Tulle, Takei, & Tim Riggins

The last time I wore this gown from Victorian Trading Company (currently on sale!), I paired it with tennis shoes, believe it or not - albeit tennis shoes a la Red's Shoe Diaries. See that look here.

If you're a regular Red's Shoe Diaries reader, you may have noticed my posts have been a bit slower lately...There's a good reason for that: a four-legged, redheaded, velvety, wriggly bundle of puppy joy. 

Meet 8 week old Tim Riggins! (If you get the reference, we can definitely be friends. #TexasForever). A naturally energetic and inquisitive Hungarian Vizsla, Tim Riggins has occupied nearly all of my free time since coming home with us... 

The intricate floral embroidery is everything, and I was thrilled to find a complementary crystal brooch to adorn my cocktail hat.

Not that I'm complaining - that wrinkly little green-eyed ginger face is already a source of pure joy and unconditional love. Tim Riggins is a big cuddler, and when he's not chasing everything in sight, he loves to be held and follows me everywhere. 

Both the hat and crystal brooch were inexpensive Amazon finds. I've worn the hat several times, but make it "new" with different accents. See it styled differently here.

Tim Riggins is also still learning his manners, including what things are and are not okay to chase and chomp on. As you might imagine, he was completely befuddled Saturday night when I not only wouldn't pick him up, but scolded him for chasing after the 10 yards of embroidered tulle swishing around me as I got ready for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Opening Night Gala.

A second, matching, crystal brooch does double duty as a barrette.

Tim Riggins may have his "momma's" coloring, but Tim Riggins does not do black tie. To him, a flowy dress and birdcage veil are obviously meant as an invitation to wrestle and play. Why on Earth would I not want to play tug of war with all that fabric?! Needless to say, he was much happier when I came home, put on pajamas, and rolled around on the floor with him.

The green crystal"vine" choker has been in my closet for years. The dress didn't really need it, but I was feeling extra "sparkly" this weekend.

But, Tim Riggins will learn. He's a smart one, that Tim Riggins. And as much as I enjoy every second with him (even when I'd rather he chase his tail than my tulle), I also love events like the Symphony Gala that showcase the incredible talent in our city and spotlight performances from superstars like Angela Brown and George Takei (both of whom wowed this weekend). It's all about balance.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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I'm also linked up with Hat Attack!

Tiny Umbrellas

The tiny umbrellas on my dress were the only ones to be found during a recent visit to the Maker's Mark Distillery in Kentucky. "Red-headed" drinks don't call for frilly paper garnishes.

I've had my fill of umbrellas this Summer - the rain shielding kind, that is. 

Dress (Four Eyed Girl on Etsy); Purse (Steinmart); Cardigan (Old Navy)

Beach umbrellas, on the other hand, are always welcome...and when you're as fair skinned as I am, they're pretty much a necessity.

A friend surprised me with this fun nautical necklace a few years ago. The shoes are from Zulilly and cost a whopping $9.99

Tiny umbrellas are also welcome, whether garnishing a slushy drink (more sour than sweet, thank you very much), or dancing across a sundress.

Hat (Charing Charlie); grosgrain ribbon and gold necklace (Burlington Coat Factory)

Masterful seamstress Ashley Kopera, owner-operator of online boutique Four Eyed Girl, made this beach cabana print dress especially for me using fabric I found and fell for on Etsy, and I was delighted to find I already had a necklace and shoes that turned out to be a match made in the shade!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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Golf with the CREW

I missed playing with my friend Maria in the Indianapolis Women's Golf League this Summer, but we had a blast supporting Dress for Success Indianapolis at the annual IndyCREW golf outing at The Sagamore Club. (Both my navy skirt and the coral and navy striped top were bargain finds at TJ Maxx).

My golf game has NOT improved this year. It's one of those things that requires a lot of practice and a lot of repetition. Unfortunately, a new job too many miles away meant giving up my weekly golf league this Summer, and it shows.

St. Elmo's world-famous shrimp cocktail was served on one hole...I may or may not have gone back for seconds. It's my favorite!

Even so, I still enjoy the opportunity to play whenever I can, and I particularly enjoy a good scramble with friends. Bar none, the best outing I have ever participated in is hosted by the IndyCREW. This group of professional women in commercial real estate knows how to throw a party on the golf course! From frozen margaritas on hole 4; to lavender infused cold washcloths at the turn; to a low country shrimp boil on 16 with a truckload of treats on every hole in between, I've never felt so spoiled on the links. 

Ball cap (Lacoste; Nordstrom); Heart-shaped sunglasses (Gordmans)

The first time I played in this annual scramble, it was primarily because I knew the proceeds would benefit two local organizations about which I'm passionate, Dress for Success Indianapolis and the Pink Ribbon Connection (and maybe a little because I wanted to play at the exclusive Sagamore Club). That said, the outing itself was so much fun there was never a question that I'd be back. Every year, the committee and sponsors have outdone themselves, and it's become a "can't miss," much anticipated Summer event. I'm already looking forward to next year, though I hope to play a lot more between now and then!

Golf Shoes (Callaway Golf, with custom kilties by yours truly - learn more about them (and how I did it) here.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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Orange you glad?

Dress (Bernie Dexter); Cardigan (ModCloth); Sunglasses (Kate Spade)

Whenever I wear this Bernie Dexter sundress, I have an uncontrollable urge to make bad puns and tell "knock, knock" jokes...

The graphic table setting in the lower right corner inspired me to pear this freshly squeezed dress with a black and white striped Michael Kors totebag and kitten heels from Zulilly. I added the the citrus shoe clips for an added slice of style.

As in "orange you glad it's a holiday?" "Orange you glad it's been a sun kissed weekend?" "Orange you glad that Summer's not quite over?" "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?" (come on, you remember the punchline to the world's most annoying knock, knock joke).

Peeling away the striped accents in favor of a kelly green belt, bag, and shoes (left) put that color in the limelight.

Orange you glad I don't wear this dress every day? To be honest, though, I have a zest for puns no matter what I'm wearing, both the good ones and the lemons. I just can't resist their appeal. They really get my juices flowing, even if they make others want to beat me to a pulp! 

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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I'm also linked up with Hat Attack today!

Can't Touch This: Rapping about Racing Fashion

Dress (Taylor; Amazon); Lace Cardigan (Calvin Klein; Macy's)

What do MC Hammer, fashion design, and horse racing have in common? I know it sounds like there's a clever punchline coming next, but I'm serious...While "Hammer pants" are not, and have never been, the height of horse race fashion, it turns out the popular 1990s rapper and thoroughbred owner also left his mark on racing silks. Who knew?! 

Sunglasses (Gordmans); Hat (Charming Charlie); Sterling racehorse pendant (Churchill Downs gift shop)

The colors and design of jockeys' racing silks are generally designed by the owner of a racehorse. Each owner's silks must be unique, and "registered" in a designated database to ensure other owners can't co-opt the design. Though the colorful uniforms are still referred to as "silks," most are now made of lycra or nylon in recognition of the advances in fabric technology - modern synthetics are more durable and breathable than the silkworm's toil.

My colorless, monochromatic Churchill Downs After Dark "white party" look is a stark contrast to the graphic silks worn by well-known jockeys Corie Lanerie (6) and Robby Alborado (2), who I had the honor of meeting in the Downs After Dark VIP lounge earlier this Summer.

Owners who don't have their own proprietary design often avail themselves of "house silks," which are generic uniforms provided by a given racetrack. Some tracks also have strict requirements for the design of custom silks, too. In New York, owners are required to register their designs with The Jockey Club, and those that don't conform to club rules will be rejected. 

Sometimes attention to  detail when dressing has unexpected perks - my "white party" attire earned an on-the-spot invitation to the evening's exclusive VIP lounge, where I had an opportunity to mingle with the jockeys!

Apparently, MC Hammer's flamboyant, non-traditional design for his stable's silks did not meet Jockey Club rules. As a result, in 1991, the rapper was told house silks would have to be used by the jockey riding his Kentucky Oaks winning horse, Lite Light, in a stakes race at Belmont. Hammer, unwilling to touch the generic uniforms, threatened to pull the horse from the race. Because Lite Light was favored to win, the track relented and allowed the rapper to flaunt Jockey Club rules in his own design. Then, "too legit to quit" after his fashion victory, the Daily Racing Form reported that Hammer had to pay a local seamstress to make a new set of the controversial silks just hours before the race because he'd forgotten to pack the originals he'd fought so hard for! 

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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I'm linked up with Hat Attack!

Small Town Seersucker Saturday

About 15 minutes east of the little slice of real estate I call home is a town so quaint it actually has a cafe, the Mayberry Cafe, where you can watch classic Andy Griffith reruns while eating a slice of Aunt Bea's apple pie.

And on Saturdays in the Summer, in the town square across from the Mayberry Cafe, there is a Farmer's Market with all manner of fresh produce from Hoosier fields and gardens. Heirloom tomatoes are my favorite local fare (preferably sliced and sprinkled with a dash of salt and a splash of balsamic vinegar, though I've been known to eat them like an apple, too).

Of course, leave it to me to visit a farmer's market for fruit and come away instead with a new dress and accessories to match... Okay, this cotton seersucker dress didn't actually come from the market, but it did come from a consignment store on the town square. I'd never have discovered Jane's On the Square if I hadn't been looking for fresh tomatoes and watermelon at the farm stands across the street! Between the $8 dress; the $2 grosgrain yellow shoe clips (which actually did come from one of the market vendors); and the gorgeous yellow tomatoes I gathered, it was a sunshiny small town Saturday, indeed!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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I'm linked up with Hat Attack!

#YelpWhiteNight

While I appreciate the versatile, universally flattering (not to mention slimming), and timeless style of the Little Black Dress, lately it's been the Little White Dress that's captured my attention. In fact, I have very few LBDs, but in the past few years I seem to have started a mini collection of LWDs. In my opinion, the right LWD is just as timeless as the LBD, though a shade more seasonal and somewhat trickier to wear when you're spill-prone like me.

Luckily, a slate of annual "white parties" has given me plenty of opportunity to wear these colorless closet gems. Tonight will be my third "fete en blanc" of the Summer, but they're not redundant and you'll never hear me complain. Different venues; different groups of friends; different menus; different decor; and yes, often (though not always) different dresses, make each one fresh and fun.

Tonight's "White Night" is sponsored by Yelp. It's become an annual tradition. Limited to 1000 guests (which sounds like a big number, but there's a wait list every year), the event is usually held downtown on Monument Circle. Revelers bring their own table decor and picnics featuring homemade and local fare; and savvy local vendors are on site to offer samples of tasty temptations, as well. It's one big, elegant picnic. These photos are from last year's White Night (I didn't blog about it at the time, so I thought I'd share now as I gear up for tonight's soiree sans color with some of my most colorful friends!) 

One of my favorite elements of the Yelp event, in particular, is the opportunity to create a pretty table. I love, love, love to set the scene for a meal with friends. From plates and flatware to flowers and favors, tending to the little details brings me joy. Last year's galvanized tin and whitewashed wood tablescape was festive for fine dining al fresco. Of course, you know I had to come up with something altogether different for tonight's installment, but that's still under wraps!

Getting creative with table settings is like an art project for me, and it's easy to get excited about it when you have foodie friends that always bring their "A" game cooking skills to the table. Last year's feast featured sriracha deviled eggs; a Chinese salad that may be the best salad I have ever eaten; baked brie; individual dessert trifles with fresh fruit and creme; and a host of other mouth watering nibbles.  

I know what the table will look like and I know what I'm wearing tonight, but I still don't know what new and different palette pleasing recipes I'll be treated to. I have no doubt, however, that they will be delicious (and, Dedee, please, please, please bring that salad again!) 

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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