Fashion Obsession: Free People

I was bopping around on the Free People site this morning, and fell head over heels in love with this dress.  I want it.  Bad. I need it, can’t live without it, gotta have it, MIGHT GO CRAZY IF I CAN’T BUY IT kinda want.  See what I mean?  It’s serious.

This is the Graphic Cutout Ponte Dress from Free People, and I’m in love with it’s classic, sexy shape, and surprising yet elegant back.  I love clothing that is undeniably sexy but that leaves a little to the imagination, and I think that this dress does that well.  Very well.  So well that I must have it.  Did I mention that part yet?

I will be so disappointed if I try it on and it doesn’t look right on me.  Maybe it’s better if I don’t buy it, because then it can never let me down.

Hm, has this turned into an entirely different discussion now?  I think it’s a possibility.

An In-Dress-Ment (Ha, Ha)

You know, instead of an inVESTment?  It’s a dress, so it’s a inDRESSment!  Ha.  Haha.  Ha. Wheeewww.  Oooookay.  Yeah.  Anyway.  Moving right along.

This truly is an investment, because this sweet little dress is kinda pricey.  But, for the price of this dress you also get this one, and that one, and that one, and that one….  This convertible dress from Butter By Nadia can be worn in an inumerable amount of ways, meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck.  And in today’s economy, even the most die-hard fashionistas are fast becoming recessionistas. The cool thing is that you can wear this to multiple events with the same people because you can make a different look out of it every time!

You can wear this dress at least 24 different ways, but I bet those of you that are creative can find even more ways to rock it!  Check out all of the different looks below.  The dress is actually only sold in one size, and fits women from a size 2-16.  Oh, and attention all pregnant women!  This could be the only dress you need to make it through an entire pregnancy!  It will grow, and then shrink, with you – plus you can wear it so many different ways that you’ll never have to worry about seeing the same people!

There is no denying that this is a cool concept, but what do you think?  Is this something you would like/wear?  Let me know in the comments!

Christmas Gift Guide 2008: Entertaining and Hostess Gifts

With the Holiday Season comes the P & E — Parties and Entertaining!  From office parties to parties with family and friends, you will likely have more than one occasion to show that you are the “Hostess with the Mostess” or a gracious party guest!  Of course, we wouldn’t leave you hanging for this very important part of the Holiday Season, so Chic Shopper Chick has got you covered with everything you’ll need to survive this season of Holiday Parties!

The Perfect Holiday Dress — Each year I go in search of the perfect dress to wear to Church on Christmas Eve, as well as to all of the various parties and events that we attend throughout the season.  This year, I am so thrilled to say that I already have my dress, well before I moved into panic mode!  This year I will be wearing a flattering and gorgeous little number from ShapeFX!  When I pulled the dress out of the box I thought, wow, this isn’t going to look on me like it does on that size 2 model.  Guess what?  It looks fantastic (You know, I mean, if I do say so myself)!  I would be proud to model it anywhere — sign me up to be the new SpokesMom for ShapeFX!  Any dress that makes hubby do a double take MUST be a keeper!  Check out the full line of products from ShapeFX, including their shapewear, pants, and special occasion line!  I have no doubt that you will love this stuff as much as I do!  To prove it to you, I plan to do a post soon with some pictures of me wearing this amazing dress!

Entertaining — When I entertain, I love to have people walk in the door and say “mmmmm” because it smells so good.  Maybe it’s because of your fantastic cooking, or it could just be from a really well-scented candle.  I love to burn candles in my house, and I really like to choose ones that smell like food, like cinnamon, or buttercream.  Yankee Candles make some really great scents, and they even have a special line for the Holidays.  I especially love this Christmas Cookie Candle by Yankee Candle.  Nom Nom Nom!

Don’t forget that you also need to send out the perfect Holiday Party Invitation.  I love the great Holiday Cards from Tiny Prints! I know that you will be able to find the perfect card or invitation for your event from their hundreds of cards.

Need a great appetizer that is easy but will make your guests go “ooooh, this is fantastic!!”?  If so, check out the recipe that I posted on my blog today for an easy baked brie.

Need to jazz up your kitchen?  Check out some of the fantastic cookware, bakeware, and tableware from Emile Henry.  Their wares are simultaneously classic and modern, and I could really do some damage to my account on their website!

Hostess Gifts — You can’t be a gracious party guest without bringing the perfect hostess gift!  You don’t have to spend a fortune, but something small is always a nice token of your appreciation.  I really like this Half Apron by Jessie Steele in a Paris Print – I think it is a really sweet and adorably retro gift that any hostess would LOVE!  If you are close friends with the hostess and you know she has a sense of humor, I think she would enjoy this reprint of the classic book Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess.  Orignially published in 1941, some of the advice is outdated, but it is still a really fun read.  Not all of the advice is outdated however, because class never goes out of style!  Want to go with something smaller?  Try giving her a set of these awesome Effervescent Holiday Bath Balls – she can soak in the tub and relax after the stress of planning and hosting a Holiday Party!  Lastly, you might opt to give your hostess something that tastes as yummy as it smells!  If so, then you definitely want to order a keepsake tin of these amazing handmade bon-bons from South n France — but good luck getting them to the party without eating them! (If you missed it, you can check out my review of South n France, but I’ll warn you, it might make you drool!)

Win it! South n France has graciously offered to give away a 20 piece tin of handmade bon bons to one lucky Chic Shopper Chick reader!  To enter, follow the easy-peasy rules below.  (And trust me, you WANT to win this delectible treat!)

• Visit South n France and tell me which Holiday Gift or flavor of bon bon is your favorite!  Leave a comment here telling me about it!
  
• Earn extra credit! You may do these for extra entries.
  • Blog about this giveaway and link back here and to South n France. Tell me about it in a separate comment.
  • Subscribe to my RSS feed via email or in a reader and tell me about it in a separate comment.
    
  • Stumble my main webpage (www.chicshopperchick.com) and leave me your Stumble Upon name in a separate comment.
  • Get a Gravatar!  I’m sick of seeing those little blue and white icons.  Gravatars are universal avatars used for lots of sites, including this one – just register it with your email address.  Let me know about it.
  • Add me to your blog roll. Not just my button in your sidebar, I’d love to be on your blog roll! Let me know about it in a separate comment!

That’s it! Good luck! Oh, and the official rules and legal jargon are below.

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here and on Prizey Fetch, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contests ends at 11:59 pm CST on November 20th, 2008.

Don’t forget to check out the great hostess gifts and entertaining ideas that Christine at From Dates to Diapers and Kristin at An Ordinary Life have to offer you today!