I decided that I’m not waiting any longer to wear some of my spring/summer dresses. I’m ready to wear color.

I just love this dress. I got it at Cato two years ago. I like wearing red. I had my picture take in it  last year for the YWCA Women of Distinction photo shoot (I’m a 2010 WOD honoree so it brings good memories.)  I accessorized it with everything red too. My shrug came from Torrid, my shoes are Isaac Mizrahi for Target and jewelry from various shops.

I’m also wearing a tiny pin on my sweater that reflects that I am part of a specific organization. It’s the reason I decided to dress up today.

I’m attending the Riverbend Rotaty mixer tonight at Mac’s Time Out Lounge in Alton. If you don’t know about rotary, let me tell you.  It’s all about “service above self.”

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization. It got its start in Chicago in1905.

The  purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Today there are more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians work locally, regionally and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the the organization’s motto – Service Above Self.

It’s only been in the past 30 years that women have been allowed to become Rotarians. In 1976, a California club admitted three women, however the RI revoked the club’s charter. The club took RI to court and in 1987, the United States Supreme Court agreed with a lower court’s  decision that that the ban of women was discriminatory. Soon after Rotary removed the ban and clubs around the world allowed women to join as members.

The first female club president to be elected was Silvia Whitlock of the Rotary Club of Duarte, California in 1987. She’s from the club that brought the suit that ended the practice of banning women.

However, RI got to the point of allowing women to join I’m thankful. It’s been nearly a year since I joined the Riverbend Rotary, which is the area’s newest club, and our  first president happens to be a female -Angela Braida- Adams.  I am and will forever be a charter member of Riverbend Rotary. What I’m most looking forward to this year is attending the International Convention in New Orleans in May. (Bill Gates is speaking.)

The convention is the first International one to be held since Hurricane Katrina and the last one Rotary will host in the United States for at least five years.

I’ve been to New Orleans. Actually I was there the spring the same year that Katrina struck. I’ve not been back to see the city since and I’m looking forward to returning to the southern city.

I enjoy Rotary. I enjoy helping others and volunteering my time in a variety of areas. Through the years I’ve donated my time to helping others. During the past year Riverbend Rotary has worked toward raising funds – sold pies at Alton Farmer’s Market, sold salsa, held a trivia night and etc. – so that it can create scholarships as well as help out local non-profit organizations.

If interested in becoming a member, feel free to visit our weekly meeting a noon on Thursdays at Mac’s. Also, visit Rotary International for more information or to find a club near you.

So why do I volunteer? I feel good about giving back to the community and really volunteerism is never out of fashion. There are hundreds of organizations that can use help and you can find something to volunteer your time that suits your  lifestyle as well. For the fourth year in a row I will be volunteering at Community Hope Center’s Reflection of Style Fashion Show. It’s about helping out, but doing so in an environment I know I will have fun.

Do you volunteer your time? What organizations do you help out?

Yesterday I got a new Chico’s catalog in the mail. The colors in it inspired my outfit for today.

Many of the items featured were in blue with moroccan, batik and Ikat prints. So here’s what I pulled out of my closet.

I purchased this INC International Concepts top two years ago at Macy’s. I’ve always loved the colors in it as well as the batik inspired pattern. I paired it with a black skirt I bought on clearance from Target and my recently thrifted Coach wedges (To chilly for open toes today.)  I accessorized with a belt and jewelry, including a necklace I bought at the A.B.O.B. garage sale last week.  I paid .50 cents for it. (I got other goodies too and will be showing you soon.)

I love this color combo. I especially like this top because I was wearing it when met John Waite (The Baby’s) for my 40th birthday.

I’ve said before I get inspiration from many places. Catalogs are great place to look for style ideas. Of course the purpose is to purchase something, but if you’re unable to go to that specific store, why not look in your own closet or venture to a thrift store. You can find looks for less nearly everywhere. The key is being patient if you’re searching for something specific and trying to save money.

Some of my favorites include Chico’s, Lane Bryant and Spiegal.

Have you ever put together a look for less? If so, what was it and what was the original that inspired it?

I’ve said before that I like prints. I don’t know what it is, but I like variety in colors of most patterns is what is inspiring to me.

No. 1 — I paired my paisley and floral skirt with a orange Michael Kors top I picked up on clearance earlier this year. Although it was a bit chilly outside I went ahead and wore a pair of peep-toe wedges. I accessorized with my $1 denim jacket and jewelry.

No. 2 — I got this dress years ago. It’s a faux wrap and I’ve always like it. I usually wear a tank under it, simply because I don’t want to show that much of “the girls” especially at the office. I wore my Dana Buchman boots (it’s the only pair I kept out when I changed over my closet from winter to spring)

This season expect to see women wearing lots of floral splashes, animal prints and geometric shapes. Wearing prints is not always easy. There are rules and although every now and then they are made to be broken here are a few tried and true tips:

Always stick to one printed garment at any one time and keep the rest of your outfit plain. Feel free to go as gaudy and bold as you like, so long as you temper it with a block of color.

Make sure when wearing prints that they fit properly. An oversized garment with an oversized print can come off looking like a pillowcase and really is that what you want?

When wearing floral remember to pick something with flowers that are no larger than your hand span.  The smaller the print, the smaller the frame appears to the untrained eye.

So what type of print do you like to wear?

So it’s snowing and cold outside and it doesn’t exactly feel like spring, but you know what does ? Garage sales.

Yes, that’s right and starting tonight from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders will open the doors of The Commons at Alton High School  for a preview of their garage sale that is taking place from 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow (March 26.) For an admission of $5  you can come see what goodies are for sale tonight (an buy them too) while supporting a good cause. Tomorrow’s admission  is $1.

For the past three years I’ve helped with this fundraiser and I know that everyone’s donations go for a good cause.  There are many great bargains and during the past several years I’ve been able to get a few.

Last year I purchased a nice crystal dish for a $1 and I use it to store some of my jewelry.

I’m looking forward to tonight.  Not only will I be working , but I will also be on the lookout for something good. I hope to see some of you there.

Well it may be spring, but with the drop in the temperature it feels more like fall. I was hoping to wear something a little lighter and well fitting for warmer weather, however I picked out something with some color yet will still keep me warm.

I don’t even know where I got this cardigan. I think I picked it up when Value City was still in town. I like it because it’s got a unique crocodile pattern with some color. I paired it with off-white pants and black satin top. I wore some fun Dana Buchman from Kohl’s animal print shoes and once again topped off the outfit with jewelry, including my $1.99 yellow flower I got this past weekend. ( I blogged on it yesterday.)

I didn’t really have any inspiration today. Just that I wanted a little color and to keep warm. Instinct I guess – animal instinct if you count what type of clothes I’ve got on. (cardigan and shoes)

Sometimes it really doesn’t matter what I wear, all I know is that is if I feel good once I put it on then I’m good to go. There are day though that I meticulously plan an outfit. All women do, especially if its a special occasion.

Are you one who plans your outfits? If so how long does it take you? Or do you open the closet and your ‘ready to wear’ the first thing that’s there?

Florals aren’t exactly groundbreaking for spring, but warmer weather calls for them — actually it screams out “wear me please!” Here is my floral pick for the day.

I got this top up at Macy’s several years ago on clearance. I like that is has four different colors of flowers with a black background. It goes nicely with my black walking shorts and hot pink cardigan that I thrifted  for $3 at GW. I know black isn’t exactly a spring color, but to soften my look I added my long pearls and a floral pin I purchased last weekend at Women’s Closet Exchange for $19. I just love the detailing in it too.

I really do like wearing floral pins. There is something feminine and romantic about them. The pearls remind me of Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn too.

Here are two more I purchased from Hancock Fabrics for $1.99 a piece.

I think you can soften any look with accessories. Really it’s all in the details.

What look do you like for spring? Florals, pastels or pops of bright color?

It’s a jungle out there and sometimes, well you got to dress the part. Today’s look in inspired by the Style Sense article in the April issue of  flaire for women.

I’m wearing a skirt that my friend Jamie gave me. I paired it with a satin top and purple, short-sleeve jacket safari style jacket. I accessorized with a brown belt,  animal print scarf, Jewels by Park Lane necklace with animal print and my Staxx ring, which has the same theme. I purchased my peep-toe pumps last fall at Cato for $2.99. It’s the first time I’ve worn them too.

The outerwear look is a wildcat print Cassin New York trench. I got it from my friend Rhee’s mother, who happened to be giving away some clothes. I had never heard of the designer until then, but she mainly designs outerwear, mostly furs, accessories. Until I checked out this designer I had no clue as to how much the collection was worth.  Let’s say it’s probably the most expensive coat I will ever own.  I appreciate Rhee’s mother for the gifting such nice clothing. (I also got a Coldwater Creek skirt I’ve worn as well.)

What do you think of this “city safari” look? If you’re venturing out into the urban jungle is it something you would wear?

So last week I told you about a resale shop in St. Louis I planned to go to over the weekend. Well I did and let me tell I will more than likely return at some point.

The Women’s Closet Exhange is an upscale resale shop on Gravois Road. From the moment I walked in I was impressed by what I saw. I spent about 20 minutes at the store and walked out with a pair of nearly brand new leather Coach wedges for $34.50 (they retail for $198) There was actually a sale going on so I got them for half-off the shop’s marked price. I also purchased a nice floral pin that I plan on wearing with some of my pearls.

If I had paid in cash I would have got a 5 percent discount. I know now for next time.

The store as well as another one, Back on the Rack, had a lot of nice things. I wish my foot had been a little bit smaller and I might have been seen walking around in a pair of Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choos or Christian Loubitans. For every girl who aspires to own something tres chic, these shops offer that at only a fraction of the cost.

Here’s my look today and of course I’m wearing my new shoes.

I was inspired a recent page in a Marie Claire magazine. Everything came directly off a hanger in my closet (minus the shoes of course.)

OK, So I promised I would make a list of places I like to go. Here it is and although this may not be all the places they are the ones I like visiting most.

Illinois:

Caravan Oasis, 112 E. Broadway, Alton

Riverbend Resale, 41 E. Ferguson, Wood River

Salvation Army in Granite City

Goodwill in Alton. Wood River, Granite City and Glen Carbon

Missouri:

Salvation Army, 3949 Forest Park Blvd., St. Louis

Society of St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store, 4127 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis

Goodwill, 4140 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis

Clubhouse Shop, 4245 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis

Scholarshop, 8211 Clayton Road, St. Louis (there are two locations and this one is directly across the street from the Galleria. The other is at 7930 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves)

Women’s Closet Exchange, 11575 Gravois, St. Louis

Clique, 11551 Gravois Road, St. Louis

Back on the Rack, 2535 Brentwood Blvd, St. Louis

While I was waiting to check out an Women’s Closet Exchange I spotted a flier announcing a spring resale bus tour. The event, which will be between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  May 14  ($39) and start’s and the WCE, allows guests to climb aboard a bus and tour the “hottest resale shops in St. Louis.” It includes VIP discounts as well as lunch.  For more information contact dford@theshoppingcompany.net.

How cool, right? For all of you who would want to do a tour of some of the best in “upscale” resale. If you’re like me then you probably get a thrill in thrifting. I know some of you out there may not like second-hand items, but as for me it’s within my budget and I usually find some great high-end pieces that I normally wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

If the maxi dress had to be put into three words I would be these three “f’s”: flirty, flowing and floor length. I don’t know why I enjoy wearing one, but there is something ultimately feminine about it.

This week as I was putting together the Style Sense page for flaire for Women when I came across several looks that will be showcased in the May issue.  It also go me wanting to wear mine.

I picked this dress up last winter off the clearance rack at Fashion Bug for $10. I decided that it’s not warm enough to go sleeveless, so I paired my cropped denim jacket and boots. (Until the first day of spring I typically don’t go open-toed during the day.) I accessorized with some silver and black.

The word “maxi” in my in my opinion is an abbreviation for “maximum” comfort and cover. A maxi dress can work well in so many ways, depending on where you wear it. The dress can also be tricky to wear so here are a few tips:

* Make sure to find a dress that is more fitted around the chest area or an empire waist to at least give  your body some shape.

*If you’ve got some hips and stomach don’t pick a dress that’s too voluminous or has too much fabric because that will add to the “tent” factor.

*If you’re lacking in the height department make sure to find a dress that isn’t too long, fix your hemlines so you don’t lose any more inches from your petite stature.

* Don’t match this long flowing dress with an oversized coat or long sweater, instead opt for a cropped bolero or fitted cardigan to prevent yourself from looking too grungy.

If you’ve got a dress like this, remember to have fun with it. I consider this look to be resort wear and relaxing and it always puts me into the right frame of mind. What do you think? Do you have a maxi dress? If not would you consider one now?

I’m generally not the sort of person who dresses up for specific holidays, but perhaps because I like green, I think wearing a little something for St. Patrick’s Day is good fun.

I purchased this peasant top back in January at GW for $3. Everything else I own, including my large earrings and shamrock pin  (gifted to me by my son when he was 5 years old.)

Did you forget to wear green today? If so don’t be surprised if you get pinched. All in fun of course.

The tradition, which is strictly American, started in the early1700s.  St. Patrick’s revelers thought wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone they could see (anyone not wearing green). People began pinching those who didn’t wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch green-abstainers.

Others believe by wearing green you are paying tribute to the Emerald Isle.

So did you wear green today?