Fashion Me Fabulous

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Aside from being a strapless, backless mini dress (proportions also involve balancing how much skin you're showing!), I'm particularly bothered by the tendrils on the skirt. Can you imagine dancing around and whipping the knees of those next to you? And when standing, they'd constantly be brushing against your own legs like a cat that wants dinner. Possibly the only person who could pull this off would be a toned tattoo artist who must, of course, trim those skirt vines. Do any of you faithful readers think this dress is sexy?

This kimono top by Style & Co. is right on trend in the color department. I could see this looking amazing with skinny black jeans and some spunky hair. Macy's has reduced it from $49 to $13.99 .

These Bobbi Blu Halter Boots have been the topic of much discussion among my friends. They come in brown, bone, and blue (not pictured). I find the brown and blue very attractive and the bone impractical because white-ish boots are always impractical. I have friends who also like the boots. However, I have friends who don't feel the same way. What do you think? Are these a fabulous statement boot? Or do that go beyond quirky and venture into the fugly category? If you think they're cute like I do, the brown ones are on sale on Piperlime for $159.50 .

You bought an uber trendy dress for that party New Year's Eve. What are you putting on your feet?! If you didn't see what you wanted in becca's latest Target challenge , maybe one of these goodies will catch your eye. I love that cute ballerina flats are everywhere because they are perfect for a night of dancing. Make sure the flat you pick is embellished enough to shine in the sea of heels, and you should be able to dance until dawn. Flats: gold chain detail, Steve Madden $39.99 turquoise and silver, Sugar, piperlime.com $34.99 blue sequin, Style & Co., Macy's $59 gold jeweled flats, Miu Miu, Net-a-Porter $540 A black shoe is a good investment if you're doing New Year's on a budget because you can wear them again and again. Embellishments and patterns will keep a black pump from looking like you came straight from your receptionist job. If your dress is a little wild, a neutral would be your best bet. Black: sequin with gold trim, Just Sweet, Macy's $11

Are these Marc by Marc Jacobs espadrilles the perfect candy colored summer shoe or do they look like they were made by someone buzzed on sugar? They're $195 at Zappos .

Fashion know-it-alls are constantly declaring pashminas in or out of style. For me, they are a constant in. becca bought me a red and gold one when she went to Italy, and I love to wear it draped over my shoulders and cinched with a brown obi belt so it looks like a bat-wing top. I have another friend who uses hers as a scarf. My mother wears hers loose and secured with a brooch. As you can see, they are endlessly versatile, and a pretty addition to any wardrobe. If you don't live in a big city where pashminas seem to be sold in every store, check out Pashmina International . Basic pashminas start at $23.99 and go up to $31.99 for a more elaborate weave.

If you looking for a cheap New Year's Eve party dress, check out this sequin dress from New York and Company. Originally $79.95, the dress is only $19.99 during their Year-End sale. This sequin skirt is also on sale for $24.97 from $49.95.

This bold abstract print from Miu Miu's Spring 2007 collection (left) was a hit in stores and magazine editorials. But if you don't have a designer budget, consider this abstract mini dress by Glam (right). It has the same color scheme but several radiating designs instead of one big one. It's also an affordable $58 from Frock Shop .

New Year's Eve is coming quickly so it is time to put the finishing touches on your outfit. If you went all out on your party dress, you may not have much left in the budget for shoes and accessories. Target has great deals on shoes, jewelry and clutches that can add color, texture, and those finishing touches to any dress. If you're going for the basic black dress, add sparkle and color with your accessories. If your dress has lots of sparkle go for more basic items, but don't be afraid of color. Also, keep in mind pieces you can pair with more casual outfits so you get plenty of use out them. Shoes : Cute and comfy feet are essential. Strappy heels are great, but try a sparkly flat or low heel as a change of pace. Loeffler Randall Rosette Ballet Flats – Gold $29.99 Mossimo Hailey Knotted Strap Heels – Silver $19.99 Isaac Mizrahi for Target Laurel Strappy Jeweled Pumps – Black $34.99 Mossimo Dierdre Jet Heel Pumps – Leopard $24.99 Hollywould Grace Peep-Toe Pumps – Pink

Someone at Nordstrom must read Fashion Me Fabulous and knows about my beef with belt prices . This leather, snake embossed corset belt has been reduced from $98 to $28! I love it over a shiny black coat like in the picture, and could also see it over a voluminous dress or spicing up an otherwise conservative pencil skirt and blouse. Wide belts are a trend that comes and goes, and $28 isn't bad for trying something new.

As with vests , menswear trousers generally come in subdued shades of black, brown, and blue. This style of pant plays with waistcoat and military button designs, cuffs, and traditional suit patterns like plaid and pinstripe. Most menswear pants are wide leg, but you can find flares and skinny legs if you look hard enough. Remember to keep things up top closely tailored up top if you go for the wide legs so you don't look like a box. First row: pinstripe wide-leg, BCBG, Macy's $178 high-waisted button, Urban Outfitters $68 blue herringbone tweed, Anthropologie $168 grey wool plaid, Ann Taylor $79.99 Second row: grey herringbone wide-leg, Forever 21 $27.80 red and black pin stripe, Alice + Olivia, shopbop.com $184.80 suspender pant, Victoria's Secret $39.99 twill sailor pants, Christensen and Sigersen, Net-a-Porter $345 One of the easiest ways to look like a fashion victim in menswear trousers is to ignore your feet. Have your pants tailored so that part of your feet can st

Crocs were bad enough as a basic gardening shoe. They became tragic as an everyday fashion staple. When Crocs started making heels, wedges, and other clunky versions of respectable shoes, they became a full on threat. Now, they have added to the horror. An innocent trip to the shoe store found me standing in line next to a display of Jibbitz charms. These little plastic numbs stick into the holes on the Crocs and allow you to personalized your shoe with countless cartoon characters, shapes, symbols, sports emblems and even rhinestones or food. From the looks of the charms they plug the holes that allow your feet to breath. The holes are touted as an advantage of the Crocs design. Since they've become an acceptable shoe, I guess they don't need to function anymore. If you visit the “stylizer” you can build a custom pair of Crocs like the ones above. Don't forget to personalize your Crocs wristband or cell phone holder. You can even add a martini glass, broccoli, or

It's late due to the holiday, but I didn't forget the vintage shop of the week! Limonada Vintage carries a wide selection of men's blazers, western shirts, tees, polos and clothing and accessories from the 60s-80s. This shop's stock could help you pull off any look from the sleek rockers The Kinks to Johnny Depp's distinctive mash of styles. (And if you want more vintage in your life, they also have a large stock of records.) Much of the merchandise is listed as "buy it now" with prices ranging from $15 to $30. suede jacket $16.99 suit coat $24 corduroy jacket $16.99

This beaded dress by ECI is right on trend from the embellishment, to the color block, to the mini length. It perfect for layering or wearing alone, making it a four seasons dress. And with that beaded collar, you won't need to worry about jewelry. It's $35.55 at Macy's .

Attention, shoppers! Didn't get what you wanted for Christmas? Hit up these after-Christmas sales for some discount goodies. BCBG : 70% off select merchandise Steve Madden : up to 75% off shoes and purses Urban Outfitters : up to 50% off select merchandise including boutique Yoox : extra 40% off fall/winter goods Bebe : 50% off party dresses Victoria's Secret : clothes and shoes up to 50% off , sleepwear 25% - 60% off , underwear on mega clearance eLuxury : 20% off all sale items Pink Mascara : 30-75% off designer wares Bluefly : coats and jackets up to 75% off , everything else up to 40% off Shopbop : 30-50% off designer goods, 50% off select items Neiman Marcus : an extra 25% off all previously reduced merchandise Macy's : 50% - 65% off original prices of select goods Nordstrom : men's clothes and shoes at least 33% off Frock Shop : select merchandise deeply discounted We at Fashion Me Fabulous will be on the look out for great deals and steals to share with

Hope you all had a happy holiday! Let's get right back into the swing of things with our Etsy shop of the week! If you like things a little more personal and happen to be a fan of the 80s and pop art, you'll love Ndeur Shoes . You send this graphic artist anything from canvas tennis shoes to leather pumps, and he'll paint them with the design of your choice. And if you don't have a pair that would work for sleek street designs, you can send the artist your foot measurements, and he'll find a pair to customize. Personalizing your own shoes is $225.

Let's face it, pants are hard to find. The fit is almost always impossible. The wrong pant makes any outfit wrong. There is no wrap dress equivalent to the pant because all pants fit all of us differntly. A day of pants shopping can easily end in tears, depression, and too much chocolate. For me, it's just easier to call it quits and wear a dress or skirt. Plus, pants can be pricey. All of my pants are so old they've fallen apart. Now I'm left to face a cold Michigan winter in tights and knee-high boots to keep warm. I need pants. I also need help. We all do. Most of us do not wear pants with the power and elegance of Katharine Hepburn. Thankfully, Stacey London, host of Fashionably Late with Stacey London, and designer Julie Chaiken gave us some tips on wearing pants. Chaiken says it really comes down to a long day of trying things on. She showed several looks that suggested the following: -Remember all pants are not made for all women. Some pants will never

For some people, events and parties are a moment to grab the spotlight, so a cheap little number for Forever 21 just won't do. If dressing to the nines is worth maxing out your card, here are twelve dresses that are certain to get you noticed. Bold colors: coral silk dress, Tracey Reese, Net-a-Porter $500 sequin ombre, Kay Unger, Neiman Marcus $550 yellow one shoulder, Vera Wang Lavender, Net-a-Porter $495 green silk jersey dress, Zac Posen "Taboo," Net-a-Porter $1,650 Embellished: grey shift, Thread Social, shopbop.com $633 blue beaded collar, Nichole Miller, edressme.com $440 jeweled halter mini, Just Cavalli, Saks Fifth Avenue $680 purple dot , Tibi, Net-a-Porter $475 Shape: tiered, Matthew Williamson, Yoox $848 waterfall bubble dress, 3.1 Philip Lim, Le Garconne $535 bow dress, Marc Jacobs, Neiman Marcus $1,500 teal bubble, Doo.Ri, eluxury.com $657 This is my last post until after Christmas, and I don't know if becca will be posting from her vacation spot. From th

Fashion Delivers connects the fashion industry with local charities to provide new clothing for victims of natural disasters. After Hurricane Katrina, Allan Ellinger, senior managing director of Marketing Management Group, started creating Fashion Delivers. After a meeting with twenty six industry leaders, Fashion Delivers joined with Kids in Distressed Situations, K.I.D.S., to bring men's, women's, children's, and home fashions to the areas that needed them most. By partnering with K.I.D.S. Fashion Delivers has an established infrastructure for bring needed clothing to over 1,000 charities. Fashion Delivers is unique in that they link the fashion industry directly with charities and make it easy for unused clothing to find homes that need it. Those in the fashion industry can donate overstock, samples, or any other product they'd like to give. Anyone not able to donate new clothing can give a monetary donation online .

Menswear hasn't just taken over shoes ; you can dress head to toe as a feminized dandy. Vests are one major piece in this trend. I especially love them cinching the billowy dresses that have been in every store. The colors are generally subdued, and the textures lush. You can have tons of fun with texture and proportion with this trend. However, if you are well endowed, you may not want to invest in a vest, at least not the low-cut vein of it, lest you end up looking like the St. Pauli girl . First row: suit vest, Victoria's Secret $59.50 chain and charm, Robert Rodriguez, bluefly.com $232.20 low-cut three-button, Forever 21 $22.80 gold beaded, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, Net-a-Porter $240 Second row: striped seersucker, McQ, Net-a-Porter $110 contrast trim, le Rodarte $49.99 lace up plaid, Wet Seal $19.50 cream jacquard, Marciano $148

My coworker thinks the pocket on the front of these Seychelles "Early Bird" flats looks silly and envisions purse hating women sticking a key in one and chapstick in the other. I think it's a cute alternative to a bow, and as long as it's not used as a pocket, the flats are funky and fun. What does the jury say?

I am at a complete loss over these paisley pants by INC . Is there a pants-shaped hole in some elderly lady's curtains? Are they the fashion equivalent of wearing a dunce cap? Which is worse, the elastic waist or the print? Ooh, it hurts. Someone tell me how and why these pants exist!

For years, belts were not my friend. My hips are ample enough that I've never needed help keeping my pants up, and I rarely wear a shirt that needs to be tucked in. Then I started seeing women cinching billowing shirts and dresses with belts. A little waist is surely something I want to emphasize, plus wearing belts like so adds versatility to my wardrobe. What I can't get behind, however, is the concept of a $100 belt. I understand that at a certain point, it's all materials, and a leather belt from Fendi won't pull on my silk tunic the way a leather belt from Target will. What I'd like to know is how belts are made. My mind categorizes it as a strip of leather which should therefore be cheap, but how much effort does it actually take to make a belt correctly? Are certain buckles harder to make than others? How much of a difference does width really make? What about you? Do you categorize belts as one of those things that shouldn't cost much? What item in your

If you wear a large, today is your lucky day. It doesn't look like much on the hanger, but imagine how this navy and white print shirt dress would look cinched with a red belt. The dress is vintage Lanvin (yes, the one that is sold at Barney's in New York) and is available for $26 (!) at Plaid Pony Vintage .

I love words -- their meaning, their sound, their shape. Found and Made , a California based jewelry maker, also loves words. Using old dictionaries or prints, and Scrabble tiles or dominoes, she makes jewelry with a subtle statement. Items run from $6 for magnets to $24 for necklaces.

I love the 1940s secretary look. Give me chunky pumps, a pencil skirt and a feminine button up any day of the week. Victoria's Secret has been selling this high-waisted, plaid pencil skirt on their site for months. My inner costume designer wants it. My hips want it. My inner naughty secretary wants it. My wallet is opposed. If I can't have it, I can at least put together an outfit around it. plaid pencil skirt, Victoria's Secret $69.50 jacket, Anthropologie $148 pussy bow blouse, Walter, bluefly.com $113.40 bow shootie, endless.com $104.47 hat, Urban Outfitters $28

Believe it or not, these Torii peeptoe platforms from Baby Phat are even worse in person. The denim is paler than in this picture. The red parts are plastic and look it, plus they are peeling off in places. The gold tone heel and plaque pick up every finger print, leaving them dull and smudged. The rhinestones are cloudy and poorly glued in. The worst part, however, is that the platforms and heels look like they are about to detach from the rest of the shoe. I couldn't tell you if anything other than glue and hope was keeping these shoes together. Kimora, no dessert for you!

While the fash pack says that black nails are still all the rage, I tend to paint my nails in contrast to the seasons. Rather than pink for spring, I painted my nails a dark burgundy to toughen up all my seasonal pastels. Now that the snow is falling (or dumping depending on where you live) and my wardrobe has darkened, I'm thinking of painting my nails either white or a bold color like cobalt or orange. What do you think? Do you paint your nails to match or contrast your outfits? Do you stick with one color or change with the seasons? night brights by OPI

Designer Keanan Duffy is bringing his new menswear collection, “Bowie,” to Target. Duffy's collection is a tribute to David Bowie's style and music. The British designer is known for his craftsmanship and detailing. The collections features great jackets, blazers, ties, vests, and even casual takes on Bowie's style with zip-up sweatshirts, long sleeve t-shirts and a winter vest. Complete looks run from $57 to $120. There is also an exclusive CD to go with the line. Since guys don't get a lot of inexpensive options for great style, this collection really offers something unique. I hope we see more designer menswear from Target.

Fashion Me Fabulous' very own becca is throwing her annual New Year's bash, and this year it's formal. Both of us thought this would be a great opportunity to try out some new trends with "fast fashion." My dress budget is $30, and hers is $40. Throw in shoes and accessories, and you have the $75 New Year's Eve party dress challenge! Sequin Trend: I am deeply considering this white sequin trapeze dress from Forever 21 ($24.80) . I've never worn sequins before, but what better time than New Year's? I'm loving the idea of green tights ($5.99 at Target), but I'd still want to carry a pink clutch ($19.99 at Target). Since the collar is silver and my accessories are colorful, I'd wear silver peep toes ($19.80 at Forever 21) with it. Total: $70.58 Fifties Prom: Nordstrom is having a dress sale which makes this green lace dress $38.90. Both pay homage to the recent surge in 1950s party dresses. Add shimmer with gold embellished flats ($16.9

Menswear is all over the place this season. From vests to fedoras, tailored pants to pinstripes, the dandy is in! Menswear shoes tend to feminize buckles, laces, loafers , oxfords and brogues. You can play this look to the max with a button-down shirt, vest and wide leg pants, or you can make it a study in contrasts with a pencil skirt, frilly blouse and big curls. Are you excited about the return of menswear shoes? First Row: brown multi pump, Frye "Adrienne," shoes.com $119.99 grey patent bow flats, BCBGirls, piperlime.com $89 wine ribbon lace shooties, Nina Dolls, shoes.com $69.99 orange patent, Jessica Simpson, Nordstrom $108.95 Second row: black ankle boot, Mudd, shoes.com $64.99 beige heeled loafer, Oh Deer!, zappos.com $78.95 blue suede buckled shooties. Marc by Marc Jacobs, zappos.com $453.95 wine peep toe brogue mary jane, Max Studio, Nordstrom $158.95 Third row: wine plaid, Steve Madden "Reilly," zappos.com $93.95 black lace-up shootie, BCBGirls "

Door Number Four recently closed her walk-in vintage shop and is now selling exclusively on Etsy. Some of her stock is original vintage and some is revamped from vintage materials. Rather than tell you anything more about the store, let's just drool over the clothes together, shall we? 70s flora tapestry coat $125 80s mustard suit jacket and skirt $38 60s/70s mod scarlet caroling coat $125

I love shoes. That said, I love getting shoes for Christmas. However, I have a hard fit to foot so I can be a little difficult to buy for. I also have expensive taste so a pair of shoes may be a bit too pricey for a gift. My fellow blogger, Jael Paris, wants an amazing pair of Frye boots that will last forever and look amazing. Since they are expensive, she's asking for gift cards. The Gift Card Lab lefts you buy custom Visa gift cards. You can upload your own picture or use one of theirs, add a personal message, and put the recipients name on the card. Gift card lap has three different stylish shoes designs . Or you have give a card that's a little more personal like this one with a picture of the boots Jael Paris wants. The cards cost about $6 extra to cover the cost of the custom printing. That's not a lot to pay for a personal touch on a gift that doesn't usually seem that personal.

Several designers used wide contrast trim inspired by the mods in their collections for the past few seasons, but when Balenciaga sent this contrast-trim blazer down the runway it set off a slew of copy-cats and inspirations. J. Crew came out with an identical jacket that sold out in a matter of days. (It's still available in different colors.) So far, this look is staying in the designer realm, but if you're a stylish girl on a Target budget, you can expect to see contrast trim jackets on a rack near you by fall 2008. Of course, you can always hit up the vintage shops for contrast trim from the first time around. First row: J. Crew $119.99 Diesel, yoox.com $92 Lemon, bluefly.com $114.99 Munthe Plus Simonsen, Tobi $461 Second row: 3.1 Philip Lim, Net-a-Porter $287.50 Banana Republic $148 Lux, Urban Outfitters $59.99 vintage Christian Dior, Nikita Jade on Etsy $115

Shopbop, who are you trying to sell this $118.80 Elegantly Waisted ruffle belt to? I thought the market for convict hobo pirates was actually quite limited, but I could be wrong. It's a lovely belt, but can an embracer of pants such as myself purchase this item? Can I buy it if I promise to wrap a sheet around myself and call it couture? Alas, too many questions. Think I'll pass.

I've noticed a bunch of hipsters and other lovers of the 80s wearing large prints of faces. Heatherette sent some Wizard of Oz themed dresses down the F/W 2007 runway, and Kate Moss recently produced a tee baring her own famous mug for her Topshop collection . But I'm not a hipster, and I don't love the 80s. Personally, I don't want another face, especially a blown up face, so close to mine. Is this a look you're into? Can you explain the appeal, or are you as clueless as to its popularity as I am? Left to right: Heatherette, Kate Moss, metallic diva tunic, Forever 21 $19.80

Christmas isn't over yet, but Nordstrom has some beautiful plus size dresses marked over 70% off. If you have a wedding, party, or hot date coming up, you need to head over to this sale. The black ruching on this JS Boutique flora silk dress ($78.90 from $198) is so figure flattering and cute. The Maggy London tie front silk dress would be perfect for New Year's. It's available in sea blue or dark green ( chili or coral here ), and has been reduced to $49.90 from $198. The Lily flora dress with sash ($37.90 from $128) would keep his eyes on you at dinner.