history of flopping over in my 'flops.

Anyway, the only thing I could do was hobble back to my apartment and switch out the shoes. To accomplish this, I had to wrap my toes around the front of the shoe to grip them and walk in a straight-leg as-if-I-had-a-cast-on fashion. I have to admit, there was that fleeting moment in which I thought to myself, "Could I get by doing this all day?" When it comes to fashion, women are highly illogical.

As you can see from the pic above, the middle thong ripped completely out. Sadly, there is no hope left for this shoe. 

From the very beginning, this day was a flop.

For my flipflop went kerplop.  

I'll stop.

ladies, this is the time of year to break out those dresses.  Wear them - in cotton, in linen, silk, etc.  Avoid your man made materials - and despite popular opinion - stick to darker colors in the INTENSE heat - they don't show any "glisten" - if you get my drift. 

if you're like me, you'll wear these dresses with your favorite open toed flats in precocious colors. 

enjoy!

Well!  Having suddenly come into a whole new amount of storage, I have discovered that organizing one's closet in an effective manner is not as easy as just having space! 

How do you make that space work for you?  That - dearies - THAT is the new question!  I have a large bureau in my new bedroom that I've decided is for everyday rotation clothing.  New closet is exclusively for dresses and shirts that must be hung, and one (of three) shoe racks.  The rest of the space remains to be seen. 

Certainly (and sadly) I have more than enough "stuff" to make use of all this space, it's just how to do it and avoid clothing induced chaos that's the trick!

Advice?

Truly I did.  I went into your store with an "impulse-buy" attitude, and a wad of cash.

There were shoes on sale.

I bought nothing.

The only positive thing I can say about the whole scenario is that there was great use of color in all of their clothing for the current season - tomato red dresses (just an FYI - Tomato Red is universally flattering - you'd never think so, but I have yet to see it really look bad on ANYONE), great bright purples.... these are good things. 

Unfortunately this great use of color was on pieces that were utterly shapeless and unflattering.

meh....

they just won't stay on my feet!  I've purchased a pair every summer for the past few years - they're so cute and summery and light.

but, when you're running down the street, trying to get to work and they're flying off of your feet - they just don't cut the mustard.

I'm sorry to say it, but I'm giving up on them as a genre of shoe.

so, it seems that I blacked out for a moment, and when I came to, I was the proud owner of a brand new pair of white patent leather, open toe flats!

I can't imagine how that happened.... ahem.....

especially given my new-found obsession with white patent leather flats.... uncanny.

I highly recommend them for this summer - they go with everything - not too dressy, and not a flop (of the flip variety).

(Macy's on 34th happens to have them on sale - which - coincidentally, is where I woke up - who knew?!)

this is the exact image staring at me from my coffee table this morning.  any judgements you make from this picture - well - I generally don't like being judged - but in this case, you're probably correct. 

a friendly *kiss kiss* to my best friend LaDolceVita, who will be keeping us up to date with The Sweet Life in our neighboring city, Chicago!

As for my daily fashion sentiment, let me remind my lovely friends, that if you are in the market for shoes, check out free shipping at www.zappos.com.

And if you need a few extra bucks to PAY for those lovely shoes, check out the Friend$ program right here on Dada!

It's a fabulous way to make some extra dollars - I've made quite a few myself just by enrolling in the program, and meandering around the site!  you should definitely check it out - I'm always in the market for extra cash - as I know all of my darling readers are as well!

Extra cash = extra shoes = extra outfit options = looking extra good = feeling extra good = extra adoring glances from good looking guys!

hmmm..... maybe it shouldn't always come back to guys....

LaDolceVita - your thoughts?

anyway, check out Friend$ - it's totally worth it!

I fondly remember my brief stint working in PR - brief being the key word there....

One of our clients was one of my all time favorite shoe designers - the fabulous Sergio Rossi....

We'd send these outrageous pairs of shoes out for photo shoots - and then - they'd come back, never worn, photographed within an inch of their young lives, and be up for grabs.

And grab I did!  I got more than a couple free pairs of shoes out of that silly job - I think the value of the shoes was more than I ever saw in any paycheck! 

Oh well.....

I go on this little rant because I just stumbled upon a few pairs that I wish were mine for the taking - check out the new offerings on Net-a-porter, and just TRY and tell me that you didn't get a little hot under the collar just looking at them.

I need to get a glass of water....

and then?  we can move on to my other fetish..... BAGS.

Just a hint - I'm completely obsessed with YSL's new shopper - how badly do I want it in white patent leather?  Or red patent leather?  Or BOTH?! 

Let's just say - I want it pretty badly, and leave it at that.  ;)

ciao for now.....