Dear Ethers,

Another week bites the dust.  That means another outfit is dusted off.  This Friday I’ve gone with a cooler looking color palette (it looks like a Fall transition, but totally fab for Summer too). I know the tights and the wool skirt are also making you ask “what season does this girl think we’re in?” But notice the OPEN-toed heels, and the sleeveless vest/waistcoat.  I love working with season benders because it allows for your wardrobe to extend itself beyond and you get more bang for your buck!  I LOVE wearing tights with open-toed shoes and a dress or skirt.  It is my solution for any cold weather or evening attire situation where I want to wear something light, but might find myself getting a bit nippy.  Invest in a good pair.  They’ll cost you up front, but they’ll last you a lifetime.  

This week we’ve got our cocktail party girl look.  She’s wearing subtle colors so she doesn’t upstage her host, but her choices are trendy and the skirt adds just the right amount of excitement with the cut and the color to make a statement.  The heels blending with the tights make her legs look lengthy and the sleeveless waistcoat is a fun way to play down a dressy affair.  The bracelet is simply there to draw all of the colors together and add a bit of texture to the outfit–also she’s not wearing any other baubles, so why not?  To me, this outfit says fun, hip, young and ready for a cocktail and some conversation.  I’d wear the hair pulled back in a slicked-back high ponytail and wear smoky eyes with a bit of color (a splash of MAC Pigments in “Copper Sparkle”) to the inner tips of the eye so when they catch the light they really shine.  It’s all about they eyes with this outfit, so do it up (remember tips from Beauty Trend: Say “Da” For Russia without overdoing obviously–just stay on trend without going over the top).  And if it is a cocktail you’re after, and the barman is game, try an Orange Crush Martini to match that outfit.  If he doesn’t know how to make it, explain it’s 1 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 Grand Marnier, 1-2 splashes of orange juice and 1 scoop of crushed ice.  Tell him to shake his moneymaker for 25 seconds, take a frosted martini glass and strain the deliciousness in!  If he has any orange slices to adorn the rim of the glass, all the better!  Cheers!  Now let’s check this cocktail cutie out.

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

"I like to drink martinis. Two at the most. Three I'm under the table, four I'm under the host." Dorothy Parker

A cute little vest is a great investment because you can wear it casual with jeans, layered over a top or dressy as our cocktail chic-chick is doing above. A really versatile item, the snugger the fit the better. This should show off your curves and lines in all the right ways. The featured piece is actually slightly too big on our girl, but if she could go back in time she would definitely buy a size or two smaller and have it tight! Show off whatcha got and maybe you'll score and extra special drink from the barman. Vest/Waistcoat, H&M Approx. 20 Quid, London

Poof! Literally-of color and design. This is such a perfect cocktail party skirt. Couldn't you totally see Carrie Bradshaw working this at one of her do's? I love the high-waist, the pockets (for slipping gent's digits in) and the tulle underneath to give it that extra stand-out factor that will make YOU stand-out even more. Orange Wool Skirt, H& M Approx. $50 Los Angeles

These really are a must-have investment. They'll cost you an arm and a leg (maybe 2), but they are worth it. I've had mine for 3 years, and have worn them so often and they STILL look brand new. Wear them under trousers for extra warmth in the Winter, team them with open-toed heels in the season- change to keep legs guarded or just rock em' when you want your gams to look sky-high with black pumps and a mini-dress. Really, this is like a bra or a knicker. A MUST! Falke Wool Tights, $65 Any Fine Department Store

These beauties are back. And you'll be seeing a lot more of them. My KG's are FAB! The platform and thick heel make them totally wearable, so you can stand and gab for hours holding that martini glass. You'll also be so tall, you'll be able to tower over the barman to get drinks orders fast! KG Heels, Originally 100 Pounds Sterling Reduced To 50 Pounds Sterling, Harrods, London

Just a bit of fun to add some texture and color to your outfit. Designed to be worn as a necklace but wrapped around wrist as a bracelet. Fun, ethnic and punchy--I say, why the hell not? Handmade Fabric Covered Marble Necklace, Bought From Student In Brighton, England For 2 Quid!

Dear Ether,

French Connection was always THE best place to hit the sales when I was living in London.  They were never ashamed to go to the lowest denominator giving their customer exactly what they wanted from the bi-annual sales: a bloody bargain.  I loved that at the tail-end of the sale they would put up a countdown poster on their shop windows and tell you just how long you had  to save.  The pressure was on to grab a deal and I LOVED it!  And man, were there deals.  The place was madhouse of spectacular items I’d only a few months before DREAMED of owning marked down a whopping 75%.  And nope, French Connection didn’t just have a size 0 or a 22 left.  They kept their stock with generous sizes and the store was amazingly well kept and the goods intact.  I would always hit the French Connection on Argyll Street–a tiny but very sufficient little shop that was tucked away between Regent Street and Oxford Circus.  It didn’t have the largest selection, but it always had (I felt) the best handpicked stock and always carried my size.  It was never too nutty in there because it wasn’t a major store, so even during the sales there was breathing room. Sadly, since I wasn’t in London for the July sales, I didn’t get to go to Frenchie’s for their clearance.  But, I discovered their US website and was pleasantly surprised by their wide selection of goodies.  To be honest, the markdowns were not as good on some things (I mean, in Blighty I got a stunning chartreuse wool jacket with an oversize bow that was originally 150+ quid for 40 pounds) but I did notice that they did have jackets (though kinda–ermm—ugly) that were originally $228 bucks for $60.  

My inspiration for my Art/Deco Boho Edition for this entry was fully inspired by the dress I chose–all other items were chosen after the fact.  I just loved the color, the pattern, how I’d know how the fabric would feel in the hot sun or on a sexy evening out.  How you could rock it with black tights or show off those lovely gams sans any covering.  I felt it was a bit flapper, but also a sort of Boho.  Now, as you know, my rule with the “Wish List” is that I must never deviate from the site.  Therefore every item chosen to go with the outfit must be from the website I feature.  I felt French Connection was really lacking in the shoe department.  Their bags weren’t terribly plentiful either.  I don’t know if this was just online or if they had more stock in-store.  But, if I had my choice, I would have gone for different shoes.  I also would have loved some other types of jewelery, though I think what I chose works.  I gave you only one dress, but a day and night alternative with shoes and accessories.  So, for this post, there are more accessories than normal but this was because I felt that the dress had that kind of versatility and I wanted to play with a day and night look.

So…here’s the scenario.  You’re meeting Sienna Miller for lunch at the Chateau.  She’s gonna look amazing no matter what you do so you might as well not try to one up the blonde babe.  If you can’t beat her, join her–right?  So, try to modernize HER Boho with THIS dress and add a bit of glam and sleekness with the Deco aspect of it as well.  As for your drink–order an Appletini–it’ll look adorable with the shift, come in a very Deco glass and it’ll be a lovely taste of summer.  Sienna will probably be watching her calories and will be stuck with a Diet Coke–HAH!  If day turns to night and Ms. Miller asks you to stick around the Chateau a bit longer–throw  on some tights you’ve kept in your little clutch, slide off the sandals, throw on the heels and un-belt the dress.  It’ll go from cute “oh my god, I love that because I’m a girl” to “damn you look hot because I’m a guy” factor.  

Have fun and say hi to Sienna for me–just so you know I have a serious crush on her and will be dedicating, at one point, a whole entry on why she should be made queen (oh don’t roll your eyes at me–I know she’s not that popular at the moment but I’ve loved her–in a totally heterosexual way–for like, 8 years now–and if I wanna dedicate a post to her–that I shall!).

Dedicatedly yours, 

—One of 365

My inspiration for the whole look! A perfect mesh of Boho meets Deco. Love the old fashioned floral (almost like wildflowers with a hippie feel) printed with the wonderful black arm and neckline detail (really Deco). The color is fantastic--an unusual emerald. Day to night this embroidered silk piece is a wardrobe staple. Wildflower Weave Dress, Originally $218 now $129.99 in Bowling Green, Frenchconnection.com

For daytime why not cinch the dress in with this adorable leather belt which ties in the black detail of the dress, gives you a sleeker silhouette and adds a bit of whimsy to the outfit. It'll also look adorable with the matching sandals coming up! Leather Bow Belt, Originally $68 now $49.00, Frenchconnection.com

Slip these cute, light-weight thongs on to show off a great pedicure, tanned gams, and to match that adorable belt you're working. Perfect for daytime shopping for slipping in and out of shoes you might be trying on, and great for airing out swollen feet! Dessa Sandal, Originally $98 now $49.99, Frenchconnection.com

Bangles are all the rage right now and are such easy accessories to have fun with. The natural wood of this set plays with the nature vibe of the dress and will go well with the evening accessories you'll see in the next few jumps! Mixed Wood Bangle Set, Originally $28 now $19.99, Frenchconnection.com

Again, bangle madness! It's always fun to mix textures and the trend has been to do this with bangles. Enamels, placed with metals, placed with beads. You name it, you try it! This is gonna dress up the look a bit more for the evening aspect if Ms. Miller asks you to stay out a bit later and party at the Chateau. Also, these shiny squares really elongate the arm and catch the sunlight! Linked Square Bangles, Originally $28 now $19.99, Frenchconnection.com

Okay, so Sienna wants you to stay at the Chateau. She digs your style, had a sip of your Appletini and is hooked and is ready for a fun night. Thank goodness you brought some heels! These are retro looking. A bit more 40's than Deco, but they have that vintage vibe and they go beautifully with the natural Boho aspect of the dress. The canvas of the roping, the wood at the heel and platform--and the colors all mesh beautifully (and wait until you see the clutch you'll be carrying--matches these shoes to a "T"). Just bring out some black heavy denier tights (no see shiny see-through stockings--blechh) and believe it or not, even though these are summery and open toed, the tights WILL work. And you're legs will look sky-high. Don't forget to un-belt yourself--the waist-cincher no longer matches (you've flipped off those flops--no cute bows anymore) and your dress is flowing and sexy now. Juliet Shoe, Originally $188, now $99, Frenchconnection.com

This clutch is so perfect it hurts! The wood detail, the black oriental Deco-styling. This matches everything from the dress, to the bangles to the shoes. You are working it NOW! I hope Sienna isn't getting green (as your dress) with envy. Cotton Wood Clutch, Originally $88 now $59.99 Frenchconnection.com

And the final addition! This stunning Deco necklace that will sit pretty like a bib on top of your dress. It matches the gold bangles, it even goes with the shape of the neckline of the patterning of the dress and it is just dramatic enough that you'll stand out but only just so slightly so that people will say "hey, who is Sienna's friend?" Enamel and Metal Deco Necklace, $68, Frenchconnection.com.com