Simple Sundresses Make Summer Style Simple

Just when I got used to pulling on my sweaters with leggings and boots, the humidity and heat have attacked me here in Louisiana.  The summer is so sticky and yucky, that the just thought of creating a “pulled together” ensemble makes me tired.  My favorite “cheat” for the summer is to wear simple sundresses with some rockin’ accessories.

So, I thought I would do a quick post showing you some ways that you can look smokin’ when the temperatures are soarin’.

I love the pale yellow and mauve colors here, and you’ll noticed I chose a flower theme to carry throughout the look.

A simple look for running errands around town or for an evening BBQ with friends.  This look allows you to very simply incorporate the floral trend that, like it or not, has taken over stores and wardrobes everywhere…without looking like a curtain.

This gray lace dress is the perfect thing to wear to a summer wedding, and if it’s outdoors, trying pairing it with flats like the ones above, instead of heels.  Who wants to sink with every step that they take!  The dress and accessories will more than make up for your lack of stilettos!

Bio Ionic: PowerLight Pro-Dryer {Giveaway Closed}

Thanks for reading Chic Shopper Chick!  This giveaway is over, and a winner has been chosen by random.org.  Thanks!

About 2 years ago, I discovered blow dryers.  I mean, I suppose that I had always known about them but they were just these annoying things that made my hair all frizzy – sort of like Tina Turner after spending a summer day in Louisiana kinda frizzy.  Not. Pretty.

Two years ago my world changed.  My stylist, Meggan, always made my hair look PERFECT using just a round brush and blowdryer.  I attributed it to the fancy wash, the fresh cut, and the loads of product that she put in my hair.  One day, I bemoaned my fate of frizzyness and my constant need of a flat iron and she looked at me as if I had suddenly sprouted antenna from my shampoo commercial perfect hair.

“You can do this at home” she said to me.  She spoke slowly, as if dealing with a small child who had, until that point, only ever spoken French. “It’s all about the blowdryer.”

I smiled politely, inwardly rolling my eyes, and cringed knowing that a sales pitch was likely to follow.  It didn’t.  What followed, however, was the hair-ducation of Erika Lehmann.  Meggan told me about the wattage, the detachable nozzles, the importance of a “cool” shot button, the variable speeds, and challenged me to try it at home.

Can I just say that I HATE admitting when I’m wrong?  Really, it does not help my ego.

Meggan took me from mega-frizz, to mega-awesome in about a week.  She was correct, the right blowdryer does make all of the difference.  So, since you already know I’m a fan of the Bio Ionic One Pass, I thought I would introduce you to the Bio Ionic PowerLight Pro-Dryer – the blowdryer that will make your stylist smile with approval.

Check out some of the features of the PowerLight Pro-Dryer:

It has all of the features that Meggan recommended to me, like high wattage (1875W!), a cool shot button, variable speeds and heat settings, and the nozzle that allows you to control the air on a concentrated area.  Actually, the Pro-Dryer has 2 removable nozzles!  Not to mention, it’s ultra light, super fast (important when you have TONS of hair like me!), and conditioning.

Thanks to Bio Ionic, I have a Bio Ionic PowerLight Pro-Dryer to give away to one of my readers!

1.  Become a Fan of Bio Ionic on Facebook.  They are giving away tons of prizes each week – so if you don’t win here, you may win there!

2.  Leave a comment here telling me that you became a fan and also sharing with me one of your styling tips or your favorite celeb hairstyle.

That’s it!  For an extra entry, you can follow Bio Ionic on Twitter, subscribe to my YouTube Channel, or tweet this contest out to your followers (click the button at the top!). If you do, leave a comment here letting me know.  However, to qualify you must do the first two as well.

That’s it!  This contest will run through June 4th, 2010 at 11:59pm CST.  You must be a US resident to enter.  After the close of the contest, a winner will be chosen at random and posted here.  The winner has 72 hours to respond.

Online Sample Sales: BCBGeneration, Mikael Aghal, lola, Betseyville

Awesome sales today at ideeli – an invitation-only shopping community – here’s your personal invitation to ideeli!  Check out some of my favorites!  (I bought the flats and the cardigan!)

BCBGeneration Darnell Flat – $69 now $36

Mikael Aghal drape crew neck dress – $308 now $99

lola tie front long cardigan – $118 now $49

Betseyville by Betsey Johnson Sweetheart Weekender – $138 now $65

Gossip Girl’s Love Affair With Marchesa

If you read Chic Shopper Chick on a regular basis, you probably already realize that I’m a big fan of Gossip Girl.  I love the show and the characters, but I also love the style on the show – the fashion is just amazing.  Most of my favorite looks from the show have come from one amazing design house – Marchesa.  Check out a few from past seasons below!

So far this season, Blair (Leighton Meester) has wowed us in a Marchesa mini-dress as a happy bridesmaid for Dorota in The Unblairable Lightness of Being – I am head over heels in love with this gorgeous gold confection with all of it’s lace detailing and oversized bow.  It is delicate and oh-so-Blair!

In today’s episode Taylor Momsen, playing Jenny, will wow us all in yet another stunning Marchesa frock in It’s a Dad, Dad World.  This chiffon and lace concoction is from the Spring 2010 RTW collection, and it left me breathless.  Momsen looks incredible in it, and I love how this sweet look is made tougher by her deep red lips and rock star eye makeup.  I’ve gotta say, this is an unusually delicate look for Jenny, who’s has been a bit rough around the edges as of late.  I’m still loving it, though.

Can’t wait to watch tonight’s episode!  Who’s with me?

Sex And The City Fashion: Charlotte York

I’m a major Sex And The City fan, and when I think of SATC I immediately think of Charlotte York. I’ve always admired her fashion sense and her uncanny ability to always know what to wear and how to wear it. With this divine gift it’s not a shocker that Ms. York has climbed her way into my top five fashion icons. So it’s not unusual that when this time of year rolls around and I find myself enjoying the spring weather,  I tend to want to wear super cute sundresses inspired by Charlotte herself.  With Graduation and wedding season fast approaching, I’ve channeled my inner Charlotte York to share with you a handful of my favorite dresses for the season!

Perfect Dress For An Afternoon Wedding Or Graduation

Depending on how formal the wedding ceremony is going to be depends on which dress I would select.  For a more formal function, I love the black and ivory optical illusion dress from Anthropologie. I could totally see Charlotte wearing this chic dress to an afternoon ceremony, but not without her signature strand of pearls!  I also love the teal Colleen dress from ModCloth.  The deep ruffled V-neck wrap dress is figure flattering for all body types! A dress that is beautiful, functional and looks great on women of all different shapes and sizes is a fashion hit!

Perfect for a backyard BBQ

In South Louisiana it gets hot and humid really fast, so it’s important to dress for the occasion and weather conditions.  I like to wear light weight fabrics like cotton and linen that breathe well in hot weather.  I adore the cotton ruffle neck sundress in kiwi green.  It’s completely sassy and stylish much like the famous Sex and the City character.   I can see Charlotte attending a ladies brunch wearing this dress paired with a pair of flat sandals like Nine West’s pinky thong sandals in gold or a pair of open toed kitten heels.  This black and white seer sucker dress from is also a great selection for anyone trying to channel the look of a Park Avenue Princess.  The dress, like Charlotte York, is definitely fit for an outing in the Hamptons.

Perfect Day to Night

The wonderful thing about wearing a dress to work is that you can add or take away some key accessories and make the same dress great for an evening out with girlfriends. Diane Von Furstenberg is known for creating amazing wrap dresses that instantly make women look very put together, for day or evening.  I recently fell in love with a paisley print jersey wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg.  Jessica Simpson also has some magnificent dresses that can take you from day to night.  The cap sleeve dress by Jessica Simpson has some amazing detailing around the waist that is so slimming.  Paired with a cuff bracelet like this one from Forever 21 is so Charlotte Chic!