Have you ever been browsing through a collection of clothing, either online or in-store, and you saw something so gorgeous you literally felt your jaw drop?  Have you ever felt so shocked by your emotional reaction to a piece of clothing that you gasped out loud?  I have.  {I've even created a blog on which to post these items, so I wouldn't empty my bank account in order to possess them.}  It's not often that I have this reaction -- more likely I'll do a double-take, or just gaze longingly at something for a prolonged period of time.

This Anthropologie dress, however, got both the jaw-drop and the audible gasp.  It's just so gorgeous.  {I don't think I've mentioned it on this blog before, but red poppies are absolutely my favorite flower.  Stick them on anything and I'm guaranteed to love it.}  I created an outfit around it, just for fun:


1.  Homegrown Dress, $158, Anthropologie {link}
2.  Featherweight cotton long cardigan, $69.50, J. Crew {link}
3.  Braided Claudette necklace, $16, Fred Flare {link}
4.  Colin Stuart T-strap wedge, $29, Victoria's Secret {link}
5.  Fossil Latigo C-Buckle Belt, $28, Dillard's {link}

I think a boyfriend cardigan, with the sleeves scrunched up to the elbows, would look great with this dress.  Add in the shoes, though, and it becomes a little too Grandma's garden party.  I added an edgy necklace and menswear belt {which I would wear over the cardigan} to make it feel more modern.

What do you think?  Am I crazy for my intense reactions to clothing?  Are you a little afraid of me now?  What about the dress?  Breath-taking, isn't it?  And do you have any thoughts about the outfit -- is it something you would wear for spring?

I know I shouldn't indulge my thoughts about summer weather and swimsuits right now.  For one thing, it's supposed to snow this afternoon {although, since the temperature was in the mid-60s two days ago, my best guess is that it won't even stick}, and thinking about warmer weather is almost torturous.  For another, as my husband will quickly tell you, I don't need any more swimsuits.  I have two cute ones in good condition {one one-piece and one tankini}, and I have an unflattering but practical back-up.  I'm covered.

But, as the title of this blog attests, I love to dream about clothing of all kinds.  {Besides, if you didn't stock up on swimsuits for this year when they were on sale last fall, now is definitely the time to do so -- you can still find some great ones on sale!}  And so, while I'm fantasizing of spending warm weeks at the beach getting freckled and tanned, I'm picturing myself wearing one of these swimsuits:


1.  Solid Underwire Halter Tank Swimsuit, $89.50, Land's End {link}
2.  Monroe halterneck swimsuit, $74, Fig Leaves {link}
3.  Merona Bandeau Shirred One Piece, $34.99, Target {link}
4.  Boyleg Swimsuit, $68, Boden {link}
5.  Solid Boy Short One-Piece, on sale $39.50, Delia's {link}
6.  Pindot underwire tank, $80, J. Crew {link}
7.  Luxe très bow tank, on sale $59.99, J. Crew {link}
8.  Juicy Couture Bandeau Swimsuit, $98, Bloomingdale's {link}

Also, a few tips on buying swimsuits:

1.  Know your body and how to flatter it.  For example, I love halter-neck suits because they show off my shoulders; I love sweetheart necklines because they emphasize my {rather small} chest.  And, I usually buy tanks in long torso sizes, because I have a disproportionately long torso.  If you're not sure what shape is most flattering on you, check out these posts from Cardigan Empire: for Hourglass, for Upper Figure, for Middle Figure, for Lower Figure, and for Linear Figure.  {Not sure what body type you have?  Start here.}

2.  Make sure a suit is also practical.  We all want a cute swimsuit, but you should confirm that it's fully lined, and that it has the support you need before purchasing.  Many suits are adorable {like this one from Anthropologie}, but would be more appropriate for a little girl than a woman; while smaller busts may be able to get away with only a shelf bra, padding and underwire is safest for {oh-so-lucky} larger-busted women.  If you're shopping online and a product description doesn't contain all the information you need, call the customer service number and ask.

3.  Invest wisely.  You may decide that you want a swimsuit of very high quality, one that will last you for many years to come.  If this is the case, buy a style that's classic; five years from now, you don't want to be wearing a swimsuit that was only fashionable for one or two seasons.  On the other hand, if you want an in-the-moment suit, go inexpensive.  That way, you don't pay a lot for something that won't last very long.

Well, what do you think?  What's your favorite style of swimsuit?  Are you dreaming about the beach {or lake?  Or pool?  Where do people in Utah go to sun themselves?} already?  Do you have any more advice for potential swimsuit buyers?

If I had one million dollars that I could only spend on clothes...

{these are the kinds of fantasies that I like to play with in my head.  Not just "if I had one million dollars," because then it would go to things like paying off our student loans and buying a house and helping people in Haiti.  Not that I don't want to help people in Haiti; I do.  Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.  But as long as I'm fantasizing, I want to be fantasizing about clothes, which is why I add the stipulation "that I could only spend on clothes."  I also have fun with "if I got a $5000 shopping spree at J. Crew" and "if everything at the mall was free}

... a lot of it would go to my dear seductive friends, J. Crew and Anthropologie.  However, I think the majority would end up funding another long-time temptation of mine, Kate Spade.  Oh, Kate Spade, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.  I love the bright color palette {red is my all-time favorite color.  It's so lovely}, the bold stripes and sweet details, the knee-length dresses, the funky cute patterns, the retro charm and modern feel.  Basically, I love everything.  Hence the exclamation point in my post title -- I love Kate Spade that much.  And mostly I don't even allow myself to think about Kate Spade, because I'm afraid I'm going to lose it and accidentally buy something and be out $300.

Right now I can't stop looking at {and drooling over} these pieces:


From left to right:

Jet Setter Print Darla Dress, $355 {link}
Annapolis Agnes Sweater, $245 {link}
Connect Four Reina Dress, $395 {link}
Pass the Shades Cotton Scarf, $95 {link}
With a Twist Striped Rosette Tank, $175 {link}

What do you think?  Are you a Kate Spade fan?  Do you ever fantasize about buying everything you ever wanted, or do you keep your musings more realistic?  Do you agree that red is the most gorgeous color in the world, or do you have a different favorite?  Leave a comment!

My husband recently asked me for more Christmas present ideas. He tried to buy me several things on the first list I gave him, which appeared to be in stock, only to later be informed that they were no longer available. {I'm actually not surprised -- a lot of the things on my Christmas wishlist were on sale before Black Friday, which is a recipe for wishlist disaster.} Poor Christian. I'm so sorry.

I did, however, enjoy putting together a new list. Here are a few of the things I chose this time around:

Essie nail polish, $8, J. Crew (link)
Pave Posts, $24, Anthropologie (link)
Luxe tux tissue tee, on sale $39.50, J. Crew (link)

Pretty, yes? I had a hard time deciding between the pearl and the grey posts -- both are so lovely. Is there anything you're desperately desiring for Christmas?

I was looking over the new arrivals at Anthropologie this morning...

{...as a sidenote, why was I looking at the new arrivals at Anthropologie this morning? To torture myself? Usually I confine myself to the humble sale section, knowing that anything I could even hope to buy will be there. Today, however, I slipped up, and am now paying dearly for my mistake...}

...and I saw two things that just made me catch my breath. The first was this:


Unlike the cardigan, I have no idea what I would wear it with... {...white top and cardi, maybe? with navy pumps and a tweed trench? none of which I own...} ...but it is gorgeous. The intricate detail is delicious, and the yellow is so sunny.

What do you think? Is there anything that you are hopelessly longing for this holiday season? What would you wear these items with?

It's down from $110 at Ann Taylor. The puffed sleeves, the satin bow, the chiffon overlay, the delicate pink color -- I love how soft and feminine it is.

Here's what I would wear it with:


1. Pleated denim jacket, $59.50, Gap (link)
2. Chandelier necklace, $24.99, Banana Republic (link)
3. Perfect Bow Short Sleeve Sweater, $49.99, Ann Taylor (link)
4. Moss green shoulder bag, $34.99, Ruche (link)
5. Real straight cords, $54.50, Gap (link)
6. Gambia Slouchy Boot, $19.50, Forever 21 (link)

total: $243.47

I don't remember exactly how I came across this necklace on Etsy, but I do remember that I instantly fell for it. I love the bright, happy colors -- it seems like such a fun accessory!


1. Military Patrol Jacket, $37.80, Forever 21 (link)
2. Textured jersey satin-trim tee, on sale $19.99, J. Crew (link)
3. Merino Wool Felt Necklace, $40, Crafts2Cherish @ Etsy (link)
4. Merona Large Hobo, $24.99, Target (link)
5. Artist Jean, on sale $39.95, American Eagle (link)
6. Kimchi Blue Linen Skimmer, on sale $19.99, Urban Outfitters (link)
7. Small idiom bangle, on sale $29, Kate Spade (link)

total: $211.72

My amazing husband Christian and I have a tradition of making Christmas wishlists. (It's only a two-year-old tradition, since we haven't been married very long, but traditions have to start some time, right?) I recently made my 2009 Christmas wishlist, and item #1 was boots.

I've known for several months that I wanted a pair of boots -- my first real pair of boots. However, in a budget discussion with my husband, we decided that I could either get a new winter coat or boots, but not both. I got the coat from this post, and I love it. I have no regrets.

I have no regrets, but I would still love to get boots for Christmas. Inspired by Elaine (of clothed much)'s post, I did some serious research. I looked for brown boots, size 8.5, leather or leather-like material, knee-high or mid-calf, with a small wedge heel. (Whatevs, I'm not picky. I just know what I want.) I found six pairs that fit my requirements. I couldn't decide between them, and also I love surprises, so I put them all on my wishlist and let Christian pick.

For under $100:

4. Kenneth Cole REACTION Cash Cab Boot, $109.95, Endless (link)
5. Steven by Steve Madden Intyce Riding Boot, $129.90, Endless (link)
6. Steven by Steve Madden Inragee Low Wedge Boot, $159, Amazon (link)

I found this sweater at Victoria's Secret, and I think it's entirely lovable. I love the color, I love the sleeves, I love the cashmere. The downfall? It's on sale from $128, but it's still pretty pricey. In keeping with my decision not to do any more shopping this season, I will settle for admiring it from afar.

Cashmere Bow-sleeve Sweater, on sale $79,
Victoria's Secret (link)

Recently, my mantra when looking at clothes online has been: "Post, don't buy." I've already done all of my fall shopping, and now I'm cutting myself off. As tempting as new clothes are, I've decided that I'm going to be happy with what I have. (Happy, at least, until Christmas time.) No more online shopping for me right now. Thank goodness I have this blog! That's the reason I created this blog, after all -- to keep myself from buying every pretty thing I see. Sometimes it's just so hard... expect a plethora of wishlist posts as I continue to curb my shopping appetite.

Any advice from you, readers and fellow bloggers? How do you keep your shopping impulses in check?

And just to make it harder for all of us to stay within budget this month, I found this gorgeous dress at Banana Republic this morning. It looks like a perfect dress to wear to holiday parties, and it's marked down from $180 -- such a steal!


BR Monogram flutter-sleeve pleated dress, on sale $59.99,
Banana Republic (link)

Velvet Gathered Dress
price: £110 (or about $179.48)


Wool Tulip Dress
price: £135 (or about $220.27)

What do you think? Do you think you'll ever buy something from Saltwater? Would you, if it was in the budget? Does the fact that it's a British clothing line make it more appealing to you? (I know it does for me.)

{As seen on AmandaBeth Online.}