Winter

I've never been a big fan of winter. Growing up in California and North Carolina hardly exposed me to blizzards and white-outs. My memories of this time of year consist of rollerblading on the beach on Christmas day and camping in the balmy mountains around Asheville, and most of my childhood was spent without a single "winter" coat in my possession. But with a new man in my life comes a host of new experiences. I've spent a good bit of time this year up in Chicago and Northern Indiana, and any true Northerner would know that only a fool would go outside in December in anything less than full on winter gear. It's been a bit of a challenge, but I do have to say that I am actually embracing this season of hats, gloves, and layering. I think I may even be turning into a scarf person.

(Coat by Old Navy, Bag by Chloe, Dress by Bailey 44, Thrifted Vintage Rabbit Fur Scarf, Thrifted Hat, Tights from Target)

Lucy & Lloyd Boutique

I was fortunate last season to be able to attend a runway show at New York City's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It was incredible to watch creation after creation waltz down the runway (albeit on impossibly long legs!), and to be completely transfixed on the cut, the colors, and the materials used for each piece. The dress pictured above was my favorite from the show, designed by an up and coming designer named Johanna Hatzenbueler. Of course, I had to have it, so I e-mailed Johanna asking about purchasing the dress. She was lovely, but unfortunately this piece is priced well out of my price range. So what is a fashion loving, dress coveting girl to do? Head to Lucy & Lloyd Boutique, Nashville's newest resale clothing store. It is tiny, yes, but it packs a punch. Filled with new and gently used designer finds, as well as interesting one of a kind pieces, you are sure to find something that your friends will be jealous of. Some labels featured include Susana Monaco, Wink, Marc Jacobs, BCBG, and Joe's. And the prices are so outrageously low, you almost feel like you're committing a felony. Mapquest the following address: 2203 Bandywood Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, and come by and say hello!

Designer of the Moment

Last fall as I was shopping for a dress to wear to the CMA Awards show here in Nashville, I stumbled upon a brand new boutique in the Hill Center in Green Hills called Hemline. Small and to the point (it's about the size of my bedroom) it is nevertheless packed with hard to find designers like Sweetees and Wendy Katlen. Almost immediately, my eyes were drawn to a fuschia colored mini dress by a designer I'd never heard of named Yoana Baraschi. I loved the clean, simple style contrasting with the jewel encrusted collar. And it had pockets too, so I was already sold on it. Since then, I've bought several more of her designs, including the black and blue dress above. She has consistently impressed me with her bold, jewel-toned fabrics as well as the girly little details like bows and ruffles that I love so much. I checked out her Spring 2009 collection on her website (www.yoanabaraschi.com), and instantly fell for at least two of the lace infused dresses. I'm seeing a pattern here and it's a little nerve-wracking to think that I may have to get a second job in order to sustain my habit.

The Lost Art Of Prettiness

I think I may have been born in the wrong time period. This land of jeans and sweatshirts feels slightly foreign, and I find myself daydreaming of lace and petticoats. I love the idea of a woman being a woman, and even ever-so-slightly girlish. Satin and silk, lace and big bouncy bows all bring a smile to my lips. While I completely understand the need for comfort and maneuverability, I would readily give that up if I could wear dresses like the Balmain creation pictured above on a daily basis. There was a time in the not so distant past when a woman would not be caught dead without lipstick, mascara, and gloves. But these days, in our microwave quick, drive-through window kind of world, all is done in the name of instant gratification. We can't, or don't want to take the time to roll our hair or fuss with layers of clothing and undergarments, so we throw on our trusty pair of jeans, pile our hair into a ponytail, and rush out the door, completely bypassing our sacred right as women to take pride in the way we look. Not for men or even for other women, but for ourselves. I have been guilty many times of this, as I've become accustomed to the rapid-fire pace of our world. But I have to admit that I savor those special times when I can spend hours getting ready for a fun night. I love the rituals of being a woman. And I especially love that magical Cinderella moment after I've been transformed; when I can look in the mirror, do my little twirl, and thank God that I was born a girl. 

( The above picture is from the Victoria & Albert Museum's Golden Age of Couture Exhibition. www.vam.ac.uk)