Sunday Brunch Dress Shop

Sunday Brunch Dress Shop has such a lovely “About Us” page that I’m going to paste it here interspersed with some of the dresses from the shop, as they beautifully capture why so many people love clothes.

"Every woman writes her own story. So shouldn’t our own stories be the ones we love best? Like the ones we find in old books with leather-bound covers, spines worn smooth by many hands, the pages faded from many readings. Not because we want to feel like everyone who read that story before. But because a story so special to so many, that it was read and reread, must have been special in a slightly different way to each person. That’s why we get excited opening up those old books, because now that old, loved story is about to become special to us, special in a slightly different, slightly new, way.

Dresses are like that. No matter how elegant, how timeless, a dress still billows in breezes and swishes in doorways, is always a little different with each wearing and on each person. We don’t dress up to be like someone else, we dress up to be ourselves. A dress makes us more aware of being alive (and not by pinching at the waist!). A dress is about savoring life, *our* lives. When we read a good story, we close our eyes and see the characters. The right dress can make us feel that way. We all deserve to be that sure of, and that happy with, who we are, wherever we are.

Dresses aren’t just for swooning over dark, brooding men or inheriting spooky mansions on windswept moors. They’re also for brunch on Sunday morning, going out with friends, or even going to work. They’re for slowing down and dressing up. They’re for elegance every day, for showing that the moment is special. Because every moment is part of our story."

Dresses pictured: Mel en Stel Cup of Tea Ruffle Dress, Mel en Stel Convertible Sun Dress, Lorick Sleeveless Baker, and Lorick Peek Dress in Steve's Prairie.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Scribble Houndstooth Skirt

Clearly, I have a serious Yoox addiction. I'm done for awhile, I swear. I just couldn't not buy this Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt, which I've been lusting after since he first sent it down the runway last year. It never showed up on any of the usual suspects for MbMJ online, and I'd almost given up the chase when I stumbled across it on Yoox. Granted, it was more than retail, but check out the buttons, the belted waist, the single pocket... so cute. I wore it this week with a white short-sleeve ruffled Theory blouse layered under an airy black sweater jacket.

Jennifer Behr Fall 2009 Collection

Jennifer Behr is popular with brides and Blair, but her Fall 2009 collection took a decidedly punk turn. My favorites are below--I especially like the belt, as it would breathe new life into my old little black dress--but you can check out a complete preview here. Get 30% off with "LUCKY" at checkout until September 1.

Nicely Done: Alexis Biedel

I've loved Alexis Biedel since her days as Rory Gilmore, and she always looks great in photos thanks to her gorgeous pale blue eyes. At a recent event for Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M, she wore a Matthew Williamson dress, Sergio Rossi heels, and carried a black patent leather Jenny Yuen bag.

Acquire It: Shimmer Dual Bubble Dress

Shimmer dual bubble dress, $27.50 at Forever 21

Admire It: Shoshanna Asymmetrical Dress

Shoshanna asymmetrical dress, $192.50 (originally $385) at Queen Bee Girls

What Did Blair Wear? (Season Three Filming #2)

Season three filming is in full swing, and Leighton Meester has been sporting some great outfits as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl. Her Burberry Prorsum belted brocade dress is paired with a L.A.M.B. Darjeeling Leather Orissa clutch and Michel Perry 9169 white tumbled leather and navy patent lace-up booties.

I must admit that I'm loving all the sweet Blair and Chuck photos, especially here, since he seems bemused by her pout. Blair is also rocking a great coral shade on her manicured nails.
A close-up at the Alexis Bittar jeweled magnolia brooch in warm grey reveals that it's miles away from Carrie Bradshaw's casual pins, with an ombre finish and a bejeweled center.
In another sweet moment with Bass, Blair wears a Victoria Beckham Carmontelle cashmere-blend dress dress (shown here in gray) with Slane & Slane 16 Strand Alexandria Clasp bracelet. The necklace is available at Neiman Marcus, and it's gorgeous. The clasp can be engraved... maybe Blair's has a message from Chuck.
Blair also wears a strand of pearls, a diamond round domed brooch, and snakeskin tote.
She's completes the ensemble with white heels and a Paige Gamble white matte python medium-width headband.
These yellow Milly shorts have a cute button detail that echoes the closures on last year's coats. Blair pairs them with the Diane von Furstenberg Alcott top in the large yellow bloomsbury check pattern.
For a meeting with Serena, Blair sports a Co-operative Designs sweater dress and pink Elizabeth and James heels.
She plunks down herNancy Gonzalez so casually on the Met steps... I love it. I think her necklace is the Henri Bendel signature chain necklace, and she also wears a large silver cuff.
Her adorable plait is my favorite part of the look, and I like the side-swept front layers.
B confronts evil roommate Georgina in a coral Catherine Malandrino blouse, floral skirt, and Marc by Marc Jacobs Saffron clutch with bow optic. She's also wearing some awesome glitter platform peep-toe slingbacks.
Here's a better look at the skirt and Blair's braided silk headband.
Queen B shines in the Elie Tahari Gwen dress, a clutch with sparkle detail, amethyst cuff bracelet, and cream peeptoes.
She consults a Sotheby's auction catalog with Chuck, looking modern in a Diane von Furstenberg Marcelo wrap top and Vince fingerprint plaid pencil skirt. I love her super high Vera Wang Lavender Label Falicita peep toe pumps (also available in patent leather) and emerald green jeweled Valentino bag.
She's also wearing a Tiffany Keys fleur de lis key pendant, which I'm guessing is a gift from one Mr. Charles Bass. Her bracelet has a lovely antique-y look.Sporting the same hairstyle she wore with the Elie Tahari dress above, Blair looks fierce in a white silk top with detailed collar, Chloé scalloped shorts, and snakeskin platform sandals. This is an unusual outfit for Blair, but Leighton's working the shorts. I really like the knot on the belt and am going to try it out on my wrap dresses.Here's a reverse view of the shorts, shoes, and most importantly, the hair--crazy braids! I kind of love it, though it's not a look that would ever work on me.I’m swooning over all the romantic Blair and Chuck action. Here, B wears a Yaya Aflalo Garland top with a Marc by Marc Jacobs pansy-print skirt (dress version here) and an Alex Woo Little Vegas Spade necklace with diamonds. She accents the outfit with Vera Wang Lavender Label wedges, a Nancy Gonzalez pink ostrich clutch, and her brooch from the Burberry dress above, worn here as a bracelet.

The side view provides a better look at the wedges. Chuck’s outfit is too perfect for words, and I love their color-coordination.

These close-ups remind me of engagement photos and are totally worthy of the Gray Lady.

What Would Blair Wear? Breakfast Club Reunion

When all members of the fab foursome are back and accounted for in NYC, Blair calls upon her standards with a bit of spice. Every item has a bow detail, and the headband is present and accounted for, but check out the height of those heels and the short length of the gold leather (!) miniskirt. You just know that later on, Blair will be taking off that headband for Chuck, but the saucy outfit will easily transition from dinner at Butter to a club later in the evening.

Gilt Groupe Sales

This week on Gilt I'm looking forward to Helmet Lang on Tuesday and Rachel Leigh jewelry on Friday. The full calendar for the week is available here with preview pictures. If you need an invitation, click here to join, but fair warning, it's addictive!

France Luxe

I love France Luxe. Please forgive the onslaught of images, but this online boutique carries a fantastic assortment of headbands and hair accessories. I've placed a few orders there, and have always had great experiences. This L. Erickson scarf headband in silk charmeuse comes in more than 60 colors. (The silk shantung and velvet versions are also lovely.)The L. Erickson bouffant headband in silk charmeuse adds a bit of height and comes in fab colors, especially the rich charcoal gray.Thin L. Erickson 1/4" ultracomfort headbands in silk charmeuse are perfect for every day--and there's a navy version! I also love the avocado, purple mink, and blue steel (!) shades. This style/fabric combo also come in a 1 1/2" version for a more dramatic look. I have the L. Erickson 1/2" ultracomfort shine headband in white and wear it all the time--I think I'll get the yellow and maybe the red in my next order.
I've also been contemplating ordering the L. Erickson 1/2" ultra comfort headband in silk charmeuse in the apricot shade (the very top headband) for a pop of color with gray outfits.
The L. Erickson grosgrain ribbon headband is so prep school sweet in the ink blue shade. It provides the look of a strand of ribbon, but with a more secure feel.
Allure ran a feature on headwraps that don’t hurt, and these L. Erickson double strap headwraps in silk dupioni were featured. I like the thick and the thinner strap. The black is a great basic, but the grass shade (not pictured) is lovely… a rich jade shade that looks great in dark hair.The L. Erickson knot turban in silk charmeuse reminds me of the more expensive Prada version, especially in the gorgeous purple mink shade.
The Melrose ponytail holder is nice because it wraps around the ponytail and then fastens closed. I've read that this is more gentle on hair than pulling the ponytail through a traditional holder.
I'm coming around to the idea of barrettes again, and the large cutout oval barrette in disco red would be a fun way to pull together a ponytail. The organdy dark purple and black versions are a bit more suited to a subtle style.
The luxe sassy oval volume barrette caught my eye because the description says it will hold back voluminous hair and help manage your thick tresses. I wonder if it could tame my mane...
The Sophia barrette has a lovely shape--I've pasted the black version below, but the mousseline/ivory color is quite striking.The L. Erickson silk charmeuse sash can be worn as a headscarf or belt, and comes in 37 colors. I think it'd be especially sweet tied in a bow over a closed cardigan paired with a full skirt.

Rachel McAdams in Morning Glory

Rachel McAdams looks gorgeous while running in a nude chiffon dress with a white shrug, pink pumps, and a Givenchy Medium Eclipse Hobo handbag on the New York City set of Morning Glory. Her makeup is great here, too--I'm looking forward to seeing more of this film's styling.

Walter Pleated Blouse

I bought this Walter blouse for about 75% off on shopchantal.com and it's stunning in person--the green is slightly darker, a rich emerald green with gorgeous covered square buttons. The top also has horizontal pleating across the shoulders and the top of the bodice.It zips up the back, and I love that the blouse is slightly longer in the back--perfect for tucking it in to skirts and with a little more coverage when paired with skinny pants. I'm planning to pair mine with a black button-front pencil skirt and peep-toe slingbacks, but I thought it also would work with a black-and-white herringbone skirt and black sweater jacket.