Blog-a-Bee : Bye, Bye Frumpy.

"Today is a bleh day." "I feel so bleh."

Beware, this mindset is contagious. It starts with one gal pal and next thing you know, we're playing round-robin of catching this drab mindset...

Let your hair down, it's time to cut those heels a break for some R&R... We all face those days where we have absolutely no idea what to wear for the day. Suddenly, we find ourselves standing in front of our closet staring... staring... and waiting for the emergence of an epiphany that seems to have taken a day-off. Unfortunately, without the pre-notice. This is not to say it's a day to suffocate ourselves in a head-to-toe sweater-and-sweats disaster. No, please do not self-sacrifice yourself as the reincarnation of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky... it won't do the world any good, promise!

Going casual for the day does not mean you have to frump it up and hide away from the public. So, this post is for all the ladies in sweats... there are no excuses for that static-wear monstrosity. Clean-up your drag days and trade in your contagiously bleh aura for a comfy, casual, and chic vibe!

Olivia Palermo in New York

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Olivia? In sneakers? Believe it or not, this widely-adored style icon of a socialite has marched the city pavement in flat shoes (not just flats) on more than one occasion. I love seeing her in heels, but seeing her in sneakers (even if those sneakers are Lanvin -- of course) brings her down-to-earth again.

Rather than dressing within one color-tone palette, mix it up and dabble into a range of colors so long as there is a form of continuity between the colors. This freshens up the casual look rather than drowning into all black and grays... eventually blending into the gloomy weather like the wallflower you aren't!

Tidbit: French Sole NY flats

Olivia's wearing French Sole's Passport leather quilted flats in beige/black, $225. For comfortable, durable flats to wear walking up and down the city, day-to-night, French Sole is Olivia's go-to spot! I bought this exact pair of flats and have been wearing it obsessively for a year and a half. FS's flats are fashionably convenient. After slipping on my first pair of French Sole flats, I'm hooked...

Buy it! http://frenchsoleshoes.com/category.php?id=4

The Story Behind French Sole:

"A paradise for ballet flat lovers, the store offers so much more. Soft Italian calfskin ballets, Spanish kidskin patterns and hand-beaded ballerinas are in abundance here as well.

Our specialized concept fuses true fashion with cozy comfort, with an emphasis on proper fitting. It will be easy to snare your favorite styles with sizes ranging from size 4 - 12, many available in narrow and wide widths on special order. Serving such well-shod luminaries as Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Barbara Walters, Ali MacGraw, Cindy Crawford, Candace Bergen, and The Duchess of York, the cozy setting of this shop assures the intimate attention and commitment we believe will satisfy each guest."

Whitney Port in L.A.

Whit lives a bi-coastal lifestyle. Jetting back to her hometown in sunny Cali whenever she gets the chance (so far, she's spotted in L.A. practically every other week). Juggling two different types of weather, two different fashion frontier vibes, and two different types of city attitudes... Whitney definitely has become a pro at bringing the two fashion flavors of both coasts together to form her own aesthetic. Her lovely XL striped sweater paired with oxfords is a simple, easy way to pay tribute to the preppy London appeal that's been taking over the east coast. Every girl should own at least one striped closet piece!

Tidbit: When wearing over-sized sweaters

1. Never wear anything else that's over-sized below. No sweats! No flares! No wide-leg! Anything that has extra-material would only shorten and widen your frame. Always pair those comfy sweaters with either: a) leggings / jeggings OR b) skinny jeans OR c) skinny cigarette trousers. Notice the keyword here: Tight and Skinny.

2. Hair: Hair should either but pulled away from the face in a high ponytail / bun. Or, if you want to let your hair down, loose waves will do the trick. No prom-queen, overdone curls please! Believe it or not, it can add some extra pounds to your upper portion while swallowing your neckline, making your upper shoulder area seem even bulkier.

Ashley Tisdale in Toronto

Ashley always walks out of her house like the ultimate Cali-girl. Tanned and in shorts and a tank the majority of the time. She mixes in a few bohemian pieces with some L.A. grunge here and there. This is exactly how most L.A. Cali-girls dress. Relaxed, yet still stylish. And of course, and overdose of accessories is a must! I love how she breaks apart the color spectrum of her outfit.. with destroyed Siwy Camilla Shorts in a bleach-dyed wash, a mustard yellow Balenciaga First Bag, and brown Dolce Vita Aries Bootie Sandals... Ever so youthful, ever so hip..