Reader Question - San Diego Vacation Outfits

I love LOVE LOVE your sense of style, and love that you are a beautiful, confident woman.
I am going to San Diego with my boyfriend in July. I'm a Midwest girl born and bred, and have NO idea how to dress for both San Diego weather and style. I'm a bigger girl, and I'm a bit intimidated and insecure about wearing shorts, or really anything more than 1-2 inches above the knee. I need to find a cute bathing suit for a larger busty girl, as well as some things that can transition from day to night. I would appreciate any finds you have, since I sometimes fail at shopping.
-Amanda

Thanks so much, Amanda - I never get tired of love like this from readers. A trip to San Diego sounds wonderful!! The weather there is notorious for being gorgeous with its temps in the 70s and sun.

I pulled together an assortment of outfits that will fit right in the Californian Casual style and also some of the items are used in a couple of different looks (which is important when you are cramming everything you need in a suitcase).

Here is a look that uses the same dress for a day and night look:

San Diego Look 1 by dddgirl79 featuring Old Navy t shirts

During the day wear the dress as a skirt with the tee and accessorize with colorful sandals and a summer weight scarf. At night loose the tee, wear it as a dress, pair it with a lightweight cardi and fun necklace and sandals.

San Diego Looks Set 2 by dddgirl79 featuring Old Navy

Add some color to a black/white shirt and skirt combo with the cardi you wore over the dress and a pair of fun flats. Also, add another pop of color to a simple top and cropped pants with the same yellow flats.

San Diego Looks - Set 3 by dddgirl79 featuring Old Navy

With all of the great swimsuit cover-ups out there it can easily double as a breezy tunic to pair with white jeans for a look that could be worn out for a day of sight-seeing, dinner and more.

Underwive/Plus Swimwear by dddgirl79 on Polyvore.com

As for the need for a swimsuit for a "larger busty girl" I pulled together an assortment of ones with underwire which are needed to give "the girls" some support.

I hope this helps. Have a fabulous time, Amanda!

For shopping details, click through any of the sets for product information and prices. Sets feature items form Target, Old Navy, Forever 21, Affordable Scarves, Fig Leaves, Amazon, Payless, Woman Within.

June Outfit Inspiration Calendar

Not sure what to wear this month? Get some inspiration from the calendar below! To read more about the Outfit Inspiration Calendar or check out past months - click here.

Tuesday, 6/1 - Patterned Skirt :
Wednesday, 6/2 - Combo: Purple & Polka Dots ^
Thursday, 6/3 - Shirt Dress *
Friday, 6/4 - Summer Jacket w/ Patterned Top *
Saturday, 6/5 - Belted White Top w/ Shorts

Monday, 6/7 - Wear Bright Shoes to Match Your Outfit + (as modeled by Tina of T Minus T Plus)
Tuesday, 6/8 - Classic White & Black ~
Wednesday, 6/9 - Style Combo: Military & Girly
Thursday, 6/10 - Combo: Button Up Shirt & Gray Pants \
Friday, 6/11 - Go Bright in a Maxi Dress {
Saturday, 6/12 - Casual w/ Fun Accessories \

Monday, 6/14 - Floral & Leather Belt Combo ]
Tuesday, 6/15 - Pretty Green and/or Dress *
Wednesday, 6/16 - Color Combo: Yellow & White ]
Thursday, 6/17 - Pattern Mix: Polka Dots & Floral
Friday, 6/18 - Go Tribal ]
Saturday, 6/19 - Printed Top & Shorts )

Monday, 6/21 - Drapey Layer over Dress ~
Tuesday, 6/22 - Purple & Khaki Combo <
Wednesday, 6/23 - Combo: Gray & Gingham
Thursday, 6/24 - Combo: Purple, Floral & White {
Friday, 6/25 - Classic Striped Shirt with Fun Necklaces ]
Saturday, 6/26 - Tunic & Leggings *

Monday, 6/28 - Little Black Dress *
Tuesday, 6/29 - Add a little leopard {
Wednesday, 6/30 - Use a Scarf as a Belt :

Sync up with the Outfit Inspiration Calendar for easy access:

Inspirational Outfit Pictures from (use symbol by outfit description to cross-reference):
Avenue ), Glamour Magazine Online ~, Indianapolis Woman Magazine Online <, J. Crew \, Lane Bryant *, Lucky Magazine Online ^, Plus Model Magazine ], Seventeen Magazine Online , Talbots :, T Minus T Plus +, Torrid {

Just for fun - SATC Windows at Bergdorf Goodman

A couple of weeks ago I read on Twitter (which is quickly becoming my favorite source for "news"!) that Patricia Field designed some SATC-inspired windows at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC. I tweeted that I needed some pictures and Mariel of the great blog, Preppy with a Twist, responded she was on it. A few days later she sent me the fabulous pictures below. Can I just say how much I love having "friends" all over the USA and world?!

The tweet exchange:

The fabulous windows (click to enlarge):











Thanks so much, Mariel, for sending these to me. I wish I was in NYC to see them for myself, but this is the next best thing!

Trend: Clogs + Splurge vs. Steal

I have been reading about Clogs being back in fashion for a while now, and on Thursday WhoWhatWear showcased these celebs sporting them with rolled pants and skirts. I can't really hop on this trend bandwagon yet (I don't think I have the ankles for it). However, come fall with full length jeans I can see adding a pair of clogs to my collection.

image source

All of the clogs that WhoWhatWear showcased were $111-295, but in true FFUF fashion here are a few under $50 (looks like it a great time to buy a pair as they are all on sale). Click through for details.

More Newport News...

Also, don't forget if you are lovin' on Chanel's Clogs you can grab a pair of alice + olivia ones from Payless for a savings of 98%! Heck, you could even go all out and add a couple of sparkly broockes to the a+o pair to complete the look!

Daily Outfit - 05/28/10

Deja Vu? Yep, I am wearing the same shirt that I did last Friday. I thought about a couple of others, but this one just fit the bill so well - colorful, lightweight, didn't require accessories (since I will be wearing a lanyard later on in the day), had cute close-toe flats to match and more.

I am only in the office for a couple of hours this morning and then headed out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Carb Day. What a great kick start to a long weekend!

Super Happy Face - product of not having to work very long today and being on the cusp of a great long weekend!
Yellow Tank - Old Navy, $5 (2009)
Top - QVC, $28 (May 2010)
Cuffed Jeans - Liz Claiborne/Marshalls, $15 (2008)
Shimmer Ballet Flat - Coach, on sale + PCE discount for $60 (May 2010) (not under $50, but pretty darn close considering they were originally $148!)

Free Stuff at Maurices!

Yep, you read that right! Starting now Maurices is giving you a FREE tote bag or sunglasses with every $60 purchase (you can read more details here). The deal is good at stores and online, so get to shopping!

And while you are out, pick this, this or this up for me, 'mkay? Thanks!

Trend: SATC 2 - Clovers

Patrica Field, costume designer for SATC (TV series and both movies) shared that Carrie will be wearing a Clover Necklace in the new SATC 2 Movie. I personally love clovers and have worn a pair of clover inspired earrings almost daily for 2 1/2 years now.

Click through to see an array of clover necklaces, bracelets and charms to add to your wardrobe. Not only will you be in style, but they may bring you good luck too!

Note: The image on the left is from Patricia Field's site (retails for $56-$72) and very similar to the one that Carrie wears in the movie (snapshot from the SATC 2 Trailer below).

Trend: Clovers!

More Lucky Brand...

Carrie in SATC 2:

Sex and the City 2 premiers today - do you have plans to go see it? Have you already watched it?

Lane Bryant Blogger Conference

A week from today I will be attending the first ever Lane Bryant Blogger Conference*. As you all know I am a fan of the retailer and can be seen wearing their items for both work and casually and throughout the seasons. So, when they invited me to be one of 13 attending their blogger conference I had to say yes (I can't wait to meet the other ladies)!

Highlights of my visit to their Columbus, OH Headquarters include new clothes, photoshoot, preview look at their fall and holiday sportswear collections, roundtable discussion with their VP of Marketing, Q&A session and more.

Speaking of the Q&A session, is there anything you want to know about Lane Bryant? Any concerns or praises for the brand? Feel free to leave a comment on this post, use the Kontactr form at the bottom of the page or email me.

I will be tweeting live from the conference, so be sure to follow me @FabKimberly. Also, I will be blogging about the fun over the next couple of weeks.

Here are a few great Lane Bryant looks available now:

Press Release about the Blogger Conference

*Being a good blogger, I must disclose per the FTC regs that Lane Bryant is providing my travel accommodations and more in correlation to attending this conference. I will be reminding you of this in future posts also. :-)

Daily Outfit - 05/27/10

I was sorting through some stuff last night when I came across this top. I love this top and have since the day I bought it. It has such a great mix of colors and patterns. I decided to do a bit of simple pattern mixing by adding a pair of pinstripe pants. Final touches included adding this bright necklace and criss-crossing the shirt's ties in front which help keep the open front cardi in place, plus keep me from having a random lump under my sweater from the bow I would have tied with them.

White Cardi - Lane Bryant, w/ coupon for $30 (May 2010)
Top - Nicole by Nicole Miller/JC Penney, on clearance for $16 I think (2008)
Pinstripe Linen Pants - Lane Bryant, w/ coupon for $40 (May 2010)
Necklace - JC Penney, on sale for $13 (May 2010
Taupe Wedges - Target, $25 (April 2010)

For those of you that have inquired about the countdown to the Lane Bryant Blogger Conference at the top of the page, I am planning to post all about it later today so you will be in the know.

Reader Question - Headed to the Track

This isn't my usual reader question; this one comes from a good buddy/co-worker (she does happen to be a reader though) who was asking what to wear this Friday to Carb Day. For those of you that aren't familiar with the Indy 500 or racing, Carb Day (short for Carburetion Day) is a day to go out to the Track, hang out, drink, and maybe see a car or two (okay, info on the real purpose of the day is here). It is a big day for companies to have sponsored suites that they invite clients out to also, and this Friday a couple of co-workers and myself are headed out the track for the day.

The weather is supposed to be 80 and sunny (and thankfully less humid), but it always feels warmer out at the track with all of the people around. Plus, to throw an extra quirk into things since we have Garage Passes we need to wear cropped or full length pants and closed-toe shoes (or else no access to the Garages for us).

So, here are a couple of ideas for Jess who is planning to run to Old Navy this evening and grab a couple of things. Every outfit is fairly simple (which goes along with her style), but does have some good color and a bit of pattern.

Left Outfit - May be basic white and denim but the fun, lightweight scarf and yellow flats keep the look from being boring.

Middle Outfit - The crochet trim on the bottom of the tee adds some interest while keeping things cool and the floral flats are the perfect thing to pull the top and bottoms together.

Right Outfit - This basic polo is jazzed up a bit by using the scarf as a belt and the neutral flats can be used in a multitude of outfits in the future.

Click here for shopping details.

Whatever you wear, Jess, it's going to be a fun day! Can't wait to hang with you and see what we get ourselves into!

To see what I wore last year on Carb Day, click here, and check out the last picture.

Daily Outfit - 05/26/10

Earlier in the week I mentioned in this post that I loved snakeskin, and that is pretty obvious with today's dress. I spied this dress on the Avenue/Jessica London website in March, but it was $90. A couple of days later I came across a promo code for 50% off one item, so I ordered it right up only to find out it was going to be on back order for over 2 months. I decided to wait it out though and it was delivered earlier this week. I'm glad I decided it was worth the wait as it has already received a ton of compliments this morning.

Dress - Jessica London, w/ promo code for $45 (May 2010)
Shrug - Express, $30-ish (so old - 2002/2003)
Black Belt - Mark/Avon, $8 (2007)
Snakeskin Heels - Nine West, $25 (Feb. 2009)
Necklace - ??

Trend: SATC 2 - The Perfect Purse

Again, this isn't a new trend. The girls have been making us drool for years with their collection of colorful and quirky bags (who can forget the Eiffel Tower Bag from SATC 1). I just couldn't resist pulling together an assortment of bright and colorful bag.

Trend - The Perfect Purse (click through for the pretty purses and details)

More New York & Co....

Daily Outfit - 05/25/10

I had a different outfit in mind to wear today, but 2 of the 3 items needed to be ironed and that just wasn't happening. I actually wore this same combo to a Baby Shower on Sunday, but since I only had it on for 3 hours I thought I could get by with wearing it again today since I am planning for a laid-back office kind of day today. Yep, some days you just have to go with what is easiest!

The best part of my outfit today, in my opinion, is my Pour la Victoire Heels. I snagged these babies on clearance at TJ Maxx last Friday for . . . get this . . .$41!! That same day I checked Nordstroms and they were still selling them for $275 (they are now on sale for $163.90). This pretty much confirms my thought - TJ Maxx is AWESOME!

Tank - Old Navy, ?
Maxi Dress - Burlington Coat Factory, $20 (April 2010)
Navy Cardi - Target, $15 (April 2010) - this cardi is great because it is made of slub-knit cotton t-shirt material so it is lightweight and cool
Necklace - Loft, $24 (May 2010) (unfortunately it isn't online so I can't link)
Heels - Pour la Victoire/TJ Maxx, clearance for $41 (May 2010)

I would like to . . .

give a big thank you to Bombshell Beauty for bestowing upon me the

Not only does getting this award make me as happy as a little clam, but I am so thrilled that I get to meet the one and only Bombshell Beauty next week. I will be sharing more about that fun event soon!

I know I should pass this award along, but the thought of picking out just a handful of beautiful bloggers out of the 250+ I read makes me stressed out. :-)

Love: Snakeskin

I'm not going to lie, snakes creep me out . . . but snakeskin makes my heart flutter! I love a good pair of "snakeskin" shoes. Everytime I see a pair in person or in a magazine I just have to stop and stare for a little while, which is exactly what I did when I saw this spread in Seventeen magazine (don't laugh - I have a free digital subscription!).

So I decided to pull together some hot summer snakeskin shoes and as always, they are all under $50! Click to see the pretties and get shopping details!

More BKE...