Agreed. :-)

9 De-cluttering Secrets From Professional Organizers, via @Real_Simple.

Will be making this Caribbean Wrap, minus the onions, this weekend.

Zoe Saldana graces the cover of the innagural issue of Cosmopolitan for Latinas. Beautiful!

Fire hot “Reagan” Cross Band Platform Heel, via @solesociety.

How do you spell delicious? Butterscotch Pot de Creme.

Reason #5,235 why I love Crate & Barrel: this room is my interior design aesthetic, personified. Love them!

Parallel Universes / a Prada project by Vahram Muratyan, via bergdorfgoodman.

The Return of the Jean Jacket and the Best 13 of the Season, via @voguemagazine.

The Case for Style

Once upon a time, I used to think of women who concerned themselves with matters of fashion and style as frivolous. I mean, what right thinking woman is worried about how she looks when she could be thinking much more important thoughts? Nothing like life slapping you in the face to make you realize that fashion and style matter. 

I’ve had what can only be considered a rough year. Between professional, personal, and health issues, it has been a hellish trifecta in these parts. In the midst of these dark moments, my connection to the blogosphere, by way of fashion and style blogs, has been a sanity-saver.

Granted, keeping up with the goings-on in the world of style bloggers hasn’t solved any of the problems I’ve dealt with this year. And certainly, getting dressed up to attend a style blogger event hasn’t automagically made my life better, but it has made me feel better; because when I look good, I feel good. And when I feel good, I have a better outlook on things, I can better problem-solve, I can see the possibilities.

Recently, I made a pilgrimage to my own personal discount fashion mecca, also known as Loehmann’s. I was in search of something fashionable, yet work-appropriate for an upcoming interview. I found and amazing $155 dress by Laundry. After applying all available discounts, including my “Insider’s Club” code, I paid $31.75. $31.75!!!

I walked out of that store confident in the fact that I had just scored an amazing bargain on a dress that looked amazing on me. I later wore that dress to the interview, and have been invited back for the second round. Fingers crossed on the outcome.

So did the dress get me that second interview, or did the way the dress made me feel — confident and beautiful — get me the second interview? I am going with option number two. 

How you present yourself to the world says A LOT about how you are feeling inside. So although I may not always be feeling great about my circumstances, I will be consistently putting my best style foot forward from this point on.

Like the old saying goes, fake it until you make it.

Cake makes everything better: Fresh Plums With Polenta Cake, via @Real_Simple.

How many orange dresses is too many?

Word.

What Your Paint Color Says About You, via @Real_Simple. My love of orange says I am friendly and nurturing.

More proof that being pregnant and being stylish are not mutually exclusive, via @voguemagazine.