All Dressed Up

"Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress." - Coco Chanel

Who doesn't love shopping!? Finding the right dress makes me oh so happy! I have a curvy figure and it can get challenging nailing down the perfect dress that flatters me the best. Luckily, I can always find an amazing piece at White House Black Market. They have so many dresses that flatter every body type. 

Today I'm sharing a few dresses that will match perfectly for your body type. Also, I'll be giving some tips when it comes to selecting new dresses. 

Hourglass

Wrap Dress | This is the perfect option because you are able to adjust the belt around your waist. You are able to accentuate the best part of your body, while feeling comfortable and confident!  Your silhouette will look absolutely stunning, and it'll be flattering. 

Apple

Shift Dress | Your legs will shine in this option! This dress will be comfortable and flow over your middle-section. 

Pear

Fit & Flare | This dress resembles the wrap dress by accentuating the waist and giving a nice flowing fit on the bottom. If you are curvy this is an excellent option and is absolutely stunning on.

Dress Buying Tips

1. Alterations are your best friend. I always have a seamstress on standby to make sure that my new dress fits perfectly. Also, if I feel like a dress may need a little bit of work, I'll order the piece a size up to ensure I feel absolutely comfortable. It's important to have the dress tailored to your body perfectly for the best fit.
2. Try on various options. I love trying on dresses to see if they will work well with my body type. I typically gravitate towards fit and flare and wrap dresses. Experiment with various styles to see what you love!
3. Make sure you feel comfortable and confident. At the end of the day if you feel comfortable and gorgeous in a dress - got for it! A dress should always enhance what you have and make you absolutely confident wearing it!

Happy shopping ladies!

XO, Analise

Wardrobe Essentials

"Building a proper wardrobe is like building a home. Indeed, you should think of it like a home, because it is something you're going to live in. It must be comfortable and suit all your needs." - Edith Head

I'm always on the hunt for finding functional and great looking pieces for my closet. There are several items that I make sure are kept in my wardrobe. I love shopping at my favorite stores and finding inspiration for new looks. Also, some of the items I own are vintage pieces that were handed down by several women in my family.

Today, I'm sharing my top picks and wonderful items that I keep in my closet!

Clothes

• Denim | I love a great pair of jeans! Levi's and White House Black Market denim typically work best for my curvy frame. Not only is the quality amazing, but they are very affordable and last forever.
• Knit Sweater | This is a fall and winter staple for me. I enjoy throwing on a nice knit and chunky sweater, especially in the evening.
• Classic Tee | T-shirts are perfect for layering or running around the town doing a few errands. Tees can be used to dress up or down any look!
• Button-Down Shirt | This classic staple is perfect for the work day, it's very comfortable and chic!
• Ankle Pant | These pants are perfect to wear with flats or heels! Ankle pants are my go-to for the work day.
• Fit & Flare Dress | I have a hour-glass shape, and this dress is a perfect compliment to my frame. This dress is great for work or date night!

Shoes

• Flats | Personally, I love the perfect pair of flats. The style is great with jeans, pants, and skirts!
• Sandals | I absolutely adore a fun and cute sandal. They can dress up a look and are ideal for warm weather!
• Booties | Ankle booties are my new fave! They are so soft and comfortable.
• Boots | I have pretty big calves - from running and working out. It is super hard for me to find a stylish boot to fit my legs. These boots are comfortable and so wonderful!
• Heels | They are perfect for the office and a night on the town! I always try to find heels that are comfortable and can go with any outfit.

Accessories

• Purse | Purses are my weakness. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect bag. I have a purse to this and it fits all of my essentials!
• Belt | It is absolutely key to have a nice belt. I typically have belts that are black and brown, just to make sure options are available. 
• Faux Fur Scarf | This is one of my fave pieces. On a cool night this is perfect to have! It is such a fun item and wonderful addition to my closet.
• Watch | I truly enjoy this watch. The mixed metal tones, make it very versatile and easy to wear. Also, it is lightweight and so comfortable to wear.
• Ring | A statement ring is an absolute must. I have a lovely blue sapphire ring that I wear almost daily. It is one of my most treasured items.

What are a few of your closet staples?

XO, Analise

Shopping Habit

"Shopping is my cardio." - Carrie Bradshaw

Shopping is absolutely one of my preferred methods of cardio. I have a few stores that I'm in love with, and really enjoy going to on a regular basis.

Today, I'm sharing my favorite stores and why I like shopping there.

1. Nordstrom - This store has been my favorite for years! When I started my professional career in 2011, Nordstrom was my go-to for office attire. One of my favorite things that Nords offer are stylists. I'm super busy, and one of my least favorite things is going through the racks hunting for my sizes and different pieces. The stylists are able to pull any items of your choice, in your size and hold them for you to try on at your convenience - total lifesaver! Also, they offer in-house tailoring and alterations! This service is awesome, and their seamstresses are so patient and absolutely amazing. I have a curvy figure, and any time I purchase pants from Nords it's great I can leave them right at the store for alterations! Also, lets not forget that Nordstrom's return policy is stellar - you can return any item whenever you like, no questions asked! Overall, this store is amazing, and will forever be one of my faves.
2. White House Black Market - This has been a new favorite of mine within the past year! A former co-worker recommended I come into the shop one day, since she works there part-time. She pulled so many items for me, and I fell in love with the quality of the clothes and designs! Just like Nordstrom, WHBM follows an appointment based model with a stylist. You are able to make a reservation in advance to try on clothes at your preferred time. I absolutely love the variety that WHBM offers. I'm able to find a lot of clothes for work, weekend, and date night!
3. TJ Maxx - I really love this store. This is typically my go-to before I go anywhere else! The price point is phenomenal and I'm able to get a lot of bang for my buck here! I like discovering new and different designers at the store. Also, I experiment with different styles as well. TJ Maxx is where I get many of my staples, such as t-shirts, workout apparel, and accessories. There are so many gems in this store and I love going in and finding awesome pieces!

What are some of your favorite places to shop?

XO, Analise