The LRD - little red dress is as famous as the LBD and holds its own in terms of fashion longevity and iconic style. But unlike its counterpart the little black dress, there's nothing little about a bright red dress. Its vibrant color makes it BIG however little the dress may be! It's the epitome of the saying "Go big or go home" or should we say, "Go red or go home", or simply the red LBD - Little Big Dress!

This is a Zara dress from a couple of seasons ago. A fabulous purchase in terms of style and versatility. I've worn it to my own birthday dinner, summer lunch dates, holiday parties and now for Valentine’s day celebrations. 

A leather jacket tones down the gown element this tiered maxi dress aspires to and gives it an edgy vibe for a fun date night on a cooler evening. It also covers up the predominantly bare back which is only good during the warmer months, so along with red boots this is how I winterize the dress.

Given that it's Valentine's day the addition of a sparkly slim belt and waterfall diamante earrings create the celebratory theme, but sparkle doesn't have to be limited to celebrations!  And since I'm already wearing two iconic fashion pieces, the red dress and leather moto jacket, why not make it a trifecta and add some leopard print by way of this Jimmy Choo clutch, which I was fortunate to purchase in perfect pre-loved condition from Ebay several years ago.

The dress is designed for summer, but it doesn't have to be pigeonholed there. It has an open back to the waist and a long satin tie to fasten the back of the halter neck. It has an elasticated waist and pockets, woohoo to both of those features! The loose flowy design is comfortable and very feminine.

Although it comes with its own (same fabric) sash tie belt, it's removable allowing multiple looks by simply changing up the belt.  A woven wide belt is a lovely way to wear the dress in the warmer months with wedge sandals, or change the shoes to chunky sneakers for a more informal street style.

Other ways I'm looking forward to wearing it is with a denim jacket and flat strappy leather sandals. Also, with a blazer - leopard print, or a solid color worn open with the belt visible on the dress or closed and the blazer belted! 

Here is how I wore it for a dinner date last spring, simple and un-fussy:

A backless dress doesn't bode well for wearing a bra, so if you're self-conscious about that (which I used to be) there are all kinds of booby gadgets for this very purpose. A good store like Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom has a wide range of choices from self-adhesive nipple petals to self-attaching booby blobs that look more like silicone implants than something to be worn outside the bosom! If you live in a hot climate like the desert, I don't recommend the latter as they encourage perspiration and will slither right off creating a way more self-conscious situation than freelance boobies could ever hope to achieve! 

This dress is no longer available however I've found a few other styles in various price ranges linked below.

So whether you choose to wear red or pink or stick to whatever is your favorite go-to, I hope you will enjoy celebrating your loved ones and being loved on this romantic day. 
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The only thing better than a loved one... is a loved one who brings chocolate!
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​Happy Valentine's Day!
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There are affiliate links in this post which means I may receive a small percentage of sales made.  This does not affect the price you pay. 

As popular as they are, wearing leggings for non-sporting activities seems wrong in my style book.  However faux-leather leggings have received a tremendous amount of publicity this winter and fashionistas everywhere are not prepared to give up their seemingly essential trend of choice for that carefree effortless look that also boasts a svelte silhouette

The availability of realistic high-quality faux leather fabric has enabled the fashion industry to expand the repertoire of luxe goods without the guilt. Likewise, consumers can purchase with less restraint due to more choices, generally easier on the purse strings and of course the feel good factor - no animals were hurt in the making of these pants! 

Society has progressed toward a vegan (not just for food) trend for many years with influence from designers like Stella McCartney. Still producing her coveted vegan leather handbags and still charging a whopping $$$$ in most cases. Never judge a bag by it's cover! ​
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By expanding on some old classics even those dating back to the Victorian era and beyond, current trends have been playing on the versatility of sleeves. Everything from exaggerated shapes in sheer organza to over-sized balloon sleeves creating bold silhouettes and contemporary designs. It's fashion at its best and totally fun for any midlife woman to partake in, especially those concerned about crepe skin and bingo wings, it's a fabulous camouflage and looks totally on fleek! 

As a fashionista with a weakness for a cute trending handbag, it can be a costly endeavor and let's be honest, not all trends are here to stay or are worthy of a lofty price tag. If it takes three lifetimes to achieve a reasonable cost-per-wear then it's one I'll skip... NEXT!

However, this trend started floating about last year and all kinds of beaded bags have continued and still are a huge hit. But there is one that all others aspire to be and according to "Who What Wear", the one that wears the crown is the Antonia Faux Pearl bag by Shrimps.

Cargo pants may not be everybody's cup of tea, but relaxed wear clothes are becoming the norm and from a style perspective they're a step up from yoga pants... in many ways! This utilitarian, wardrobe workaholic can camouflage a myriad of midlife misfortunes! Even if a cargo or jogger pant isn't your style, there are a zillion twists on the classic version that likely will convert even the most steadfast objector not to mention there being oodles of ways to style them!  

This season sees a revival of longer length shorts. Fashioned after the classic Bermuda shorts, they're more refined (with the exception of their denim counterparts) made with more modish fabrics and cut with a slimmer fit throughout.  As such they're known as tailored or city shorts. 

Zara can be an overwhelming store. It's big and bright (except for the changing rooms) and there's a lot to take in from clothes and accessories at eye level to shoes and bags at ground level and tables of flat lay clothes in between!

Tennis players and golfers are bound to own a skort or two, that ingenious invention of a miniskirt with a built-in pair of shorts underneath. Undoubtedly, ruffled miniskirts minus the risk of over exposure was a tempting draw to the game of tennis for me! 

The skort is equally as practical off the court or the fairway! When it comes to bending over, a gust of wind, getting in and out of cars, the color of your panties will remain your secret! 

In the never-ending struggle of wardrobe maintenance, ensuring a perfect outfit for every occasion from walking the dog in monsoon rains, attending a fashion show on a balmy spring evening and battling the furnace that is Arizona in the middle of an August day… let’s just say I have my work cut out.
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Not only can this be a costly endeavor but an overcrowded one, and with neither a pile of money or a spacious closet, strategic measures must be taken.

While the fad for easy-care clothing continues, I was recently intrigued by a new offering from a well-known retailer, Chico’s – a white cotton shirt that repels stains, specifically red wine. The brands marketing targets midlife women, which might suggest we are clumsier than our younger counterparts, or perhaps we drink too much resulting in a few tipsy spills? 

When style and functionality come together in the form of a trench coat, it's a modern-day fashion fairy-tale! Inevitably such pieces have been around for donkeys’ years and for good reason - everybody loves a fairy-tale!  In the ever-fast-moving fashion industry, when something is here for the long haul it's generally worth the investment.

Say hello to my "little" friend... the mini trench coat. In short (pun intended), the fresh and updated version of the classic trench coat, this year's spring must-have, and undoubtedly many more springs to come! And, if you’re old enough to remember the trench coat’s predecessor, you’re welcome to call it a mini mac! 

Kimonos are a blessing to the fashion world. Their ability to add the finishing touch to an otherwise plain outfit is like the icing on the cake! They bring color, drama, texture, movement, an utterly feminine statement and the ultimate top layer of forgiveness to whatever may be going on underneath... like food babies! 

Just because you don't get to wear white trousers everyday doesn't mean you don't need a pair. In fact, white pants score high when it comes to evening functions and special occasions giving your look more panache than the common alternative, black pants! They also make the perfect dressy look for day or evening, just tweak how you style them, and you've got versatility nailed. 

Would you wear a hat that originated in the 17th century worn by peasants in southern France? How about a hat worn by revolutionary activists or military forces across the globe?  If your answer is yes to any or all the above, you are clearly a fashionista with an eye for style!