DD's Style File - Out of Africa (Safari)

This outfit totally made me feel think "safari chic" with its zebra print and utility shirt, but it worked. I liked that the print wasn't the typical black and white, but navy instead.

Orange blouse - American Living
Navy & white skirt - JonesWear
Cognac gladiators - Call It Spring
(all JCPenney brands)
Cognac bag - Style & Co.
Brown stone necklace - The Limited
Cognac belt - (old)
Brown sunnies - Borrowed (semi-stolen) from my cousin

The majority of this outfit came from JCP, but it sounds like I'm in the minority of shoppers who really like their revamped pricing plan and getting pieces for a bargain price every day of the week instead of some "early bird sale." Check out this article over on the Budget Babe, who totally articulated my sentiments on the situation.

I actually think that since the refresh they offer much better and unique options for men's clothing. True, the quality is not off the charts, but I guys can certainly mix low and high end brands like we do too. I mean, I think running up on a seersucker jacket in JCP is a gem of a find for the fashion forward minded.

Do any of you bother to stop in JCP? I'd love to hear if you love their "old" or "new" ways?


I hope all you beauties have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

DD's Style File - The Basics

Well, hello darling divas! It certainly has been a while hasn't it?!

I'd mentioned in a few of my previous posts that I was going to be moving and heading back to school, but boy, I had no idea how busy and exhausted I would be!

It's been several months since my last post, so I obviously am finally all moved in to my new place, I just needed some time to work it all out. Y'know, I used to think I was SuperGirl, that I could handle it all....well, I'll be the first to tell you that I was more than mistaken!

I. Am. Worn. Out!!

So, I'm doing a quick drive by post to let you know that I haven't forgotten you all, and that I'm trying to get back to a regular blogging schedule as soon as possible. And thanks to all of you who check back while I was M.I.A.

Somewhere in these blogging archives I must've mentioned how much I looooove peplum. And this was long, long, loooong before it became the "in" trend of the moment. It was very 1960's, ladies who dressed for the day to me. The kind that got all dolled up to go downtown to the bank. And it's a super flattering cut on all kinds of shapes - if you're thin, it creates curves and if you're curvier, it accentuates and the proper fabric can hide troubled areas (I especially like that part).

White peplum top - The Limited
Black back pleat skirt - Express
Polka dot clutch - ALDO
Leopard pumps - Guess
Red skinny belt - The Limited

Since it's so popular right now, it gives me ample room to stock up on the style, since it's timeless and I plan to carry it on way after the magazine goddesses stop talking about it. And when I say stock up, let's just say that this white Limited top was the first of several peplum purchases I've made.

In this case, I think you can't go wrong with a fresh white, an essential black skirt, and the always powerful leopard pump. All topped off with a dash of red! I mean, since when do basic black and white have to be boring?!

Triangle necklace - Forever 21
Silver hoop earrings - The Limited



On another note, there have been some new and exciting things underway for Dazzling Diva that I plan to share with you all soon! So please stay posted!

DD's Style File - Easy, Breezy

We stepped out for a bit for a bite to eat and drinks yesterday evening. Since it was a little cooler than it had been recently, it was the perfect opportunity to finally wear these pants and a longer sleeved blouse (summer is only three months long with a crap shoot for September, so I try to cram in all my summer pieces while I can).

White silk top - The Limited
Green silk pant - H&M
Gold metallic pump - Steve Madden
Jade necklace - Forever 21

I wanted to go with an unfussy, uncomplicated look. Cue a silken button up shirt and breezy, neon hued lounge pants; add some metallic pumps and a colorful clutch and I'm ready to go

Navajo print clutch - Dot's
Orange square bracelet - The Limited
Multi shell bracelet - unknown

I wrote all about my adventures with this printed clutch on Monday, read about it here.

Peach Bellinis & Mint Mojitos
Cheers!

We're halfway to the weekend ladies!

Shopping Giddiness

Last week I wrote this post about being all jazzed up the past couple of weeks because of my recent shopping scores. It's those times where you finally get your hands on something that you've been itching to have and it was all sold out or you just couldn't get it in your size or your price point.

Incidentally, I've talked about all of my little lust's right here on Dazzling Diva:

First, there was the Valentino bow flip flop that I obsessed over last year after seeing them in Vegas. Well fate would have it, a year later I'd bump into good pair of flip flops that were so daggone similar that it caused me to squeal girlishly in the aisle at the store. I was so pleased, that I bought the last two pair in my size for a total of....wait for it....$8!

Then came the Vidalia clutch by ShoeDazzle, it was all sold out. But whaddya know, months later I was able to grab the same brightly colored Navajo print on another clutch for less than half the price than I would have paid. It wasn't the shape I would have chosen initially, but when there's something you've been wanting, when you find a comparable piece, suddenly you'll find yourself willing to compromise!

(Oddly, both those fashion voids were filled by the same retailer - Dot's.)

More recently came my burning yearning to have this Victoria's Secret ruffled maxi. By the time came that I received my clearance catalog, it was already all sold out - in all sizes. Now, I will say that I ran into it a couple times on the site before making my purchase, but I wasn't willing to bid on it. A bidding war for a coveted item is not my idea of fun. However, a regular scouring of eBay over a couple weeks finally led me to the exact dress in my size, waiting with a Buy It Now option. Consider it mine. Before the end of the season I will try to post of picture of me in all of its bohemian loveliness.


What about you ladies, were you lucky enough to score any coveted piece this year?