8/25-8/28 Steve-O at Stand Up Live
Comedian Steve-O’s “The Entirely Too Much Information Tour” is coming to Stand Up Live Comedy Theater at CityScape in Downtown Phoenix August 25-28, 2011.

Like most anything in the commercial wedding industry, bridal shoes are really really ugly. I mean, ugly. I was at David’s Bridal not long ago for a bridesmaid dress fitting and the associate proceeded to bring out the most hideous pair of…DYEABLES as a suggestion for us. Are these really still in existence? Do women actually buy these? Apparently so.

We of course kindly told the associate that they were the ugliest things we ever saw no thank you, and that we could find our own black platform pumps that were much more “2011″.

I am not a DIY gal or getting married but if you are, I’ve found some awesome tutorials around the web from some pretty crafty fashion bloggers to some (actually) cute wedding day shoes! Especially if you’re thinking it’s your “something blue”.

Something blue!

Green Wedding Shoes has the perfect solution if you’re looking for something feminine, and something blue.

Fun and sparkly!

Put some sparkle in your step with this DIY tutorial from The Glitter Guide.

A little couture is always a "do"

Perhaps what you really wanted is something more couture? These bow heels from French designer Alexis Mabille are lovely. It’s a Jamie Thing shows you how to make a similar pair yourself.

Ruffled and blue!

Love Maegan has an awesome tutorial on how to DIY some ruffles on heels and sandals too.

Perk up your flats!

If you’re planning on wearing flats, Ruffled Blog has the perfect tutorial on how to jazz them up.

Blue for your soles!

The complete kit

Finally, 16-year-old Tara Haughton has been getting a lot of press lately for her genius sole stickers. Mainly because people are using them to make Christian Louboutin knockoffs. But you’ll actually find tons of pretty colors and designs on her Rosso Solini website, perfect for adding “something blue” to the bottom of your soles or incorporating a fun design or wedding color to your shoes.

Have you ever DIY’ed your own wedding shoes before?

For more bridal bliss, check out my Behind the Veil bridal video series and Wedding Wednesdays. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, too!

Thus far, our Shops that Sizzle have included three budget-friendly fashion hubs: Pitaya, Divaz Boutique and Francesca’s Collections. This week’s featured Shop that Sizzles is one of my upscale favorites-Ruby Boutique.

Ruby Boutique was formerly at DC Ranch; now it calls the Shops at Kierland Commons home. You’ll find tons of cute, contemporary lines like  Tibi, Poleci, Alice & Olivia and Milly. Plus, the staff is super-friendly; don’t be surprised if you’re offered a glass of wine while shopping for a new party dress.

The Kierland Commons store features two floors of cute tops, dresses, skirts and more. And the owner, Lisa, definitely knows how to buy for her shoppers; you won’t find fabulous-yet-totally-not-practical fashion items here. Instead, you’ll encounter tons of wearable pieces that are fantastic and perfect for our desert lifestyle and weather.

Here’s a peek at their selection.

Perfect for a day at the pool or shopping

Everyone loves a classic maxi

The LWD-a sexy summer staple

Ruby Boutique- 480.538.7817

For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter.

Everyone loves to hate Kim Kardashian. Or maybe it’s just me?

Too much makeup. Too self-involved. And is her ass really real? I’ve seen it in real life, it’s of unnatural proportions. Kind of like the engagement ring…

The $2 million Nugget

But the big wedding is tomorrow and what kind of self-respecting fashion blogger would I be if I didn’t pretend to care about what she’s going to wear? Because of course I want to see the dress! Who doesn’t!? She who just loves to be the center of attention, who has already planned some over-the-top shenanigans and has been seen in and out of Vera Wang lately. Oh yes, I wanna know what she’s wearing.

I hear though that on the invites, all guests were instructed to wear either black or white. So could the future Mrs. Humphries have a non-traditional wedding gown planned? Maybe a shocking red to stand out from the crowd or a soft pink a la Reese Witherspoon?

Here’s a few non-traditional wedding dresses to get your wheels spinning.

Maybe she'll be trying on something red?

a veil makes this look much more bridal

Pretty in pink

I’m not completely convinced.

The bridesmaids dresses are supposedly green. Which would look awful next to red, pink or blue. Perhaps a mixed-color dress is on the agenda?

Something black and white would fit her theme

Maybe something classic with modern touches

What do you think? Will she go for something non-traditional? Would you try something different or keep things classic in an all-white dress?

For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter. 

My friends on Twitter are already complaining that at just 9am, it’s 103 degrees.

Yeah, it sucks. Fall fashion should be far from the mind. But in my very air-conditioned office stacked with fall fashion magazines, it isn’t. And if you’re also daydreaming of cooler days full of tights and leggings, have already stocked up on bright bold pants and glued your guide to transitioning to fall fashion to the fridge, you can certainly add another fall fashion trend to the “buy now” list: sheer.

How much more brilliant could this trend be? With a heat advisory out, of course I want to be in something breathable and sheer. Alexander Wang, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Christian Dior and more designers just loved draping models in see-through fabrics.

For real-life wear, I’d absolutely recommend layering a plain tank underneath (visible nipples only work on the runway, after all.) Here’s some looks that are wearable and totally cute.

Embellished

 

Valentino makes it classy with a tank and black skirt

Toughen up the sheer with a patent leather skirt

Wear now with shorts. Come fall, try jeans or a black skirt

Chic and stylish for a night out

What do you think? Will you be wearing anything sheer this fall or trying the trend early this season?

For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter.

Images:net-a-porter

Hopefully, you’ve been following the Shops that Sizzles series where each Monday (today it’s Tuesday) an awesome shop you can find in the Valley is featured. If you’ve already checked out our previous winners (Divaz and Pitaya) you’ll also love this budget-friendly find: Francesca’s Collections.

You can actually find several Francesca’s Collections throughout the country, including 8 locations in Arizona. So while it isn’t a purely “local” boutique, it doesn’t have that “everyone-is-going-to-be-wearing-this” vibe shops like Forever 21 have. Instead, you’ll find cheap-chic fashions including cute dresses and tops under $60; jewelry; accessories and though I’ve never purchased a pair, shoes too.

Their pretty headbands and miscellaneous trinkets are reminscent of funky finds you’d see at Urban Outfitters. But it’s their dresses and blouses at super reasonable prices that have me coming back for more.

Blue ruffled dress-$44

Borderline lace skirt-$38

Heirloom blouse-$44

Flight of Fancy blouse-$38

Got a shop that should be featured as a Shop that Sizzles? Contact me or leave a comment below!

For constant style and beauty chatter, “like” me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. 

In case you missed my post on 5 wardrobe essentials for desert living, here’s the TV segment I did live for ABC 15′s Sonoran Living.

For constant style and beauty chatter, follow me on Twitter.

I’ve seen this topic floating about lately. I wasn’t planning on going there. But a recent pitch I received where the term “real” was quoted over and over again kind of drove me to the brink.

To be as clear and upfront as I can right away, let me just say that I have nothing against plus-size fashion. I also have nothing against “smaller” or “mainstream” fashion. I just like fashion. Everyone has different bodies. Can’t that just be it?

Instead, the press, the media, the publicists, and even some bloggers adore referring to plus-size women as “real” women’s bodies. Or curvy. Or insert whatever adjective you prefer here. And then proceed to put down thinner models with what I like to call wood adjectives: “stick-skinny”, “pencil-thin”, “twig.”  I know because these “wood adjectives” were hurled at me often when I was in Jr. High. And it sure wasn’t meant as a compliment. Nor did it feel very nice.

Of course there’s always the kicker, most-oft used as of late toward skinny women: “She doesn’t have a ‘real’ woman’s body.”

Why not? Some women are just SMALL. Some women WISH they had curves. Calling someone “unreal” or less of a woman because she is NATURALLY a size two or smaller is just not very nice. And offensive. And it isn’t any different than alienating plus-size women.

This is a totally a two-way street by the way. Just as many “smaller” women are telling others to lose weight. But seriously, what’s up with the girl-on-girl hate? Men sure don’t seem to have this problem.

Sure, there are women out there who have eating disorders. In both directions. But attacking each other isn’t going to help the situation. Nor is waging a war on which is better. People’s bodies are just different. Let it just be that.

I fear I’m going to have to edit this post about 100 million times before hitting publish. But the excessive use of a “real” women’s body throughout this pitch just put me over the edge.

You’re beautiful. Go ahead, say it.

That’s all.