And this has been your random post for the evening.

Where did the saying "Just suck it up" come from? Just what are we all sucking?

As in:

Sample person A: I'm so stressed out lately. Work has been so rough.

Sample Respondent B: Suck it up, buttercup.

When life gets tough or complicated, somehow, apparently 'sucking' will fix it. What are we sucking on? Narcotic, mind bending drugs? Various body parts?

This has been your random, non fashion-related post for the evening. Your regular, retail-therapy related programming will now resume. Thank you.

I want to live in....

NOT a yellow submarine, but rather, BCBG's lucious, lemon silk halter dress. A few weeks ago I spotted this dress on a girl as she flounced past, and I've been wondering where she got it ever since. I now have my answer, if not actually the funds, as to how to procure this little number.

I will NOT BUY this dress because I will NOT pay $200 odd dollars for a dress that is actually more like a long, backless shirt that will barely cover my body and that I can probably only wear once.

I love this dress. Sigh.

BCBG Halter Cocktail Dress, available at EdressMe New York.

*Photo courtesy of EDressMe New York

Shine on

I'm not usually a fan of Arden B., so imaging my surprise when I spotted the above-pictured, adorable tunic on their site.

'Hammered Sequin Tunic', available at Arden B.


*Photo courtesy of Arden B.

Hot, and charitable to boot

Love this Red Carter bikini! Plus, for each piece of the suit sold (top & bottom sold separately), $8 of the proceeds are donated to Charity Water, an organization that helps build fresh water wells in Africa.

Red Carter 'Charity Water' bikini, available at Shopbop.


*Photo courtesy of Shopbop

Romping about

Rompers. Love them. Hate them. Either way, they've been a huge part of womenswear for seasons now.

With so many undeniably cute spins on the romper being cranked out almost daily by a phalanx of designers, even I, previously a Romper Naysayer, may now be succumbing to the siren call of Romper-dom.

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent 'Cascade' cardigan and strapless jumpsuit, both available at Saks.

*Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.

A rose by any other name

Loving this rose silk 'Zimba' wrap dress by Edun.

Despite the very lingerie feel of the dress, and the simplicity of its design, it still manages to come off as totally polished and elegant. I'm obsessed with anything that's streamlined and understated in its design, as well as sexy and sophisticated. Besides, who in their right mind can resist silk?

Edun 'Zimba' silk wrap dress, at Shopbop.


*Photo courtesy of Shopbop

Ruffled feathers

Despite the fact that I usually shun clothing with too may frills and furbelows (a petite woman's enemy!) I have to admit to an unnatural love of ruffles.

I love how delicately pretty they are, and decked out in a ruffled cami, floating amidst wisps of chiffon, I feel ready to handle even the fiercest New York summer days. Diane von Fursternberg's 'Corsi' top, pictured above, is a great example of ruffled gorgeousness.

Available at Nordstrom's.

*Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

What a web we weave...

when first shopaholics learn to deceive...their wallets, that is!

Usually, I'm not a huge fan of Kate Spade -- though classic, long lasting and well made, her wares tend to be just a bit too 'Prepster fresh from the Hamptons' for my taste. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that the lovely and unusual 'Keswick Caining' ring was a Kate Spade-spawned bauble.

Keswick Caining ring, available at Nordstrom.

Photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Hawkin' it!

A sweet summer frock by Jovovitch-Hawk at a shockingly sweet price -- only $69! Available at The Outnet.

Photo courtesy of the Outnet