We met last night to talk about our upcoming trip to Ireland, and I walked away totally overwhelmed.  I have done nothing to prepare for the 10 days away and I really mean nothing!   I have to find babysitters, and passports, and hotel rooms.  But, of course, what I’m most concerned about right now is my wardrobe.  Is anyone surprised?

Ireland in July is tricky.  The highs most days are in the upper 60′s and lows in the 50′s, and July …

Hi.  My name is Allison.  I am an overwhelmed, under-slept thirtysomething.  During any given day, I work as a wife, mother, counselor, short-order cook, secretary, veterinarian, maid, cab driver, doctor and, on a good day, a fashion stylist.  Given all these facts, let me start over.  Hi.  My name is Allison.  I am an (almost) everyday dress-wearer.

It was three summers ago when I first fell in love with dresses.  I’d never been much of a dress wearer before….the 90′s styles never really …

Seems like life is just more interesting when you have a “mission.”    Sometimes missions are deep and thoughtful like “My mission this week is to love people well.”  Sometimes missions are just plain “trivial” in the big picture of life like “I  will find the perfect shade of coral lipstick!”  My missions this week have been of the trivial kind.  I’m determined to find the perfect white bandeau bra and the perfect pair of bronze/natural wedges.

I don’t know why I haven’t …

Seems like every spring, usually around late April, I start to notice it.   Something just seems off.  I’m following my usual makeup routine, concealer, foundation, blush and so on, but the end result is less than ideal.  This goes on for a few days and then it hits me.  It’s spring.  Gone are the dark days of winter.  Sun is actually shining down on me!   It’s time to put away the old foundation and bust out the new.

The right foundation color and …

In fact, these past few weeks have been all about me.  And I’m tired of hearing me talk about me.  Sooooo, for what it’s worth, here are the before the bottle brown and after the bottle brown pics.  And, I promise next week, it’s all about you.

P.S.  The blonde me was taken by a professional photgrapher…the brunette me was taken by my four year old.  Don’t let the picture quality sway your vote!

If you know me at all, I’m all about honesty.  Just get it out there, say what you’re thinking, let me know what I’m dealing with.  It does no one any good to say the “right” thing.  So, in keeping with my mantra, I must be completely honest with you all.

I went to a friends house to color my hair back to brunette on Monday.  I thought it would be good to have support if my world came tumbling down …

That’s what color my hair will be by the end of the week.  It’s a sad day in our house today, or at least in my corner of it.  I’ve been in denial about this for weeks, but it’s really happening.  Gone are the days of fabulous, salon blonde-bombshell locks; I’m now ushering in the new me in “Recession Brown” out of a box.  Pains me to even type these words.

Naturally, I’m a brunette, but for the past few years …

If I had to sum up the key to high fashion in one word it would be proportion.  The right proportions in an outfit can make it or break it.    Think about two extreme examples (both of which yield terrible results.)  In one case,  you have  the classic oversized, sloppy wardrobe where  XL sweaters and baggy jeans add 20 pounds to a frame.   In the other case,  tight skinny jeans with  XS tanks can make you look…..well, maybe a way you aren’t intending too.  …

Skirts are huge this Spring.  Floral skirts, denim skirts, bubble skirts, tiered skirts they’re  all in.   You’re shorts can take some time off  this Spring while you wear this fun and flirty new look.  Skirts are ultra comfortable and super chic, but, not all are created equally.  Depending on your body type, there are a few rules to know before you head to the register.    Check out the looks below and then read on….

Spring Skirts by ThirtyOne featuring Zac Posen blouses

If you are tall and thin or just plain thin, …

So, maybe it’s that shedding the winter layers always feels so liberating.  My wardrobe gets lighter in the Spring and, apparently,  so do my unspoken “rules” of  fashion.   Then again, maybe it’s because everywhere I turn I see glowing neon accessories that take me back to the carefree days of my 80′s youth.  I guess it doesn’t really matter why, but, it’s official, I’m feeling feisty these days…a little daring…a little rebellious.

The conversation in the Old Allison’s head would go something like …